I remember 28 years ago, in 1993, as I was about to embark on the first Jesus music radio ministry in which I would serve, I got a particular urging from the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit urged me to call a man that I respected but never knew, Leonard Ravenhill. Mr Ravenhill was an author and revivalist who lived near Lindale Texas and was a constant companion and Elder to Keith Green, a musician and evangelist I very much enjoyed and respected.
I searched for Mr Ravenhill’s telephone number, called him up and spoke to him regarding what I was about to embark on, a Christian rock radio show on a secular (non-Christian) radio station.
His advice to me was to read 2 Timothy every day for a month and then determine what the Lord would have me do.
Today while sitting in a Hardee’s restaurant located in Washington Missouri, I opened up my Bible and reread 2 Timothy thus honoring Mr Ravenhill’s encouragement to me in 1993.
During my time there I had several people noticing that I was reading my Bible and inquired about my faith. I had a chance to personally share the gospel with each one of them. One of them, a Jehovah’s Witness, even gave me a card.
One particular passage in 2nd Timothy got my attention. And it was this one, 2 Timothy 4:5, ‘but you, be sober and all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.’
Even the Apostle Paul endured hardship. In fact he even wrote some of his most prominent personal letters from prison.
As for myself, I live out of my car. Many people would say that I’m homeless. But I’m not, and I’m not in denial. Many people, even Christians, will avoid hardship. We are not called to a life of ease and comfort. Ease and comfort is a tool of the devil to make you weak in the faith. The Christian walk is very hard and requires sacrifice and self-denial. I know a lot of people who claim Jesus, but who have never picked up their cross and denied themselves. In fact if you’re reading this right now and you’re getting defensive, you might be one of them. We need to examine ourselves daily to make sure we’re in the faith. Hardship is something that we are called to endure it. I know that my time in my current situation is set for me to be able to share my testimony and encourage those faithful, and even those lacking faith, on how God is my source and can be their source as well.
Like Paul, I am a tentmaker. I publish a newspaper and sell radio advertising. But I have been called to do the work of a missionary / evangelist through secular radio. In order to reach the lost and disenfranchised I play music similar to that which they hear everyday, except the music I play contains the message of hope through Christ Jesus in God.
My prayer is that you will partner with me as I partner with the Lord in reaching those outside of the faith and those who have been disenfranchised by religion.
Please keep me in prayer.