A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

It wasn’t long after I came back to Christ that I realized that the call that had been on my life as a young man was still there.  He had called me when I was 16 years old to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and he had assured me – when I came back to him – that this call was still there.

In fact the reason that I came back to the Lord 8 years ago instead of 10 years ago is because of the realization of this call.  I didn’t really understand what he wanted me to do.

I was afraid I would go into poverty because of the call; a common misconception of many in the church in those days.  The call often was associated with poverty.

This has not been my experience.  God has blessed me with a prosperous life and I have my heart’s desire in every way.

My life became the message that brought hope for many lives.  I began to realize that many Christian families had prodigals like me that they were praying for to come back into the Kingdom.  Many mothers were crying out for their sons and daughters.

I represented a hope to them that these sons and daughters bound by drugs, addictions and suicide could indeed come back into the Kingdom and flourish as men and women of God.

I love the declaration that Joshua made over himself and his family in Joshua 24:15.  He said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

I don’t fear the salvation of my children and trust me, some of them have gotten themselves into some interesting things.  I don’t fear because I know the power of God to salvation.  He saved me out of the miry pit and he will save my children.

I believe this with all my heart.  I do not care what comes out of their mouth or lips because I know that one day they will be preaching the gospel just like me.  I know it in my heart and have the assurances of God to that end.

Indeed it is my belief that if you are reading this now it is because of this hope of God that he will level every mountain in your family and raise up every valley.  There is no curse that has come upon you or your kin that he cannot remove.  As you “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understand, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Perhaps you need prayer for a family member today.  If so, please feel free to ask us for prayer.  I know that God will touch your loved one.  I have seen him do it many times.

There is hope in Christ for you and for your loved ones.  The chains that shackle them will be loosed and they will be set free.