Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.–Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
It was 1975. I was 19. I’d just surrendered my life completely to Jesus Christ. That very same night I broke up with my girlfriend, and abandoned my old way of life. No hesitation, no second thoughts. I felt the mighty urging of the Spirit of God calling me to follow Him in every way for the rest of my life. I sensed deeply in my soul that God was calling me to a life of full-time service to Him, and that my life would never be the same.
Each day after work, I would take my old car and my Bible, and drive to the woods to seek the Lord and call out to God. I sincerely expected God to speak to me, to direct me in specific ways in my life, showing me exactly what He wanted me to do. I had come across that verse in Jeremiah 33:3. I believed and obeyed it with all my heart.
Over the last 50 years this has been the consistent practice of my faith—I call out. God speaks. Countless times, God has spoken. Here are a few of the profound ways God spoke and directed me.
I knew, as a young man, women could distract and destroy my life and my devotion to God. I had to know from God he would take care of this issue, direct me, and provide. I needed God to speak to me. I called out to God.
God spoke—He who did not spare His own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will he not along with Him, freely give us all things.–Rom. 8:32“Mark, if I loved you enough to give you my Son to die and pay for your sins, I love you enough to give you a wife when it’s time. Trust me fully in this matter.”
God spoke—He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.–Prov. 18:32“Mark, a wife is my favor to give you, not your right to take.”
God spoke—Do not seek a wife.–1 Cor. 7:27“Mark, do not make seeking a wife your life focus, seek first the kingdom of God, I will provide all you need.”
So, I gave this desire for a wife to the Lord, began to seek his kingdom business first in all I did, and in his perfect time, God literally brought me to the girl I was to marry in a torrential rainstorm. That was 49 years ago.
Shortly after giving my life fully to the Lord, my grandfather called, out of the blue, and told my mom he would pay for me to go to Moody Bible Institute. He had graduated from there many years earlier. He had no idea I had just committed my life completely to Jesus Christ. This seemed like it could be a direct answer to prayer. I called out to God, “What should I do? Show me the way.”
God spoke—Now as they observed the courage of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and realized they had been with Jesus!–Acts 4:13“Mark, would you like me to use you like Peter and John? I do not need you to go to Bible School or seminary to use you greatly. I require this: Spend much time with Me. That will give you the courage, confidence and training you need!”
This became my practice for the last 50 years, spending time with God, earnestly seeking Him.
I sensed deep in my soul that God was calling me, but I was a very young man, just 19 at the time. A teenager! I called out to God, “Speak to me and tell me exactly what you have for me.”
God spoke—The Lord gave me a message. He said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a spokesman to the world.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I am too young!” “Don’t say that,” the Lord replied, “For you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the Lord have spoken.” Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, “See, I have put my words in your mouth.”–Jeremiah 1:4-9“Mark, you are not too young. I am going to use you as a spokesman for my truth in this world. I will teach you what to say, what to preach, what to teach. Go where I tell you. Say what I tell you, and do it fearlessly, with passionate boldness.”
Those of you who have known me personally, or heard my online messages, know, I have spoken the words of God fearlessly and with passionate courage and zeal all these years. Where God sent me, to the best of my ability, I went.
Kathy and I had just gotten engaged. Suddenly, we were facing unimaginable persecution and vitriol. It was excruciating and we had no idea what to do, or if we would ever be able to get married because of who it came from. We called out to God, “Speak to us. Show us the way, give us hope.”
God spoke—I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.–Psalm 27: 13-14“Mark, you will see my goodness in this life. You will be able to marry Kathy in this life. Walk through this fire. Wait for me to act. Take in encouragement. I will come through for you.”
We waited for two and a half grueling years, through unbelievable challenges and persecution, but God came through. On May 5th, 1979, we were married.
In early 2018, I was faced with a soul-crushing, life-altering ordeal that I might never recover from. It was earth-shattering, and devastating. I found myself overwhelmed with a broken heart, thrown out on a smoldering pile of ashes that used to be my life. I called out to God, “Save me. Show me what to do now, my heart is completely broken.”
God spoke—For I have chosen you, and I WILL NOT THROW YOU AWAY! Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you.–Isaiah 41:9 “Mark, those you have trusted and given your life for may have thrown you out, but I will never throw you out. My gifts and calling on your life are irrevocable. I am with you no matter who else isn’t and I will strengthen you, help you, and save you!”
God spoke—This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn’t exist before.–Romans 4:17 “Mark, others may have just murdered your life and reputation, but I can bring the dead back to life. I will bring you back from the ministry-dead, and call into being a brand new ministry for you, and provide all you need.”
God spoke—My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.–Psalm 45:1 “Mark, if your tongue can say it, your hand can write it! No matter how many times people have told you over the years, you can’t write, you’re not a good writer, don’t listen to them. Listen to me!”
On August 22, 2018, Strong Disciple was brought to life. God did exactly what he told me he would do. 357 Thoughts Provoking articles later, plus thousands of emails written containing wise Biblical counsel, encouragement, and godly advice, I’m still writing. God is still allowing me to be His spokesman through these articles, emails, and online messages, 50 years later. And I can assure you, I never use AI to write any of my articles or emails.
I am absolutely overwhelmed at the faithfulness of God to my life. He has told me time and time again, great and mighty things that I didn’t know before. His very words gave me life. You may think to yourself, “This can’t work, this can’t be real!” But I have lived it! I have actually lived the last 50 years of my life this way. This is not talk, high platitudes, or untested theory. This has been the reality of my life and ministry!!
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”–God
