But if I see someone further along in promoting the gospel through an avenue that it might take me one or two years to build, I would rather give them money to do more of what they are doing. I understand how the Body of Christ must work together to evangelize the world.
I've learned that I can't carry the responsibility of all I see to be done alone - we are to be team players here in our work for the Lord. When I see other people proclaiming the gospel, I want to support them.
You can run yourself to the point that God could still use you, but there's nothing left to use. I think that's one of the traps of Satan for someone not to complete their ministry. If Satan can't stop us, he will push us until we are so tired and weak that if we don't go to heaven right away, all we'll want to do is go there as soon as we can!
Where we hurt the devil is on the earth. He would like to get us off the planet. Satan would rather have us in heaven than making trouble for him here on the earth.
A young preacher gave me a word of knowledge one time. He said, "Brother Jesse, the devil can't defeat you - you just run over him. So since he can't get in front of you and stop you anymore, he gets behind you and pushes. He says, 'Come on, man, come on!
"'You've got to keep doing the work of God. Come on, Jesse! What are you going to sleep for, man? You could have taken that afternoon prayer session. Come on! Come on! Come on!' He's now behind you pushing. And you may not complete what the Lord wants you to do."
That hit me like a ton of bricks because it was a true word. It isn't part of my nature to rest much. And no matter how much I've pushed myself, the Lord still has given me the ability to finish what I'm doing.
There have been times when I've walked out on that platform and been so tired I've said to Him, "God, I'm going to need some help here or I'm not going to last three minutes." And He says, "This anointing has saved you, and I will give it to you again." But see, that's disobedience. I think I will lose rewards for that because I'm not taking better care of myself.
The statement that inspired me a long time ago, "I would rather wear out than rust out," is still true, but I've learned that being obedient to the Lord means to rest sometimes and support others when I can.
God even sent an angel to me one time to tell me to get some sleep! Matthew 11:30 tells us the Lord said, My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. When we are obedient to do what God tells us to do and not what we think we should do, we will be doing our part as one of the many members of the Body of Christ, and His burden will be light.
I would always rather be preaching the gospel instead of resting! But to be obedient I make myself say no sometimes.
Now I'm not saying don't step out in faith! As I said before, I'm a man who believes in stepping out in faith - I jump out of that boat and walk on that water knowing that Jesus will keep me up if I start to sink.
It's important to step out in faith! But what I'm saying is: Spend time with the Lord, and listen to Him. Take time to hear what He's telling you to do, and do that - what He tells you. The point is to listen to Him and obey. Then you'll live a rich and full life fulfilling the plan He has for you in the Body of Christ as His hand to reach others for Him.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers