Dear Friend,

     Is the Lord urging you to take a bold step of faith? To do something that is out of the ordinary and way out of your comfort zone? Maybe even something risky?

     Sometimes the Lord will drop an exciting idea into our heads. Or He will place us in a situation that warrants a bold step of faith. Our first reaction is often to shrink back. But what might happen if we were to respond? Perhaps it’s time for entrepreneurial faith.

A Dynamic Word

     I know, entrepreneur is a huge word…even a little difficult to pronounce. I thought about calling this letter “Risky Faith,” or “Enterprising Faith.” But I really believe that “entrepreneurial” is the right word for the kind of faith we are talking about here.

     The definition of entrepreneur (used mostly in a business context) is “one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” The emphasis there is on risk. An entrepreneur is someone who takes a novel idea and embraces all the inherent risks to make it successful. Couldn’t that apply to a step of faith as well?

     There is a sense of adventure to life in the entrepreneurial lane, whether business or faith. My father-in-law, Don Basham, who “lived by faith” throughout most of his ministry, defined the life of faith this way: “Living in the midst of a miracle on the edge of disaster.” 

Doing Exploits

     Daniel 11:32 says that “the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.”  The NAS translation of that last phrase is that we will “display strength and take action.” Do you find yourself longing for that kind of life on the cutting edge?

     Much of our society remains untouched by the claims of the Gospel. Many consider the Church and Christianity to be utterly irrelevant to society. What will it take for us to achieve the same impact as the Christians of the Early Church? People of their day exclaimed about the apostles in Acts 17:6: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

  

Taking a Risk

     The passage that really got me thinking about entrepreneurial faith was the account of Jonathan and his armor-bearer found in 1 Samuel 14. These two young men had gone out on their own, looking for adventure at a time when Israel was at war with the Philistines.

     In verse one, Jonathan says to the young man who carries his weapons, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” A few verses later, as Jonathan observes the enemy’s position, his entrepreneurial faith kicks in again. He repeats the invitation to step out boldly, adding these words in verse 6: “It may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.”

 

An Entrepreneurial Response

    Jonathan wasn’t the only entrepreneur in this story. In verse 7, we see his armor-bearer’s adventuresome response: “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” I love the ESV translation of the young lad’s response to Jonathan. “Do as you wish. Behold I am with you heart and soul.”

     It would have been absolutely understandable if the armor-bearer had said: “Hold on there, boss! This is a really crazy idea. There are 30 of those guys and two of us. Why don’t we just pass on this one?” Those words never crossed his lips. What did he say instead? “Let’s do this!” Together, they stepped out, and God granted them amazing success. (In fact, the end of the story says that their bold step actually caused the earth to shake!)

 

All Progress by Faith

     In the following excerpt from a highly personal message called, “God Wrote Your Scenario,” we hear the testimony of how God urged Derek Prince to step out in increased faith. It all began with the Lord asking him: “Are you satisfied?”

     In l962, I had just returned to Europe from five years on a mission field in East Africa. I was on the top of a lonesome cliff in the northwest corner of Denmark. I was worshipping the Lord, and there was nothing to interrupt me—just seagulls and wind.

     The Lord spoke to me—not audibly, but absolutely clearly. He rehearsed my spiritual career up to that point, reminding me of what I had accomplished. He said, “You’re a member of a denomination, the principal of a teacher training college, and you have a pension scheme.” Then He said, “Are you satisfied, or do you want to go further?”

     That shocked me, because I didn’t think there was anything further. I am embarrassed to say that was my attitude.

     One lesson I had learned by that time was not to give God a hasty answer. I said, “Lord, I need time to think this over. I’ll come back when I’m ready with my answer.” About three days later, I returned to the same clifftop, got in touch with the Lord, and said, “Lord, I’m ready to give you my answer.” Then I said, “Lord, I’m not satisfied.” (Only when I said “I’m not satisfied” did I realize how dissatisfied I really was.) But I blush at my response: “Lord, if there is anything further, I want to go further.”

     Just think of that! “If there is anything further.” I got a very swift answer. He said, “If you want to go further there are two conditions. First, all progress in the Christian life is by faith. If you’re not willing to go forward in faith you can’t go forward. Secondly, if you are to fulfill the ministry I have for you, you will need a strong healthy body and you’re putting on too much weight. You better see to that.” Very, very practical.

 

Taking a Step

     How about you? Are you satisfied? Or do you also want to go further? In the context of the adventure of Jonathan and his armor-bearer, are you willing to take a risk for Him?

     You may already know what step the Lord is asking you to take. It’s probably that issue that whenever you think of it, you say, “Oh Lord, please. Not that!” He may have been urging you to take this step for a long time. Are you ready to say yes to Him?

 

     Oh, Lord, I confess that I am a bit fearful. It would be so much easier just to stay in my comfort zone, maintaining my life without any changes or interruptions. Everything within me recoils at the idea of a risky step.

     Even so, Lord, I have to admit that I’m not really satisfied. I want to follow You completely. I hear Derek’s words ringing in my ears: “All progress in the Christian life is by faith.” That’s what you showed him on that cliffside in Denmark, and I know it is true for me as well. I want to go further.

     So here I am, Lord, ready to take whatever step You place before me. By Your strength, and by Your grace, I will step out boldly in faith. Amen

In His Hands

    Can you breathe a sigh of relief right now? You and I have just placed ourselves in the exact center of God’s will. We have said to Him, “No matter what, I will follow You in faith.” Would you like to know a secret? Placing yourself in His hands is a step into the safest place on earth—even when you are risking it all to follow Him in bold faith.

     You will need support to fulfill the promise you have just made. We would like to encourage you by offering you “God Wrote Your Scenario.” It contains deeply personal sharing from Derek Prince which will strengthen your resolve. We are glad to provide it for you free of charge—a token of our sincere appreciation for your prayers and gifts.

     One final word on this subject. Please note that Jonathan and his armor-bearer did not move out inadvisably. They had thought it through, and Jonathan had said, “Only if the Philistines call us over will we go. If they call us to them, that will be the sign that God has given them into our hands.” The kind of success they experienced can be yours as well.

     It’s no sin to plan and take action in a responsible way. Ultimately, though, we must move in response to Him. Do you know what pleases God most? Entrepreneurial faith. 

  

All the best,

 

 

Dick Leggatt
President, DPM–USA

P.S. Thank you for playing a vital role in DPM. You are part of our ever-growing family, and it is our great honor to be linked with you. Please feel free to download, with our blessings and thanks, the message by Derek Prince that we are offering with this letter: “God Wrote Your Scenario.”