Remember Your Mission

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

Because of opposition and discouragement, the Israelites had halted their mission to rebuild God’s temple for 16 years. Through the prophet Haggai, God revealed something that was holding them back: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild Lord’s house’” (Haggai 1:2).

How many of us have used the same age-old excuse? “It’s not the right time.” Although God does have an appointed time for things, sometimes we can use this Truth to rationalize our behavior instead of submitting to Christ.

In England in the late 1700s, there was a poor shoemaker named William. For years the Lord had been stirring a passion in his heart to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth as Jesus had commanded. William’s dream received much opposition from church leaders at the time.

Over 200 years later, William Carey is known as the father of modern missions. He is known for being the catalyst of the missionary movement of the 19th century, the movement back to which many of us can trace our own evangelical roots.

At the time, Carey had plenty of reasons to give up. He could have said, “Lord, I don’t have the money to go to India and preach the Gospel. I have a family to feed. Even these other pastors think it’s a bad idea.” But he knew in his heart what God’s Word said. If Carey had given in to just one excuse, the missions movement might never have been born.

God’s convicting response to the Israelites’ excuse in Haggai 1:4 would probably sound like this to us today: “You have time for entertainment, you have time for your career, but do you have time for My service?”

Read Haggai 1:12-14. Because God had revealed the state of their hearts, the Israelites knew where they stood and did not want to remain apathetic any longer. By God’s mercy and grace, they returned to the Lord.

The message of Haggai is that God can always redirect us when we have forgotten our purpose. What is God asking of you today? Is your life centered on Christ and His mission? Allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage you. No matter the cost, He is worth it!

Prayer: Lord, show me if there are any hindrances keeping me from complete obedience. Give me an urgency to share Your Word with others. What an honor it is to serve You! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Know Where You Stand: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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