Twenty years ago today, the Lord prompted me to begin writing The Daily Jot. At the time, I was not sure what form it would take or what even would be written. I knew, however, that I was to use my journalism experience to encourage and equip Christians to evangelize. The name of the Jot came from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” The Daily Jot was to be a small daily writing about something the Lord put on my heart that would help equip or encourage someone to evangelize in some way–whether it be through example, by using the Jot to strike up conversations, or by sharing it.
I started sending it to my personal email list of 34 friends. I have learned a lot over the past two decades. Lesson 1: Never despise meager beginnings. I have learned that when you know the Lord asks you to do something, he will honor it–it will not return void–a man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16). I also have learned that there will be many trials testing your commitment, and many attacks from Christians and unbelievers alike. I have learned that through sickness and strife and adversity, the Lord’s word is truth–He will never leave you nor forsake you and to not fear what man can do to me (Hebrews 13:5,6). Through all of it, we learned the true meaning of Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Another lesson I have learned is that there are many deceivers in the world–many are in Christianity. Paul warned in Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” When you actually study the word, you will find that many doctrines were developed out of context or from tradition. There are many things I once believed were true because they were taught to me as truth, but I now see they were in great error and cause deception. Don’t get angry when your concepts or traditions are challenged. Study the Bible in its full context and find out for yourself.
There have been countless times over the past 20 years that the Lord has prompted me to write things that have, at first, upset people tremendously. To be honest, I knew they would, but I have to write what the Lord impresses upon me to write. Usually, the upsetting things become reality. As an award-winning investigative journalist, many times people would mock what I wrote, only to find that it turned out to be true. In Christianity, the arena is very unforgiving. Covering prophetic events is a full contact sport so to speak. To deal with the hostility, mocking, and pretention, the Lord gave me these verses in Ezekiel 3:17-21. Paraphrasing, the Lord says tell them what I tell you to tell them; if you do, their actions are on their hands; if you don’t, the blood is on your hands. And so it goes.
In the times ahead, I suspect there will be many warnings, many doctrines that will be called into question, and many who will just want to lash out rather than check it out. Please understand that I love you; that I have no agenda apart from what I believe the Lord is putting on my heart; and that your prayers and support are cherished because I also have learned that the Lord chooses to work through his people, otherwise this ministry would not exist. I have learned that providing a meal for the hungry is better than just praying for them to be fed—showing faith by the work. Most of all, I have learned that the Lord gifts you with something special. Then He sees how you use it. Be encouraged. Be equipped. Take Action. Thank you for the past 20 years, and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for both of us in the next 20!
