Unable to Hold Back

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

The Scriptures tell us that our lips reveal whatever we treasure in our hearts. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” and “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Matthew 6:21, 12:34). Ultimately, we cannot separate what we say and do from what we think and believe deep inside.

 

If we truly believe in God’s love and goodness, that belief will spill over into what we say about Him. No matter what our circumstances, we won’t be able to hold back our praise. Do we truly believe that God is the almighty King of the universe and the Lord of our lives? The strength and fervor, the depth and energy of our praise to God—both with our lips and in our lives—is directly proportional to our belief in God’s goodness and greatness.

 

Believing and praising build on each other. The more deeply and strongly we believe, the greater and more expansive is our praise. The more we praise the Lord, the more we will behold His glory and see His hand continually at work in our lives, and the more fervently and strongly we will believe.

 

Never is this Truth put to the test as it is when a dear loved one is in danger. Such a time came when my wife was diagnosed with cancer. It so happened that another person very close to me was gravely ill at the same time. To see two people I loved dearly facing the unknown, possibly even the threat of death itself, tested my beliefs about God. Was He really a God of love, of healing, and of faithfulness? Or was He unconcerned about my family’s health and safety?

 

For most of my life, I had believed the former: That God, in His faithfulness, loves us and cares for us and brings healing. So I started praising Him in advance for His care, His comfort, and His power to heal. In praising Him, I grew to sense in my soul that God truly is who He says He is. God really is the loving Father who comforts us in our time of deepest desperation, fear, and helplessness. Before I knew the final outcome of these threats to my family members’ health, I knew without question that God loves us without limit and that He heals us by His power. My life changed from the obedience of duty to the joyful, visceral obedience that expresses itself in uninhibited praise to our loving and all-powerful Lord.

 

Prayer: My Savior Jesus, I praise You as the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. I do believe because You have helped me to overcome my unbelief (Mark 9:24). May my belief in Your goodness give me a heart of constant worship. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

“In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid” (Psalm 56:4).

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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