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David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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David Wilkerson emphasizes that God knows what is best for us, even when He takes things away or does not grant our requests. He reassures us that true satisfaction comes from being in God's perfect will, and that what we think we need may actually lead to our ruin. Wilkerson encourages believers to trust in God's loving hand, understanding that He has something better in store for us. He cites Job's faith in God's plan as an example of resting in God's control. Ultimately, he reassures that if our hearts are right before God, His promises will never fail us.
God Knows What Is Best for Us!
There are times when God takes things from us and other times when we pray for things we think we need and God does not give them to us. Nevertheless “…the Lord knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6). One day God’s action will prove to be for the benefit of us and for His kingdom! The truest satisfaction in life comes from being in the perfect will of God, doing His work, living according to His choosing. But most of us are convinced that only we know what we need in order to be fulfilled and happy. And, in most cases, what we believe is best for us actually would ruin us! Never in the history of mankind has God taken anything from one of His children without bringing in something better, more beautiful, more fulfilling. God’s best is not something to fear; He not only knows what is best for you, He wants you to have His best! If we truly believed this it would produce such rest, peace and joy in us! We would not grieve over letting go of things; we would know we’ve been set free from all bondage! We would say, “Lord, if You are taking this from me, it must mean You have something much better for me. So take it—You can have it!” Beloved, we need to rest in the loving hand of our Father! We need to come to the point of trust where we say, “I have a loving Father who wants the very best for me. He knows it all!” How did Job finally come to a place of rest? He persuaded himself that God knew what He was doing and that everything was under control! Job said “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Many Christians see God at work in their lives yet they still wonder, “What if I blow it? What if I do something wrong and God gets angry or impatient with me? Will all His promises fail me? Will I have to settle for something less than His best?” No—never! If your heart is right before God, if you keep returning to Him and seeking Him with all your heart, nothing will change His plans for you!
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.