When I was a kid I remember playing basketball with my brother. He would always beat me. He beat me in H-O-R-S-E and he beat me in 21. He was 18 and I was 10 but I believed in my heart I could beat him and I never gave up. I would fight to the last bitter point. That flame of the fight in my heart has never died out and I wake up everyday thinking what can I do today to bring the fight to the things that matter most.
For the last 20 years I have brought that fight to the things of God. He doesn’t need me. It is not Jeff and God. He alone is God. I respect Him and believe that it is not my job to lead Him, it is my job to follow. Following is simple and hard all at the same time; It’s about listening and obeying. I can’t count how many times I have told people this, but I believe this statement alone separates many people in what they will see God do in their life and ministry. Here is the statement, “When God speaks obey Him immediately!”
That is the world that I seek to live in everyday. It is a huge challenge of faith. Often times the things that I hear God speak don’t make sense to my human logic. Some people would say, “You need to balance faith with wisdom.” There is no doubt that we need wisdom, as much as we can get. My belief is that there is huge wisdom in faith. If God says it then He has completely taken my wisdom off the table and replaced it with infinite wisdom.
Here is where I am living in this today. Last week during our week of fasting and prayer I asked you to pray that God would clearly speak about hiring a full-time Elder over our Next Generation ministries. We believe that God has spoken and we are actively pursuing a next level leader for this area. The criteria for this search is this: 1.Someone who can bring a wealth of experience in Next Generation Ministries. 2. Someone who has a clear vision and can lead our Youth and Children’s ministries to the next level and beyond. 3. Someone who loves our community. 4. A leader among leaders.
We believe that God has given us clear direction. You can join with us in prayer today that God would make the path straight. You can pray that God would provide the resources necessary to make this huge strategic move for our youth and children. I am praying that God would speak to people as they read this to commit to a higher level of giving to help us fund this position or someone who God is speaking to give a one time gift. We are stepping out in faith (“When God speaks obey Him immediately!”) and the result is going to make a huge impact! HUGE!!
Email me if you questions or you sense God is speaking to you about this. jeff@lifesongchurchonline.com
jefferyhickman 