As a faith leader, people look to you for inspiration, encouragement, and leadership. But where do you get yours? Worldly leaders often seek wisdom from one another or from online sources like podcasts or blogs, but the only safe and sure source is a Word from God. You should never lack something to share with others because God is continually speaking. Are you listening?
A Few Ways God Speaks
Two of the most common ways God speaks are listed in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Romans 8:14 says as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The Holy Spirit, within your born-again person’s spirit, will lead you through the inward witness, the voice of the Holy Spirit, or through tongues and interpretation. When I was a very young man and didn’t know exactly how to pursue God’s assignment for me, I spent many hours for many days praying in tongues. One day, the interpretation flowed out of me like a raging waterfall. The Holy Spirit spoke through my own lips, and I heard God’s plans for me. I had to dedicate time and effort to pursuing God’s will, and I had to listen.
Romans 10:14 tells us God another way speaks. It says, How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
When you bring people the truth of God’s Word, your work as a preacher, teacher, or leader is beautiful in God’s eyes. However, to give God’s Word to others, you must first receive it yourself, and one of the most important ways to hear from God is by listening to others preach and teach the Word. God will speak to you through other anointed preachers and teachers of the Word, but be sure to stick with those who stick with the Bible!
Listen and Obey
We should never get so comfortable in our ministry, business, or community leadership that we think we know it all! I’m continually seeking God’s Word and when I get it, I listen and obey. Paul noted that everyone who hears God’s Word doesn’t obey. He wrote, but they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (Romans 10:16)
It takes a certain amount of humility to listen to God’s Word, and it takes even more to obey, especially when He assigns you to do something new or go somewhere you’ve never been. Remember, God’s great promise in Isaiah 1:19. It says, if ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.
The Bigger Decisions Require More Time
I’ve had people tell me they believed God was telling them to leave the profession they prepared for their whole lives. Now that they’re established and doing well, it seemed like God was uprooting everything, telling them to go another direction, perhaps in ministry. I always tell them to take plenty of time to hear clearly from God, and the bigger the decision, the more time they need to take.
Faith leader, if you are facing some major decisions about your business, ministry, family, or finances, I suggest you take at least three days to pray and fast. If possible, get away where you can be alone and focus on communicating with God. He has the answers you seek, but you’ve got to be listening-not with your natural ears-but with your spiritual. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of not rushing into decisions without clearly hearing from God. He is always speaking, but our busy and noisy lives often block out the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.
God has the Word you need today. Just listen. He also has the Word those who follow you need to hear from you; just listen and you will always have an anointed message that will change people’s lives!
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