4 Keys to Fearlessly Going All In For Our Youth

A few weeks ago I had a chance to preach at Redeemed Life Community Church in Atlanta, pastored by my friend Thomas Cotton. They were in a series entitled "ALL IN." In keeping with that theme, God gave me to preach from the topic of "FEARLESS." At that time I didn't fully realize just how quickly I would need to embrace my own message.

I'm going to share with you the four key points from my message and then below that let you know how this applies to the ministry transition God is taking me through. This message comes from Joshua 1:1-9, when God was preparing Joshua to lead the Hebrews into their promised land.

"Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed. “I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’ ” ~ Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8-9‬ GW

1. Rehearse Your Covenant.  Read, remember, and repeat what God said about you.
2. Recognize Your Constraints. there is nothing that can stop you from fulfilling God's plan for your life, because you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. 
3. Release Your Cares. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. You must let go of everything that God never intended for you to have, including fear, and embrace everything he did intend for you to have, especially love. 
4. Realize Your Conquest. Don't stop half way, embrace mediocrity, or settle for partial blessings when God called you to receive the best. Finish your course!

Over the last 15 years or so I've been involved with all levels of youth and young adult ministry from middle school all the way through recent college graduates. Although I spent a lot of time dealing with these age groups, they were never a core focus of my business pursuits in the marketplace. It wasn't until recently that I realized that I've been missing a prime target that God had put it right in front of my face. But because my attention was elsewhere I missed the opportunity that He was giving me. These reasons are obvious to me now for why I struggled so much with what I was trying to do.

Thank God for His grace and second chances to get it right. I recently made a major shift in my business/ministry endeavors. I'm now focusing on the target audience that God has ordained me to reach in this season of my life. That would be youth and young adults, ages 17 to 25. That doesn't mean I'm going to completely ignore older adults but it does mean my priority focus is within this particular age bracket. 

I believe the main reason is because their struggles are so acute and they become the lead story on the news almost every day. Many youth in this age group in our inner cities and rural communities have a deep sense of hopelessness that God has called, equipped, and prepared me to reach with the love of Christ. This is not a foreign audience to me, but it's definitely a significant shift from what I've been focusing on for very long time.

I ask for your prayers and support as I make this necessary transition. I'm excited but like Joshua when God had to encourage him in advance to be FEARLESS as he went ALL IN to fulfill the assignment God ordained for him.

What has God asked you to do that may be causing you some anxiety? Don't let fear stop you! Be FEARLESS as you go ALL IN!