At a recent conference, Andy Stanley utilized a phrase, “Further Faster.” Andy was speaking of equipping growing churches to go “further, faster.” You may be working on growing the church you belong to. You could be working on building your career. You may feel God has put a dream in your heart that is bigger than your abilities. Regardless of the task, God wants to take you further and faster than you could ever go on your own.

In order for someone or something to travel a long distance at a great rate, there is a need for fuel. God has given us holy fuel to accomplish his work.

There are three types of fuel necessary to make swift and effective progress on any project or plan that the Lord has given you: vision, prayer, and teamwork.

1. Vision: a clear directive from God. John 16:13 says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” Vision gives us the confidence to be bold and take decisive steps to bring the vision to fruition. The fear of failure is removed when we are following God’s directives. When we are obedient to his leading and call, God shows up and makes himself known. There is confidence in knowing that success is not about you and your abilities. Like the missionary Hudson Taylor said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
2. Prayer: submitting the plan and any obstacles to God. You can be assured that he will answer your cries and give you favor to see his work completed. When you pray according to his will, it will be done. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us,” (1 John 5:14, NIV).
3. Teamwork: God chooses to work through people and He wants many people involved in his work. He did not think it was good for man to be alone. God equips his body with many different parts that are required to work together to function properly. When others are working with you in unity on the mission that God has given, God will bring it about. In the book of Acts, you do not see any lone rangers as the church grew and spread the Good News of Christ to the nations. Ephesians 2:19-22 says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Hearing God’s voice, praying for his provision, and having unity with other believers is the fuel that will propel the dream God has given you Further and Faster.