This week I want to wrap up our purpose profile on Joshua, which we began before the holidays and resumed last week. (If you need to catch up, you can go to the site where these entries are posted and read Memos 427, 428, and 433). This week I want to look a story where Joshua taught others to have the same kind of success he had. Isn't it time that you also encouraged others to step out and fulfill their purpose?
A LEARNING LESSON
Last week we read how the Lord had stopped the sun so Joshua could defeat his enemies. In the process, Joshua had captured five kings, trapping them in a cave where they had gone to hide. The Lord had granted Joshua great success, but then Joshua wanted to use his success as a learning lesson for those who were fighting with him. So here is what he did:
Joshua was not content to be victorious. He knew that many battles lay ahead and he wanted those with him to be prepared to do great things. Joshua was not content to win; he wanted to teach others to win as well.
SHARING YOUR WEALTH
If you are not careful, you quest for purpose can be a selfish endeavor. It can degenerate into what you can do and how you can be fulfilled. Don't get me wrong; that's not all bad. Yet you must be mindful that you are going through and accomplishing what you are so you can share your wealth with others. Your wealth isn't necessarily money, but rather the experience and lessons you learn along the way, lessons that can help others.
So how can you share the wealth, so to speak? How can you teach others how to put their feet on their enemy's neck? You can teach, write, broadcast, mentor or coach. You can realize that you have something to share with others and stop devaluing who you are, what you do and where you are. You can look for opportunities to share what you have now, trusting that you will not lose anything when you do. Rather, God will give you more, whatever the "more" is that you need to finish your work and fulfill your purpose.
So when you go to do something good and meaningful this week, stop to think who you can include in the process. When you are about to step on your enemy's neck, bring someone along to enjoy it with you and then see how you can help them do something purposeful. When you do, you won't just have a great week but also a meaningful life.
Feel free to post your comment to this Memo on the site where it is located.
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I NEED HELP: I just posted an update on my upcoming trip to Kenya entitled 100 Pairs of Shoes. I leave for Kenya on February 5 with 13 others and I am still collecting money and supplies to take over with us. If you haven't already done so, please take the time to read this latest update on the Sophia Fund and the Deborah Foundation here. As you read, you will understand what a difference you can make in a child's life with very little effort or investment.
If you feel compelled to help our upcoming trip, you can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or shipping and I promise to use it for that purpose. Just $5 will help me feed an orphan for a week! Do what you can and please do it today.
KENYA: The finest training in goal setting and personal development I have ever received was through an organization called The Pacific Institute. I am going to do a three-day Pacific Institute seminar while I am in Nairobi from February 8-10 at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. This training is not inexpensive, but it has paid for itself in my life over and over again. Be watching for updates in the coming weeks and then be a part of this historic event when I come over in February. It will change you and your life forever.
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