The Monday Memo from John Stanko

394: Sit Down!

It's been a great stay in the UK and I thank my hosts, Dave and Pam Graham of Everlasting Books, for taking such good care of me.  Before I pack for home, however,I need to write this Memo.  It's been eight years since I started writing the Memo and every time I sit down to write, something comes to me. This week's theme came this morning while I was writing next week's Bible study. It's nice when I can use one thing for two purposes, but it doesn't always work like that.

I realize that you are just dying to know what this week's topic is, but you know the rules. You have to read on if you want to know.

BREAD FOR YOU, BUT FIRST. . .

In John 6, Jesus had a massive crowd following Him and He asked Philip how they could possibly feed all those people, about 5,000 in number. Jesus wasn't looking for information or ideas; He already knew what He was going to do. He was testing Philip to see what he would suggest and, of course, he had no ideas, commenting that eight month's wages would only give everyone a snack.

Andrew, perhaps jokingly, said that there was a little boy who had five loaves and two fish but that certainly was not enough to feed the crowd.  It was then that Jesus went into action. It was in what He told the people to do first that gave me the idea for this Memo:

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them (John 6:10).

Before Jesus would give them any bread, which was symbolic of His own life that He likened as bread from heaven, He ordered the people to sit down in a grassy place.  It was then that I saw this for the first time in the context of Psalm 23.

. . . YOU HAVE TO SIT DOWN

To hear from the Lord, you have to sit down and quiet yourself.  You can't be running here and there, hoping to catch the Lord on the fly.  You have to sit down.  I wonder if you don't know your purpose or aren't more productive because you don't know how or simply don't take time to sit down. Perhaps a refresher on Psalm 23 will help you this week:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet water, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:1-6 emphasis added).

God will make you lie down in green pastures and, once you recline, He will give you bread -- whatever it is that you need to sustain your life and purpose.  So this week, why not take the time to just sit down?  It's not very glamorous and I don't have any other suggestions except to take a pad and pen and write down what He says.  If He can feed 5,000 from nothing once they sat, surely He can feed you when you do the same.  As you do that, I am confident you will have a very good week!

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  I received another email from Kenya this week concerning The Sophia Fund, this time from Eddie Adembesa:

Greetings from us all WEMA widows with the trust that all is well by the grace of God.
 
This is to acknowledge that we have received $1,000 Sophie Fund and $50 St. Paul’s Baptist Church which you sent to us through SARAH NETWORK towards the feeding programme for orphans under the care of WEMA widows.
 
This has not only put a smile on the face of the children but also the widows who have great lack due to the prolonged drought that Kenya is facing.
 
To every single person who made this possible, it’s a big thank you and God truly bless you and enlarge your territories. A good measure shaken together, pressed down and overflowing. I call this a divine connection from God. Let’s continue to pray for one another as we continue noble task. Once again thank you and God bless you.

As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  With reports like the one above, won't you consider helping orphans and widows today?  You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.

BIBLE STUDY:  If you would like to receive the Bible study from John that I mentioned in the first paragraph, I would be glad to send them to you on a weekly basis. If you would like them check or subscribe to receive them as they are published, you can do both here. 

388: A Piano From Heaven

I got back last night from Nairobi and I had yet to finish up a lot of work for the class I began today in biblical counseling as part of my D. Min. program. I had a great trip along with the seven who went with me. If you want to check out my travel blog for our time in Kenya, you can go here and, once you register, find it using the search name CUBM.

Many people tell me they will do anything that God wants them to do, and that's certainly a good thing.  Yet when some tell me that, it isn't an expression of faith; it's a statement of unbelief.  How can saying, "God, I will do whatever You want" be a statement of unbelief?  For that answer, as you know by now, you will have to read on.

A PIANO FROM HEAVEN

When some say, "Lord, I'll do whatever You want," they are really saying, "Lord, I have no intention of doing anything unless you can prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is something you want me to do."  They are saying, "Lord, if a piano falls on me unexpectedly and pins me under its weight, then I will know You are trying to get my attention."  All the burden of proof and initiative are on God and you have no role in the transaction except to respond to circumstances just about forcing you to do something.

This of course is not faith. To assume that God must answer all your questions and soothe all your fears before you can be expected to take the first step is anything but faith; it is presumption.  You are presuming that God owes you a big, fat confirmation before He can ever expect you to move.  So unless something unusual happens, like being trapped under a falling piano that could only have been sent from God, you will carry on with business as usual, since the ball is in God's court.

SO WHAT'S A PERSON TO DO?

You are not to wait for the ultimate confirmation before you act. You must take faith steps today to prove whether or not your idea or plan began in the mind of God. If you aren't sure if God wants you to write a book, then you should write it!  If it's not His idea, you will know when you can't finish or publish it.  In most cases, however, once you start, you will see that He meets you more than half way.  The confirmation you need will not come to help you start, but to help you persevere. 

So what can you do today besides waiting for the piano to fall? You can make a trip, compose the song, write a letter or develop a plan to help prove that you have a valid idea. You can stop waiting for God to do what only you can do.  You can stop wallowing in presumption pretending that it's faith, that God owes you special treatment so you won't look foolish or fail.

A piano hitting you from on high isn't a good thing, so stop making that the sign before you go forward. Instead have faith and act today.  You will be glad you did, for being trapped under a piano sent by God isn't a good place to be.  Have a great week!

    Feel free to write your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  Even though I just returned from Africa, it doesn't mean that The Sophia Fund will be suspended. I will continue to receive contributions and send them to Africa through reliable sources. Therefore, if you haven't sent anything yet, you can still do so.  Every penny you send will go to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. 

You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

BIBLE STUDY:  Due to schoolwork and my travel blog writing while in Kenya, I am behind in getting the fourth installment of my Bible study from John's gospel to you. I will do my best to get it to you later this week.  If you would like to check out the first three or subscribe to receive them as they are published, you can do both here. 

As a peace offering for the delay, I am attaching my March collection from A Daily Dose of Proverbs below.

Download March

Monday Memo 377: What Aren't You Saying?

Last week we looked at one aspect of the story of David and Goliath.  I pointed out that David engaged in some "trash talking," which was describing out loud what he was going to do to Goliath, his opponent.  If David was like some people I know (including me), he would have  said, "Well, maybe, I mean, perhaps the Lord may want to use me, but don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I know for sure and if something good does happen, it will be the Lord and not me.  I don't want you to ever think it's me."

Fortunately, David was of a different mindset.  When Goliath verbally attacked, David was quick to respond.  What bravado, courage and confidence David had!  There was nothing tentative in what he said or planned to do.  He was bold and specific.  God isn't repelled by such bold talk; that talk drew Him to David's cause.  He promptly went out with David to meet the giant.  David made good on his promises, while Goliath died trying to figure out what went wrong.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

How can you apply this lesson to your life right now?  First, David had a track record from which he could draw.  He had killed lions and bears, and he saw killing this giant as a continuation of those exploits.  You must allow God to put you in challenging situations so that, when you overcome, you will be able to refer back to those experiences to fight future battles.

Second, you must know who you are and what you want to do.  David did not hold back; he was clear and concise.  He said, "I am a champion of God and you, Goliath, are not.  You are coming down, in spite of your size, words and confidence."

Finally, David said what he was going to do without fear of what others thought of him.  He spoke positive, affirming, and powerful words and then set about fulfilling them.

WHAT AREN'T YOU SAYING?

What are you speaking these days?  A better question is what aren't you speaking?  Tentative, faithless words produce tentative, faithless actions. Positive, powerful words produce the same. Stop being hesitant and fearful of making bold statements where your purpose and dreams are concerned. Dream great things, talk about them and don't worry about how you sound to other people.  Only be concerned with how you sound to God.

Dream great things, talk about doing them and then go for it!  It's simple to describe but not simple to do, I know. I also know that you can only do great things once you stop stumbling and mumbling through your purpose and dreams.  Proverbs 18:21 says that life and death are in the power of the tongue.  So what you say and what you don't say can bring either life or death, success or failure, victory or defeat.  Every day this week, you need to follow David's example and not only what you say but also what you don't say -- and start saying it.  Otherwise your tentative words will lead to tentative actions and next year you will get more of what you had this year, which may or may not be a satisfying thought.  Have a great week!

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FINANCIAL HELP:  You may contribute to my work here in Africa using PayPal through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Thank you. 

PURPOSE FAQ: Here (pdf file) are the 10 questions that are asked most often about purpose (along with my answers). Take some time this week to review the questions. If you don't see your question on the list, feel free to write and ask me.

FAITH FILES eBOOK:  My latest book, The Faith Files, is now available as an ebook that you can download.  What's more, the service allows you to pay in Canadian dollars, US dollars, UK pounds, Australian dollars and, get this, Indian rupees!  Just go to the ebook website, enter your payment information and download the book.  You can then print it or have it on your computer for your devotional pleasure. 

FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT:  Don't forget about the free PurposeQuest assessment available on my website.  This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study on my site concerning where you stand in your PurposeQuest.  About 700 people have taken the survey so far.  I hope that every Monday Memo reader will eventually take the assessment and heed the follow up email from me on how you can be even more purposeful than you already are.

Monday Memo 376: Trash Talking

Greetings from Kenya!  It's great to be back after a one-year absence.  Sorry I didn't get the Memo out yesterday, but I was in transit.  While I was flying over, however, I was reflecting on what a good warrior King David was, in spite of his trash talking.  Do you know what trash talking is?  It's a sports term used when someone talks or even brags about what he (or she) is going to do to the opposition.  How does this fit with your PurposeQuest?  You know by now that to find out you will have to read on.

TRASH TALKING

When David went out to face Goliath, he didn't sound very "Christian."  In fact, he sounded more like a trash-talking braggart than a humble servant of God. Let's look at what David said to Goliath:

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

David did not say what he might do; he didn't talk about what could happen if God helped him.  No, he said in no uncertain terms that he was going to defeat Goliath, cut off his head and parade it around for all to see.  There was nothing tentative about David's speech; he was certain of what he could do and he said so. It wasn't braggadocios; it was a statement of fact.

FAITH TALKING

Did David engage in trash talking or faith talking?  While some may think it's the former, I think it was the latter.  He was so convinced that God was with him that he spoke strongly and acted accordingly.  He did that, however, because David thought correctly.  David's victory began in his mind, when he told Saul:

But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:34-37). 

You can be sure that your victories and defeats begin in your mind just like in the case of David.  If your thoughts are rightly aligned with God's purpose for you, you will talk and act with great power.  If you are tentative, cautious and apprehensive, you will act the same way.  So what's it to be?  Do you want to be nice and polite or do you want to say what you are going to do in the will and purpose of God?  I hope you go the route that David went, for your Goliaths will not be defeated by half-way measures, but by right thinking expressed in positive speech that leads to victorious action.  Have a great week!

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PX 2: This coming weekend, December 6-8, my friends will be hosting The Pacific Institute's youth training program called PX2.  This is by far the finest training program anywhere that I have found and it will help train our young people in how to think, act and talk like David did in the story above.  If you want to enroll your child (ages 15-19) in this program, please write and let me know, and we will contact you with the information. 

FINANCIAL HELP:  You may contribute to my work here in Africa using PayPal through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Thank you. 

MEET WITH ME WHILE I AM HERE: If you would like to meet with me to have a PurposeQuest session while I am in Nairobi in December, you can also send me an email to let me know you are interested.  I have one Sunday free while I am there, so if you would like me to speak in your church on December 7, please let me know.

FAITH FILES eBOOK:  As I announced a few weeks ago, my latest book, The Faith Files, is now available as an ebook that you can download.  What's more, the service allows you to pay in Canadian dollars, US dollars, UK pounds, Australian dollars and, get this, Indian rupees!  Just go to the ebook website, enter your payment information and download the book.  You can then print it or have it on your computer for your devotional pleasure. 

Monday Memo 375: Hard Hearts, Bread Smarts

If you are doing to fulfill your purpose, you are going to need what I call "bread smarts" at some time (not to be confused with street smarts).  You will have to learn to trust the Lord for bread and confront what can be a hard heart in the process. Are you ready to learn what it takes to have bread smarts?  If so, then read on.

HARD HEARTS

At one point, the crowd had been with Jesus for quite a while and the disciples came with this suggestion:

"This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food" (Matthew 14:15). 

This made perfect sense, at least from the point of view of the disciples.  There were a lot of people and there was no way they could feed them all.  Yet those disciples had the same problem that modern disciples have, including you and me.  Their hearts were hard.  No, they weren't in gross disobedience.  They just could not see the possibility before them because they had small thinking that emanated from a hard heart.   So Jesus replied,

"They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat" (Matthew 14:16).

This suggestion blew their minds, which is just what Jesus wanted to do.  He introduced a new thought but it was so outside the realm of their thinking that they made an immediate assessment and came back with an inventory of their current reality and ability:

 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered (Matthew 14:17).

BREAD SMARTS

This lesson has important implications as you pursue purpose.  Is it possible that you can’t clarify your purpose because you are concerned about bread?  Is it possible that God is speaking to you, but you are coming to the wrong conclusion because you are worried about how He will provide for you while you fulfill your purpose?  Since we launched PurposeQuest in 2000, God has provided for my wife and me in miraculous ways, often in the very hour of our need.  Yet that hasn’t stopped me from fretting and often misunderstanding what God wanted me to do because I was overly concerned about whether or not His abundance would show up when I needed it. 

I almost missed going to Afghanistan along the way because I was focusing on bread while God was speaking to me about purpose.  As I’ve talked to many people about purpose, they immediately turned the discussion to finances.  Yet many of them have testimonies of God’s provision over the years.  Jesus identified this inability to trust God in spite of ample evidence to the contrary as hardness of heart (see Mark 8:14-21).   Is your heart hard or soft where the issue of God’s abundance and provision for you, your family, business or ministry is concerned?

As you seek your purpose or seek to fulfill it, may I leave you with three lessons that are part of what I call “bread smarts.”  They are: 

1)  God will take care of you. If God can feed thousands from five loaves and a few fish, He can provide for you without any trouble.
2)  God won’t provide what you need before you need it.  God does this because He is so confident in His ability to provide for you.  You need to share His confidence.
3)  Your thinking is often the problem.  God gave the disciples more than a miracle  He gave them a new way of thinking when they confronted what seemed like an insurmountable problem.  God may want to do the same for you; don't miss the lesson.

This week you may need to deal with a hard heart or pick up some bread smarts.  Whichever it is, both will help you as you pursue your PurposeQuest.  I pray the truth of God’s abundance will touch you this week, spurring you to greater heights and depths as a person of purpose.  Have a great week!

    You are welcome to write a comment to this entry on the site where it is posted.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING:  I wish all my American readers a happy Thanksgiving this coming Thursday.  Don't forget to take some time to give thanks!

SPECIAL HELP:  I am applying the lessons from the Memo this week, as I am off to Kenya next week to work with an organization who cannot afford to pay my way.  I know I am supposed to go, so any financial assistance you can give me at this time would be greatly appreciated.  You may contribute using PayPal through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Thank you. 

MEET WITH ME IN DECEMBER: If you would like to meet with me to have a PurposeQuest session while I am in Nairobi in December, you can also send me an email to let me know you are interested.  I have one Sunday free while I am there, so if you would like me to speak in your church on December 7, please let me know.

FAITH FILES eBOOK:  As I announced two weeks ago, my latest book, The Faith Files, is now available as an ebook that you can download.  What's more, the service allows you to pay in Canadian dollars, US dollars, UK pounds, Australian dollars and, get this, Indian rupees!  Just go to the ebook website, enter your payment information and download the book.  You can then print it or have it on your computer for your devotional pleasure. 

CHRISTMAS GIFT:  A Daily Dose of Proverbs, my popular daily devotional, makes a great Christmas present that can bless your staff, friends and family every day of the coming year.  If you purchase a copy by November 30, I will pay the shipping in the U.S.  You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 or make a donation of $15 for each copy you would like on my PayPal account through my website and we will get it right out to you.

Monday Memo 367: How Long?

I was reading last week and came across these verses in Joshua and I immediately thought, "These would make a good Monday Memo."  The verses are

The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control, but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.  So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" (Joshua 18:1-3).

To see if I was correct that they would make a good Memo, you will have to read on.

HOW LONG?

I wonder what the people were waiting for before they moved forward to take the land that God had promised?  Perhaps they were afraid or maybe they were "waiting on the Lord." Yet it seems like they were waiting and Joshua could not understand what they were waiting for.  So he helped them devise a plan to go in and they did so, yet they had wasted a lot of time living in less than God's best for them.  I find many people with whom I meet are doing the same.

I won't review all that I have written about trusting and doing what is in your heart, for you can easily go back through my past Memos to read for yourself.  Let me simply divide people into three categories and you can see if you fit into any one of the three.

THREE GROUPS

1.  I'm too young.  I meet with people who have big dreams but they feel they are too young.  So I ask them, "Why are you waiting? Do you think it will be easier to do what you want five to ten years from now?"  Many in this category are not married, or have young children, or have a spouse who also works. What a perfect time to go back to school, start a business, go into ministry or become a missionary.  Don't be biased against youth, especially if you are young.  You have the same Spirit that your elders do and God speaks to you like He does to them. So what are you waiting for?

2.  I'm too busy.  This group usually falls into the ages between 30 and 45.  They are more deeply immersed into life, and have school fees to pay, a mortgage, and a lot of responsibility. They have usually put a lot of time into their career at this point, and they are hoping to reap the benefits of that time investment in the coming years.  Many confide that they aren't happy, but just don't think they have any options.  Yet you always have options, they just may not be very good ones.  I urge this group to picture themselves in ten years and ask, "Is this what you want to be doing then?"  If they say, "No!", then we begin to make plans for what they can do with the time, money and freedom that they do have at this present time.  It is one of the most difficult things for a 40-something to think about what he or she will do when they are a 50-something.  It will be here before they know it, however, so I ask them, "What are you waiting for?"

3.  I'm too old.  This group is in their 50s and they talk like they have all the time in the world.  They act like they have another 50 years to plan and work with the same energy and health that they presently have. They talk about what they will do when they retire like retirement is a guarantee.  This group may also feel that time has passed them by, that their best days are behind them and not before them. Since I fall into this age group, I am now able to say, "Hey, we have less days ahead of us than we have behind us.  We aren't even guaranteed tomorrow."  So I ask them, "So what are you waiting for?"

No matter what group you may fall into, let me ask, "What are you waiting for?"  Do you think it will be any easier to do what is in your heart at a later day?  Why do you think so?  What will change?  If nothing will change, then why not find ways to do it (or start doing it) today, right now?  And let me also ask you what Joshua asked the people, "How long before you begin to take hold of the inheritance?"  You may not be able to take hold of it today, but you can begin to take hold.  Don't just talk about what you will do one day.  I urge you, implore you, even beg you to do it today no matter what group you fall into.  And as  you do, I know that you will have a great week!

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MEMO INDEX: Did you know that my website has an index of every Monday Memo, complete with the title, topic and all the Bible verses quoted therein?  If you are looking for something specific, you can easily check the index and find out what I have written about purpose, faith, productivity and many other topics. 

HALLOWEEN: I wrote an article years ago concerning Halloween that has been published in magazines and newspapers around the world.  I have updated that article and can send it to you for any contribution to my ministry between now and October 30.  This article is perfect for newsletters, church bulletins and other publications.  You can contribute on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  I will send you a Word and PDF file of the article for you to use in whatever way you choose. 

ASSESSMENT: Have you taken the purpose assessment on my updated website?   Four hundred people have done so since my new site went up and I hope you are among that group.   If you haven't done so yet, why not do so now and then follow up with some of the online resources that can improve your score? 

SEVEN STEPS:  I had three coaching sessions two weeks ago and then told my wife, "These were the best sessions I have ever had.  There is no one who approaches purpose the way I do, and I know I really helped the people with whom I met."  That isn't a boast, but it is an acknowledgment that God has given me something special with which to help His people.  With that in mind, I am offering another special on my Seven Steps coaching program.  If you want to progress in the area of purpose, then I strongly suggest you invest in yourself.  The cost of the program is $699, but I will discount it to $499 through October 20.  You can make payment on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Credit cards are also accepted. You can read about the Seven Steps program here. 

Monday Memo 364: Big Fruit

This past week I went to our local farmer's market and the vegetables were the biggest I've seen this year because it's the end of the summer. That gave me an idea for this week's Memo.  Two weeks ago I wrote about Nice Fruit, where I mentioned that the Lord isn't simply interested in you being holy, but both holy and productive.  This week I want to write about what I call Big Fruit. 

HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH

In John 14:12, Jesus made this astounding statement: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  Did you ever notice how often Jesus said, "I tell you the truth"?  It's because what He was about to say would sound so preposterous to the small thinking of His audience that He had to assure them He was not exaggerating. 

Now think for a minute.  In your opinion, what was the greatest thing that Jesus did?  Most people respond that it was when He raised the dead.  If that’s true, then what could be a greater work than raising a dead person?  Raising more dead people?  Clearing out a cemetery or hospital?

Most people don’t think much about this verse because they don’t really believe that they can top what Jesus did, regardless of what they consider His greatest works.  When you think like that, however, you miss a dynamic that could greatly help you be more productive and bear big fruit.

Jesus did fabulous things but there were some things He didn’t do.  Jesus never opened an orphanage.  He never wrote a book.  As far as we know, He never opened a hospital or organized a group to go on a mission of mercy to a foreign land.  He never started a business and never gave a large sum of money to a worthy cause.   Why didn’t He do those things?  He left them for you and me to do.

I promise that I am telling you the truth about the truth that Jesus told you He was telling you about. 

YOUR BIG FRUIT

So if you believe in Jesus, and I hope you do, why aren’t you doing greater things than He did?  Perhaps you have underestimated just how important and possible it would be to actually achieve the things that are in your heart today.   You may ask, “Who am I to think about doing those things?”  If you believe in Jesus, the answer is, “Who are you not to think like that?”  

The question you have to settle is whether or not John 14:12 only applies to a select few or to every believer.  If it’s for you, then you have some work to do.  The good news is that you’re not alone if your work is coupled with faith.  With faith, you are guaranteed that your results will be great, greater than you could ever imagine because God is with you.  You can produce big fruit. 

What have you said someone ought to do?  Could that someone be you?  Write in your journal what about your big fruit.  You don’t have to know how you will do it right now; you just have to know what it is. Once you write it out, study and embellish it.  Let it become a part of your thinking every day.

If there's something you can do to make it a reality, what would it be?  Do you need to go back to school?   Do you need to have money to do produce your big fruit?  You may meet someone this week who can help you develop a plan or even give you the money for your big fruit  First and foremost, however, is that you must believe that big fruit is within your grasp.  Once you decide that it is, you are well on your way to producing it.  Have a great week.

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ASSESSMENT: Have you taken the purpose assessment on my updated website?   If not, why not do so now and then follow up with some of the online resources that can improve your score?  

CD SERIES:  I have a three-CD series entitled Getting Your Life Back on Track: A Study of Purpose and Goals that I taught earlier this year in Texas.  I would like to make it available to you this week for any contribution to my ministry.  This series, designed to help you clarify your purpose and set some high goals, comes with a fill-in-the-blanks outline along with a copy of my book, I Wrote This Book on Purpose.  This special will run through the month of September.  You can contribute on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221. 

Monday Memo 363: Reverse the Curse

I have what may be a radical concept to share in this week's Memo.  If I am wrong, it won't matter much. If I am right, however, it could mean a movement of unprecedented proportions as people of purpose join together to accomplish significant things to address serious problems and launch creative initiatives.  If you are interested in such possibilities, you want to read on.

 A BIG PROJECT

In Genesis 11, we have the story of a group of citizens who joined together to build a tower.  We aren't sure what this tower was. Some think it was to be a refuge from any future floods like Noah's.  Others believe it was some kind of Temple or shrine to the gods.  Whatever it was, God looked at it and didn't like it. 

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other" (Genesis 11:5-7).

God saw something in this tower that wasn't good and he knew their ability to communicate with one another was the source of their strength to accomplish this deed.  So the Lord actually stepped in and confused the languages of the people so they could not understand one another.  That project was called the tower of Babel, babel being a word close the Hebrew word for confused.

REVERSE THE CURSE   

So mankind was plagued with many languages that confused communication and hindered their ability to work one with another.  If the Lord cursed mankind with confusion and communication problems, however, could He not also reverse that curse and restore man's ability to work together?  Does the reverse-curse process as possible as the initial intervention that caused the confusion in the first place?  I think it does.

In Christ, our ability to join and work together to extend the kingdom of God was and is restored.  You can discover your purpose, I can clarify mine and together we can join together in the power of God and perhaps "nothing they [we] plan to do will be impossible for them [us]."  We can become tremendously productive together if we have the right motivation. Their motivation in Genesis 11 was to build a name for themselves.  Our motivation is to glorify God's name (this reminds me of what we looked at last week in John 15).

I am a firm believer in synergy, which is when the sum of the parts is greater than their individual sums. When synergy occurs, one plus one equals five, ten or however much God allows it to be.  If you believe God reversed the curse of Genesis 11, what are you doing with that power?  On and from what team are you producing great results for Him?  Where does your purpose join with others to create a divine dynamic of productivity?  I don't think this has to take place in a church setting, for we should be building hospitals, starting businesses and creating whole industries that meet the needs of others in the power of our united purposes in Him.

What can you do with this concept?  At this point, I would be convinced that it's true if I were you. If it's not, then please disregard this Memo!  If it is, however, then I would look to join with some other people of purpose to build a team that can create something significant.  You know I am a firm believer in individual creativity and productivity, but I know we as purposeful individuals will learn how to work with one another in ways that will achieve good results for and in His name.  And when we do, to God be the glory!  Have a great week.

    Feel free to add your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted. 

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CD SERIES:  I have a three-CD series entitled Getting Your Life Back on Track: A Study of Purpose and Goals that I taught earlier this year in Texas.  I would like to make it available to you this week for any contribution to my ministry.  This series, designed to help you clarify your purpose and set some high goals, comes with a fill-in-the-blanks outline along with a copy of my book, I Wrote This Book on Purpose.  This special will run through the month of September.  You can contribute on my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221. 

PROVERBS:  My most popular book is my daily devotional from the book of Proverbs.  If you would like a sample of September's devotional, you can download it below.  It's my gift to you because I'm in a good mood! :-)

Download September.doc

COMING TO THE UK?  I have a ministry who would like to bring me over to the UK for October 20-November 3, but they need partners to help, whether churches or individuals.  If you would be interested in utilizing my ministry services while I am there, please write me this week and let me know.

BLOG SERIES:  If you didn't see my blog series last week on anxiety and the role in plays in hindering your creativity, you may want to check it out. 

Monday Memo 359: Doubt Power

Did you know that doubt is as powerful as faith?  I was writing my weekly Bible study the other day and I came to Matthew 21:21-22.  Jesus had just cursed a fig tree and it withered from the roots up.  The disciples asked how this could happen and Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Now how can I or anyone say that doubt has power?  Is that crazy, or what?  To find out, you will have to read on.

SINS OF OMISSION

It seems to me that God is always doing new and fresh things in my life and probably in yours.  Yet there is one thing that can stop God's work and that is doubt.  If faith can throw a mountain into the sea, then doubt can keep it where it is.  If faith can wither a fig tree, doubt can keep a leafy but fruitless tree fruitless.  If faith is active, doubt is also active, in a passive kind of way.  Doubt works to prevent you from acting, so it is indeed active -- it "works" to talk you out of something that is in your power to do, rendering you passive.

St. Thomas Aquinas taught about "sins of omission," not causing a good in your power to produce, which isn't the same as a sin of commission, which is taking up an active evil.  Many people are content because they do not commit acts of commission, while they live with acts of omission every day, usually caused by doubt.  They live in what I would call doubt power, when we are to live in faith power.

DOUBT POWER

Doubt power is, well, it's powerful.  It makes one so concerned about missing God that one can miss God.  It is so concerned about doing the wrong thing that it does no-thing.  Doubt is so consumed with what others will think that it damages one's decision-making capabilities.  I would say that doubt carries with it an equal and opposite force to that of faith. Would you agree?

This is not a debate about the philosophy of faith and doubt.  Jesus told us to exercise faith and not doubt.  Yet I look for the "balance" in what Jesus said, for surely He didn't mean that anything I ask for in faith I will receive -- or did He?  Where are the limits?  Where can I go wrong?  While I try to figure out those answers, I live with sins of omission every day, more worried about the sins I "may" commit instead of  good deeds that I could also "commit."

So what kind of power do you want to live in this week?  Do you want to exercise your doubt to keep things as they are, or faith to move forward and progress?  I know, I know. You knew a person who knew someone who one time lost everything because they acted in what they thought was faith.  I know, I know.  You once looked like a fool when you acted in faith and fell flat on your face.  Yet I would imagine you also know a person who knew someone who acted in faith and did something great.  I would also think that you did the same thing once, and it was grand.  You still talk about it all the time.

So why let doubt rob you of your faith success this week?  The choice is yours to live in doubt power or faith power.  I vote for faith, and I know you do, too.  Have a great week!

     Feel free to add your comments on the site where this entry is posted.

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CONTINUE THE RADIO SHOW?:  As I reported last week, I got my radio show numbers for June and they were great!  I had more than 5,000 listeners and almost 800 downloads!  I am happy with that, but now I am facing a decision. Do I renew my contract after August 13?  I will need $1300 per month to continue the show.  What do you think?  Should I renew?  You can let me know by posting a comment on the site where this entry is posted. 

Perhaps you, your organization, or your company could sponsor a show for $400?  I would be glad to design a show around your cause or work if you sponsor it.  Then you could download the show and use it for your own purposes.  This may also fit into your missions budget, since the show goes around the world.  Perhaps your organization would like to add your ad banner to my announcement page on the station, the same page that everyone who downloads any show sees. If I have the money raised by August 13, I will continue. If not, then I will have to shut it down.  It's your call.  What do you think?  Write and let me know.

Episode Twelve: A Lawyer Pastor

Purpose is an exciting journey, full of unexpected twists and turns.  It can lead some from ministry to the workaday world and others from a secular job to church work.  Join John as he interviews Pastor J.C. Matthews from Carrollton, Texas as they discuss Pastor Matthews’ careers and his most recent book, Your Situation is Not Your Destination. 

Missed the live show?  This episode is broadcast at 9 AM Eastern and then rebroadcast at 9 AM Eastern and 6 PM Pacific. Past episodes are available on-demand and podcast ready.

Listen LIVE to VoiceAmerica!

Questions? Comments? Call in during the show itself at 1.866.472.5787 or 5788

PURPOSEQUEST WEBSITE:  Thousands of visitors have come to my new PurposeQuest site since it launched six weeks ago. If you haven't been there yet, please stop by and make sure you take the free PurposeQuest Assessment that is available on the home page.  

Monday Memo 358: Eyes Wide Open

I love to talk and teach about faith.  In my latest book, The Faith Files, I mix some personal faith stories with my study of faith in the New Testament.  In my introduction to Matthew's gospel in the book, I relate one my all-time favorite faith testimonies and now I want to share it with you.  To get the rest of the stories, you will have to buy the book.  For now, you can read on.

A HOUSE FOR SALE

At one point in our marriage, my wife and I needed a new home.  We thought the obstacle in our way was the home we had that we first needed to sell.  Faith requires action, so we asked ourselves, “What can we do in faith that would be a step closer to our new home?”  The answer was easy:  we put our house on the market to sell.

After several months, nothing happened.  So we asked ourselves the same question: “What can we do in faith?”  We decided the next step was to go out and look for a new house.  After all, we reasoned, it didn’t cost anything just to look.

To our surprise, we fell in love with the first house we saw.  I can still remember our seven-year-old son running through the house, saying, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul!”  We went home confident that we had found our new home, but unable to do anything until we sold our old one.

Another few weeks went by, and we asked ourselves that same question as to what we could do.  We weren’t experienced home-buyers, but we thought that we could make an offer on the new house contingent upon selling the old one.  We did that and the sellers accepted our bid.  We then had until a certain date by which we had to sell the current home to move into the new or the deal was off.

Over the next six weeks, we had only one East Indian family look at our house. They gave us a bid and it was so low that we didn’t even counter offer.  We thought they weren’t serious.  Then we came to within a week of our deadline and we prayed as a family at the dinner table one evening, “Lord, show us what we’re not seeing here.”  What you aren't seeing is often the key to your faith breakthrough.

A HOUSE SOLD

Our four-year-old left the table and shortly came running back in to announce, “Daddy, the Indian family just drove by.”

It was then that I saw what we had not seen.  We had sold our house, just not for the price we expected.  I contacted our realtor and instructed her to make the best deal she could with the Indian family.  She did and we sold our house just thirty-six hours before our deadline.  There was only one remaining problem.  We did not have the $10,000 we needed to get into the new home, since we had sold our house for much less than we had anticipated.You may suspect what happened next.  Someone gave us the money and we closed on our new house that faith had made possible. 

I have come to realize that faith isn’t so much an event as a lifestyle.  We must learn to trust God for many other instances like our home sale and purchase.  I have drawn lessons from that story for many years and present it to you to see if you can apply it to your current situation.

If you are going to fulfill your purpose or obtain any breakthrough, you will need to act in faith.  God isn't against you, He is for you and He will help you, but you must have the courage to do something in faith.  More importantly, you will need to see what it is that you can't see that may be blocking your path.  In other words, you need faith, but you need to have your eyes wide open. Ask God this week to show you what you aren't seeing and then be prepared to act, for I anticipate that God will answer your prayer.  When He does, I know you will have a great week.

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THE FAITH FILES: I have 50 copies of The Faith Files left this week.  I will send you a copy of The Faith Files for any contribution that you make to my ministry while supplies last.  That's right, you read correctly.  Just remember that your gifts help me publish every week and distribute my studies and my purpose message all over the world.  The offer ends July 31, so order now to make sure you get your first print copy.  Send any contribution and get this new volume that can best be summarized as follows:

“Without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

•    Does your faith affect your everyday life?
•    How do you know if you have faith?
•    Is there anything you can do to increase your faith?

The Faith Files are designed to help you answer these and many more questions where your faith is concerned.  John Stanko wants you to not just know what you believe but know how to apply it to your business, family, life and ministry.

In this first of three volumes, John Stanko looks at every verse that mentions faith in the four gospels.  He then makes some observations and poses questions that help you understand how to apply your faith today, right now, where you are and with what you have.  You can use The Faith Files for personal or small group study, but either way it is guaranteed to help you exercise more God-pleasing faith.

Simply go to the Contributions page on my site and use PayPal to contribute by credit card or check. Make sure you include your address and we will get your copy of The Faith Files off right away.  Don't miss the great opportunity to have the first of many Bible study volumes that I will publish. 

NEW WEBSITE:  Thousands of visitors have come to my new PurposeQuest site since it launched a few weeks ago. If you haven't been there yet, please stop by and make sure you take the free PurposeQuest Assessment that is available on the home page. 

CONTINUE THE RADIO SHOW?:  I got my radio show numbers for June and they were great!  I had more than 5,000 listeners and almost 800 downloads!  I am happy with that, but now I am facing a decision. Do I renew my contract after August 13?  I will need $1300 per month to continue the show.  What do you think?  Should I renew?  You can let me know by posting a comment on the site where this entry is posted. 

Perhaps you, your organization, or your company could sponsor a show for $400?  I would be glad to design a show around your cause or work if you sponsor it.  Then you could download the show and use it for your own purposes.  This may also fit into your missions budget, since the show goes around the world.  Perhaps your organization would like to add your ad banner to my announcement page on the station, the same page that everyone who downloads any show sees. If I have the money raised by August 13, I will continue. If not, then I will have to shut it down.  It's your call.  What do you think?  Write and let me know.

Episode Eleven: The World is Waiting for You

When you find your purpose, it opens the door for you to go to whoever needs who you are and what you do, wherever they may be.  Join repeat guest Bruce Binkley (whose previous show was How to Use a Business to Fund Your Vision) as he reports on his recent visits to Viet Nam and Zimbabwe to bring relief to widows and orphans.  Learn from Bruce how you can step out of your own world to engage some of the needs in the world at large.

Missed the live show?  This episode is broadcast at 9 AM Eastern and then rebroadcast at 9 AM Eastern and 6 PM Pacific. Past episodes are available on-demand and podcast ready.

Listen LIVE to VoiceAmerica!

Questions? Comments? Call in during the show itself at 1.866.472.5787 or 5788