I’ve had a great week in the UK and now it’s time to head home. I can’t wait, not because of any problem here, but because I want to enjoy our new home as much as possible. Thanks goes out to my new friends at Micah Community Church in London and Carmel Christian Centre in Bristol, and my "old friends" at New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Birmingham, for their wonderful hospitality and openness to me and the purpose message. I trust I will be back with all three ministries soon.
One of the questions Jesus' opponents asked Him on several occasions was, “By whose authority do you do the things you do?” Perhaps someone has asked you the same question. Do you know what to answer? You should give the same answer that Jesus gave. What answer did He give? Ah, for that you will have to read on.
GOD'S AUTHORITY
Jesus never gave a direct answer to those who asked this question because He didn’t need permission to do what He did. He was sent by God and therefore answered to no man. Yet Jesus was subject to the governing officials at all times and submitted to their authority even unto death. How was Jesus able to function in the will of God and be subject to the officials at the same time?
It is because He understood the power of purpose. If you have the same understanding, you will be able to flow in your purpose as well.
You need no one’s permission to flow in your purpose. Purpose represents your orders from heavenly headquarters. You do what you do because God wants you to do it. In a manner of speaking, you invite yourself to the party, whatever the party represents for you.
If your purpose is to help orphans, you can go wherever the orphans are and begin to flow in your purpose. If your purpose is to heal the sick, you have God's permission to go to them. When I received the purpose message, I started teaching and writing. I showed up on the scene and began sharing what I knew and saw. I have made a place for myself because God gave me something to do. That's all the authority Jesus needed and it's all you and I need as well.
CAUTION!
When you invite yourself to the party, that doesn't mean you can be arrogant or rude and it doesn't mean you don't have a lot of work to do to prepare yourself for effectiveness. You must still play by the rules of your "hosts," and you can't rely only on your good intentions. You just can't show up at an orphanage, for example, and expect them to accept you without any questions. You may need training or they may not welcome you at all. Jesus spent 30 years preparing for His public ministry. He was never invited into the inner circle of Jewish leadership, so He went His own way. Yet He submitted to the authorities, even when it meant persecution. Notice what Jesus said to Pilate:
"Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin" (John 19:9-11).
Jesus stated that He had more of problem with Judas betraying Him than with Pilate exercising the authority that God gave him. Jesus invited Himself to the party while He was at the same time subject to all authorities. It never prevented HIm from pursuing and fulfilling HIs purpose.
What about you? Are you hesitant to take matters into your own hands when you know your purpose? If so, then you can stop and go. Stop waiting for an invitation to function and just go where the action is so you can fulfill your purpose. You don't need anyone's authority to flow in your purpose, yet you must always respect the authority structure where you are going. But God, who wants you to fulfill your purpose more than you do, will open doors and you will experience the joy of doing what you were created to do. Have a great week!
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EMAIL ME YOUR QUESTIONS FOR RADIO!
Since the beginning of the year, I have heard in my heart, "Broadcast! Set My people free!" I am convinced that I need to get the purpose message out to as many people as possible by whatever means possible. In other words, I need to "cast the message broadly" or broadcast. That is why I accepted an invitation to broadcast a weekly show on the talk Internet station Voice America. My first show is on Wednesday, May 21, and will be rebroadcast twelve hours later on the same station. You don't need any special software to listen; just go to the Voice America website and listen. What's more, you will be able to call and ask questions!
If you would like me to discuss any topic on the show and can't call, then email me your questions and I will make sure I include them in the broadcast.
The show will air live at 9 AM Eastern Standard Time, which is 8 AM in Dallas, 6 AM on the West Coast, 2 PM in England, 3 PM in Zimbabwe, 4 PM in Kenya, and 9 PM in Singapore
If you would like to be a sponsor for the show or would like to contribute to the production costs, you can go to my website and make a contribution through PayPal or send a check to the address given on the website. What's more, I should have a new and revised website up and running by then.
ONE MORE CALL FOR TESTIMONIES!
Speaking of new website, I am in the process of assembling a new PurposeQuest website and I need some testimonies. I am looking for some stories in two or three sentences max about: 1) How the purpose message has impacted you life. 2) How the former website helped you. 3) How hearing me speak has helped you in your PurposeQuest. 4) How a one-on-one or coaching session has helped as well; 5) How the Monday Memo has assisted you in your PurposeQuest.
If you could also send a high resolution picture of yourself with the testimony, I will include that on the site, along with your name, city and country where you live. The picture should be high resolution, at least 300 dbi in jpeg or tiff format. This is your chance to be famous and to encourage others around the world to pursue their purpose. The deadline is yesterday, so please write as soon as possible, with a picture if you have a good one. Thanks in advance for your help.
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