Have you ever faced economic pressure that almost paralyzed you? You were in such desperate straights that you did not know what to do next? In 2001, I faced a major life transition when I started PurposeQuest International. The pressure was so great that there were days I did nothing but lie on the couch. We had no money, I had no business and I wasn't always sure what to do next.
If you are facing something like this or have faced it, then perhaps you can relate. If you haven't you may want to read on and then file this away for future use, just in case you need it - and chances are in your PurposeQuest you will face this kind of pressure at one time or another.
MORE JARSIn 2 Kings 4, the prophet Elisha met a widow who was also in desperate times. She was so heavily in debt that she feared losing her son to her creditors. Elisha gave her some strange advice; he told her to go home and find as many jars as possible. Once she had done that, she was to go home, close the door and start pouring the oil she had into those jars. Here is what happened next:
She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left" (2 Kings 4:5-7).
Do you think the women wished at that point that she had gathered more jars to hold oil? The point I am trying to make is that you must still operate in faith when you are desperate. What's more, you must do things that are consistent not with where you are now, but where you will be when your breakthrough comes.
MY JARSWhen I had my desperate time, I could barely function, but I had to get up off the couch and write. I had to prepare seminars and teachings for no one in particular because I had no business. I had to make financial decisions for the future when I had no money on that particular day! What's more, I felt directed to give away things to others when my own needs were critical. It was during that season that I began writing this Monday Memo and giving it away. Shortly thereafter I began to send out my weekly Bible studies, free of charge to any and all. I designed a website and committed money to its development, money I didn't have with no promise of any return.
Now that I look back, I did what this woman did many centuries ago: I kept pouring what little I had and God kept providing more. I am teaching today what I developed in those dark, uncertain times. I meet with hundreds of people every year from all over the world, and I counsel them with things I read about and studied when my pressure almost rendered me helpless and without hope.
So what about you? Is it time to despair, or is it time to gather some more jars and start pouring? Your situation may be critical, but I urge you to think and act this week like it isn't I am asking you to do what only God can help you do: act today like your breakthrough is already here, even though the evidence says otherwise. If you can do this, then when your breakthrough comes, and it will come, you will have enough jars - whatever that represents for you - to hold the blessings that are in store for every purposeful servant of God. If I made it through my dark time, you will, too. When it's all over, you will be glad you didn't stop pouring. Have a great week!
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OPERATION PETTICOAT: I announced plans two weeks ago to continue raising money for The Sophia Fund, the Deborah Foundation and a new program, Operation: Petticoat. The latter is an effort to raise money for underwear for the young ladies in Kenya, who don't have any and consequently miss school because of it. I know it may sound simple, but this is an important issue as evidenced by two emails I received this past week:
Just read about Operation: Petticoat. It is so true about the underwear issue. Most of the girls here don't wear bras and the panties are tattered. It may seem strange to you but it is a big issue and the silly things are not cheap! So little material but the price can be restrictive to kids who have little - J.M.
John, I think Operation: Petticoat is brilliant. Lack of underwear is a huge problem for girls and women in Africa and they are very grateful for any that can be sent. It doesn't matter if it is second hand as long as it is clean. Bras are particularly appreciated because they are harder to find and much more expensive. They are also necessary for older girls to be able to play sport. Women in developed countries don't know what to do with their older bras other than throw them away, and they could make such a difference. Children's clothes are also needed. Zimbabwe winter temperatures regularly go below zero at night. Another vital necessity, which is out of reach for all but the best paid, is sanitary towels and tampons - S.F.
I am going back to Kenya in May, so we set April 30 as our deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there. You may not be passionate about underwear, but the two emails above speak to the urgency of the matter.
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 underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. $70 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and $500 yesterday for The Sophia Fund, and I am trusting the Risen Christ for a lot more! Thank you for your help.
KENYA TRAINING: I promised last week to have the specifics of The Pacific Institute (TPI) seminar I will conduct in Nairobi from May 17-19. I don't have the actual brochure as I thought I would, but it will be here next week for sure. In the meantime, I have attached some PDF material from the Institute itself outlining the benefits of the program called The Investment in Excellence (IIE). This should answer some of your questions until I have the brochure and registration info for you next week.
Frankly speaking, TPI is the best training I have ever experienced and I love to share it with my friends. Be watching next week for the specifics and then join me in Nairobi for what I know will be a life-changing experience.
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