698: What You See 8

I woke up at 3:30 AM here in Kenya thanking God for the opportunity to be here with a team that is so eager to learn and enjoy all God has for them here. I want to thank you as well for your generous support, but I must ask you once again to help me do my purpose work. I get home on March 15, and I depart on March 21 for Guyana, South America to work with my friend Ovid Schultz. Ovid is in desperate need of books for his congregation, so I have determined to spend $1,200 to bring books to him. Also, this is a faith venture for me, for Ovid cannot afford to pay for my airfare, my time or the books. Therefore I am asking you to give generously toward the purpose work that God has called me to do in Guyana. You can give on my homepage toward this upcoming trip. And now, let's conclude our series on What You See is What You Get.

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As we wrap up this series, let's return to where we started eight weeks ago, and that is the Christmas story. We began by looking at Simeon who met Joseph and Mary when they brought Jesus to be dedicated. That story concludes with another individual who spoke to Jesus' parents about what she saw in store for Jesus and Israel through His ministry:

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).

Here are some key takeaways from this brief story of an unusual woman:

1. Anna was considered to be a prophet. God's purpose is not restricted to gender. He has purpose for men and women.
2. Anna was old when she saw the fulfillment of what she had seen for decades: the coming redemption of Israel.
3. Anna paid a price to fulfill her purpose and to realize what she saw in the Spirit. They caused her, even drove her, to live in the Temple where she was constantly fasting and praying.
4. Anna thanked God for what she saw and received, even though she did not live to see its actually fulfillment. She saw it in faith and therefore received it.
5. Anna spoke about what she saw before anyone else could see it. Faith always requires action and for Anna, the action was speaking to Jesus' parents.
6. There were others who were looking for something spiritual and Anna gave them a clue about what to look for, and that clue was Jesus!

The whole purpose of this series is to help you realize that God may have you live in what you see before anyone else can see it. Your goal then is to shape your life and work around what you have seen to get ready for its ultimate disclosure to the general public. I saw my purpose of coming to Africa years ago, and I began to get ready to come long before I had my first invitation. In a sense, I got my African reward not when I first came but when I first started getting ready. What I saw is what I got!

Ask God to open your eyes to the spiritual reality that you cannot yet see, but is as real in the Lord as if it were standing right in front of you today. Once He opens your eyes - and He will - then give yourself to make what you saw a reality. That's why God showed it to you so clearly, so you can help create it with His help and power. I hope these eight Memos have encouraged you to be a person of faith and to realize that it is true: what you see is indeed what you get!

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MESPA: Many Kenyans have asked if I am registered for their MPesa program through which to receive donations. The answer is that I am a member. My mobile number is 072-722-5766. I also have a bank account to which you can make a deposit. Just write me for the bank information.

NEW TV SHOWS: I posted two new Your PurposeQuest television shows to my online channel this past week and I highly recommend them as resources to help you find your purpose. Enjoy them and pray for us as we have three more shows in the works.

URBAN PRESS: Did you know I started a publishing company to help you and others like you make your creative dream a reality? We currently have five books in the works. If you would like to work with and publish through us, let me know.

GUYANA: Don't forget what I mentioned above. I need your help as I finish my work here in Kenya and get ready to move on to South America. You can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you for your help!