The Monday Memo from John Stanko

744 - "I Need a Word from the Lord!"

Have you ever wished that God would speak to you face-to-face so you could know what to do? Have you ever said, "I need a word from the Lord!"? Doesn't that sound like it would make serving and obeying God much easier? A direct encounter with God during which He spells out His will for your life didn't work for Gideon, however, and it may not work for you, especially if your mind is focused on your less-than-ideal circumstances. To prove my point, let's return to look at the life of Gideon in this week's Memo.

CAN WE TALK?

One day Gideon was busy trying to eke out a living when the Lord appeared and spoke to him:

The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:11-12).

What was Gideon's response?  Was he in awe and didn't know what to say? Did he worship? Did he ask the Lord what He wanted him to do? No, he did none of those things. Instead he basically said, "Can we talk?" Gideon took the opportunity to complain and tell the Lord how bad things were in his life! 

Gideon had a direct word and appearance from the Lord, but he was so preoccupied with his situation that he didn't treat it like the special event that it was. Fortunately, that did not deter the Lord, who went on to reveal why He had come and what He wanted Gideon to do:

The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family" (Judges 6:14-15).  

Once again, Gideon turned God's directive into a time to complain, telling the Lord why he, Gideon, could not be the one to do what the Lord was saying. This is a good example of how your thinking work against hearing and doing God's will, which is why Paul pointed out that doing God's will and personal transformation are both hinged to changing the way you think: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).

IT DIDN'T MATTER

It didn't matter to Gideon that he received a direct word from the Lord. He was so hung up on his circumstances and limitations that he could not see how God could use him. In reality, a visit from God almost turned into a bad experience for Gideon.I am sure you have never done what Gideon did in this instance. If you have, then you know firsthand that even a visitation from God isn't always the answer to your spiritual inactivity on uncertainty. Once you have a negative attitude, you can't hear or receive from the Lord!

This week, ask the Lord if you are acting like Gideon in any area of your life. If you are, then find out what God has been saying that you can't hear or receive because of your heart attitude. The good news is that Gideon went on from this encounter with the Lord to do great things and you will, too - but only if you change your mindset so that you can receive and not fight against the word of the Lord for your life. Have a great week!

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PERSONAL UPDATE: You can read my reflections on the first month of 2016 on my blog.

743 - Two Key Keys

I was about to write about Esther this week, when I looked back over my records and discovered I had written about her only a few months ago. If you were looking forward to more about Esther, here are the links to not one, but two Memos with her as the subject. Instead of Esther, I am going to move on to focus on the purpose story of Gideon for the next two weeks.

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Have you ever thought or said, "If only I knew that God wanted me to do this or that," or "If only God would direct me to do something, then I would certainly do it!"? While it sounds logical and spiritual, it isn't necessarily true, as we will see in this Memo. Who do you think I will pick from the Bible as a character to prove this point? If you guessed Gideon, you guessed correctly.

IT CAN'T BE ME!

In Judges 6, we see that the angel of the Lord came to give Gideon his assignment of liberating the Jews from the Midianites. Gideon was not so ready to accept his purpose, however, and explained to the angel why he (Gideon) could not be the one - God must have made a mistake. Gideon felt that circumstances were too overwhelming and he was too insignificant to do what God was commissioning him to do. I'm sure you have never felt like this - or have you?

Perhaps you have calmly explained to God and others all the reasons why you are not the one to accomplish some great purpose. You have pointed out that you are too young, too old, the wrong gender, under-educated, inexperienced, and without adequate resources. Even though you too may have had an angel of the Lord visit you, you have dismissed the call as next to impossible, saying something similar to what Gideon said: "But Lord." Gideon asked, "How can I save Israel?  My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family" (Judges 6:15). This proves that it isn't always the case that if God speaks to you, you will automatically embrace and go on to do His will.

TWO KEYS

God shared with Gideon two keys to success. Those keys worked for Gideon and they will work for you. The first key is found in Judges 6:14: "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" Gideon felt like he needed more strength if he was to go; the Lord told him to go in the strength that he had and it would be enough.

You can substitute many words for "strength" in that verse and they would all be keys to purposeful success. "Go in the time you have; go in the wisdom you have; go in the knowledge you have; go with the gifts you have; go in the faith you have; go with the money you have." You won't get  more of anything in the way of help from God until you create the need for it, so it's best to start right where you are today and obey God with what you have now. Then God will give you the rest.

The second key is found in verse 16: "The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." When God speaks to you to do something, you become a partner with God. You and God always comprise an insurmountable majority, no matter how improbable your success may seem to you at the start. Whatever you lack, God has in abundance. You provide the legs and heart, He provides the strength and success.

There you have it. You see that it may not be enough for God to speak to you, for your bias against yourself and your abilities may try to overrule God. If you are to go and do anything, you must go in the strength you have today, but you can go in the confidence that God goes with you. If you can remember to use those keys this week, I know you will have a turnaround week.

    Feel free to write a comment to this entry on the site where it is posted.

742 - A Big Book and a Sharp Pencil

I have been writing about Daniel the last few months, but now it's time to move on. Let's study a woman of purpose for a change; what do you say? Is that a good thing?  I think it is, so Esther, you are the woman for the next few weeks. We will start this week with one of my personal favorites among all Bible stories. This Memo is a little longer than usual, but I promise it is worth the effort.

BAIT AND SWITCH   

I'm sorry, but I'm going to pull what's called in the world of retail a "bait and switch." This isn't really about Esther this week, but rather about her cousin Mordecai (I promise to cover Esther next week). Mordecai raised his cousin Esther after her parents died. Because Esther listened to Mordecai's advice, she eventually won a beauty pageant and was chosen to be the new queen. After that happened, we read:

During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.  But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annal in the presence of the king (Esther 2:21-23).

You may ask, "Why is this one of your favorite stories?" My answer is that it only represents half of the story, so wait until you read the rest. First, we see that Mordecai had already done the king a favor by directing Esther to become queen. Then Mordecai did the king a second favor: He saved his life by uncovering and reporting the conspiracy to the king through Esther. When the report was investigated and found to be true, the conspirators were killed and the story was put down in the public record. The story could have ended there, and almost seems like it does.

That is how it may be with you. You have done good things you knew were related to your purpose. You have helped other people, been faithful in every way you knew how, and still it doesn't seem like you have received your promotion or breakthrough. You may even feel like that is your life's story and it will never change. If you feel like that, read on!

THE REWARD ALWAYS COMES

Mordecai had an enemy named Haman, who hated Mordecai because Mordecai was a Jew and would never bow down and pay him honor. Haman was secretly planning to wipe out Mordecai and the Jews but, before he could hatch his plot, we read the following:

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. "What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked."Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.

The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him. His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court.""Bring him in," the king ordered.  When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?"  So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'" 

"Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended." So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" (Esther 6:1-11).

Now you see why I love this story! To me it represents the fact that God never forgets who you are and what you have done for Him. I've written many times that (figuratively speaking) God has a big book and a sharp pencil and He records everything you do for Him. In the fullness of time, often when you least expect it, God rewards and blesses you with honor, meaningful work, and significant purpose opportunities. What's more, Mordecai could not be blessed until Esther became queen and had access to the king.  Sometimes fulfilling your purpose is a matter of timing -- there isn't a need yet for who you are or what you can do.

So take heart this week. God hasn't forgotten you. He remembers your deeds and preparation. Put your trust in Him. One night, when God can't sleep, He will ask one of His heavenly messengers to read the book of good deeds and He will hear your name mentioned.  He will then ask, "What have we done for my son or daughter to reward them?"  When the answer comes back, "Nothing," He will respond, "Now is the time." Who knows, that time may be this week and God may even use one of your enemies to bless you. I hope it is this week but, if not, you know it is only a matter of time until your week comes. So keep on seeking and doing the good you know you are to do. As you do, I know you will have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE: Our partners in Kenya are building a facility to house our library and other services in the village of Banana, outside of Nairobi. Here is an update on their progress and an appeal for help. Please read this exciting report and then do whatever the Lord leads you to do! You can give toward the project using PayPal or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. This is an exciting project, worthy of your consideration and support.

741 - Promoted in Babylon

Let's go back and finish up the series I began on Daniel last month this week and next. Also, I posted a personal update that may interest you about some of my writing plans for the coming year, which you can read here. But now, let's get back to our look at Daniel and his purpose journey.

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What if you had to lead a team of people and not one of them was like you in any way?  What's more, what if you were in a land that was not your home, with an adopted language, culture and customs? Finally, what if those people were involved in activities that were banned by your God in His holy book? Sounds like a tough if not impossible job, right?

Wrong! That exactly describes Daniel's situation, yet Daniel went on to prosper in Babylon and serves as a great example of the power of purpose. If you have missed any of our Daniel articles that began last December, you may want to go back and catch up. If you are current, then it's time to move on and learn more about this remarkable man.

A PROMOTION!

When the king had a dream that troubled him, the Bible tells us:

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means " (Daniel 2:1-3).

We saw in Memo 735 that the king refused to divulge the dream to those so-called wise men, but demanded that they tell him the dream and the interpretation. Only Daniel was willing to seek His God for the answers, and God graciously revealed the dream and the meaning.

The king rewarded Daniel for his exceptional work, as one might expect:

Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court (Daniel 2:48-29).

Who were those wise men over whom Daniel was put in charge?  They were the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers mentioned earlier. Can you imagine Daniel's business meetings with those men? He had to listen to their occult reports as their chief, and he did so with distinction. 

SO WHAT?

Why do I point this out? I do so because you may be called to fulfill your purpose in Babylon, too. You may not feel comfortable with your team or their spiritual values or orientation. Yet God may still direct you to serve and lead them and do so with the same excellence that Daniel employed.

Daniel did not choose to be in Babylon. God sent him there. He did not want to make a life transition that would take him away from his land and people. Yet when it happened, God made Daniel a champion in a foreign culture and He remained true to his God by doing excellent work.

Did you ever wonder how the Magi knew to look for a star and come to Bethlehem when Jesus was born?  Some suggest it was Daniel's influence that caused then to search.  After Daniel had heard the reports in his meetings from all the soothsayers, astrologers and necromancers, it was his turn and he reported on the hope of Israel. Some were so impressed that they spent the next five centuries searching for evidence of what Daniel had predicted would happen. When they saw the star, they left their homes, just like Daniel did his, to find the Promised One of Israel.

If your purpose takes you to a modern-day Babylon, don't fret. Just do what Daniel did. Look for an opportunity to serve and shine brightly for your God and tell them what you know to be true.  Then watch and see what God does, for He never sends His best anywhere without giving them success in the matters at hand.  Have a great week!

740 - The Year Behind, A Year Ahead

Happy New Year! I always hate to see the holidays end, and this year is no exception. Mine started early with a trip to New York, America's Christmas capital, and ended with time at home finishing up three book manuscripts for my publishing company, Urban Press. In between that, we had wonderful family times in Pittsburgh and Virginia, feasted like royalty, saw Star Wars and Creed, and received many Christmas and New Year greetings from friends all over the world! All in all, I am ready to start 2016, but here are some more memories of deeds done in 2015:

1. I published five new books: Stankoisms, The Leadership Walk, Unlocking the Power of Your Creativity, Leadership Essentials, and Unlocking the Power of Your Productivity. I also edited and re-released two of my previously published books: Unlocking the Power of Your Purpose and Strictly Business.
2. I launched Urban Press Publishing and we put out six books, with four more due out in January/early February.
3. I taught my first two online graduate school classes.
4. I taught twelve undergraduate classes, four of which I had never taught before.
5. Hosted more than 100 radio shows and eight television shows
6. I revisited Guyana, where I had not been since 1989, and went to Kenya twice.
7. Became the chairman of the board for two nonprofit organizations.
8. I regained my Platinum level travel status with Delta Airlines.
9. I kept my exercise momentum, walking 10-12 hours a week since April.

Here are some things I did in 2015 that I will stop doing in 2016:

1. I will no longer host my Saturday morning radio show, Wake Up to Purpose.
2. I will discontinue my daily written devotionals and transfer my efforts to a daily video devotional.

Then I have these new goals for 2016:

1. I have ideas for three new books of my own.
2. I want to publish 12 books for others through Urban Press.
3. I will learn Ukrainian, the language of my European ancestors.
4. Establish three new libraries in Kenya.
5. Produce the video devotional I mentioned above.
6. Start some new radio ventures.

I would enjoy hearing about your accomplishments in 2015 and goals for 2016. You can post them here for others to read and learn from. I am still savoring what God helped me do in 2015, and I include them only to stimulate you to your own good deeds. If I can help you become more purposeful and productive, please do not hesitate to contact me. I wish you and yours a marvelous, Spirit-filled, purposeful 2016 as together we advance God's kingdom for His glory.