the complete woman guide journey to finding purpose · pdf file · 2017-02-10the...

The complete woman guideJOURNEY TO FINDING

PURPOSE IN GOD

Foreword by Oluwambefunmi Ojo

Adekemi Adeniyan

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgement

Introduction 1

Part One:ChasingGodandPurpose

God,PurposeandPassion 5

PurposeandProcesses 12

PurposeandDivinetiming 16

PurposeandMentoring 20

Part Two:JourneytotheCompletegeneration

TheSarahGeneration 33

TheRuthGeneration 40

TheEstherGeneration 46

TheCompleteGeneration 52

Part Three:EquippedforPurpose

BreadofLife 63

SpiritualCompass 69

CurrentofLove 75

WalkofFaith 82

AbouttheAuthor.

Thisbookisforeverywomanwhofeelsunwantedandunloved.Tothegirlwhofeelsdownandout,thisisfrommyheartto

yours.Icrosspathswithwomenfromallwalksoflife,andmanyofthemremindmeofthegirlIusedtobe.TheLordhashealedandrestoredmylifeinsomanywaysthatIdon’tthinkIcould

evertrulytellofallHe’sdone.ThekeyformewasunderstandingwhoIamandwhatIcarry.

ThingsturnedaroundformethedayIrealizedIamcompleteinChrist,fromthatdayhenceforthIwalkedinpurpose.Itismyheart’sgreatestdesiretoreachouttoeverywomanthatthe

Lordisabletomeetheratherverypointofneed,nomatterhowlowitmaybe,andhealherineveryareawherethereispainandbrokenness.NomatterwhatyouarecompleteinHim.Don’thateyourself.Don’ttakeyourlifeforgranted;itisprecious.Yourworthispriceless.Youareararegem,completeincreation.

Dedication

I

IamimmenselygratefultoGodforthewisdomandinspirationtowritethisbook.WithouttheinspirationfromtheHolySpirit,thisbookwouldhavebeenabsolutelyimpossible.

I’dliketoacknowledgemyfather,Dr.AbimbolaAdeniyanwhoseconstantloveandsupportmakemyheartsmile;andmysiblings,Tayo,BayoandTopewhohavebeensuchablessingtome.

I’mthankfultomyspiritualparentsandmentors,PastorJideandFunmi Ojo. I am a product ofwhat I have learned and am stilllearningfromyouinallaspectsoflife.Iamimmeasurablygratefulfortheinspiration,wisdomandgraceyouhaveimpactedmewith.ThisbookisaresultofhowmuchofabetterwomanIhavebecomesinceImetyou.

My mentor, Pastor Bunmi Adebiyi. Your constant words ofencouragement, prayers and love have helped me harness mypotential.Thankyoumaforyourgreatcontributiontomakingthisbookthebestitcanbe.

Temiloluwa Oladapo, my friend and diligent �irst proofreader.Thanksforpushingmetogetthisoutthere,andforstickingwithmethroughit.

The Co-founderofKompleteWoman,YetundeSanni, myfriendslikesisters,Eddie,Remi,myfriendsinministry;youhaveallplayeda great role in helpingme ful�illmy purpose. Iwill forever begratefulforthat.

I appreciate everyone mentioned or unmentioned whocontributedtomakingthisbookasuccess.

Acknowledgements

ii

Godhasauniquepurposeforeveryman;thepurposewasinHismindbeforeHemademan.Thistellsusthatman’spurposeisthereason for his creation. The biblemakes us to understand thatwhenGodcalledprophetJeremiahandtoldhimwhathispurposewas,Jeremiahfelthecouldn’tdoit.HetoldGodhewasjustachild.GodthentoldhimthatHeknewhimandhadordainedhimbeforehewasformedinhismother’swomb.

“ThenthewordoftheLORDcameuntome,saying,BeforeIformedtheeinthebellyIknewthee;andbeforethoucamestforthoutof

thewombIsancti�iedthee,andIordainedtheeaprophetuntothenations.ThensaidI,Ah,LordGOD!behold,Icannotspeak:forIamachild.ButtheLORDsaiduntome,Saynot,Iamachild:forthoushaltgotoallthatIshallsendthee,andwhatsoeverIcommandtheethoushaltspeak.Benotafraidoftheirfaces:forIamwiththeetodeliverthee,saiththeLORD.ThentheLORDputforthhis

hand,andtouchedmymouth.AndtheLORDsaiduntome,Behold,Ihaveputmywordsinthymouth.See,Ihavethisdaysettheeoverthenationsandoverthekingdoms,torootout,andtopulldown,

andtodestroy,andtothrowdown,tobuild,andtoplant.”Jeremiah1:4-10

ThereasonGodsentyoutothisearthistoful�illpurposeandyouwillgiveanaccountofyourlifetoHimattheend.Tonotful�illyourpurposeistodespisethereasonforyourcreation.

Foreword

iii

Thecompletewomanguidehasbeenwrittentohelpthewomanknowandunderstandwhatpurposeisandhowtodiscoverit.Italsoexaminessomewomeninthebibleandhowtheylivedtheirlivesintheful�illmentofGod’spurposeforthem.Youwouldgettoknowhowimportantmentoringistoful�illingpurpose.

PastorAdekemiAdeniyan is awomanwith a great passion andhungerforGodandIamconvincedthisguideisaproductofherfellowshipwithHim.Shehasanattractive loyalspirit; this I saywithoutadoubt.Thecompletewomanguideisaveryrichmaterialthatwouldblessyoutremendouslyanditisrecommendedbyme.Useitandensurethateverywomanthatyouknowusesitandtellsotherwomentodoso.Don’tlettheuseofthismaterialendwithyou;startanetwork!

PastorOluwambefunmiOjoLeadPastor,NewRealityChristianCentre,Nigeria.

iv

Thisbookwillbegoingthroughthejourneyofeverywomanto�indingcompleteness;wewillbegoingdownthelaneofhistorytogetherlookingatwomenofvirtuewhotookthisjourney.Thisbookwillshowyoutheirstrengthsandweaknesses.InChristweareofabettercovenantandpromises.Wearenottowalkintheshadowsofthesewomeneventhoughtheywerewomenofvirtues,wearetoexceedtheminful�illingourpurpose.

Thisbookanswersthequestion“WhoamI?’’, theveryquestionthat lingersoneverywoman’sheart.There isadeeplonging ineverywomantodiscoverwhosheis,to�indtheverypurposeforwhichshewascreatedand�indjoyinit.Oftentimeswewouldgoabout searching the wrong places to �ind joy and happiness,thinkingthatistheonlywaytobecontentwithwhoweare.Ihavebeen there too and just like any normal youth I dived intounhealthy company and lifestyles, thinking if I could just �indacceptanceintheworldIwould�indjoy.Butjustasyouknow,itisexhausting.It’slikemovingonatreadmill,youseemtoberunningbutyouareneverreallyprogressing.

SoIgottiredofitallandfewyearsago,IwenttoGodinprayerandsaid“OhGod,Ineedliberationfrommystateofloneliness,helpme�indjoy’’, IspentminutesuponminutesprayingandrippingmyheartouttoGodandwaitingforthatloudvoiceIalwaysimaginedHimhaving,butallIheardwasacomfortingreplyinastillsmallvoicethatsaid‘Youneedtoacceptthatthereisthatplaceinyourheartthatnomancan�ill,exceptme”.ItwasatthatmomentIunderstoodwhatitmeansto�indmeandtohavejoy.

Introduction

1

Thetruthis,tounderstandwhoyouareyouhaveto�indoutwhyyouwerecreated.To�indoutwhyyouwerecreatedyouhaveto�indoutwhocreatedyou.Happinessisembeddedinpurpose;anyhappinessyougetoutsideofyourpurposewillneverlast.Noone,absolutelynoonecantaketheplaceofyourCreator;onlyinHimcanyou�indwhoyouare.Godisandwillforeverbeenoughforyou.ThatemptinessIfeltthenwasnotbecauseIdidn’thaveenoughfriends,ahusbandorchildren,butbecause Ididn’thaveGod! IrealizedthattheonlyliberationIneededwasfrombeingwhoIwastobeingwhoHecreatedmetobe.

SoIthrewitalloutthereandconfessedthelordshipofJesusChrist.ThereandthenIwatchedthefeelingofnotbeinggoodenoughmelttoobscurity.ThepresenceofGodissoreal,themorewedrawneartoHim,themoreHedrawsneartousandwhenthelightoftheknowledgeofHisgloryisembeddedinourhearts,wewillneverwantorthirstforanythinglesserthanthis.GodhaswrittenthestoryofyourlifeandHewantsyoutofeatureinit.Today,asyoureadthisbookIprayyouwouldbeencouragedtoknowthattheLordwillrestoretheyearsyou’velostand�illyourlifewithunspeakablejoy.

“Butwhatsaithit?Thewordisnighthee,eveninthymouth,andinthyheart:thatis,thewordoffaith,whichwepreach;ThatifthoushaltconfesswiththymouththeLordJesus,andshaltbelievein

thineheartthatGodhathraisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved.Forwiththeheartmanbelievethuntorighteousness;and

withthemouthconfessionismadeuntosalvation.”Romans10:8-10

Introduction

2

Iwouldloveyoutogoonthisbeautifuljourneyofdiscoverywithme.Ifyouhaven’tmadeJesusthelordoveryourlife,youcandosonowbysaying:“DearFather,IcometoyouinthenameofJesus.IbelievewithmyheartthatyouraisedJesusfromthedeadandIthereforeconfesswithmymouththatHe’smyLord.”

WelcometotheKingdomofKingsandtheFamilyofLightGlorytoGod;it’sanewyou!

Beloved,let’sridetogether…

Introduction

3

Part OneCHASING GOD AND PURPOSE

‘’Themomentyouforgetwhereyouareheaded,youloseyourway’’

Godhasapurposeforeveryman,yes,evenforthosewhohavenotcome to accept His lordship. A penwas created for a purpose,which is to serve as a writing material. If the pen refuses tofunction,itdoesn’tchangethepurposeforwhichitwascreated.Manyofustodayarebeingcarriedawaybythedemandsofourhomes, jobsandfamiliesthatweforget therealreasonwhyweexist.Inoticedthisespeciallywithwomen.Purposeisthereasonwhy something is done, createdor formed; the very reason forexistence.Theworstthingthatcanhappentoanymanorwomanotherthanbeingunsavedisnot�indingandful�illingpurpose.To�indpurposeyouneedto�indGodbecauseHecreatedyouandHealoneknowsthepurposeforwhichHedidthat.WeareallmadeintheimageandlikenessofGodandeveryoneofushasbeencalledtoserveapurposeinGod’skingdom.

Youcan’tgetpurposeoutsideGodbecauseittakestheHolySpirittorevealit.HeknowsthemindofGod.HeistheSpiritofinsight;Hewillgiveyoutotalclarityonwhyyouarehereandhowtogoaboutdoingwhatyouarecalledfor.UntiltheHolySpiritcameuponJesusHecouldn’tdoallthatHecametotheearthtodo.

“Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisinhim?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.Nowwehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld,butthespiritwhichisofGod;thatwemightknowthethingsthatare

freelygiventousofGod.”1Corinthians2:11-12

Chapter 1

God, Purpose and Passion

5

“HowGodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwere

oppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithHim.”Acts10:38

NoonecancomeintotheunderstandingofwhoyouareoutsideChrist,notevenyourself.Whobestunderstandsathingthantheonewhocreatedit?Godistheexpertattellingthereasonwhyyouexist.Goddidn’tcreateyoutojustbeautifythefaceoftheearthbywakingupeverydayanddoingnothing.YouareHisworkmanship,hereonadivineassignment.

“Forwearehisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusuntogoodworks,whichGodhathbeforeordainedthatweshouldwalkin

them.”Ephesians2:10

King Solomon knew that lifewithout God is a purposeless one.Though theremightbepleasures, you cannever feel ful�illed inthosethem.HeusedthewholebookofEcclesiastestoanalyzethisand�inallycametotheconclusionthatfearingGodanddoingHiswilliswhatwewerecreatedfor.OurownawarenessofwhoGodisandhowHefunctionsisthebedrocktodiscoveringpurposeandful�illingittothefullest.ChristHimselfhadapurposetoful�illonthefaceoftheearth.OurgeneralpurposeasbelieversisthesameasChrist’s,whichistoglorifyGodanddestroytheworksofthedevil.

“ForthispurposetheSonofGodwasmanifested,thathemightdestroytheworksofthedevil.”

1John3:8

God,PurposeandPassion

6

Godhas an individual purpose for each one of us butwemustunderstandthatnomatterhowuniqueitis,italwaysleadsbacktoourgeneralpurpose(Christ’spurpose)andalwaystoHisglory.Itisnotjustenoughthatyouful�illapurpose,Godwantsyoutoful�illyourpurpose.

Youmustunderstandthatbecauseyouhaveapurposeassignedtoyou,thedevilhasaplantomakesureyoudon’tgettoful�illit.Thatiswhy he seeks to steal, kill and destroy everymeans throughwhichyouweredesignedtocarrythatpurposeout.Don’tlethim.Heknowshowbig thepurposeofGod foryour life isandhe iswillingtodoeverythingtochallengeit.Theaimofthedevilistomakeyouspendtimeoverthatwhichwasnotpredestinedforyou.Don’tgivehimafoothold.

WhenGod,PurposeandPassionMeetJustbecauseyouhaveapurposedoesnotmeanyouwillful�illit.For instance, knowing you have to build a house and having aspeci�icreasonwhyyouhavetoisnotenoughtobuildit,youstillneedanarchitectandablueprint.Purposeisthereasonwhyyouareonearth,thearchitectisGod.Hehasseteverythinginplace;theblueprintisHisdetailedplanofhowtocarryitout.Passioniswhatfuels you and charges you up to ful�ill purpose. To ful�ill yourpurpose;God,purposeandpassionmustallmeetata commonpoint.Passionisastrongfeelingofenthusiasmtowardsacause,inwhichthereisadeterminationanddirectiontoseeitreachacertainend.Godshowsyouthewhat,purposetellsyouthewhy,passionfuelsthewhatandGod’splantellsyouthewhenandhow.


7

AtcreationGodplacedinyouapassion(thoseresources,toolsorgiftings)thatgivesyoumotivationtowardsful�illingpurpose.Itisthatthingthatfascinatesyou,�iresyouup,makesyouenthusiasticandunstoppable.Youcanhavemorethanonepassionbutjustonepurpose.Thismeansyouhavetospirituallydiscernwhichpassion�its into thepurpose ofGod for your life, onlywhen these twointersectcanyoubeful�illed.

Perhapsyouhavefoundyourpassionandhaven’tdiscoveredyourpurpose; that isnotenough.Don’tcarveoutyourpurposefromyourpassion,itiswrong.Howeveryoushould�indpassioninyourpurpose.Manytimesitispossibletohaveastrongdesiretowardssomethingthatisnotinlinewithyourpurpose.Thisisbecausepassion by itself and of itself can be sel�ish due to desire forpleasurebutyourpurpose isneverasel�ishonebecause it isaservicetoGodandeveryonearoundyou.Yourpassionisofthesoul(centerofwill,emotionandintellect);yourpurposeisofthespirit.Yourspiritshouldalwaysruleyoursoul.

Mosttimesyourpassionisencodedinyourpurpose.Remember,the reason why you are building a house is what informs theblueprintnottheotherwayround.AfriendoncetoldmethatheknowsaladywhohasapassionforhelpingyoungladiesgrowintheLordbutdoesn'tknowhowtogoaboutit.My�irstquestionis;isitapassionsourcedfromGodandpurpose?WhydoIaskthis?ThisisbecauseeventhoughherpassionisagreatoneandinfactisinthegeneralwillofGod,shemust�irstunderstandthatitisnotenoughforittobeherpassionbutitmustbeherpurpose.


8

Assaidearlier,eachpersonhasapurposespeci�ictothem.ThetruthisGodisnotcommittedtosustainingwhatHedidn'tsource,nomatterhowgreatitis.Fortheladytofullysucceedincarryingitout,ithastobe�irstherpurpose.Whenthispassionisthenbornoutofthepurpose,thedrivewouldbejustsounstoppable.Let’sgetpractical…

Phoebe was created by God to be a minstrel and heal peoplethroughworshipandsongs.Shegrewupwithastrongpassiontoplaythepianoandcomposesongs.Inlinewiththatshewenttoamusicacademy.AftergraduationshewantedtowritemusicforherselfandforothersandeventuallywintheGrammy’s.HoweverGodtoldhertogotoUgandaandsubmittoachurchandthepastortheretogettrainedasaworshipleader.Sheyieldedandleft.Yearslater she became one of the famous anointed minstrels andworshipleadersamongnationswhohealpeoplewithhermusic.ShewontheGrammy’sforthebestgospelsongoftheyear.Hereistheformula

HerPurpose:tobeaminstrelandhealpeoplethroughhersongsHerPassion:playingthepianoandcomposingsongsGod’sPlan: tosubmittoachurchandgettrainedasaworshipleader

Phoebeful�illedherpurposebecausesheyieldedtoGod’splanandinstructions. She found her passion in her purpose, howeverwithoutGod’sinstructionsherpassionwouldhavedrivenherinanotherdirectionbesidesGod’splan.


9

GodwantsthebestforeveryoneandHeknowsabetterdirectionthan you. Phoebe could have takenher ownway andmayhaveneverevengottenaGrammy’sawardbutshetooktheGodwayandgotit.TheGodwaywillalwaysgetyouthereandputyouonthewinningside.God’sPurposeforLolawasforhertoimpactyoungwomenaroundtheworldandhelpthem�indwhotheyareinChrist.Shehadalwayslikedfashiondesigning.ItwasherpassionandsoshedecidedthatwasGod’spurposeforher.ShewenttothebestfashiondesigningschoolinItalyandgraduatedatthetopofherclass.Sheturnedouttobeaworldclassdesigner.AfterawhileLoladiscoveredshewasnothappyandful�illedevenaftershehadallthemoneyandfame.ShesoughtGod,andHetoldhertostartafashionmentoringschoolforyoungwomen.Withinafewmonthsshefoundherselfimpactingandpositivelyaffectingthelivesofover300youngwomenofallnationalities.Shefoundhappinessandful�illment.

Hereistheformula…..HerPurpose=toimpactyoungwomenaroundtheworldandhelpthem�indwhotheyareinChristHerPassion=fashiondesigningGod’s Plan = to impact young women on the platform of herpassionandskill.

Lolacouldn’t�indhappinessinherpassionbecauseshemadeitherpurpose andonly ful�illment of purpose canbringhappiness toanyone.Herpassionwasanopportunitytogainsomeskillsandcreatealargeplatformforhertoful�illpurposeinlife.ManytimesGodputsusataplacetobuildupallittakesforustoful�illpurposein life.Thatplace isyour trainingpointandnotyourendpoint.Learntodiscernspirituallywhentogoandhowtogo.


10

Success in life is not about being rich or building houses; it isful�illingthatwhichGodhasplacedyouonthefaceoftheearthtoaccomplish.TodothisyouneedtoFINDGOD,DISCOVERPURPOSE,andFUELYOURPASSIONtowardsit.

LovingGodismylife;helpingandimpactingothersthroughmypastoralof�ice ismypurpose;writing ismypassion.Believemewhen I say that life has been more ful�illing with these threecomponents embedded in my life, with God taking a far moreimportantplace.Whatisyours?Inwhateveryoudo,walkwithGod,�indyourpurposeanddiscoveryourpassion.Issomeonetellingyoutheskyisyourlimit?ShowthemyoupartnerwithalimitlessGod,becausethereisnoendtowhereyoucangetto.TheonlythingthatcanstopyouisYOU!Embrace GOD, Embrace Your PURPOSE, And Embrace YourPASSION!


11

Goddoesn'tworkapurposefornow.ThismeansHedoesn’tgiveyou one now and another next year but there will be manyprocesses you have to go through to ful�ill that purpose. It alldependsonyourlocationindestiny;butultimatelythereisonlyonepurposeforeachperson. Jesusdidn’thavepurposes,HehadjustonebutHecompleteddifferentassignmentsinordertoful�illthatonepurpose.Onyourwaytoful�illingpurpose,therearemanyprocesses (assignments) inwhich Godwill commit talents intoyourhandtoseewhatyouwillproduce.Thecapacityyoubuildduringtheseprocesseswilldeterminewhetheritistimetomoveyoutoanewlevelalongthepathofdestiny.

PurposeistheveryessenceofyourcreationbyGod. Godhassetthepurposeofeverymanbutwedeterminethedestinationwe�indourselvesdependingonhowweyieldtotheprocesses.TherearedifferentplacesGodhasdesignedforustogettoonourwaytoful�illing purpose but when we do not pay attention to thedirectionsHegivesuspertime,wemayendupatthewrongplace.Forexample,ifGodtellsyoutogotoHungary,HemightwantyoutopassthroughFranceforareasonbutifyoudecidetopassthroughLondonandyougetstrandedalongtheway,itdoesn'tchangethefactthatyourendpointoughttobeHungary.Thechoiceswemakecanin�luencewhereweenduppertime,butourpurposewillneverchange.JonahwassentonanassignmentbyGodbutheendedupinthe�ish’sbellybecauseofawrongdecisionthathemade.However,hisassignmentdidn’tchange;itjusttookhimalongertimetodoit.

Chapter 2Purpose and Process

12

God’spromisesareinHisprocesses.WhenGodtoldAbrahamtoleavehisfather’slandtowhereHewouldshowhim,Godcouldhaveimmediatelyshowedhimthatplaceandhewouldendupthere.ButGodknewHeneededtotrainAbrahamenoughtobethefatherofallnations(hispurpose).EverywhereAbrahamgottoonthewaytowhereGodwasleadinghim,Helearntnewthingsandovercamechallenges.Thisproved the faithfulnessofGod tohim.Hewentthrough so many processes that he became fully persuaded ofGod’s ability and love evenwhenhewas told to sacri�ice Isaac.TrustinginGod’sprocessesgivesyouroomtobuildcapacityforthesupernaturaland for the realitiesof theGodkindof life to �indexpressioninyou.Everyonemustgothroughaprocessordifferentprocesses–whethertheyembraceitornot.Abranchcannotgrowand bear fruit if it has not undergone the process of taking innutrients.Godcreatedusto�lourishlikethepalmtree,butjustasittakesyieldingtotherightprocessesforapalmtreetogrowandspreadoutbeautifully,itisthesamewithus.Goddidn’tcreateanymantobeidle,soHegivesusdifferentassignmentspertimeinothertobuildus.

“Therighteousshall�lourishlikethepalmtree:heshallgrowlikeacedarinLebanon.”

Psalms92:12

AwomanwhocannotundergotheprocessoflettingtheHolySpirittakeheroveragainandagaincannotful�illthepurposeofGod.YoushouldbewillingtoaskGodwhatyournextassignmentis.Hegaveyouapurposethatyournaturalstrengthcannotful�illandunlessyoupartnerwiththesupernaturalyouwillbecomeweary.

PurposeandProcess

13

Sobeforeyouactuallygetintothecarofpurposeandstartdrivingoff through a cold winter night or a dry and dusty harmattanmorning,youshouldaskGodwhattheplanis.Youdon’twanttoventure into driving running low on strength, equipment anddirectionwhenGodwantstopilotyouthroughanaircraftofease,guidanceandwisdom.It’sawastefulventure.The problem is that many women today are busy driving andmovingtowardsful�illingpurposewhilemakingtheHolySpiritapassenger.Distractionsoflifewillcomein,thedevilwillthrowinatelephonecalljustatacrossroadandbeforeyoucanevenblinkyouhitrockbottom!LifeapartfromGod’sguidanceandprocessesischaotic. OnethingtheenemyhatesistoseethatweareworkingaccordingtoGod’splan.Thedevil isconstantly lookingfor loopholestopenetrateintoyourlifeandheknowshecannotdothatwhenGodisincharge,sohetriestoselltoyoutheliethatyoucandoallthingsthrough‘self’,butweknowthatwecandoallthingsonlythroughChristwhostrengthensus.

Majorityofus like tobe thedriversofourown livesandwhennothingworksorwhenwegettotheendoftheroadandnothingelseisinviewwethenturntoGodasourPlanBaskingHimtotakethewheel.WhymakeGodanoption?Ialwaysthinktomyself,whatifIwasn’taprioritytoChrist,whatifIwasamereplanB,wouldHehavelaiddownHislifeforme?Thetruthisfromthebeginningoftime none of us had ever been a Plan B on God’s mind. HepredestinedusforadoptionassonsthroughJesusChristaccordingtothepurposeofHiswill.

“HavingpredestinatedusuntotheadoptionofchildrenbyJesusChristtohimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill,”

Ephesians1:5

PurposeandProcess

14

Wow,isn’titgreattoknowthatbeforeyourfathermetyourmotheroreverthoughtofconceivingyou,Godalreadyadoptedyou?Don’twaituntilthecargetstoastoporuntilyourunoutoffuelbeforeyourealizethatGodiswillingtoguideyouineveryaspectofyourlife.Ful�illingpurpose is all about lessofyouandmoreofGod;that’stheonlywaythingscanworkperfectly.Thetruthis,Godisalwaysbesideyou,becauseHewillneverleaveorforsakeyou.EvenwhenyoutakeadriveroundtowninyourownunderstandingandgiveGodlittleornoroominyourlifeHeisstillintherewaitingforyou to callHim,becauseheknows that sooneror lateryouaregoing toneedHim.Heruns tous just like that fatherdid tohisprodigalsoninLuke15:20.GodissuchalovingFather;Heiseverreadytowelcomeyouhomewithopenarms.Let’sallgettothathumbleplacewherewearewillingtoaskGodtotakethekeysandnotjustthewheel.

Goddoesn'twantyoutodiveintoallHehascreatedyouforwithoutpreparation.Jesushadabout30yearsofpreparationfora3-yearministry.Yourprocessesdetermineyourendresult!Don'tjump-startyourselftogettinganendresultwhileignoringtheprocesses;itendsinfailureandmediocrity!GodisaGodofprocess.Processesaren’talwayscomfortablebuttheyalwaysproduceanendresult.Acake put in an oven will either get done, undone or burntdependingonthetemperatureandtime.Godwantsyoutopassthroughtheprocessofbeingthoroughlyfurnished.Hewantsyouto ful�illpurpose to the fullest.Don’t jump in toohot- tooearly.Don’t crawl in too cold- too late. Discern processes and giveyourselftothem.

PurposeandProcess

15

“Everypurposehasatime;atimeofpreparationforitandatimetostepoutthereandgoallout.Thereisasettimeforeveryoneinlife.Toeverythingthereisaseason,andatimetoeverypurpose

undertheheaven:”Ecclesiates3:1

Godrecognizestimesandseasons,Hecreatedthemandworkedwiththem.Heunderstoodwhentoworkandwhentorest.GodisaneternalGod,Heexistsoutsideoftimeandisthereforenotlimitedbyit.Godcreatedtimeformantohaveapropersequenceofthings,withouttimeonthefaceoftheearththerewillbenoorder.Imaginenothavingseasonsandtime,wewouldn’tknowwhentoplantandwhentoharvest,whentosleepandwhentobeawake.Itwillbeonelifefullofchaos. Thereasonwhytimeexistsisbecausepurposeexists,otherwisetimewouldmakenosenseifwehavenothingwearedrivingat.Because God lives outside of time He knows the end from thebeginning and thus has set our course in line with ful�illingpurpose.Thisiscalleddivinetiming.GodwantseveryoneofourpurposestoreachperfectionandthatiswhyHewantstoseeusgothroughthenormalcourseoftimeforthistohappen.Thereisatimeofpreparationforeverymantowardsful�illingpurpose.Divinetimingisnotaboutage.Everyman’spurposeprecedeshiscreationandtherefore,Godneverputintoconsiderationyourage.Intheperfectionofpurpose,Godworkswithtimenotage.Thereweresomanyyoungpeopleinthebiblewhoful�illedtheirpurposeat a young age, Jesus included but God made sure they wentthroughtimeandprocesses.

Chapter 3Purpose and Divine Timing

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Ifpeoplewon’treceiveyouinlinewithyourpurposebecauseyouare young, then they have chosen to deny themselves of beingblessedorimpactedbyyou.Jesuswasyoungerthanthemanwhowascrippledfor38years,yetHecarriedthegraceandanointingtoheal that man (John 5:1-15). Imagine if His youth had beendespised.Ful�illingpurposeisneverbyagebutbygrace.GodwilltakeHistimetoworkonusandbuildusinlinewithwhatHecreatedusfor.InHistimeeverythingisbeautiful.Goddoesn’twantyououttheretooearlyortoolate,soHetakesHistimetochisel and prune out the excess baggage so you can be a goodambassadortotheworld.

GodwantsyoutohavesomuchofHimandHiswordinyourlifesoyou can be thoroughly furnished in your journey to ful�illingpurpose;Hewantsyoutoget �illedwithHimsoyoucanemptyyourselftoful�illingpurpose.Apregnantwomanbringsforthherbabyafter9months;thatisthesettimetodoso.Anythingbeforethatisprematureandmaybeharmfultothebaby.Yourpurposeislikeachildthatyouhavebeengiventoconceive,nurtureandbringforthindueseason.Steppingoutprematurelycanbeharmfulforyouinlife,itisessentialthatyoutakeintherightnutrientsfromGod’swordtosurviveoutthere.

AsawomanafterGod’sownheart,youareaworkinprogress,amasterpieceinthehandsoftheCreator.Thebestsellingartworksin the world were not created overnight, they took time andpatience.WhenJesus’motherwantedHimtoperformamiracleinCana,HemadeherunderstandthatHispurposewasassignedatime.ThatwaswhynomancouldlayhandsonHimuntiltherighthour.

PurposeandDivineTiming

17

“Jesussaithuntoher,Woman,whathaveItodowiththee?minehourisnotyetcome.”

John2:4ItisimportantthatyoudiscerntimesandseasonsbythehelpoftheHolySpirit;don’tsleepwhileyouaresupposedtobepreparinganddon’t prepare when you are supposed to be out there. Neverdelegatewhatisyourstodo.Davidstayedbackathomewhenhewassupposedtobeoutthereonthebattle�ieldandduringthistimehe gave in to a grave temptation of sleepingwith anotherman’swifeandkillinghim.“Anditcametopass,aftertheyearwasexpired,atthetimewhen

kingsgoforthtobattle,thatDavidsentJoab.”2Samuel11:1

DoingthewrongthingsatthewrongtimeorevendoingtherightthingsatthewrongtimecantakeusawayfromthepathGodhaslaiddownforus.Perhapsyoufeellikeyouhavewastedtoomuchtimedoingnothingand it feels youhavea shortwhile to ful�illpurpose;youhavetounderstandthatGodisintothebusinessofredeemingtimes.Hiswordmakesustounderstandthatwecanredeemtimebywalkinginwisdom.

“Seethenthatyewalkcircumspectly,notasfools,butaswise,redeemingthetime,becausethedaysareevil.”

Ephesians5:15-16“Walkinwisdomtowardthemthatarewithout,redeemingthe

time.”Colossians4:5

“Butuntothemwhicharecalled,bothJewsandGreeks,ChristthepowerofGod,andthewisdomofGod.”

1Corinthians1:24


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Whenwewalkinwisdom(Christ)weredeemtime.Knowingwhereyouaregoing,andgettingthereintimewiththehelpoftheHolySpiritisthekeytoful�illingpurpose.Iwanttourgeeverywomantogiveherself toGod’s timing forpreparation.Remember,no foodtastesgreatwithoutbeingpreparedwell. Evaluateyourpersonalvalues and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you in all you do.RemembertoseekGodineverything;HecaresforyouinthelittlethingsasmuchasHedoesinthebigthings.PlanaccordingtoHisdirectioninsteadoflayingdownaplanandexpectingHimtodirectit.LettheHolySpiritteachyouhowtonumberyourdaysaright.When you work in line with God’s clock everything turns outbeautifulandperfect.


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Chapter 4

Purpose and Mentoring

Inpreparingusforpurpose,Godplacesinourpath,menwhomHehas equipped to mentor and guide us in life. You may ask, ‘ismentoringscriptural?’Yes it is.Theword ‘mentoring’mightnothave been used in the Bible but the principles were de�initelypracticedbyJesusHimself,byPaulandmanymore.Thedictionaryde�inesa“mentor”as“awiseandtrustedcounselororteacher.”WecanseethatthiswasasimilarroleJesusplayedinthelivesofHisdisciples.Inotherwords,whatthebiblecallsdiscipleshipiswhatwe call mentoring today. Jesus mentored His disciples andinstructed them to do the same to others (Matthew 28:19-20).Everybelieverhasbeencalledtomentorandbementored.

Mentoring should be a symbiotic relationship inwhich there ismutual sharing, trust, and enrichment between thementor andprotegee. The mentor serves as a model of the future of theprotegee. It takes the Holy Spirit to change lives, and teach allthings,soamentormusthavegivenhimselfovertotheSpiritofGodtomakehimcompetentforthisrole.Everywoman’snumberonementorshouldbeChrist;HeshouldbeourModelatexecutingGod’swillinourlives.ThiskindofmentoringforusisonethatistotallydependentonussubmittingtoHimasourLordandLeader. OurmentorsshouldhelpuspursueGodandpurpose.GodhasembeddedthegraceweneedtobetrainedforpurposeinvesselsHehaschosen.Manyyoungwomentodaydesireto�indthatperson,butmajorityseemtobedoingitwrong.

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Amentorsimplyneedstobecompetenttotrainandprovideyouwithall thenecessarythingsneeded in lifeanddestinyandthatcompetencyhasbeenpre-installedinhimorherbyGodforthatpurpose.Goddoesn’tgracemenbasedontheiragebut for theirpurpose (i.e the grace to ful�ill purposedidn’t come to anymanbecauseofhisage.)Godcreatedeveryman’spurposebeforehisbirthandhisageshouldn’tbealimitingfactortowhatheshouldorshouldn’tdo.ThismeansGodcanusesomeoneyoungerthanyoutotrainand teachyoubecause theyhavebeenmadesuf�icientandcompetentinthespiritforthispurpose.WhatyouneedinamentorisaheartforGod,loveandexperience;allthesehavenothingtodowithage,�inancialoracademicstatus.

Therearedifferentwayswecanbementoredaswomen;spiritualmentoring, career mentoring or even academic mentoring, and�inding the rightmentor in all these areas is crucial to ful�illingpurpose.Mentoringcaneitherbeonaone-to-onebasisorinagroupsmallenoughtoimpactandinteractpertime.SometimesJesuswaswith12ofHisdisciplesmentoringthem,othertimesHewasjustwith3.Wewillbepayingmuchattentiontospiritualmentoringinline with purpose, but you must understand that the sameprinciplesguidealltypesofmentoring.Thisisbecauseofsomeofthe misconceptions people have about mentors; some say yourmentor must be perfect, older than you or even have a formaltraining.Alltheseareverywrong.

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BiblicalExamplesofMentoringMosesmentoredJoshua

“AndtheLORDsaiduntoMoses,Writethisforamemorialinabook,andrehearseitintheearsofJoshua:Exodus17:14

AndtheLORDsaiduntoMoses,Comeuptomeintothemount,andbethere:andIwillgivetheetablesofstone,andalaw,and

commandmentswhichIhavewritten;thatthoumayestteachthem.AndMosesroseup,andhisministerJoshua:andMoseswent

upintothemountofGod.”Exodus24:13-14

JoshuawasinamentoringrelationshipwithMosesanditpreparedhimaheadforhispurpose.HeintroducedJoshuaintoleadershipandtheprinciplesguidinghimbyteachinghimandimpactinghimwithwisdom.JoshualearnedtheheartofservicefromMoses.

ElimentoredSamuel.“NowSamueldidnotyetknowtheLORD,neitherwasthewordof

theLORDyetrevealeduntohim.AndtheLORDcalledSamuelagainthethirdtime.AndhearoseandwenttoEli,andsaid,

HereamI;forthoudidstcallme.AndEliperceivedthattheLORDhadcalledthechild.ThereforeElisaiduntoSamuel,Go,liedown:anditshallbe,ifhecallthee,thatthoushaltsay,Speak,LORD;forthyservantheareth.SoSamuelwentandlaydowninhisplace.”

1Samuel3:7-9ElitrainedSamuelandhelpedhimunderstandhiscall.HetaughtSamuelhowtolistenandrespondtoGod,hehelpedfanto�lamethepotentialinSamuel.ThishelpedSamuelcarryouthisroleasaprophetlateroninhislife.

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ElijahmentoredElisha“Sohedepartedthence,andfoundElishathesonofShaphat,whowasplowingwithtwelveyokeofoxenbeforehim,andhewiththetwelfth:andElijahpassedbyhim,andcasthismantleuponhim.Andhelefttheoxen,andranafterElijah,andsaid,Letme,Ipray

thee,kissmyfatherandmymother,andthenIwillfollowthee.Andhesaiduntohim,Gobackagain:forwhathaveIdonetothee?”1

King19:19-20“Anditcametopass,whentheyweregoneover,thatElijahsaiduntoElisha,AskwhatIshalldoforthee,beforeIbetakenaway

fromthee.AndElishasaid,Ipraythee,letadoubleportionofthyspiritbeuponme.”

2Kings2:9“HetookupalsothemantleofElijahthatfellfromhim,andwent

back,andstoodbythebankofJordan;”2Kings2:13

ElishawaswillingtoletgoofeverythinghehadtobementoredbyElijah.HelearnedsomuchbyobservingthelifeofElijahandendedupwithadoubleportionofElijah’sspirit(beingthenumberoneprophet).HecarriedonwithallElijahdid.Elishawassospirituallyhungry to ful�ill purpose that he ran past other prophets to bebeside Elijah. There was a transfer of wisdom and mantle ofleadership.He learned that leadership is by service and not byposition. Elisha’s success in ful�illing purpose was seen in theeffectivementoringrelationshipthathehadwithElijah.

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MordecaimentoredEsther.“Estherhadnotshewedherpeoplenorherkindred:forMordecai

hadchargedherthatsheshouldnotshewit.AndMordecaiwalkedeverydaybeforethecourtofthewomen'shouse,toknowhow

Estherdid,andwhatshouldbecomeofher.”Esther2:11“Forifthoualtogetherholdestthypeaceatthistime,thenshall

thereenlargementanddeliverancearisetotheJewsfromanotherplace;butthouandthyfather'shouseshallbedestroyed:andwhoknowethwhetherthouartcometothekingdomforsuchatimeas

this?”Esther4:14

MordecainotonlyraisedEsther,hewashermentor.Heremindedherofherpurposeinthepalace.ThischangedherlifeandputherinlinewiththewillofGod.ShelistenedandlearnedfromMordecaiandthissingularactsavedanation.ThestoryofEstherwillbevisitedinthepart2ofthisbook.

Jesusmentoredthe12apostles“Goyetherefore,andteachallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost:TeachingthemtoobserveallthingswhatsoeverIhavecommandedyou:and,lo,I

amwithyoualways,evenuntotheendoftheworld.Amen.”Matthew28:20

“Thenhecalledhistwelvedisciplestogether,andgavethempowerandauthorityoveralldevils,andtocurediseases.Andhesent

themtopreachthekingdomofGod,andtohealthesick.”Luke9:1-2

Jesuswentaheadtomentor12menwhomHepersonallychose.

PurposeandMentoring

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HegaveHistimeandselftoteachingthemandpreparingthemtoful�ill purpose. Jesus’ private time with His disciples was thefoundationofcorrectmentoring.JesustaughtthembybeingtheperfectExampleofwhatHewantedthemtobe,afterwhichHecommissionedthemtogooutandreproducewhatHehaddoneinthem.

PaulmentoredTitus,Timothy,andmanyothersinthechurches.

“Thosethings,whichyehavebothlearned,andreceived,andheard,andseeninme,do:andtheGodofpeaceshallbewithyou.”

Philippians4:9“Andthethingsthatthouhastheardofmeamongmanywitnesses,thesamecommitthoutofaithfulmen,whoshallbeabletoteach

othersalso.”2Timothy2:2

“ToTitus,mineownsonafterthecommonfaith:Grace,mercy,andpeace,fromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChristourSaviour.ForthiscauseleftItheeinCrete,thatthoushouldestsetinorderthethingsthatarewanting,andordaineldersineverycity,asI

hadappointedthee:”Titus1:4-5

PaulmentoredgreatmenlikeTimothyandTitusandhealsotaughtthem to mentor others. He encouraged them to ful�ill theirministry.HeurgedthemtofollowhimashefollowedChrist,sotheycouldaccomplish thedivine taskaheadof them..He tookgreatinterestintheirspiritualgrowth.Paulalsoimpactedthemthroughlayingonofhandsandprayers.

PurposeandMentoring

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YouasaProtégéeLesson1:Mentoringisnotapprenticeship

Asaprotegee,don’tseespiritualmentoringasanapprenticeshipbutasanavenuetomodelingChristandmaturing inyourwalkwithGodenoughtogooutthereandful�illpurpose.Muchmorethan learningnew thingsandacquiringskills fordestiny, it isaplatformtobeimpactedandimparted.ThatiswhyGodwillgiveyouaspiritualmentorthathasadeepwalkandexperiencewithGod.Letyourmentorbeyourrolemodel,catchtheirspirit.ThedisciplesofJesuscaughtHissomuchthatpeoplehadtocallthemChristiansbecausetheylookedandactedlikeChrist.

Lesson2:MentorsarespirituallydiscernedOnemajorthingyoumustneverforgetinlifeisthatmentorsaretobespirituallydiscernedandgottenfromGod.OnlyGodcanshowyoutherightpersontomentoryoubecauseHecanseebeyondwhatyouareseeing.Godwillleadandguideyoutotherightchoicefor you so don’t choose your mentor emotionally orcircumstantially;itisdangeroustoyourpurpose.RememberIsaidyourmentorhasthecompetencyneededpreinstalledbyGodandonlyGodcandirectyourpathtowardshim/her.

Lesson3:MentoringisinlevelsYourmentorsdifferaccordingtodifferentareasofyourlife.Somewillcomeforawhiletoleadyoutothenextlevel,otherswillbetherejustinaparticularareaofyourlife,butthereisonethatstaysand that is a lifementor. Someone God has chosen to be therethroughoutlifeanddestiny.Youhavetounderstandatwhatlevelaparticularpersoncanmentoryou.Don’tmixthemup.

PurposeandMentoring

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Lesson4:MentoringisReproductiveAsaprotegee,oneofyourgreatestachievementsiswhenyoubegintoreproduceinothersallthatyourmentorhasproducedinyou.Paul understood this and told Timothy to do it. Mentoringreproducesothers,itisachainreaction.“Andthethingsthatthouhastheardofmeamongmanywitnesses,thesamecommitthoutofaithfulmen,whoshallbeabletoteach

othersalso.”2Timothy2:2

YouasaMentorLesson1:Startwiththefew

Mentoringbeginswithafew;youdon’thavetowaittillyouhavealargecrowdtomentorpeople.Mentoringcanstartwiththatoneyounggirlacrossthestreet,thenitcontinuesbyteachinghertodothesameandthecirclekeepsgettingbiggerandbigger.Impactingagenerationstartswithimpactingonelifeatatime.

Lesson2:MentoringrequiresteachingandbeingtaughtJesusshowedustheperfectexampleofbeingamentor;Hetaught.As a mentor you must �irst be a student of the word of God,constantlybeingtaughtbytheHolySpiritandbypeopleHehasplacedtooverseeyou,soyoucanimpactthatsameknowledgeonyourprotegees.Youdon’thavetobeanexpertonalltopicsbutyoumustbewillingtosubmittotheHolySpiritwhoisanexpertinallthings.Youshouldbeable toanswerquestionsonthedifferentbasicdoctrinesofthebible.YoucanonlybethebestmentorbysubmittingtotheministryoftheWordandSpirit..

PurposeandMentoring

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Lesson3:Mentoringrequiressacri�iceMentoringwill require you giving yourself, your time and yourresources.Thisisbecauseyouhavetotaketimetospendwithyourprotegees, constantly pray for them and sometimes give out ofwhatyouhavetothem.JesusgaveallofHimself,timeandresourcesfornotjustHisdisciplesbutforusalso.

Lesson4:MentoringrequireswisdomMentoring is tasking and it requires wisdom. Many times inmentoring people you have to deal with their differentpersonalitiesandthattakesGodgivingyouwisdom.Thereasonwhyyoucannotjustseekanykindofmentorormakeanunbelieveryourmentorisbecausetheydonothavethewisdomtoleadyouthroughlifeanddestiny.ThebiblesaysinColossians1:28“teachingeverymaninallwisdom;thatwemaypresenteverymanperfectinChristJesus’’thisisbecausenomancancomeintofullmaturityofwhoChristhasmadehim/hertobeapartfromwisdom

Lesson5:MentoringrequiresloveMentoringbeginswithlove.WithoutAgape(God-kindoflove)itisimpossible to lead, teach and in�luence others. This is becauseoffenceswillcome,andyouhavetolearntodealwiththatinlove.Mentoringisanactofsel�lessness.Ittakeslovetobesel�less(1Corinthians13:4-8).Patienceisanecessityofeverymentorwhichisanattributeoflove.

Lesson6:MentoringisacontinuousprocessTherewillneverbeatimewhenyouwillstopmentoring,thisisbecause mentoring requires helping others to pursue God andpurposeandthepursuitofGodisacontinuousjourney.

PurposeandMentoring

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Mentoringisacycleofimpact.Notwopeopleinpurposearethesame;itwasfashionedthatwayfromthebeginningofdays.Youneedsomeone, someoneneedsyou.It'suptoyoutoraiseagenerationofGodchasersandpurpose�inders. Have a mentor, be a mentor. Amazing things happenthroughmentorship.Manyfailtoful�illpurposeinlifebecausetheyhavenomentortohelpthemreachthenextmilemarker. Leavefootprintsinthelivesofothers.Youhavenoexcusenottomakeaneternaldifference!

PurposeandMentoring

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Purposeisthereasonwhysomethingisdone,createdorformed;theveryreasonforexistence.

Godhasanindividualpurposeforeachoneofus.Youcan’tgetpurposeoutsideGodbecauseittakestheHolySpirittorevealit.He

knowsthemindofGod.

Toful�illyourpurpose;God,purposeandpassionmustallmeetatacommonpoint.

Successinlifeisnotaboutbeingrichorbuildinghouses;itisful�illingthatwhichGodhasplacedyouonthefaceoftheearthto

accomplish.

Onyourwaytoful�illingpurpose,therearemanyprocesses(assignments)inwhichGodwillcommittalentsintoyourhandto

seewhatyouwillproduce.

Goddoesn'twantyoutodiveintoallHehascreatedyouforwithoutpreparation.Don’tjumpintoohot-tooearly.Don’tcrawl

intoocold-toolate.

Thereisatimeofpreparationforeverymantowardsful�illingpurpose.Godrecognizestimesandseasons,Hecreatedthemand

workedwiththem.

ItisimportantthatyoudiscerntimesandseasonsbythehelpoftheHolySpirit

CHASING GOD AND PURPOSEPoints To Consider

GodwantsyoutohavesomuchofHimandHiswordinyourlifesoyoucanbethoroughlyfurnishedinyourjourneyto

ful�illingpurpose.

Inpreparingusforpurpose,Godplacesinourpath,menwhomHehasequippedtomentorandguideusinlife.

WhatyouneedinamentorisaheartforGod,loveandexperience;allthesehavenothingtodowithage,�inancialoracademicstatus.

ElishalearntfromElijahthatleadershipisbyserviceandnotbyposition.

Letyourmentorbeyourrolemodel,catchtheirspirit.

Part TwoJOURNEY TO THE COMPLETE

GENERATION(Character study)

‘’Purpose is a journey not a destination’’

ThejourneytothecompletegenerationstartedwithSarah.Yes,Sarah!YoumaywonderwhynotEve?Welllet’sgodownhistorylane.Fromtheverybeginning,man(AdamandEve)wascreatedanddesignedintheveryimageandlikenessofGod(inphysicalityandfunctions).Theywerecreatedcomplete;justlikeGod.Heevengavethemthecompletegeneration�ivepointagendainGenesis1:28, He said ‘be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and havedominion’.JustasManwasabouttogettothe�ivepointagenda,guesswhoshowedup?Thedevil!Heisalwayslookingforwhomtodevour.

Manwasdeceivedintogivinguphisbirthrightandfromthatdaymandied (was separated from theGodkindof life),hisnaturechangedandhelosteverythingthatmadehimlikeGod.FromthatmomentEvetransformedfromthecompletewomanGodcreatedhertobeintotheincompletewomanlordedoverbythedevil.Shebecamefullofinadequaciesandinsuf�icientinallrami�ications.Fromthenonward,everyseedthatcamefromherborethesealofincompleteness. It was after this thatman’s journey to �indingcompletenessstarted!

FastforwardtoSarah….Sarah(formerlynamedSarai)wasthedaughterofHaran.ShewasbornandraisedinUroftheChaldees.Saraiwasawomanwellpastmiddlelife,childlessandfromapolygamousfamily.Sarahwasonewomanwhofoundherselfinsuf�icientineverywayafterallshewasmarriedtoherhalf-brotherAbramwhowastenyearsolder.Sheunderstoodwhatinadequacieswere;herlifewaswellfullofthem.

Chapter 5

The Sarah Generation

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Saraileftherowncountryandwithherhusbandwhenhedidn’tknowwheretheyweregoing.Whywouldanywomanfollowamanwhohadnoideawherehewasgoing?Probablyshewassearchingfor something deeper beyond the life they lived in Ur. Sheunderstoodthattherewasagreaterpurposeforwhichtheywerecreated.SheknewitwastimetochaseGodand�indpurposeevenifitmeansheadingtowardstheunknown.

Thatsingulardecisiontofollowagainstalloddsnotonlychangedhernamebutchangedherstory:

Sarah was the only woman mentioned in the Bible whoexperiencedanamechangebyGod.ShewasformerlynamedSaraimeaning“princely,”Thistellsusthatshecamefromanhonoredandrespectedfamily.Whydidthendidthisnamechangeoccur?“AndIwillblessherandalsogiveyou[Abraham]asonbyher;then

Iwillblessher,andsheshallbeamotherofnations;kingsofpeoplesshallbefromher.”

Genesis17:16

Godwasn’tplayingwithwordswhenHedecidedtochangeSarah’sname.Itwasachangeofidentity,ashadowofwhatthecompletewomaninChristwouldbe.GodknewthatuntilSarahbegantoseeherself inanewnameandidentity,shewouldnevergatherthestrengthtobewho(motherofallnations)Hecreatedhertobe.SoHe named her exactlywhat He created her to be. God simplychangedheridentitybysayingaword‘’Sarah’’meaning“motherofnations”.

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Sarahwas90yearsoldatthispointand verymuchchildlessbuteverytimesomeonecalledhernameoranytimesheintroducedherself shewas saying ‘I am themother of nations’’. The namechangegavehertheabilitytocall thosethingsthatwerenotasthoughtheywere.Itgavehertheabilitytousefaith.Thediscoveryjourney of every woman starts with a word; God’s word. Godknowstheimportanceofwordsandthepowerembeddedinthem.EveryofGod’screaturewasspokenintobeingbyGod’sword.Eve(woman)wasbroughtforthfromtheribofAdam(man)thesamewayGodbroughtfortheverycreaturebyspeaking.HegaveSarahthewordsheneededforthenextlevelencapsulatedinhername.FromthenonwardSarahranwiththeword,�indingherself,�indingpurposeandwalkinginlinewithit.Justlikeeverywomaninthisjourneyoflife,shehadthechancetoexhibitherstrengthsandherweaknesses.

Intheprocessoftime,GodtransformedSarahfromthewomanfullof lowself-esteemand inadequacy intoacourageous, loyal,andfaithfulwomanjustbychangingherstory. Thetruthis;theonlythingthatcanchangeanymanisthewordofGod.ThereforethewordofGodistheglassyououghttolookatasbelievers,ittellsyouthewayyoushouldlook,itshowsyouwhatiswronginyourfaceandhowtocorrectit.Ittellsyouexactlywhoyouare;theperfectimageandlikenessoftheFather.

“Butweall,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenas

bytheSpiritoftheLord.”2Corinthians3:18

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Godwantstochangeyourperspectiveofthings.Hewantstoteachyou the new way to do things through His word so you canthoroughlyful�illpurposetothefullest. Whenyoumovefromanoldkingdomtoanewone,youhavetounlearnyouroldcultureandlearnthenewone.Sarahthroughanamechangewasdisconnectedfrom the lineage of ‘’princely’’ to a lineage that would mothernations.Shehadtodoallittooktolearnhowtomothernationsanditstartedfromhernurturingabout318trainedservantsborninherhome(Genesis13:14).SheplacedherselfinGod’shandtobesharpenedforpurpose. Ifyoudon’tgiveyourselftothewordofGod,youshutdowneveryinlettobefurnisheduntogoodworks.

Sarah'sLegacy,StrengthsandWeaknessesSarahwasaremarkablewomanwhothroughalongspanoflife,throughthickandthinremainedfaithfulandjudgedGodfaithful.

Sarahwasbeautiful“Anditcametopass,whenhewascomeneartoenterintoEgypt,

thathesaiduntoSaraihiswife,Beholdnow,Iknowthatthouartafairwomantolookupon”

(Genesis12:11)Womenarebeautiful.Godcreatedusandsawthatweweregood,justlikeallofHiscreatures.Perhapsthesocietyhasbrainwashedyouintothinkingyouaren’tabeautifulwomanunlessyouareasize2orposinghalfnude.That’salieoftheenemytodistractusfromthepathGodhasplannedforus.Sarahwasnotmerelybeautifulbecauseofherlooks,sizeorwhatshewore,itwasbecauseofwhoshewasandwhatshecarried.

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SarahwasloyalandhadfaithSarah's loyalty to Abraham resulted in her being themother ofnations.WhenAbrahamleftUr,shecouldhavechosentostayafterallhehadnospeci�icdestination.Shecouldhavewalkedoutonhimandstartedanewlifeforherselfbutshestood�irmonfaith.Thisfaithstrengthenedandenabledhertoconceive,italsogaveherthehonorofbeingthe�irstwomannamedintheFaithHallofFameinHebrews11. Godrewardsloyalty,Heisnotunjusttoforgetyourlaboroflove.PerhapsGodhasshownyouwhereyoushouldgoandhowyoushouldgettherebutallthingsseemtobeworkingalittlebitdifferently.Stand�irm!HoldontowhatGodhassaidandremainloyaltoyourGodgivenpurpose.

SarahwashonoredbyGod“AndGodsaiduntoAbraham,AsforSaraithywife,thoushaltnotcallhernameSarai,butSarahshallhernamebe.AndIwillblessher,andgivetheeasonalsoofher:yea,Iwillblessher,andshe

shallbeamotherofnations;kingsofpeopleshallbeofher.”(Genesis17:15-16)

God lookedatSarahanddidn’t seeher imperfections,Hesawawomanwonderfullyandbeautifullymadeandonewhocouldandwouldcarrynations.Godhadherbackallthewayandthisincludedprotecting her on two different occasionswhen she could havebeende�iled.Goddidn’tseeSarahasalowercitizenjustbecauseshewasawoman.Goddoesn’twantyoutoseeyourselfasasecondclasscitizen.Neveracceptbeingtreatedassuch.

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SarahwassubmissiveandobedientSarah understood submission and obedience even in the mostinconvenientsituations.Oneofthethingsthatmyspiritualparentsand mentors have taught me is that submission doesn’t equalinferiority;itsimplymeansputtingyourwillunderthatofanotherknowingtheyhaveyourinterestatheart.Everywomanneedstolearnsubmission,whichis�irsttoGod.ItisyieldingtoGod’swillaboveours.

Atapoint,SarahwasimpatientanddoubtedGod“NowSaraiAbram'swifebarehimnochildren:andshehadanhandmaid,anEgyptian,whosenamewasHagar.AndSaraisaid

untoAbram,Beholdnow,theLORDhathrestrainedmefrombearing:Ipraythee,goinuntomymaid;itmaybethatImay

obtainchildrenbyher.AndAbramhearkenedtothevoiceofSarai.”(Genesis16:1-2)

“ThereforeSarahlaughedwithinherself,saying,AfterIamwaxedoldshallIhavepleasure,mylordbeingoldalso?AndtheLORDsaid

untoAbraham,WhereforedidSarahlaugh,saying,ShallIofasuretybearachild,whichamold?Isanythingtoohardforthe

LORD?AtthetimeappointedIwillreturnuntothee,accordingtothetimeoflife,andSarahshallhaveason.ThenSarahdenied,

saying,Ilaughednot;forshewasafraid.Andhesaid,Nay;butthoudidstlaugh.”

(Genesis18:12-15)

ShehadtroublebelievingshewasadequateforGod’spromisestobe ful�illed through her, so she plunged ahead with her ownsolution.

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ManytimesGodgivesusawordorshowsusthebigpictureofwhereweareheadedbutbecausewelookatpresentsituationsandcircumstances,webegintosinkdeepintotheoceanofdoubtwherenothinghappens.ThereandthenwebegintoputGodintheboxofourownlimitedimaginationsforgettingthatHeisabletodoexceedingly and abundantly above those imaginations. NevercometoapointinyourlifewhereyoudoubtGod’sfaithfulness.Sarahrealizedthatandtooktherightpostureoffaithafterwards.Faith requires patience which is remaining constant andpersuadedthatGodwilldothatwhichHesaidHewoulddo.

Sarah’s victories and shortcomings throughout her journey to�indingandful�illingpurposearetypicalformanywomentoday.Sheremainsawomanofvirtueandthemotherofnationswhodiedinfaith.

“Thesealldiedinfaith,nothavingreceivedthepromises,buthavingseenthemafaroff,andwerepersuadedofthem,andembracedthem,andconfessedthattheywerestrangersand

pilgrimsontheearth.”(Hebrews11:13)

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LittledidRuthknowthatherjourneybeganwhenthefamineinBethlehem, Judeamadea familyof four sojournout forgreenerpastures.This little familywhich consistedofElimelech,Naomi,MahlonandChilionpacked theirbelongingsandheadedeast toMoabwhichisontheothersideoftheJordanRiverbecauseitwasfertileandfruitful.ButinashortwhilethisfamilylostthebreadwinnerofthehouseandthetwosonshadtotakeMoabitewives,soMahlon married Ruth and they dwelled together for about tenyears.“AndtheytookthemwivesofthewomenofMoab;thenameoftheonewasOrpah,andthenameoftheotherRuth:andtheydwelled

thereabouttenyears.“(Ruth1;4)

Ourvery�irstencounterwithRuthinthebiblewasayoungwomanwho just lost her husband after ten years without a child toremember him by. Shewas obviously in an empty and dif�icultplace.Losingsomeonecansometimesmakeyoufeellikeyouareinadarkvalley; it can thrustyoudeep into thewellofdepressionwhichisasrealascancer. Youseeitisbadenoughthatmanygetthrownintothevalleyjustbycircumstancesorsituationsbuttheydon’t have to stay there. Ruth didn’t; shemade a decision thatchangedherlifeforever.Youseethedevilknowsthattheonethingthat isworsethan�indingoneself inadarkvalleyischoosingtoremainthere;sohedoesallhecantokeeponethere.HelooksforeveryavenuetocrippleyouandstopyoufromfollowingGod’splanforyourlife.Hethinksifhetakesawaywhatyouloveorthepeopleyou love it makes you feel lethargic and unmotivated to ful�illpurpose.

Chapter 6

The Ruth Generation

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Don’tgivehimthevictory;thevictoryisyours!Youaremadetobreakforth,thereisnosinkingin!AtthispointRuthhadquestionsandneededanswers;sheneededtoknowwhattodonextinlife.Sheknewherhusband’sfamilyworshipedaGodthathadanswers,sosheheldonandherfaithfulnesswasrewarded.

WhowouldhavethoughtRuthwouldreturntoBethlehemwithhermother-in-law, Naomi? How could she have known that thissingulardecisiontofollowirrespectiveofhowsheorNaomifeltwouldfeatureherinthelineageofJesusChrist?Imaginewhatitmeanstobethegreat-grandmotherofDavidandadirectancestorof Christ. No human being could havewritten out the script ofRuth’slife.HerfaithinGod(whomsheknewnothingaboutatthattime)andHispurposeforherbroughthertoaplaceofful�illment.

Ruth’s life wasn’t one that happened by chance, it was anorchestrationbyGodwhocreatedherforthatpurpose.HadRuthnot proved faithful to her mother-in-law, she would not havereturnedwithher,norwouldshehavemetandmarriedBoaz.Shewouldn’thavebeenabletofeatureinthepurposeGodcreatedherfor.Ruthde�iedalltheoddsasagentileinthelineageofChrist;shedidn’t let it limit her. She needed to �ind the God that changedstoriesandHechangedhers.Inspiteofherbackground,RuthturnedtotheonlytrueGodandshediscoveredwhoshewas.Herheartwasstirredtowardsthegreatnessof the livingGod.Thiswassoclear fromthewayshedevotedherselftoGodevenbyherwords.

TheRuthGeneration

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“AndRuthsaid,Intreatmenottoleavethee,ortoreturnfromfollowingafterthee:forwhitherthougoest,Iwillgo;andwherethoulodgest,Iwilllodge:thypeopleshallbemypeople,andthy

GodmyGod:Wherethoudiest,willIdie,andtherewillIbeburied:theLORDdosotome,andmorealso,ifoughtbutdeathpartthee

andme.”(Ruth1:16:17)

Ruth'sLegacy,StrengthsandWeaknessesEverytimeIreadthestoryofRuthIseeawomanwhounderstoodvisionandpurpose.ThewayshecleaveduntoNaomimademerealizedshesawintothefuture.Shedidn’tcarehowlongitwasgoingtotake,sheknewshejusthadtofollow.BelievemewhenIsayRuthhadgoalsandshefollowedthemthroughwiththesesetofvalues:Ruthwasdevoted;shewasabletorecognizethatNaomi’sGodandpeopleweremoredesirablethanherown;shesawsomethinginthemthatwasdifferent.Shewanteditandshedevotedherselftogetting it. As believers we are unique, recreated for purpose.PeopleshouldseeyouandhavetheurgetoknowandfollowGodlike Ruth did, she made a decision to forsake all and not bedissuaded.Shegaveupeverythingshewascertainaboutandwenttoacountrywhereshemightbelookeddownonasagentile.NotevenmoderndaydictionariescouldoverlookRuth’sdevotion,thisweknowbecausetheword“Ruth”wasincludedinthedictionaryasanoun,meaning“compassionorpityforanother”.Herdevotionfeaturedherinahalloffamethatcutsacrossgenerations.

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Ruthwashumble;thisweseeinthesecondchapterofthebookRuth.IttakeshumilitytodedicateoneselftoGodwholeheartedly.ShehadtheattitudeandcharacterofonewhopleasedGodandthroughhumility,shegrewingrace.HumilitymeansalottoGod,becausewithout it you can’t ful�illHis plan for your life. Pridewouldonlytripyoualongthewayandinnotime,youmaynotbeabletogetbackupagain.

“Aman'sprideshallbringhimlow:buthonourshallupholdthehumbleinspirit.”(Proverbs29:23)

Ruthhadanopenmindanda teachablespirit;alwaysquick tolistenandslowtospeak.Shelistenedtowhathermother-in-lawinstructedhertodoandshetrustedinGod.

“AndnowisnotBoazofourkindred,withwhosemaidensthouwast?Behold,hewinnowethbarleytonightinthethreshing�loor.Washthyselftherefore,andanointthee,andputthyraimentuponthee,andgettheedowntothe�loor:butmakenotthyselfknown

untotheman,untilheshallhavedoneeatinganddrinking.Anditshallbe,whenheliethdown,thatthoushaltmarktheplacewhereheshalllie,andthoushaltgoin,anduncoverhisfeet,andlaytheedown;andhewilltelltheewhatthoushaltdo.Andshesaidunto

her,AllthatthousayestuntomeIwilldo.”(Ruth3:2-5)

Shedidn’tlivebywhatshekneworbywhatherculturetaughther.She knew that if she could do all thatwas told of her by GodthroughthemouthofNaomi,shewouldbeinlinewithGod’swill.

TheRuthGeneration

43

Onlyanopenmindandteachablespiritcandiscoverpurposeandful�ill it,youhave tobeopenandwilling toreceiveall thatGodwantsyoutoknowinlinewithpurpose,youcan’tdothatwhenyouareopinionated.Thejourneyofpurposedoesn’tstartwithyourpersonal opinion, so it shouldn’t be sustained by it. God has aclearerpictureofwhatthefuturelookslikebutyouwon’tseeitifyouarestucktotraditionsortoyourownphilosophies.Theywillonlylimityou.Ruthunderstooddiligence;shesetouteverymorningtogleanthe�ields.Shedidn’tsitorwaitforhermother-in-lawtofendforher.Shedid itherselfandshewasnotedbyBoaz’s servants forherdiligence.

“AndRuththeMoabitesssaiduntoNaomi,Letmenowgotothe�ield,andgleanearsofcornafterhiminwhosesightIshall�ind

grace.Andshesaiduntoher,Go,mydaughter.Andshewent,andcame,andgleanedinthe�ieldafterthereapers:andherhapwastolightonapartofthe�ieldbelonginguntoBoaz,whowasofthe

kindredofElimelech.And,behold,BoazcamefromBethlehem,andsaiduntothereapers,TheLORDbewithyou.Andtheyansweredhim,TheLORDblessthee.ThensaidBoazuntohisservantthatwassetoverthereapers,Whosedamselisthis?Andtheservant

thatwassetoverthereapersansweredandsaid,ItistheMoabitishdamselthatcamebackwithNaomioutofthecountryofMoab:Andshesaid,Iprayyou,letmegleanandgatherafterthe

reapersamongthesheaves:soshecame,andhathcontinuedevenfromthemorninguntilnow,thatshetarriedalittleinthehouse.“

(Ruth2:2-7)

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44

Slothfulness can never get anyone anywhere, God HimselfunderstandsdiligenceandthatwaswhyHecreatedat therighttimeandrestedattherighttime.ThepurposeGodcommittedtoyourhandsistoopreciousforyoutositdownanddonothingwithit. Ruth understood love and she showed it. She was kind andpatientenoughtostandbyNaomievenwhenshehadthechancetogooffandmakesomethingofherself.Sheknewwhatitmeanttolosesomebody,sosheknewNaomineededherandshecaredandprovidedforher.HerloveforNaomiwasasmuchasthatofsevensons.“Andheshallbeuntotheearestorerofthylife,andanourisherofthineoldage:forthydaughterinlaw,whichloveththee,whichis

bettertotheethansevensons,hathbornhim.”(Ruth4:15)

EventhoughtherewerenoweaknessesmentionedaboutRuthinthebible,beingundertheoldcovenantsheobviouslymusthavehad some/many. Ruth is an inspiring example to women of allgeneration;sheremindsusthatGodhassomethingveryimportantinstore forus,even ifwehadungodlybeginnings.Youcan’t letpeoplesetastandardforyou.Enoughofpeopletellingyouwhotheythinkyououghttobeandsettingupapre-capturedimageforyouandgivingyoualaddertoreachupforsomethingtheythinkyoushouldget.YouarewhoGodsaysyouare.Don’tletpeopletellyouwhatyoucanorcan’tachievebecausewithGodimpossibilityisnotinview.AlthoughweleaveRuthattheendofthischaptersheremainsoneofthemostprominentwomeninJesus’genealogy.Wecan’tforgetherfaithfulexamplethattranscendstime,raceandculture…

Yetsomethingwasmissing.

TheRuthGeneration

45

Meet Esther, a Jewish orphan girl who became the wife of apowerful king. Esther’s journey to �inding purpose didn’t gounchallenged.SheunderstoodwhatitmeanttolosepeopledeartoherheartjustlikeRuth,butshestoodagainstalloddsto�indandful�illthepurposeofGodforherlife.Todayshecanbeseenasoneofthe most inspiring women of the Bible. Her journey was soprominentthatshehadabooknamedafterherjustlikeRuth.Shereminds us that God doesn’t choose anyone because they arequali�iedbutbecausehehasquali�ied them.Godnever looksatanyone’sachievementstocreateapurposeforthem;HecreatedyourpurposethenHeformedyouinlinewithit.Weseethisfromthe very beginning when God created everything, Adam wascreatedtohavedominiononearth;everythingwascreatedwithAdam’spurposeinmind.

EstherlivedinPersiawithMordecaisomeyearsafterKingCyrushad decreed that the exiled Jews in Babylon could return toJerusalemandtwenty-�iveyearsbeforeEzra’sreturntoJerusalemtorebuildthetemple. Itwasatthistimethatshewontheking’sfavourthroughabeautycontestheldintheland.Shebecamethequeennotjustbecauseofherbeautybutbecauseshewasthereforareason.AsaJewishgirlturnedqueen,shereachedthecrossroadofpurpose.Shewaslikeanyyoungwomanoutthere,herearlylifewasfullofchallengeshavinglostbothofherparentsandhavingtolivewithanoldermalecousinnamedMordecai.

Chapter 7

The Esther Generation

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It’sverydif�icultforachildtoloseaparentearly;sometimesithaslastingeffectsonthechild’slife.Perhapsshehadsomanygoalslaidoutforherandthingsshewantedtoachieveallofwhichseemedtocome crumbling down when she lost her parents. Perhaps herattitudetolifechanged,maybesheevenunderstoodwhatitmeanttobebitter,butsheremainedbrave.Havinghurdlesinlifeshouldn’tstopyoufromful�illingthepurposeofGodforyourlife,insteaditshould give youmore reasons to aim higher and forge forwardtowardsthatpath.Estherdidandsheovercameitall!

Shedidn’tallowherpasthistorytodeterminewhereshewasgoing;weshouldn’tletthestormsoflifestirusinanydirectionbutratherwemustlearntostand�irmanddictatewherewearegoingbasedonwhatGodhasshownyou.Youcan’tful�illpurposeifyoudon’thavetheovercomingattitude!Lookingatthesocietytoday,youwillunderstandhowharditistotransformfromacarefreeordinarywomantobecomingroyalty.Afterallyouwouldhavetohaveroyalattributes:you’dhavetositliketheydo,eatliketheydoandtalkliketheydo. EstherfoundherselfentwinedinawholenewlifewheresheevenhadtoconcealherJewishnameEstherjusttoconcealheridentity.“AndhebroughtupHadassah,thatis,Esther,hisuncle'sdaughter:forshehadneitherfathernormother,andthemaidwasfairand

beautiful;whomMordecai,whenherfatherandmotherweredead,tookforhisowndaughter.”

(Esther2:7).God divinely placed her in line with what He created her for,purpose is adivineplacement forusbyGod, and it isus �ittingproperlyintocreation.

TheEstherGeneration

47

IfGodhascalledyouforit,HewillequipandestablishyouforitbutyoumustbewillingtobeusedjustasEstherwas.Shedidn’tgettowhereshewasbecauseshewasbeautiful,neitherdidshegettherebecauseofherpossessions,shegottoherplaceindestinybecauseGodguidedherthere.Sheknewnothingonhowtobealeaderorruler,yetshefoundherselfbeingone.Shewasinsuf�icientofherownbutshehadthewisdomneededtoful�illthispurpose.Yourpurposewillalwaysbebiggerthanwhatyourbodyormindcancomprehend,thisisbecauseGodwantsyoutoseeyourselfasHeseesyou.Hedoesn’tlookatyouthroughthebrokenmirrorofthephysical realm; He looks at you through His Word. God has apurposeforyou,andyoumaynotfeellikeyouareuptoitbutHehasputinyoumorethanenoughtoaccomplishit.It’suptoyoutoyieldtoit.

Esther'sLegacy,StrengthsandWeaknessesEstherwas beautiful andwise; beautywas considered amajorattributeinchoosinganewqueenfortheking,butherintelligenceandwisdomkeptherinplace.

“andthemaidwasfairandbeautiful;whomMordecai,whenherfatherandmotherweredead,tookforhisowndaughter.”

(Esther2:7).

Weliveinasocietywherewomentendtobejudgedoracceptedbytheir looks, but youhave tounderstand thatwisdom iswhat ittakestoful�ill thepurposeGodhasforyounotbeauty.TherealbeautyliesinthewisdomofGodthatyoucarry.Rememberthatallthe other women were also fair and beautiful but wisdomdistinguishedEsther.

TheEstherGeneration

48

Esther had favour; shewalked in favour from themoment shesteppedintothepalace.

“NowwhentheturnofEsther,thedaughterofAbihailtheuncleofMordecai,whohadtakenherforhisdaughter,wascometogoin

untotheking,sherequirednothingbutwhatHegaitheking'schamberlain,thekeeperofthewomen,appointed.AndEsther

obtainedfavourinthesightofallthemthatlookeduponher.SoEstherwastakenuntokingAhasuerusintohishouseroyalinthetenthmonth,whichisthemonthTebeth,intheseventhyearofhis

reign.AndthekinglovedEstheraboveallthewomen,andsheobtainedgraceandfavourinhissightmorethanallthevirgins;so

thathesettheroyalcrownuponherhead,andmadeherqueeninsteadofVashti.”(Esther2:15-17)

Favouriswhatgivesusanedgeasbelievers.Estherfoundfavourinthe sightofeveryone that lookeduponher; thebibledidn’t saysome,itsaideveryone!Favourisourdivineequipmenttoprosperagainstallodds.Psalms5:12makesusunderstandthateveryonethat isofGod isencompassedwith favour.Favour iswhatgivesstrengthtoyourovercomingattitude.

Esther was courageous; �irst of all it wasn’t easy for her totransform from a common woman to a queen. To complicatematters,shefoundherselfatapointwhereshehadtoriskherlifeforherpeople.Shewasat�irsthesitantlikeanywomanwouldifputinsuchposition,butshechosetomakeasacri�ice,evenifitmeantshehadtoloseherlifeandhercrown.

TheEstherGeneration

49

Shewaswillingtogiveitherallifitmeantful�illingwhatGodhadplacedhertheretodo.Thissingularactionofherssavedalargenumberofpeople.“BecauseHamanthesonofHammedatha,theAgagite,theenemyofalltheJews,haddevisedagainsttheJewstodestroythem,and

hadcastPur,thatis,thelot,toconsumethem,andtodestroythem;ButwhenEsthercamebeforetheking,hecommandedbylettersthathiswickeddevice,whichhedevisedagainsttheJews,should

returnuponhisownhead,andthatheandhissonsshouldbehangedonthegallows.“

(Esther9:24-25)

Ful�illingyourGodgivenpurposetakescourageandsupernaturalstrength from God; you can’t ful�ill God’s vision using humanstrength.Estherwasopentotakingcounselandadvicefromhercousineverystepoftheway. Ittakesexcellentgodlycounseltocarryout thepurposeofGod foryour life; that iswhy it isveryimportantthatwedonotwalkinthecounseloftheungodly.

“Everypurposeisestablishedbycounsel:andwithgoodadvicemakewar“

(Proverbs20:18)Esther understood timing; she allowed God to work out thesituationattherighttime.EventhoughsheinvitedthekingandHaman to a banquet, she didn’t jump out to make her requestoutrightlybutwithwisdomshediscernedtherighttimeandplace.Wehavetobeabletodiscerntimesandseasonsasregardsful�illingourGodgivenpurpose.Godunderstandsprocessandiswillingtomakesureyouarereadyanddonebeforeputtingyououtthere.

“Becausetoeverypurposethereistimeandjudgment,thereforethemiseryofmanisgreatuponhim.”

(Ecclesiastes8:6)

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The story of Esther should remind you, woman, that you areadequateforwhatGodhascalledyoutodo.Whereyoucomefromdoesn’tmatter,whatmattersisyourwillingnesstogowhereGodhaspreparedforyou.God’snamewasn’tmentionedonceinthebookofEstherbutwecannotdenythatHewasabigpartofherstory.EverythingthathappenedrevealedascriptwrittenbyGodtosavetheJewishnation.Estherinspireseverywomantopursueandful�illpurposeyetshewasjustashadowoftheglorytocome.

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Severalwomenofvirtueundertheoldcovenantcameandwent;somefoundpurposeandsomedidnotthoughnoneofthemwascomplete.Youmaywonderwhatitmeanstobecompleteortobefound in the complete generation. The complete generation ofwomen is of thosewho have found and taken their identity inChrist,thosewhohavebeenrecreatedandbegottenoftheword.Asinspiringasthewomenthatwehavestudiedwere,theywerenevercompleteinHimwhichistheheadofprincipalityandpower.Theystillhadthegeneofthe�irstmanwhochangednaturewhenhegavehis dominion to the devil. They didn’t havewhat it takes to becompletebecauseitwaslostattheverybeginning.RemembertheywereformedintheimageandlikenessofthefallenAdam,fullofinadequacies;itwasn’taquestionofresponsibilityitwasthatofability.

Let’sgodownhistorylane……IntheverybeginningGodcreatedmancompleteinHisownveryimageandgavehimthesamelifeHehasandtheabilitytofunctionintheGodrealm.However,throughunbeliefmansoldoutallhehadto the devil and experienced a gene mutation which is thepermanentalterationintheDNAsequencethatmadehimlikeGod.Manhadanewidentity;hebecameanewperson,onewhoGodhadnotcreated.Manthenfellshortofwhathewascreatedfor;helosteverythingittooktoaccomplishwhathewascreatedtodo.GodhadapurposeinmindbeforeHecreatedAdam,andinturncreatedhim in linewith it, butwhen Adam changed nature hewas nolonger�itforwhathewascreatedfor,yettherewasapurposetobeful�illed.

Chapter 8The Complete Generation

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Godknewthatinorderformantoful�illthatwhichhewascreatedforitwasnecessaryforthemtodieandberecreated.Thismeanshumanityhadtodie,everymanandwomanhadtodieindividuallytoberecreatedsoGoddiditinChrist.HesentChristtodoitforall.

“FortheloveofChristconstrainethus;becausewethusjudge,thatifonediedforall,thenwerealldead:Andthathediedforall,that

theywhichliveshouldnothenceforthliveuntothemselves,butuntohimwhichdiedforthem,androseagain”(2Corinthians

5:14-15)

FastForward…….WiththebloodofChrist,allthatAdamsoldouttothedevilwasdivinelyboughtback.Therewasalegaltransactionatredemption.AllthatmanlostattheverybeginningwashandedovertoChrist.Thismeansthattogetit,manhastobelinkedwithChrist.OnceamanislinkedwithChristthereisachangeinnature,heisbornagain.Anewman,onecreatedtofunctionlikeGodandintheGodrealm.“ThereforeifanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature:oldthings

arepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew.”(2Corinthians5:17)

Therewillneverbearecreationorful�illmentofpurposeoutsideofChrist.

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Just liketheearthwasbeforeGodspoke life into it, the lifeofawoman outside Christ is a soup of nothingness, a bottomlessemptinessandan inkyblackness.The lightofwhoyouareandwhatyouarecreatedforonlycomeswhenyouallowtheHolySpiritbroodoverthatemptinesslikeabird.Oncethatlight�indsyou,youbecomecompleteandperfectinChrist.ComingtoChristisallittakesforthingstofullycometogetherforyou;withoutHimitisnothingbutemptiness.“ForinhimdwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodily.Andye

arecompleteinhim,whichistheheadofallprincipalityandpower:”(Colossians2:9-10)

“Butthat’snotthewayofChrist.EverythingofGodgetsexpressedinhim,soyoucanseeandhearhimclearly.Youdon’tneeda

telescope,amicroscope,orahoroscopetorealizethefullnessofChrist,andtheemptinessoftheuniversewithouthim.Whenyoucometohim,thatfullnesscomestogetherforyou,too.Hispower

extendsovereverything”(Colossians2:9-10MSG)

The greekword for ‘’çomplete’’ as used in Colossians 2:9-10 is‘Pleroo’meaningtomakecompleteandperfect,tofurnish,�inishandmakedonetoanend.InChristwearefurnishedand�inisheduntopurposeandeverygoodworks.ThemomentyouacceptedthelifeofGod,yougainedtheabilitytodoeverythingyouwerecreatedfor,youbecamevoidofinsuf�icienciesandinadequaciesbecauseyoubegantofunctionwiththelifeofChrist. ChristbecameyourIdentity.Thecompletegenerationofwomen,arethosewho�indandtaketheiridentityinChrist.Aswomenwhoarereadytochangetheworldand ful�illpurpose,Christmust �irstbeyour Identitybeforeanyoneelse.


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“Andhathputallthingsunderhisfeet,andgavehimtobetheheadoverallthingstothechurch”

(Ephesians1:22)Christbeing theHeadsigni�ies identity;yourheadgivesyouanidentity because without it you are just a faceless body notrecognizable.Everythingthatcommandsauthorityliesinthehead.Thebodycannotliveneitherisitcompletewithoutthehead.InChrist your imperfect ions become perfect and yourincompletenessbecomecomplete.WithoutChristyouarevoidofpurpose,becauseonlyinHimdoallthingsconsist.“Andheisbeforeallthings,andbyhimallthingsconsist.Andheis

theheadofthebody,thechurch:whoisthebeginning,the�irstbornfromthedead;thatinallthingshemighthavethepreeminence.ForitpleasedtheFatherthatinhimshouldall

fulnessdwell;”(Colossians1:17-19)

LegacyandStrengthsofwomenintheCompleteGenerationAcompletewomanisbeautiful,becausesheisthebranchoftheLordandshetakesrootfromGodwhoisabeautifulGod.Beautyisskindeep; it isa radiationofwhat is in thespiritandsoul thatmakesusbeautifulaswomen.GodisaSpirit,HehasnophysicalbodyyetthebibledescribesHimasbeautiful.EverythingthattakesrootfromGodisgoodandbeautiful.

“InthatdayshallthebranchoftheLORDbebeautifulandglorious”

(Isaiah4:2)

Acompletewomanisblessed,the�irstthingGodshowedAdamafterhewascreatedwashowblessedhewas.AtrecreationyouareasmuchblessedasChristis.Don’tbuyintothelieofthedevilthatitisokaytofunctioninanythingthatdepictssmallness.


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Godrecreatedyou,madeyouinHisimageandlikenessandsaid‘befruitful,multiply,replenishtheearth,subdueitandhavedominion’.Thatisapointertowhatitmeanstobeblessed,nothingshoutscompletebetterthanablessedman,nothingscreamsblessedthanonewhoisinChrist.“SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodcreatedhehim;maleandfemalecreatedhethem.AndGodblessedthem,

andGodsaiduntothem,Befruitful,andmultiply,andreplenishtheearth,andsubdueit:andhavedominionoverthe�ishofthesea,

andoverthefowloftheair,andovereverylivingthingthatmovethupontheearth.”

(Genesis1:27-28)

A completewoman creates, God is a creating God and you arebegottenofHim,thereforeyoushareagenewithHim;it’scalledthecreative DNA, a copy cat like the devil has got nothing on you.Everything that makes God who He is lies in your DNA. Don’texchangeroleswiththedevil,youbearruleandheisnobody.

“Hereinisourlovemadeperfect,thatwemayhaveboldnessinthedayofjudgment:becauseasheis,soareweinthisworld.”

(1John4:17)

Acompletewomancandoall things;Christ is thestrengthofacompletewoman,notherjoborhome.Youweredesignedtogetstrength from Christ by the Holy Spirit. This includes all thestrengthyouneedtoful�illpurpose.Wheneveryoulookaheadofyouanditfeelsyouarefeeble,tapintothestrengthofChristandsurgeforward.


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“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhichstrengthenethme.”(Philippians4:13)

Acompletewomancommandsauthoritywithherwordsnotwithher body. Contrary to what the society, movies and books say,authorityisencodedinwordsandnotintheskin.Whatmakesyoupowerfulisnotyourbeauty,raceorstatusitisyourwordsandtheauthoritytheycarry.TheonlywaytochangeyourworldistospeakthewordputinyourmouthbyGod.UntilGodspoke,creationneverexistedeventhoughHehadthepowertocreate.Thisisbecausepowerandauthorityareencapsulatedinwords.Christhasgivenyoutheauthority;speakitoutwithtruthandgrace!

“Andupholdingallthingsbythewordofhispower..”(Hebrews1:3)

A complete woman leverages on the anointing and wisdom,ful�illingpurposerequiresknowingwhattodo,whentodoitandhowtodoit.InChristwecanleverageontheanointingwehavetoteachusallthings,wecanwalkinHiswisdomanddouncommonexploits.ThemomenttheHolySpiritcameuponJesus,Hewentalloutdoinggoodandful�illingpurpose(Acts10:38).Goallouttopartner with the anointing and you will be taught for life anddestiny.

“Buttheanointingwhichyehavereceivedofhimabidethinyou,andyeneednotthatanymanteachyou:butasthesameanointingteachethyouofallthings,andistruth,andisnolie,andevenasit

hathtaughtyou,yeshallabideinhim.”1(John2:27)


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A completewoman changes theworld, youwere not recreateduntonothingbutuntogoodwork.WearetheworkmanshipofGod,toolsofchange.ChristchangedtheworldandwearetofollowafterHis footsteps.We have all it takes to go out there andmake adifference. You are a preservative for the earth; you have beencalled to season the earth with the aroma and �lavor of God’skingdom.Youarethelightoftheworld,toshowpeoplehowsweetthekingdomisandbringthemintoit.Don’tgetcarriedawaydoingnothingthatyoubecomenothing.

“Yearethesaltoftheearth:butifthesalthavelosthissavour,wherewithshallitbesalted?itisthenceforthgoodfornothing,buttobecastout,andtobetroddenunderfootofmen.Yearethelightoftheworld.Acitythatissetonanhillcannotbehid.Neitherdomenlightacandle,andputitunderabushel,butonacandlestick;anditgivethlightuntoallthatareinthehouse.Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgood

works,andglorifyyourFatherwhichisinheaven.”(Matthew5:13-16)

Somehow,itgivesmeimmensehappinesswhenIseeandinteractwithcompletewomenwhobalanceeverythingintheirliveswithgrace (Christ). We as complete women are examples for theyoungergenerations.Let’sallwalkinourcompleteness;whetheryouareyoungorold,youholdthepowertodophenomenalthings.


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JOURNEY TO THE COMPLETE GENERATIONPoints to Consider

SARAH

Saraiunderstoodthattherewasagreaterpurposeforwhichtheywerecreated.

.FollowingAbrahamshowedsheknewitwastimetochaseGodand

�indpurposeevenifitmeansheadingtowardstheunknown.

Thediscoveryjourneyofeverywomanstartswithaword;God’sword.Ifyoudon’tgiveyourselftothewordofGod,youshutdown

everyinlettobefurnisheduntogoodworks.

GodknewthatuntilSarahbegantoseeherselfinanewnameandidentity,shewouldnevergatherthestrengthtobewho(motherofallnations)Hecreatedhertobe.SoHenamedherexactlywhatHe

createdhertobe.

Everywomanneedstolearnsubmission,whichis�irsttoGod.ItisyieldingtoGod’swillaboveours.SarahwassubmitteduntoGod.

RUTHRuth’sfaithinGodwhoshedidn’tknowandHispurposeforher

broughthertoaplaceofful�illment.

Ruthunderstoodvisionandpurpose.Shehadgoalsandshefollowedthemthrough.

RuthwasdevotedtotheLordandtoNaomi.Itcausedhertobefeaturedinahalloffamethatcutsacrossgenerations.

Onlyanopenmindandteachablespiritcandiscoverpurposeandful�illit.

ESTHEREstherisaremindertousthatGoddoesn’tchooseanyonebecause

theyarequali�iedbutbecausehehasquali�iedthem.

Yourpurposewillalwaysbebiggerthanwhatyourbodyormindcancomprehend,

thisisbecauseGodwantsyoutoseeyourselfasHeseesyou.

Ittakesmorethanphysicalbeautytobeautytoful�ilGod’spurpose.Itrequireswisdom.

Favourisourdivineequipmenttoprosperagainstallodds.Estherwasfavouredofeveryone!

Wehavetobeabletodiscerntimesandseasonsasregardsful�illingourGodgivenpurpose.

THECOMPLETEGENERATIONThecompletegenerationofwomenisofthosewhohavefoundand

takentheiridentityinChrist,

Therewasalegaltransactionatredemption.AllthatmanlostattheverybeginningwashandedovertoChrist.

Thismeansthattogetit,manhastobelinkedwithChrist.

ThelifeofawomanoutsideChristisasoupofnothingness,abottomlessemptinessandaninkyblackness.

AcompletewomanisbeautifulandblessedAcompletewomancommandsauthoritywithherwordsnotwith

herbody.

Part 3

PURPOSE SURVIVAL KIT‘’Every successful journey requires adequate supply’’

Breadisasymbolofspiritualfoodinthebible.Deuteronomy8:3says,“…thatmandothnotlivebybreadonly,butbyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthoftheLORDdothmanlive’’.Thismakesus understand that it is not enough that you are feeding yourphysicalbody;thespiritmanhastobefedalso.Yourjourneytoful�illmentbeginswithtakinginthewordofGod.GodisnotOnetoputyouonajourneywithoutthenecessarysuppliesyouneedforthatjourney.Oneofthemajorsuppliesatravelerpackswhenonalongjourneyisfood.Foodisveryessentialforstrength,energyandstamina.

The journey of purpose for every believer becomes tiring andunbearablewithoutthebread(wordofGod).WewerecreatedtolivebyeverywordthatproceedsoutofthemouthofGod.MajoritymakethemistakeofkickstartingtheirpurposejourneywithoutthewordofGodintheirspiritandsoul,sotheyendupbeingtoomalnourishedtoful�illpurpose.“Beingbornagain,notofcorruptibleseed,butofincorruptible,by

thewordofGod,whichlivethandabidethforever.“1Peter1:23

Wecanseefrom1Peter1:23thatthewordofGodisavitalpartofus,thisisbecauseitisthissamewordthatGodbegatuswith,anditisthissamewordthatcansustainus.ItisgravetothinkthatwedonotneedtobefedwiththewordofGod,evenanaturalmandiesphysicallywithoutfoodinabout28to76days.Thisshowsustheimportanceoffeedingourbody,howmuchmoreourspirit.Thekindoffoodweeatisdeterminedbyourlevelofmaturity.

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ThismeansyourdealingswithGodpertimearedeterminedbythelevelofgrowth thatyouare in.TheBible talksabout these twolevelsandthekindoffoods

“Foreveryonethatusethmilkisunskilfulinthewordofrighteousness:forheisababe.Butstrongmeatbelongethtothem

thatareoffullage,eventhosewhobyreasonofusehavetheirsensesexercisedtodiscernbothgoodandevil.”

Hebrews5:13-14

FirstwehavethemilkofGod’swordwhichisforbabes(immatureinChrist)andthestrongmeatofHiswordwhichisforthematureChristians.TheCorinthianChurchwasanexampleofachurchwhofedonspiritualmilkbecausetheywalkedincarnality.

“AndI,brethren,couldnotspeakuntoyouasuntospiritual,butasuntocarnal,evenasuntobabesinChrist.Ihavefedyouwithmilk,andnotwithmeat:forhithertoyewerenotabletobearit,neither

yetnowareyeable.”1Corinthians3:1-2

ItistruethatthemomentyoucameintoChrist,youcameintoanewlifeandyouarestilllearningthenewwayoflife,justlikeanewbornbabyislearningto�itintoaworldoutsideitsmother’swomb,butthetruthisevenababydoesn’tremainababyforever,hegetsfedandgrows.AChristianwhojustcameintothisnewnessoflifemust�irstfeedonthespiritualmilkofGod’swordbeforehecantakeinthestrongmeat. GodwantsyoutofeedonthemilkandgrowbutmuchmoreHewantsyoutogettoapointwhenyouneedmorethanthenutrientsinspiritualmilk.Hewantsyoutodailyfeedonstrongmeatsoyoucandevelopspiritualmuscles.

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Howhealthyandstrongyourspiritualmusclesarewilldeterminehowmuchyouwillaccomplishbothinthespiritualandphysicalrealm.Youneedthosespiritualmusclestoful�illpurpose.WecanberestassuredthatwhenwetakeinGod’swordwewillgrow,butitisnotjustenoughtofeedonGod’sworddaily,itmustbeabalanceddiet so we can develop healthy and strong spiritually, it isimpossible for a kwashiorkor Christian to ful�ill purpose to thefullest.ThebalanceddietofGod’swordgivesyouallthenutrientyouneedtofunctioncorrectlyinpurpose.ThisisbecauseGoddoesn’twantustobetooobesethatwedragalonginthejourneyoflifeortooanorexictomoveon.Whenyouarenotfeedingonbalanceddiet,youhaveachanceofbeingexposedtothetoxicityoftheworld.

Youcan’ttravelfarwithoutfeedingyourspiritman….Manisaspirit;hehasasoul(centreofawareness)andishousedinabody.Youweredesignedtolivefromyourspiritandthatiswhywhenyoubecamebornagain,yourspiritwasrecreatedinorderforyouto�itintoGod’sagenda.ThetruthisforeverytimeyoustarveyourspiritbynotfeedingonGod’sword,youenergizeyourbody(�lesh)andyoursoultendstobeawareofwhoevergets fedthemore.Thismeansifyouarefeedingyourspiritman,yoursoulisquicktopickthingsfromtherealmofthespiritbutifyoufeedyour�leshyoursoulwillpickthingsfromthe�lesh.How faryouwill travel inpurpose isdeterminedbyhowmuchstrengthandstaminayougatherbyfeedingonGod’sword.Hereisthetruth,thedistanceyougoinpurposeisdirectlyproportiontohowwellyoufeedyourspirit.

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Thewordhelpsyoudiscern….Unlessyouareabletotellthedifferencebetweenwhatisfromyourspiritmanandwhatisfromyoursoul,thejourneyofpurposecanbeabitconfusing.Thisisbecauseittakesfaithtoful�illpurposeandfaithisofthespirit,butbecausewehaveasoulwhichisthecentrewhereouremotions,logicandwillreside,wetendtolookatthethingswecanseeinothertomoveforward.AllthatweareandhaveinChristhavebeendepositedinourspiritbutforustomanifestthese things, our soul has to pick up that information from therealmofthespirit.Onethingthesouldoesprettywellistopickupinformation,eitherfromthephysicalrealmorthespiritualrealm.

Forexample,oursoulcansometimesrecordattractionwhenwephysically see someone beautiful, or our soul can sometimesrecordhappinesswhenthewordofGodbirthsfaithinourheart.Whicheverrealmyougivepriorityto iswhereyoursoulwillbemoreattunedto.Hereisthething;ourspiritandsoularedifferentyet intertwined, so majority mix up their feelings with God’sleading in their spirit. The journey of purpose is a journeyauthorizedbyGodanditcanonlymeanthatittakesHimtogetyouthere.IttakesthewordofGodtoknowwhatissourcedbyyourspiritandyoursoul.

“ForthewordofGodisquick,andpowerful,andsharperthananytwoedgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsouland

spirit,andofthejointsandmarrow,andisadiscernerofthethoughtsandintentsoftheheart.”

Hebrews4:12

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ThewordofGodgivesyouclarityandaccuracy,youbecomesosureofwhereGodistakingyoutoandthishasnothingtodowithyourfeelingsorwhatyou think is logical. It canhelpyoudiscern thethoughtsandintentsofyourheart.Thewordhelpsyoustandout….Youneedthemultiplicityeffectoftheword.Nomanwascreatedtobelittle;theagendaofGodformanwasnotforhimtobesmallbuttobegreat.WeknowthisbecausewewerecreatedinHisimageandlikenessandHeisagreatGod.Inful�illingpurpose,Godwantsustomultiplyandbefruitful.Thekeytofruitfulnessinpurposeisbeingonewiththeword,takingallthenutrientsithassuchthatithasbecomeabuildingblockofyourlife.This isbecauseit takesthewordtoprevailandmultiply.

“SomightilygrewthewordofGodandprevailed”.Acts19:20“ButthewordofGodgrewandmultiplied.”Acts12:24

Theword ‘prevail’ simplymeans tobe superior in strength andin�luence,togainadvantageoverotherssuchthatyououtnumberthem.IttakesadailydoseofGod’swordtostandoutinpurpose,walkinginthesuperiorityandstrengththatitcarries,irrespectiveofthestormthatisblowingyourway.ThewordofGodisyourtoolforstandingout!

Ittakesthewordtoliveabovetradition….Yourpurpose in life is not tied to your ethnicity, race, status orgender.Whosaysyoucan’tbesuccessfulinpurposebecauseyouareawomanoranativeofaparticulararea? Walkinginlinewithtraditionsandphilosophyoflifeisagraveerrortomakewhilegoingonthisjourney.

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“MakingthewordofGodofnoneeffectthroughyourtradition,whichyehavedelivered:andmanysuchlikethingsdoye.”

Mark7:13

Traditionsofmenwilllimityoubecausetheyarebuiltonculture.Youarenotsenttoaculture,youaresenttonations.IttakesthewordofGodtotranscendbetweendifferentculturesanddeliverall that Godwill have you do.Nomatter the country or ethnicgroup,onethingthatisforsureisthatifitisbreaditismadefrom�lour.Thetraditionsmaychange,generationsmaycomeandgobutbreadwill always bemade from �lour. Theword of God neverchanges,traditiondoes.BecauseGodisHisword,nomatterwhereyou�indyourselfitwillalwayswork.Holdingontotraditioninthisjourneyisanexcessluggage;itwillonlyweighyoudown.Justlikeeveryjourneyrequiresahealthybody,everymanthatmustful�illpurposerequiresahealthyspirit.

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Godhasgivenyouacompassonthisjourney;Hedoesn’twantyoutogetlostbecausethedevilwilltrytolureyouawayfromyourgivendirection.AcompassisadeviceusedtodeterminedirectionandGodhasgivenustheHolySpiritasourspiritualCompasstoguideusintopurposeanditsful�illment.Justlikeyoucanbeveryclosetoyourdestinationandnotknowituntilyoucheckwhatyourcompassistellingyou,soalsoyoucanreadthescripturesallyourlifeandnotrealizeitsmeaninguntiltheHolySpiritopensituptoyou.WhentheLordappliesaverseorapassagetoyouorsomesituationyou’vebeenprayingabout,thatiscalledthevoiceofHisword.Suddenlythatverseorpassagecomesaliveandisnolongermerewords.

HaveyoueverreadGod’swordandthelifeinithitsyousohardthatyoukeepsaying‘that’sforme,that’smyanswer’.Godcouldn’thavespokenmoreemphaticallyifHe’dscreameditinyourear!Itmighthavebeenwrittenthousandsofyearsago,yetitisforyou.TheHolySpiritgrabbedaholdofthearrow,pulledbackthebowandhitthemark of your heart. The Lord only has to speak His word andsituationswillbeunlocked.It’sthekeythatunlocksthedoortothewholetruth.Ifthereisascripturethat�itsthesituation,Hewilllikelyuseittogiveyoutheanswer.Our"spiritualcompass" is theHolySpirit,Hepointsus to Jesus(Thetruth).Thisisbecauseinorderforustoremainontherightpath,wemustrememberthefocalpointofourpurposewhichisJesus.TheHolySpiritisourguidebothinthespiritualandphysicalrealm,availabletogiveusdirectionsinthejourneyofpurpose.

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“Howbeitwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth,iscome,hewillguideyouintoalltruth:forheshallnotspeakofhimself;butwhatsoeverhe

shallhear,thatshallhespeak:andhewillshewyouthingstocome.”

John16:13

Intryingto�indourwaythroughlife’sjourneys,Godhasgivenusaspiritual compass in the person of TheHoly Spirit, to guide us.Whenwedon’tknowwhattodoorwhichwaytoturn,theHolySpiritalwayspointsusintherightdirection.TheHolySpiritiseverstandingbytokeepusfromgettinglost;Heisalwayspointingustotherightdirection.Youcan’tgothroughlifelivingfromyoursensesoryour feelings; this isbecause theycannotbe trusted tomakedecisionspertainingtoyourpurpose.ThereisnounderstandingofGod’swordoutsidethepersonoftheHolySpirit;HeistheOnethathelpsinthedigestionofthespiritualfoodyoutakeinorderforittobeconvertedtothenutrientsyourbodyneeds.Hegivesyouadeeperrevelationastowhattodopertimeandhowtogetitdone.Thedevilwilltrytotakeyouoffcourse,hewilldoallhecantomakeyouloseyourway,soyoucannotaffordtonotfollowthedirectionsoftheHolySpirit.ThegoodthingisthattheHolySpiritisnotjusttheretoguideyou,Heistheretohelpyou,butHewon’tdothisoutsidethewordandwillofGod. TheHolySpiritistoguideyouintoalltruth,thetruthofthepersonofJesus,thetruthofwhoyouareinthewordofGod.ThemomentyoucameintoChrist,youtookyouridentityfromHim.TheHolySpirit’spurposeistoguideyouintotheknowledgeofyournewidentity.ThewordofGodisthesurgicaltooloftheHolySpirit;itisHissword.“Andtakethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,which

isthewordofGod:”Ephesians6:17

T

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TheHolySpiritisnotaninferiorGod;HeisnotthelastintheGodhead.HeisGod.MajorityhavelookeddownontheplaceoftheHolySpiritintheirlives,GodsoughtanabodeinmansoHesentHimselfinthepersonoftheHolySpirittotabernacleinus.TogetthebestofHim,youhavetocorrectlyperceiveHimbecausewithouttheHolySpirit,theeyesofyourunderstandingcannotbeopeneduptothedeepmysteriesofGod.ThosedeepmysteriesareforHischildrenandHehasgivenyoutheHolySpirittoguideyouintoit.

“ForasmanyasareledbytheSpiritofGod,theyarethesonsofGod.”

Roman8:14

“ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisin

him?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.Nowwehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld,butthespiritwhichisofGod;thatwemightknowthethingsthatare

freelygiventousofGod.ButthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:

neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned.”1Corinthians2:10-14

TherevelationofwhereyououghttobeandhowtogettherecomesbytheHolySpirit.HeisyourdirectcontactwithGod,andbecauseyouhavetheHolySpirit,yououghtnottowalkinignoranceunlessyouchooseto.ThismeansthatwhenyoucometoaTjunctionandyouarenotsureofwhattodo,askHimwhoknowsall.

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“AndIhave�illedhimwiththespiritofGod,inwisdom,andinunderstanding,andinknowledge,andinallmannerof

workmanship,”Exodus31:3

Nomancanful�illpurposewithoutbeing�illedwiththeHolySpirit.Your purpose is encoded, it takes wisdom, understanding andknowledgetowalkinthetruthofit.EvenJesushadtobebaptizedwiththeHolySpiritbeforeHebeganHisministry;thistellsushowimportanttheHolySpiritisinful�illingpurpose. TobesuccessfulinALLmannerofworkmanshipassaidinExodus31:3weneedtoconstantlyget�illedwiththeHolySpirit.WhenwegetcarriedinthespiritbytheHolySpirit,Heshowsusthings beyond our imagination, tells us things beyond humanwisdom.TheHolySpiritgivesus thesupernaturalwisdomthatbacksupourpurpose;He is ourVoicebeforemen,Hegivesusthingstosay.“Butwhatsoevershallbegivenyouinthathour,thatspeakye:for

itisnotyethatspeak,buttheHolyGhost”.Matthew13:11

“Andwhentheyhadprayed,theplacewasshakenwheretheywereassembledtogether;andtheywereall�illedwiththeHolyGhost,

andtheyspakethewordofGodwithboldness.”Acts4:31

Perhapsyoudon’tevenknowwhatGodhascalledyoutodooryoudon’tevenknowwheretostartthisjourneyfrom;itstartsfromstayinginfellowshipwiththeHolySpirit.

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Themoretimeyougivetofellowship,themoreclarityyouwillgetconcerningyourpurposeandwheretostartfrom.TheHolySpiritwillnotonlyshowyouthewayonthisjourney,Hewill give you strength. It takes supernatural strength to ful�illpurpose.Icannotemphasizeenoughthatyourpurposewillalwaysbebiggerthanwhatyournaturalmindcanfathomorwhatyourphysicalstrengthcanbear,ittakestheHolySpirittocarryon.

“Andhesaiduntome,Mygraceissuf�icientforthee:formystrengthismadeperfectinweakness.”

2Corinthians12:9

Wehavethegraceforustoful�illpurpose; itcametousbythepersonofJesusChrist,butwithoutthepresenceoftheHolySpiritinuswecannotcorrectlyrespondtothatgrace.TheHolySpiritconvertsgracetostrengthforussuchthatwearemadeperfectinHim;webecomecompleteandcapabletocarryoutpurpose,notrunningonnaturalstrengthbutthesupernaturalstrengthoftheHolySpirit.

The Holy Spirit does not only give us the wisdom to walk inpurposebutHealsogivestheboldnesstodoso.Nomatterwherepurposetakesyou,nomatterthechallengesorstormsyouface,youhavebeenequippedtoconquer,youhaveall it takes inthepersonoftheHolySpirittostandtall.WhenyoustayconnectedtoandinfellowshipwiththeHolySpirit,youcanneverbestrandedortoofeebletogoon.Godlovesyoutoomuchtoletyoutravelalone,HeistherewithyouandthatiswhyyouhaveHisSpirittoguideyou,sothatevenwhenyouwanderintothevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Hehasyoucovered.

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“ThatgoodthingwhichwascommitteduntotheekeepbytheHolyGhostwhichdwellethinus.”

2Timothy1:14

EverythingwehaveforlifeandGodlinesscanonlybemanifestedwhenwestayinfellowshipwiththeHolySpiritanditisHewhohelpsuskeepandexpressthesethingstothefullest.

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Love! It’sdeep,right?Perhapsoneof themostcommonwordsusedtoday.Anaveragepersonprobablyusesthewordloveatleastonceaday,eithersaying‘Iloveyou’or‘Ilovethat’;whetherusedcorrectlyor incorrectly.Withthatsaid,manypeople looktotheencyclopediaortoWikipediatode�inewhatloveis.Somesayloveisaffection,somesayloveisa�lightyemotion,andsomeevensayitisconnectedtothe�loweryfeelingsinyourtummywhenyoumeetsomeoneyouareattractedto.Wellthisiswhatthebiblesaysloveis‘’LoveisGod,andGodisLove!’’Thismightshockyou;anunbelieverisincapableofAgape(TheGodKindofLove)inanyway,becausenoonecanshowagapeapartfromGod.Yes,toansweryourunvoicedquestion they (unbelievers) are capable of showing naturalaffection; andmanymistake this for love, but anything outsideAgapeisconditional!!!

NOSALVATION,NOAGAPE.ForgivemewhenIsayIaminnowayapologeticaboutsayingthis,nottomincewords.Love(Agape)isthenatureimpartedtobelieversatthepointofsalvationbytheHolySpirit.Godputinustheveryabilitytolove,andsinceGodisLovethatequallymeansHeimpartedintousHisnature.

“Andhopemakethnotashamed;becausetheloveofGodisshedabroadinourheartsbytheHolyGhostwhichisgivenuntous.”

Romans5:5Loveistheevidentialfragranceinusthatwecarryasambassadorsof Christ; it is our visible and physical tattoo to theworld thatindeedwearesonsofGod.Itisthetangibilityofeternallife.

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Lovesourcedusanditmustsustainus.GodwantsustolivethroughChristwhoisLovepersoni�ied.

“InthiswasmanifestedtheloveofGodtowardus,becausethatGodsenthisonlybegottenSonintotheworld,thatwemightlive

throughhim.”1John4:9

Godde�inesloveashavingnodistinctionforgender,raceorage,notcaringaboutourstatusinthatwhilewewereyetsinners,HegaveHis precious son for us. You see, love is neither limited nordemanding; it is �lawless and perfect. Love is God. Love is notconditionalorpicky!LoveiswhatGodsaysitis.Lovefromman’spointofviewisshallowbutlovefromGod’spointofviewisperfectandcomplete.Becausewearebornofthatloveweareperfectandcompletetoful�illpurpose.Personally,afewyearsago,Ifeltemptyandlonely,Ikept�illingmyheartwithallsortsofpeopleandthingsthatIfeltcouldmakemefeelloved,buteachonecameandleftandIstillfeltempty.Peoplecameand left, things lingeredand faded,butwhen Ihada loveencounterwithGod,Ineverremainedthesame.Itslappedmeoutofthecomaofemptiness,pulledmeoutofthedepthoflonelinessandthrewmetoheightsofblessedness.That’swhatLoveisandcando!

Whatmovesyou?Loveshouldbethecurrentthatmovesustoful�illpurpose;theveryreasonwhywedowhatwedo.OurGodgivenpurposesarecreatedfromandbyloveandwecannotcarrythemoutwithoutlove.

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Haveyoueverseenasteady �lowofwatermoving inade�initedirection? Yes, that’s a current. The current of love gives you ade�initedirection inthepursuitofpurposeandthatdirection isGod.Godbecomesyourfocus;notpeopleorcircumstances.Lovewillmoveyoutogiveallthatyouareandallthatyouhavetoful�illing purpose independent of how you feel per time; this isbecauselove(Agape)isnotafeeling.ItistheexactnatureofGodthatmadeHimandstillmakesHimgivetous.ThisisalovebornoutofwhoHeisnothowHefeelsorwhatHewantsfromus.Nomancanful�illpurposeapartfromlove,becauseourpurposecameoutoflove(God)andittakesthatsamenaturetoful�illit.Inyourjourneyofpurpose,offenceswillcomebutlovewilldriveyouwhennothingelsedoes.

“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthave

everlastinglife”.John3:16Lovewillmoveyoutoforgive.Rememberthatoffenceswillcomeandwhentheydo,youremotionswhichareofyoursoulmaybehurt,butlove(agape)isofyourspirit(agreaterrealm)andithelpsyoumovebeyondyour feelings to forgiveothers irrespectiveofwhatyouremotionsaretellingyou.Inordertoful�illpurpose,youmustlearntoissuelettersofforgivenesstopeopleaheadoftime.WhatdoImean?Makeupyourmindevenbeforeanyoffencecomesnot to go a day without forgiving others. The devil is like anopportunistic bacterium, looking for a loophole and not givingyourselftoforgivenessisone.Stayinginangerandunforgivenessisgivingaplacetothedeviltostealallthatbelongstoyou;don’tdothat!Youneedallthatbelongstoyoutoful�illpurposetothefullest.

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“Beyeangry,andsinnot:letnotthesungodownuponyourwrath:Neithergiveplacetothedevil.”

Ephesians4:26-27

Love will move you to sacri�ice your body as an instrument ofservicetoGodfortheful�illmentofpurpose(Romans12:1).Itwillmoveyoutogiveyourtimeandevenyourempathytoothers.LoveisallaboutgivingyourselfasanofferingtoGodtobeusedineveryway.Christdidthat,weshouldtoo.

“Andwalkinlove,asChristalsohathlovedus,andhathgivenhimselfforusanofferingandasacri�icetoGodforasweet

smellingsavour.”Ephesians5:2

Lovewillmoveyoutoserve;thisisbecauseloveisnotcompletewithoutservice,neithercanpurposebeful�illedwithoutservice.Myspiritual father,Pastor JideOjooftensays thatservice is thedivineincubatorthatincubatesyourdreams.ThisisonelessonIcanneverforgetbecauseIhavelearntthatthebestofmeisrevealedeverytimeIserveothersandGodneedsmetogivethatbest topeople.Servingatanycapacitydoesn’tmeanyouareinferior;itjustmeansyouaremeetinganeed. Jesuscameto theworldandHeservedothersbygivingallofHim.Thatdidn’treduceHislordshipormakeHiminferiortoanyone.HehadagivenpurposeandHeful�illeditbyserving. Inful�illingpurposeyouwillberequiredtoserveothersinlovebecausepurposeinitself,byitselfisservice.Always remember that the secret to standing out in purpose isservingandgivingyourbest.

“EvenastheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogivehislifearansomformany.”

Matthew20:2878

Most importantly love will move you to obedience, love andobediencetoGod’swillarewhippedtogether.Let’stakeabrieflookatthat.

ObedienceofLoveAfarmerwhoplantsaseedknowstheprincipleofwateringandtimingbeforehecanharvest.Notdoingthisissimplyanti-farmingorsimplydisobeyingtheprinciplesthatmakefarmingwork.Well,letmesaythis:obedienceisneverapartfromlovejustlikewateringisneverapartfromplanting.Theygohandinhand.What is Obedience? In the biblical context obedience is asubmissivehearkeningtothewillofGod.ThewillofGodisrevealedinHisword(writtenorspoken)byHisspirit.GodandHiswordarenotapart.Godislove.Soletmeputthatinasimpleformula:

ObediencetoGod=ObediencetoHisword=ObediencetoLoveSubmissive hearkening to God’sWill=Submissive hearkening toHisword=Submissivehearkeningtolove

It is impossible to love God without obeying Him and it isimpossibletobeobedienttoGodwithoutlovingHim.Graceknitsthetwotogether.

“Hethathathmycommandments,andkeepeththem,heitisthatlovethme:andhethatlovethmeshallbelovedofmyFather,andIwilllovehim,andwillmanifestmyselftohim.Judassaithuntohim,notIscariot,Lord,howisitthatthouwiltmanifestthyselfuntous,

andnotuntotheworld?Jesusansweredandsaiduntohim,Ifamanloveme,hewillkeepmywords:andmyFatherwilllovehim,

andwewillcomeuntohim,andmakeourabodewithhim.Hethatlovethmenotkeepethnotmysayings:andthewordwhichyehear

isnotmine,buttheFather'swhichsentme.”John14:21-24

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Obedience is ademonstrationof love!!Let’s lookatourearthlyrelationship.Whenahusbandtellshiswife‘Darlingcanyoumaketoastasearlyas5.00amtomorrow?’,heexpectstoseeitthenextmorningbecauseheknowshiswifeloveshimenoughtodothat,notbecauseitisconvenient,notbecauseheputarewardtoitbutsimplybecausesheloveshim.Obedienceishowweshowthatwelove.TorejecttheauthorityoftheHolySpirit(HewhoadministerstheverypresenceofGod inus) is togravelydisconnectoneselffromdemonstratingtheloveofGod.Inthisjourneyofpurpose,youhavetolearntowalkinobedienceinothertostayinthesafezoneofwhatGodhascalledyoutodo.

WhatObedienceis…WhatObedienceisnot

Obedienceisademonstrationoflove“Andthisislove,thatwewalkafterhiscommandments.Thisisthe

commandment,That,asyehaveheardfromthebeginning,yeshouldwalkinit.”

2John1:6

Obedienceofloverequiresanaction“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,

thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.”

John3:16ObedienceisacknowledgmentofGod’sLordship

“Andwhycallyeme,Lord,Lord,anddonotthethingswhichIsay?”Luke6:46

Obedienceisnotasuggestion,itisaninstruction.Rememberthatloveisaninstructionandthatobedienceandlovearenotapart.

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“AnewcommandmentIgiveuntoyou,Thatyeloveoneanother;asIhavelovedyou,thatyealsoloveoneanother.”

John13:34

Obedienceisnotaforced,unwillingact.It’snotsomethingyoudobecauseyouareafraidofpunishment.Christisourprototypeofobedience.

“Andbeingfoundinfashionasaman,hehumbledhimself,andbecameobedientuntodeath,eventhedeathofthecross.”

Philippians2:8

Obedienceisnotawaytoacceptance.WecannotmakeourselvesmoreacceptabletoGodbecauseweobeyhim.Gracealreadymadeusaccepted.

“Tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgrace,whereinhehathmadeusacceptedinthebeloved.”

Ephesians1:6

In ful�illingpurpose,Godwantsyoutoknow�irstofall, thatHelovesyouandHewillnotleaveyoustrandedonthisjourney;thatHeisthereallthewayevenwhenyou�indyourselfinthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath.Hehasalsomadeyouavesselofthatloveandwantsyoutomanifestittootherseverystepoftheway.Youcan’tful�illpurposeapartfromlove.Lovesourcedyouanditwillsurelysustainyou.Lovemeansthatinyourjourneytoful�illingpurposeyouwillhavetogiveyourall;sacri�iceyourtime,forgivealwaysandserve. Impactinglivesstartsfromlovingpeopleandthisinvolvesyouconstantlypracticingallthehallmarksoflove.Whenwetrulylove,wecanimpactandinturnful�illpurposetothefullest.

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In looking at the journey of purpose, it would be incompletewithouttalkingaboutthewalkoffaith.NoticeIsaidwalk,thisisbecauseeveryjourneybeginswithastepinagivendirection.Forus,eachofthosestepsisfaithputtowork.Thisisbecauseyourpurposeisnaturallybiggerthanyouandyourdestinationseemsfarfetchedlookingatitfromthesenses,butfaithisnotofthesenserealm. Faith for us is awalk towards purpose; thismeans youcannotful�illpurposewithoutfaith.Faithtellsuswhatstepstotakeinthisjourneyandhowtogoaboutthem.

“Forwewalkbyfaith,notbysight.”2Corinthians5:7

Youcan’twalkbysightbecauseyourpurposeisnotofthesenserealm;itisbiggerthanwhatyour�leshcanhandle.Towalkbysightistoputalimitonwhereyoucangetto,becauseeventhenaturaleyeshavealimiteddistancetheycanseeto.Withthenaturaleyes,you can’t focuson twoendsat a time, for exampleyou can’tbelooking at something in front of you and at the same time befocusingonsomethingbehindyou.However,faithhasnolimit;youcantakeitsprinciplesandfocusonalotofthingsatthesametime.Youcan’twalkonanotherman’sfaith,justasyoucannotborrowanotherman’slegtowalk;ithastobeyoursandyoursalone.Thisisbecausethereareanswerstolife’squestionthatGodwantsyoutopersonally stretch your faith on. He knows the end from thebeginningbutHewantsyoutousefaithlikeHedoesandthatiswhyHegaveeveryoneofusthemeasureofit.

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Theactivitiesofourfaithmaybethesamewiththatofothers,buthowGodworksitoutisbasicallydifferent,wemightallbewalkingbutourdirectionsmaydiffer.FaithisbornoutofwhoGodisandwhatHesays toyoupersonallyviaHiswordnotanotherman’sresult.Inthisjourney,faithwillrevealyoutoyou…

“ThereforeifanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature:oldthingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew.”

2Corinthians5:17“Forhehathmadehimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin;thatwe

mightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim.”2Corinthians5:21

Faithrevealsyouridentitytoyou;ittellsyoumoreaboutyoubyrevealing you to yourself. What do I mean? The moment youbecamebornagain,youbecameaNEWcreature;youhadanewdefaultsettingofrighteousnesscalled‘’RighteousnessofGod’’.

“ForthereinistherighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaithtofaith:asitiswritten,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.”

Romans1:17

Romans1:17tellsusthatthatthenewyou,thatrighteousyou,canonlyberevealedinfaith,withemphasis’on‘’FaithtoFaith’’.Thisisbecausethisjourneywillconstantlydemandtheuseofyourfaith,thereisneverapointasabelieverwhenyoustopusingyourfaith;ithastogofromonepointtoanother.Iffaithisrevealingyoutoyou,thenitisde�initelyalsorevealingallthatyourpurposeistoyou.Inthisjourney,faithdemandsthatyouconstantlyhearGOD…

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“Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.”Romans10:17

FaithisbuiltonhearingGod;itbeginsattherevelationofGod’swill.Ifyou’venotheardGod,thenyouhaven’tstartedwalking.ThewordofGodisthebrainactivitybehindthosestepsyoutake; ifyourfaithisnotbackedupwithGod’sWordthenyouaresuretohaveonetiltedwalkinthewrongdirection. UntilyoutrainyourspirittobesensitivetoGod’sleading,puttingyourfaithtoworkmaybeagreatchallenge.

Inthisjourney,faithisaboutlivinganabundantlife….Christ came so you can have and enjoy the God kind of lifeabundantly,i.e.tothefullestandmuchmore;meaninginthislife,everythingyouneedissosuf�icientforyouthatyouhavemuchmoretogiveout.Everythinghasbeenprovidedandpaidfor,soinsteadof sitting theremumblingandgetting jealousofpeoplewhoaregettingresultsbecausetheyharnesswhatistheirs,goallout and get all that is yours by faith. Don’t be carried awaycomplainingaboutotherpeople’ssuccessesthatyouforgettoputyourfaithtowork. FaithhandsyouwhatisyoursonaplatterofGod.

Inthisjourney,faithandfearcan’tlivetogether…..ThedevilknowsthatthepurposeofGodforyourlifeisbigsoHeiswillingtodoeverythingtochallengeandtakeyouawayfromthepath,sohetargetsyourwalk(faith)bybringinginfear.Hetriestoparalyzeyourfaithbysendingfear,sohecancutyoushortonthewaytowhereGodistakingyouto.

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Fearand faithcan’tcohabit;even Jesus toldHisdisciples this inMatthew8:26.

‘’Andhesaithuntothem,Whyareyefearful,Oyeoflittlefaith?Thenhearose,andrebukedthewindsandthesea;andtherewasa

greatcalm.‘’Matthew8:26

Faithisofthespirit,fearisofthesoul.WhatdoImeanbythat?Youmay be wondering…‘well, we have faith in our spirit, and asbelieverswearesupposedtoberuledbyourspiritnotoursoul’,Everytimeyouelevatethefeelingsofyoursoulaboveyourspirit,yougivethedeviltheopportunitytothrowdartsatyouandfearisthedevil’snumberonedarttothesoul.

Inthisjourney,faithisasagrainofmustardseedTherearedayswhenIwonderedwhyJesuscomparedfaithtoamustardseed,whynotanyotherseed?“AndJesussaiduntothem,Becauseofyourunbelief:forverilyIsayuntoyou,Ifyehavefaithasagrainofmustardseed,yeshallsayuntothismountain,Removehencetoyonderplace;anditshall

remove;andnothingshallbeimpossibleuntoyou.”Matthew17:20

You see as tiny asmustard seeds are, they germinate superfastundertherightconditions,notonlythat,theyareseentobeabletosurviveveryharshconditionsandcanhandlethemostdif�icultsoiltypes.Doesthatsoundlikefaithtoyou?Faithwillalwaysgetyouresults,itcantakeyouthroughanyconditionoflifeandstillgetyoutotheendpoint.Thoughmustardseedsgerminatebetween1-4days,itcantakebetween2-3yearstogrowintoa22feettree.

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Nomatterhowlongittakeswiththepatienceoffaith,youwillgetresults.TherearetimeswhenyouhavetowaitandtakeinmorenutrientsfromthenaturalsourceofGod’sword,atothertimesyouwill get pruned, but the truth is; faith always gets you to yourdestination.

Inthisjourney,ittakesfaithtomakeadifference….Ittakesamanfulloffaithtomakeadifferenceinthisworld;greatpeopleachieve thingsbyusing their faith.Mostmenwith theirnamesintheHebrews11halloffameweremenwhowalkedinfaith.Togiveourbest,youhavetobefulloffaith.

“AndStephen,fulloffaithandpower,didgreatwondersandmiraclesamongthepeople.“

Acts6:8Stephenwas so full of faith, hedid exploits. ThehumanmindcannotevencomprehendthepowerofGodoutsidefaith.GodissobigthatyouneedfaithtounderstandHimandfunctioninallthatHehascommittedintoyourhands.

Inthisjourney,faithwillbringfromtheunseenrealmtotheseenrealm….Therealitiesofeternallifeexistoutsideofthephysicalrealm,butGodwantsustotranslatethoserealitiesintothephysicalrealmbyfaith.“Throughfaithweunderstandthattheworldswereframedbythe

wordofGod,sothatthingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear.”

Hebrews11:3Faithwas�irstpracticedbyGod;Heunderstoodtheimportanceofbringingtheunseentotheseen.Hewon’taskyoutodowhatHehasn’tdone.

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Faithbroughtaboutcreation;itturnedanemptyvoidearthintothe beautiful things we see today. Faith is our creating tool.Through faithwecan frameourworldsbyGod’sword.Wecanchooseourexperiencessimplybyframingthingswithfaith.Wecannotharnessanythinginlifewithouttheconstantwalkoffaith.Tofeatureinthepurposehalloffame,youhavetoconstantlylearntowalkthewalkoffaith.Inthejourneyofpurpose,faithisourlife,faithisourwalk!

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Thejourneyofpurposeforeverywomanisajourneyofdiscovery;youcannotdoitwithoutGod.Youwerecreatedtocarryandful�illpurposewithgraceandpoise.Don’tsettleforless!Yourpurposeisbiggerthantheshenaniganstheworldholds.Standout,betruetoyourcalling,bethebestyoucanbe!LoveGod,loveyourselfandloveothers.

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GodisnotOnetoputyouonajourneywithoutthenecessarysuppliesyouneedforthatjourney.

We were created to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God

God wants you to grow. He wants you to move from the milk to the meat of His Word.

How far you will travel in purpose is determined by how much strength and stamina you gather by feeding on God’s word.

Here is the truth, the distance you go in purpose is directly proportion to how well you feed your spirit.

The word of God gives you clarity and accuracy, you become so sure of where God is taking you to.

God has given us the Holy Spirit as our spiritual Compass to guide us into purpose and its fulfillment.

The Holy Spirit is to guide you into all truth, the truth of the person of Jesus, and the truth of who you are in the word of God.

No man can fulfill purpose without being filled with the Holy Spirit. The more time you give to fellowship, the more clarity you will get

concerning your purpose and where to start from.

Love (Agape) is the nature imparted to believers at the point of salvation by the Holy Spirit.

Godputinustheveryabilitytolove,andsinceGodisLovethatequallymeansHeimpartedintousHisnature.

PURPOSE SURVIVAL KITPoints to Consider

LoveistheevidentialfragranceinusthatwecarryasambassadorsofChrist.

Loveshouldbethecurrentthatmovesustoful�illpurpose;theveryreasonwhywedowhatwedo.

Lovewillmoveyoutoserve;thisisbecauseloveisnotcompletewithoutservice,

neithercanpurposebeful�illedwithoutservice.

FaithisbornoutofwhoGodisandwhatHesaystoyoupersonallyviaHiswordnotanotherman’sresult.

Faithrevealsyouridentitytoyou;ittellsyoumoreaboutyoubyrevealingyoutoyourself.

Nomatterhowlongittakeswiththepatienceoffaith,youwillgetresults.

AbouttheAuthorAdekemi Adeniyan is an associatepastor in New Reality ChristianCentre, Nigeria. She is a dentist bypro fess ion and co - founder o fKomplete Woman; an organizationwhose aim is to mentor and inspireyounggirlstodiscovertheirpurposeinChrist.She isanavid loverofGodwhodelightsinglorifyingthe�inishedworksofChrist.

Copyright©2016byAdekemiAdeniyanAllrightsreserved.Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynot be reproduced or used in anymanner whatsoeverwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofauthor.exceptfortheuseofbriefquotations.

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