Here on purpose with a purpose:
In this section, we will define our purpose for being here on earth and to what our earthly pilgrimage entails.
Keeping in mind, the work of the Lord is ever before us needing an army well equipped to stand against the whiles of the enemy, Satan and his demons.
In this section, we will define our purpose for being here on earth and to what our earthly pilgrimage entails.
Keeping in mind, the work of the Lord is ever before us needing an army well equipped to stand against the whiles of the enemy, Satan and his demons.
Knowing that the Lord has personally and purposely known us before we were even in the womb of our earthly mother (Jeremiah 1:5), and that He has called each of us with a Holy calling (Ephesians 1:4-5 and Romans 8:29-30), to carry out His plan of redemption and ultimate fellowship with His most precious creation, you and me.
To know that all of us have a calling should encourage us to take life more seriously, amen? The focus of life here on Earth must include the awareness that we are here for a purpose that includes a master plan from God. It is the Lord who sent us here to complete a work and the Lord who has given us the authority and the tools to accomplish it.
One of my favorite verses in the bible in my earlier days was found in;
Philippians chapter 1 verse 6
“Being confident of this very thing. That He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As was taught earlier in this lesson on restoration, it is important to conclude that Satan is not all too happy about our existence here on this planet. Satan has declared war on us for invading a territory given to us from God for the advancement of His Kingdom “here on Earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Through the robbing of our innocence and teaching us to offend each other, the enemy has kept us from focusing our efforts of colonizing the Earth for the Kingdom of Heaven, to attacking each other, thus destroying our purpose for being here in the first place.
What would be the enemy’s reason for our ultimate destruction if it weren’t for the fact that our existence is a threat against his? Satan is our ultimate enemy not each other. The fact that he picks on us while we are in the womb or as little children is a major attack against our reason for being here. I pray this is making more sense to you as you have reflected on your own childhood issues. The Word is very clear as to why we are here on this planet, and that we “are” the promised seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord is fulfilling or should I say; has fulfilled the covenant He made with Father Abraham.
Let us look at the Word found in; Genesis Chapter 22 verses 16-18 “And said, by Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son , thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of His enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the Lord is doing just that! As Christians it really does behoove us to study the Word in Genesis. This is where it all began for us. This is where “today happenings” have been foretold.
Philippians chapter 1 verse 6
“Being confident of this very thing. That He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As was taught earlier in this lesson on restoration, it is important to conclude that Satan is not all too happy about our existence here on this planet. Satan has declared war on us for invading a territory given to us from God for the advancement of His Kingdom “here on Earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Through the robbing of our innocence and teaching us to offend each other, the enemy has kept us from focusing our efforts of colonizing the Earth for the Kingdom of Heaven, to attacking each other, thus destroying our purpose for being here in the first place.
What would be the enemy’s reason for our ultimate destruction if it weren’t for the fact that our existence is a threat against his? Satan is our ultimate enemy not each other. The fact that he picks on us while we are in the womb or as little children is a major attack against our reason for being here. I pray this is making more sense to you as you have reflected on your own childhood issues. The Word is very clear as to why we are here on this planet, and that we “are” the promised seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord is fulfilling or should I say; has fulfilled the covenant He made with Father Abraham.
Let us look at the Word found in; Genesis Chapter 22 verses 16-18 “And said, by Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son , thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of His enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like the Lord is doing just that! As Christians it really does behoove us to study the Word in Genesis. This is where it all began for us. This is where “today happenings” have been foretold.
Abraham the Father of our faith is the reason the Lord continues His purposing of those alive today. He sends us here out of love with great purpose and a plan. Through the walking out of your pilgrimage here on earth you have been given the gift of free will to chose who you wish to live for. Your free will is the real challenge of the enemy of your soul and he wants desperately to control it.
I would also like to point out that the Lord was also including those of us who are not of the Jewish lineage that we too were counted amongst the seed of Abraham and have the same inheritance.
In the Book of Romans, chapter 9 verse 11 and then verses 25-26 the Word says;(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him who calleth ;)
Amos 9:11
As He saith also in Osee [Hosea], I will call them My people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there they shall be called the children of the Living God.
It is also said in; Romans chapter 10, that “whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” And that; “whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I could go on and on with verses proving that “you and I” where on His heart from the beginning and it is now time for “you and I” to take up our mantle and get to work for the true Kingdom, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. And as the Holy Spirit spoke to me awhile back; “If you will build My Kingdom, I will build My Kingdom in you!” Enough said!
Ratifying the Old Covenant:
Which covenant do you wish to help ratify? Which plan do you wish to participate in? Under which covenant do you believe fulfills your purpose and reason of existence? Through the Study of the book of Genesis we will come to know Father God in a new way and how He has a plan for us from the beginning before “Old Snake Breath” (Satan) came into the picture. As we study the promise / covenant the Lord made with father Abraham in Genesis Chapter 22 verses 16-18, we can conclude that this is a very large promise and that the Lord is not a man that He should tell lies. This promise was ratified on the cross several years later after many references to the coming Savior had been prophesied by the Lord’s prophets.
I praise Jesus for the New Covenant ratified and satisfied by His precious blood for me on Calvary over two thousand years ago, and for the promise he gave Father Abraham because of his obedience. I thank the Lord for also sending us now to earth to assist in the final fulfillment of that promise as well as an answer to the prayers of the saints of old. Jesus even told His disciples that many would come from the east and from the west and sit down with father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 8 verse 11).
Let us just imagine if you will, the conversation the Lord may have had with you before you departed from Him and embarked on a journey here on earth to fulfill or complete a work that only you are sent to do? Let’s say that you are sent to a womb of His choosing, in order for you to eventually come forth and find the Father again through His Son Jesus our Messiah, while walking in an earthen vessel. According to the Word, it is the Father that draws us to His Son so that we who believe and receive Jesus as our personal Savior may come back to the Father through Him.
Let us read what Jesus speaks in; John 6: 44
“No man can come unto me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at that last day.”
Think back if you will, to a time in your life where you started to wonder if there was anything more to your existence. Why am I here? Or, what is my purpose here? Or how about; why was I born to this family? As we have learned earlier in this teaching, the devil is bent on our destruction and regardless of which womb you came from, the attack is still the same. Praise the Lord for the grace, strength, and His love to endure these attacks and to eventually grow from our early experiences and influences.
As a young man growing up, I would often sit and ponder my existence and reason for being here. I never felt connected to my family because of the influences of the enemy in my early childhood. Yet I desired to be accepted and wanted by my family, and would find myself giving in to the lies being spewed forth around me by those who themselves never really understood why they too were here. Had it not been for a personal revelation of Jesus early in my life at a time when my life and the life of my family had been threatened I would not have made the connection I have been given today. The Lord’s divine intervention saved my family that evening and I am here to tell about it now. How many others can share similar events in their life where there was no other explanation for them being alive but by a divine interruption?
Let’s connect the dots here folks. Because you have been sent here with a purpose and a plan, the enemy of our Lord and Savior knows that his time is short. The devil can not afford to have us down here advancing a Kingdom he is no longer apart of. When we as “Sent Ones” learn to look at all people as “sent too” the chances of offending each other on purpose will decrease as the Lord increases in us, amen.
Even in Africa:
Currently as I write this manual, I am in Africa. I am here on a mission of restoration. My host is the Stephan Milongo the current president of the Christian Political Party; Mwinda (The Lamp). His father, Andre Milongo was the President of the Republic of Congo back in 1991. He was a man of God and was always working on behalf of the people of his country. Recently, in July of ’07, Andre Milongo had died mysteriously in a hospital in Paris, France. Stephan Milongo, (Andre’s oldest son) then decided to leave his home in the Washington D. C. area after 25 years, to carry on the work his father and mother have done in Congo. He currently is preparing to run for the presidency of his country and be led of God to assist in bringing restoration and transformation to a land full of death and little hope. His mother, Mama Marie Milongo has a ministry here in Congo which has for many years provided relief to those less fortunate and still carries on the work her and her husband started years ago. It was Mama Milongo that was sent to me by God back in 2006. It was by divine appointment that we met and now since the death of her husband, the Lord has sent me here to assist her and her son Stephan, in understanding what the Lord plans to do here in Africa by way of restoration and how Stephan’s life is purposed to carry on the mantle of his father who was loved by hundreds of thousands here in the Congo.
This, being my second “sent” trip to the heart of Africa (Congo), with the message of restoration and transformation, my work is cut out for me. Though the body of Christ here is well established, it is quite prevalent the church has mixed witchcraft and Jesus together in their message and is causing so much trouble. The country looks like a disaster zone. In 2005 when I first visited Congo, I was in Kinshasa, the Nation’s capitol of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was in the country for 3 weeks preaching to thousands the message of restoration. Three years later our ministers in Kinshasa have confirmed that restoration is taking place and that even the government has started to settle and bring peace. The Church is strong there and growing.
Several civil wars over the years have left the people of the Republic of Congo (across the Congo River from the Democratic Republic of Congo), in a state of shock and purposelessness. They make no long term goals for their lives or communities for fear that another war will break out and all will be destroyed again. They are quick to rally and support any form of religion or cult that promises them relief from the persecution and tribulation they are always subject too. They are a Nation with “no purpose.” Yet in the midst of their pain and anguish the Lord has worked many miracles here. I have seen him heal many as I and others have prayed for them. Their belief in magic is very strong here and has caused even their President to seek out magic from around the world to assure his continued power. Currently, the 40 year reign of this dictator is ending, for he is dieing from pancreas cancer. Restoration is right on time!
Fear is the stronghold that keeps these precious people from experiencing true freedom and that is why the Lord is bringing them the message of forgiveness in such a powerful and dramatic way. I know in my heart that the Lord is going to do a great thing here in all of Congo and that he will finish it. What a great joy this will bring to Christians around the world. The message of restoration and transformation is now here.
“If you change the heart, you change the mind!”
Purpose of the Holy Spirit:
The movement of the Holy Spirit in this hour is leading us toward the end of this age. His focus and divine purpose is still the winning of souls for His Kingdom and repairing the breach between Jesus and His Church, which over the years has separated itself from the true foundation of Christ and is building its own little kingdom. We must carefully study the Words found in Isaiah chapter 58. This is the true work of faith being done by the Holy Spirit in this hour. A Missionary to Africa was speaking to me before my departure back to Congo and asked me if I was an Isaiah 58 ministry. I was sort of caught off guard by his question. I of course said; “yes” and that I believed we should all be Isaiah 58 ministers to the world. He shook my hand and said he loved to shake the hands of those who understand what God is saying to His church from that book and chapter.
With the condition of the world around us always in a state of panic, we know that the days mentioned in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelations is on the horizon. But let us not forget the words spoken in the Books of; Joel chapter 2 verses 28 - 32 and Acts chapter 2 verses 17 – 21 (I will let you look those up yourself).
America, once a powerful Christian Nation, has fallen asleep at the helm and has allowed the church to be splintered and diluted spiritually. We stopped being the voice of truth to our country and have stood idly by as Satan lulled us to sleep with his poisoned lullabies. We became less tolerant of sin and more open to “Do what thou wilt!” This is Satan’s commandment not our Lord and Saviors!
We have held the truth of the scriptures in unrighteousness and now we are paying for our lack of stewardship of God’s Word and His mission. We have elected to elevate man in our pulpits and have not charged the rest of the congregation with the duty of advancing the great commission given us by Christ Himself. Our poor economy is the result of not following the principles given us in His Holy Word. We have not taught the principles of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have left those who have the gift of wealth or the gift of giving, swallowed up by greed and the need to horde riches. We have looked to the poor for the means to advance the Kingdom of God instead of those gifted in the area of means and wealth.
The early American Puritans:
The early American Puritans had the best examples of working together for the common good of everyone. The Puritans wished to advance the Kingdom of God here on Earth and applied the principles of loving their neighbor as themselves, to everything including; manufacturing, homes, farming, government, etc. They had a firm and solid economy which never was in debt. We have lost these principles along the way and have forgotten the principles given us in His Word.
Purposed callings:
Godly Kings got things done for the Kingdom back before the first church. The King’s men carried out the duties of the treasury and as long as you were faithful to your calling all went well. A good example of this is found in the Book of Nehemiah (we will discuss that later).
God’s economy has always been the winning back of souls, keeping his covenant to father Abraham and us His children. He owns everything else anyways! Yet we have perverted kingship and the callings of God. We have conveniently dismissed the gifts of God with the first church. Our callings are without repentance and will always counter what the Devil throws at us if we are true to Heaven.
Whether you’re a doctor, mechanic, emergency worker, manufacturer, minister, teacher, laborer, etc. God has a call on your life. Having been given the precious gift of “free will” you can choose who you are going to serve with your calling. I have heard people tell me that they just want to serve themselves and that’s it. It is sad to say, but that was Lucifer’s fatal mistake too. Could it be that by only serving ourselves we are really serving the enemy of our soul?
I figure that since my calling and gifts come from the Creator of all things seen and unseen. I should serve Him and Him alone. I hear the retirement plan is out of this world!
I was sitting at breakfast one morning over looking the beautiful garden of my sponsoring host here in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, and I was watching the butterflies and honey bees busy collecting nectar from the many beautiful flowers outside in the garden. I was once again being reminded by the Holy Spirit how all of creation has a divine purpose and a divine plan.
The butterfly doesn’t envy the honey bee nor does anything else of God’s creation except us. This is obviously a sin nature in us that must be overcome. Yet, God has equipped each of us with callings and gifts to perform. As the Lord will not take the calling away from the butterfly or the bee and have them do something else, He will not take our calling or gifts away either. Unfortunately many of us use these callings and gifts for the wrong purpose and become enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at; Romans chapter 11 verses 28-29.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father’s sake. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Even though the children of this “world” may be enemies of God’s children, God will not remove or repent of the callings and gifts He has given us all. This is the hope of our nature, that one day we will be re-introduced back to our Creator through His Son and then start using the calling and gifts given us by Him for His kingdom and not our little kingdoms anymore. It is rewarding and encouraging noting; no matter where our allegiance lies, we all have a calling and the gifts to carry it out. There really is no excuse for any of us who are alive today to feel as though our lives are worthless especially for those of us who are born again into the Kingdom of Jesus our Messiah. Let’s take a look at what Jesus says in the Book of John chapter 15 verse 16;
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye shall go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit shall remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.
Chapter 15 of the Book of John is a very powerful chapter. If we refuse Christ, we are not His, and therefore will be cut off as a branch that can bear no fruit. Yet still, if we use the calling and gifts of God through Christ, we will bear much fruit and our fruit shall remain. Serving the world with your calling and gifts without the power source is fruitless and will not last. But if we abide in Christ and He in us, then we abide in the Father as well. We will abide in His love. We also know; love is the greatest of His fruits and will last forever.
Before the foundation of the world:
Prior to coming to terms with my own calling, I wore many hats in society. Knowing since childhood that I would serve Jesus in some way with my life, I found myself in careers spanning from Criminal Justice to Retail Sales, Troubled Youth development to Christian Radio Host.
Having coached several sports and taught life guarding, CPR, First Aid classes, and coached and taught swimming, it almost looked like I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself. Little did I know, the Lord, had been preparing me for the apostleship of restoration and transformation.
He was training me in many areas to observe and work in environments necessary for His restoration. This is why I do not discard any life experiences; it behooves me to know in my spirit man that all experiences in life, great or small, good or bad, have a consequence or tangible wisdom and can be used in the calling and purpose for my pilgrimage. You would think that some higher power might be involved somewhere in all of this?
With all that said, let us look to the scriptures once more and see if we can identify more of our purpose here.
II Timothy 1:9:
Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
My life experiences I believe were purposed and planned. It is by the grace of God that when I “exited” the plan for my life, whether through being deceived by my own imagination or those around me, that I was afforded the grace to build a testimony of how not to do things and the grace to get back on the right path of life through Jesus Christ. There has been many times I have hung my head low in shame for the things I allowed myself to get involved in and praise the Lord for not giving up on a wretched sinner like me.
From the scripture reference above, we then know our calling is a holy calling, not of ourselves, but according to God’s purpose and plan. Once again I would like to point out the word “grace.” For the grace of God is to continue His work in us through Christ Jesus. I believe to whatever degree we are exercising our calling and gifts; grace is always available in abundance when we are yielded to our God through Christ Jesus and led of the Holy Spirit.
2Corrintians 12:9:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
As we all start to step out in our divine callings, we will be very appreciative of the grace afforded us especially when we have not lived as we should. I have concluded that Satan is not my worst enemy anymore, but I. It is very easy to criticize yourself for past failures and defeats, but it is here where God’s unending grace and mercy through our Lord Jesus comes in. We can understand when Apostle Paul says; “My grace is sufficient for you.” Regardless of Apostle Paul’s past mistakes and crimes against God, still the Lord had a plan for Paul’s life and did purpose him for it through the grace and mercy offered at the Cross of our salvation.
(Interesting note; I am always amazed at how the Cross of our salvation does bring us to our own cross road in life, where we have to make a choice who are we going to serve. Time to pick up our cross and follow Jesus)
“My grace is sufficient for you.” Or could we say; “by grace you will operate in your calling and not by anything you have done of yourself nor deserve.” If I received what I deserve, I would be in some hot fire. “Thank you Jesus, for forgiveness, and Your grace to not remember my past sins and disobedience.”
Romans 8:29-30
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
To foreknow someone is to have known them already. To predestinate is to pre determine a purpose or a plan. If you have already been known by God and He has given you a determined purpose then you must be called to it. In the scripture above, the Lord has determined to design us in the image of His Son, Jesus. As Jesus was sent of the Father to be the firstborn of us all, we have His example as to how to live out our calling having too been sent here with a predetermined mission. Exciting isn’t it? If you can grasp this message, you will never look the same way at anyone else again (at least not with disgust, covetousness, or envy). We are either on the path of life or off it. It’s that free will thing again.
A great brother of mine and fellow apostle; Steve Busulwa from Uganda, loves to preach the message of; “Purpose.” Apostle Steve says; “if you are still breathing, you have purpose. If you are still carrying on in life, you have purpose. If you are still eating food, you have purpose. So get about your purpose!”
It is also said in; Romans chapter 10, that “whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” And that; “whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I could go on and on with verses proving that “you and I” where on His heart from the beginning and it is now time for “you and I” to take up our mantle and get to work for the true Kingdom, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. And as the Holy Spirit spoke to me awhile back; “If you will build My Kingdom, I will build My Kingdom in you!” Enough said!
Ratifying the Old Covenant:
Which covenant do you wish to help ratify? Which plan do you wish to participate in? Under which covenant do you believe fulfills your purpose and reason of existence? Through the Study of the book of Genesis we will come to know Father God in a new way and how He has a plan for us from the beginning before “Old Snake Breath” (Satan) came into the picture. As we study the promise / covenant the Lord made with father Abraham in Genesis Chapter 22 verses 16-18, we can conclude that this is a very large promise and that the Lord is not a man that He should tell lies. This promise was ratified on the cross several years later after many references to the coming Savior had been prophesied by the Lord’s prophets.
I praise Jesus for the New Covenant ratified and satisfied by His precious blood for me on Calvary over two thousand years ago, and for the promise he gave Father Abraham because of his obedience. I thank the Lord for also sending us now to earth to assist in the final fulfillment of that promise as well as an answer to the prayers of the saints of old. Jesus even told His disciples that many would come from the east and from the west and sit down with father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 8 verse 11).
Let us just imagine if you will, the conversation the Lord may have had with you before you departed from Him and embarked on a journey here on earth to fulfill or complete a work that only you are sent to do? Let’s say that you are sent to a womb of His choosing, in order for you to eventually come forth and find the Father again through His Son Jesus our Messiah, while walking in an earthen vessel. According to the Word, it is the Father that draws us to His Son so that we who believe and receive Jesus as our personal Savior may come back to the Father through Him.
Let us read what Jesus speaks in; John 6: 44
“No man can come unto me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at that last day.”
Think back if you will, to a time in your life where you started to wonder if there was anything more to your existence. Why am I here? Or, what is my purpose here? Or how about; why was I born to this family? As we have learned earlier in this teaching, the devil is bent on our destruction and regardless of which womb you came from, the attack is still the same. Praise the Lord for the grace, strength, and His love to endure these attacks and to eventually grow from our early experiences and influences.
As a young man growing up, I would often sit and ponder my existence and reason for being here. I never felt connected to my family because of the influences of the enemy in my early childhood. Yet I desired to be accepted and wanted by my family, and would find myself giving in to the lies being spewed forth around me by those who themselves never really understood why they too were here. Had it not been for a personal revelation of Jesus early in my life at a time when my life and the life of my family had been threatened I would not have made the connection I have been given today. The Lord’s divine intervention saved my family that evening and I am here to tell about it now. How many others can share similar events in their life where there was no other explanation for them being alive but by a divine interruption?
Let’s connect the dots here folks. Because you have been sent here with a purpose and a plan, the enemy of our Lord and Savior knows that his time is short. The devil can not afford to have us down here advancing a Kingdom he is no longer apart of. When we as “Sent Ones” learn to look at all people as “sent too” the chances of offending each other on purpose will decrease as the Lord increases in us, amen.
Even in Africa:
Currently as I write this manual, I am in Africa. I am here on a mission of restoration. My host is the Stephan Milongo the current president of the Christian Political Party; Mwinda (The Lamp). His father, Andre Milongo was the President of the Republic of Congo back in 1991. He was a man of God and was always working on behalf of the people of his country. Recently, in July of ’07, Andre Milongo had died mysteriously in a hospital in Paris, France. Stephan Milongo, (Andre’s oldest son) then decided to leave his home in the Washington D. C. area after 25 years, to carry on the work his father and mother have done in Congo. He currently is preparing to run for the presidency of his country and be led of God to assist in bringing restoration and transformation to a land full of death and little hope. His mother, Mama Marie Milongo has a ministry here in Congo which has for many years provided relief to those less fortunate and still carries on the work her and her husband started years ago. It was Mama Milongo that was sent to me by God back in 2006. It was by divine appointment that we met and now since the death of her husband, the Lord has sent me here to assist her and her son Stephan, in understanding what the Lord plans to do here in Africa by way of restoration and how Stephan’s life is purposed to carry on the mantle of his father who was loved by hundreds of thousands here in the Congo.
This, being my second “sent” trip to the heart of Africa (Congo), with the message of restoration and transformation, my work is cut out for me. Though the body of Christ here is well established, it is quite prevalent the church has mixed witchcraft and Jesus together in their message and is causing so much trouble. The country looks like a disaster zone. In 2005 when I first visited Congo, I was in Kinshasa, the Nation’s capitol of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was in the country for 3 weeks preaching to thousands the message of restoration. Three years later our ministers in Kinshasa have confirmed that restoration is taking place and that even the government has started to settle and bring peace. The Church is strong there and growing.
Several civil wars over the years have left the people of the Republic of Congo (across the Congo River from the Democratic Republic of Congo), in a state of shock and purposelessness. They make no long term goals for their lives or communities for fear that another war will break out and all will be destroyed again. They are quick to rally and support any form of religion or cult that promises them relief from the persecution and tribulation they are always subject too. They are a Nation with “no purpose.” Yet in the midst of their pain and anguish the Lord has worked many miracles here. I have seen him heal many as I and others have prayed for them. Their belief in magic is very strong here and has caused even their President to seek out magic from around the world to assure his continued power. Currently, the 40 year reign of this dictator is ending, for he is dieing from pancreas cancer. Restoration is right on time!
Fear is the stronghold that keeps these precious people from experiencing true freedom and that is why the Lord is bringing them the message of forgiveness in such a powerful and dramatic way. I know in my heart that the Lord is going to do a great thing here in all of Congo and that he will finish it. What a great joy this will bring to Christians around the world. The message of restoration and transformation is now here.
“If you change the heart, you change the mind!”
Purpose of the Holy Spirit:
The movement of the Holy Spirit in this hour is leading us toward the end of this age. His focus and divine purpose is still the winning of souls for His Kingdom and repairing the breach between Jesus and His Church, which over the years has separated itself from the true foundation of Christ and is building its own little kingdom. We must carefully study the Words found in Isaiah chapter 58. This is the true work of faith being done by the Holy Spirit in this hour. A Missionary to Africa was speaking to me before my departure back to Congo and asked me if I was an Isaiah 58 ministry. I was sort of caught off guard by his question. I of course said; “yes” and that I believed we should all be Isaiah 58 ministers to the world. He shook my hand and said he loved to shake the hands of those who understand what God is saying to His church from that book and chapter.
With the condition of the world around us always in a state of panic, we know that the days mentioned in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelations is on the horizon. But let us not forget the words spoken in the Books of; Joel chapter 2 verses 28 - 32 and Acts chapter 2 verses 17 – 21 (I will let you look those up yourself).
America, once a powerful Christian Nation, has fallen asleep at the helm and has allowed the church to be splintered and diluted spiritually. We stopped being the voice of truth to our country and have stood idly by as Satan lulled us to sleep with his poisoned lullabies. We became less tolerant of sin and more open to “Do what thou wilt!” This is Satan’s commandment not our Lord and Saviors!
We have held the truth of the scriptures in unrighteousness and now we are paying for our lack of stewardship of God’s Word and His mission. We have elected to elevate man in our pulpits and have not charged the rest of the congregation with the duty of advancing the great commission given us by Christ Himself. Our poor economy is the result of not following the principles given us in His Holy Word. We have not taught the principles of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and have left those who have the gift of wealth or the gift of giving, swallowed up by greed and the need to horde riches. We have looked to the poor for the means to advance the Kingdom of God instead of those gifted in the area of means and wealth.
The early American Puritans:
The early American Puritans had the best examples of working together for the common good of everyone. The Puritans wished to advance the Kingdom of God here on Earth and applied the principles of loving their neighbor as themselves, to everything including; manufacturing, homes, farming, government, etc. They had a firm and solid economy which never was in debt. We have lost these principles along the way and have forgotten the principles given us in His Word.
Purposed callings:
Godly Kings got things done for the Kingdom back before the first church. The King’s men carried out the duties of the treasury and as long as you were faithful to your calling all went well. A good example of this is found in the Book of Nehemiah (we will discuss that later).
God’s economy has always been the winning back of souls, keeping his covenant to father Abraham and us His children. He owns everything else anyways! Yet we have perverted kingship and the callings of God. We have conveniently dismissed the gifts of God with the first church. Our callings are without repentance and will always counter what the Devil throws at us if we are true to Heaven.
Whether you’re a doctor, mechanic, emergency worker, manufacturer, minister, teacher, laborer, etc. God has a call on your life. Having been given the precious gift of “free will” you can choose who you are going to serve with your calling. I have heard people tell me that they just want to serve themselves and that’s it. It is sad to say, but that was Lucifer’s fatal mistake too. Could it be that by only serving ourselves we are really serving the enemy of our soul?
I figure that since my calling and gifts come from the Creator of all things seen and unseen. I should serve Him and Him alone. I hear the retirement plan is out of this world!
I was sitting at breakfast one morning over looking the beautiful garden of my sponsoring host here in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, and I was watching the butterflies and honey bees busy collecting nectar from the many beautiful flowers outside in the garden. I was once again being reminded by the Holy Spirit how all of creation has a divine purpose and a divine plan.
The butterfly doesn’t envy the honey bee nor does anything else of God’s creation except us. This is obviously a sin nature in us that must be overcome. Yet, God has equipped each of us with callings and gifts to perform. As the Lord will not take the calling away from the butterfly or the bee and have them do something else, He will not take our calling or gifts away either. Unfortunately many of us use these callings and gifts for the wrong purpose and become enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at; Romans chapter 11 verses 28-29.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father’s sake. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Even though the children of this “world” may be enemies of God’s children, God will not remove or repent of the callings and gifts He has given us all. This is the hope of our nature, that one day we will be re-introduced back to our Creator through His Son and then start using the calling and gifts given us by Him for His kingdom and not our little kingdoms anymore. It is rewarding and encouraging noting; no matter where our allegiance lies, we all have a calling and the gifts to carry it out. There really is no excuse for any of us who are alive today to feel as though our lives are worthless especially for those of us who are born again into the Kingdom of Jesus our Messiah. Let’s take a look at what Jesus says in the Book of John chapter 15 verse 16;
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye shall go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit shall remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.
Chapter 15 of the Book of John is a very powerful chapter. If we refuse Christ, we are not His, and therefore will be cut off as a branch that can bear no fruit. Yet still, if we use the calling and gifts of God through Christ, we will bear much fruit and our fruit shall remain. Serving the world with your calling and gifts without the power source is fruitless and will not last. But if we abide in Christ and He in us, then we abide in the Father as well. We will abide in His love. We also know; love is the greatest of His fruits and will last forever.
Before the foundation of the world:
Prior to coming to terms with my own calling, I wore many hats in society. Knowing since childhood that I would serve Jesus in some way with my life, I found myself in careers spanning from Criminal Justice to Retail Sales, Troubled Youth development to Christian Radio Host.
Having coached several sports and taught life guarding, CPR, First Aid classes, and coached and taught swimming, it almost looked like I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself. Little did I know, the Lord, had been preparing me for the apostleship of restoration and transformation.
He was training me in many areas to observe and work in environments necessary for His restoration. This is why I do not discard any life experiences; it behooves me to know in my spirit man that all experiences in life, great or small, good or bad, have a consequence or tangible wisdom and can be used in the calling and purpose for my pilgrimage. You would think that some higher power might be involved somewhere in all of this?
With all that said, let us look to the scriptures once more and see if we can identify more of our purpose here.
II Timothy 1:9:
Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
My life experiences I believe were purposed and planned. It is by the grace of God that when I “exited” the plan for my life, whether through being deceived by my own imagination or those around me, that I was afforded the grace to build a testimony of how not to do things and the grace to get back on the right path of life through Jesus Christ. There has been many times I have hung my head low in shame for the things I allowed myself to get involved in and praise the Lord for not giving up on a wretched sinner like me.
From the scripture reference above, we then know our calling is a holy calling, not of ourselves, but according to God’s purpose and plan. Once again I would like to point out the word “grace.” For the grace of God is to continue His work in us through Christ Jesus. I believe to whatever degree we are exercising our calling and gifts; grace is always available in abundance when we are yielded to our God through Christ Jesus and led of the Holy Spirit.
2Corrintians 12:9:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
As we all start to step out in our divine callings, we will be very appreciative of the grace afforded us especially when we have not lived as we should. I have concluded that Satan is not my worst enemy anymore, but I. It is very easy to criticize yourself for past failures and defeats, but it is here where God’s unending grace and mercy through our Lord Jesus comes in. We can understand when Apostle Paul says; “My grace is sufficient for you.” Regardless of Apostle Paul’s past mistakes and crimes against God, still the Lord had a plan for Paul’s life and did purpose him for it through the grace and mercy offered at the Cross of our salvation.
(Interesting note; I am always amazed at how the Cross of our salvation does bring us to our own cross road in life, where we have to make a choice who are we going to serve. Time to pick up our cross and follow Jesus)
“My grace is sufficient for you.” Or could we say; “by grace you will operate in your calling and not by anything you have done of yourself nor deserve.” If I received what I deserve, I would be in some hot fire. “Thank you Jesus, for forgiveness, and Your grace to not remember my past sins and disobedience.”
Romans 8:29-30
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
To foreknow someone is to have known them already. To predestinate is to pre determine a purpose or a plan. If you have already been known by God and He has given you a determined purpose then you must be called to it. In the scripture above, the Lord has determined to design us in the image of His Son, Jesus. As Jesus was sent of the Father to be the firstborn of us all, we have His example as to how to live out our calling having too been sent here with a predetermined mission. Exciting isn’t it? If you can grasp this message, you will never look the same way at anyone else again (at least not with disgust, covetousness, or envy). We are either on the path of life or off it. It’s that free will thing again.
A great brother of mine and fellow apostle; Steve Busulwa from Uganda, loves to preach the message of; “Purpose.” Apostle Steve says; “if you are still breathing, you have purpose. If you are still carrying on in life, you have purpose. If you are still eating food, you have purpose. So get about your purpose!”
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