Many people live and die never knowing or fulfilling their purpose and destiny in life. Hidden deep in the heart of God are keys to fulfilling the multi-dimensional life plan that involves a very specific assignment uniquely designed for each one of us. Unlocking the secret of how to live out our life and purpose in three dimensions involves multiple components. Knowing our destiny - or simply our destination, taking dominion over disappointment and discouragement, ruling in life as stewards of the truth, expressing our priesthood as followers of Jesus, and demonstrating the kingdom of God in the earth. The Dream Key: Defining Moments and Prophetic Encounters The Definition Key: Knowing Your Identity and Finding Your Voice The Development Key: Unlocking Your Potential for Positioning The Discipline Key: Knowing the Times and Seasons The Demonstration Key: Taking Dominion of Your FutureThe study of biblical, historical and contemporary leaders reveals the disturbing fact that few leaders finish well. Studies show that there are key barriers that can exist in the life of the leader that contribute to downfall and, if we desire to finish well, we must be aware of them. While leadership failure will continue to be a reality in our societies, there are key traits that we can identify and develop from those leaders who have finished well, who have left a legacy to contribute to the success of we who follow. The application of these characteristics, coupled with strong spiritual disciplines, is the focal point for all leaders who desire to finish well, and not be disqualified for service.
Destiny Keys
Unlocking Your Future, Favor and AssignmentBy Wade ThompsonAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Wade Thompson
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-4772-3Contents
Introduction....................................................................xiiiPreface.........................................................................xvThe Dream Key...................................................................1Defining Moments & Prophetic Encounters.........................................1The Power of Personal Vision....................................................1Purveyors of Hope...............................................................5Find Your Passion! Find Your Path!..............................................9The Passion Cycle: The Economic Engine for Your Dream...........................16Purpose & Position: Knowing Your Prophetic Destiny..............................19Equipping the Church to Fulfill Her Purpose.....................................23Chapter One Take-a-Ways.........................................................26The Definition Key..............................................................27Knowing Your Identity and Finding Your Voice....................................27Searching for Identity..........................................................27Crossing Over — Breaking Old Cycles.......................................32Identity & Direction — Moving Into God's Now Time!........................37'Connecting the Dots' for Kingdom Living........................................47Chapter Two Take-a-Ways.........................................................52The Development Key.............................................................55Unlocking the Potential for Positioning.........................................55Emotional Intelligence — Accessing Kingdom Power..........................55Unlocking Potential — The Need for Mentors................................64Expanding Your Borders — Character Development............................70Chapter Three Take-a-Ways.......................................................82The Discipline Key..............................................................85Knowing the Times and the Seasons...............................................85Spheres of Influence — Measure of Rule....................................85Alignment — Setting Priorities............................................95The Power of Agreement — Breaking the Orphan Spirit.......................116The Issachar Leader — Eternal Purpose and Perspective.....................123Chapter Four Take-a-Ways........................................................128The Demonstration Key...........................................................129Taking Dominion of Your Future..................................................129Destiny Patterns — Unlocking Favor and Life Purpose.......................129Destiny Keys — Crossing New Thresholds....................................136Finishing Well — I Will Not Be Disqualified!..............................145Chapter Five Take-a-Ways........................................................149End Notes.......................................................................151
Chapter One
The Dream Key Defining Moments & Prophetic Encounters
"Opposition to our dream is the building block for our destiny." Wade Thompson
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"I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord; they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11
The Power of Personal Vision
Vision is a very powerful force in the life of any individual. Psychologist and author, Victor E. Frankl explores this in his writing, Man's Search for Meaning. Frankl writes of his experience as a Jewish prisoner in the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, Poland during World War II. In the midst of despair and hopelessness, he realized it would be his vision of the future which would sustain him and help him survive this hell on earth. Even as he contemplated ending his life, he was suddenly propelled into a vision of his future – he saw himself on a stage at a prestigious university delivering his latest work to a group of university professors on the psychology of the concentration camp. He realized his vision of the future provided the one thing that would see him through this ordeal ... there was still something significant for him to accomplish in his future.
Frankl's writings give credit to the power of God's eternal purpose placed in us from birth when he states, "Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it."
Author and futurist Joel Barker in his film The Power of Vision demonstrates the power of vision and the influence each of us has on the people we touch by telling the story of a young man running on the beach throwing starfish into the ocean. Amazed at the young man's work, an onlooker asked, "Why are you spending your time throwing these starfish into the sea? There are so many of them, you can't possibly make a difference." To the bewilderment of the onlooker, the young man then turned, picked up a single starfish, and throwing it into the breaking waves, he made a most profound statement, "It made a difference for that one!"
Barker states, "Vision is the result of dreams in action, it is the ability of leaders to paint a compelling image of the future, and what each of us must think about, dream and actively pursue, is our vision of the future."
This same principle applies to corporations, families, schools, communities, and the Church (a covenant community). If it works for nations, it will work for individuals. To ford the raging rivers of change, which will test our faith, fortitude and belief system, we must see beyond today. Vision of the future will provide the anchor to bring us safely and securely to our destination.
For centuries leaders have struggled with the definition of vision. In man's entire search for meaning and purpose, God has been there with us and placed these powerful principles in His word. The essence of vision is defined in Proverbs 29:18, "Without a vision, people perish, but happy is he who keeps the law." (KJV) "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy." The Message states, "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals they are most blessed." This implies when people, organizations, nations have no clear vision or purpose they begin to define their outlook only for the moment and never gain a perspective of their future; therefore they do not move forward toward their destiny.
In contrast, those who open their hearts to His divine purpose and leading will experience the favor, kindness, and power of a patient and loving Lord and Savior who is desperately waiting for us to yield our will and nature to his purposes.
Pastor and author Andy Stanley states in his book Visioneering, "Our vision should solve a problem." It should also answer the needs of society and provide solutions to the issues facing our generation, along with providing direction for others to follow.
At some point our vision must become a mandate, enlisting the ownership of Believers who can take that mandate (which has now become theirs) into the work-place and the communities in which they live and work.
The critical need in any organization today is bold leadership. It is my strong belief that within every Believer is the ability to lead ... every member is a minister. Pulpit leaders are charged with equipping and releasing market-place ministers to express their gifts and priesthood in their sphere of influence. Each of us has the God-given ability to influence and lead others to fulfill their God-given purpose and assignment in life.
There are three levels of experience, evident in the lives of those who are seeking to walk in the truth of God's word, and follow the plan He has formed since before our birth. In the book Building Leaders, John Malphurs describes the process of how the future unfolds as growth takes place in three phases of development as Believers. Progressing from seekers to believers, believers to followers, followers to leaders, the Believers are able to move into their future by fully expressing their faith through their spiritual gifts.
The psalmist and seer David writes so powerfully in Psalm 139:16, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
Every individual has latent potential which can only be uncorked by following the Master's plan for his or her life, and then trusting Him to reveal each step along the way. Unlocking the future cannot be accomplished alone. Each person must be determined to understand his or her own assignment and finish well. The input of mentors and teachers along the way must be valued and sought after (addressed more detail in the chapter entitled "The Development Key.")
Developing and maintaining personal vision requires discipline and a continued focus on the horizon. Throughout a lifetime, achieving vision will provide the ability to navigate the permanent white-water of change and embrace the challenges of growth, bringing an evermore-complete awareness of His supernatural favor and guidance.
The psalmist declares in Psalms 119:105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". (KJV) God's word alone enables the next step to be seen, with just a glimpse into the future path. For the Believer, this essential truth provides the confidence necessary to follow our dreams.
Purveyors of Hope
Leaders are purveyors of hope, walking first through the levels of growth described earlier (seekers/believers/followers/leaders). Faith in God's promise for the future ultimately becomes a beacon of hope, demonstrating to those who watch that it is indeed possible to know God's plan for one's life, and live out His purpose with courage and confidence.
It takes courage to go after your dream! Christian author and writer Jamie Buckingham once stated, "We should be doing things so big, that the only way it will happen is if God show's up." If our dream is within our power to fulfill, then why should God bother to be involved?
Throughout Biblical and world history the power of personal vision has been ignited by one individual who dared to believe God for the impossible. As Christian leaders it is imperative to demonstrate the power of vision for those who follow (and will ultimately surpass the leader as they develop fully into their own spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills). Eventually what the follower learns by observing the mentor will open doors for him or her to fulfill his or her role in life. Leaders are responsible to set vision in the Church, which is a covenant community charged with stewarding God's kingdom principles and shifting the power base of culture to bring a redemptive lift in people's lives.
Like yeast in dough, its purpose – as the church, is to permeate the potential bread. Jesus states this truth in his parable found in Matthew 13:33, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour the yeast permeated every part of the dough."
Looking at the problems facing the nations of the earth, the commission of the church may seem overwhelming. It may become tempting to compare the vastness of problems with the seeming smallness and insignificance of our life in the sea of humanity. What sets us apart from the world? As a covenant community of priests, we carry the power and the presence of God by faith in Christ Jesus to bring hope, reconciliation and redemption to people who are desperately searching for solutions.
In many cases where the Church is impacting society, the benefits of being a part of the Church are greater than those of being a citizen of the nation in which one lives. Nations are in search of solutions; the Church should be leading the nations into their future by demonstrating the life-giving truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its ability to change lives and transform the culture.
No matter how strong personal and corporate vision may be, the culture of a nation, city, or people group will always overpower and trump the vision. Every culture operates on a value system. Those values are deeply embedded in the thinking of the people, and unless someone brings change and drives it deep into the value system, the culture will remain unchanged. This principle applies in the local Church, in business, in education and in government. The Church is charged with penetrating culture and then imparting Kingdom principles into people and places where we work and live. Leaders must build what Joel Barker calls the vision community, where vision is detailed and inspiring. A vision should enlist others, and create a clear picture of the future.
Michael Fletcher, in his book Breaking Growth Barriers states, "A dream is only fantasy until faith ignites the dream to propel us forward into our future." Fletcher addresses what he calls the three-fold law of vision ... articulation, communication, and mobilization. Leaders must recognize and address the tension which exists within the process of bringing people to new levels of growth. Then with the power of his or her voice the leader points people to their future. But this requires the leader to recognize what Mr. Fletcher calls growth tensions and to leverage them to bring the change needed for personal and corporate growth.
In the Gospel of John 10:1-16, Jesus relates himself as the shepherd to those who follow him. He is speaking of watching over the sheep to make sure they are going into their future, and his sheep recognize His voice. It is the power of the prophetic in the life of the Believer that generates purpose and ignites passion for the future. The single most powerful difference between the Bible and the books of all other religions is fulfilled prophecy – of over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus, all have been fulfilled except one – His imminent return and rule here on the earth, with those who have been cleansed and made new by the shedding of His blood on the cross. Jesus referred to these prophecies of himself many times during His ministry on Earth. Why? To authenticate His purpose, and to help people understand that His authority came from the Father above and not from himself.
In Luke 24:17-34, following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the account of meeting two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus (seven miles outside of Jerusalem) is colorfully described. Discouraged and disappointed, the disciples did not recognize this stranger who had joined them on their journey back to their routine of life. As they pondered the events of the past week, Jesus recognized their doubts and questions about himself, then quoted passages from Moses and the prophets explaining to them what the scriptures had said about him. After these two men invited Jesus to stay and eat with them, Jesus revealed himself to them and disappeared before their eyes. In Luke 24:32, we find what an encounter with Jesus produces in a life when the two disciples stated, "Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?" Ignited with the passion and power of the prophetic voice they ran back seven miles to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples of their encounter with Jesus.
What happened in the life of Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus was an encounter with the reality of Christ Himself and the fulfillment of His prophetic destiny. That encounter broke the patterns of religious thinking and behavior and opened a window of revelation for their future. Faith was imparted by the power of God's Word and its eternal relevance to the events of their time, visually lived out and demonstrated in the life of Jesus as He walked this earth.
Jesus imparted this powerful sense of destiny into his disciples and all those impacted by his life and ministry, evidenced by his words to Satan when tempted in the wilderness. He quoted Moses' words in Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." (KJV) What sustained Jesus through his ministry of three and half years was his passion and focus to hear His Father's voice, do the will of God as it was revealed and to finish His appointed task in its entirety.
Find Your Passion! Find Your Path!
"Passion is the birthplace of a dream, the trailhead of a new path God wants us to follow." Bill and Kathy Peel
To fulfill assignment and destiny, knowing and understanding one's purpose is vital. To know and understand purpose, we must first be able to identify our passion in life. What ignites our passion? Many people have asked me, "How do I know my purpose in life?" I pass on two very important keys to unlocking purpose: First ask yourself, what am I passionate about? Second, if you want to know what your purpose and potential are, start serving others in society. Spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills are discovered, activated and demonstrated through serving others.
It is often other people who recognize our own hidden potential. Each person needs someone to help unlock potential and activate those gifts and abilities; this is why it is essential for key mentors to be given access to speak into our lives. Wilderness experiences, times of wandering, serving others and anonymous years are necessary preparations for our purpose.
It is not enough just to know the mechanics of ministry and service to others, it is living out of a passionate heart to demonstrate God's purpose and fulfill our God-given assignment in the earth that crafts the brokenness needed to serve God and others effectively. People want to follow a broken leader. They want to hear brokenness in the voice of their leader and need assurance that the leader understands what they are feeling and that he or she can identify with the difficulty of change.
The fight to fulfill purpose, to move toward the future, and then tenaciously hold the ground taken must be intentional. The enemy of our soul is absolutely determined to destroy futures and eliminate the ability to influence our generation with the power of God's word.
Chuck Pierce in his book Prayers That Outwit the Enemy equates passion with the word "path", which actually is the root word for passion or pathway. Passion can be simply linked to our path. The god of this world can cause us to be passive on our path and then our passion for God becomes misdirected. Passivity will cause us to quit resisting, and to become indifferent to the condition of our nation, our neighbors, our community and our culture. Dr. Pierce states, "Passion is a powerful controlling sentiment that can overwhelm our state of mind and influence our actions, for good or bad." Passion is morally neutral; our path is determined by what passion will produce!
Thom Raines in his book Breakout Churches sites one of his staff members John Ewart who states, "Passion is hard to define, but I know it when I see it." Thom gives us a relevant picture of a Church that has lost her purpose, which has affected her passion to evangelize and without evangelism the Church ceases to grow! He lists the types of leaders described in Acts, found in the first seven chapters (see below). This is a list from the Acts 6/7 Leaders or legacy leaders that empowered others to fulfill their purpose and assignment in the Kingdom and in society.
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Excerpted from Destiny Keysby Wade Thompson Copyright © 2009 by Wade Thompson. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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