PurposeQuest International

12/23/2025

10/27/2024

In this week's Never Too Old for Purpose, we look at ways to broadcast the wisdom God has given you.

MONDAY MEMO 1176: SHARE YOU WISDOM

There's an old adage that says, "you should respect your elders." I would agree but it's always best if an elder is respected not because of their past but because of their ongoing service to others. We read in Job that those up in years should have one important thing to give people:

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old (Job 12:12, NLT).

We need the wisdom and experience of those who have gone before us, but later in the book, a caution is issued concerning the old:

“I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice (Job 32:6-9, NLT).

Being advanced in years is no guarantee of wisdom and understanding. What's more, if someone has the wisdom and understanding, what are they doing with it? How can they make it available to others who need it? What are some ways to make one's wisdom available to those who need it?

Teaching is one way, but not just face-to-face but through technology and social media. But there's the problem, for many of those who are older are not in tune with technology while others are afraid of it and its implications. They don't want to lose their privacy. They don't wish to be "tied down" to using it regularly. They're afraid they won't do it properly and won't have enough energy or creativity to sustain their presence long term. Perhaps you share some of these concerns.

If that's not an option, then what about writing? Can you start to develop your writing skills so that you have something to say and know how to communicate it? The most important point in all this is to accept that you do have wisdom to share but you must be passionate, desperate even, to share it. If you have that attitude, then you'll find ways to broadcast what you have, perhaps teaming up with a younger person who can keep you current on how to use technology while you provide the content. If you don't want to write, then find every teaching opportunity that you can.

So what's it going to be? Will you sit in a rocking chair, wishing that someone would respect your gray hair, or will you give them a reason to sit up and take notice that you have something to say? I know for me, I plan on being active and sharing my lessons that my gray hair have brought me. I invite you to join me in that venture, no matter your age. Have a blessed week!

10/24/2024

This week's lesson from Judges looks at a woman named Deborah, who was a judge in Israel.

PURPOSE STUDY BIBLE 261: NO APOLOGIES

Israel had entered a new season in their history with God when people referred to as judges led them and handled their disputes:

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided (Judges 4:4-5).

In these verses, we see that God appointed a woman named Deborah to be Israel's judge, a married woman who was also a prophet. We don't know anything about her husband, but we know a lot about her or at least we have one story to consider during her stint as a judge.

God's purpose for each individual is sovereign. He has His own reasons for choosing who He chooses and He explains Himself to no one. In this case, He chose a woman to lead the people, and that woman had already distinguished herself as a prophet. God obviously didn't care that she was a woman, and He did not assign another woman after her to be a judge as far as we know.

God can assign you a role that your culture or even your church usually assigns to someone of the opposite s*x. A woman can lead, a man can work with children, a woman can build, a man can nurture or counsel. If God isn't concerned about your gender when He gives you your gifts and purpose, then you shouldn't be concerned either. Just be who God made you to be.

What has God assigned you to do? Are you hesitant to do it because others think it is inappropriate according to their customs and standards? Then perhaps God wants you to go where you will be appropriate and accepted and that's why you are experiencing opposition where you are now? The bottom line is God won't apologize for His choices, so it's best you get on with the plan and do what God wants you to do.

10/20/2024

Let's look at the end of David's life in this week's lesson from our 'Never Too Old for Purpose' series.

MONDAY MEMO 1175: TO THE END

As David grew old, we read this about his physical condition:

Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with garments, but he could not keep warm. So his servants said to him,“Have them search for a young virgin for my lord the king, and have her attend the king and become his nurse; and have her lie on your chest, so that my lord the king may keep warm. So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not become intimate with her (1 Kings 1:1-4, NASB).

While David's staff was tending to his personal needs, one of David's sons tried to take over the kingdom:

Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, with fifty men to run before him. And his father had never rebuked him at any time by asking, “Why have you done so?” And he was also a very handsome man, and he was born after Absalom (1 Kings 1:5-6, NASB).

We know that David was quite lax in his paternal duties throughout his life. First Absalom tried to sn**ch the kingdom by force and many people died in the battle resisting his efforts, including Absalom himself. Then Adonijah tried his hand at treason and was almost successful. What's my reason for sharing this story? As we look to conclude the 'Never Too Old for Purpose' series, this story reminds us that we all have purpose work to do right up to the end.

Yes, your physical needs may change and require more attention as you age, but you still have a purpose to fulfill and things to create. And depending on your purpose, you may have matters pertaining to your legacy that require your attention.

Who will continue doing what you do after your gone? Is your last will and testament complete? Have you said all that needs to be said to your family members? And what about recording or writing a short autobiography that includes the highlights and possible low-lights of your life?

The good news in this story is that Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan set a plan in motion to bring David to his senses so that Solomon and not Adonijah would be king. In the same way, it's never too late for you to set your affairs in order and make a difference in God's plan for things to happen while you're still here and after you're gone.

While you tend to ailments and conditions common to old age, don't ignore the things that God would have you do that only you can do. Make it your goal to make a difference right up to the end and leave something behind that God can use, if He so chooses, as a foundation and guiding light for those yet to come. Have a blessed week!

10/17/2024

In this week's lesson, we look at the presence of God's Spirit then and now.

PURPOSE STUDY BIBLE 260: SPIRIT POWER

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God came upon certain people to help them accomplish specific purposeful tasks:

The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war (Judged 3:10).

In this case, the Spirit came on Caleb's brother to successfully lead the people to freedom. Now in the Pentecost era, the Spirit doesn't come on a select few like He did back then. He comes upon all who call on the name of the Lord and put their faith in the finished work of Christ. But He doesn't come just to deliver and preserve us from sin. He comes to empower us to live a creative and purposeful life.

The Spirit also comes to "lead you into all the truth: (John 16:13). That is not just doctrinal truth but the truth of who you are, who God made you to be. The Spirit reveals to you your gifts and your purpose, and then guides you into the ways you can utilize and fulfill them—if that's what you want. If not, you will have access to all kinds of Spirit power but won't be utilizing it.

Are you living a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life? Are you achieving things that verify the Spirit is with you, giving you victory in the goals you set and your purpose for life? Is your creativity full of Spirit presence? Are there any obstacles to this life of power, things like doubt, small thinking, or ignorance of God's purpose for your life? The same Spirit that raised Christ back to life dwells in you. Make sure you make the most of His presence as you live a life of creative purpose.

10/13/2024

Here is my vacation edition of this week's 'Never Too Old for Purpose' lesson that looks at Jacob's encounter with his sons and grandsons before he died.

MONDAY MEMO 1174: YOUR LEGACY

The book of Genesis tells the story of one family and their journey from the land of Canaan to the land of promise and ending with them in Egypt. Of the three men—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—we learn more about Jacob than anyone else as we follow him from his birth to his death. Jacob left not only a legacy of land, which he distributed to his sons, but also left a legacy of words that blessed and directed his sons and grandsons. First he blessed Joseph's sons:

Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them (Genesis 48:10).

Then he blessed Joseph:

Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers. And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow" (Genesis 48:21-23).

It's wonderful to leave a financial legacy for those coming after you, but it's even better to provide a spiritual one. Jacob or as God renamed him, Israel, did both. He left land (a bit more to his favorite son Joseph—he played favorites to the end) and then made a faith prediction that Joseph would return to the land of his fathers. We learn in the book of Joshua that return occurred 200 years later when Joseph's descendants buried his bones in this extra ridge of land that Jacob mentioned.

The title of this series is "Never Too Old for Purpose' and God used Jacob up to the very end. Do you want God to do the same with you? What kind of legacy are you leaving for those who remain after you're gone? Do you have a clear testimony written or recorded as part of your last will and testament?

Are you looking for opportunities to bless others in your latter days, especially encouraging them by sharing what you see to be their strengths and perhaps even their destiny in God's plan? What more can you do to focus on the well-being and needs of others instead of your own as you enter the last segment of your life?

Often your own physical needs can increase as you age, but if you determine to be a blessing and to bless, you will be able to focus on being a blessing even while your energy wanes. Do what you can with what you have to leave at least a legacy of kind words and thoughts as you face your inevitable role of passing on your testimony and knowledge of God to those who can benefit from it after you're gone.

10/12/2024

The Stanko Academy is almost done, but I need your help to finish the job. Please consider a gift toward the Matching Grant today. BLESSINGS!