What Is Our Christian Purpose?: Unplugging from the World Wide Web and Developing Christ Within Us

By Kari Quijas

The book originated from a midweek Bible study. My husband and I have the honor of working with new converts to Christianity. I kept seeing a trend of them being uncertain of their role in the kingdom of heaven. They could not see within themselves what was so easy for me to see: future Bible teachers, music, Sunday school teachers, evangelist, and other home missionaries, like my husband and myself. It was my desire to see them move forward and develop their own natural gifts. The book was to inspire them to believe in themselves and to get out of their comfort, safe place (of what they were already familiar with), get out of the boat, and walk to Jesus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973635246

Kari Quijas

Kari Quijas is a Radiology Mammographer and a Pastor's wife. She and her husband, Frank, live in San Jose, California with her three daughters, Brittany, Micah and Christa Bella.

Book preview

My Prayer for the Reader

My prayer for you is that the Lord God will enable you to become everything you were meant to become, in Jesus’ name. I pray that our Lord will richly bless you with all His kingdom knowledge and His eternal truths. Colossians 2:6-15.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

— Colossians 2:6-15 (Apostle Paul’s Prayer for the Colossian Church)

Purpose of the Book

"Then saith he unto his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

— Jesus Christ, (Matthew 9:37-38)

The above reference from Matthew 9:37-38, is the best prayer you can say as a soul winner. Father, in Jesus’ name, send forth laborers into the harvest. The thought behind this work was a midweek Bible study in 2017, Developing Your Christian Purpose. Frank and I had been pastoring since 2008, and we saw a continual theme: Now that we’ve had this Christian conversion, now what?

Pastoring in the 21st Century

We could easily see future pastors, evangelists, Bible study teachers, Sunday school teachers, greeters, altar workers, etc., but we needed for them to see it in themselves. That was not an easy process, because the world was really pressing for their time, attention, and affection. Other events would begin to seem more entertaining than going to church every Sunday, such as soccer, baseball and football games, baby showers, and barbecues.

Their internal wrestling was along this line: Why should I develop myself spiritually when I can have fun right now, physically amongst family and friends?

If we didn’t connect the new believers to a mission, vision, or purpose, we would lose them to the world which they had just come from, or were familiar with. It only took one missed service to become three missed services; to an entire month missed; then they were gone. I once heard a pastor share, I have discovered they go from sitting in the front, to the middle of the congregation, then to the back pews, and then right out the door.

Sadly, many walk away before developing their callings, or gifts of the Spirit of God. Look at this scripture,

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

— I Corinthians 12:4-11

It says administrations and operations by God’s Spirit to profit not just themselves in personal fulfillment, but to profit others in their ministerial gifts. The 21st Century church has been cocooned into pew warmers and tithe payers. They believe they are there to listen and to give. There is so much more to their mission than that.

Each person in the church needs to find that sacred position that God is calling them to. We must learn the spiritual world, and exercise discernment, (Hebrews 5:14), which only comes through steadfast faithfulness, and a committed pursuit. I’m not speaking of just the elements of education, knowledge, and developing their own personal testimony, but a full intellectual and emotional surrender to God. (see: Romans 6:16).

As adults we were so used to calling the shots. New believers needed to learn how to inquire of the LORD for themselves. We all had to re-learn Fatherhood and sonhood, or daughterhood - the idea that our lives were not our own, but belonged to Him.

From Sinner to Saint

The transformation from sinner to saint is delicate and fragile; but, it is a process that yields bountiful fruit, or what the Scriptures say are great rewards. The new believers are Born-Again...miraculously a second time of water (baptism) in Jesus name, and the Spirit of God; (see: Acts 2:37-43); which is glorious!

For the full thought on the Born Again experience, see the Gospel of John, chapter three. The LORD then supernaturally imparts to them His seal of adoption, (see: II Corinthians 1:22) - declaring in the spiritual realm the (invisible world) and natural (world around us) that they, (the new believers), are His! As and being His children are now under God’s heavenly protection; bestowed with all the benefits given to them. This is called a Christian conversion. Yes, it’s emotional and vulnerable - it’s profoundly exhilarating! God is saying over and over in the scriptures, I love you, you are mine; you are beloved! Our Heavenly Father then places new garments upon His children…He covers them. Their old life is now dead; and their sins are washed in the blood of Calvary! Their real identity and purpose for their birth is manifested in relationship and ministry.

Healing in the Process of Christian Conversion

The idea of sonship to new believers was challenging if they came from a dysfunctional family or multiple unhealthy relationships with partners or friends. Many went out of the frying pan and into the fire of bad relations their entire life. The world had called them scarring names, (which I cannot even mention in print), and it had left its mark as if their body, mind, and soul. They had been inundated for years with put downs and insults. They were programmed to believe they were nothing; that they had no worth or value in this life. Many were told that no one cared about them or loved them, over and over. If you come from a functional, healthy family, thank God for that.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

— Psalm 27:10-14 (by King David)

Remember this: before David was Israel’s king, he was his family’s NOTHING.

Many, MANY, Christian brothers and sister know Psalm 27:10 as their life verse. In it they found the strength and hope to believe that God would pick them up. God would not cast them off, nor forsake them.

We had to get the new believer to believe what God thought about them: they were valuable and precious in His sight; and that when they went through the baptism waters, they had put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27), all the old things had passed away! (see: II Corinthians 5:17).

My husband and I shared with the new believers that their lives now had purpose; they were not what others thought of them, but what God thought of them. The LORD had known them in their mother’s womb, and they existed by His divine will. They were not darkness, even though their former lives had been, but light.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

— I Thessalonians 5:5

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." — Ephesians 5:8

My goal was to help other hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21).

Dear reader, enter gentle, personal evangelism. Allow God to blow upon the embers of a fire that is slowly going out. Be renewed. I truly feel that once you take the first step, you will blossom and go further into helping others. As you branch out and learn to touch other people’s lives, you will discover how rewarding it is. Somehow, gentle, personal evangelism transforms you into something else: a bold and contagious Christian who loves others and has a sense of the joy of the LORD.

It’s time to take a chance on God.

I Have Peace with God,

Our Risen King!

By Kari Ouijas

I see the wind stream gently by the tree limbs dancing in a silhouette of golden sun. I rest and sit awhile and ponder the Word of God.

I opened my window and looked out and I feel the soft breeze upon my face. The pages of my Holy Bible turn powered by the foretold hands of fate. A calm rushes over me as I listen to the rustling sound; my senses are heightened, I am alive, and I have peace with God!

God’s evident beauty is all around me, the birds sing a sweet melody of His praise. I tune my spiritual ears so I may hear the glorious hallelujahs above my head and high into the heavens, above the stars and atmosphere into another dimension.

Invisible to the natural eye, and yet perceived by the Redeemed, the graceful cloud of witnesses cheering supernaturally ahead, Keep going. We are for you. It is all going to be worth it. And I take courage, though this world is so dark and ferocious to God’s subjects.

I think and ponder old Christian song books that sit dusty upon a shelf. Hymnals delivered from the angels of old scribed of another time; many songs humanity has since forgotten.

But we shall hear them again and remember somewhere from deep within, till at last my trophies I shall lay down. Our Heavenly Father’s voice sounds of the mighty waters; Enter in. My Beloved children, enter into your rest!

Hallelujah and praise be to God, for He has done it all! Oh, praise Him. Praise Him all you saints of God! Praise Him, beloved children of Christ: Gentiles and Jew, rejoice! We have stood faithful to our Beloved Shepherd despite the threat and fear of harm.

The terrifying tempest of this world cannot quench God’s abounding love and care for the Children of the Day. We have held on to His hand and walked in the example that He gave. We have mortified our flesh, and died out to our self! Buried with Him in baptism, we have put on Christ. Ardent and true, just as He promised. God’s Spirit has led us all the way; persecution and sufferings are no more; the earth is rolled away.

The Kingdom of God Almighty’s Gates of Pearl swing wide open for the souls of men - the Shekinah glory of His presence and encompassing love beckoning us to come in! Our labor, He has not forgotten. Our sacrifices of love for Him were sweet. Oh death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55).

A glistening, glorious white robe of God’s righteousness, our Father will drape across the Faithful, and a golden ring of His sonship He will place upon our finger, for we were unfeigned to our Beloved through all the trials and temptations.

On earth, God gave us His commandments, judgments, statutes, and precepts; they were all in their place. And they were meant to be our guide, to empower us with all His wisdom and give us strength to overcome the temptation of each day. And they did. How wonderful to know Him to be true.

I know His heavenly truth! I know it deep within that I have this great peace with God, my Champion and my Risen King. I beckon to you today, Come and have peace with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Part 1

The Holy Bible

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Chapter 1

Guarding the Lantern of Purest Light

In the days when men of valor still guarded kings, a peaceful kingdom lay silent and dark beneath the stars. The ruler of that kingdom was kind and strong of heart. It was this good man’s charge to guard the Lantern of Purest Light, the lamp that brought peace and joy to his kingdom.

— Jennie Bishop, The Squire and the Scroll

If you will allow me to lay a foundation …

The first chapter is about how important the Holy Bible is to me. The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit, (See: Ephesians 6:17), and if you are going to embark on this journey of purpose and Christian faith you will need to be equipped with understanding what you hold in your hand. It is said to be the only offensive weapon in our heavenly protection.

The Sword of God’s Holy Spirit cuts both ways! It applies to every person on earth, rich or poor; sinner and saint; minister or layperson. There are blessings and cursings inside the text, so you need to fully understand what you wield in your hands. The Holy Bible is extremely sacred. It is the most precise manual to help humanity make it to heaven. Want to know what God feels about any topic? Open His Word.

There is no question on heaven, earth, or beneath that has not been discussed in great length. The details of His kingdom are spelled out; even its foundations, measurements, and building materials. The intensity of hell’s abyss is fully explained. If you are going to contend for the faith, you need to know what it is first. (see: Jude 1:3).

The Word is powerful - it brings life into the soul; it shines light into the darkness and reveals truth. Truth today is sometimes hard to receive in our culture, nevertheless, Jesus Christ said,

…Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

— Luke 11:28 (b)

My desire is that by sharing how important the Christian Holy Bible is, you will begin to see it for yourself; to reverence it and respect it; read it every day for instruction in righteousness, direction, and counsel.

Practice, and learn how to use your Sword! Rely on it, take it with you wherever you go.

The Beauty of the Word of God

There is beauty and poetry inside the delicate pages of the Christian Holy Bible. It is special, different than any other book - ancient, yet extremely relative to today. To understand your divine purpose, you must read and study the Holy Bible. Memorization of the scripture, will guide you when you reach places that you are uncertain about. Jesus Christ quoted the Word three times in the wilderness when he was tempted by Satan. After the battle, Satan fled, and angels came and ministered to the LORD, strengthening Him. (See: Matthew 4:1-11). God speaks to us through His Word. (see: II Timothy 3:16).

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

— II Timothy 3:14-17

The Greatest Library of Wisdom

It is said to be a library of books. The Holy Bible is a collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, interwoven together to be one. From chapter to chapter, and from century to century it has been proven to have no contradictions, no errors - it is perfect beyond human capability! Today, it is still the best-selling book and has demonstrated over and over to be able to speak life inside the lives of the unregenerated, or churn the fires of the cold saint of God. It has fulfilled thousands of prophecies, and still more to come.

The History of our World (Superstitions)

There was once a time when mankind thought the world was flat, the LORD said, It is a sphere, which I have hung into the heavens. (See: Job 26:7; Isaiah 40:22). When early physicians felt to drain man’s blood to remove a fever, or expel a disease, the LORD told them, "The life was in the blood." (See: Leviticus 17:11-14). The Bible speaks of the importance of washing our hands in running water, in Leviticus 15:13, as opposed to a basin with still water in it. The Bible describes, paths in the seas. (See: Psalm 8:8). We know them today as currents. (See: Maury’s Routes) There is a statue of the oceanographer, Matthew Maury, with his Bible by his side. In Job 38:35, the Bible speaks of light and radio waves being sent