Beyond the Gift: Ascending to Your Life’s Assignment

By James Osbert Browne Jr

God is not impressed by what He gave us in the form of our gifts and talents, but He is impressed by what we do with the deposit He has invested in us. In our world today, society celebrates the person who is gifted. That person may be a great athlete or a master musician. However, what impresses people does not impress God, because He is the one who gave the gift in the first place.

Every human being on the planet was born with a unique, God-given ability to arrive at their purpose in life. In other words, you are gifted for the assignment that is on your life. The problem in our world is that many people just arrive at their gifts but never make it to the otherside of their destiny and assignmnet. This book is design to show you how to get to the otherside of who you were born to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664254206

James Osbert Browne Jr

James O Browne is a motivational speaker, trainer, coach, and author who brings to his audience a unique life-changing message of inspiration and hope. He is the Founder and President of the Encourage Enterprise and Encourage Outreach Ministry, both organizations dedicated to building characters and shaping leaders for the management of the earth’s resources. James has occupied several leadership positions throughout his career which has allowed him to learn some of the most valuable lessons about life and leadership. James has had the privilege of speaking to and training church leaders, executives, and government officials on the subject of leadership and team building. However, James finds his passion in empowering the next generation of leaders. James has dedicated decades of hours to reading and research in order to help leaders improve their personal leadership and that of others. He has acquired a degree and certifications in Business Administration and Leadership Studies and has been trained by the John Maxwell Institution. James believes the problems in the world stem from a misguided leadership philosophy and therefore hardly ever refuse the opportunity to impart wisdom into the lives of others to bring about a change. James currently resides in Canada and is married to Blondelle Browne and fathers three children Joel, Jahbari, and Joy-Marie Browne.

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Edited by: Kerri-Ann Haye-Donawa

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New

International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by

Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English

Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible,

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5421-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5420-6 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/12/2021

Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Foreword

Endorsements

James Browne Bio

Preface

Chapter 1     A Gift Is Born

Chapter 2     Surviving The Wilderness Of Your Gift

Chapter 3     God Has His Own Training Strategy

Chapter 4     Become Planted In Your Area Of Gifting

Chapter 5     Great Things Always Begin In Dark Places

Chapter 6     There Is Room In The Sky So You Can Fly

Chapter 7     Time To Ascend

Chapter 8     The Promised Land And Your Assignment

Chapter 9     The Big Three

Chapter 10   Half-Time

Chapter 11   Mentoring The Next Generation

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge my Savior. Lord and King Jesus Christ for his saving grace and for the opportunity to be used as an instrument of his to represent is Kingdom.

To my older brother Nigel A. Browne, I consider you a true leader and unsung hero; you have always believed in me and never once made me feel that my dreams were too big. I can see further because I stand on your shoulders.

To my one and only sister, silent but steady, you have always kept me grounded you truly see in black and white lol.

To my Mother Valerie Browne (R.I.P) and my Father James Browne Senior I am forever grateful for your nature and your nurture you did your best with the limited resources you had but your lessons and examples were timeless

To my beloved wife, thank you for accepting to walk alongside me through my seasons of development you gave me the opportunity to grow, change, make mistakes, dream and become the man that I am today.

To my close friends Gareth Forbes, Ricky Browne and Quincy Richardson for the many late nights you have listened to my story and your continued encouragement. You kept the seed alive in me, you were truly my sound board. You gave me the time and the attention to speak out my thoughts.

Dedication

This Gift is dedicated to my wife Blondelle and our

three children Joel, Jahbari and Joy-Marie

A generation needs your Talents, your gifts and your assignments

Ascend the skies that were prepared for you.

Love your Father James Osbert Browne Jr

Foreword

BEYOND THE GIFT

As an academic dean and professor, I am often approached by students who have a book idea or want to turn either their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation into a publication. While I am more than happy to assist them in their endeavors, few of these dreams ultimately materialize, often due to pastoral or familial responsibilities. With James, the situation was entirely different. Rather than alerting me about his ambitions, he arrived in my office with a manuscript; rather than trying to balance pastoral or familial responsibilities with writing he infused pastoral and familial sensibilities into his writing. And thus, with great joy I happily commend this volume to you, the reader.

Within modern Christianity, and especially within Pentecostal or Charismatic circles, there exists much discussion about what gifts or giftings entail—specifically, what they are, how to obtain them, and whether they are intrinsically related to one’s salvation. While James’ monograph does touch upon these topics, his vantage point and ultimate claim are fundamentally different than current discussion within these gift-oriented traditions. For James, while everyone is born with one or more gifts, these giftings are not necessarily tied to God’s ultimate purpose in our lives. For example, King David was a gifted musician. His gift of music got him into the vicinity of the palace; God’s ultimate purpose elevated him to kingship, at which point he lacked the necessity to rely upon his gift. Similarly, Joseph was an interpreter of dreams; yet, when elevated to his position as the sustainer of the known world, he too no longer required the use of this gift. In fact, James is quite clear about this Scripturally-grounded trajectory of the proper human life: he states, when you go up, you must give up the gifts, and submit yourself to God’s ultimate call on your life, which he calls your assignment.

The implications of James’ conception of a human life well-lived before God are manifold. While we necessarily must exercise our various gift throughout our human lives, we must recognize that they are for the benefit of the Body of Christ. Moreover, we should be cognizant that we should not pursue gifts for their own sake, nor develop a gift beyond what is necessary. Rather, the gifts are a means to a greater end. Within an ecclesial context, the gifts are not for individual spirituality, but rather, for the perfecting of the members so that the Body can build up itself in love (Eph. 4:7-16). Within a personal context, gifts are not to establish a career or trajectory centered around the gift, but rather, a vehicle to transport individuals into alien environments—a shepherd boy into a palace to become a king or the transformation of a prisoner into the sustainer of human life in Egypt and beyond.

Ultimately, this volume is a refreshing approach to a perennially discussed topic, and to be sure, deserves a seat at the table of pastoral resources probing the relationship between spiritual gifts and the meaning/purpose of Christian service. Sidestepping many of the common theological debates related to the topic, James masterfully interweaves countless cultural and biographical stories to proffer an engaging and encouraging take on what it means to be gifted, and per the title, aspire to live, act, move, and serve Beyond the Gift.

Michael M. C. Reardon

Academic Dean, Canada Christian College and

School of Graduate Theological Studies

Endorsements

For years I considered myself a gifted individual. I was born into a family where my mother and father were singers so I automatically inherited that gift. And as I grew, I soon discovered that I not only had the gift of singing but I was also multi-talented with the ability to speak, dramatize, to lead and organize. But it was not until years after when James initially shared his thoughts with me and the manuscript he was preparing, that my eyes began to open to the awesome power that lies within the gifts we possess to take you beyond that level to your assigned purpose in life. And that is exactly what this book is about.

In this amazing, phenomenal book Beyond the Gift, James dispels the ancient religious myths associated with the gifts and talents a person possesses by skillfully portraying the difference between one’s gift and one’s ultimate assignment. The conversational tone of the book together with the practical references and examples and the author’s down to earth teaching style makes for easy reading and comprehension.

In the opening chapter, the author explores various aspects of the gift and keeps the momentum until the end, summing up each chapter with pointed take-aways. He uses simple everyday objects and scenarios in life and transforms them into revealing truths leaving the reader amazed in wonder. Once you start reading and digesting, it will be difficult to stop as he takes you on a compelling journey beyond the veil of the curtain to the very last page exposing powerful truths and riveting examples found in the Scriptures and in real life situations of persons who moved beyond their gift(s) to discover their assignment.

The book teaches in principle that gifts are important to the body of Christ but they are not the end-all to a person’s purpose and existence. The assignment, which is a higher calling, should be your ultimate seek-after and the thing one must diligently pursue in life. The Psalmist David said in Psalm 27:4 ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after…’ and you would soon discover as you read the following pages that David was indeed one who used his gift to fulfill his assignment. In fact, one can never reach his full potential until he completes his God-given assignment on planet Earth.

If you are reading this foreword at this moment, it means that you are now positioned to begin your journey of discovery. Take hold of this opportunity in your hand to unlock the tools and retrieve the nuggets from this book that will lead you to your assignment.

It is not only a book for leaders but for everyone equipped with a gift. In short, it is a ‘must have’ for every child of God. I am truly honored to be associated with its author, a man of purpose and passion with a kingdom mentality – my brother!

I highly recommend Beyond the Gift to you. Its pages are filled with inspiration and motivation. You will never be the same after reading.

Minister Nigel A Browne

Founder & President

Vision & Purpose Academic Institute

Saint Kitts – Nevis

As a singer and song writer for the past 22years, I’ve had the opportunity to encounter many experiences. My God given talent has taken me through seasons of elevation, accomplishments and failures. Whenever I read the scriptures, I’ll often come across these two (2) words that are important to me and I’ve come to believe are tied to my destiny; they are ‘Gifts and Talents.’

I’ve known James Browne for over 12 years. In the last 2 to 3 years, James began sharing with me a new revelation of going Beyond the Gift.’ This was something I had heard before growing up in church, but his revelation and understanding of this topic blew my mind! James went on to explain to me the difference between the Gift’ and "Talent’ and the different spaces in which they function, also, the effectiveness of it in different environments. James explained the Legacy of our assignments in the earth and how important it is to truly find our God given purpose and fulfill it.

This book has become a masterpiece in my library. Because of the importance of, one, finding oneself and understanding purpose in the earth. The books intention is to take you beyond feelings, misunderstanding, short sightedness and assist you in finding that reason for God placing you on earth and through that finding, bring glory to Almighty God.

James has given us an End Times revelation that is necessary for everyday living as we go forward. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

‘BEYOND THE GIFT’, is to me, a timeless piece.

Singer Songwriter

Quincy ‘Qmajur’ Richardson

Beyond The Gift

Beyond the Gift is the Gift Giver, in this masterpiece James Browne persuades us to introspect our decades of religious behaviors. Dispensed in the message are the basic fundamentals of Kingdom Business. The message in its simplistic approach deals with complex issues of the Kings Domain kindly articulating the function of precepts and concepts of Kingdom Protocols. It connects our faith and work catapulting are into a Spiritual Environment where there are no limitations and boundaries to what together we are able to achieve if we grasp the abstract. Perhaps like many around the world you find yourself in a posture of searching for this ever-elusive truth, having tried all rituals, customs and practices, this book provides the mastery and comfort to your soul. As you read and scroll through the pages i guarantee you that your perception will shift. I highly recommend a copy for every Kingdom Citizen who wants to elevate their wisdom and habitual disposition.

Pastor Eriazel Daniel

Director of Ministerial Services Rhema Canada

James Browne Bio

Authorpicture.jpg

"There are no great men; there are only great challenges,

which ordinary men like you and me are forced by

circumstances to meet." –William Frederick Halsey A

James O. Browne was born on the tropical twin-island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. He grew up in a typical middle-class family, with parents who worked tirelessly to provide for their three children—Nigel, Akeliah, and James Jr., the youngest. At the age of four, James was placed in a class by himself, because his teacher claimed he was obstinate and unable to learn as fast as the other students. This separation from his peers set the tone for a theme of exclusion that begun to play out in James’s life. He became a target for bullies, due to the colour of his skin, and was nicknamed Black Pudding in elementary school. This teasing continued all the way through to high school.

After his mother died when he was ten years old, James struggled to fit in, both socially and at home with his siblings. He wrestled with self-acceptance, and questioned his abilities, academically, technically, and athletically. At the age of twenty, he was incarcerated—a bump in the road that changed his life. The result was his discovery of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and the unearthing of his unique gifts, particularly his ability to sing and speak to the heart and potential of others. James’s personal experience with loss, failure, and setbacks has cemented his inner resolve, shaped his character, and prepared him for an international stage. He embodies inspiration and actively seeks to impart a message of hope to those around him.

James has now completed his studies in Leadership and Business Communications, and is a certified speaker, coach, and trainer through the John C. Maxwell Certification Program. Through his organization, Encourage Enterprise, he has had the privilege of speaking to large groups of managers, graduates, prison inmates, athletes, and church congregants. His messages not only captivate his audience, but also activate and spur them to make significant pivots and strategic moves that align with their life’s purpose.

James is in the process of completing his first book, Beyond the Gift and Ascending to Your Assignment, in which he discusses when a gift is born, finding your place in the world, the time to ascend, and surviving the wilderness of your gift. To date, James has motivated thousands to overcome their challenges and live a life of greatness. He uses the amalgamation of his setbacks and setups to set an incredible stage to inspire his audience. He currently resides in Canada with his wife, Blondelle, and their three children, Joel, Jahbari, and Joy.

Preface

God is not impressed by what He gave us in the form of our gifts and talents, but He is impressed by what we do with the deposit He has invested in us. In our world today, society celebrates the person who is gifted. That person may be a great athlete or a master musician. However, what impresses people does not impress God, because He is the one who gave the gift in the first place.

Every human being on the planet was born with a unique, God-given ability to arrive at their purpose in life. In other words, you are gifted for the assignment that is on your life. The problem in our world today is that too many human beings that are born into this world leave without discovering their purpose, and sometimes even their gifts.

My dad’s generation went to work to earn enough so that their children could gain a good education, which they themselves did not have the privilege of affording. That generation sacrificed their dreams to live them through their children. Just imagine how long those people lived without knowing why they existed or the gifts they possessed. Many of them died short of fulfilling their purpose in life.

Death is not an indication of completion.

OUR GIFT IS NOT THE END, BUT IT

REALLY IS THE MEANS TO THE END

The only reason you are equipped with gifts and talents is to fulfill your