CALLED for what?

 

Isaiah 6:8

King James Version

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? 

Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Did GOD call you?

Or, did you volunteer?

Perhaps, it was both?

That got me thinking.

So, I look back into my own life.

For, what other life is there to look into?

In the same manner, you need to look into your own life.

That we may all make sense of things.

Work-wise, and destiny-wise.

Surely, you keep asking:

"What is my role in life?"

"What am I cut out for?"

"What work was I meant to do?"

"What can I live on?"

"How shall I survive?"

"What is my purpose?"

And as I ask that last question, my mind gets tickled.

Knowing that will be for another article.

For now, we ask the following:

Are you like Paul?

Called to be an "apostle of Jesus Christ"?

1 Corinthians 1:1

King James Version

1 Paul 

called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ 

through the will of God, 

and Sosthenes our brother,

Or are you "called to be saints"?

1 Corinthians 1:2

King James Version

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 

called to be saints, 

with all that in every place 

call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 

both their's and our's:

There's always an "invitation", you know.

JESUS invites us all the time.

Revelation 3:20

King James Version

20 Behold, 

I stand at the door, and knock: 

if any man hear my voice, and open the door, 

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 

and he with me.

Can you hear the LORD?

Or is the world too noisy?

Are there too many distractions?

Is that why you go up into the mountains?

Is that why you stay away from others, for a while?

That you may hear self?

That you may experience some peace?

That you may review your life?

That you may unclutter your thinking?

That you may know your purpose?

When you start feeling that way, GOD waits.

He waits for you to really call upon Him.

For help, for clarity, for love, for joy, for peace.

Only GOD can give you ALL that.

We usually call GOD when we're at our lowest low.

The perfect springboard for change.

GOD wants your TOTAL surrender.

What you didn't know is that He called you first.

You were predestined for something.

BEFORE you were even born.

John 15:16

King James Version

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask 

of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

2 Timothy 2:19-21

King James Version

19 Nevertheless 

the foundation of God standeth sure, 

having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house 

there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, 

but also of wood and of earth; 

and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, 

he shall be a vessel unto honour, 

sanctified, 

and meet for the master's use, 

and prepared unto every good work.

1 John 4:19

King James Version

19 We love him, 

because he first loved us.

GOD created you for a purpose.

Your duty is to find out what that is.

Even as king Solomon stated our duty clearly:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

King James Version

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 

Fear God, and keep his commandments: 

for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, 

with every secret thing, 

whether it be good, 

or whether it be evil.

But, unless GOD makes you born again, you won't believe that.

Much less know where to start.

A born again receives the SPIRIT of GOD.

We need His SPIRIT to teach us about JESUS.

We need His SPIRIT to help us understand Scripture.

We need His SPIRIT to teach us about these last days.

All the rumblings in your heart, all that discontent in your soul, are the seeds of change.

You're ready for change.

Maybe even a new life.

Something worthwhile.

Something purposeful.

Something you can live with.

Something worthy of the LORD.

You see, it must always be for His purpose.

Everything was meant for His GLORY.

It was never about us.

It has always been about using the gifts He gave us.

Specifically, the FRUIT of the SPIRIT.

For His perfect purpose.

Appreciate the rumblings of your heart.

Or the discontent in your soul.

Even the rage, and fury you have.

You cannot break GOD.

But He can break you.

And put new spirit in you:

Ezekiel 36:26-27

King James Version

26 A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you: 

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, 

and cause you to walk in my statutes, 

and ye shall keep my judgments, 

and do them.

Consider this an exciting journey.

At knowing GOD, and self.

For both are intertwined.

Discover what GOD created you for.

Find the real meaning of life.

Find your purpose.

Pray for the details.

GOD always answers our prayers.

But know this:

1 John 5:14

King James Version

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, 

that, if we ask any thing according to his will, 

he heareth us:

It's a joyful journey, this process.

Which SPIRIT helped me unravel.

Beginning with self.

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EVERYTHING will CHANGE

 

JESUS said:

Mark 13:23

King James Version

23 But take ye heed: 

behold, 

I have foretold you all things.

I always wait upon the LORD.

I wait, for what He wants me to write.

Today, He woke me up especially early.

And it was clear.

We are to write about work.

What work to do.

And where to put your trust in.

I already know my work.

Fifty-two months ago, it was made clear.

Before that, I had tons of other jobs.

Talk about a polka-dotted career.

I didn't care.

I loved learning anyway.

I said yes to people who offered me decent work.

Never mind I knew nothing about the work.

They offered, and I said, "Yes!"

All the while mumbling to myself, "I'll figure it out later".

I guess I was a fast learner.

I'd be ashamed to be a slow one.

People had other things to do.

Who was I to bind their time?

I must be up, and running.

Such was my work philosophy.

It was actually a compliment to self.

That people offered you work.

Because they believed you can do it.

Never mind that you had no degree for it.

Never mind that you had no experience in it.

Employers can see the light dancing in your eyes.

They know you will make an effort to accomplish the work.

Such was my experience most of my life.

And then, things changed.

For 20 years, I was in the desert.

What used to work, didn't anymore.

I made tons of mistakes, and literally paid for it.

Sure, I tasted success for the most part before that.

And then, I had nothing.

Nothing worked anymore.

People looked down on me.

I couldn't duplicate my success.

No matter how I tried.

Can you stand it?

Being in the desert for 20 years?

How was I to earn income?

I wrote for a national magazine for a whole year.

I taught piano the next two-and-a-half years.

I did bazaars, before and after the "desert" experience.

I had been a writer, bizcomm lecturer, designer, and salesperson.

What was an architecture grad doing in those jobs?

I didn't care.

I loved working.

I loved learning.

I needed the money.

I felt all that learning will come in handy sometime.

Prophetic words, if ever.

Look, we're all salespeople.

We all sell something.

The only thing I wouldn't sell is my soul.

Thus, the resulting hardship.

Or perhaps, my work was to be taken to the next level?

What level?

Who was calling the shots?

How was I to survive?

How was I to provide for family?

How was I to pay the bills?

That went on for 20 years.

Either I was a knucklehead.

Or GOD wanted to see my patience.

And perseverance.

I decided to hang on.

Even as no answers were forthcoming.

But I managed to survive it all, through GRACE.

GOD took pity on my heart over four years ago.

He saw I wasn't ever going to sell out.

Not for any price.

No matter the lack of money.

No matter being in the desert for 20 years.

What kept me going?

All the principles my father taught me.

All the books I read on endurance.

All the books I would devour, so I may find absolute truth.

Then, I had no idea, GOD's eyes were on me.

I was predestined for something.

As we all are.

Why else the tons of jobs He gave me?

Why else the opportunities He gave me?

Why else the people who believed in me?

Surely, it was by His Hand.

Surely, it was by His love.

Surely, it was what He created me for.

To live, love, learn, study, work, earn, and make mistakes.

It was the latter that really taught me.

I can laugh at it now.

But it was pure pain before.

I believe things changed when I made a declaration to self.

That I wanted REAL change.

That I didn't want to sin anymore.

That I was sick of self.

Please, GOD, what was my truth?

What is absolute truth?

Where can I find it?

Lo, and behold!

Words GOD waited for so long.

This slow-learner finally got it.

And that's when He showed up.

Five months after that declaration.

In another article, I mentioned an observation.

That you have to experience all parts of the spectrum:

If you've always been successful, how can you know failure?

If you've always been rich, how can you know poverty?

If you've always been healthy, how can you know illness?

If you've always been free, how can you know bondage?

Nothing like experiencing it for yourself, to know firsthand.

GOD made me experience all that so I can tell you my story.

Especially after He made me born again.

EVERYTHING changed.

EVERYTHING became clear.

I didn't look for work anymore.

I waited for GOD to determine my work.

I didn't focus on money anymore.

I focused on knowing GOD''s will instead.

I wasn't afraid anymore.

I trusted GOD completely.

I wasn't reading other books anymore.

I live by GOD's WORD now.

I wasn't in chaos anymore.

I am now at peace.

All that, just because GOD made me born again.

Yeah, sure, but what about money?

I can hear most people demanding that.

For we do live in a money-crazed world.

Everything in the world has been designed for money.

A few have; the majority don't.

A few know; most are kept in the dark.

A few are secure; the rest in danger.

That's what the god of this world designed.

But the REAL GOD designed believers for eternal life.

For salvation, through His Son, JESUS.

And for the Rapture.

Which can occur any moment.

And you're wondering if you'll ever make it.

If you'll ever make tons of money.

If you'll catch up with the Joneses.

If you'll be able to buy that Tesla.

If you'll be rich and famous like someone you idolize.

If you'll ever have job security.

And yet, the Rapture can happen as we speak.

The true born again doesn't worry about worldly things.

Remember Job's statement:

Job 1:21

King James Version

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, 

and naked shall I return thither: 

the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; 

blessed be the name of the Lord.

Instead, we are to do these things:

Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 12:2

King James Version

2 And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, 

and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Surely, I don't make light of your situation.

You have bills to pay, a family to feed, dignity to uphold.

Thing is, GOD will only allow what He will allow.

He is SUPREME AUTHORITY over all.

Without JESUS, we cannot do anything.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

GOD has given ALL authority to His SON.

Matthew 28:18

King James Version

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Find comfort in the fact all our sufferings on earth is but temporary.

Matthew 24:13

King James Version

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, 

the same shall be saved.

Find comfort in the LORD's victory:

John 16:33

King James Version

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

TRUST the LORD.

And He will provide for all your needs.

According to His will.

JESUS assured us of that.

Luke 12:7

King James Version

7 But even the very hairs of your head 

are all numbered. 

Fear not therefore: 

ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Why fear?

JESUS is here.

John 10:14

King James Version

14 I am the good shepherd, 

and know my sheep, 

and am known of mine.

Nothing could be more noble, than working for JESUS.

Being taught by His SPIRIT, each moment.

Being truly of service to others.

Being obedient to His will.

The believer works for the GLORY of GOD.

There is no security in this world.

Only through JESUS can we be secure.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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DON'T sell out

 

JESUS pointed out:

Matthew 16:26-27

King James Version

26 For what is a man profited, 

if he shall gain the whole world, 

and lose his own soul? 

or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come 

in the glory of his Father with his angels; 

and then he shall reward every man 

according to his works.

Will life improve on earth?

Probably not.

For many don't believe in JESUS.

Many have not accepted Him.

Many mock Scripture.

Many have twisted His WORD.

And many live this way:

On politicians -- anything for a vote.

On businessmen -- anything for a buck.

On churches -- anything for a follower.

On people -- anything for a like.

On tech -- anything for superiority.

At what COST your SOUL?

We must not sell out.

Even if the world has.

We must acknowledge that all come from GOD.

That all power belongs to JESUS.

That all teachings come from SPIRIT.

That the Rapture can happen any moment.

Would you be ready to meet up with the LORD?

Why would you take a chance on the Tribulation?

Most will perish.

All is preparation now.

As the angel told apostle John:

Revelation 22:10-11

King James Version

10 And he saith unto me, 

Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: 

for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: 

and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: 

and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: 

and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Revelation 22:14-15

King James Version

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, 

that they may have right to the tree of life, 

and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, 

and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, 

and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

In the same chapter, JESUS declared:

Revelation 22:12-13

King James Version

12 And, behold, 

I come quickly; 

and my reward is with me, 

to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the end, 

the first and the last.

JESUS also warned us:

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

Why would we want to keep on sinning?

Why won't we take instruction from the LORD?

Why do we remain the way we are?

Why do we stretch the LORD's love, and patience?

Why do we boast about our sinfulness?

A true born again can't, and won't.

We aim to be with JESUS when He calls us:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself 

shall descend from heaven 

with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Our daily work reflects the presence of CHRIST in us.

There is no other way to live, love, or work.

Our sufficiency is in CHRIST.

It must all be JESUS.

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The FIRST industries

 

1 Corinthians 12:4

King James Version

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, 

but the same Spirit.

What were the first industries man got into?

Rather, what was he assigned to do?

After the FIRST designer, we now turn to the FIRST industries.

SPIRIT led me to Scripture, that I may know.

And here's what I found:

The FIRST job:

Genesis 2:15

King James Version

15 And the Lord God took the man, 

and put him into the garden of Eden 

to dress it and to keep it.

The FIRST industries:

Genesis 4:1-2

King James Version

4 And Adam knew Eve his wife; 

and she conceived, 

and bare Cain, and said, 

I have gotten a man from the Lord.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. 

And Abel was a keeper of sheep, 

but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

We all know what jealous Cain did to his brother.

GOD then cursed Cain, declaring him a "fugitive and a vagabond".

As a result:

Genesis 4:16

King James Version

16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, 

and dwelt in the land of Nod, 

on the east of Eden.

Cain started a family, and became the FIRST builder.

Genesis 4:17

King James Version

17 And Cain knew his wife; 

and she conceived, and bare Enoch: 

and he builded a city, 

and called the name of the city, 

after the name of his son, Enoch.

The family of Cain grew, through Enoch.

Genesis 4:18-19

King James Version

18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: 

and Irad begat Mehujael: 

and Mehujael begat Methusael: 

and Methusael begat Lamech.

19 And Lamech took unto him two wives:

 the name of the one was Adah, 

and the name of the other Zillah.

Herein began other industries, and crafts.

Cattle-raising started.

Genesis 4:20

King James Version

20 And Adah bare Jabal: 

he was the father of such as dwell in tents, 

and of such as have cattle.

Music began.

Genesis 4:21

King James Version

21 And his brother's name was Jubal: 

he was the father of all such as handle 

the harp and organ.

Metalworks began, too.

Genesis 4:22

King James Version

22 And Zillah, 

she also bare Tubalcain, 

an instructer of every artificer 

in brass and iron: 

and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

The BIBLE is a rich source of GOD's TRUTH.

And of man's forgotten history.

Stuff we tend to take for granted.

But not so, when you're born again.

Who hungers for GOD's story, truth, and commands.

We ought to let SPIRIT teach us to understand GOD's sacred WORD.

And be forever BLESSED by it.

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MOST enjoyable WORK

 

1 Timothy 1:12

King James Version

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, 

who hath enabled me, 

for that he counted me faithful, 

putting me into the ministry;

Are you having fun at work?

Doing the work you do?

Serving the people you serve?

Serving the employer who employed you?

Enjoying the business you created?

Does your work have value?

Are you proud of it?

Or, would you rather be doing something else?

Hoping something new would come up.

Thereby, you can quit the old job.

Waiting, wondering, watching.

And yet, the bills remain.

You're on this hamster wheel, rolling in place.

Looking for some relief.

But perhaps you're mighty proud of your work.

You're getting paid gazillions.

You're famous, you're loved, you're adored.

Everything you touch turns platinum.

You feel on top of the world.

And you can't understand why others labor so.

Which one are you?

The work given me is to share GOD's WORD with you.

Each and every day, through my blogs and books.

That we may be blameless when JESUS returns.

Especially when the Rapture happens.

I don't tire, and I don't want to retire.

I will work, for as long as GOD wants me to.

He provides for my basic subsistence.

Simple, meager, basic.

He knows I've always been this way.

He did create me, after all.

Precisely for His purpose.

The world can't offer me anything.

I already have everything in JESUS.

I'm not in the rat race.

We are not rats.

We are children of GOD.

Just that some forgot.

Others got distracted.

And some would rather not be.

Which one are you?

I serve the LIVING GOD.

I drink from His LIVING WATERS.

I eat the BREAD of LIFE.

My work's got life, because of SPIRIT.

He takes it, where He will.

If one soul gets saved because of my work, then it will please the LORD.

He did say:

Luke 15:3-10

King James Version

3 And he spake this parable unto them, 

saying,

4 What man of you, 

having an hundred sheep, 

if he lose one of them, 

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, 

and go after that which is lost, 

until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, 

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, 

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, 

saying unto them, 

Rejoice with me; 

for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, 

that likewise joy shall be in heaven 

over one sinner that repenteth, 

more than over ninety and nine just persons, 

which need no repentance.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, 

if she lose one piece, 

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house, 

and seek diligently till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, 

she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, 

saying, 

Rejoice with me; 

for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, 

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God 

over one sinner that repenteth.

That doesn't make me complacent.

The objective is to have everyone with JESUS.

To partake of eternal life.

So, I'm at it each day.

There are no vacations.

This is a vocation.

I know what I stand for.

I know who I serve.

Everything is clear, pure, perfect, precise.

But that's because I serve SPIRIT.

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