On being CONSISTENT for GOD

 

1 Peter 4:10 

King James Version

10 As every man hath received the gift, 

even so minister the same one to another, 

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Yesterday afternoon was an interesting exercise in being faithful to God.

I thought up an idea for a Bible play.

And started "casting" real-life actors for my Bible characters.

Only because I thought up a funny actor would play the prophet Jonah role perfectly.

The idea played itself, and before you knew it, I was thinking up other actors and actresses to play various roles.

I even created a new blog on the idea itself, and was having such fun creating it, until something stopped me.

The Jonah actor was just fine.

When I got to who would play Jesus, it was fine -- to a point.

It bothered me that he could play Jesus in one film, and yet play a villain in another.

(Well, what was I expecting? 

This was the film industry, after all.)

Now, to continue the exercise.

When I got to the "voice" of God, a particular actor came to mind.

To my mind, his voice had the right timbre.

He was such a gifted actor, he could play a noble king.

And yet, in another film, his voice was used for a dragon.

And that's when it didn't seem right anymore.

For in the Bible, the deceiver was depicted as a dragon, too.

Revelation 12:9 

King James Version

9 And the great dragon was cast out, 

that old serpent, 

called the Devil, 

and Satan, 

which deceiveth the whole world: 

he was cast out into the earth, 

and his angels were cast out with him.

"Cast out into the earth"?

No wonder, he was being cast here.

And no matter how cute the producers made the dragon, my heart simply couldn't equate God's voice, with an actor who could play both roles in the world.

Then I thought up an actor for apostle John.

This actor had played John before.

But I researched a bit more, and found that although he was a fine actor, he also liked to drink and carouse.

When I thought up another actor to play the deceiver, one came to mind in particular, for a villain role he played before.

Funny thing is, in real life, he wanted to play the lead part -- a god -- but the producers thought he fitted the nemesis mold more.

So he got that role, and even did a series of three films on that theme.

Now, in my heart, I said I better stop "casting" actors for my Bible play.

Nothing fit, according to Scripture.

Also, these actors were human beings.

I cannot appoint the deceiver role to an actor, who already expressed his desire to play the better role in real life.

I cannot mold his work, as the world already had.

Translated, I cannot dig a deeper ditch for the poor actor.

I also understood how the film industry was especially harsh on its actors, replacing older ones, with younger ones.

You know how it goes -- youth, looks, fame, money, and all.

Furthermore, what's this talk of "gods", superheroes, and all that?

The film industry seems to propagate that a lot lately.

So, I shelved the whole idea.

I better just stick to my Bible, whose characters were real, and didn't need to be played out by the world's actors.

I could not further propagate the film industry's traits, which were contrary to God's.

Yeah, but it's just play-acting, you'd say.

"It's just a film."

"It's just acting."

Well, I simply can't.

After I found what I did, and reviewed everything, I could not continue with my child-like idea of a Bible play.

Nothing was real.

It was all made up.

And people lost their soul, in the process.

It was cut-throat competition.

Just like in all industries that don't love God.

With this little exercise yesterday afternoon, I realized how many actors had sold out, just to get a plum role.

They were all fine actors -- for I researched on them -- but they were in an industry that asked one to sell out.

We see the survivors of this industry, and other industries that feed on them, and the treatment has been harsh.

We have seen fortunes rise, and fall.

Faces rise, and fall.

Popularities rise, and fall.

The effects of which, show on the actors* faces, bodies, and lifestyles.

You've read about the failed marriages, the many marriages, the pain, the deaths, the addictions, the suffering children, the dysfunction.

At what price, fame?

Upon seeing the actors go this way, and that, I had no heart to continue my Bible play.

How the film industry has feasted upon these actors' talents.

How these actors have allowed the industry to feast upon them.

What a terrible way to live.

For myself -- as a born again -- I can only live by this:

1 Corinthians 10:31 

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, 

or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, 

do all to the glory of God.

Now, I am convinced.

I cannot have anything to do with film -- unless it be of God.

*On actors: I purposely used the word "actors" to include both genders.

Updated 24 January 2022

A Writer Employed by God

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21 

King James Version

20 O Timothy, 

keep that which is committed to thy trust,

 avoiding profane and vain babblings, 

and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. 

Grace be with thee. 

Amen.

"I could have."

That could be a line for my work as a writer, journalist, entrepreneur, lecturer, and designer.

I could have been many things.

But at what price?

I've seen how the industry was, whether it was in quad-media, or public relations.

I've seen how others conducted themselves, whether they're journalists, or the ones written about.

I've seen many of the ladies when they were just starting, decades ago.

And now?

Well, they're all up there, highly visible, mega-paid, seen everywhere.

Thing is, I don't envy them

I made a choice early on.

I'm not that ambitious.

I wasn't willing to pay the price.

Such ambitions always demand a price.

At what cost, my soul?

I like a simple life.

I don't need to be known.

I just need to do work I can be proud of.

Something that honors God back, for the gifts He gave me.

Even before becoming born again, I had no need for the limelight, even as I had a checkered career in many fields.

After becoming born again, I stuck to writing, and teaching.

As I learn from Scripture, I share all that with you.

What could be a better way to serve God, and you?

A servant of God doesn't need accolades.

We just want to serve well.

We want to make sure we are following God's instructions to a "T".

Thus, our ears are forever glued to God's heart, lest we miss out on an instruction.

All His instructions can be found on the Bible.

But many days, when we need specifics, we pray and ask for His will.

And Jesus answers, oftentimes before the prayer has been said.

That continues to thrill my child's heart.

Then I know I'm on the right path, for God doesn't delay answers, especially in my work as a writer for Him.

The inspiration comes in truckloads.

That's why I had to create 22 blogs, and 24 books.

I'm merely following Spirit's prompts and instructions each day.

Some days, I find myself writing up to seven articles.

Those books were written in a span of 54 days.

The blogs keep multiplying.

I don't get confused.

I link them all.

God re-wired my brain because I asked it all be on Him.

He also re-calibrated my heart, so it only contains Him.

That's how I can serve God best.

Not to have distractions from a vain, and corrupt world, that aims to distract you from the Lord.

He created all of us for a purpose.

Just that in my case, it seems being a writer is God's choice for me.

All those "I could haves" don't mean much anymore.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

King James Version

3 To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

To serve God, is the greatest honor.

It's where I am.

It's only by God's grace that I'm able to write the way I do.

For we have much work to do!

Updated 12 April 2023

How to Find the Best Work of You Life

 

Colossians 3:23-24 

King James Version

23 And whatsoever ye do, 

do it heartily, 

as to the Lord, 

and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord 

ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: 

for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Do you thirst for truth?

For peace?

For true happiness?

For work you can be proud of?

For work that is useful?

Your search is over, when you finally seek God.

Your joy, satisfaction, certainty, and contentment at life, and work, can only be gained from God, for God will make sure you have all those, when you serve Him.

Isaiah 58:11 

King James Version

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, 

and satisfy thy soul in drought, 

and make fat thy bones: 

and thou shalt be like a watered garden, 

and like a spring of water, 

whose waters fail not.

Only God has the power over our life and work.

Any man who tells you he is the power, and distracts you from God, is not of God.

Surely, you are aware of that.

And surely, it will be to your destruction.

Come back to God now.

Become born again, so you will understand everything of the Spirit of God, for God is a Spirit, and He can only be spiritually-discerned.

How does one become born again?

Seek the kingdom of God first, and all will be shown you.

Matthew 6:33 

King James Version

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 

and his righteousness; 

and all these things shall be added unto you.

I can vouch for that myself.

My work has blossomed to serve the Lord.

As I serve Him, I serve you better.

The Lord is the only one to instruct you precisely.

Listen to no one, but the Lord.

Even before you were born, God already had a plan for you, as He told prophet Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 1:5 

King James Version

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth 

out of the womb I sanctified thee, 

and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God always wants the best for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 

King James Version

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.

God would never want you to perish.

2 Peter 3:9 

King James Version

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; 

but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish, 

but that all should come to repentance.

We were all born for a purpose -- God's purpose.

The Bible was very clear about that.

He did not create us to serve ourselves alone, but to love Him, and to love others.

God created us for service.

To reflect His presence in us.

For His glory.

Unless you're born again, you'll have no idea what work you were cut out for.

All work will only serve the greed and vanity of self, and others.

You will be constantly manipulated.

Where's the love of God in that?

That's how the world designed work.

It was never for God.

The world has already shown its true colors.

It doesn't take rocket science to know, it has failed, and will continue to fail -- for it doesn't have God in it.

If you're tired, confused, broke, demoralized at how the world is, or how it's treating you, or you seem stuck, and completely lost, know that God is waiting for you to pay attention to Him now.

Do you really think God doesn't have control over EVERYTHING?

How can the creator not be?

How could we be on earth, if God didn't create, and plan everything?

How can we even doubt His power?

We are as nothing, compared to God.

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.

But with God, we have everything.

2 Peter 1:3 

King James Version

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us 

all things that pertain unto life and godliness, 

through the knowledge of him 

that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Updated 12 Aprils 2023

At What Price, Speed?

 

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.

A very interesting 2018 movie landed on my radar today -- "The Hummingbird Project".

It's interesting for it has many layers, and facets, on technology, greed, drama, God, and human choices.

Truly, the question is:

At what price, speed?

Would you junk other people, to gain a buck, even 500 million dollars a year?

Would you steal proprietary software?

Or would you create a your own?

Where does ethics come in at work?

Would you trespass on other people's lands, so you can dig a hole for your high-tech project?

Would you bypass these peaceful people's rights, having found a loophole to get under their lands, so you can complete your project?

Would you care about lemon farmers who do the dirty work, as you reap the profits from your commodity trading?

Would you care about any farmer at all?

Would you care about every day workers?

Would you set aside your family, as you focus on your project?

How far would you go for a buck?

How about 500 million dollars a year?

How much work would you put in if you were offered 300 thousand dollars bonus, in addition to your basic 150 thousand dollars salary, to dominate high-frequency trading, through your algorithms?

How far will you take your God-given brains to accomplish your objectives?

Would you choose to serve God?

Or will you sell out?

Will you choose to be God's, following His will alone, and not be used to destroy and discredit others, or make others addicted to your newest software, or hardware?

In the search for a fast buck, or for a peaceful conscience, what would you do?

Are you out to dominate the world?

How far would you go, to serve God, or to serve yourself?

What do you really care about?

Who are your real friends?

What does family mean to you?

Who is God to you?

What legacy would you leave your children?

These are but some of the questions that would pop up as you watch this movie, for you will see how people react, or respond, to temptations from the world.

And yet be faced by simple folks, who would not want to have anything to do with your promise of speed for the world -- at any price.

For they care about God only, and consider the land as God's.

And they know where speed and technology come from.

And they also know how it will all end for those who have succumbed to such temptations.

You will also see how, in one instant, all our ambitions can be flushed down the drain, when faced with life-threatening illness.

You will also see who God's real people are, the ones you've stepped on, and yet they still shelter you from the rain.

This is a wonderful movie of the times.

I hope you get to watch it.

I'm glad God led me to it today.

Interestingly, this article's hot on the trail of what I just wrote earlier:

"Who Do You Serve?"

Image: Pixabay

Updated 29 June 2022

Who Do You Serve?

 

Galatians 1:10 

King James Version

10 For do I now persuade men, 

or God? 

or do I seek to please men? 

for if I yet pleased men, 

I should not be the servant of Christ.

Have you reflected enough upon the work you do?

Or are you afraid to trust God with all your needs?

Are you afraid to let go of the world, thinking, if you do, you'll be lost, and impoverished?

Just so you know, there are many forms of poverty.

There's physical poverty.

And there's also spiritual poverty.

People would say, "But spiritual things won't provide for me, and my family."

"It won't produce food on the table."

"It won't get my kids to school."

"It won't pay the bills."

"It won't produce for my retirement."

Really?

No wonder Jesus lambasted people:

Matthew 6:30 

King James Version

30 Wherefore, 

if God so clothe the grass of the field, 

which to day is, 

and to morrow is cast into the oven, 

shall he not much more clothe you, 

O ye of little faith?

This I can testify of serving God:

When you give your heart to the Lord, committing your works to Him, all will be made clear about the kind of work you need to do, your mission or purpose in life, the people you need to serve, and the usefulness of your service.

Be not afraid how you, or your family, will fare.

God will always provide for you.

He will keep the hounds of hell away from your door.

Don't measure what God can give you, by what the world promises to give you.

If the world is such as success, and such a provider, why are there more poor people than the rich ones?

Why do people continue to struggle?

Might it not be that we've sold our souls to the devil, and continue to step on others, so we can reach that so-called ambition the world offers us?

Might it not cost us our souls, and our chance to be with Jesus, whose promise of eternal life, is the only true thing?

There are really only two things to choose from:

God, or mammon.

But choose, you must.

Matthew 6:24 

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

What is "mammon"?

Money, riches, wealth, gain.

Things not of God.

Things that enslave us.

Things that enslave others.

Things that keep our hearts away from God.

It's lust for power, glory, vanity, and flesh.

Where are you at the moment?

Where do you wish to be?

You have to choose, and to embrace one -- fully -- and immediately.

Let us not be too late in choosing.

It's really not difficult a choice.

But you have to commit to it.

And that's where people get stuck.

They still wish to flirt with the world, and self, even as their hearts compel them to choose God -- only.

What greater choice is there, than to serve the Lord?

Let your whole life rest upon the Word of God -- JESUS -- the Bible.

That way, you can focus on serving the Lord, who will teach you to serve others better.

But you must become born again, to understand God's ways.

You cannot call yourself a real follower, and believer, until you follow that command of Jesus.

It is the first step to knowing things of Jesus.

Open your heart to the beauty of God's teachings, through His Holy Spirit, and through Jesus.

Your thoughts will change, your goals will change, your life, and work, will change.

You will become a new person in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, 

all things are become new.

You will become useful to the Lord, and to others.

In a way that glorifies God alone.

True service is not for self.

It has always been for the GLORY of GOD.

Updated 12 April 2023

BEAUTIFUL verses on WORK

 

Isaiah 64:8 

King James Version

8 But now, O Lord, 

thou art our father; 

we are the clay, 

and thou our potter; 

and we all are the work of thy hand.

Meaningful work has GOD in it.

Here are beautiful verses to guide us at work.

Colossians 3:2 

King James Version

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:17 

King James Version

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, 

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:23 

King James Version

23 And whatsoever ye do, 

do it heartily, 

as to the Lord, 

and not unto men;

Proverbs 16:3 

King James Version

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, 

and thy thoughts shall be established.

Romans 12:1 

King James Version

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, 

acceptable unto God, 

which is your reasonable service.

Psalm 1:1-2 

King James version

1 Blessed is the man that walketh 

not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

nor standeth in the way of sinners, 

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; 

and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Philippians 2:13 

King James Version

13 For it is God which worketh in you 

both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1 Corinthians 10:31 

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, 

or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, 

do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:12 

King James Version

12 Put on therefore, 

as the elect of God, 

holy and beloved, 

bowels of mercies, 

kindness, 

humbleness of mind, 

meekness, 

longsuffering;

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 

King James version

11 And that ye study to be quiet, 

and to do your own business, 

and to work with your own hands, 

as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,

 and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Hebrews 6:10 

King James Version

10 For God is not unrighteous 

to forget your work and labour of love, 

which ye have shewed toward his name, 

in that ye have ministered to the saints, 

and do minister.

Ephesians 2:10 

King James Version

10 For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them.

Proverbs 11:1 

King James Version

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: 

but a just weight is his delight.

Psalm 90:17

King James Version

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: 

and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; 

yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 

King James Version

12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, 

whether he eat little or much: 

but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

1 Timothy 5:18 

King James Version

18 For the scripture saith, 

thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. 

And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 

King James Version

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,

 and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 

which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: 

which while some coveted after, 

they have erred from the faith, 

and pierced themselves through 

with many sorrows.

Luke 16:10 

King James Version

10 He that is faithful in that which is least 

is faithful also in much: 

and he that is unjust in the least 

is unjust also in much.

Proverbs 18:9

King James Version

9 He also that is slothful in his work 

is brother to him that is a great waster.

Galatians 6:7-8 

King James Version

7 Be not deceived; 

God is not mocked: 

for whatsoever a man soweth, 

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh 

shall of the flesh reap corruption; 

but he that soweth to the Spirit 

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Galatians 6:9 

King James Version

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: 

for in due season we shall reap, 

if we faint not.

Deuteronomy 8:18 

King James Version

18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: 

for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, 

that he may establish his covenant 

which he sware unto thy fathers, 

as it is this day.

2 Peter 1:5-8 

King James Version

5 And beside this, 

giving all diligence, 

add to your faith virtue; 

and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; 

and to temperance patience; 

and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; 

and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, 

and abound, 

they make you 

that ye shall neither be barren 

nor unfruitful 

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28 

King James Version

28 And we know that all things work together 

for good to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Updated 12 April 2023