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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.
Related material:
What Happens When You FOLLOW Spirit?
Image: Jason Goodman
