“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Heb 10:35-36 KJV).
I was fired from only one job in my entire secular career, and it was through no fault of my own. This particular job was a union job in which after you work for 90 days, you become a member, and they can’t fire you. But they can fire you any time from your first to your 89th day on the job.
For my first performance review, I received a good evaluation. For my next review, I got a promotion. Then, based on that review, they granted me the transfer I requested, to a better position with the accompanying higher salary.
Then the regional boss, who had the power to override everyone in command at my office, fired me on the 89th day! Remember, I would have become a member of the union the very next day. I had just received a promotion and had received nothing but glowing performance reviews.
Now, of course, the flesh told me to retaliate. I’d just gotten married and had no money. My wife didn’t have a job. But the Word of God said that vengeance belongs to the Lord. So I could do one of two things: Follow the flesh or follow the Word. I followed the Word.
I later went to work for a major oil company in a similar type of position and they closed down seven months later. Then God gave me a tremendous job with major computer firm. Each time I was forced to change jobs, I was blessed with another one. Because of my excellent performance, I was in a position to move into management. At about that time, the Lord told me to, “quit and go to Bible school.”
I obeyed God and went to Bible school. While in school, my wife and I received a financial miracle every 30-45 days. God provided for us supernaturally while we were students. We had debt when we arrived at Bible school, but we graduated debt-free! God sent us out into the ministry debt-free.
When you live a life of obedience to God, there is nothing man or man’s systems can do to keep you down. You may have a setback here and there. But if you stick with the Word, the end result will be nothing but blessings for you and yours.
Scripture References: Ps. 75:6-7; Rev. 3:7
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).