DUE-DILIGENCE!
Sunday’s Monday
How many times in the past few days have you heard the phrase or thought; what goes around, comes around? However, a better one might be you will reap what you sow, or you made the bed, you sleep in. I’m sure you’re wondering where all this is leading, allow me to explain. With all these sayings in mind, think seriously about how we walk through each day. Need a little help? How kind are you? Do people know you appreciate them in your life? Is your kindness obvious? Are you helpful to others? Now, please, when you think about this, don’t think about your words because they can be deceiving, think about your actions. The little things you do (or could do) to make people feel appreciated. A card is nice, and a phone call is even nicer but here one enters the realm of words. A visit with a small potted plant, a little wall plaque, or my favorite, a dozen Krispy Kream Doughnuts is guaranteed to bring a smile to the receiver’s face. I know you’ve heard this one, actions speak louder than words and we know this to be true from our own feelings. However, this thinking wasn’t apparently happening way back in the days of John the Evangelist as he penned 1 John 3:18 (NLT), Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
I went to dictionary.com to get a clear train of thought of words and the meaning was extensive and surprising, as well as kingjamesbibledictionary.com. My definition differs in simplicity as I think words are used for expressing what one desires to be known, nothing more, nothing less. With this in mind, I see words as a simple tool for expressing truth or deception and that’s why I choose to believe in that saying, if you can’t see it, then it’s not there. In-which the bible is filled with warnings about false rulers, teachers, and prophets who say one thing but believe another and are intent on leading one in the wrong direction. This is why it is so important to stay connected with Jesus in a loving relationship of adoration. One needs a daily visit to the throne of grace and an all-day conversation with God’s Holy Spirit forgoing any agenda of their own. What do you think your relationship is functioning on today, is it mere words or is it all action, or hopefully both? This is very important and should be taken very seriously, allowing time for meditation, prayer, and self-examination. Just as it is recorded in Mark 1:35 (NLT), Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Note this is not the only reference to Jesus getting Himself alone with God to seek God’s will.
After 30 years of being an active part of the church, I have found a lot of truth in the statement 77% of the church members actively support the church. 45% actively fill the workdays needed for building and grounds, 45% actively participate in church activities, and 75% consistently give tithes and offerings, to name a few from a long list. Sadly, there are those in the church that would rather donate a little extra to pay someone to do what God has called them to do. So many in the church today “talk the God walk” but at the end of the day, it is filled with hidden shortcuts and decisions as they constantly shift their share of church burdens over to someone else. I heard Andy Stanley say in his teaching on Living With Yourself, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0SlqqOAfy4. “We think we can pray away any situation we behave our way into!” As one who floated that boat in a season of my life, I can honestly promise you, a few may profit from your deception, but you will pay diligently for your lack of due diligence in never resting in the peace only God gives. Test the truth in Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT), 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Lord help us to learn what you inspired in the writing of Proverbs 14:23 (NLT), Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty! God, I pray we all be (or become) aware of our due diligence in following Jesus. Help us to realize the implications of proclaiming to answer His call the effort to surrender our all to His allegiance, foreboding self, and striving to live a renewed life. Father, please sharpen our ability to clearly hear the Holy Spirit and our edge of due diligence to obey. Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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