Its such a great feeling to be back home in the U.S.! I'll bring some photos from India/Nepal to Source group tomorrow night. The ministry there was amazing....the trekking was a lesson in determination and faith in God's strength!!!! "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us"...for sure!!!!
Tomorrow night, Sept. 30....Source group at minors Lane meeting from 6-7:15pm in foyer.....Revival with Reva Kasey at 7:30pm.
Next Thursday, Oct. 7....Source group at MCALISTERS on Outer Loop from 6-7:15pm
Friday night, Oct. 22....Singles Bonfire/Hayride at Hoagland Farm 9508 Fairmount Rd. 40291 7:30-10:30pm MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!!!!!!
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Devotional Sept. 30
DILIGENCE: read page 54-61 "Character Matters" by Dr. Mark Rutland
Diligence in Ministry: Spiritual Diligence, to hear and obey God, is one absolutely essential ingredient in a ministry of real power. Asleep at their posts, lacking in prayer, not diligent in the Word, ministers cannot, with any confidence at all, say, "Thus saith the Lord."
Observant in Business: Diligence also means to be on guard, careful, watching over the situation as if it were your own. It means to limit disruptions and distractions. Listen with discernment to things around you, and limit time spent on useless information.
Diligence and Temptation: The diligent will also be stronger in the face of those surprise temptations that arise suddenly to defeat so many. Everyone will be caught unaware from time to time, but those who are diligent in the things of the world tend toward diligence in the things of the Spirit. Sometimes we say: "I never intended this to happen." That could be why it happened. Through lack of diligence, sin becomes inevitable, especially when dealing with fleshly temptations. Biology is a tremendous force.We must teach our teens and remind ourselves to show respect for its power and with due diligence. The author states: "A Christian who reads the Bible and prays every day, necking passionately in the back seat of a car, is no safer than an unbeliever in the same situation. At some point, all that awakened passion steals all ability to stop. Once the point of no return is passed sin is inevitable. Look ahead at the situation. Be observant to possible danger, and AVOID IT!!!! (Avoid the very appearance of evil...scripture)
Diligence: Key to Growth
Self-discipline is not a way to sanctify ourselves. God must do that. However, God expects us to discipline ourselves.
What Diligence is Not: Diligence is not driven, anxiety-ridden, burdened perfectionism. The driven, perfectionistic workaholic, always unable to reach his own unattainable standards, is obsessed but not controlled. Do not confuse driveness with diligence. Diligence is productive and enduring.
The virtue of diligence has 4 faces:
1. Diligence means CONSTANCY. Temporary obedience is disobedience.
2. Diligence is INSTANT. Delayed obedience is disobedience.
3. Diligence is EXACTITUDE. Partial obedience is disobedience.
4. Diligence is OBSERVANT CARE. Careless obedience is disobedience.
Diligence is the responsible, orderly, steady application of God's power within me toward whatever responsibility is mine.
The Latin root of diligence is diligentia....meaning "to choose" and "to love earnestly." Diligence makes all of life a labor of love, all the way to the finish line. We must choose to love earnestly, not just passionately.
p. 58-61 encouraging story about diligence....JUST FINISH!
"Eight Cardinal Virtues" by George Washington Carver:
1. Be clean both inside and outside.
2. Neither look up to the rich nor down on the poor.
3. Lose, if need be, without squealing.
4. Win without bragging.
5. Always be considerate of women, children, and old people.
6. Be too brave to lie.
7. Be too generouse to cheat.
8. Take your share of the world and let others take theirs.
Enjoying the Blessings of the Lord,
Becky
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