DILIGENCE – Doing your very best no matter what you are doing.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; Ecclesiastes 9:10
When you walk into a dark room at night and flip the light switch, light fills the room and you can instantly see where you are going. It hasn’t always been that way. Over many years, men and women have worked hard to develop the system of lights and electricity that we enjoy today.
The one person that most people remember in that process would be Thomas Edison. And although Edison didn’t invent the first light bulb, he and a group of scientists in Menlo Park, NJ, perfected the light bulb so that it could be useful in every day life. That process wasn’t easy. For two years, Edison and those scientists worked long and hard. They tried 3000 different lighting processes and tested 6000 different materials until they finally came up with a light bulb that would last.
Thomas Edison and these scientists were DILIGENT in their work. Edison worked very hard to lead these scientists in their work and to achieve his goal of inventing a light bulb that could be used. He said, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” In other words, their good idea was successful because of their diligent, hard work. He also said that many people fail because they give up too soon.
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DILIGENT IN OUR WORK
God wants us to be diligent in our work too. Our verse above tells us that when we have something to do, we should do it with all of our might … do our very best. Do you hurry through your chores so that you can watch TV or play video games? Do you shove things under your bed or stuff things into your closet when you clean your room so that you can say that you are done? Are you sloppy and careless when you do your homework so that you can finish quicker and go play? That is not being diligent. That is not doing your best.
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God wants you to be diligent even now at your age. When you are careful to do your best now then this will become a good habit that will follow you into adulthood Being diligent now will:
1) Give you a sense of pride in your work
2) Establish good habits for your lifetime
3) PLEASE GOD! This is even more important than #1 and #2. Ephesians 6:7 tells us that we should do every job to please God.
DILIGENT IN OUR WALK
At many railroad crossings you will find a yellow and black sign that means, “STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.” These words can be applied to our Christian walk (or life), too.
First, we should STOP bad things from coming into our minds and hearts. The Bible says that our eyes and ears are the gates to our hearts. You need to be very careful about what you look at and listen to on the TV, on your phone or computer or when you are when your friends. The things you think and talk about will greatly affect the way you act. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23.)
Second, we need to LOOK to God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards those who seek Him. Do you read the Bible so that you will get to know Him better? Do you talk to God each day? Do you acknowledge Him in each of your activities?
Finally, we need to LISTEN to God’s Word. That means we should obey what God says. If we do, He promises to bless us and to help us succeed in life. This doesn’t mean we won’t have problems. It does mean that we will have God’s help and peace in troubled times. God made us and He knows what’s best for us. We are wise if we listen to Him and do what He says.
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DILIGENT IN OUR WORSHIP
A Psalm of David. I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. Psalm 9:1
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We have lots to praise and thank God for. He created us and He keeps us going each day. He loved us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins. He is preparing a wonderful place called heaven for those who ask Jesus to forgive their sins and save them.
SOME THINGS ABOUT PRAISE AND WORSHIP…
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The Bible tells us that God is worthy of our praise. He deserves it. We should tell Him how great He is and thank Him for all He has done for us.
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We can praise God anywhere – you don’t have to be in a church.
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We can praise God anytime – it doesn’t have to be only on Sunday.
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God is pleased with our worship.
CONCLUSION
Are you diligent? Do you do your best in everything you do? God wants you to be diligent in your WORK, WALK, and WORSHIP. Always do your best … in big and small jobs … to please the Lord. When you do this, you will be a success.