I want to share portions of two devotionals for today. The first is from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:
Believest thou this? —John 11:26
Martha believed in the power at the disposal of Jesus Christ, she believed that if He had been present He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a peculiar intimacy with God and that whatever He asked of God, God would do; but she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s programme of belief had its fulfilment in the future; Jesus led her on until her belief became a personal possession, and then slowly emerged into a particular inheritance— “Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ. . . ”
This took place when Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, had died. Martha believed in Jesus enough to realize that Jesus could have saved her brother from dying IF He had only been there in time. Her trust and confidence in what Jesus could do was about to increase exponentially! Unless you and I continue diligently in the Word of God, we will put limits on what God can do in our lives, too! Even though Jesus said THIS in John 14:12:
12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. AMP
How do we get to the point in faith where we believe, without limits, that ALL THINGS are possible with God (Mark 10:27) AND for those who believe (Mark 9:23)? We MUST be diligent in the Word of God! Here is Jerry Savelle's devotional for today:
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV)
Did you know diligence is a key to obtaining the blessings of God? To be diligent means to approach what you are doing with eagerness, earnestness, and care. Diligence is a matter of the heart, and a diligent heart always produces good: “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NKJV). Let’s look at what God’s Word has to say about diligence:
“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24 NKJV).
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has noting; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Proverbs 13:4 NKJV).
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
Diligence is a prerequisite to seeing your victory. Diligent people always make a steady, consistent effort to accomplish their goals. Diligent people never give up.
Confession: I decide today to always make a steady, consistent effort to accomplish my God-given goals and to never give up. Whatever I do today, I will do it diligently and joyfully as unto the Lord.
AMEN! The only limits to your faith are the limits you put on it! Determine today to put the Word of God as your first priority and your final authority! Remember, Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), and faith grows by continuing top hear and hear and hear! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Like Incense - Sometimes By Step":Shalom in Him!
