Topic: Be Diligent in Good Works [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 14 June 2020
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Be Diligent in Good Works
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) For it is my grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
One area in which we need to apply the most diligence is the manner in which we think. Our lives flow in the direction of out dominant thoughts. As we align our thoughts with God’s thoughts for us, our lives flow in the direction of God’s will for our lives. God does not want us to be conformed or caged to the thought patterns of this world. He wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can know and activate His will for our lives, Rom. 12:2.
The primary weapon the devil uses against us are his lies. Do not fall for the devil’s lies. Stand by God’s truth, Eph. 6:10-13. Maintain the truth of God in you in order to readily identify the lies of the devil and cast them down. Jesus could repeatedly say “It is written” in order to overcome the devils’ temptations because he knew what was written.
A breastplate mainly protects one’s internal organs, such as the heart and lungs of a solider during battle. Ephesians 6:14 implores us to put on the breastplate of righteousness, while 1 Thessalonians 5:8 instructs us to put on the breastplate of faith and love. These three things are major target points of the devil. To guard your heart, you must fill your heart with the revelation of Christ concerning these three areas. We are ‘righteous’ by our ‘faith’ in the ‘love’ God has shown to us in Christ. Be rooted and grounded in the love of God, Eph. 3:17. Diligently remind yourself of God’s love for you. Allow the Holy Spirit to continually spread God’s love in your heart, Rom. 5:5. Do not be double minded, James 1:5-8. Keep your heart pure, Matt. 5:8. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by evil thoughts. Instead, think on thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and worthy of virtue and praise, Phil. 4:8.
Faith Declaration:
The grace of God upon my life is causing me to function like Jesus. I am passionate and diligent in doing good works that bring glory to God.
Bible in one year reading plan:
- Nehemiah 1-3
- Acts 2:1-21