THEME- CALL IN YOUR HARVEST
LESSON 1- THROUGH DILIGENCE
MAIN TEXT- PROVERBS 10:4-5
INTRODUCTION
The year of bumper harvest is also approved by God but if God sends the rain and there is no work done on the land he has provided then there will not be a harvest. When a moving train heads to your destination, you must make effort to jump into the train to reach your desired destination. Diligence is showing perseverance at whatever is undertaken. It is characterized by steady, earnest and energetic work. Diligence in the Biblical sense is a persevering application of the Word of God. We should also show diligence physically, mentally and spiritually-Phil1:27, Prov. 19:24, 21:24, Prov. 24:30-34, Rom 7:23, 12:2, Matt. 22:37.
THE THREE D’S OF DILIGENCE:
a) DECISION- It means firmness of conviction or the act of deciding or the choice or judgment over a matter. There should be the decision to succeed in the heart of the Christian and there should also be the firm conviction concerning the work done (seed sowing, offering etc) that will yield the bumper harvest. The choice you make has a lot to say about your harvest. Abraham had the promise of bumper harvest- Gen 12:2-3 but he made a choice- Gen 16:1-5. Luke 15:18-19
b) DETERMINATION – To run or work with a will, decision and resolution against all odds. Determination guarantees focus and results- Psalm 5:3, Micah 7:7 . There must be a willful act beyond the decision stage - Prov 13:4, Luke 15:20-23. When a man is determined, He will definitely eat in time of famine- Prov 6 :6-8. The oceans are made up of drops of water, don’t despise your little beginning –Zec 4:10 , Job 8:7, Eccl 7:8. Keep sowing good seeds; it will grow from an orchard to a forest
c) DISCIPLINE- Prov 6:9, Heb 12:11, Prov 6:23
Not only does diligence mean “faithful, steady, consistent work at something you refuse to quit doing,” it requires another d-word: discipline. Beyond determination comes discipline. It takes discipline to keep sowing seeds when it looks as if it will not work. Joseph received the promise of bumper harvest but discipline took him to the throne – Gen 39:12, Gen 41:40-41.Anointing is divine or supernatural ability or enablement but character or discipline fashions it. Discipline gives the understanding of seasons- a time to sow, weed, water, wait and harvest and in all the seasons you must be diligent to have a bumper harvest- 2Tim 1:7, Prov 25:28
THE PROFITS OF DILIGENCE
1.) Possession of Riches- Prov 10:4
2.) Possession of Authority- Prov 12:24
3) Fulfillment and bumper harvest – Prov 13:4. Proverbs 21:5
4) Possession of favor- Proverbs 11:27
We must be positioned to receive His promises! Be diligent, and be rewarded! God bless you! God wants to reward you for being diligent. However, we can’t plead promises and break God’s principles. If we do the Word of God, it will work for us.
