Devotion Book 2

Devotion Book 2 – Lesson 1

Devotions Book 2

Lesson 1

Diligence (week 1-4)

The Building Blocks: God’s Principles

“ … giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:5-8

Diligence (Week 1-4) Lesson 1

(Obedience)

Diligence (Obedience) / Week 1

Day 1 / I Samuel 15: 13-23

The two main characters in this passage are Samuel and Saul. Samuel was a prophet to Israel, God’s chosen people. Saul was king of Israel. Through Samuel, God had commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, long-time enemies of Israel. Saul assembled a big army and attacked the Amalekites, but did not completely destroy them. He spared the king of the Amalekites and the best of the animals. Through Samuel, God sent another message to Saul. He said that He was sorry that He has set up Saul as King of Israel. As a result of his disobedience, Saul lost his throne, his two sons, and his own life. Saul’s life shows what happens when we disobey God.

What has happened to me when I have disobeyed God? What has happened to me when I have obeyed Him?

Day 2 / Deuteronomy 5: 22-29

When the Israelites were in the final days of their wanderings in the wilderness, Moses made four important speeches to the nation. In his speeches, he repeated the story of God’s dealings with them; how He had led them out of slavery, how He had given them His law, how He had protected and sustained them. Today’s passage is part of Moses’ second speech, in which he focuses on the immeasurable importance of God’s Word. He makes one thing very clear; a happy, successful life results from keeping (obeying) God’s commandments (v. 29).

In what ways have I obeyed God recently and been happier and successful because of it?

Day 3 / Jeremiah 26: 12-15

Jeremiah was the “weeping prophet” of the nation of Israel. For almost fifty years he preached God’s message to them, even though they were unresponsive. He repeatedly told the Israelites that their disobedience would bring God’s judgment upon them and that God’s blessings would be theirs if they would repent and obey. He also told them that God would remain faithful in spite of their unfaithfulness. He would not utterly destroy them. Jeremiah’s main concern was not his own physical life, but the spiritual life of his people. More than anything, he wanted Israel to obey God, because he knew that they would reap exactly what they had sown.

What will I reap from the words, actions and attitudes I have sown this week?

Day 4 / II Thessalonians 3: 11-15

Paul dearly loved the Thessalonian Christians, and he was thrilled by the way they so diligently followed God’s Word. But, as in any group of Christians, there were certain ones in the church at Thessalonica who were not living obediently. Paul instructed the church to not fellowship with them. The reason for this breaking of fellowship was to cause the disobedient brother and sister to be ashamed of their disobedience and thereby cause repentance and restoration.

When we are disobedient to God, our fellowship with Him is hindered or broken. Our sin blocks our communication with Him.

Is there anything I have done or am doing that has broken my fellowship with God?

Day 5 / Matthew 7: 24-29

Jesus often used parables to express profound truths in an easy-to-understand way. He graphically depicted His message so the simplest person could follow what He was saying. This parable about the two men who built two houses was Jesus’ way of focusing on the importance of obedience to His Word. Both men had heard Jesus’ message; but only one had obeyed, and because he obeyed, his life (his house) was stronger than the storms which pounded against it. The other man’s life (house) disintegrated in the storm because he was disobedient to the message.

Which man am I like? In what ways am I building my “house” on the Rock — (Jesus Christ)?

Day 6 / John 14: 22-24

Judas — better known as Thaddeus — asked Jesus a very good question. He wanted to know how Jesus would “show” Himself to the disciples after He was gone. He could not understand how they would have a relationship if Jesus were not physically present. Jesus explained to Thaddeus that a relationship and companionship with Him results from obedience to His Word. As we love and obey Him more and more, we experience more and more of His “abiding” presence in us.

What shows me that Jesus is “abiding” (living) in me and that I am “abiding” (living) in Him?

Day 1 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:_______________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 6 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Diligence (Obedience) / Week 2

Day 1/ John 14: 15-21

This passage is part of the last conversation Jesus had with His disciples before His death. He tells His followers that there is one certain way to show love for Him: by knowing and obeying His commandments. If we say that we love the Lord, but are not learning and obeying His Word, then we are kidding ourselves.

Judging by my obedience today, would Jesus say I love Him?

Day 2 / John 14: 27-31

Why did Jesus die on the cross? The first answer that comes to the minds of most believers is that He died to pay for our sins, to be our Saviour. This is true, of course. But there is actually a deeper reason, which Jesus singled out in this solemn farewell to the disciples. He told them that He would die on the cross because he loved the Father. His love caused Him to obey the Father’s will.

How will my love for God cause me to obey Him today?

Day 3 / Acts 7: 35-40

Moses was sent by God to be the ruler and deliverer of Israel. He led the nation out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and then for 40 years in the wilderness. Throughout these experiences, Moses did wonders and miraculous things before them. God spoke to them through Moses. But in spite of these things, Israel refused to obey him. They rejected Moses and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

The Israelites had one basic problem which caused their disobedience: they stopped loving God.

Is there anything I find it hard to obey God in? Is it because of a lack of love?

Day 4 / II Kings 18: 1-7

For several hundred years, God’s chosen people, the Hebrew, were divided between two kingdoms, the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah. One of the best kings of Judah was Hezekiah. He was instrumental in leading his people back to God. He repaired the temple, destroyed all idols and restored the priesthood. The key to Hezekiah’s success is plainly stated in verse 6: “For he clave unto the Lord and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments…” God blessed Hezekiah because Hezekiah loved and obeyed Him.

What have I done this week that shows I love God?

Day 5 / Luke 5:1-9

Peter had fished all night without catching anything. He was tired. But when Jesus asked him to let down the fishing nets one more time, he willingly obeyed the Lord. He did what Jesus commanded because of his love for the Master, and God blessed him with such a catch that he had to call for help to bring in the fish! So it is when we respond in obedience to the Master because of our love for Him.

What blessings have I received from God this week because of my loving obedience to Him?

Day 6 / John 15: 9-11

In God’s eyes, obedience and love are inseparable. Jesus said so very clearly on this occasion, when He was on the way to the garden of Gethsemane. He knew that He would soon die, but He was not afraid or regretful. He was ready and willing to follow through according to God’s plan because he loved the Father so much. His obedience was a natural by-product of His love.

In what special ways can I show love to God through obedience this week?

Day 1 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:_______________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 6 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Diligence (Obedience) / Week 3

Day 1 / Ephesians 5:18 – 6:4

God has given us clear directions for family life. His first command is: be filled with the Spirit. Being “filled with the Spirit” actually means being under Jesus’ control. This requires total submission to Him — letting Him be in charge of every area of your life. When Jesus is in control in the life of each family member, the entire family is then under His control.

How can I submit myself to Jesus and allow Him to control my life? How can I submit myself to other members of my family?

Day 2 / Ephesians 6:1-3

God’s clear direction to children is: obey your parents. But he goes a step further and says to also “honor” them. What does it mean to “honor your father and mother” (v.2)? It means to respect them, to not make fun of them, to not talk back to them, to listen to what they say and obey them with a good, happy attitude. This command was the first command in the Bible with a special promise: God said that He would bless those who faithfully follow this instruction with a longer and better life.

What can I do to help my children honor and respect me more as their father?

Day 3 / Colossians 3: 18-21

The Bible includes specific instructions to every member of the family. God doesn’t leave anybody out of the picture! His message in these verses can be summed in key words for each member:

“Wives ……………………………..submit” (v.18)

“Husbands …………….. …………love (v.19)

“Children …………………………..obey (v. 20)

“Fathers ……………………………provoke not” (v. 21)

How am I living in response to God’s instructions?

Day 4 / I Peter 3: 1-7

This passage is directed primarily to wives, but it teaches valuable lessons to all members of the family. For example, it teaches the value of a good attitude, which can be instrumental in showing Christ living in you. This is an important principle to recognize, because we must all live so that our Lord can be seen in us.

How is Christ being shown through my attitude?

Day 5 / II Corinthians 7:13-16

The apostle Paul sent young Titus to the church in Corinth to see how they had responded to his first letter to them. Titus had heard some unpleasant things about the Corinthian Christians, but when he arrived and met them, he realized that they had done everything Paul had asked them to do. He loved them as his brothers and sisters even before his arrival, however he was concerned about their spiritual condition. How pleased he was by their obedience!

God loves us, and there is nothing we could do to change His love. But, in spite of His unlimited love for us, God is not always pleased with us. He is pleased only when we are living in obedience.

If an angel were to visit me, what kind of report would he send back to God?

Day 6 / John 2: 1-11

This is the account of Jesus’ first miracle, which he performed at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. At the wedding “reception,” the hosts ran out of wine; so Jesus commanded the servants to fill six large stone jugs with water. They filled them up — right to the brim! How beautifully this pictures the attitude we ought to have when we obey God. We shouldn’t be content to do what is “normal.” Rather, we should respond with “brimful obedience” — doing over and above what is expected.

How can I show “brimful obedience” this week?

Day 1 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:_______________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 6 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Diligence (Obedience) / Week 4

Day 1 / Romans 13: 1-10

Have you ever wondered why there are “bosses” in the world? Whose idea was it to put one person over another? It was God’s idea. He so designed this world that every person would be under someone else’s authority in some way. He did this so we could learn to place ourselves under Him and let Him be the real “boss” of our lives. Obeying people we can see is good practice for obeying God, whom we cannot see.

Who are the authorities over me?

Day 2 / I Peter 2: 11-17

God tells us explicitly to obey the leaders of our government and the laws they make. We are to submit ourselves unto them for the Lord’s sake (v. 13). This is God’s will, and His purpose in it is to “silence the ignorance of foolish men” (v. 15). This means that when we obey the laws of the land, others will find in us little to criticize. This was the example set by Jesus during His life on earth (see Luke 23: 4, 14).

Are there any laws of our land that I am not obeying?

Day 3 / Hebrews 13: 15-17

Over each of us God places certain “rulers” — persons who are responsible for guiding us spiritually. God instructs us to respond to these spiritual leaders in obedience, willingly submitting ourselves to their guidance. We should do this readily, keeping in mind that they must one day answer to God for how they have done in watching over us.

Who are the spiritual leaders over me? How am I obeying them? How am I submitting to them? How can I better obey and submit to them?

Day 4 / Acts 5: 17-29

With the marvelous power that God had given them, the apostles performed many signs and wonders. They healed the sick, cast out demons and did other marvelous works to demonstrate God’s power. This made the “religious” leaders very angry. So angry, in fact, that they had the apostles arrested and thrown in jail. The angel of the Lord then set them free and commanded them to keep on proclaiming the message of Jesus. The apostles returned to the temple to preach the Word of God. Once again, the priests had them arrested and brought them before the council. Peter’s words to them reveal an important principle: When men try to persuade us to stop following God, we must not obey them. We must obey God, regardless of the consequences.

Am I willing to stand alone with God if necessary and suffer the consequences of persecution?

Day 5 / Hebrews 5: 5-10

Jesus suffered the worst treatment imaginable. After His unlawful arrest, He was beaten, slapped and mocked by godless, selfish men. Yet He learned obedience through this awful experience. He became our perfect example, showing us how to react in a spirit of love and submission.

What does Jesus’ example teach me about obeying?

Day 6 / II Corinthians 10: 8-10

Some of the Corinthian Christians thought Paul was being “bossy” with them, exercising too much authority over them. Their problem was simply that they would not accept the fact that Paul was their spiritual leader. Paul plainly tells them why God had placed him in authority over them. It was for their “edification” — for building them up, making them stronger in the faith. Paul did not want to discourage or hurt them; he wanted to help them. His instructions were for their own good.

What are some ways in which obedience to God’s instructions is for my own good?

Day 1 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 2 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 4 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:_______________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 5 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Day 6 Learn & Live

Bible reading text:________________________

What do I learn from this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pray & Praise

In light of what I have learned, what do I ask God for today?

____________________________________________________________________________________

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