diligent – Cross Culture Church

Meditation: December 12

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25

His former condition of blindness was forever changed. He could see that healing could come forth through the Man who had laid His hands on him. This led to a kind of searching faith to discover the identity of the Person who could do what would otherwise be impossible. There was a plethora of information available that could be fodder for future arguments and discussions. But they would be theoretical and not necessarily factual. He was absolutely convinced of one thing that required no further discussion. He knew that He was blind, but now he is seeing. Many are in search for many things to convince them. Their doubt and unbelief restrict them from experiencing the Lord’s presence. This one thing that is known can be the watermark for all the other things that is yet to be revealed. If Jesus could heal him of his blindness, what other things may be possible for him to receive from the Lord? We are to cherish the one thing that we know. If we can believe that God is, then we can grow to trust Him to be the rewarder of all who would diligently seek Him.

16 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: October 16

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

We must be presented as approved unto God. Our lives are to be on display as showing evidence of God’s character. How else would the world know that Jesus is alive and the same yesterday, today, and forevermore? It is the life that expresses the truest meaning to Scripture that others are able to read even clearer than the text itself. Their interest is prompted to read on until the Word irresistibly becomes life to them. We direct them to Jesus Christ, the source of all that may be seen in us. He is seen through our every effort. He is glorified through our every deed, and He is edified when we participate with Christ and all who have come to know Him. Ours is to establish His kingdom on the earth as it is in heaven. Those who profess to know but do not know Him bring shame and disgrace to His name. And their pride becomes their shame. But those who know Him have contained in His Word the every life that He promises.

28 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: July 28

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30

God searches hearts in His pursuit of a man that carries His passion. He looks beyond the surface responses and reactions of those who make a good showing before others and will often find one who appears to have nothing going his way. This diligent soul appears to be benched and not actively recruited to participate on the world’s scene because the world does not see his qualities but God is fully aware of them all. This is the man that will build a wall between what God loves and what He loathes. He will also restore the wall of protection for inhabitants of the land that is now defenseless against the enemies of their souls. He stands before God in order to God as an intercessor, appealing to Him in order to avert the judgment that would come against all who rebel against God. But who is this man? He is a nobody in the sight of others, but to God he is the man for the season. It is not the applause of the crowd or its size that determines the measure of a man. It is the faithfulness of his heart towards God that matters most in these times of trials, tests, and temptations.

20 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: July 20

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Diligence is required in the preparation for the presentation of oneself as an authorized worker who is able to wholly participate in the work of God. God’s work must take place within the worker before the Holy Spirit is able to work through the worker. We must be careful not to engage in efforts we deem to be important prior to the life-changing experience of conversion. We are converted into seeing things from God’s point of view in heaven rather than ours which is limited to what we observe on the earth. He then takes the worker and places him among other workers in order for the work to be complete. No worker is able to complete his without the assistance of others who have been assigned to assist. The work of God is not just what we do but who we become. We are the raw material God uses to erect a spiritual house in which He will dwell throughout eternity. Our proper placement adds to our worth. Whatever it takes in assuring that our efforts are according to His specifications and is not in vain is of utmost importance. Be diligent that each may qualify as living stones in their rightful place.

29 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: October 29

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

There is a place where our heart and truth connects. The heart beforehand had grown accustomed to wandering in search of whatever would bring any semblance of satisfaction. The pursuit alone would appease it for a little while but only to eventually resort to the same empty space to which it had grown accustomed. Where faith in God is lacking, a void exists of which nothing else can fill. A godless life is an empty life. Our displeasure is a reflection of His longing for us and His displeasure when live not taken advantage of the privileges made possible through the sacrifice of the life of His Son. God is pleased when the Holy Spirit is revealing Jesus Christ to us. The truth of God concerning His Son liberates the soul from the bondage of self-seeking. By faith we believe that God is who He says He is in His Word. This is both the truth and the reward of the saint, to know Him and to be known by Him. When we know what is to be known, our major quest will be to apprehend that for which we were apprehended. Our faith has made known to us that there is much more yet to know of Him, therefore our diligence is never to settle at any level.

16 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: October 16

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

We must be presented as approved unto God. Our lives are to be on display as showing evidence of God’s character. How else would the world know that Jesus is alive and the same yesterday, today, and forevermore? It is the life that expresses the truest meaning to Scripture that others are able to read even clearer than the text itself. Their interest is prompted to read on until the Word irresistibly becomes life to them. We direct them to Jesus Christ, the source of all that may be seen in us. He is seen through our every effort. He is glorified through our every deed, and He is edified when we participate with Christ and all who have come to know Him. Ours is to establish His kingdom on the earth as it is in heaven. Those who profess to know but do not know Him bring shame and disgrace to His name. And their pride becomes their shame. But those who know Him have contained in His Word the every life that He promises.

20 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: July 20

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Diligence is required in the preparation for the presentation of oneself as an authorized worker who is able to wholly participate in the work of God. God’s work must take place within the worker before the Holy Spirit is able to work through the worker. We must be careful not to engage in efforts we deem to be important prior to the life-changing experience of conversion. We are converted into seeing things from God’s point of view in heaven rather than ours which is limited to what we observe on the earth. He then takes the worker and places him among other workers in order for the work to be complete. No worker is able to complete his without the assistance of others who have been assigned to assist. The work of God is not just what we do but who we become. We are the raw material God uses to erect a spiritual house in which He will dwell throughout eternity. Our proper placement adds to our worth. Whatever it takes in assuring that our efforts are according to His specifications and is not in vain is of utmost importance. Be diligent that each may qualify as living stones in their rightful place.

04 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: July 4

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” Proverbs 12:24 (MSG)

There is a freedom that allows us to fully cooperate with God in what He is doing. There is a bondage that can hold one back so that they are never able to accomplish or complete anything. It is the mental bondage of procrastination. It is when one thinks too intensely one the amount of work ahead rather than applying the effort necessary to take steps in completing it. The Holy Spirit will assist us but not force us to do anything. He awaits the decision on our part to move in the right direction. Then He supplies the energy and power for us to gain the impetus to continue moving forward. We have been graced to make a difference. Things we not intended to remain as they are. That is why God has allowed us to be born in this generation. What our forefathers completed was foundational for the task lying ahead of us. We must not allow the oppression of laziness to cripple our progress. Speak the truth even when nobody’s listening! Live the life and be the person God has called you to be even when it is not popular! Be steadfast in season and out of season. God will reward diligence because He pays attention to every effort made by those who strain to move in His direction.

12 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Meditation: December 12

Posted by wwalker Categories: Meditations

“One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25

His former condition of blindness was forever changed. He could see that healing could come forth through the Man who had laid His hands on him. This led to a kind of searching faith to discover the identity of the Person who could do what would otherwise be impossible. There was a plethora of information available that could be fodder for future arguments and discussions. But they would be theoretical and not necessarily factual. He was absolutely convinced of one thing that required no further discussion. He knew that He was blind, but now he is seeing. Many are in search for many things to convince them. Their doubt and unbelief restrict them from experiencing the Lord’s presence. This one thing that is known can be the watermark for all the other things that is yet to be revealed. If Jesus could heal him of his blindness, what other things may be possible for him to receive from the Lord? We are to cherish the one thing that we know. If we can believe that God is, then we can grow to trust Him to be the rewarder of all who would diligently seek Him.

01 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

November 2015 Article: “Hours of Grateful Reflection”

Posted by wwalker Categories: Articles

“If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.” Psalm 63:6 (The Message Paraphrase)

God gives His children peaceful rest. They have the stamina to work diligently, but they also have the calm and contentment to rest peacefully. The reason behind both their rest and their peace is the knowledge that God is still in control. Oftentimes, it appears as if no options remain for those who wish for harmony within nature and among mankind. The current events projected on our television screens, along with the daily grind of day to day activities, appear to only lead to deeper levels of frustration. Every effort of peace is contested by greater conflict, and the soul is filled with discontent. The pursuit is for a better life and a better world. The prevailing question is “where can peace be found?” Just maybe the search is in the wrong direction. The question ought to be “where can truth be found?” Peace is located along the same path that truth has already paved. The unaltered and unadulterated truth contained with the One who sent it forth will always remain as the only way to effectively address the current crises of our day. Unfortunately, many are in search of an alternative reality at the expense of all things that would otherwise provide for their peace. The sleeplessness of the Psalmist was not as the result of his resolve. His commitment was to a Godly standard, even though his sinful nature, along with the world around him, would oppose it.

Needless is the effort and wasted are the opportunities of grace when time and energy are spent in worry. The stagnant posture of worry inhibits the growth of the individual and paralyzes his potential as one who could otherwise be a part of the solution rather than the problem (You are either on one side of the issue or the other).

Nighttime is intended for sleep and not restlessness. One’s occupation or preoccupation will influence the conscience when meditations are not deliberate. Even when the intent is to erase from the mind those things that fill it with thought, the more one tries to not think of a thing, the more of that thought invades the mind and holds it captive. Sleeplessness in the middle of the night is when the night has been far spent leaving little energy for tomorrow. The battle throughout the night is a phantom war against imaginary troops. If one is exhausted from the nightshift of worry, can that individual be relied upon to answer destiny’s call? The Psalmist spent his hours in grateful reflection. Instead of worry, he is reminded of God’s divine promise and strength. If He was the One who rescued him from the perils of the past, then He is able to handle the challenges that lie ahead. Instead of counting sheep, he is counting victories.

There were lessons learned through his temporary failures and temporary setbacks. Yet his God is faithful in using every situation for his ultimate good and for His own glory. When more time is spent in grateful reflections falling to sleep becomes easy. Confidence in God relaxes the mind and muscles, for it was never his efforts, but the power of God working through him mightily, that produces victory after victory. Sleeplessness tried to enter in but found no lasting abode. When doubt tried to enter in, he would reflect upon the fierceness and ferociousness of the lion and the bear. He initiated and offensive attack against them along with the taunting Philistine giant Goliath. They were no match to him as his God was present.

What do you have standing as a lion, bear, or giant before you? Did you face them with Godly courage or in timidity and fear? Only faith in God alone is sufficient to stand against the wiles of devil. Faithlessness robs one of the potential provided by God to overcome in battles set forth for our destruction. Without faith, God cannot be pleased through one’s life. Gratitude is easy when reflections and meditation on God’s goodness have become our way of life. Moreover, the rest at night will also provide strength in the daytime. Trusting God for our daily bread and strength will cause spiritual growth to occur so that when greater battles come and greater challenges occur, confidence in God will rise to such a level so that it would be a part of your nature to say, “What God has done, He is still able to do!”