I want to encourage you to be obedient and diligent in reading and meditating the Word of God. The average American spends a lot more time reading the newspaper, Life, Time, Newsweek, and Business Week than reading the Word of God.

The key to receiving God's rewards is found in John 15:7, which says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

Jeremiah said, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart" (Jer. 15:16).

David said, "The entrance of thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Ps. 119:130).

As you hear God's Word, you will reap the rewards of spiritual strength, refreshing, encouragement, light and insight into your life.

You multiply these qualities every time you are diligent in the Word of God.

In the natural, soldiers are required to do things whether they feel like it or not. They're not moved by their feelings. True soldiers in the Lord need to be motivated to have this same track record. "I'm going to put God's Word in my heart whether I feel like it's working or not, or whether I feel like doing it or not. I'm going to focus on the Word, read the Word and study it."

Paul said to Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto god, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

Secondly, I'd like to encourage you to make a commitment to God's plan in your life through prayer.

Many people aren't diligent to fulfill God's plan for their life, because they're not hearing God speak to them and they're not talking to the Lord on a diligent, regular basis. A diligent, consistent time in daily prayer will produce results in your life.

I want to encourage you about conversational prayer with God. Conversational prayer is simply talking and listening. Many people have a prayer declaration. It's a one-sided affair all the way. That is, they tell god everything and when they're through, they hang up the phone.

We do not serve a dead God. We serve a living God. If He talked in days gone by, He's still talking today. Just as He walked with Peter and John on the shores of Galilee, He still walks with us. This means we can talk with Him and listen to Him.

The more we commune with Him, the more clearly we will understand His plan for our lives. It's not just a master plan for all of life and eternity. It's a daily plan, 24 hours a day.

Results of Diligence
People who are diligent in their financial matters will be rewarded.

Although some people aren't diligent on their job, you should be diligent. You should be the best worker in the company. Be there early, stay over the time you are required and do what is asked of you.

If you don't understand your tasks be sure it is clarified so you will have a good report in the business where you are working. Be diligent in all the things you are called to do.

There's a spiritual and a natural relationship. It's possible for some people to be diligent in their business, but negligent in spiritual matters. Other people are diligent in spiritual matters, but they're slothful in natural matters.

We should be diligent in every area that concerns our lives, because we're going to reap the benefits and the results more than anyone else. The results of diligence will bless you more that any other person.

My Prayer For You
By the authority of the name of Jesus, I thank the Father for breaking the spirit of the world, of laziness and slothfulness off of you. I ask the Father to stir you up and let the fire of the Holy Spirit sweep through you and burn up the dross and the chaff (everything that is unproductive), the wood, hay and stubble in your life.

I pray that you will have diligence and new energy in the things that count in God's eyes and that you will begin to see the manifested rewards of your diligence.

I thank God that He will never forget your work and the labor of love you have given in ministering and serving others in the name of Jesus.

I come against every lying thought of confusion, turmoil and torment. Let it be gone now by the name and blood of Jesus Christ. Where you have lacked diligence, repent and thank God for His mercy and grace. Receive forgiveness right now in every area of your life where there has been a lack of diligence.

I thank the Lord for a fresh start in your life today. Amen.

Personal Prayer of Commitment
Father, I've heard enough about Jesus Christ, Your Son, that I know that I want to be like Him. I know the first step to becoming like Him is to accept Him, not only as Savior, but also as the Lord of every area of my life.

Lord Jesus, I do believe You are God's Son and that You died, You were buried and then You were resurrected on my behalf.

I renounce every form of evil and ask that You cleanse me with Your shed blood. I do accept You now as my Lord and Savior.

Holy Spirit, empower me to be a witness of diligence and faithfulness, first to my own family and then to others.

Let my life shine with Your love and faith, Lord, and help me to be pleasing to You.

Today I commit myself to a fresh walk in You, Lord - a walk of diligence that produces results! Amen.

Source: Diligence Produces Results by Billy Joe Daugherty
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers.