A MAN DILIGENT IN HIS BUSINESS

Diligence Can Take You Before Kings

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 22:29 (KJV) “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

1. BE DILIGENT

Diligence means working hard, consistently and responsibly.

Don't just be gifted—be dependable.

2. PURSUE EXCELLENCE

Colossians 3:23 (KJV) “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord...”

Give your best even when nobody is watching.

Excellence attracts attention.

3. BE CONSISTENT

Success is built through small things done faithfully over time.

Don't work hard only when people are watching.

Consistency turns effort into achievement.

4. DEVELOP YOUR GIFT

Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) “A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”

Your gift may open the door, but diligence helps you stay there.

Keep learning.
Keep improving.
Keep growing.

5. DON'T DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS

Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Do it well.

Great opportunities often begin with small responsibilities.

KEY LESSONS

1. Work hard.
2. Be consistent.
3. Pursue excellence.
4. Develop your skills.
5. Be reliable.
6. Stay humble.

FINAL CHARGE

Don't wait for a big opportunity before becoming serious.

Diligence can take you where talent alone cannot.

Work faithfully.
Learn continuously.
Serve excellently.
Keep improving.

SHORT PRAYER

Father, give me the spirit of diligence. Help me to work faithfully, develop my gifts and pursue excellence in all I do. Let my diligence create opportunities to serve and glorify You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233544295158

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Daily Devotion — August 21 | Acts 20:2 (NKJV)

The Ministry of Encouragement

As Paul continued his missionary journey, he traveled through the regions where churches had already been established. Rather than simply passing through, he intentionally spent time encouraging the believers. Paul understood that following Christ was not always easy, and God's people needed continual strengthening through biblical teaching, loving fellowship, and reminders of God's faithfulness.

Paul's ministry demonstrates that encouragement is an essential part of Christian service. His words helped believers remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution and challenges. He invested in people, knowing that strong disciples would continue the work of spreading the gospel.

For believers today, this verse reminds us that God calls us to encourage one another. A kind word, a sincere prayer, a Scripture shared at the right moment, or simply being present with someone can strengthen their faith. God often uses ordinary acts of encouragement to accomplish extraordinary work in the lives of His people.

Reflection Questions

1. Who has encouraged me in my walk with Christ?

2. Who can I encourage this week?

3. Am I intentionally helping others grow stronger in their faith?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for the people You have placed in my life to encourage me. Help me to be an encouragement to others through my words, actions, and prayers. Use me to strengthen fellow believers and to reflect Your love each day. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Reach out to encourage someone with a Bible verse or prayer.

● Speak words that build others up rather than tear them down.

● Look for opportunities to strengthen another believer's faith.

Takeaway Thought

God often strengthens His people through the encouragement of faithful believers.

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Thank You, Lord, for Your Forgiveness
Scripture: “As far as the east is from the west…” — Psalm 103:12

Reflection: Forgiveness is the freedom your soul longs for. God doesn’t hold your past over your head , He removes it from your shoulders. His forgiveness doesn’t just erase the record; it restores the relationship. It breaks chains you thought you’d carry forever and opens doors you thought were closed for good. When God forgives, He doesn’t bring it up again, and He doesn’t ask you to keep punishing yourself. He invites you to walk lighter, breathe deeper, and live as someone truly set free.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for forgiveness that cleanses my heart and restores my hope. Help me live in the freedom You’ve given me. Amen.

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP

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Today’s Scripture

John 2:7 (ESV)

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.”

Opening the Scriptures

The six large stone jars were standing nearby.

Then Jesus gave the servants a simple command:

“Fill the jars with water.”

The servants did not yet know what Jesus was going to do. The wedding needed wine, yet Jesus told them to bring water.

From a human point of view, the command may have seemed unrelated to the problem.

But the servants obeyed.

John adds an important detail:

“They filled them up to the brim.”

They did not partially obey. They did not fill the jars halfway and decide that was enough. They carried out the command completely.

They still did not know what would happen next.

They simply did what Jesus told them to do.

Living God’s Word Today

There is an important lesson here about Christian obedience.

We often want God to explain everything before we obey Him.

We want to know why.

We want to know what will happen.

We want to understand how obedience will benefit us.

But obedience to Christ cannot depend upon our understanding of the outcome.

When God has spoken clearly in His Word, our responsibility is to obey.

Sometimes His commands will challenge us.

Forgive.

Love your enemies.

Speak the truth.

Flee from sin.

Care for those in need.

Share the Gospel.

Remain faithful when obedience becomes costly.

We may not always understand what God is accomplishing through our obedience.

The servants at Cana certainly did not.

But they filled the jars “up to the brim.”

There is also a warning for us here.

Partial obedience is often disguised disobedience.

We cannot faithfully follow Christ while selecting only the commands we find comfortable.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Our obedience does not earn salvation. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by our works. But a life transformed by Christ should increasingly become a life of obedience to Christ.

The servants could fill the jars.

They could not perform the miracle.

That belonged entirely to Jesus.

The same distinction remains important for us.

Our responsibility is faithful obedience. The results belong to God.

Today, do not demand to see the outcome before obeying.

Trust Christ enough to do what He has commanded.

And when you obey, do not stop halfway.

Fill it to the brim.

Question for Today

Is there an area where you have been giving Christ only partial obedience?

Respond: “Lord Jesus, help me to obey You completely.”

Help a child in the Philippines get a good education

help me to be strong and courageous, Lord Jesus!

While encouraging Timothy to be faithful to his ministerial calling, Paul summarized his own service for Christ and what he looked forward to after he died: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). As the apostle anticipated his departure from labor to reward (v. 6), he was conscious of what really mattered in life. Each believer in Jesus has been given different tasks to do on this earth. With the Spirit’s help, we can strive to do them faithfully. We all long to hear the voice of Christ, our Savior, say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

I told you about our trying out a new translation ap so that my friend and I can communicate without someone to translate for us. She is my husband’s age and then there is my catawampus brain. I told you about how we laughed so hard and loud that I got into trouble … haha. Let me give you another giggle from that wonderful ap.

Yesterday while I was cooking dinner, my oldest little came and asked for help with her new baby doll that needed batteries. I told her to go see Opa because he had the screwdrivers. She did. Then she came back to ask for batteries. I looked all over my house and found batteries in every size but the one I needed. As I was trying to explain that we would go to the store after dinner, my German disappeared. So I asked, “Kanst du liesen?” which in my version of German is “Can you read?” She said yes. I was like Yes, I can use the app. I typed that we would go to the Dollar Store after dinner and turned the phone for her to read. I asked if she understood. She shook her head. I looked at the phone and the words looked wrong. (All languages have a vibe and this was not right.) The app had reset itself to Spanish. So, no, my German little could not read the Spanish translation. We giggled. I fixed it. She understood.

Later, my daughter-in-law had a great conversation, in English, about how we each have the same fear. When we attempt the other’s language, we are afraid of saying the wrong word. This brought up some memories of when I tried to ask her in front of her house if s he remembered the keys … however, the word for keys is similar to shoes and castles. So I actually asked if she had her shoes, castles and then keys, trying to make my brain and mouth work together.

There is a language barrier between us, but it is only a barrier if we allow the enemy to hold it between us. The barrier is only as strong as we allow it to be. Fear is a powerful tool and can keep you from trying new things. Such as … having a conversation with someone who speaks a different language. Last year, when they came, I purchased translating ear buds; they were slow on the translation and sometimes did not translate. This year we are trying the app and if I make sure it is set to German and English, I have even attempted to pronounce what it tells me. The attempt is there. The love is there. The barrier is coming down one word, one attempt, one text at a time. As we endeavor to be able to speak to each other, play goofy nugget games and faces with each other, breaking through the barrier one brick at a time … we take away the enemy’s fortress.

The enemy would have us all cowering in our little corners, afraid and resistant to step out in faith. But … I was not made to live in fear. I was not made to cower. I was made to step out in the power of Jesus Christ and share his Peace and Love while planting seeds of hope.

Today I encourage you to seek His face. Lay at His feet the barriers that you are facing, the fear that has you stationary, the battles that seem to be holding you back in your mind. I urge you step out in the faith and power of the Father and watch the fear barriers crumble. I am not completely confident in speaking German, but when it does start coming out … even if it is wrong…I tried. Trying is half the battle.

Be blessed.

**For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12