Diligence leads to Excellence

UV 975/10,000 Diligence Leads to Excellence Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2 v 15 Our study of the Word of God should not be casual or irregular but diligent, intensive and sincere. We cannot come to read or study the Word with a lackadaisical attitude. God sees how much value we attach to the study of the Word. He sees what is in our heart towards Him and His Word. What He sees in us should please Him and win us His commendation. We do not do it to win the approval of men or to give people an impression of our piety. A skilled workman involved in risky work with his tools and machines knows that his very life depends on how well he has learnt his trade and how carefully he puts his tools to use on a daily basis. He cannot afford to take his eyes off even for a minute but he is the picture of intense concentration. All the tools and answers we need in life are contained in His Word. We need to use analysis and synthesis as our methods to overcome our intellectual and spiritual paralysis. The Holy Spirit as a master trainer will instruct us on the inner meaning of each word and how it applies to our lives. Just as a skilled worker has a certain pride and love of his craft and takes good care of his tool set and his skill set, we need to spend time and effort in enhancing our methods of studying and applying the Word in all areas of our lives so that the enemy does not find a chink in our spiritual armour and put us to shame in that area. As a student when I spent time in studying the Word diligently week after week, month after month and year after year, the Lord sharpened my methods, tools of study and grasp even in the subjects I was studying for the course examinations. The Lord will teach us and train us to correctly discern the truths of every verse we read and study. He will teach us to analyse and synthesise new thoughts while revising old ones. He will illustrate the abstract to make it plain and simple as daylight. He will give us the grace or power to overcome barriers , handicaps and limitations in our understanding and comprehension. Our minds are sharpened and quickened by the Spirit as He sees us fully involved and committed to understanding and obeying the Word. In fact, I was inspired to evolve a completely new method of study, note making and review that catapulted me from mere first class to first rank in the state. A couple of days back the Lord told me that the human brain thinks all thoughts only in phrases or a couple of words . That enabled me to come up with the concept of power phrases. Yesterday, one of the regular Uni-verse readers sent in feedback about this tool, “ The power phrases of the day are powerful, active, energising and it works. It gives me wherewithal to face the work pressures of the day.” Glory to the Lord. Prateep V Philip Remember the power phrases: Study to show, workman approved by God, not ashamed, rightly dividing the truth.