Initiative

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#548 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – The Christian Walk of Wisdom

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we have seen during the previous devotionals, ants live and work in ways that can teach us valuable lessons.  Although aimed at the sluggard, we do not have to be sluggards to learn and apply the lessons from ants in order to be wise.  As Christians we should strive to walk a walk that would be pleasing to God; Paul’s desire being to be more Christlike.  Having the ants as examples, we should have an attitude of initiative in our witness, listening to God’s calling, not waiting for someone else to lead us.  Our witness for Christ should be enduring and persevering, regardless of the results we see.  A right attitude and nature of integrity will show nonbelievers we have Christ in our hearts as we strive toward the prize of eternity with God.  When we have a taste of industriousness, we will work steadfastly for the Lord, exercising self discipline in avoiding what would hinder us.  We are able to live a Christian walk that is pleasing to the Lord only as we recognize that our Source of Insight is the Lord, spending time in His Word and being constantly in fellowship with Him.  Let us all learn these lessons from ants, gaining the wisdom God desires of us from His Word.

Learn these lessons from ants, apply them to your life, and experience a Christian walk that will continue to mature you spiritually and please and honor the Lord!

“Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”  (Daniel 12:10 – NASB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#544 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – A Christian’s Source of Insight

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On a recent fishing trip an ant was observed going after a sunflower seed that was dropped in the sand a few yards away.  The seed was actually as big as or bigger than the ant, but after circling the seed twice, the ant proceeded to push and pull the seed up and down the ridges in the sand toward its final destination.  While observing the ant for nearly an hour, no more than two feet were covered, yet the ant was still pushing and pulling with only its ultimate goal in sight.  This ant’s initiative and industriousness was evident, and it demonstrated true insight as to what was needed and how to accomplish it.  God expects Christians to use their source of insight in their daily walk.  Our Source of Insight is the Lord, and we access the Source through dwelling in His Word, the Bible, and staying in contact with Him through continuous prayer.

Are you accessing your Source of Insight on a daily basis?

“And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” (Philippians 1:9 – NIV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#541 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – A Thirst for Industry

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Ants are considered the most laborious and industrialized insects in existence; they simply work hard.  Being considered ingenious carpenters and masons, they have their own system of homes and underground tunnels.  We as Christians are expected to work laboriously for the Lord.  When Paul was addressing the church at Thessalonica, he warned them against idleness.[1]  Although he was referring to making a living so the church would not have to support him, he was telling them that he had worked night and day to bring them the Gospel, carrying out his spiritual mission.  Jesus Christ also set an example for us as He was constantly about His Father’s business, never letting laziness or idleness overtake Him. While our service for the Lord should not be used as an excuse to keep us from our need to do earthly work, it is also true that we should not let our earthly work prevent us from faithfully serving Him.

Have you ever used the excuse that you are too busy to serve the Lord?

“I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day:  the night cometh, when no man can work.”  (John 9:4)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] II Thessalonians 3:6-10

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#539 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – An Attitude of Initiative

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Having given the commands to the sluggard to go to and consider the ants, and to be wise, the lessons begin by describing the ants’ attitude of initiative.  This is illustrated by an initial description of the ants as having no “leader” to tell them to get started.  Although other insects and animals have been shown to have a leader, nearly every study on the habits of ants has revealed no discernable leader or known organizational structure.  They carry out life’s work without being forced to do so by other ants in charge.  The Christian walk and steps to spiritual maturity have simple guidelines such as daily reading God’s Word, praying, and telling others about Christ; yet, we as Christians often fail to follow these disciplines unless we are lead by someone else, whether it is our pastor or teacher or even an encourager.  The initiative of ants, as well as our love of God, should encourage us to practice the Christian walk without being forced to do so by anyone else. 

Do you faithfully practice spiritual disciplines, or do you need someone constantly reminding and forcing you to do so?

Solomon describes the ant’s initiative:

“Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,” (Proverbs 6:7)

May God Richly Bless You Today