Today's Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:18

Monday, October 18, 2004

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If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
— Ecclesiastes 10:18
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Laziness is not just an attitude; it is a lack of action. It is a choice to let important matters suffer and neglect what is necessary. The results of this choice of laziness over action may not always be immediately evident. However, with time, the accumulating signs of decay make the results of idleness very clear. This is doubly true spiritually. I wonder how many people have remained lost because God's people were lazy about reaching out to the lost and broken. I wonder how many great Kingdom projects never happened because we chose not to make the effort to see them through to completion. Laziness isn’t just an attitude of neglect but also a choice not to act!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Stir in me, dear Heavenly Father, a passion to do what is true, good, and righteous. Please help me as I seek to do those good things now while I have the conviction and the moment in time to do them. Convict my heart, dear God, that when I neglect what is important, I neglect your work in my world. At the same time, dear Father, please help me discern the difference between laziness and my genuine need for rest as I try to balance my life between my many responsibilities. I ask for your guidance, O Lord, to honor you with my life, work, rest, and diligence. Amen.

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Lazy Test
Illustration of Ecclesiastes 10:18
Inspirational illustration of Ecclesiastes 10:18 -- 18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
Beyond a Sagging Roof!
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
We are broken vessels, saved by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in our broken world with the grace that we have received. Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word about not being lazy and neglectful of the opportunities God has given us to lead others to Jesus, along with a closing blessing for worship

Illustration

Illustration of Ecclesiastes 10:18 — If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, October 18, 2004

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Preparing for the End' (Ph. 4:7-11)
"Dear Father, victorious deliverer, May I be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on rule-keeping but that which is through trust..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Living with Jesus Requires that We Suffer'
"The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'All About Jesus' (Jn. 15:26)
"[Jesus said,] "But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.""
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul's Background' (Acts 26:4-8)
"[Paul continued his defense before the Roman governor, Festus, and Agrippa, who was the Roman-appointed king:] "As the Jewish leaders are well aware,..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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