8/15/08 True Diligence (Part 2)

It is human nature to follow the path of least resistance. Solomon understood that we need to be motivated to choose diligence over our natural inclination to “go with the flow”. And what is that motivation? Being truly diligence he tells us brings us priceless rewards, while a lack of diligence can produce devastating consequences.

There are a number of rewards for those who are truly diligent:

1. You will gain sure advantage - “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage” (Proverbs 21:5 NASB).

Think about it, would you rather pursue a project having a strong and unshakable advantage or having a handicap? Solomon assures us that those that are truly diligent (“steadily diligent” AMP) will gain an insurmountable advantage over those who are not. Whether we’re competing against companies, individuals, circumstances or even simply time, diligence will give us a unique advantage (“tend only to plenteousness” AMP). This will result in greater productivity, achievement, wealth and fulfillment.

Bishop Dayton Birt

Redemption Ministries

8/15/08 - The Power of Effecitve Commuication

Friends of Redemption Ministries,

The older I get and the longer I am in ministry (wow, I never thought I would say that!), the more convinced I am, that communication with one another is one of the greatest challenges facing those in the ministry today. Proverbs 16:23 says, "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips." Dr Gary Smalley has said that ineffective communication is the number-one problem in relationships.


The recent edition of the Issachar File, which comes from the office of Bishop, James Leggett, reviewed a book that offered "10 Communication Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know." I have include the book brief below. It has some very interesting insights. If you find that the culture in your congregation is not healthy consider Booher's opinion that, "Leaders lead; they take responsibility for the communication culture. Managers maintain; they go with the status quo"

As leaders, we have a responsibility to create a culture of "relational integrity", a term I picked up from Pastor Craig Walker, the new pastor of Living Word Church.

So remember. what you say, and how you say it, can have a life-changing impact on others.

Again, Proverbs speaks so powerfully to that point. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (15:4). The Hebrew word for "wholesome" literally translates to "healing" or "curative". So, a "healing tongue" is like a tree of life! And trees of course, are not only alive, but they provide life to others. Their leaves provide us with oxygen to breath, their fruit provides us with food to eat, and their roots provide stability to our soil. The same could be said of a person who communicates with healing words. His encouraging communication improves not only his life but the lives of those around him.

However, the opposite is also true. Proverbs 15:4 continues, "perverseness therein is a breach of spirit." Perverseness literally means distortion or viciousness. When we communicate in a away that is dishonest or verbally vicious, we run the risk of breaking a person's spirit. When a person's spirit is broken by another, not only does the relationship suffer, but the person can be emotionally scarred forever.

So pastor/ shepherd, servant of Christ, choose your words, and how you frame them, wisely!

Grace and peace.

Bishop Dayton Birt
Redemption Ministries

8/5/08 - True Diligence (Part 1)

Friends of Redemption Ministries,

I believe there is an accelerated advancement coming soon to Redemption Ministries. The relationships we have with one another has the potential to unify our hearts, strengthen our commitment to each other, and encourage each other to pursue our purpose with passion and diligence.

I believe “diligence”, may very well be be the key to achieving your purpose. Proverbs 22:29 says “Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings” .


True diligence involves much more than “persistent and hard-working effort in doing something”. But according to the wisdom of Solomon, we must add at least two qualities to the typical idea of diligence. Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right” (NASB). The key words here are “pure” and “right”. Solomon uses the word “pure” not just in the sense of a moral or ethical value, but rather about work in its purest form. This word is more akin to a mining term than an ethical term. The idea there is that when one is digging for gold, he must find a rock, melt all the impurities and what is left behind is “pure gold”. This is the “pure” side of diligence. Its investing your day, hours, and minutes in whatever is your “work” to bring a return on your time and effort.

The other side of diligence is the “right” side. It’s about doing it “right” - expeditiously, efficiently, and effectively. In other words, doing it to the highest standards possible, regardless of what is demanded or expected. This would mean bringing creativity, persistence, and others into the effort to achieve an extraordinary outcome. Diligence is a learnable skill that combines creative persistence, a smart-working effort rightly planned and rightly performed in a timely, efficient, and affective manner to attain a result that is pure and of the highest quality of excellence.

Wow! That sounds a bit much. But, remember, “Even a child…” So, why did I go into all this after mentioning the importance of a relationship within Redemption Ministries? Because it is human nature to follow the path of least resistance. We need to be motivated to choose diligence over our natural inclinations to “go with the flow”. Our relationships with the family of Redemption Ministries and beyond have great power to propel us toward our potential. So find someone to pull you up and motivate you to be diligent.

My prayer is that each church, pastor & minister will pursue their full kingdom potential with diligence, passion and integrity. May the honor of our efforts please him in everything we do. Please check back weekly for my continued teaching of the rewards of becoming truly diligent.

Until He comes again, I remain

Hooked for the Cause,


Bishop Dayton Birt
Redemption Ministries