Daily Focus

“Time is very slow for those who wait. Very fast for those who are scared. Very long for those who lament. Very short for those who celebrate. But for those who love, time is eternal.” -William Shakespeare- One of the most precious things we have no control over is time. We cannot create it. We cannot save it. We cannot reuse it. We can only live in it. Do not take for granite the time you have. Use it wisely. (Matt. 22:37-40; Job 1:21; Ecc. 3:1-8)

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. ”  ~Calvin Coolidge~   W e need to take on President Coolidge’s mind set about Christmas. You and I need to exemplify this mind set every day. Let your Christmas attitude teach you how you ought to be all year.  Then keep it alive.  (2 Cor. 13:11; Col. 3:12-13; Eph. 4:1-3)

In this season of giving we need to recall Winston Churchill’s statement. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill) Show your Christian life but what you give. Give not only of material things but of things relating to the spirit or soul. The latter gift is of greater value and significance. Give to others as God has given to you.  (2 Cor. 9:6-7; Lk. 6:38)

“Success isn’t always about ‘greatness’, it’s about consistency. Consistent, hard work gains success. Greatness will come.” Dwayne Johnson God does not ask us to be great. God asks us to be consistent hard-working servants. He will make use great when the time comes.  (MK. 9:35; Lk. 17:10; Matt. 22:37-40)

“All battles are fought by scared men who’d rather be someplace else.” (John Wayne) Fear does not have to be absent for us to be victorious. Sometimes bravery shows up late. Victory comes by always doing God’s will, no matter what.  ( Joshua 1:6-9 ; Luke 22:42; Hebrews 11:30-40)

“I like whiskey. I alway s did, and that is why I never drink it.”   (Robert E. Lee ) We need to understand ourselves enough to recognize that our fleshly desires are our weaknesses. Then avoid them. Just because we want it, crave it, and desire it does not mean it is sin free nor right to have. Perhaps we can be like General Lee and take the same stance on somethings in our own lives.  (1 Pet. 2:11-12)

We must be kind, tenderhearted, and loving towards one another. There is not a valid reason for us to think the worst of each other. Therefore, there should never be a reason for us to not be kind, tenderhearted, and loving to each other. We are bound in Christ let us treat each other appropriately.  (Eph. 4:32)

The lives we live are on the spot, one shot, live presentations of Christianity. We need to be aware of this simple fact. Be mindful of your actions and words.  You will not get to take them back. Let your light so shine before men that they glorify God.  (Matt. 5:13-16)

We need to seek the lost. We must search for sin burden souls. It is imperative we reach them. They have no hope without the gospel. Are you seeking the lost?  (Luke 19:10; Acts 8:4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8) 

Make sure your life is exemplifying the fruits of the Spirit. In everything you do show the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23) 

Complaining means it is about me. Life in Christ is not about us. Our Christian walk is about God and our neighbor. We do not get the privilege of complaining as blessed servant slaves of righteousness.  We must think twice before we speak our complaints.  (Phil. 2:14-16; Lk. 10:27)

Forgive as you have been forgiven. God has forgiven us of a debt we could never repay. No matter how difficult it maybe we must forgive others.  We must make sure to forgive others as God has forgiven us.  (Matt. 18:21-35)

We are weak. God is strong. We are only made strong in Him. When we admit our weakness then God can strengthen us.  (Rom. 6:19; Mk. 14:38; Phil. 4:13)  

Our prayers are petitions to God. God can choose how He will answer. We are to be in subjection to that answer. He also strengthens us and provides us with everything we need to be successful in our submission. For the very thing we are requesting to or not to happen maybe what must happen. (Heb. 5:7-10, Matt. 26:39,42; 2 Cor. 12:7-10) 

 “Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction” (Antione de Saint-Exupery) This was in his discussion of the bonds felt by soldiers who fight together. Our brotherly and soldierly love in Christ is the same. Let us look outward and upward together.  (Mk. 12:29-31; Eph. 2:10; Rev. 2:10)