Daily Focus

When we are in war we have responsibilities.  We are to love our enemies. We are to go the extra mile. We are to be subject to our government.  We need to make sure we are loving our neighbor as ourselves. We love with Agape love. We are to give them what they need. Love your enemies, go the extra mile, realize if you live by the sword you will die by it, and know what you’re fighting against.   ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curs...

We are to give from what God has blessed us with to take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This responsibility never falls on the shoulders of the government. We need make sure that it never does. Keep giving  for the cause of Christ and the aid of our brethren.   “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 NKJV

Convert everyone you can. That even means rulers. Do not be afraid to give them the reason of the hope that you have. If they were to obey the gospel you have not only gained a sibling in Christ but a better ruler. “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:   “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,   especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. Acts 26:1-3 NKJV “And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”” Acts 26:29 NKJV

Pray for those rulers that govern you. We want to live quite and peaceful lives. We want to freely keep God’s commands and do His work. Make sure to use the blessing and privilege of prayer given to you for them. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”  1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV

Don’t be afraid to call on your government for protection. It is there to take care of those who do good. It is there to protect the good from evil and punish evil. Don’t be afraid to use your governmental rights to protect you and your family.   “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” Romans 13:4 NKJV   “And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.   Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were go...

The government may okay somethings or legalize somethings, but that does not mean we have to participate. Alcohol consumption is legal at certain times and ages. That doesn’t mean God allows it. Divorce is legal for any reason. God didn’t allow it. Marriage to whomever is allowed. God did not okay that either. The government may make a law but we are bound by God.   “The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who [a]made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?   So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”He said to them, “...

We give to the government what belongs to it. We give to God what belongs to Him. We pay taxes and follows customs. We do this so long as it does not go against God. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.   “ Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.”So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this? ”They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.” Matthew 22:17-22 NKJV   “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7 NKJV

We are not to obey the government unconditionally. We are to obey such things as traffic and hunting laws. The Government has a job. That job is not to infringe on you and I keeping God’s commands. We obey the authority over us until it begins to reject God’s authority. We must obey God and not men.   “saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. “   Acts 5:28-29 NKJV

Our government is ordained by God. We need to be in subjection to it and its laws. We need to realize its place in our lives. We need to note its purpose. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” Romans 13:1-4 NKJV

The only work that has an here after enjoyment is the Lords work. It has the best benefits, retirement that is out of this world, and an investment plan that nocks the socks of Charles Schwab. Work for the Lord for in Lords work we labor not in vain.  (1 Corinthians 15:58) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Your job is not your fulfillment. Do not put all your joy, peace, happiness, and fulfillment in what you do for a paycheck. One day someone else will do it. You will be forgotten and they will move on. Everything on this earth is temporary. Put all your joy, peace, happiness, and fulfillment in the Lord. (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19) “Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 NKJV

Your job should never come before the Lord. I know that is hard to swallow sometimes. A lot of employers expect you to work when they say. They expect you to do as they say. Even so, we must never sacrifice our spiritual well-being to obey them.   We should never give up God for a paycheck. (Matthew 6:33) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Whether you are an employer or employee seek to do to them as you would like them to do to you. Put others first. Always keep you neighbor in mind when you work. (Matthew 7:12) “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NKJV

We owe our boss a whole-hearted service with genuine effort. Genuine effort must always be put in no mater our circumstances or relationship statues with our boss. We work unto the Lord not just for these earthly employers. (Colossians 3:22-25) “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”  Colossians 3:22-25 NKJV

As an employer we must always be just and fair. Sometimes it may hurt our profit to be just. It may even hurt our families to be fair. You must always be righteous in dealing with your employees and business affairs.. (Colossians 4:1) “Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” Colossians 4:1 NKJV

You can never do anything that is illegal. We must follow the laws of the land. We must keep our unspotted ways. We must maintain our godly influence. Sin is never the answer in gaining riches. (Romans 13:1-7) “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s min...

Do not give up so much influence and power in your partnership as to lose control over the direction the work goes. You need to maintain the influence to purpose of doing the Lords work. Be mindful of this when you enter a partnership. Do not be unequal yoked given them the power and control to do by their rules and not Gods. (2 Corinthians 6:14) “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV

We are not just to work for ourselves. We are not supposed to only work for our family’s needs.   We are to also work for the needs of others. We need to work that we can give to those who are in need. (Ephesians 4:28) “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Ephesians 4:28 NKJV

We are serve the Lord. We not to do it just any old way. We are not be lazy about it either. We need to work at it. We should be fervent about it. We should never lag in diligence.  (Romans 12:11)  “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11 NKJV