Kingdom Business—Integrity, Diligence, and Focus
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 11/17/2019
Foundation Scriptures:
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:7-9 KJV
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 KJV
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke 16:10-12 KJV
1. Integrity.
a. Integrity: adherence to moral and ethical principles.
b. Soundness of moral character.
c. Honesty.
d. Integrity of HEART.
e. Being fully submitted to God, from the inside out.
f. Psalm 51:6 AMPC — Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
g. Truth is eternal and is NOT a matter of opinion.
h. Truth is the true or actual state of a matter—a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, or principle.
i. Honesty; reliability; accuracy; fidelity.
j. Agreement with a standard or original.
k. God, and His Word, are the original standard.
l. When you conform to His Word, and faithfully follow and apply His principles, you will prosper.
m. Integrity of INTENT.
n. Intent: the state of a person’s mind (and heart) that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
o. The motivation of your heart and the principles you adhere to.
p. Proverbs 11:3-4 AMPC — The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them. 4 Riches provide no security in any day of wrath and judgment, but righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) delivers from death.
q. Hebrews 13:5 NKJV — Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.
r. Integrity of PURPOSE.
s. Purpose: to intend or determine to do (something).
t. The reason for which anything is done, created, or exists.
u. An intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
v. Proverbs 20:7 KJV — The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
2. Diligence.
a. Diligence: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken.
b. Persistent exertion of body or mind.
c. Steady and careful application.
d. Proper attention or care.
e. Proverbs 10:4 AMPC — He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
f. Every day—faithfully follow the plan—do what you are supposed to be doing.
g. Put systems in place so that you know and understand the state of your business.
h. Proverbs 27:23-24 AMPC — Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?
i. Be faithful, consistent, and reliable.
j. Don’t be sloppy and unorganized.
k. Diligence is a leadership quality.
l. Proverbs 12:24 AMPC — The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.
m. Don’t be impatient—don’t be in a hurry.
n. Proverbs 21:5 AMPC — The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.
o. As you diligently apply yourself, you become more skillful, leading to increase and promotion.
p. Proverbs 22:29 AMPC — Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
3. Focus.
a. Focus: to direct one’s attention or efforts.
b. Having your eyes, or mind, firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed.
c. Having your mind or will fixed on some goal.
d. Having your attention sharply focused or fixed on something.
e. Determined or resolved.
f. Focus—fix your eyes—first on God, and your eternal purpose.
g. Psalm 112:7 AMPC — He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.
h. Know what you are called to do.
i. Set your vision and goals and focus on that.
j. Do not be distracted by other things or pulled in other directions.
k. James 1:8 KJV — A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
l. Don’t waste time on things that will not produce fruit.