Amos 5:4-5

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “Seek Me (search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food) so that you may live. But do not resort to Bethel (to worship the golden calf), nor enter (idolatrous) Gilgal, nor cross over to Beersheba (and its idols); for Gilgal will certainly go into captivity and exile, and Bethel will come to nothing.

What would happen if the focus changed from what we currently think is more important to God? Would that shift open our eyes to the idolatry we see as normal, but that is actually a hindrance. If all we were to see was God as the most important thing, would the rest of our lives come in line without effort? God would then be able to fill all the voids without a struggle, and our path would be clear. 

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and full of power (making it operative, energizing, and effective). It is sharper than a two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit (the completeness of a person), and of both joints and marrow (the deepest parts of our nature), exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The word of God is full of power and ability. There is nothing hidden that we do or think that God does not know. The word of God will help to bring us to light or reveal that we are stagnant in darkness. God, through His word, is giving us the ability to produce what is good and lovely in this world. Let us build ourselves up in the word so that we can be judges and hold what is righteous dear to our hearts.

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.

We are supposed to choose life every day, with our hearts, attitudes, and minds. We reject the negative thoughts, words, and criticisms of the world. If we are to advance in the kingdom of God, we need to align our minds and words with it.  Choose life, eternal life.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

If we don’t use caution, we will speak all that we believe and feel. And not everything we think should be spoken out loud and even thought in our minds. A flame needs a spark, and strife usually starts with a spoken word, but words are meant to lift each other up and not tear each other down. 

Luke 8:50

But Jesus, hearing this, answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe and trust (in Me and have faith in my ability to do this), and she will be made well.

Fear and doubt are a miracle stopper. If we let the reasoning of the natural mind persuade us that something isn’t possible according to man, we will not believe in the power of God to change the circumstances. What we are praying for will not change unless we get our minds off ourselves and unto the miracle-working power of God.

Romans 4:20-21

Be he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced and empowered by faith, giving glory to God. 

Abraham didn’t doubt or fear that God wouldn’t do what He promised. The bible says perfect love casts out all fear! When we keep ourselves in Love towards one another and cast down imaginations of fear and doubt, we will succeed. Our lives matter to God, and He is willing and able to keep His promises. 

Romans 4:19 

Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead (for producing children) since he was about a hundred years old, and (he considered) the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

Having children at 100 years old would not be possible in the minds of all of us today. Abraham did not stagger at unbelief. God said He would provide, and Abraham knows God is able. The world around us is full of doubt and unbelief, and if we listen to the world over the Word, we will fail. Our focus matters, and what we spend time around matters. 

Romans 4:18

In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised (by God): “So (numberless) Shall your descendants be.”

Fear, doubt, and unbelief will kill our faith in God’s promises. God gave us a measure of faith when we are born again. We, as Christians, have all the faith we will ever need to receive healing, financial provision, soundness of mind, or whatever we need. We must address the fear and unbelief that come to mind, telling us we must settle for less than God’s best.  

Luke 7:8

For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes and to another, “Come,” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this,” and he does it.”

The definition of authority is someone with the power and might to make decisions and give orders. Jesus had that power and authority here on earth. The centurion had faith in Jesus and His authority, and the servant was healed. Jesus gave us the authority to access healing here on earth. When we believe we will receive.

Luke 6:45

The good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure (stored) in his heart; and the evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart); for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.

What is in our heart, we speak. We may think we are hiding our feelings, but our feelings bubble to the surface and come out in our words. Even when we joke, we are still expressing our feelings and showing our true personality and what we are thinking. If we need a heart check, listen to what we speak, then change and repent of the thoughts.