Proverbs 14:29-30

He who is slow to anger has great understanding (and profits from his self-control), but he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness (for all to see). A calm and peaceful, and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, but passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones. 

We can profit significantly from self-control and controlling our thoughts—peace in our lives and leaving strife behind leads to greater happiness. At the same time, anger negatively concentrates our emotions and makes it harder to hear directly from God. Peace is our daily goal. 

Mark 4:25

For whoever has (a teachable heart), to him more (understanding) will be given; and whoever does not have (a yearning for truth) even what he has will be taken away from him.”

We must be willing to have a teachable heart and let down the barriers. There isn’t a person that couldn’t learn and improve in their relationship with God. We must recognize that we will never stop learning and growing with God. God is the best teacher we could have because He knows how to teach us individually. 

Mark 1:41

Moved with compassion (for his suffering), Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing be cleansed.”

How many times have we failed to remind ourselves that Jesus has compassion for our suffering. He died so we could have life more abundantly here on earth. We don’t have help with our needs because we don’t ask or we don’t ask according to the promises in the word. 

Luke 4:8

Jesus replied to him, “It is written and forever remains written, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

When the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus quoted the word. Jesus never had to dwell on His response but directed His answers from the truth of the word of God. Jesus kept it simple and straightforward and stood on the word as His defense and guide. The word is the sword that leads to victory over the devil. 

Romans 6:5

For if we have become one with Him (permanently united) in the likes of His death, we will also certainly be (one with Him and share fully) in the likeness of His resurrection.

Jesus is the substitute and sacrifice for our redemption from sin. Jesus is our redeemer when we can stumble, confess our sins and get back up and move forward. We don’t have to suffer the weight of guilt and condemnation because Jesus washed it all away. Jesus never gave up on us, and we should not give up in this life but push forward. 

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. But 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. 

When it comes to faith and the situation, we should do our best only to consider God. If we focus on the circumstance, it will become more significant than the solution.   The solution is all that matters and not the problem, and the answer is God and His promises to us. Focus on the solution in faith and receive the promise as Abraham did. 

Romans 3:23-24

Since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified (declared free from guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life) as a gift by His precious, undeserved) grace through redemption (the payment for our sin) which is (provided) in Christ Jesus. 

We have been made acceptable and free from sin and guilt by the blood of Jesus through salvation. God no longer sees our sins, but God sees us washed clean. Our path is changed, and our direction becomes clear to walk following the word. Grace is a gift of redemption, and we have been redeemed because we have believed in Jesus as our savior.

John 9:39

Then Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment (to separate those who believe in Me from those who reject Me-to declare judgment on those who choose to be separated from God), so that the sightless would see, and those who see would become blind. 

Jesus allows everyone to believe in Him or not believe. Those who turn to Jesus will receive salvation, but those who reject Him will be judged. Sin and guilt will blind even the eyes of a believer. Pray for the lost to recover their sight, and they hear the call of God. Pray for a great harvest of souls when Jesus returns.

Matthew 5:10

Blessed (comforted by inner peace and God’s love) are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (both now and forever).

The world likes to apply pressure to our lives when it wants to convince us that being morally corrupt is acceptable. Sin becomes a long-drawn-out advertisement, but God loves and strengthens us in the persecution and instructs us on our path. God challenges us to keep our focus on Him and all that is morally right. God will strengthen us!

Matthew 3:12

His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire. 

As believers, we went through a change when we were born again. Our thinking changed, and our focus cleared from ourselves to the forgiving grace of Jesus. We are no longer the chaff blown around by sin and unstable. We became the believers who have a future in eternity with God.