Psalm 25:9-10

He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.  

A teachable, humble spirit is the key to a strong relationship with God. When we realize how much we need and rely upon the leadership of God in our lives, we will remain humble and open to hearing Him. It gets harder to hear when we step away from the covenant and leadership. We react less in lovingkindness and goodness and draw strife to us. Strife leads only to a dead-end road.  

Ephesians 4:27

And do not give the devil opportunity (to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness).

We have the authority to say NO! There will be opportunities in this life to let the devil have a stronghold if we let him.  The cost of losing peace and being in resentment is too high because it blocks our blessings and it blocks our ability to hear from God.  The devil will hound the thinking and keep bringing it up, but it will stop once he knows you mean business.  Use your authority and say NO!

1 John 4:4

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have (already) overcome them (the agents of the antichrist); because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world (of sinful mankind).

Jesus came to this world to redeem humanity, bringing salvation and authority for the believer.  We are to use our authority to rule and reign in our lives.  The Holy Spirit inside the born-again believer is our direct connection to the throne of God.  Just as we are to exercise our faith, we use our authority.  

Luke 10:19

Listen carefully: I have given you authority (that you now possess) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and (the ability to exercise authority) over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will (in any way) harm you.  

The devil is afraid of the born-again believer!  If the devil can keep the believer ignorant of their authority, he can prevail against the believer.  Knowledge of the word of God is power and authority here on earth.  Jesus gave us the authority to help Him here on this earth. 

Luke 18:41-42

What do you want Me to do for you? He said, “Lord let me regain my sight!” Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight; your (personal trust and confident) faith (in Me) has made you well.”

Jesus has not changed! Jesus still heals and will heal! We have to do our part, which is to believe that Jesus can and He will.  That means we have to cast down the doubt and confess the word. We do this by focusing on the word and not letting any distractors try to steal it from us.  Our focus must be on Jesus and His abilities and to trust Him.   

Luke 16:9

And I tell you (learn from this), make friends for yourselves (for eternity) by means of the wealth of the un-righteousness (that is, use material resources as a way to further the work of God), so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.  

As believers, we owe a debt to those who came before us and invested in our salvation by supporting the church.  The work of God is essential, and the spread of the word to the lost is part of our calling.  The next generation of saved Christians is our investment while we are here.  

Luke 12:35-36

Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning.  Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open the door for him.  

When we stay prepared for the master’s return, we don’t get caught off guard.  If we remain prepared in the word when times of pressure come, our hearts are so filled with the word, and that is what we will speak.  We open the door, and we are prepared for service and ready.  We don’t fear or tremble but have the answer according to the word.  

Mark 11:23

For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 

In the beginning, God spoke the word and created heaven and earth.  God wants us to follow His example and confess our faith for healing, finances, wisdom, protection, or any need that lines up with His word.  Did you notice Jesus said saith or say three times in the above passage?  Believing and speaking opens doors by faith.  

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, your faith (your personal trust and confidence in My power) is great; it will be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.

The more we read, study and listen to the bible, the stronger our faith.  The more we trust God at His word in the bible and do and obey, the greater our faith will grow.  Just like anything in life, we must practice to get better.  Faith practiced, and God’s word believed without any doubt, and that mountain will move.

Matthew 10:38

And he who does not take his cross (expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come) and follow Me (believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me) is not worthy of Me.Jesus suffered on the cross here on earth, and God sent Jesus.  We have opposition on earth against God’s people and will make our lives uncomfortable if allowed.  However, we may suffer affliction as born-again believers, but salvation and eternal life are gained through faith in Jesus. Hell doesn’t stand a chance.