Mathew 3:1-2

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea and saying. Repent (change your inner self- your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

The message hasn’t changed of turning from sin and turning to God. Many generations of people have come and gone, and still, God through Jesus reaches out with the message of salvation. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and when we live a life of repentance, we find God’s purpose for our life.  

1 Corinthians 14:14-15

For if I pray in a tongue, my Spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. Then what am I to do? I will pray with the Spirit (by the Holy Spirit that is within me) and I will pray with my mind (using words I understand); I will sing with the Spirit (by the Holy Spirit that is within me) and I will sing with the mind (using words I understand).

We want to be productive in prayer and pray prayers that are a blessing to others. We also want to tap into the Spirit and pray according to God’s word coming to our Spirit. When we pray with our minds, we must be specific in prayer based on scripture and find backing for our needs in the Bible. 

Ephesians 1:14

The Spirit is the guarantee (the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste) of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own (purchased) possession (His believers), to the praise of His glory.

The Spirit provides the guarantee of our inheritance.   The blood of Jesus bought our salvation, and we bare the mark through the Holy Spirit living inside. The Spirit is our connection to God and our first taste of what our relationship to God will be in heaven.

Romans 15-13

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in the hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 

Faith and hope feed each other and come from the knowledge of the word. The word shows us the promises, and our belief brings hope for the promises to come to pass in our lives. When our faith is strong there is no room for doubt. Hope believes in the promise and sees the outcome.

Romans 15:1-2

Now we who are strong (in our convictions and faith) ought to (patiently) put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. Let each one of us (make it a practice to) please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

The faith walk has stages. Like a child learning to walk, we don’t start out running. Our faith develops over time, and people around us are at different stages of belief. The mission is to be an example for the good of God and share our knowledge and experience of faith. 

Matthew 9:18

While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered (the house) and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.

When we get to the point like the synagogue ruler that we believe in Jesus and His abilities, we will see miracles in our lives. Next, the Bible will be more than just a story, but the truth about Jesus and His death and resurrection; our lives will lose all fear and doubt. Then, our lives will be radically changed in faith.

Matthew 7:1

Do not judge and criticize and condemn (others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge), so that you will not be judged (unfairly). For just as you (hypocritically) judge others so you will be judged and in accordance with your standard of measure judgment will be measured to you.

Only God knows what the complete picture of life is like for each person. We all do things that others would judge as lacking in understanding. However, God sees the person’s heart and whole life and judges according. Our perspective as mere humans limits our judgment and lacks the complete knowledge of God. 

Malachi 2:9-10

So I have also made you despised and abased before all the people just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality (to people) in (your administration of) the law. Do we not have one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers (with God).

Whether we follow God and the word or not will be evident in our actions toward everyone around us. If we need to correct our course, we need to start with the thoughts that do not line up with the Bible and cast them down. When we can walk with a humble heart with the Lord, we can be guided onto the right paths. 

Isaiah 60:14

The sons of those who oppressed you will come bowing down to you (in submission), and all of those who despised you and treated you disrespectfully will bow down at the soles of your feet, and they will call you the City of the Lord, the Son of the Holy One of Israel. 

God will always protect and watch over Israel! No matter what oppressor comes or nation tries to rule in that land, God has a plan and a covenant.   When we hear of wars and see nations rise against nations, remember God has a plan, and Israel will not be defeated. 

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the strong, and neither is bread to the wise nor riches to those of intelligence and understanding nor favor to men of ability; but time and chance overtake them all.

The most significant advantage that man has on this earth is to trust in God. Nothing that we have of ourselves necessarily gives us an advantage in this life because everyone has trials. God knows our future from our past and can guide us through all circumstances. So, our trust should be in the Lord and the Lord alone.