Psalm 112:1-2

Praise the Lord! Blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) is the man who fears the Lord (with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience), Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on the earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed.

When we commit ourselves to invest in God and His Word, we draw closer to God. The more we learn, know and experience God through time spent, increases our faith, trust, love, and respect for God. This kind of relationship of seeking God blesses our lives in so many ways. 

Joshua 7:20-21

So Achan answered Joshua and said, “In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done: when I saw among the spoils (in Jericho) a beautiful robe from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I wanted them and took them. 

Achan violated the instructions of God, and by doing this, Achan and his family lost everything and were stoned. We can listen to God and disregard His leadership in our lives. We can covet things God tells us to stay away from and sin. We can honor God with our lips, and our hearts are far from Him.  Or we can choose to listen and gain favor and prosperity.

Genesis 5:23-24

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And (in reverent fear and obedience) Enoch walked with God; and he was not (found among men), because God took him (away to be home with Him).

Enoch found favor in the sight of God, and he walked with God! Enoch had a strong relationship and faith in God because he spent time in God’s presence. Our faith will increase when we do the same and set aside time to spend with God.

Genesis 5:1

This is the book (written record, the history) of the generations of (the descendants of) Adam.When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God (not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness.)

Adam received his likeness from God, and so have we all these generations down. God created a people then, and God still sees us as His people now. Time does not change our relationship with God. We were always in the family and always in the plan of God. God loves us that much!

James 1:12

Blessed (happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God) is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the (victor’s) crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Temptation never comes to a person to give them a reward but to take away. Pressure comes into our lives and tests our resolve, but when we have decided beforehand to maintain our commitment to our faith, we won’t move. Remember that the promise of our reward for remaining righteous is far greater than we can imagine that any sin could offer. 

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others)

Love doesn’t take account of a suffered wrong. Love is understanding and realizes that no one on this earth is made perfect without the help of Jesus. It doesn’t mean we should let ourselves be abused but not let the offense come. Being a Christian isn’t a sign of weakness but spiritual strength and personal integrity. 

2 Peter 1:10

Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you (be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God) for by doing these things (actively developing these virtues) you will never stumble (in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin).

Our faith and salvation in Jesus aren’t just to be believed but acted out. Just like an apple tree bears apples according to its kind, so should we, as Christian’s bear fruit according to Jesus. By acting according to the word of our faith, we develop our spirits and confidence in God. 

Revelation 22:14

Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes (in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him-the righteous who do His commandments), so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 

We have a reward in heaven if we do not lose hope. No matter what goes on around us, God is in control, and we are His children. When we keep our faith and close to God, our minds will remain stable and fixed. Our hearts will not fail, and our salvation through Christ will bring us to our eternal reward. 

Revelation 21:4

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away. 

Hallelujah! As believers, we know the devil is defeated. Yet we are still having to share the same space with him until Jesus comes back. BUT, when Jesus does come back and wipe away our tears, take away our sorrow, and remove our pain, any trial and tribulation we have faced will become nothing compared to being in the presence and glory of God. God promised.

Revelation 21:3

And then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them (as their God)

It’s hard to imagine what it will be like to be surrounded by the glory of God and be in His presence. No more separation and distance between God and us. God will make all things new, and sin will be remembered no more. What will it be like to be surrounded by the love of God?