Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation (from His wrath and punishment) to everyone who believes (in Christ as Savior), to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

At one time in his walk with God, Saul, before he became Paul, was persecuting Christians for the gospel.  What a difference the grace and love of God made in his life.   Paul’s life was radically changed when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus in a new direction of faith and hope in Jesus, and Paul shared his new faith.  We are the extension of Paul now, called to share our faith and the story of our radically changed lives.

1 Timothy 4:1-2

But the (Holy) Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, (misled) by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron (leaving them incapable of ethical functioning).

There is a point of no return that a person can reach.  One compromise will lead to another until sin leads us entirely away from God.  Sin is not something we should give place to, and avoiding it is to our benefit.  Our faith developed in the truth and love of God is a barrier to deception and protection for us to eternal life.  

1 Timothy 6:7

For we have brought nothing into this world, so (it is clear that) we cannot take anything out of it, either.  

We live in houses and work jobs, but our lives mean more than what we gain financially.  We are here because God wanted a family made in his image.  We will take out of this world how we fellowshipped, prayed, gave, honored, and obeyed God in our time on earth.  Our goal on this earth is eternal life. 

1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment (that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God).

We were never designed to carry the burden of life on our shoulders.  God wanted to walk with us and guide us through this life.  Adam changed the original plan.  Jesus restored to us the possibility of living a contented life again, guided by God in our spirit.  

Hebrews 9:15

For this reason He is the Mediator and Negotiator of a new covenant (that is, an entirely new agreement uniting God and man, so that those who have been called (by God) may receive (the fulfillment of) the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has taken place (as the payment) which redeems them from the sins committed under the obsolete covenant.  

Under the old covenant, blood had to be shed every year for the sins of the people.  Jesus shed His blood once and for all for sin, creating a better covenant.  Jesus breached the gulf between God and man-made at the fall with Adam.  Jesus took back the keys of death and restored eternal life as God had promised.  

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled), then peace-loving (courteous, considerate), gentle, reasonable (and willing to listen), full of compassion and good fruits.  It is unwavering, without (self-righteous) hypocrisy (and self-serving guile).

The revelation wisdom from God and His word is pure for our hearts.  It is God’s truth for our lives and enables us to be peace-loving and avoid strife in our lives.  Wisdom doesn’t have an agenda and is not selfish but is for the elevation of our lives.  We can all have the wisdom of God; when we ask for it, God will give it to us freely.

Mathew 12:33,35

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit.  The good man, from his (inner) good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his (inner) evil treasure, brings out evil things.

Our spiritual life matters because what we believe, trust, and focus on we will express in word and deed.  That is why time matters when it comes to spending it on the word of God.  The word transforms any darkness and confusion into light and helps us walk as light.  

Daniel 7:17-18

These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.  But the saints (believers) of the Most High (God) will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all the ages to come.  

God had a plan for salvation, which means that God has always had a plan for us.  God’s plan existed clear back from Adam to Daniel to now and beyond.  It doesn’t matter what the world is doing. It matters what God has done and is doing now.   Our reassurance and safety come from God.

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.”

It is incredible how people can be standing in the same spot and see two different things.  Faith is like that because of our experiences, choices, and what we value most results in whether we choose to see Jesus as savior or not.  That is why our prayers are essential for the lost to get directed back on the path toward God.  

John 14:18,20

I will not leave you as orphans (comfortless, bereaved, and helpless); I will come (back) to you.  On that day (when the time comes) you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

Kenneth Hagin said, “People need to rely more on the God inside of them after they are born again. Instead of just thinking God is distant from us and in heaven, but God is with us on the inside of us.”  This idea changes the distance in the relationship between God and us.  God inside us changes the length of our prayers and should change how we relate to God.