Luke 6:37

Do not judge (others self-righteously), and you will not be judged; do not condemn (others when you are guilty and unrepentant), and you will not be condemned (for your hypocrisy); pardon (others when they truly repent and change), and you will be pardoned (when you truly repent and change).

Forgiveness is enormous with God because He first forgave us.  The expectation is that as born-again believers, we walk in the steps of Jesus and love.  Forgiveness also keeps our hearts soft and our ears open to God.  It is hard to receive answered prayer with a hard, unforgiving spirit, and no believer wants it. 

Luke 6:45

The (intrinsically) good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure (stored) in his heart; and the (intrinsically) evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart); for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.  

Our hearts need to be protected to produce what is good according to the word of God.  It means we have to be careful about outside influences of what we hear and watch.  If something has gotten into our hearts that is a bad influence, pray to God to help get it out. Don’t tolerate anything in the heart that hinders the relationship with Jesus.  

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.  

We have authority on this earth through our words in our lives.  That’s the reason the devil wants to stir us up, so we speak words that are not faith.  The devil can’t act unless we talk about doubt, fear, defeat.  Now, God in the bible gives us words of power and authority to produce in our lives.  

Proverbs 18:4

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters (copious and difficult to fathom); the fountain of (mature, godly) wisdom is like a bubbling stream (sparkling, fresh, pure, and life giving).

Our words are essential construction builders to our lives.  All of our words create something, whether positive or negative.  If our heart is not faith-focused, our words will not be faith-focused.  If we have problems in our lives, first check what the heart believes and is speaking that isn’t in faith.  

Leviticus 26:44

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so despise them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God.  

God keeps His covenant word!  God knows we are going to sin and come up short.  The covenant is why God sent Jesus to die for our sins when we confess our sins, and God is faithful to forgive.  God will not break His word and won’t leave us helpless.  

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to (successfully) resist and stand your ground in the evil day (of danger), and having done everything, to stand (in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious). 

Stand.  When Jesus died on the cross, He regained the authority on this earth for us over the devil.  With the armor of God, we keep our thoughts and attitudes correct and draw the line and stand.  We know what the bible says about our situation, and God has promised, and we will not be moved.  Stand. 

Ephesians 6:10

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him) and in the power of His (boundless) might.

In a world that teaches us to be self-reliant and rely on our strength and capabilities, God offers and encourages us to rely on His strength.  The God of heaven, full of all power, knowledge, wisdom, and love, stretches out His hand daily to let us use His strength.  Just release the problem to God and follow His guidance. 

Nehemiah 8:10

And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.  

The joy of the Lord is being fully confident and persuaded that God is taking care of us.   No doubts or fear exists that mar our thoughts, but we have faith in God.  Faith is the key to the focus of our hearts.  Faith aligns with the word of God and turns away all opportunity to fear. 

Psalm 103:11-12

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him (with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence). As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  

Respect and honor given to God come from knowledge and understanding of His love for us.  The washing away of sins so that we would draw closer to God by the shed blood of Jesus.  God had the plan of redemption and a path back to fellowship with Him.  Jesus came to remove our sin so it will be remembered no more.  

Daniel 12:10

Many will be purged, purified (made white) and refined, but the wicked will behave wickedly.  None of the wicked will understand, but those who are (spiritually) wise will understand.

Sin blinds the spirit and limits the understanding, but those who wait on the Lord will have eyes that see the sign of the times.  Our fellowship with the Lord helps refine us and bring us closer to God.  Time with God is well spent for our spiritual lives now and in the future.