Proverbs 3:3-4

Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you (instead let these qualities define you); bind them (securely) around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So find favor and esteem in the sight of God and man.  

Our good character is essential before God and man.  God first showed us mercy and kindness, and we greatly esteem Him for this knowing our faults.  When we show mercy and kindness to others, we reflect God’s spirit and love here on earth. 

Psalm 119:66

Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge, for I have believed and trusted and relied on your commandments.  

Our salvation opened the door for us to receive the Holy Spirit as our guide and teacher.  When we combine our study of the bible with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can attain good judgment and knowledge.  The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us in ways we could never accomplish ourselves.  All we have to do is ask the Holy Spirit. 

Psalm 91:14

Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him (securely) on high, because he knows My name (he confidently relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no never).

When we love God, we get closer to Him by reading and meditating on His word.  We spend time praying and worshiping, and waiting on His presence.  We build a relationship with God and our confidence in Him.  God loved us first and rewarded us when we showed our love to Him. 

Psalm 32:10-11

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trust in and relies on the Lord shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous (who actively seek right standing with Him); shout for joy, all you upright in heart.  

Think about the feeling of being lost with no map, no guide, and no direction.  Trusting and relying on the Lord is never having to have the feeling of being lost.  The relationship with God surrounds the believer with love, compassion, and freedom.  God has the answers when we do not, now sit back and trust and rely.  

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you (by removing the obstacles that stand in our way). And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you. 

Paul faced obstacles in getting to the believers of His time.  We may also encounter obstacles reaching out to fellow believers and non-believers.  Jesus is the remover of those obstacles.  He knows what we face and how to overcome it.  The Lord will cause our love to grow for each other and any barriers to be removed. 

James 4:11

Believers, do not speak against or slander one another.  He who speaks (self-righteously) against a brother or judges his brother (hypocritically), speaks against the Law and judges the Law.  If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.  

We must keep our thoughts lined up with the word.  When our thoughts line up with the word, what we speak about others will line up with the word.  We all will have the opportunity to be offended, but focusing on the word will help us reject the offense.  We don’t want to be a hypocritic judge but a doer of the word.

James 3:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace (by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals). 

Believers should, to the best of their abilities, live in peace with other believers and non-believers. It is hard to grow with God when we are in strife because our focus is wrong.  Love and kindness should be at the center of our hearts.   It may take practice, but God loved us and forgave us, and so should we.  

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace.  In the world you have tribulation and distress and sufferings, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world.

Jesus has overcome the world!  Our peace in uncertain times comes from Jesus.  When we focus on God and the Bible, we can see God working on behalf of His people.  Jesus tells us how to live and overcome the world in bad times.  Keep the faith and keep the focus.

Luke 10:8-9

Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick (authenticating your message), and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.  

Jesus came to this earth to heal along with our salvation.  Jesus died for our sins and sickness on the cross.  The word will show us that healing is for us and a gift from God; when needing healing read the bible and study the healing scriptures until faith comes.  Jesus wants us healed and whole.

Thessalonians 3:6

Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live-in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.  

Influence from friends and relationships can indeed affect our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.  We seek approval from our friends and family, and what they think affects our decisions.  If we are trying to live a life for God but spend most of our time with people, who don’t, we will compromise our faith.