Galatians 3:6-7

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to Him as righteousness, (as conformity to God’s will and purpose-so it is with you also). So understand that it is the people who live by faith (with confidence in the power and goodness of God) who are (the true) sons of Abraham.

When we decide to live by faith and trust Jesus with our lives, we set aside what we think we know.  Faith is not a tangible substance, nor is it created by formula.  Faith comes by revelation of the Word of God when our spirits make a connection and our understanding increases.  Our faith gives us confidence in the power of God and opens the doors for Him to move on our behalf.

2 Timothy 4:5

But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation (stay calm and cool and steady), endure every hardship (without flinching), do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the duties of) your ministry.

We live in trying times to discourage and oppress the believer and move them away from the faith.  As believers, we must not forget who we are in Christ as ambassadors for Him on this earth.  We have authority as believers, and the devil is afraid that we will use it.  We must stand up for ourselves and our faith.  Jesus stood up for us!

Malachi 4:1

For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant (proud, self-righteous, haughty), and every evildoer shall be stubble; and the day that is coming shall set them on fire,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

Sin blinds people to what is right and wrong.  Sin will justify an error so that repentance is delayed or dismissed by the sinner.  The bible calls it a seared consciousness, so we must pray for those we know are in sin.  We must pray that their eyes open, so they repent and return to God; otherwise, they will not see or react to the stop signs.

John 1:1

In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.  

All of our beginnings go back to the Word of God.  We create our lives here on earth (just like God created the world) with our words. The words we choose are grounded in our beliefs, whether positive or negative.  We choose every day, so we must be careful about what we listen to and our focus.  When we choose the bible, it will bring positive thoughts to our lives.  

Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes (boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance), then come dishonor and shame. But with the humble (the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God), there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Our flesh will puff itself up and push us to speak and do things that we regret.  When we value self-importance over a relationship, we will lose our connections.  When we have a humble spirit and are teachable, we can hear from the Holy Spirit and operate in wisdom.  The more experience we gain in our walk with the Lord, the more we will be able to walk in wisdom.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers (do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith).  For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness.  

Bad influences in relationships, books, media can lead the believer easily out of faith.  Doubt begins like a seed, just like faith.  Doubt is negative faith and starts by deviating from God’s word and believing a lie.  An unbeliever doesn’t have faith nor understands faith in God.  It doesn’t mean we aren’t to associate with unbelievers but not to make alliances that lead us out of faith.  

Matthew 12:39

But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation (that is morally unfaithful to God) craves and demands a (miraculous) sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah;”

The demand for a sign means that unbelief is present.  A generation that is in sin doesn’t want to see the error of its ways or has faith in God.  Faith makes all the difference in our lives in what we see and believe.  We don’t need to see a sign for faith because we already have the answer by faith in our hearts.  

Exodus 23:7-8

Keep far away from a false charge or action, and do not condemn to death the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the guilty.  You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony and the cause of righteous.  

This world doesn’t understand the justice or fairness of God and its commandments.  God is clear in His word that we are to be just and fair to everyone.  However, sin and the flesh will pervert the cause of justice.  Righteousness and sin will never be able to exist together and have the people thrive.  

Deuteronomy 11:1

Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His precepts, and His commandments (it is your obligation to Him).

When that decision is made to love God, it is easy to want to keep His commandments.  This is made easier when we realize all that God has done to save us from being condemned in sin.  Keeping the commandments of God was never intended to be a burden but a way to keep us safe from the lusts of this world.  

Proverbs 15:1

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. 

How we speak to each other is important because we can cause an adverse reaction from others.  Have you ever noticed when someone is in a bad mood and needs a spark to make them angry?  The person may already have a negative internal dialogue, and when more negative words are spoken to, it gets worse.  A gentle response can put out the fire before it burns out of control.