Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our focus is the key to our overcoming in this world. The news and current affairs will bring doubt and unbelief into our lives, negating our faith.  When we should be prayer warriors, our fear of the current situation will leave us powerless.  Our renewed minds to the word will overcome any lies the devil tries to throw our way. 

Luke 13:23-24

Someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.  For many, I tell you will try to enter and will not be able.” 

Jesus is the narrow gate.  The world tries to tell us that there are many ways to get to heaven, but Jesus and salvation is the only way.  Knowing this as Christians increases the strength of our witness to the unsaved.  We know the difference between darkness and light.  The Bible shows us the answers on how to show the unsaved the way. 

Luke 11:28

But He said, “Indeed, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

The blessing of the Lord come to us through the knowledge of the word.  The more we love the word, the more we find strength and comfort from reading it.  The Bible is like a cherished gift that never tarnishes and brings us a continual blessing.  We keep that gift close and hold it dear to our hearts.

Mark 9:23-24

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out in tears, “Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief!”

We can have faith and unbelief at the same time.  When we start to pay attention to something more than faith, it will cause unbelief. If we focus more on the problem than the solution, we hold our trust back.  For our faith to remain strong, we have to give God’s word our full attention.  If the faith isn’t working, do a check-up, and see what else our focus is on.  

Mark 4:39-40

He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”

Faith speaks!  We have to speak our belief in the word of God to get the corresponding action into our lives. Suppose we talk about doubt and fear that is what we are going to get.  We must take a stand and show our faith by speaking the word over our problems every day.  When we renew our minds to the word, we renew our belief in the word, not the circumstance.

Matthew 9:35

Jesus went throughout all the cities and the villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease among the people.

The gospel provides our salvation, healing, and restoration of our lives.  The same time we received salvation is the exact moment healing was made available for us.  The two are not separate and remain open for us in our lives forever.  The Bible is filled with all the times Jesus healed and saved people, and He is still doing it today.

Matthew 9:12-13

But when Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means.  I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

At one point in our lives, we as Christians answered the call.  We were sick and didn’t even know it until we found the truth in God’s word.  Now, we are representatives on this earth for Jesus showing kindness and mercy to those who are sick and don’t know it.  By our example and in love, we can bring people to repentance.  

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money; nor he who loves abundance with increase. This also is vanity.

Money is to be a tool to help us in life and not our primary focus.  God is to be our provider of abundance and wealth as we tithe and give offerings.  What matters is where we focus, either on Jesus and the word or this world system.  The world system and money will never satisfy our hearts like Jesus and the word.

Psalm 103:2-4

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit,

Troubled times are nothing compared to the benefits of God.  The difference is where our focus goes while we are in those times.  If the word of God is more extensive in our lives than what is going on in the natural, we will walk through it.  If not, we focus on the circumstance we will get bogged down, and our faith won’t work.  

Romans 13:10

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Love is so essential in our lives.  The decision to walk in love and be kind to others is an attitude, and we all know how our attitude will frame everything we do.  Love keeps us out of sin and able to shed off any negative factors that come our way faster.  Love allows us to move forward and not get stuck in strife.