Mathew 18:11-12

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?

Being separated from the safety and protection of the shepherd opens us to all the perils of nature. We are like sheep and need guidance, safety, and protection to thrive. When someone is lost, they feel uneasy about the direction of their life. Jesus came to redeem the lost and direct the saved.   

Luke 9:55-56

But He turned and rebuked them (and He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are; for the son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”) And they journeyed to another village.

The spirit is the heart of the matter! Our sinful nature is reversed when we have the born-again spirit of salvation through Jesus. The Born-again spirit’s nature is based on Love, being kind, helpful, and a good neighbor. This nature comes from Jesus and continues His work for the salvation of others.   

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated) for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

We need to practice courage and decide what we will believe before adversity comes. The Lord commanded Joshua beforehand to have courage and believe the word of God. We, too, are to have courage and believe the word of God. Our first step in any direction should be a step of faith.  

Habakkuk 2:4

“Look at the proud one, His soul is not right within him, But the righteous will live by his faith (in the true God).”

A person of pride depends on themselves, their power, their position, and their accomplishments. A righteous person before God is joined to genuine faith in God. A righteous person is humble and faithful to God and His commandments. Faith is believing in what we can’t see and knowing God exists. 

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to (walk with God and) please Him, for whoever comes (near) to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He rewards those who (earnestly and diligently) seek Him.

Seeking God in faith through the Bible builds our trust and belief in the Word and, most importantly, God. The Word becomes real and possible through faith. If the Bible says it is possible and we believe, then our faith connects with God’s faith, and miracles happen.  

Mark 9:23-24

Jesus said to him, “(You say to Me,) If You can?” all things are possible for the one who believes and trusts (in Me)! Immediately the father of the boy cried out (with desperate, piercing cry), saying, “I do believe; help (me overcome) my belief.”

We tend to think too small when it comes to God’s power and, in many cases, limit His abilities to help us in our lives. If we neglect to build up our faith in Jesus and His power, we will see results according to the level of our faith. God is in a different realm and level of faith. He can create a man (Adam) out of dirt. We must stop limiting Him with our small vision of what is possible. 

Luke 12:4-5

I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will point out to you whom you should fear; fear the one who, after He has killed, has authority and power to hurl (you) into hell; yes, I say to you (stand in great awe of God and) fear Him!

Jesus warns of spiritual persecution and teaches an eternal perspective. As a Christian persecution may come and pressure to turn away from Jesus, but Jesus is the key to our eternal life. The Judgement of God and the promise of eternity have more consequences for our lives than the destruction of our bodies by man. We must remain strong and keep our faith charged in the Word.

Luke 10:36-37

Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers? He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”

Jesus reminds us not to show favoritism in whom we show mercy towards. When we see someone in need, we are to be a good neighbor and give them aid. It doesn’t matter our position in life but the state of our hearts. We are to show compassion and mercy to those we meet.

John 14:2-3

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be.  

Jesus is coming back for His people. We may not be able to see heaven from here, but the Bible assures us it exists. Jesus is preparing a place for believers just as He did for the disciples. Our promise from God is eternity for those who are saved. 

John 8:31

So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word (continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then) you are truly My disciples.

To be a Christian who follows Jesus, we are to obey His teachings and continually act in accordance with the word. We are to train up in our Bible knowledge and learn to have faith in the word of God. We are responsible for our own growth and the extent to which we pursue being a disciple.