Philippians 1:9-10

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more (displaying itself in greater depth) in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent (identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences), and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (actually living lives that lead others away from sin).

God’s kind of love leads to freedom in this life. This kind of love leads people away from sin, showing them that true forgiveness and salvation exist. We all fall short and commit sins, but our repentance and understanding of Jesus’s love are our examples to others. 

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. 

When we remind ourselves of the benefits of our relationship with God, we step back from the negative worldview. We must push back the negative pressure with the positives of God. Where we focus our thoughts will be where our mind, will, and emotions will go. A good place to start is with Praise!

Proverbs 24:19-20

Do not get upset because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked, for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.  

The wicked do not get away with the evil they do to others. In the short term, it may seem that they will not suffer the consequences of their deeds, but God is still in control. Their deeds are not forgotten before God, and they will have to answer for their actions. We cannot lose heart or let their actions distract us from faith in God.

Mark 3:4-5

He asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save or to kill? But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness and arrogance of their hearts, He told the man, “Hold out your hand.” And he held it out, and his hand was (completely) restored.

Jesus demonstrates hope and healing to the people through a relationship with God. The love of God flows for His people even on a Sabbath day and is not bound by the tradition of man. A strict observation of the law or the traditions of their fathers doesn’t bring the Pharisees closer to God. Jesus was sent to the people to redeem them from the law.

Matthew 24:6-7

You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end (of the age). For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  

We may not know when Jesus is coming back, but we can be aware of the times. Jesus is very clear about what we are to look for and what will happen. It is often the closer a person gets to something, the more the details emerge. Jesus encourages us to keep our faith and keep strong in our hearts no matter what happens in the world. 

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; loves does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 

When we walk in love, we have a secure ego. When our self-esteem is established, and we have no fear of rejection, this helps us be kind, thoughtful, and loving to others. If we are unsure of God’s love for us or feel insecure, we will have a more challenging time walking in love. 

2 Corinthians 9:6

Now (remember) this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously (that blessings may come to others) will also reap generously (and be blessed).

Seed time and harvest don’t just apply to our finances. It also applies to our actions towards others. If we are helpful to others, people will be helpful to us. If we are negative to others, we will receive negativity. The generosity comes from the hearts for everything that we do.  

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come in abundance to you, so that you may always (under all circumstances regardless of need) have complete sufficiency in everything and have abundance for every good work and act of charity. 

The more we learn about God, the more we realize He doesn’t operate like man does. God’s vision of supply can come in many forms and channels. We don’t have to figure out how He supplies our needs; we can focus on faith in God that He can supply our needs. 

1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

And to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders (exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral conduct worthy of respect of the outside world), and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing.  

The only person we can control in our lives is ourselves; minding other people’s business leads to frustration. Who knows, we may have the right opinion about a person, but it may be the wrong opinion about that person, too. It is best to keep our focus on God and our own affairs and develop our characters in case we are the ones lacking. 

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money (that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically) is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves (through and through) with many sorrows. 

God will provide for all our needs when we believe and trust Him. Suffering comes when we put money or possessions in the place of God. We never reach satisfaction of the soul when the bar is raised for more material things that, once received, leave us wanting more. Joy comes to the heart and soul when we keep the connection with God.