1 Timothy 6:9

But those who (are not financially ethical and) crave to get rich (with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth) fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction (leading to personal misery).

Our world promotes the idea that having money and prestige is essential. This lifestyle leads to dissatisfaction and temptation into sin because money doesn’t satisfy the spirit. Only Jesus does. Regarding faith, less focus on material things and more on God as the provider are critical. When we are financially responsible and put God before money we will not fall into temptation.  

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith (in the conflict of evil); take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and (for which) you made the good confession (of faith) in the presence of many witnesses.  

We must fight for faith, diligently practice confession, and study the Word. The mind doesn’t stay renewed and is easily distracted. Faith is our confession, and it must be spoken so our ears hear our words of faith, renewing the mind and building up our spirits. 

1 John 4:4

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have (already) overcome them (the agents of the antichrist); because He who is in you is greater the he (Satan) who is in the world (of sinful mankind).

As born-again believers we are never alone. If the Satan tries to put the thought in our head that we have no options, it is a lie. Inside the born-again believer resides the Holy Spirit and He is our helper and guide. We don’t have to feel defeated or overcome but turn to God and let His power show the Satan how defeated he is. 

John 1:6

And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should (always) walk in love.  

Love means having a willing heart to listen to and follow the precepts of God. God is able to further the ministry when we demonstrate and walk in love towards others. There are people walking around today that have never experienced the God kind of love.  That kind of love shown by us representing God is able to soften the hardest of hearts and turn people from sin.

1 Peter 2-8

“A stumbling stone and a Rock of Offense” for they stumble because they disobey the word (of God), and to this they (who reject Him as savior) were also appointed.  

It is possible in this life to have too much freedom. A life without boundaries does not clearly designate right versus wrong and good versus evil. Jesus came to this earth to give us the boundary and protection. Sinners stumble at the boundary of Jesus and turn from doing what is good. As Christians, we give thanks and praise to Jesus for saving us from sin and death. 

Hebrews 12:25

See to it that you do not refuse (to listen to) Him who is speaking (to you now). For is those (sons of Israel) did not escape when they refused (to listen to) him who warned them on earth (revealing God’s will), how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns us from heaven?

It is important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leadings in our lives. We keep our spiritual ears sensitive when we read the Bible and meditate on scriptures. It also helps to pray in tongues to build our spirits up with the Holy Spirit. We can sing and praise God for all that He does for us to help keep the lines of communication open.  

Matthew 6:1

Be (very) careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward (prepared and awaiting you) with your Father who is in heaven.

If we seek the praise of men for our good deeds, we will make sure the public knows what we have done. Our rewards for this kind of service will be better when we do our good deeds in private and no longer seek to do them for our glory but for the glory of God. It all depends on our heart and our focus on doing God’s will. 

Hebrews 4:9-10

So there remains a (full and complete) Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from (the weariness and pain of) his (human) labors, just as God rested from (those labors uniquely) His own. 

There is a culture of busyness that never takes the time to rest. Rest is essential because it helps bring God back into our thoughts and lives. Overwork, stress, and busyness all wear the body and mind down, not build them up. God never intended for us to live a life of exhaustion. 

Hebrews 3:12

Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart (which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart) that turns away from the living God. 

We have to be careful not to give God lip service but to truly believe in Him in our hearts. Sometimes, we have to pause and examine our hearts and our relationship with God. It is necessary for every believer to guard what we hear, see, and spend time around. When we keep our faith stirred up and reassured with the word, our hearts will remain close to God. 

1 Corinthians 12:11

All these things (the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering) are brought about the one and the same Holy Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses. For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many form (only) one body, so it is with Christ.  

We all have gifts and talents God gives us that are encouraged and developed by the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to be a Pastor to reach out to a lost soul. God wants us to pray for people and fellow believers. The Holy Spirit will give us the power to help and even teach others. We have to be open to the leading to be used by God.