Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (of My law, where I reveal My will). Because you (the priestly nation) have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

The pursuit of knowledge of God and His will for our lives leads to happiness. When we reject God and knowledge, we limit our ability to make wise and fulfilling choices. We make decisions that lead to temporary satisfaction based on the hope of finding meaning. A life without Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a life with an unsatisfied void.  

1 John 2:10-11

The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his (believing) brothers lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense (he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin). But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother (in Christ) is in (spiritual) darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because of the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Our bodies contain the mind, will, and emotions and are separate from our spirit. As Christians, this is basic, but maybe not so. When we let our Minds, Wills, and Emotions rule instead of our spirit and the Holy Spirit, we will sin. Emotions are not a sure guide to success when it comes to decision-making because feelings change. Follow the light of the Bible and reject the darkness of sin.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural (unbelieving) man does not accept the things (the teachings and revelations) of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness (absurd and illogical) to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are not spiritually discerned and appreciated, (and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters).

It is truly hard to understand as a Christian how people can reject God. Some people refuse to discuss Jesus and, even with loving kindness, still deny the cross. We don’t know what hurt or deceit has brought the person to this place, but God does. Even though it is hard to understand, our prayers can cross the divide, and Jesus knows what that person needs. 

John 14:16-17

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Intercessor) to be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth, who the world cannot receive (and take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.  

The Holy Spirit is a gift to us here on earth, and we need to rely on His counsel. If we keep our hearts soft to His leading, we will avoid the mind field of sin. We make choices every day and have suggestions to sin every day, and our hearts stay strong with the Holy Spirit. It all depends on whether we believe in God’s promises and keep His commandments.

Psalm 24:4

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, nor has sworn (oaths) deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  

A person with clean hands isn’t willing to do evil or manipulate others to get their way and has a pure heart. Christianity isn’t just giving lip service to the faith and attending church occasionally. Christianity is conducting our lives according to biblical values. Values that we have in our hearts.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul trusted God for his provision while on the mission field. Paul had tested and tried God’s Word for the promises made. When we look for our supplies to be filled, do we turn to God? Do we have the reassured knowledge that God will supply our needs? God is waiting to prove Himself when we turn to Him in faith. 

Exodus 23:25

You shall serve (only) the Lord your God, and He shall bless your bread and water. I will also remove sickness from among you. 

The world will bring doubt about God’s will to heal His people. God will honor His Word to heal when we honor our Word to serve Him.  Healing will come when we become thoroughly convinced that God is our source and we can count on Him. 

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are my praise.

God is our healer and the one we should go to first when we are in trouble. When we get a distressing diagnosis, God is there to heal our bodies. We can praise the Lord, for He is our salvation and guide. Our faith is the bridge that calls out to God, and healing comes when we believe.  

Jude 1:4

For certain people have crept in unnoticed (just as if they were sneaking in by a side door). They are ungodly person whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom (viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want), and deny and disown our only Master and the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Until Jesus returns, we must be on guard against false doctrine. The devil will still try to steal, kill, and destroy if we let him deceive as many as he can. The reality for us is to keep studying the Word and keeping up the faith guard so we hear the truth of God and not any false teaching.  

3 John 1:7-8

For these (traveling missionaries) went out for the sake of the Name (of Christ), accepting nothing (in the way of assistance) from the Gentiles. So we ought to support such people so that we may be fellow workers for the truth (that is, for the gospel message of salvation).

Not all of us are called to be missionaries, but we are called to support the workers in the field. Even though we cannot be with them, our support will aid them in their work to spread the message of salvation. We are sowing seed for Jesus through salvations, and without people to spread the Word, the seed would never grow.