Psalm 2:11-12

Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence (with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder); rejoice (yet do so) with trembling. Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) are all those who take refuge in Him!

When we revere the Lord, it isn’t to make us feel small but to show understanding of the power, glory, healing, and love God has shown us. When we give respect to Jesus, we give honor and regard for what has been done on our behalf. The Lord is our protector, but we must stay inside the boundaries He has presented and avoid sin. The blessing will come to us when we do. 

Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (following their advice and example), nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit (down to rest) in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law (His precepts and teachings) he (habitually) meditates day and night.

Our environment matters when it comes to our friends, our spare time, and our focus. How we manage and what engages our thoughts matters. It takes positive focus to succeed in anything in this life, including Jesus and the Bible. The more we delight and meditate on the law of the Lord, the brighter our spiritual light will shine. 

Psalm 32:10-11

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trust in and relies on the Lord shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous (who actively seek right standing with Him); shout for joy, all you upright in heart.  

Think about the feeling of being lost with no map, no guide, and no direction.  Trusting and relying on the Lord is never having to have the feeling of being lost.  The relationship with God surrounds the believer with love, compassion, and freedom.  God has the answers when we do not, now sit back and trust and rely.  

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you (by removing the obstacles that stand in our way). And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you. 

Paul faced obstacles in getting to the believers of His time.  We may also encounter obstacles reaching out to fellow believers and non-believers.  Jesus is the remover of those obstacles.  He knows what we face and how to overcome it.  The Lord will cause our love to grow for each other and any barriers to be removed. 

James 4:11

Believers, do not speak against or slander one another.  He who speaks (self-righteously) against a brother or judges his brother (hypocritically), speaks against the Law and judges the Law.  If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.  

We must keep our thoughts lined up with the word.  When our thoughts line up with the word, what we speak about others will line up with the word.  We all will have the opportunity to be offended, but focusing on the word will help us reject the offense.  We don’t want to be a hypocritic judge but a doer of the word.

James 3:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace (by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals). 

Believers should, to the best of their abilities, live in peace with other believers and non-believers. It is hard to grow with God when we are in strife because our focus is wrong.  Love and kindness should be at the center of our hearts.   It may take practice, but God loved us and forgave us, and so should we.  

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace.  In the world you have tribulation and distress and sufferings, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world.

Jesus has overcome the world!  Our peace in uncertain times comes from Jesus.  When we focus on God and the Bible, we can see God working on behalf of His people.  Jesus tells us how to live and overcome the world in bad times.  Keep the faith and keep the focus.

Luke 10:8-9

Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick (authenticating your message), and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.  

Jesus came to this earth to heal along with our salvation.  Jesus died for our sins and sickness on the cross.  The word will show us that healing is for us and a gift from God; when needing healing read the bible and study the healing scriptures until faith comes.  Jesus wants us healed and whole.

Thessalonians 3:6

Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live-in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.  

Influence from friends and relationships can indeed affect our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.  We seek approval from our friends and family, and what they think affects our decisions.  If we are trying to live a life for God but spend most of our time with people, who don’t, we will compromise our faith.  

Titus 1:7

For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain (but financially ethical). 

These qualifications and standards transmit to all areas of leadership in the church or outside.  The church and the world both need people who lead fairly and honestly.  God counts on His people to be influencers in the world for good.  They represent God, and He is good, and so should our leaders.