Mark 12:30

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.

God loved us first. We love Him back when we remember all He has done for us. We would not even exist if it were not for God. He blesses our lives with salvation, protection, and guidance while we are here on earth. Taking a moment to remember Him and His blessings shows the love we feel. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore, encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

We all need good Christian friends to help, support, love, and comfort one another. We are at different stages of faith and have different levels of experience and knowledge in our walk with the Lord. One faith-filled comment can change our day, and prayers lifted for us will intercede on our behalf. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 

Do not quench (subdue or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of) the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a wonderful guide, protector, and instructor when we listen to His voice. He can save us from many trials when we stay ready to hear His nudges. As we keep our flame bright and burning inside, He can work through us outside. 

2 Timothy 1:6

This is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, (that inner fire-the special endowment) which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

We must keep our flame stirred up and red hot for God. The Holy Spirit is within us wherever we go. It is easier to keep a flame burning than to light a cold fire. Our inner light keeps us out of darkness and away from the wrong path, but we must keep it burning. 

Luke 6:45

The (intrinsically) good man produces what is good and honorable and in his heart; and the (intrinsically) evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart); for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.

Both people are practicing what is placed in their heart. It is what they study and think on day in and day out. When we strive to produce good fruit, we must practice and meditate on the word to bear it. Be of good courage and keep the faith. Don’t let your heart be troubled because Jesus is there to guide us.

Luke 6:49

But the one who has (merely) heard and has not practiced (what I say), is like a (foolish) man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great. 

No one can build our foundation in the faith except ourselves. We can go to church and bible study, but unless we practice the faith and are doers of the word, we will falter. The word is sent to encourage and instruct us to create a foundation. Our faith is built on and created the more we practice and study the word. Be encouraged and don’t give up; the foundation gets stronger every day. 

Luke 6:46

Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not practice what I tell you?

We live in a fallen world that will discourage more than encourage. Where every day we must set our face to follow Jesus and not be dissuaded from giving up or backing down from our faith. Be encouraged in the Lord and keep the connection through prayer, bible reading, and praying in the Holy Ghost. When we keep our guard up and strong, the enemy can’t get through. 

Matthew 23:1-4

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach (things), but do not practice them. The scribes and the Pharisees tie up heavy loads (that are hard to bear) and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger (to make them lighter).

The phrase “practice what we preach” comes to mind, along with being doers of the word. Our lives will have more success when we are diligent in doing the word. When we let go of the distractions of the world and focus on the instruction in the word, we can attain peace and confidence. What is the end goal?  To be more like Jesus.

2 John 1:9

Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ (that is, one who is not content with what He taught), does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching (of Christ does have God), he has both the Father and the Son. 

When Jesus died on the cross, it was a finished work. The example for the followers of Christ has been clearly set and does not need to be modified. Our knowledge of the word and the works of Jesus keep us from being deceived and pulled away from Jesus. We are to test the spirits and the preachers to make sure what they say lines up with the word of God.

2 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 walk in love. 

God has set before us His example of love for the sinner and the saved.  We who follow God will walk in love towards others. Love is the core of our faith. God is our guide through His commandments and precepts. We don’t have to guess at what is right and wrong; we just need to follow the example.