Romans 15-13

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in the hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 

Faith and hope feed each other and come from the knowledge of the word. The word shows us the promises, and our belief brings hope for the promises to come to pass in our lives. When our faith is strong there is no room for doubt. Hope believes in the promise and sees the outcome.

Romans 15:1-2

Now we who are strong (in our convictions and faith) ought to (patiently) put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. Let each one of us (make it a practice to) please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

The faith walk has stages. Like a child learning to walk, we don’t start out running. Our faith develops over time, and people around us are at different stages of belief. The mission is to be an example for the good of God and share our knowledge and experience of faith. 

Matthew 9:18

While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered (the house) and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.

When we get to the point like the synagogue ruler that we believe in Jesus and His abilities, we will see miracles in our lives. Next, the Bible will be more than just a story, but the truth about Jesus and His death and resurrection; our lives will lose all fear and doubt. Then, our lives will be radically changed in faith.

Matthew 7:1

Do not judge and criticize and condemn (others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge), so that you will not be judged (unfairly). For just as you (hypocritically) judge others so you will be judged and in accordance with your standard of measure judgment will be measured to you.

Only God knows what the complete picture of life is like for each person. We all do things that others would judge as lacking in understanding. However, God sees the person’s heart and whole life and judges according. Our perspective as mere humans limits our judgment and lacks the complete knowledge of God. 

Malachi 2:9-10

So I have also made you despised and abased before all the people just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality (to people) in (your administration of) the law. Do we not have one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers (with God).

Whether we follow God and the word or not will be evident in our actions toward everyone around us. If we need to correct our course, we need to start with the thoughts that do not line up with the Bible and cast them down. When we can walk with a humble heart with the Lord, we can be guided onto the right paths. 

Isaiah 60:14

The sons of those who oppressed you will come bowing down to you (in submission), and all of those who despised you and treated you disrespectfully will bow down at the soles of your feet, and they will call you the City of the Lord, the Son of the Holy One of Israel. 

God will always protect and watch over Israel! No matter what oppressor comes or nation tries to rule in that land, God has a plan and a covenant.   When we hear of wars and see nations rise against nations, remember God has a plan, and Israel will not be defeated. 

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the strong, and neither is bread to the wise nor riches to those of intelligence and understanding nor favor to men of ability; but time and chance overtake them all.

The most significant advantage that man has on this earth is to trust in God. Nothing that we have of ourselves necessarily gives us an advantage in this life because everyone has trials. God knows our future from our past and can guide us through all circumstances. So, our trust should be in the Lord and the Lord alone.

Psalm 112:1-2

Praise the Lord! Blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) is the man who fears the Lord (with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience), Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on the earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed.

When we commit ourselves to invest in God and His Word, we draw closer to God. The more we learn, know and experience God through time spent, increases our faith, trust, love, and respect for God. This kind of relationship of seeking God blesses our lives in so many ways. 

Joshua 7:20-21

So Achan answered Joshua and said, “In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done: when I saw among the spoils (in Jericho) a beautiful robe from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I wanted them and took them. 

Achan violated the instructions of God, and by doing this, Achan and his family lost everything and were stoned. We can listen to God and disregard His leadership in our lives. We can covet things God tells us to stay away from and sin. We can honor God with our lips, and our hearts are far from Him.  Or we can choose to listen and gain favor and prosperity.

Genesis 5:23-24

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And (in reverent fear and obedience) Enoch walked with God; and he was not (found among men), because God took him (away to be home with Him).

Enoch found favor in the sight of God, and he walked with God! Enoch had a strong relationship and faith in God because he spent time in God’s presence. Our faith will increase when we do the same and set aside time to spend with God.