Proverbs 1:28-

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me eagerly but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord (that is obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect), they would not accept my counsel, and they spurned my rebuke.

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Pastor Monte Knudsen. Sin hardens the heart, making it hard to see and hear the word of God. When a sudden calamity happens, God is blamed even when the sinner disconnects from God. The best way to avoid shaking the foundation is to build a life in continuous connection with God. 

Proverbs 3:21-23

My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life to your soul (your inner self) and a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self) then you will walk on your way (of life) securely and your foot will not stumble. 

God’s word is the security blanket against sudden changes. We may not know the future even when we make plans for it, but God does. When we are guided by our spirit in direct connection with God, we eliminate the chances of going in the wrong direction. The wisdom of God is clearing the path and lights the way.   

Ephesians 4:1

So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility (forsaking self-righteousness), and gentleness (maintaining self-control) with patience, bearing with one another in (unselfish) love.

All growth in love contains faith and hope for personal change. When we reach deeper with Jesus and follow His word, we release the influence of the flesh and increase the power of the spirit. We leave our faults behind and seek perfection through Jesus Christ. The spirit grows, and our actions reflect the love of Jesus in our hearts.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams) according to His power that is at work within us.

The devil will send trials and tribulations against us to try and diminish our hope. If we can be trained to have low expectations in life, we will search for inferior results. However, our God doesn’t think about impossible but possible. God is more than enough, God, and in ways, we may have not even dreamed. Keep the faith and hope alive in God and expect more than enough.

Ephesians 3:19

And to know (practically, through personal experience) the love of Christ which far surpasses (mere) knowledge (without experience), that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God (so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely flooded with God Himself).

The experience of God moving on our behalf in love is life-changing. Nothing exists besides God and His expression of love that can impact the heart and completely turn it around. Love is the cornerstone of everything God does and has done for us to bring us into the kingdom. Call on God in faith and prayer to experience the fullness of God and His love.

Ephesians 3:16

May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, (indwelling your innermost being and personality), so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And may you be rooted and grounded in love.

As we pray to be strengthened in our spirit, our faith pulls on the power of God. God responds to our faith. As we root ourselves in love and pull on the living water of God, our faith will grow. We will grow in our Christian walk and fulfill our purpose here on this earth. Our strength and wisdom come from our spirit energized by the living God.

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled), then peace-loving (courteous, considerate) gentle reasonable (and willing to listen), full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without (self-righteousness) hypocrisy (and self-serving guile). 

God knows all and sees all and takes the time to be our wisdom and guide. We can’t see the future or predict what will happen, but God knows. For this reason, it is essential to walk by faith and have the courage to act upon the word of God. God will lead when we humble ourselves to follow, lifting a lot of the stress and burden of life. 

Hebrews 2:18

Because He Himself (in His humanity) has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering. 

Jesus came to earth and experienced everything we experience so He could help us. Jesus is not a cold and distant God unfeeling for the trials and tribulations of His people. The relationship does rely on the believer investing time and energy into fellowship with the word and prayer. Jesus is waiting and wanting to fellowship with us.

Psalm 18:1-2

I love you (fervently and devotedly), O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; my God, my rock and strength in who I trust and take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower-my stronghold.

Our confidence builds when we seek a close relationship with God and the word. The more we turn to the word and speak the word over our circumstances, the more God will prove himself on our behalf. The more we show our devotion to God, the more He will show His devotion to us. 

Psalm 16:3-4

As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land, they are majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows (pain and suffering) of those who have chosen another god will be multiplied (because of their idolatry).

God delights in the saints, His people who love and fear Him. They are lifted because they follow God’s instruction and direction for their lives. The leadership of God and His wisdom is a relationship above any idol. An idol is a pretender or imposter created by man for a self-serving relationship.