2 Peter 3:3

First of all, know (without any doubt) that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires.

We see this now as people turn entirely against God and mock anything that comes out of the bible.  We should not be afraid of the signs of the times but be about doing the work of God.  Don’t get offended by what others are doing but pray and be a stabilizing influence before Jesus comes back.  

1Peter 5:9

But resist him, be firm in your faith (against his attack-rooted, established, immovable), knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world.  (You do not suffer alone.) 

The devil wanders around, looking for cracks in the defenses.  He sends thoughts that are not ours and problems.  We don’t have to get mad, cry or worry, but God says we must RESIST the devil.  We are to stand our ground on the word and speak our faith and raise the shield.  Faith is a force of resistance to the attacks of the enemy.  Resist and be firm in your Faith.  

1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you (that is, to test the quality of your faith), as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.

Peter has wisdom and insight into this problem.  Peter took a faith test and denied Jesus right before Jesus went to the cross.  Did Peter grieve in his heart that he failed the test that Jesus said was coming?  Yes!  But! Even though he failed, he picked himself up and went forward with Jesus.  We should not be surprised that we will be tested, but we should pick ourselves up and keep going with Jesus no matter what. 

1 John 3:7

Little children (believers, dear ones), do not let anyone lead you astray the one who practices righteousness (the one who strives to live a consistently honorable life-in private as well as public-and to conform to God’s precepts) is righteous, just as He is righteous.   

Right standing with God is so important.  If we don’t have right standing, our prayers are hampered, and trouble comes into our lives.  We have to practice God’s word on forgiveness of others, walking in love, not letting the offense come into our lives, and repentance to remain in right standing.  God is with us to show us the way.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about the Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness, (doing this) without laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.

We all have goals that we are working toward in our lives, and each plan requires increasing our knowledge and faith.  We can’t stay at the same level of understanding of God and go forward, and it would be like a teenager never leaving kindergarten.  As we advance with God, we can grow spiritually and mature as Christians.  

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I made the decision to know nothing (that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential thinks and opinions while) among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (and meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection).

Sometimes it is better to know nothing when it comes to learning from God.  When our minds are open to learning and understanding the word, we are not stifled by philosophies or theological doctrine.  We can trust the word of God without the interference of the opinion of man.  We then can be fully persuaded of and open to the redemptive power of Jesus and the cross. 

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful (He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise-He can be depended on), and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

When we have faith in God, we have faith in His reliability.  The more we experience the faithfulness of God, the more we will step out in trust and knowledge that His word is true.  We all believe in something, whether saint or sinner; however, the God kind of faith overcomes in this world.  Our future depends on what we believe, and so does our direction.  

Psalm 34:15-16

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous (those with moral courage and spiritual integrity) and His ears are open to His cry.  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Like a parent watching over a child, God watches over us to hear our cry.  We are never alone or isolated with God and His word beside us.  Encouragement is only a turn of the page away when we read our bibles.  Our faith comes as our eyes view the word of God, and it gets into our hearts, building us up.  

Psalm 103:2-4

Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you (lavishly) with lovingkindness and tender mercy.  

The benefits of the Lord are real and available for the believer.  The greatest lie the devil can promote is that God does not care for us or that we are insignificant.  Be confident in the Lord and His love for us.  Keep the words of God’s love for us in front of your eyes.  So if the time of trouble comes, we can say….It is written….. and overcome any obstacle.

Mark 11:22

Jesus replied, “Have faith in God (constantly).

Christianity is the faith of persistence! To grow and do what God wants to do through us, we must have constant faith.  We must believe when others would give up and hope in what cannot be seen.  We have insider knowledge of how God works and how the world works.  God is the God of miracles, and we are His people.