James 5:7-8

So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.  The farmer waits (expectantly) for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains.  You too, be patient strengthen your hearts (keep them energized and firmly committed to God), because the coming of the Lord is near. 

The farmer does a lot of preparation before planting the seed into the ground, just as faith produces what it believes for, like a seed with an expectant harvest to come in due season.  We, too, must practice patient and planting of our faith like a seed, so it grows and strengthens.  So that when uncertain times come, we have a firm foundation knowing that the coming of the Lord is near and we have nothing to fear. 

Ezekiel 20:11-12

I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them, which, if a man keeps, he will live.  Also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know (without any doubt) that I am the Lord who sanctifies them (separates and sets them apart).

Christians are meant to be set apart.  Our ways and habits are meant to be different from those who are not.  Our observance of Sunday church and resting is a sign between God and us.  By keeping the Sabbath Holy, we continue to honor God and His ordinances.  Sunday is a day to refresh ourselves in the word and God. 

2 Peter 3:17-18

Therefore, (let me warn you) beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men (who distort doctrine) and fall from your own steadfastness (of mind, knowledge, truth and faith), but grow (spiritually mature) in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

When we increase our knowledge of the Bible, we grow our spirits and renew our minds.  It is harder for us to be deceived when we have built ourselves up and practice our faith.  God gave us the Bible as a way to avoid the pitfalls of life.  By keeping our guard up, we can distinguish the good doctrine from the bad.  

Mathew 7:7-8

Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.

Faith is persistent and diligently seeks the answer to any need by praying and asking God for the answer. We may not get a response to the first request.  Sometimes we don’t even know our covenant rights or what we can ask for from God, but God doesn’t say ask once! He says keep on seeking and knocking and requesting until the answer comes.

Mathew 5:3

Blessed (spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired) are the poor in spirit (those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (both now and forever). 

When we have a teachable spirit willing to learn, we can learn so much from God.  God has infinite wisdom to give us, but we also must be willing to receive the knowledge.  When we leave our own preconceived ideas behind and open ourselves up to God and His ways, we gain wisdom.  A humble spirit opens doors for us to grow.  

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship (His own master work, a work of art) created in Christ Jesus (reborn from above-spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used) for good works, which God prepared (for us) beforehand (taking paths which He set), so that we would walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us).

We are works of art!  A piece of art is created to shine and stand out as its creator designed it to be.   That means we are unique and have a purpose set out before we were born by God.  We are to do good works because we are transformed in our spirits and endued with the power to produce good fruit.  Our self-image changes to shine and reflect the light of Jesus.  

Ephesians 1:17

(I always pray) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight) into the true knowledge of Him (for we know that Father through the son).

God designed us to fellowship with Him, just as He did with Adam in the garden.  As Christians, wisdom, and revelation that we gain from God are nuggets of gold for our lives.  When God speaks to our hearts with knowledge, we see a clearer picture of His wisdom and love.  Our time spent with the bible opens us up to revelation and insight into God.   

Psalm 3:3-6

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory (and my honor), and the One who lifts my head.  With my voice I was crying to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain.  I lay down and slept (safely); I awakened, for the Lord sustains me.  I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around.  

Our strength and power in this life come from God.  God is the one who lifts our heads when we are downcast.  We need to raise our heads and lift our voices filled with the word and walk in our covenant rights.  A silent believer is a defeated believer, and we are more than conquers through Jesus Christ.  Be encouraged and strengthened with the word of God.  

Daniel 9:4

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and extends lovingkindness toward those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed wrong, and have behaved wickedly and have rebelled, turning away from Your commandments and ordinances.  

Daniel knew what caused the people of Israel to be taken into captivity.  Daniel had read the book and could read the times and knew the number of years of captivity.  He also knew the covenant relationship they had with God and prayed in repentance.  We also have a covenant right to call upon Jesus in our time of need.  If repentance is needed, repent but don’t lose hope, but call out to God, and God will raise us.

Ezekiel 20:16

Because they rejected My ordinances, and as for My statutes, they did not walk in them; they even profaned My Sabbaths, for their heart continually went after their (worthless) idols.

In bible times, an idol was an image of something that people worshipped besides God.  Today, we don’t necessarily worship an image, but we focus on things other than God, to the point that God gets crowed of our lives.  An idol is meant to distract us from our actual purposes here on earth and, in most cases, leaves us unsatisfied and lesson our spiritual power—a challenge to clean out the idols and put God back as our primary focus.