14 Colossians 3:12-13

So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering.  Bear with one another and forgive one another.  

Sometimes, we have to set our attitude before we leave the house.  If we know that if we have a spirit of kindness towards others, we will be less offended and not in strife, then kindness is the way to go.  If we walk in love and are longsuffering, then peace will be with us wherever we go.  Our prayers getting answered depends on our attitude towards others.  We are in charge of how we react.  

Philippians 4:13-14

Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  

Our pasts are not a weight that we should keep carrying on our backs.  God has forgiven us, and we need to forgive ourselves so we can move forward.  We look at our current lives with every experience we have had.  When we let the negative experiences go and let God heal, we can now look at our lives with the eyes of Christ.  

Mark 13:43-44

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.  

The widow had faith in God! She understood God, whom she believed in, would provide for her.  Would it not be a test for the others who gave out of their abundance to give all?  Their giving didn’t require as much faith as the widows.  Giving is a trust issue.  Giving in a knowledge issue of the promises of God.  Giving is a faith issue. Giving in faith releases the cares of provision over to God.  

Philippians 2:12-13

Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, sons of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.  

The struggle is real to try and keep the mouth from speaking when frustrated or angry.  Sometimes, we want to vent and complain, and we will feel better, but we don’t.  The problem becomes more extensive in our minds than if we would have just said nothing.  Light has a switch on and off, and negative speaking shuts off our light.  

Ephesians 5:1

Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.  Walk-in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.  

As beloved children of God, we have the best example of how to walk in this life.  God instructs us on dealing with fear, sickness, lack, and depression in our lives.  Love is the key to our faith and success in this life.  As imitators of Christ, the ability to show love to the unlovely is what we are to do.  

Romans 15:23

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Our thinking can be our downfall.  The devil knows this, and that is why he works to distract us with fears and worries.  Faith prays over something and then leaves it be.  Fear keeps talking about the problem and tells others until the fear becomes more significant than our faith.  We should cast down those imaginations that exalt above the word of God and rest in Faith. 

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our focus is the key to our overcoming in this world. The news and current affairs will bring doubt and unbelief into our lives, negating our faith.  When we should be prayer warriors, our fear of the current situation will leave us powerless.  Our renewed minds to the word will overcome any lies the devil tries to throw our way. 

Luke 13:23-24

Someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.  For many, I tell you will try to enter and will not be able.” 

Jesus is the narrow gate.  The world tries to tell us that there are many ways to get to heaven, but Jesus and salvation is the only way.  Knowing this as Christians increases the strength of our witness to the unsaved.  We know the difference between darkness and light.  The Bible shows us the answers on how to show the unsaved the way. 

Luke 11:28

But He said, “Indeed, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

The blessing of the Lord come to us through the knowledge of the word.  The more we love the word, the more we find strength and comfort from reading it.  The Bible is like a cherished gift that never tarnishes and brings us a continual blessing.  We keep that gift close and hold it dear to our hearts.

Mark 9:23-24

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out in tears, “Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief!”

We can have faith and unbelief at the same time.  When we start to pay attention to something more than faith, it will cause unbelief. If we focus more on the problem than the solution, we hold our trust back.  For our faith to remain strong, we have to give God’s word our full attention.  If the faith isn’t working, do a check-up, and see what else our focus is on.