Psalm 103:13

Just as a father loves his children, so the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him (with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence).

God loves His children and has given us, through Jesus, every opportunity to succeed. When we respect God, we also show reverential fear (not in a bad way) because we are knowledgeable of the power of God. We give respect and honor to God because we love Him and cherish our relationship.

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no one pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

A righteous person knows where they stand with God and have confidence in the direction they are going. A person without knowledge of God doesn’t know what belongs to them. They don’t know the promises of God through salvation. It is vital to keep the promises of God in our hearts and our minds. It is impossible to get a person off course when they keep their minds focused on the map (Bible).

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you (and even show you) great and mighty things, which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.

As we seek a closer relationship with God through the Bible, prayer, praise, and worship, we will be rewarded with increased understanding. God will help us understand what we read in the Bible. He will guide us in our day-to-day lives. He will provide guidance that only God can give. Make it a point to draw closer to God, and He will come closer to us.

Jeremiah 33:6-7

Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them, and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first. 

God can make all grace abound towards His people. If we turn to God and make Him our priority in our thoughts, finances, decisions, and lives, we will see our lives change for the better. As we focus on God’s abilities and remove the doubt and fear of being alone, God will be able to produce healing, security, and stability in our lives. 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worth of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there if anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things.

When we change our thinking and speaking, we change our life. If we place our circumstances before God and the Word, we will firmly stay in the circumstance. When we focus on God, the promise, and the Word, our circumstances will shift. We can’t keep repeating what the devil says and expect God to heal us, provide for lack, or move on our behalf. We have to say what God says in the Word and let God clear the path. 

2 Corinthians 10:5

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. 

How many thoughts are we supposed to capture? It says every thought is to be taken captive that doesn’t line up with the Word of God. We are not to accept every thought that comes into our heads. We also need to realize that the enemy will put thoughts (fiery darts) out there, hoping we will take them as ours. Don’t accept!

Romans 11:33-34

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?

The God who created this world is more than enough to fulfill every need that we have. We think too small when it comes to God, and we believe on our terms in our natural world. We need to read the Bible and understand the power of God in His world. Once we learn to trust God and His strength and power, our worlds here will be transformed. 

Romans 7:18-19

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh (my human nature, my worldliness-my sinful capacity). For the willingness (to do good) is present in me, but the doing of good is not. For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil I do not want.

God instructs us to place guards on our eyes, our ears, and even where we go. When we put on the whole armor of God, we fend off the attacks against us that can lead to sin. When we read the Bible and renew our minds to remember God’s promises, we will not practice evil. And if we fail, let us confess and return to the protection of God.

Isaiah 59:1-2

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, nor His ear so impaired that it cannot hear. But your wickedness has separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. 

When we allow ourselves to drift away from God, the distance makes it harder for Him to hear from us. The static of sin can interfere with our communication, and we may have just turned off the receiver. Our relationship with God depends on us doing our part and staying connected so He can do His part and keep us on the right path. 

Psalm 116:1-2

I Love the Lord, because He hears (and continues to hear) my voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs). Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. 

If we want a close relationship with God, we should start by praying as we rise from bed in the morning. Offer some praise or say ‘good morning. ‘Continue through the day and talk to God and then listen because He hears us when we speak and will talk to us. Call on Him, fellowship with Him beyond the morning devotion, and become God-conscious all day long. And keep listening!