Mark 13:13
You will be hated by everyone because of (your association with) My name, but the one who (patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and) endures to the end, he will be saved.

Are we prepared to be hated because we are Christians? The oppression of Christians has been low in this country, but how well will we stick by our faith if we are jailed or excluded? When we understand that the Bible speaks of persecution and that God stands by those who are faithful to Him. We must set our minds that we will patiently preserver.

Matthew 8:8-9
But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy to have You under my roof, but only say the Word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority (of a higher rank), with soldiers subject to me; and I say to one: “Go!” and he goes, and another, “Come!” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this!” and he does it.

Our lives will thrive when we understand the authority that Jesus gave us over our circumstances on earth when He died on the cross. Faith is our servant, and we need to put it to work in our lives. We cannot doubt that the Word of God is true. When we waffle between faith and doubt, we stop our answer from coming. Build up faith, practice small things, and start taking it higher.

Matthew 7:24-25
So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man (a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man) who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Deception likes to take what is mostly true to promote a lie and misquote the Bible. There needs to be enough truth to slip the falsehood past our minds without us questioning what is being said. We must examine what is presented and not believe everything we hear. We must have a strong Bible foundation to see when something is against the Word of God. We must question what is before us and be our own faith advocates.

Matthew 7:15-16
Beware of the false prophets, (teachers) who come to you dressed as sheep (appearing gentle and innocent), but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them (that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus) Do people pick grapes from the thorn bushes or figs from the thistles?

We are to be wise in uncertain times and strong in word knowledge of the Bible. The Bible guides us to discern what is true and Godly; we must know God’s standard. A Godly person will never leave Jesus out of the equation when promoting something. If Jesus is not part of the standard, then who or what is being promoted is not from God.

Romans 4:5
But to the one who does not work (that is, the one who does not try to earn salvation by doing good) but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God).

The devil will use guilt and condemnation to manipulate people away from receiving salvation. If we are more sin-conscious than saved-conscious, we must check our thoughts and the Bible. Clear out any thoughts that don’t agree with Jesus and block them from returning with the Word.

Romans 4:1-2
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking, has found? (has he obtained a favored standing?) For if Abraham was justified (that is, acquitted from the quilt of his sins) by works (those things he did that were good), he has something to boast about, but not before God.

God never said we had to be perfect people through works to obtain or keep salvation. Jesus died on the cross to cover our sins so we could be free from condemnation when we confess our sins. We don’t have to be perfect people living perfect lives. We must be humble, accept the gift, and not tie ourselves in knots trying to earn it.

Romans 3:23-24
Since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified (declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God and granted eternal life) as a gift by His (precious, undeserved) grace, through the redemption (the payment for our sin) which is (provided) in Christ Jesus.

We don’t have to stay separated from Jesus because of sin; even though sin tugs at us all, we have answers through Jesus Christ. No matter what tries to draw us away from God, we answer it with the Word and stop the devil. Don’t ponder what was said; just cast down your imagination and speak the Word. If we keep our minds out of trouble, we keep our peace.

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 sin, our focus changes from what is Godly, and we turn our vision away from the Lord. Sins keep us separate from God by changing our thinking and diminishing our value in our minds but not to God. Sins blind the mind and heart when all it takes is for us to confess our sins and turn back to God so we can be saved.

Matthew 24:44-46
Therefore, you (who follow me) must also be ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. Who then is faithful and wise servant who his master has put in charge of his household to give others their food and supplies at the proper time? Blessed is the (faithful) servant when his master returns and finds him doing so.

Christians cannot let themselves become lukewarm in the faith or lax due to time. We don’t know the day or the hour of Jesus’ return, but we can see the signs. Our faith is based on the premise that Jesus died for our sins and will return when the devil’s lease expires. That fact has never changed! We are to be faithful servants until Jesus returns.

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him (with awe inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience) and He rescues (each of) them.

We must take the time to praise and worship God with intention. We miss many blessings because we don’t praise and worship God. We win battles with praise and open doors to God with worship. Our praise shows God that we revere and honor Him.