Numbers 13:30-31

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people (of Canaan), for they are too strong for us.”

Faith in God will show up in our decisions. If we believe that God is working on our behalf and sent us out to scout out our new possession that means it is ours. If we don’t believe in God, we will see all the obstacles that WE will have to overcome. Yet faith says to believe in God, and HE will work on our behalf. We do our part in believing, and God does His part in making it happen. 

2 Chronicles 20:21

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.

Praise and Worship are powerful tools that God gave us to connect to Him. We were always designed to work together with God to thrive in this life, which means battles and successes. Praise establishes our focus on the redeemer and savior. Praise recognizes God for His abilities as we realize our limitations.

2 Chronicles 19:5-7

He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and he said to the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord who is with you in the matter of judgment. So now let the fear (reverent awe) of the Lord be on you (to keep from making unjust decisions); be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality, or acceptance of bribe.

Not all judges are the same or have reverent fear for right and wrong before the Lord. We need to pray that God appoints righteous judges to judge this country and its people fairly. When we do our part and keep the Lord at the center of our lives, communities, and families, He will act on our behalf. We have the power through prayer and intercession to change any influence of evil. 

1 Peter 2:15-16

For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the (culpable) ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but (use it and live) as bondservants of God.

It makes a difference when we do right when others choose to do wrong. We set a standard and a line of character shining light amid darkness. Otherwise, darkness will prevail without a representative of God displaying what is good. Our choices and behaviors matter because God is counting on His people to overcome evil with good. 

James 5:17-18

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (with the same physical, mental and spiritual limitations and short comings), and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops.

One man, just like us, caused it to stop raining for three years. The devil does his best to try to convince the church that they are powerless and have no voice in making changes for the good in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and towns. Jesus died so we could break through barriers and destroy strongholds. When we believe and pray, the devil shakes and runs. 

James 4:8

Come close to God (with a contrite heart) and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your (unfaithful) hearts, you double-minded (people).

Being double-minded is a heart and a head issue. Somehow, we are not entirely convinced that God has our best interest at heart, and we see sin has something better to offer (fame, money, control, revenge). Sin tries to convince us that compromising the word of God will bring us more significant gain. We really need to ask ourselves. “What in Hell do we want.” Quote from Pastor Monte Knudsen

James 4:6

But He gives us more and more grace (through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation). Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but gives (the gift of) grace to the humble (who turn away from self-righteousness).”

Jesus understands that we live in a fallen world with temptations. No one is immune, which is where grace comes to help the humble redeem themselves from the sin trap. We must fall back on Jesus in every situation where we have missed the mark. The faster we repent when we error, the quicker we heal, and the protection from sin is restored. We cannot live this life without loving Grace!

James 1:25

But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a (careless) listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does (in his life of obedience).

It is a daily struggle to move from being a careless listener and not forgetting the morning’s Bible study to being an active doer. Our thoughts and focus start in the morning and drive our day forward. If we don’t deliberately focus on God’s law of liberty, we will get diverted, and not in a good way. It is easier to live an obedient life when we don’t dwell on ungodly thoughts. 

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder which he spoke (foretold) to you comes to pass, and if he says, “Let us follow after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve and worship them,” you shall not listen to the words of the prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all year heart and all your soul. 

Our knowledge of the word will keep us safe from deception. God warns us on what to look for and how the devil will try to deceive people away from God. It’s about love, loyalty to God (not man), and commitment to God in the heart. We will not be deceived if we keep our faith even under pressure from the world. Our goal is to keep the faith and pass the test. 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore know (without any doubt) and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His (steadfast) lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

God keeps His promises to those who love Him and keep His commandments. His faithfulness cannot be compared to anything we have in human knowledge. Our minds cannot understand how great God’s love is for His people. God’s love is the kind of love that will never leave or forsake those who believe and trust in Him.