Luke 8:14

The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.  

What we think and let affect our thinking is essential to maintaining our salvation. We can be on the right road with Jesus but exit at all the detours and never get ourselves back. If we don’t value Jesus and the word as highly as riches, Jesus will be sidelined, and all our spiritual gains will be buried in the weeds. 

James 3:13

Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his (good) deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.  

The world has become a judge and jury without knowing all the facts. Therefore, it is vital that our behavior represents Jesus and the Bible. We may need to stop before speaking because we will sometimes be frustrated, tired, or angry with good reason. We just can’t let the devil use bad behavior as an excuse to turn people from God. 

Hebrews 12:1 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness), stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us. 

If we let sin become a burden and a hindrance to our lives, we hinder our future with God. No person can run their fastest race with extra weight. Sin is additional weight, pulling us back instead of forward. If we remain conscious of our connection to God and follow His commandments as a priority, sin will have a harder time leading us astray.

Psalm 37:12-13

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him (the wicked one-the one who oppresses the righteous), for He sees that his day (of defeat) is coming.  

The enemy is defeated with God on our side. God is neither afraid nor intimidated by the enemy’s tactics. When we call on the name of the Lord for protection, He is well able to keep us safe. We are fighting a defeated foe, and God knows how to defeat the enemy.  

Psalm 17:6-7

I have called upon You, for You, O god, will answer me; incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your (marvelous and amazing) loving-kindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them. 

Again, scripture speaks of God’s loving-kindness towards those who seek Him. When we call on the name of the Lord for wisdom, questions, healing, salvation, or whatever we need, God will answer. Praise the Lord! God is our protection and help.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to (walk with God and) please Him, for whoever comes (near) to God must believe that Gods exists and that He rewards those who (earnestly and diligently) seek Him.

Faith again! Yes, because without faith, we will never succeed in this life. Our daily Bible reading, church attendance, and praise of God in the car are important ways to keep our faith up. We need a faith booster and builder to keep us on track and seeking God every day.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not see (the conviction of their reality-faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses).

Everyone will, at some point, have their faith tested. Whether we stand with the word or fall because of a lack of faith is up to us. Faith must be practiced and maintained for us to keep God’s promises operating in our lives, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him! 

Psalm 42:11

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.  

Hope in God will not make us ashamed. When we lean in and rely on God and His word, we wait for the answer. Our hope is in the Lord and His loving kindness towards us. God rewards those who diligently seek Him and acknowledge God in all our ways. 

Lamentations 3:24-25

“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait (confidently) for Him, To those who seek Him (on the authority of His word).

Building ourselves up in the word will bring positive reinforcement to our minds. The Lord rewards us when we seek Him and wait patiently for the answer. We must lean in and rest on that word and not what the thoughts the devil bombards us with. Hope in the Lord, and don’t let go. 

Lamentations 3:21-22

But this I call to mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because His (tender) compassions never fail. 

During times of trial, we need encouragement and hope in our lives, like a scripture that reminds us of the goodness and compassion of God. When we remember God’s loving kindnesses, a barrier should come up to doubt and unbelief. Hope in the Lord and His promises will renew our faith and strengthen our belief.