1 Peter 1:13

So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober (in spirit-steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert), fix your hope completely on the grace (of God) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  

We are to prepare our minds to accomplish whatever God may need us to do. Being prepared and prayed up keeps our hearts active and close to God. It makes it easier to hear from God and get out of the ditches of life. The tests of life don’t seem like mountains when we maintain our focus.  

1 John 2:5

But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts (and treasures His message in its entirety), in him the Love of God has truly been perfected (it is completed and has reached maturity). By this we know (for certain) we are in Him:

We will develop our spiritual strength if we treasure His word and keep it close to our hearts. Just as a child wishes to grow to physical maturity, we are to mature and grow as Christians in our faith. Our lives, whether we succeed or fail, depend on it. We are the representatives of heaven on earth, and our lives are to reflect Jesus. 

2 John 1:9

Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ (that is, one who is not content with what He taught), does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching (of Christ does have God), he has both the Father and the Son.

The teachings of Jesus are powerful and life-sustaining. They are the door to God and salvation in Jesus Christ. When we focus on the Bible and view it as the sustaining force for our lives, we will have success. We are to keep in step with Jesus and God and not deviate from His Word.

Jude 1:18-19

They used to say to you, “in the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” These are the ones who are (agitators) causing division-worldly minded (secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual-unsaved) devoid of the Spirit.

It’s hard to watch the world around us fall into moral and spiritual decay and blindness. The choice of others to follow sin instead of spiritual freedom can seem disheartening. We cannot give up or back down from our Faith. We are to occupy and be light in the darkness until Jesus returns. Our focus needs to be more on Him than the fallen world around us.  

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (of My law, where I reveal My will). Because you (the priestly nation) have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

The pursuit of knowledge of God and His will for our lives leads to happiness. When we reject God and knowledge, we limit our ability to make wise and fulfilling choices. We make decisions that lead to temporary satisfaction based on the hope of finding meaning. A life without Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a life with an unsatisfied void.  

1 John 2:10-11

The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his (believing) brothers lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense (he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin). But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother (in Christ) is in (spiritual) darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because of the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Our bodies contain the mind, will, and emotions and are separate from our spirit. As Christians, this is basic, but maybe not so. When we let our Minds, Wills, and Emotions rule instead of our spirit and the Holy Spirit, we will sin. Emotions are not a sure guide to success when it comes to decision-making because feelings change. Follow the light of the Bible and reject the darkness of sin.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural (unbelieving) man does not accept the things (the teachings and revelations) of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness (absurd and illogical) to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are not spiritually discerned and appreciated, (and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters).

It is truly hard to understand as a Christian how people can reject God. Some people refuse to discuss Jesus and, even with loving kindness, still deny the cross. We don’t know what hurt or deceit has brought the person to this place, but God does. Even though it is hard to understand, our prayers can cross the divide, and Jesus knows what that person needs. 

John 14:16-17

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Intercessor) to be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth, who the world cannot receive (and take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.  

The Holy Spirit is a gift to us here on earth, and we need to rely on His counsel. If we keep our hearts soft to His leading, we will avoid the mind field of sin. We make choices every day and have suggestions to sin every day, and our hearts stay strong with the Holy Spirit. It all depends on whether we believe in God’s promises and keep His commandments.

Psalm 24:4

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, nor has sworn (oaths) deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  

A person with clean hands isn’t willing to do evil or manipulate others to get their way and has a pure heart. Christianity isn’t just giving lip service to the faith and attending church occasionally. Christianity is conducting our lives according to biblical values. Values that we have in our hearts.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul trusted God for his provision while on the mission field. Paul had tested and tried God’s Word for the promises made. When we look for our supplies to be filled, do we turn to God? Do we have the reassured knowledge that God will supply our needs? God is waiting to prove Himself when we turn to Him in faith.