Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed in a way that awakens more faith). As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith”.

Our success as Christians depends on our faith. Whether we fully believe in and follow the commandments of the Bible will determine our success. Faith builds us up on the inside to defeat the opposing forces on the outside. If we want to be considered just, we must live by faith. 

John 15:9-10

I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love (and do not doubt My love for you). If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 

There is wisdom in love and following Jesus’s teachings. Jesus keeps God’s commandments, and we are to follow his example. When we keep those commandments, we avoid sin and separation from Jesus and God. God’s love is so powerful for us that He sacrificed Jesus to save us from our sins. 

Luke 5:17

One day as He was teaching, there we Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present with Him to heal. 

People were coming from every walk of life to hear Jesus speak because the news of Him had spread. We need to spread the news! Jesus represents hope for the people and freedom from oppression. The power of the Lord was there to heal and demonstrate God on earth. Jesus is still working on this earth today!

Proverbs 4:1-2

Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, and pay attention (and be willing to learn) so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. For I give you good doctrine; do not turn away from my instruction.   

We never stop learning from God, our Pastor, and the Bible. The longer we study the Bible, the more we see and take in God’s knowledge and wisdom. The more we hear from our Pastor, the deeper our relationship grows with the church family. The closer we walk with God, the more our knowledge increases. 

Proverbs 16:8-9

A man’s mind plans his way (as he journeys through life), but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

When we are young, we think of a plan for our lives and futures. Our vision is limited, and our plans are often shortsighted, but God sees and knows all and establishes our way. When we let God lead, our personal fulfillment and satisfaction increase.

Proverbs 29:22-23

An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions. A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, but he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

We choose our attitude every minute of every day. No matter the circumstance, we can choose our outlook, and whether we reach for God’s help or turn away from God will affect the outcome. Our emotions are not to lead our spirit, but our spirit is to lead our emotions by our connection to God.

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I have asked of You; do not deny them to me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, so that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I will not be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God.

When we keep God in remembrance, we acknowledge that God is our supply. Excess dulls the spiritual heart and takes our eyes off the source of the provision. We may gain an ego and think it is by our abilities that we gain increase. When we focus on God, not possessions, God remains the most crucial source.

John 7:37-38

Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out (in a loud voice), If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me (who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me), as the Scripture has said, “From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.” 

We don’t have to live stagnant lives! If we let it, life can make us disappointed, angry, and bitter. Jesus came to free us from all anger, frustration, and sins. When we believe in Jesus, a door opens to the possibility of living a fulfilled life. We aim to have living water flow and keep our lives focused on the positive. 

Psalm 34:19-20

Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, but the Lord rescues him from them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 

Life can feel overwhelming and perplexing daily. We can start the day in prayer filled with calm and peace, but by midday, our lives can be going in the opposite direction. God is still with us and ready to help when we pause and put our focus back on Him. No matter what the circumstances may say, God is still working on our behalf.

Psalm 25:4-5

Let me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for you (and only You) I wait (expectantly) all the day long. 

Waiting for God’s golden nuggets of wisdom requires patience. We all grow in God’s wisdom at different speeds because our levels of study and challenges in our lives are different. When we know that God is the answer and has the answers, we wait expectantly in faith.