Isaiah 5:12-13

They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute, and wine at their feasts; but they do not regard nor even pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His Hands.  Therefore My people go into exile because they lack knowledge (of God): and their honorable men are famished, and their common people are parched with thirst.

The lack of knowledge of God to an unbeliever is an emptiness of the spirit that they can’t explain.  Because they don’t understand the love or working of God and have never connected to Him, they feel dry on the inside.  By our example and being a witness of Jesus, we can bridge the gap.  Even if we can plant a seed and another water, we can spread the gospel.

Philippians 3:13  

Brother and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.  

Whether they are for the good times or bad times, our thoughts of the past can hinder us.  Why?  Because we are not focusing on what we need in the present.  Today needs attention so that we can have a positive influence for the good in our lives.  We can’t change the past or go back, but we can make today a step forward with God. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed (gratefully praised and adored) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  

Everyone has a time in their life when we need the comfort of God and others.  We help each other break loose of the thoughts that we need to cast down to have a positive focus.  God is always with us and willing to help us through any trouble.  Our spirits will rise, and our hearts will fill with hope, and the word of God reminds us of God’s love for us.  

Psalm 27:1-2

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is my refuge and fortress of my life- whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

Life can feel overwhelming if we let it.  Everywhere we turn, it can seem like hope is fading.  In those times when fear tries to creep in, we must clear the screen before our eyes and examine our focus.  When we believe God and the word, our eyes focus on the Hope of the word, and we will be encouraged for the day.  We will rise above the circumstance with the refreshing of our focus.  

Psalm 22:24

For He has not despised nor detested the suffering of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from him; but when he cried to Him for help, He listened.  

In a time of need or suffering, it is a mistake to think that God does not hear our cry.  In those times, God listens, and we are to push deeper and closer with our relationship with Him.  It is God who sends healing, comfort, peace, and resources when we cry out to Him in our need.

Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is blameless.  The word of the Lord is tested (it is perfect, it is faultless); He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.  

If we keep our focus on the word of God that is tested and perfect, we will overcome the world’s cares.  Our confession of the word clears the path for our success in the trials.  God spoke the world into creation, and He wants us to create our lives and the world with the word.  Our strength comes from our connection to God and the word. 

Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; Walk (habitually) before Me (with integrity, knowing that you are always in my presence), and be blameless and complete (in obedience to Me).

Through the covenant of Abram with God, we can share in the benefits because it was passed down to us through Jesus when we became saved.  When we walk in the covenant on purpose with God in our lives, we walk in His presence.  We can have a door open to us for guidance, protection, and increase.  Covenant rights are a huge advantage to our lives.

Isaiah 40:3-5

The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.  Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be leveled; and the crooked (places) shall be made straight, and the rough roads smooth; and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

The promise from God through Isaiah, spoken roughly 2,756 years ago, is the plan for our salvation and the coming of Jesus. Our part is to pray, believe in the word in faith, and act upon it.  We are to cleanse our hearts and renew our minds and be the vessels of the word that God needs us to be.  

Luke 21:10-11

Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and (deadly and devastating) pestilence (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

Jesus tells us beforehand what the sign of the end times will be.  The Bible itself warns us that an end is coming and to expect it.  However, we are not to fear but prepare ourselves in the word to reach the unsaved and lost.  We are not to let our hearts shrink back but become bold in proclaiming the good news of the Lord.  

Colossians 3:16

Let the (spoken) Word of Christ have its home within you (dwelling in your heart and mind-permeating every aspect of your being) as you teach (spiritual things) and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts toward God.

Our minds need a refresh from the Word of God because that is where peace and wisdom come from to permeate our lives. What grabs our attention is where our thoughts go, and then we act on those thoughts. If our minds are filled with God’s Word and Wisdom, it makes it easier for us not to travel down the wrong road.