John 3:16

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  

Love is the cornerstone of our faith. God loved us first, created us in His image, and sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Our love back to God and towards others is just as important because we are to act in His image here on earth. Our lives depend on love, and we can’t take what God’s love and done for us for granted.  

James 4:4

You adulteresses (disloyal sinners- flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God) Do you not know that being the world’s friend (that is loving the things of this world) is being God’s enemy: So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  

If a person truly understands God’s power and glory of God, nothing in this world will be able to compare to God. Do not be deceived by the world and the things of this world through sin and deception. Nothing will fulfill the heart and spirit like God and reward us with eternal life.  

Revelation 3:12

He who overcomes (the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God), I will make a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

Our confidence and strength in this life come from believing in Jesus as the Son of God. God tells us that we will overcome the world through the name of Jesus. We will be rewarded for keeping the faith, following the Bible, and following Jesus. Our job is to maintain our relationship through the word building up our spirits to stand the trials that come our way.  

Revelation 3:10

Because you have kept the word of My endurance (My command to persevere), I will keep you (safe) from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole (inhabited) world, to test those who live on the earth.

We have to fight faith fatigue and being discouraged by the state of the world around us. We still have authority over our lives, homes, and family. God is still on our side, and sin will not overcome those faithful to the word and God. God will keep us safe!

Revelation 3:2

Wake up, and strengthen and re-affirm what remains (of your faithful commitment to Me), which is about to die; for I have not found (any of) your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements.  

Do we feel that we are measuring up or falling behind? Does our daily time with God feel like an obligation, not a joy? Changing our attitude and revitalizing our hearts toward God only takes a second. No one wants to be judged as lacking before God and miss out on our rewards in heaven because we didn’t keep the faith.   

Psalm 37:7-8

Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret; it only leads to evil.

Victory is coming for those who wait and trust in the Lord. When we trust the Lord, we will not worry about what we see happening to us but know that the wicked will not overcome God or His plans for His people. Turn the fears, worries, and anger over to God and stand in faith as He crushes the wicked.  

Hebrews 11-12

And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be (spiritually) sluggish, but (will instead be) imitators of those who through faith (lean on God with absolute trust and confidence in Him and His power) and by patient endurance are now inheriting the promises.

We must keep our focus on the word and not the world. The world will disappoint and wear our spirit down if we listen to all of the negative voices from the news, opinions, and crime. The rapid change is easier to endure when Jesus and the Word are forefront in our daily lives. Now is not the time to become sluggish but to revitalize our relationship with God.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous hand.

Faith in God and trusting in His word overcome all fears. God can overcome and eliminate anything against us if we reach out to Him in faith. Our strength and confidence come from the Lord, who will provide the way. Nothing is too hard for God if we just put faith in His word. 

James 3:16-17

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder (unrest, rebellion) and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled), then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering without hypocrisy. 

To draw closer to Jesus, we must examine our hearts and turn from selfish ambition. Our goal as Christians is to work toward the eternal, not the temporary, gains here on earth. The motivation of our hearts is crucial, and when we practice being loving and kind, our lives and relationships will flourish.

John 32,36

And you will know the truth (regarding salvation), and the truth will set you free (from the penalty of sin). So if the son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.

We must remind ourselves daily of the truth of our salvation and that we are free. We do not have to enter into bondage to worldly temptations and the pressures to conform and accept sin. We are to stand apart in the freedom Jesus gave us and stand for the word. When we stand up in our faith, Jesus stands with us!