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.  

As believers, are we prepared for action? Are we prepared to talk to the sinner about salvation or pray for the sick? Are we ready to walk on water when Jesus calls us out of the boat? When we keep ourselves engaged in the word, go to church, and obey God, we will be ready when called into action.  

James 2:24 and 26

You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone (that is, by acts of obedience, a born-again believer reveals his faith). (26) For just as the (human) body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works (of obedience) is also dead.

We are to be active believers of Jesus. An active believer studies the word, absorbs the information in the heart, and believes that what the word says is true and attainable through faith. If we are not doing and obeying the word, we will not see results from the word.

James 1:22

But prove yourselves doers of the word (actively and continually obeying God’s precepts), and not merely listeners (who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning), deluding yourselves (by sound reasoning contrary to the truth).

If we go deeper with God, we are able to go deeper with the word. A doer of the word practices the word and puts the word to the test. The Bible doesn’t get a surface read but is read to understand how to thrive daily. Being a doer of the word develops our faith.  

Proverbs 19:3

The foolishness of man undermines his way (ruining whatever he undertakes); then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord (for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself).

God is perfect, and there is no fault in Him. Man, however, needs a redeemer to wipe away sin. The best thing we can do to avoid the pitfalls of life is to confess when we make mistakes and get back on track with God. It does not help to shift the blame to God and not be accountable for the problem we created. It will only get worse. 

Proverbs 21:4

Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked (their self-centered pride), is sin (in the eyes of God).

Seven things lead to pride: fear, entitlement, ingratitude, people-pleasing, not praying, hypocrisy, and rebellion. They all focus on the self and not focus on God. Pride is a trust issue and self-protective, elevating personal wisdom over the wisdom of God.  

Proverbs 15:31-32

The ear that listens to ad learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) will remain among the wise. He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself, but he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding.

When we remind ourselves that there is more that we don’t know than we do, we will stay humble and open to letting the Lord speak into our lives. Pride can be an issue when we settle on our own wisdom and do not learn from God speaking to us through His word and people. We will get an answer if we fix our trust in God, pray to Him, and listen for a response.  

Proverbs 20:6

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, but who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his (godly) beliefs- how blessed (happy and spiritually secure) are his children after him (who have his example to follow).

People can recognize faithful and trustworthy people by their actions and deeds. There is a blessing that follows a person as they walk uprightly before the Lord. Our children will see our lives and learn from our example, seeing how our trust in the Lord has caused us to prosper.  

Mark 13:26-27

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.  

What a glorious day when the Lord comes back to earth. Jesus is coming back for His people and bringing us up into heaven. Keep praying for the lost and talking to people about Jesus. We have a reward to gain as we remain faithful and keep working for the salvation of others.     

Malachi 4:2

But for you who fear My name (with awe-filled reverence), the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap (joyfully) like calves (released) from the stall. 

God still heals His people. The fear and reverence of God bring healing into our lives. Our love, respect, and dependence on God open the doors for Him to work in our lives. We don’t have to fear but trust the God who delivers us out of all our troubles.  

Micah 7:8

Do not rejoice over me (amid my tragedies), O my enemy! Though I fall, I will rise; though I sit in the darkness (of distress), the Lord is a light for me.  

The devil would like for us to give up and stay down. God is the one who makes it possible for us to rise. Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross, and we are born again with authority over the enemy. Speak the word and remind the enemy though we may have fallen, God will help us rise.