Luke 7:7

Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But just speak a word, and my slave will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I so this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Jesus is our healer and example of authority on this earth. Jesus spoke the word, and the servant was healed. We should speak the word daily in faith using our authority that Jesus died for and walk in healing. Our power to change our circumstances comes from God and confession of the word. Shut the devil down with the authority of the word. 

Jude 1:20-21

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on the (foundation of) your most holy faith (continually progress, rise like and edifice higher and higher), pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

How is your foundation coming? Do you build yourself up in Jesus every day? We are meant to develop in our daily learning from Jesus, our teacher, and the word given to us by the Bible. The Holy Spirit is our helper and will come alongside us as we pray and help us understand as we read the word.

Jude 1:4

For certain people have crept in unnoticed (just as if they were sneaking in by the side door). They are ungodly person whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom (viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want), and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

The attitude of immoral freedom is everywhere today, from the street to some pulpits. Sin does not lead to freedom, and distorting the grace of God does not lead to peaceful lives. We are to be wise in the world and in how we live. We cannot give up in the face of opposition because God is counting on us to be His representatives in these last days. 

Jude 1:1-2

To those who are the called dearly loved by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you (filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God).

Only one relationship exists that will bring mercy, peace, and love into our lives. That relationship with God will lift us in any circumstance. The closer we focus our walk with God, the greater joy and peace we will have in our lives. The closer we walk with God, the easier it will be to fulfill God’s plan for our lives on this earth. 

3 John 1:11

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who practices good (exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity) is of God; the one who practices evil has not seen God (he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all).

If we have a false vision of God, we will have a false vision of what is right and wrong. Without knowledge of God’s love and goodness, sin will seem right. We are to look at Christ as our example of how to live on earth because the world has an ever-changing standard of right and wrong. God has never changed His standards!

2 John 1:3

Grace, mercy, and peace (inner calm, a sense of spiritual wellbeing) will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

We can stay in inner peace as we keep our minds renewed to the word of God. Peace is essential in our spiritual lives because without the word and peace; we will flounder. Our focus away from the world’s influences and on the guidance of Jesus keeps our minds and spirits clear to hear from God. God and the word will support us in peace. 

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

We need to remind ourselves daily of the blessings of God in our lives. God promised us healing, salvation, and forgiveness of our sins, and we must reach out in faith for these promises. We must remind the devil that these gifts from God are ours, and we won’t take any sin or sickness from his direction. Press forward in faith and take hold of the promises of God. 

James 4:7-8

So submit to (the authority of) God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you. Come close to God (with contrite heart) and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your (unfaithful) hearts, you double-minded (people).

God is always ready to help us in times of need. When we feel pressure from the devil, God wants to help us, but we must be willing to submit to God. When we draw near God, we can better hear His guidance, but we also need to purify our hearts. We can’t be double-minded and still hear from God.

James 4:6

But He gives us more and more grace (through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation). Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but gives (the gift of) grace to the humble (who turn away from self-righteousness).

God gives us the grace to turn away from sin with the help of the Holy Spirit. When we humble ourselves before God and ask for help in faith, God will answer our prayers. We can’t let pride get between us and help from God because we can’t do the miracles and changes we need. 

James 3:4-5

And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts great things.

Besides the purpose of communication, our speech is meant to speak faith. If our tongue speaks doubt and fear, our ship will go off course. When our lives seem to be going off the path, we need to check what we say because it reflects our beliefs; what we think, whether faith or doubt, will map the course of our route.