S – There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: ¹⁷  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸  a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, ¹⁹  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. 

Proverbs 6:16–19 ESV

O – This list is not exhaustive but it covers some strong principles.  Arrogance, lying, murder, wickedness, intentional sin, more lying and the one who creates disunity in the family.  God hates all of these things.

A-  It is worth noticing that God hates these things – not the person doing them.  He sees how these behaviors will bring more distance from him and will hurt others.  Lying is on the list twice.  Our words are so important.  “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks…”  (Matt.12:34). Our words will tell us what is really going on in the heart.  We need to ask God to work in our thoughts, words and actions to make sure we align with his heart and character.

R – Heavenly Father, you hate sin and love people.  Thank you for your undeserved mercy and grace.  Search our hearts and thoughts.  Show us where we need to stop sinning, change our thinking and words and move toward your heart and character.

S – Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 

Proverbs 5:18 ESV

O – Commentary:

To drink from one’s own well (see also Song 4:12, 15) is to enjoy sexual relations within marriage. Rather than expend sexual energy on immoral women, a man should cultivate a healthy sexual relationship with his wife. Sex is not to be shared with strangers. This honors marriage (Gen 2:22–25) and keeps the seventh commandment (Exod 20:14 and Deut 5:18

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Pr 5:15–18.

A – A fountain creates a boundary for the water that flows in it.  We need to create boundaries that allows our love for our spouse to flow freely.  This barrier will protect us from outside influences and actions that we do not need.  Ironically, that same boundary will empower greater freedom and expression as we love our spouse.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Love.  Holy Spirit, we thank you for our spouse.  They are the greatest gift from you.  Empower us to love them in a fresh, new way today.  Allow us to love them like you love us.

S – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. ⁸  Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 

Proverbs 4:7–8 ESV

O – Commentary:

“Nothing” can compare with wisdom. Therefore it is supreme, well worth all the effort and cost involved in acquiring it. As wisdom is valued and loved (cf. 4:6), she gives honor (3:16), and an attractive life, pictured as a beautiful wreath (1:9) and a crown of splendor (used in 16:31 of gray hair, or age). The opposite is also implied: a foolish, unwise life is dishonorable, unattractive, and shameful. Solomon experienced both wisdom and folly and therefore both kinds of results.

Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 913.

A – Like the commentary starts, “Nothing compares with wisdom.”  It is the combination of what we have learned in our life up til this moment.  Every thought, word, action, circumstance, situation and result compiles into our life’s wisdom.  Then, we can ask God to give it to us supernaturally.  Both wisdoms combine to create a foundation that gives us strength and insight as we navigate our day.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the author of Wisdom.  We ask that you give us a new portion of wisdom as we face today.  Empower us to use our past as wisdom of how to approach people, situations and the different opportunities we face today.

S – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

O –  Commentary:

To trust in the Lord wholeheartedly means one should not rely (lean) on his understanding, for human insights are never enough. God’s ways are incomprehensible (Isa. 55:8–9; Rom. 11:33–34); yet He is trustworthy. All the wisdom a person may acquire can never replace the need for full trust in God’s superior ways. Heart in Hebrew refers to one’s emotions (Prov. 12:25; 13:12; 14:10, 13) but more often to his intellect (such as understanding, 10:8; discernment, 15:14; reflection, 15:28), or will (5:12).

As a person trusts in the Lord and acknowledges Him (this is not a nod of recognition but an intimate knowledge of God) in all his ways (cf. all your heart, 3:5), he finds that God makes his paths straight. This means more than guidance; it means God removes the obstacles, making a smooth path or way of life, or perhaps better, bringing one to the appointed goal. (On ways and paths, cf. v. 17 and see comments on 2:13, 15.) Proverbs teaches that those who follow wisdom have an easier, less problematic life 

 Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 911.

A – Such a powerful premise – trust in God completely and not leaning on your own understanding.  Eliminating the self from our will and purpose is practically impossible.  But the more we invite God into our lives, it dictates our actions and situations on a larger scale, causing us to trust him more.  It all starts with trusting him where we are today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are trustworthy and your plans for us are good.  Help us to step even deeper into our faith and reliance upon you.  Give us the courage to allow you to work in us so that our hearts align with you.

S – For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 

⁷  he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 

Proverbs 2:6–7 ESV

O – Commentary:

Yahweh will give wisdom Wisdom comes from Yahweh, the only one who fully understands it and knows its origins (Job 28:23–28).

2:7 For the upright Yahweh gives wisdom to the upright, who live with integrity. These terms are also used to describe Job. See Job 1:1 

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Pr 2:6–7.

A – God isn’t looking for perfection in us.  God gives wisdom to those who put him in a place of reverence, develop character and integrity, and walk accordingly.  God-given wisdom surpasses any other form of intellect or knowledge.  It is the combination of the natural and spiritual wisdom coming together for God’s purposes in us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Wisdom.  You are the creator of all and wisdom is something you can impart to us.  We ask that the Spirit of Wisdom would remain on us today in all of thoughts, words and actions.  Empower us to walk in it and bring glory to your name.

S – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

O – Commentary:

Fearing the Lord, Solomon wrote, is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord occurs 11 times in Proverbs (and “fear the Lord” occurs 4 times). “Beginning” is the Hebrew rē’šîṯ which means “the start.” One cannot gain knowledge of spiritual things if he begins at the wrong point, refusing to fear the Lord (i.e., to recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). Rē’šîṯ also means the capstone or essence. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things

 Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 907–908.

A – The fear of the Lord is the beginning and the essence of wisdom.  There are a lot of false gods and idols in the spiritual realm.  Knowing the one true God takes you to the creator and the beginning of knowledge.  Love the commentary on this.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, True God.  Help us to fear you with awe and reverence.  As we do this, unpack new knowledge and wisdom for us.  We step toward you to help us grow in all things.

S – So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God

Mark 16:19 ESV

O – Commentary:

On the one hand (Gr., men) the Lord Jesus—a compound title not found in the Gospels except in Luke 24:3—after His post-resurrection ministry (a 40-day period; cf. Acts 1:3) was taken up into heaven (by God the Father, implied). There He sat down at the right hand of God, His place of honor and authority (cf. comments on Mark 12:36–37a). The reality of this was confirmed to the early believers by Stephen’s vision (cf. Acts 7:56). In one sense Jesus’ work on earth was finished.

John D. Grassmick, “Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 196.

A – While on earth, Jesus fulfilled so many roles – teacher, rabbi, healer, deliverer, friend, son, etc.  Those roles are completed just as his work on earth was finished.  His reestablished role is God, Lord, Son, Savior and a new one – Advocate (I John 2:1).  He sits at the right hand of the Father and advocates for us.  

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  You are Lord of all and we exalt you to the highest place of honor.  Thank you for Jesus, who sits at your right hand and advocates for us as we live our daily lives for you.

S – So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.

Mark 15:31

O – This was a true statement. Jesus could save others but he could not save himself from death.  The cross was the reason he came to earth.  He needed to complete “his mission” and give himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

A – This is simple and profound at the same time.  When you think of how many times Jesus could have saved himself from the cross, it is astounding that he did it.  He was sinless yet took all of our sins to the cross.  He did everything to fulfill scripture and took it to the cross.  He saw a world of people yet to be born who could come to know God in a personal relationship and took it to the cross.  No love has ever been expressed in such a manner – he love each us in an amazing way.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Love.  Thank you for embodying love by Jesus coming to earth as a man and going to the cross for our sin.  Help us to remember what the cross means to us today.  Fill us with a desire to align with your heart as we model that same love with others.

S – But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” ⁶² And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” ⁶³ And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? ⁶⁴ You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. ⁶⁵

 Mark 14:61–65 ESV

O – With all the chaos and inconsistency of the accusers, the high priests asks the basic question – “Are you the Messiah?”  This is the question that sends Jesus to his death.  He answers it truthfully and honestly.

A – How many times has God given us a truthful statement or response in our relationship and we rejected it?  Maybe it spoke to our ego, pride or rejection and we didn’t want to let it go.  Or, maybe it addressed our attitude, behaviors and actions and we didn’t want to change.  We are like the Pharisees if we do not take the truth of God, apply it to our lives and change our will and alignment to match His will and character.

R-  Heavenly Father, you are the truth and you are Holy.  We surrender our thoughts, words, actions and will to you today.  We do not want to reject your truth.  We invite it to work in us to make us more like you.

S – And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. ¹¹ And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Mark 13:10–11 ESV

O – Commentary:

Such trials (13:9, 11) would be a means through which the Good News would be preached to all nations (or all peoples). This would all take place first—i.e., before the destruction of Jerusalem…

13:11 A word of encouragement follows the warning of 13:9. Jesus’ followers need not fear what they should say in these circumstances. The early followers of Jesus were generally uneducated and without political influence (see Acts 4:10–17; 1 Cor 1:26), so this assurance would have comforted them. Believers are not prohibited from thinking about what they will say, but they need not worry about it

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Mk 13:10–11.

A – In sharing out faith with others today, we recognize that we are like the disciples.  We are instruments of the Holy Spirit for others to hear about the gospel.  We do not need to fear it but feel free to share what we are thinking with confidence.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful.  Help us today to walk with the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We want our words to be directed by you.  Give us a boldness to share our faith with confidence and humility.