S – The Lord hates six things; 

in fact, seven are detestable to him: 

17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, 

hands that shed innocent blood, 

18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, 

feet eager to run to evil, 

19 a lying witness who gives false testimony, 

and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16–19 CSB

O – Commentary: The purpose of this kind of numerical pattern (x and x + 1) (6 things and 7)  is not to give a complete list. Instead, it is to stress the final (x + 1) item, as the culmination or product of its preceding items.

Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A- This is a good list to evaluate ourselves.  We don’t do any of these things blatantly.  Yet, we all can be guilty of these to some degree.  We are born into a sinful nature.  Using the commentary’s principle, it brings light to strife and issues among people. We have broken people interacting with broken people every day.  The answer is two things.  Continue to grow closer to Christ each day so that my sin nature diminishes and my Godly character grows.  Second, give the same grace and forgiveness to others that God gives me daily.  

R – Lord, help me to do both of these things today.

S – Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 

Proverbs 5:18 CSB

O – “Fountain” – mâqôr,  s source :— fountain, issue, spring, well (-spring).

 “Blessed”: bârak, to kneel;  impl. to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); 

  “Pleasure”– sâmach, to brighten up, i.e. (fig.) be (caus. make) blithe or gleesome:— cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, × very

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – It can be taken two ways.  The source of my physical relationship is my marriage or my relationship with my source, which is God.  It is an act of adoration and reverence to God when I turn to my spouse for pleasure.  This chapter focuses on physical and sexual expression.  It can go further in our relationship, helping each other grow, empowerment and friendship.  Jesus chose marriage as his image of the relationship between his believers and Him.  

R – Lord, let me honor you by loving Kristin with all that have physically, emotionally and spiritually.

S  – Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. 

And whatever else you get, get understanding. 

⁸Cherish her, and she will exalt you; 

if you embrace her, she will honor you. 

 Proverbs 4:7–8 CSB

O – “Supreme” – first in order, first place.  Wisdom is the first thing, so get it.  Second place goes to “understanding” – attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal)

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Exalt wisdom and she will reciprocate.  Come close to her and you will receive honor.

A – I love the elevation of wisdom based on yesterday’s devotion (creation, like Jesus).  Today, it takes the highest place to acquire.  If we do this and then apply understanding, we reap huge benefits.  I listed the entire meaning of “understanding” because it demonstrates the variety and breadth of how we can apply wisdom to our lives.  

R – Lord, I want to do this each day…especially today.

S – The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. 

 Proverbs 3:19 CSB

O – Commentary:  “wisdom”:  qanah:  taken as “created,” this line refers to wisdom as God’s first act of creation, before all other things. But if the word qanah is understood as “brought forth,” this line portrays wisdom as an instrument of God during creation. Wisdom then would be the first primary instrument used in the act of creation and pre-existent before the world (compare Prov 8:23–24). This second interpretation aligns well with the nt depiction of Jesus as the agent of creation (Col 1:16; 1 Cor 8:6) who is referred to as “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24, 30; compare Matt 23:29–36; Luke 11:45–52; Heb 1:1–3).

 Faithlife Study Bible 

A –  Interesting take on wisdom – a tool of God during creation or the personification of wisdom in Jesus.  Both are important in my daily walk.   If I can “acquire” wisdom and align my character with Christ’s on a daily basis, I will apply my knowledge and understanding in a manner that reflects him.

R – Lord, help me to do this today!

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

⁷ He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity 

⁸ so that he may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of his faithful followers. 

 Proverbs 2:6–8 CSB

O – We can ask and the Lord will give wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  He has victories for those who follow his ways and purpose.  He will protect those who do so.  He will maintain justice and those who believe in Him.

A – There are benefits to knowing God through a relationship with Christ.  You can actually grow your wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  You need to ask for all these.  The application of these invites God to bring true success and oversight into your day and for justice.

R – Lord, help me to grow in my wisdom, knowledge an understanding.  In doing so, let me follow your purpose and leading today so that you can do what only you can do.  

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

Proverbs 1:7 CSB

O – Commentary:  The main theme of Proverbs can be summed up in just ten words that appear near the beginning of the book: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” (1:7). Fear implies respect, awe, and (at times) knee-knocking terror. It also acknowledges that everything, including knowledge and wisdom, comes from total dependence on God. The fear of the Lord leads people toward humility and away from pride

Fear of the Lord recognizes God’s central place in the order of the world. God is the Creator and Master of all things. This is why Ps 14:1 labels those who reject God as “fools.” Those who fear the Lord receive wisdom because they begin to understand that everything is under God’s rule and in his service. This is more than just an attitude; it is a way of living that takes into account God’s power and authority and our ultimate accountability to him.

Wisdom is closely connected with a proper relationship with God—both require choices in line with God’s character.

New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Proverbs brings out these three qualities – knowledge, wisdom and discipline.  I need all three in my life daily.  The struggle to walk with God is real.  I must have reverence for God to walk with Him. I must walk in humility, not in pride, to walk in his character.  I can walk in his power and authority when I display these qualities because I can be trusted.  

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – ¹¹ Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. ¹²

 Philemon 1:11–12 CSB

O – Paul is talking about a slave who was once “useless, lazy, disappointing” and now because of his conversion to Christ, a new person and qualities.

A – It is easy to write people off.  We can get stuck in they will always be that way.  We have to extend the grace that God can do more on the inside than we can see on the outside.  It is not our place to judge others.  It is better to believe the best.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – ⁵ he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.

 Titus 3:5–9 CSB

O – Titus says to “insist on the work of regeneration and salvation through Jesus Christ.”  “Avoid foolish debates, quarrels and disputes about the law.”  

A – There are still a lot of disputes about the Bible that do not focus on salvation and the daily work of the Holy Spirit.  All of scripture is inspired by God and is equally important.  The message of Christ was acceptance of Him.  He fulfilled and embodied the law.  Our focus should be on Him and our daily relationship.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people

Titus 2:11 CSB

O – Commentary focuses on all people being all classifications of people: Jewish, Gentile, slave, leader, servant.  As I read it today, I thought of all types of people in my life – churchgoers, non-church goers, those I like, those I am challenged by, people who make sense, the “crazies,” the popular and the ones who people walk by.  God died for them all.

A – What would your day look like today if, at the end of it, you could identify God working in that person’s life?  What would it look like if you knew their inner struggle and how it reflects in their outer exchange with you?  We might give more grace and less judgment.

R – Lord, help me to value others today.

S – An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. ⁷ As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. 

Titus 1:6–9 CSB

O – These are the requirements for someone to be an overseer (leader, officer of the church).  It is an extensive list of “do’s” and “don’ts” for the individual to fulfill.  The purpose is to steward and protect the church.

A – As a pastor and leader in the church, I love the actions and attitudes described here.  It doesn’t make life easier.  But, I love the church.  Big church (worldwide) and little church (GFC).  I feel the responsibility to live a life that reflects more of God’s love.  Each one of these quantities or actions is a choice.  I am not perfect but I desire to choose God’s way each day.

R – Lord, help me to do this in a way that honors you today.