S – But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Ephesians 4:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

Paul stated positively that by speaking the truth in love (lit., “truthing in love,” which has the idea of maintaining truth in love in both speech and life) believers may grow up into Him with reference to all things… The phrase “in love” occurs three times (vv. 2, 15–16), thus pointing to the way unity is maintained. Significantly the word “measure” (metron) is also used three times in this context (vv. 7, 13, 16). Each believer is to function in Christ’s body by God’s enabling grace in accord with the measure of the gift Christ bestowed on him (v. 7). When each believer accomplishes that measure, then the church grows properly (v. 16), coming ultimately to the measure of Christlikeness (v. 13).

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

A – We must express love in our thoughts, words and actions.  Unity doesn’t mean we agree on everything or we become “yes” people.  Our diversity gives us strength…as long as genuine love is the thread that keeps us together.  Also, we need to live up to the “measure” of the gift God gives us. It is our responsibility to grow it.  If we do both of these well, the church and its individuals will thrive.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all things today.  Help our thoughts, words and actions be genuinely loving towards you and others.  We want to love authentically.  We also want to grow in the gifts you have given to us.  We ask for your Holy Spirit to guide us today.

S – Now this is what the Lord says—the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. 

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and the rivers will not overwhelm you, 

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched and the flame will not burn you. 

³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior

Isaiah 43:1–3 CSB

O – Look at all the promises from God:

• I created you.
• I formed you (molded into your unique shape and design)
• Do not fear
• I have redeemed (bought you back) you
• I know you by name
• I give you my seal of ownership
• I will be with you in your escape from the enemy and trouble.
• I will not give you more than you can bear.
• I will be with you in the testing.
• I will not let you be consumed in the testing.
• I am your Lord God.
• I am the One, true God 
• I will save you from your sins

A – Although it isn’t an exhaustive list, what a compilation of God’s character and promises.  We can walk confidently in Him today, knowing He is all of these.

R –  Heavenly Father, we come to you in worship and surrender.  We are grateful for all of the blessings and promises that you give us today.  We walk in humility to who you are and confidently in who you have made us to be.  Give us strength and courage to accomplish your will today.

S – Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave him counsel?  Who did he consult? Who gave him understanding and taught him the paths of justice? Who taught him knowledge and showed him the way of understanding? 

Isaiah 40:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

In verses 13–14 Isaiah spoke of the infinite knowledge and skill the Lord possesses. No one on earth can claim to have taught the Lord anything. He did not need to consult anyone. Isaiah was probably thinking of the Creation account (Gen. 1) in which God spoke and Creation came into being. In irony God had also pointed out to Job by numerous questions that his knowledge was nothing compared with God’s (Job 38:2–39:30

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

A – When thinking of the “bigness” of God, it is hard to fathom that He has no equal or peer.  No one taught Him or instructed him to create the world.  And yet, He did so he could have a relationship with us.  With all of our flaws, imperfections and shortcomings, He chose us and paid for us with his son’s blood and life.  It is humbling and affirming at the same time.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God who created, knows and holds all things.  Thank you for loving us.  We fall short daily but want to press toward you and your calling for us.  Please give us the courage and strength to honor you in all things today.

S – For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:13, 14 CSB

O – We are supposed to walk in freedom to support each other in love.  This love should be at the same level as our love for ourselves.

A – We should go through each day willing to accomplish God’s will and purpose in our lives.  Our focus should not keep us from caring for others to help them in their journey.  The love we have for God should empower us to do both.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one true God.  Help us to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit today in our lives and as we impact others.  We want the love we have for you and others to be evident in all areas.

S – For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery

Galatians 5:1 CSB

O – Commentary:

The freedom given by Christ liberates believers from the law.

yoke of slavery In Jewish tradition, the image of the yoke was often used to describe the law’s role of guiding people in righteousness (as is seen in the rabbinic work Mishnah Abot 3:5; compare Matt 11:29–30). Paul redirects this imagery to clarify the law’s effect now that Christ has come: It does not lead or teach people anymore, but instead enslaves them

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – None of us want to be a slave to something but we do choose it at times.  With the Jewish person, it was the law.  Today, we choose things that tie us to things that captivate our attention, time and energy.  We are called to freedom but we enjoy the “comfort” of being yoked to these things.  When something is more important than God, we are not walking in true freedom.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Lord over all things.  We want to walk in freedom today.  Whatever is holding us captive in our attention, time and energy that isn’t according to your will, we choose to put you first.  Give us the courage and strength to walk in freedom today.

S – God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, 

¹² and faithful love belongs to you, Lord. For you repay each according to his works

Psalms 62:11–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

The psalmist contrasted this with the fact that God has declared that the power is His. David heard God say two things: that He is strong and loving. So justice will be meted out to everybody. How much better then to find rest in the powerful God than in human devices.

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

A – In declaring his strength in majesty, praise, force, and might, God reveals another aspect of his character – love.  As an all-knowing, all-powerful that has no limits, he created man for relationships to demonstrate and share love.  What a powerful combination to recognize and thank God for his love for us.

R – Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of you and thank you for your love.  In your power and might, you fashioned man to be in a relationship with you.   Thank you for Jesus Christ providing a way for that relationship.  We are grateful and love you.

S – Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. 

¹⁸ For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed

Proverbs 23:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

Envying sinners (cf. 3:31; 24:1, 19; Ps. 37:1), wanting to do what they do, is senseless because they have no hope (24:20) whereas the wise and godly do. The immediate pleasure of sin cannot be compared with the ultimate hope associated with the fear of the Lord

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

A – One of the greatest gifts that God gives us is hope.  There is always the opportunity for God to intervene in our lives.  We can live from the “positive” because we know God has our best in mind in all situations.

R – Heavenly Father, you are exalted above all things.  Thank you for the hope you give us each day.  Help us to live with anticipation of your power and presence being displayed today.  We honor and revere you.

S – I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 Galatians 2:20 CSB

O – Commentary:

Having been thus united to Christ, believers share in His death, burial, and resurrection. Paul could therefore write, I have been “crucified with Christ” (lit., “I have been and am now crucified with Christ”). This brought death to the Law. It also brought a change in regard to one’s self: and I no longer live. The self-righteous, self-centered Saul died. Further, death with Christ ended Paul’s enthronement of self; he yielded the throne of his life to Another, to Christ. But it was not in his own strength that Paul was able to live the Christian life; the living Christ Himself took up His abode in Paul’s heart: Christ lives in me. Yet Christ does not operate automatically in a believer’s life; it is a matter of living the new life by faith in the Son of God

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

A – Death to the law but also a death to my self-centeredness.  In crucifying myself, it opens the door for faith to grow and mature.  That is a daily death to self and activation of trust and belief in God’s goodness.  

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship You.  Continue to reveal areas where we need to crucify our selfishness.  Give us the courage to unlock new areas of faith and trust.  We know you have our best in mind regarding your plans.  

S – “And yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.”

Galatians 2:16 CSB

O – Commentary:

In this verse, one of the most important in the epistle, the word justified occurs for the first time. It is a legal term, borrowed from the law courts and means “to declare righteous.” Its opposite is “to condemn.” But since people are condemned sinners and God is holy, how can people be justified? In answer, the apostle made a general declaration that negatively man is not justified by observing the Law, but positively, justification is by faith in Jesus Christ. This is a strong affirmation of Paul, Peter, and the rest—introduced by We … know. It is followed by a statement in which Paul explained that he had put this doctrine to the test and validated it in his own experience (v. 16b). Finally, in verse 16c the apostle reaffirmed that justification is by faith and not by works (cf. Gen. 15:6).

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

A – It comes down to our faith in Christ.  Everything flows from that.  Our works, actions and words should model a genuine faith in Christ.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all other things that exalt themselves.  You alone are worthy of our faith.  We put our trust in you.  Help our thoughts, words and actions align with your Word and will for our lives.