S -Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love

 1 Corinthians  16:13–14 NIV

O – Commentary:

The command, Be on your guard (grēgoreite) might be rendered “be diligent” in carrying out the will of God (cf. 15:58, “give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord”). In view of the Corinthians’ susceptibility to false teachers (cf. 2 Cor. 11:3) the exhortation to stand firm in the faith was a timely reminder (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1, 58). So too were the closing exhortations (similar to the Gr. text of several Pss., e.g., 27:14; 31:24) to be men of courage and be strong, that is, marked by maturity (cf. 1 Cor. 14:20) and not infants easily swept aside (cf. Eph. 4:14). That sort of diligence and commitment is required if everything is to be done in love

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

A – Strong direction that requires diligence and intentionality.  What would our day look like if we were discerning and alert in the spiritual realm, resilient in our faith, confident in our humility, empowered in our gifting and authentic in our love for God and others?  We would make an impact in our lives and those we engage.

R – Heavenly Father, we invite your Holy Spirit to start with us in searching our hearts. Help us to grow in all of these areas.  We want it all and recognize the price tag of intentionality that it requires.  We desire more of you and step toward your calling in our lives.

S – No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord.

Proverbs  21:30 CSB

O – Commentary:

Human wisdom is no match against God’s wisdom. No wisdom or plans of any person can ultimately thwart the Lord’s plans, for He is sovereign (cf. vv. 1–2; Job 42:2) and all-wise.

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

Commentary:

The book of Proverbs promotes human wisdom and considers it worthwhile for righteousness (Prov 11:14; 15:22; 20:18). However, it puts human wisdom in proper perspective: It is only found in the fear of Yahweh and it is always subject to God’s higher wisdom (1:7; 20:24

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – God is sovereign and his plans will never be matched or superseded by ours.  Yet, in revealing human wisdom, he gives us insight and understanding of how to align our plans with his.  In our relationship, he reveals his character, will and love.  That produces a healthy fear of him.  We know him more so we respect and experience a deeper reverence.  It draws us closer to him instead of pushing us away.

R – Heavenly Father, we stand in awe, respect and honor for all you are.  We draw closer to you and want to know you better.  As you reveal more of yourself to us, please give us more wisdom and understanding of you.

S – Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? 

⁸ They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? ⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

 Job 11:7–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

Zophar pointed out that the Lord’s mysterious, plummetless, unknowable wisdom exceeds the height of the heavens … the depths of the grave, the length of the earth, and the breadth of the sea

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

A – God is big.  No one can comprehend the extent of his ability and character. That leads some to move from God in fear or disbelief.  That moves others closer to God in faith and trust.  We all have a choice to make.  Add to the equation daily life, the enemy’s challenges and temptations and our thoughts – it is simple yet hard.  Take a step towards God today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are big and you have no limits.  We invite you to unlock another mystery of you today.  Reveal your presence, power and peace so that our limited abilities cannot refute it.  Thank you for loving us and drawing us closer to you today.

S – What is a mere human, that you think so highly of him and pay so much attention to him? 

¹⁸ You inspect him every morning, and put him to the test every moment.

Job 7:17–18 CSB

O – “Inspect” –pâqad, paw-kad’; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by anal. to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.

“Test” – bâchan, baw-khan’;to test (espec. metals); gen. and fig. to investigate:— examine, prove, tempt, try (trial).

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

*Job’s sarcasm has a line of truth – God does think highly of man and daily cares and tries us.

A – There are times when God feels distant or he is allowing challenges he could easily fix.  What is our attitude and belief in God?  Like any relationship, it is difficult to say “I love you” when the other is not “reciprocating.”  By faith, we know that God is present and working on our behalf.

R= Heavenly Father, we worship you as the one, true God.  We invite you to be present and do your will in all of our challenges.  We quiet the enemy’s forces and voices by the blood of Jesus.  We invite your Holy Spirit to do what only you can do.

S – Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 CSB

O – This scripture gives us fourteen assertions about love.  Half are positive and half are negative.  It summarizes with the phrase “love never ends.”  Although not exhaustive, it gives us strong list of ways for us to demonstrate love in a Godly way.

A – The latter part of  chapter 13 states “The greatest of these is love.”  We must walk in love with God and with others.  We must learn the character and qualities of His love so others can see His love for them.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Your love has no end.  And, you demonstrated it for us through Jesus on the cross.  Give us the strenth, courage and tenacity to share it with others in our thoughts, words and actions.

S – If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” 

Esther 4:14 CSB

O – Commentary:

• deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place: Mordecai knew God’s promises and realized that God would not allow his chosen people to be annihilated (see Gen 12:3; 22:18; 28:14; Isa 60:1–5). • perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this: Esther’s rise to power at this precise time was not just a lucky chance of fate—her position as Xerxes’ favored wife and queen was a role that God had given her to influence history for the Jewish people.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God is working in all things – good and bad.  He also is involved in timing – “For such a time as this.”  We can trust both of these principles in our lives.  We must do our part and have that God will do his. 

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We are grateful that you are working in our lives with perfect timing.  Strengthen our faith when we don’t understand what you are doing or when the timing doesn’t meet our expectations.  

S – For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

²⁵ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 CSB

O – Jesus gave his body as a sacrifice for us. He shed his blood to write the new covenant with God and forgive our sins.  We must not forget this.

A – Communion is more than an act we do as believers.  It is an experience with God that takes us to his love in action through Christ.  It should “soften” us to realize that He loved us first before we even understood his love for us.  It explains how we can be in a relationship with him now.  It is humbling and full of hope.

R – Heavenly Father, all that is created is yours.  You are worthy of the highest praise and honor.  Thank you for Jesus going to the cross and shedding his blood so we can have a relationship with you.  Thank you for demonstrating your love for us before we even knew we needed it.  We choose you today in all things.

S – The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

Proverbs 21:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

Loving pleasure (the word rendered “joy” in v. 15) results in poverty. Maḥsôr is yet another word for being poor. It means “deficient, destitute, or in need.” It is used in Proverbs more often than in any other Old Testament book (6:11; 11:24; 14:23; 21:5, 17; 22:16; 24:34; 28:27). Proverbs 21:17a does not argue for a dismal, stoic life, but against living only for pleasure and self. If a person continues to use up his wine and oil, he will not become rich.

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

A – God gives us many things to enjoy life.  That is healthy and good.  When that becomes our primary focus (or love), then it takes the focus off of God.  Our relationship with God is our primary love and he adds pleasurable things to enhance it.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are a good God.  Thank you for all of the blessings that make our life and relationship with you so much more.  We recognize this is a blessing.  We want to keep you the primary focus in our lives.

S – “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. ²⁴ No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.

1 Corithians 10:23–24 CSB

O – Commentary:

The principle of freedom (everything is permissible; cf. 6:12) was to be regulated by love for others. Activities that are not beneficial or constructive or that do not promote the good of others (cf. 10:33) should be avoided.

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

A – Our freedom should be a catalyst for others to observe and desire.  When we walk in freedom and love, it models God’s character because it embodies an attitude of “others first.” 

R – Heavenly Father, we recognize that you are the one true God.  Help us to walk in freedom and love today.  We want to value others as you do and to be catalysts to help them grow closer to you.

S – No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

After kicking out the props of false security, Paul pointed toward the One on whom the Corinthians could rely. The temptations that seized the Corinthians were like those people had always faced. They could be met and endured by depending on God, who is faithful. Part of the Corinthian problem, of course, was that some in the face of temptation were not looking for a way out by endurance, but a way in for indulgence

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

A – We all face temptations.  The enemy continues to tempt, accuse and lie every day.  We need to put on the armor of God.  We need to know God’s word and promises as part of our language to ourselves.  We need to do our part and expect God to do his so we do not yield to the temptations.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a big God.  Empower us today to face the lies and temptations with all that provide through your Word and our relationship with you.  There will be battles and challenges today – we want to win.  Thank you for the promise of your presence and power.