S – For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, ²² adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” 

Mark 7:21–23 CSB

O – Commentary:

The catalog of evil Jesus gave has a strong Old Testament flavor and consists of 12 items. First, there are six plural nouns (in Gr.) depicting wicked acts viewed individually: sexual immorality (porneiai, “illicit sexual activities of various kinds”); theft (klopai); murder (phonoi); adultery (moicheiai, illicit sexual relations by a married person); greed (pleonexiai, “covetings”), insatiable cravings for what belongs to another; malice (ponēriai, “wickednesses”), the many ways evil thoughts express themselves.

Second, there are six singular nouns depicting evil dispositions: deceit (dolos), cunning maneuvers designed to ensnare someone for one’s personal advantage; lewdness (aselgeia; cf. Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2, 7), unrestrained and unconcealed immoral behavior; envy (opthalmos ponēros, lit., “an evil eye,” a Heb. expression for stinginess; cf. Prov. 23:6), a begrudging, jealous attitude toward the possessions of others; slander (blasphēmia), injurious or defaming speech against God or man; arrogance (hyperēphania, used only here in the NT), boastfully exalting oneself above others who are viewed with scornful contempt; and folly (aphrosynē), moral and spiritual insensitivity.

All these evils defile a person, and have their source from inside, from one’s heart. So Jesus took the focus of attention away from external rituals and placed it on the need for God to cleanse one’s evil heart (cf. Ps. 51

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

A – Two concepts – Evil thoughts that express themselves in words and actions. Secondly, a person’s disposition – a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character.  If we don’t actively move our alignment in our thoughts and disposition with God, our default is sinful and self-seeking.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender and worship You today.  You are unlimited and worthy of praise.  I confess my human nature is sinful.  I choose to align with You and Your Word today so that my words, thoughts, actions and disposition would be one of honor and glorifying You.  Give me the strength and courage to succeed in this today.

S – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:11 CSB

O – Commentary: 

His words of wisdom are free-flowing and as refreshing as a cool spring to a weary desert traveler. In the second part of 10:11; the idea is either that his mouth conceals or deceptively hides violence “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

“Violence” – châmâç,  violence; by impl. wrong; unjust gain:— cruel (-ty), damage, false, injustice, × oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – Our words are powerful.  This proverb says they can be wise, refreshing, and filled with freedom.  Or, they can be cruel, damaging, false, or oppressive. Violence is not always physical.  I want my words to be wise and draw people closer to God.  It statrts with allowing God to work on me on the inside so that it flows out to “lifegiving” on the outside.

R – Father, please work on the inside of me first today.  I invite you Holy Spirit to reveal to me those areas that don’t line up with you.  Let my thoughts, words and actions be a reflection of the work you are doing inside of me.  Then, let me speak with others in a way that will show them Your love.

S – Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended by him.

Mark 6:3 CSB

O – Commentary:

The phrase Mary’s Son was also derogatory since a man was not described as his mother’s son in Jewish usage even if she was a widow, except by insult (cf. Jud. 11:1–2; John 8:41; 9:29). Their words, calculated insults, also suggested they knew there was something unusual about Jesus’ birth

Thus since the townspeople could not explain Jesus, they took offense (from skandalizomai, “to be caused to stumble, to be repelled”; cf. comments on Mark 14:27) at Him, finding no reason to believe He was God’s Anointed One.

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

A – Sometimes, the people closest to us can be our biggest hurdles.  Our circle of influence must have like-minded people who love and follow God like we do.  They should build our faith, not belittle it or tear it down

R – Father, thank you for the people who you put in my life that cause me to grow closer to you. They are a true gift. We invite you to draw all of us closer to you and to be led by your Spirit today.

S – The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9 CSB

O – “Integrity” – tôm,  completeness; fig. prosperity; usually (mor.) innocence:— full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), at a venture. 

“Securely” – eṭach, beh’takh;  a place of refuge; abstr. safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adv. with or without prep.) safely:— assurance, boldly, (without) care (-less), confidence, hope, safe (-ly, -ty), secure, surely

“Perverts” – ˓âqash, to knot or distort; fig. to pervert (act or declare perverse):— make crooked, (prove, that is) perverse (-rt).

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – The person is “complete” in God it isn’t perfection.  It is the relationship of that person’s honest, genuine best and God makes up the difference in our imperfections and shortcomings.  It brings security because we know God takes us where we cannot go.  There is freedom knowing we are not in this alone and can openly admit that we are not enough. 

R – Heavenly Father, we invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today.  We are not enough and do not want to go through today without You making up the difference in us. We surrender and worship You. Thank you for Your love and protection daily.

S – Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has spoken: 

I will demonstrate my holiness^, to those who are near me, 

and I will reveal my glory^, before all the people.” 

Leviticus 10:3 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The two eldest sons of Aaron (cf. Ex. 6:23; 28:1; 1 Chron. 6:3), either through ignorance or presumption, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. This incident interrupted the regular pattern of the previous two chapters in which everything was done in accord with the commands of the Lord (cf. Lev. 8:36). It is not stated what made their offering of incense “unauthorized”…“The moral of the story” as summarized by Moses is that those who have the privilege of being nearest to God must bear special responsibility to exemplify His holiness and glory.

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

A – Every day, we have the opportunity to be near God and with it comes the responsibility of displaying His holiness and glory.  This isn’t just for OT priests.  It is for us as His ambassadors to walk in a manner that honors Him.

R – Heavenly Father, we invite Your presence into our lives today.  Help us to honor You in our thoughts, words and actions.  We desire to exemplify Your holiness and glory in our lives today.  Draw us closer to You so that we can do this genuinely.

S – He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed and consecrated him.

Leviticus 8:12 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Moses then poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head … to consecrate him (cf. Ex. 29:7; 30:30; 40:13). The purpose of these anointings was to set apart the tabernacle (Lev. 8:10), the various articles of sacred furniture (vv. 10–11), and the priest who ministered in the sanctuary (v. 12) as most holy to the Lord

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

Consecrate – qâdâsh,to be  clean (cerem. or mor.):— appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), × wholly.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – God wanted the priests to be set apart.  All throughout the NT, we are encouraged to do the same.  When we put distance between ourselves and those things, desires or temptations that will trip us, we are saying “I am God’s first.”  

R – Heavenly Father, we choose to consecrate ourselves today.  We are your vessel.  We desire to be holy in mind, body and spirit.  We cannot do this without the blood of Jesus and the forgiveness of our sins daily applied to our lives.  Give us a fresh annointing today to be led by You.

S – Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely.^, 

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires

Psalms 37:3–4 CSB

O –  Commentary:

Rather one should trust in the Lord who can answer prayers of the heart (vv. 3–4). The promise, He will give you the desires of your heart, is based on the condition, delight yourself in the Lord. One who delights in Him will have righteous desires

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

A – When our heart lines up with God, it aligns the rest of us.  As our faith grows in who God is, we become more like him in our character.  We will not be perfect but our love and faith in God will reveal the areas of sin.  We will be able to ask for forgiveness and restore health to that area.  Our desires will be an outflow of this growth.

R – Lord, thank you for your love for us.  It works inside of us to transform our earthly being and desires into a vessel of your love and Spirit.  Help us to grow into the person you created us to be so we can share your love with others in a tangible way.

S – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. 

Proverbs 10:1 CSB

O – A child’s actions reflect on the parents who raise them.

A – There is a love parents have for their children.  Foundationally, a child grows as they learn lessons.  Wisdom demonstrates moving toward growth and understanding.  Foolish is selfish and immature.  The consistency in the journey is what brings either joy or frustration to the parents.  The same principle could be applied to our walk with God.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that your love for us does not waver.  Help us to be wise today.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.

S – Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!

Mark 2:12 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jesus commanded the paralytic to get up (a test of his faith), take his mat, and go home (demand of obedience). The man was enabled to do this immediately (euthys; cf. 1:10) in full view of them all, including Jesus’ critics. They were forced to recognize that the man had received God’s forgiveness. This showed the character of salvation Jesus brought, namely, healing whole persons. Everyone (probably including the scribes) was amazed (existasthai, lit., “out of their minds”; cf. 3:21; 5:42; 6:51) and praised (ascribed glory to) God because of Jesus’ display of supernatural power.

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

A – When we walk in the authority God has given us, it opens up the door for God to work in us and through us.  It is a catalyst for others to grow in their faith.  It silences the critic because it is authentic and undeniable. After all, you can’t do this yourself.  All ascribe glory to God. (critic included)

R – Heavenly Father, I want to walk in your authority today. Through the power of the cross and Jesus’s sacrifice for me, I am adopted into a relationship with you.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in humility and authenticity today.  And, full of your power and courage to accomplish your will as well. 

S – The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

Exodus 40:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

The climax of the Exodus occurred when the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. God’s goal from the outset was not merely to deliver his people from their bondage, but to bring them into a relationship with himself. Their real need was to know God personally in their lives. Without that, the Promised Land would not be a land of promise. Now it would be, because the glory that had been on Mount Sinai was in Israel’s midst; it would not be left behind, but would travel with them wherever they might go.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We are the “modern-day tabernacles.”  God doesn’t dwell in a tent but His Spirit lives in us.  The question we face – “Does the glory of the Lord radiate out to others?”  The word “glory” means “weight, splendor, distinction and honor.”  Do we allow His glory to work through us and do we demonstrate His qualities and character?

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that you live in me today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to work in me so that my thoughts, words and actions align with you.  May Your presence in me be seen outwardly and that Your glory will be real to others.