S – And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 

Mark 3:26–27 CSB

O – Satan casting out demons is an absurd statement by the scribes.  The leader wouldn’t defeat his own team, who were doing what he sent them to do.  Jesus recognizes the enemy must be bound or immobilized before He did his works.

A – Spiritual warfare is real.  As believers, we have the authority through the name and blood of Jesus to take dominion over the works and agents of the enemy.  We should operate from a place of victory knowing that the war was won on the cross and not in our own strength and abilities.

R – Lord, I invite you to negate any works of the enemy today and I would walk humbly in the victory that comes through the name and blood of Jesus.

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:  Everyone (probably including the scribes) was amazed (existasthai, lit., “out of their minds”) 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  – It is often overlooked that the scribes joined in when the crowd praised God for the healing.  What changed to the point where they began to look at Jesus as a threat to the Jewish religion?  He threatened what they hold as truth.  He was changing the way it was fulfilled.  It was new.  I understand that. Jesus was changing hundreds of years of ritual, teaching and culture. But…they missed God on who Jesus is.

R – Lord, with all the changes happening today, let me see the true you in each situation.

S – As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for^, people.” ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed him

Mark 1:16–18 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Disciples usually sought out their own teachers. Only the most radical teachers called their own disciples. Because discipleship sometimes involved temporarily laying aside one’s livelihood and being apart from one’s wife and children for a time, the decision to choose a teacher would have normally been made only after much deliberation, especially when the teacher traveled from place to place instead of staying in one town to teach. Galilee was not so large as to require long journeys, however; they would be able to return to stay in their hometowns periodically

  The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – There is something special about being chosen.  To see the custom of choosing a teacher is the opposite makes the decision to follow even more remarkable.  I can see similarities to a modern-day following of Christ.  He already is our savior and says “Follow Me” by offering a relationship through salvation.  Do we “leave the boats” and say yes?

R – Lord, help me to hear your voice today and move forward with a “yes.”  Help me to grow with you. instead being stuck back at the boat.

S – Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 CSB

O – Two fleetings that are evident on the outside are an illusion and temporary.  The woman who reveres God will be exalted.

A – Interesting that Proverbs starts and ends with the fear of the Lord.  If that is our foundation, we will remain when everything else goes away.

R – Lord, let me live and lead from my relationship with you today.  

S – 

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? 

Who has gathered the wind in his hands? 

Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? 

Who has established all the ends of the earth? 

What is his name, 

and what is the name of his son—

if you know? 

Proverbs 30:4 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The question, What is His name? asks what His true character is like. The inquiry, What is the name of His son? suggests the question, “Has He imparted His nature or attributes to any other who may in any sense be called His ‘Son

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – The first part reminds me of Job and Romans 1.  Through simple questions, you see the unlimited power of God displayed in a real sense.  The part where the author asks of his son reminds me how often the OT pointed to the Messiah.  

R – Lord, as “big” as you are, you desire a relationship with me to day.  I am humbled and grateful I get to do life with you today.

S – A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor. 

 Proverbs  29:23 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The reverse effects of pride and humility warn against the one and encourage the other. Ironically pride, by which a person seeks to elevate himself, actually results in his being brought low (šāp̱al) whereas one who is of lowly (šāp̱al) spirit is elevated by others to a position of honor.  God hates pride because it influences a person to live independently of Him.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The last part of the commentary nails it.  When we live dependent on God, it doesn’t take away our gifts and talents.  It actually enhances them.  Humility is debasing ourselves.  It recognizes our source and surrenders to being led by God.  

R – Lord, help me to surrender today all that I am and all that I have today to serve you in wisdom and power.

S – The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them 

will find mercy. 

 Proverbs 28:13 CSB

O – When we hide or cover our sins in our own doings, it usually leads to more sin or bad actions.  When we share in a safe place and resolve not to continue in sin, God grants grace.

A – This is another one of those “counter-intuitive” actions God expects of us.  When we sin, it is natural to want to hide it.  Yet, in sharing with an accountability person your struggle and the intention of going a different way brings freedom.  God doesn’t ask for perfection from us but does want to see us moving closer to Him.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 

 Proverbs 26:12 CSB

O – Commentary: Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A –  This is a pretty strong statement.  It definitely speaks to pride and arrogance.  It also speaks to the principle that when we view our own intelligence, skill or cunning is centered on us, we are worse off than those who are stupid or deceived.  

R – Lord, help me to be wise and humble today.  I am nothing without you and all that you have given me.

S – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 

²² for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you

 Proverbs 25:21–22 CSB

O – Compassion is a characteristic of all humans.  Most of us can have it with our loved ones.  But, can we have it with those outside that personal circle?  It is these acts of kindness that meet others’ needs and demonstrate the heart of Christ…even if they are an “enemy.”

A – Commentary: This may come from an Egyptian expiation ritual, in which a person guilty of some wrongdoing would carry a pan of burning coals on his head as a sign of his repentance. Thus treating one’s enemy kindly may cause him to repent.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

I like this application personally.  Moving in compassion should cause my heart to soften and repent of what I bring to the damaged relationship.  Hopefully, it would do the same for the other person but I cannot control them.

R – Lord, help me to act in compassion from a genuine heart today.  Let it soften my stubbornness to forgive and open up relationship with you and others.

S – Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterward, build your house. 

Proverbs  24:27 CSB

O – Priorities…if you have no source to provide for your family, how can you establish where you live?

A – This proverb is a great reminder to always evaluate our priorities.  Where God is always number one, the rest of them continue to be rearranged due to the day, circumstance or people involved.

R – Lord, help me keep you first and the people in my life the highest priority.  Let me be flexible to prioritize the people and situations that best help me accomplish your will today.