S – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Matthew 5:3 CSB

O – Commentary:

Blessed are. “Blessed” means “happy” or “fortunate” (cf. Ps. 1:1). The qualities Jesus mentioned in this list, “the poor in spirit,” “those who mourn,” “the meek,” etc., obviously could not be products of Pharisaic righteousness. The Pharisees were concerned primarily with external qualities, but the qualities Jesus mentioned are internal. These come only when one is properly related to God through faith, when one places his complete trust in God.

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

“Poor in spirit” – 

Thus distinguished, it is very graphic and appropriate here, as denoting the utter spiritual destitution, the consciousness of which precedes the entrance into the kingdom of God, and which cannot be relieved by one’s own efforts, but only by the free mercy of God

 Word Studies in the New Testament

A – A blessing comes when we recognize we cannot attain a relationship with God on our own.  We realize that we can’t work or do enough to earn it.  There is freedom when we surrender and yield to recognizing Jesus as our savior.  The blessing of a relationship far surpasses the satisfaction of what we can do on our own.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  We recognize our inadequacy in reaching you unless we go through Jesus as our savior. We thank you for Jesus covering our sins with his blood.  We step towards the blessing of knowing you.

S – Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people

 Matthew  4:23 CSB

O – Commentary:

The work of the Lord was not limited to preaching. His deeds were as important as His words, for a great question in the minds of the Jews would be, “Can this One claiming to be Messiah perform the works of Messiah?” Matthew 4:23 is an important summary statement crucial to Matthew’s theme (cf. 9:35, almost identical to 4:23). Several important elements are included in this verse. (1) Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. The ministry of this One who claimed to be King of the Jews was conducted among the Jews. He ministered in synagogues, places of Jewish gatherings for worship. (2) This One was involved in “teaching” and preaching. He thus was involved in a prophetic ministry for He is “the Prophet” announced in Deuteronomy 18:15–19. (3) He was proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. His message was that God was moving to fulfill His covenantal program with Israel and to establish His kingdom on the earth. (4) He was healing every disease and sickness among the people (cf. “teaching,” “preaching,” and “healing” in Matt. 9:35). This authenticated that He is indeed the Prophet, for His words were backed up by authenticating signs. All these actions should have convinced the Jewish people that God was moving in history to accomplish His purposes. They were responsible to get ready by repenting from their sins and acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.

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

A – There was a “practical, hands-on” aspect in Jesus’ life.  Knowing he was speaking to the Jewish nation as their Messiah, these elements are tremendously important.  We must recognize his “hands-on” approach to us, which is in reading and learning his Word.  His promises and character are revealed to us in understanding His Word and spending time in a relationship with Him.  As it is revealed, we grow more like him.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and exalt you today.  Please reveal more of your promises and character to us.  Please give us the capacity to grasp and understand the mysteries of your word and who you are.  As we do this, give us the courage to align our lives with these principles and promises.

S – “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

 Matthew 3:11 CSb

O – Commentary:

with water: Or in water. • who is greater than I am: Despite his popularity and growing following, John had a clear sense of his role as subordinate to the Messiah. • I’m not worthy even to be his slave: In Jewish culture, to remove and carry someone’s sandals, even those of a rabbi, was too lowly a task even for the rabbi’s disciple. It was a job reserved for slaves. • with the Holy Spirit and with fire (or in the Holy Spirit and in fire): This happened at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2); the ministry of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit (see 12:28; Luke 4:14), may also be included. Fire may refer to purification (Zech 13:9) or judgment (Mal 4:1; see Isa 1:25; 4:4; Mal 3:2–3). It is a “Spirit-and-fire baptism”; the Messiah puts into effect what John could only prepare—thoroughgoing judgment and purification.

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – John’s humility as he gained popularity allowed him to “set the table” for the Messiah.  His message of repentance was counter to the Jewish culture. He was moving forgiveness to the act of sacrifice at the temple to a personal decision of the heart.  Jesus adds the Holy Spirit to the relationship.  We need both in our relationship – repentance and a turning to God, which allows the Holy Spirit to move in our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you to the highest place of honor.  Work in our hearts to act in repentance for our sins.  Please help us to turn from our sins genuinely.  We invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to grow us closer to your character and love for others.

S – After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.” ¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt

Matthew 2:13–14 CSB

O – The joy and wonder of the wise men coming to worship and lay gifts at Jesus’ feet is quickly dispelled by the command to escape with Jesus.  Joseph again demonstrates immediate obedience and protects Mary and Jesus from Herod.

A – We want to be so “in tune” with God that we act immediately to his command and do it without question.  That requires our relationship with God to be healthy and intimate.  We must interact daily with the Holy Spirit and listen for God’s prompting.

R –  Heavenly Father, you are Holy and True.  Please help us to be “in tune” and aligned with you in our relationship.  We want to be led by the Holy Spirit in our thoughts, words and actions.  We want to act in your timing and do it with an obedient heart.

S – She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21 CSB

O – Mary would give birth to a son.  Joseph obeyed God in naming him Jesus.  He will save people from sins and shares his unique calling is to set people from their sins.  The Jewish people were looking for the Messiah to save them from physical oppression.

A – Even before he was born, Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth was to save people from their sins.  “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew name yeshua’, which means “Yahweh saves.  What amazing love God displayed when Jesus took on human form, lived as a man and was crucified on the cross.  Again, all for saving us from our sins.

R – Heavenly Father, was honor and reverence you.  Thank you for the love you show us in forgiving our sins.  Jesus paid the price for our sins with his body and blood.  He paid a price we could not pay for ourselves.  Now, we can have a relationship with you. 

S – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

James 5:16 CSB

O – Commentary:

The conclusion is clear: therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. A mutual concern for one another is the way to combat discouragement and downfall. The cure is in personal confession and prayerful concern. The healing (that you may be healed) is not bodily healing but healing of the soul (iathēte; cf. Matt. 13:15; Heb. 12:13; 1 Peter 2:24). It is the powerful and effective … prayer of a righteous person that brings the needed cure from God.

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

A – In relationship with other believers, we find strength in working out our salvation.  Confessing is acknowledging we cannot do it by ourselves.  We need God’s intervention and power to work in us.  We need others to encourage and keep us pointed in the right direction.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We invite you to bring healing to our souls and spirit man today.  Thank you for the people who put their lives in our lives and helped us in the journey.  

S – Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. 

James 4:14 CSB

O –  Commentary:
James condemns rich business owners for their arrogant self-confidence; he accuses them of acting as though they alone determine the course of their lives, apart from God (Prov 27:1; Luke 12:16–20)

 Faithlife Study Bible 

A—There is a healthy tension between living with purpose and direction and allowing God to lead your life. The key is to start with God. By surrendering and yielding to his will and intervention at the start of each day, you have a great foundation.  As you work through your day, you and the Holy Spirit are in sync in decision-making and interactions with others.  We still don’t know what tomorrow brings but know Who goes with us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of praise and honor.  We surrender and invite your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us today.  We do not know what we will face.  We need your wisdom and discernment as we interact with situations and people.  As you lead us, we will impact our day with your character and love.

S – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. 

James 3:17–18 CSB

O – Godly wisdom gives us practical skills to live in a way that yields these results.  A person walking in godly wisdom will seek righteousness because that honors God.  Those seeds of righteousness will yield peace in their lives.

A – We must continue to grow in godly wisdom.  It causes us to yield our own desires and actions to invite God’s best in a situation.  The results do not make us “pushovers.”  Instead, it develops strength that genuinely allows us to love God and others.

R –  Heavenly Father, we honor you as God.  We invite your Holy Spirit to work in us a desire for Godly wisdom. Please help us to humble ourselves and quiet our desires.  Instead, help strengthen us to seek you and your wisdom as we love others today.

S – For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. 

James 2:26 CSB

O – Commentary:

Faith and deeds are as essential to each other as the body and the spirit. Apart from (chōris) the spirit, or the “breath” (pneumatos) of life, the body is dead. Apart from (chōris) the evidence of works, faith may be deemed dead. It is not the real thing. True faith continually contributes to spiritual growth and development.

Not only is a believer to stand confidently on God’s Word even in the midst of trials and temptations (chap. 1), but also he must serve his brothers and sisters in Christ (chap. 2). He is to accept all members of God’s family without favoritism (vv. 1–13) and to aid the family with a working faith (vv. 14–26). To gain spiritual maturity a believer must be what God wants him to be and do what God wants him to do.

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

A – Our faith and actions work together to grow our relationship with God.  They cannot do this independently of each other.  When in sync, it creates a perpetual motion of belief in God’s unlimited character while acting it out in tangible ways.  The result is more intimacy with God and a deeper love for others.

R – Heavenly Father, we revere your unlimited character.  Please help us to grow in our faith and trust in you.  Give us the courage to act in love towards others even when it is challenging.  Let our faith and actions align with your will for our lives.

S – “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger”

 James 1:19 CSB

O – All of us can make this part of our life – Listen more and intentionally, speak after processing and contemplating the other person’s communication and recognize all of us growing to give grace to others.

A – What would our lives look like in 2025 if we did this well?  There is much to be gained in developing all three character traits.  We need to listen and hear what others say in their words and actions.  We need to think before speaking and process the entire situation.  We need to communicate genuinely our feelings.  Anger is not unhealthy when it causes a response that protects and helps move people to a better place.  Yet, it can easily become unhealthy.  It must be governed by wisdom.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor and revere you. Thank you for a new year to draw closer to you and live well with others.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us into new beginnings and walk with courage to the purposes you have for us.  Let’s go!