S – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs  11:30 NKJV

O – Commentary: 

As a result (fruit) of righteous living a person becomes a tree of life (cf. 3:18; 13:12; 15:4), a source of a meaningful life for others (cf. the leaf in 11:28). This contrasts with a fool who troubles his family (v. 29). Wins souls in verse 30 does not mean soul-winning or evangelism. Since “win” is literally “attract or take,” the idea may be that a righteous person attracts others to wisdom. This fits the thought in the first part of the verse of a tree giving life to others by its fruit.

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

A – We should be a source of meaning and purpose to others that points people back to our source, Jesus Christ.  Authentic relationship with God is attractional not just external in our words, actions and events.  Internally, we have peace, joy and contentment.  A whole life committed to God should be a blessing to those around us.

R – Heavenly Father, I choose You today.  I worship You as my God and my Savior.  I want to live according to your purpose and plan for me today.  I surrender my will and desires so I may align with Yours.  Help me to be a light to others in my life.

S – I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built.

Luke 6:47–48 CSB

O – There are two principles – hearing God’s words and acting on them.  Both men built houses that were exposed to a flood. That is hearing God’s words and the challenges of daily life or the enemy coming against them.  The action is distinguished between the two houses.  The one who “dug deep”  dug through the sand that the other person was content to stop at when he built the house. This first guy attached to something solid instead of something unstable and fleeting.

A – We need to grow in our relationship with God so we are not unstable in our walk with Him.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship You today.  We want to go “deeper” with you not just in our knowledge of You but our actions as well.  Give us the strength and courage to go beyond the surface and do the work.

S – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37 CSB

O –
Judge: krinō, – decide (mentally or judicially); by impl. to try, condemn, punish:— avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

Condemn:  katadikazō, – to adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty:— condemn.

Forgive:  apŏluō, –  to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss (refl. depart), or (fig.) let die, pardon or (spec.) divorce:— (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

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

A – When we judge and condemn, we leave no room for grace and mercy. Forgiveness is to “free fully” others of our punishment or pronouncement.  And, it fully frees us to move forward from that person.  We are no longer entangled in a relationship or situation that looms in our life.

R – Heavenly Father, I am grateful for your forgiveness for the sins I have done.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that takes them away.  Help me do the same for others that have sinned against me.  I want to walk fully free from the mess that creates.

S – One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, 

only to become poor

Proverbs 11:24 CSB

O – These verses encourage generosity. By giving freely a person has plenty, a seeming paradox (cf. 2 Cor. 9:6). Conversely a person who is miserly, failing to help others in obvious need, will himself always be in need (cf. 28:22).

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

pâzar,  to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty:— disperse, scatter (abroad).

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – The person who gives away from themselves (in challenge or in a positive disposition) will have it come again in multiplication.  It appears to be a paradox but it is the law of sowing and reaping.  In being generous, we put ourselves in a place to receive out of our control.  Withholding gives us control but without a return.

R – Heavenly Father, You demonstrate your generosity when You first gave Your Son to be our Savior.  Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus.  We invite the Holy Spirit to help us walk in a way that honors that gift.  Help us to be generous today so others may see Your love in us.

S – While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 

¹³ Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him

Luke 5:12–13 CSB

O –  Commentary:

Jesus encountered a man … covered with leprosy (lit., “full of leprosy”). Perhaps he was in the final stages of leprosy—a fact which would have been easily discernible in the man’s home community. The Law (Lev. 13) commanded strict segregation of a person who had leprosy, for it was a graphic picture of uncleanness. A leprous person could not worship at the central sanctuary; he was ceremonially unclean and therefore cut off completely from the community.

This leper addressed Jesus as Lord (kyrie) as Simon had also done (Luke 5:8). Though the term was often used as one would today use “sir,” it seems to have stronger import here. The leper did not doubt the ability of Jesus to heal him, for he said, If You are willing You can make me clean. His only reservation seemed to be Jesus’ willingness. According to the Mosaic Law one who was leprous was not to be touched by anyone who was ceremonially clean. When someone clean touched something unclean, the clean became unclean. Luke, in describing Jesus’ actions, showed that Jesus was the Source of ceremonial cleansing. If He was the Source of cleansing for that leper, He would also be the Source of ceremonial cleansing for the nation. This theme is carried on into the next healing (vv. 17–26) and into the call of Levi (vv. 27–39). At the touch of Jesus, immediately the leprosy left him. The immediacy of the healing brings to mind 4:35 and 4:39. Healing from leprosy was rare. The Scriptures record only Miriam (Num. 12) and Naaman (2 Kings 5) as having been healed of leprosy (cf. Moses; Ex. 4:6–7)

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

A – Jesus was willing to go into the “unclean” so the person could be “clean.”  He was willing to touch the untouchable. It brought immediate cleansing.  That is what He does for us today.  It might not be visible on our skin but it is so true in our hearts and sinful ways.  Knowing the separation that comes from leprosy, it reminds us that we are no longer isolated from God because of our sins.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for getting into our “mess.”  We invite Your Holy Spirit to minister to forgiveness and cleansing to us today.  We surrender all that isolates us from You.  Thank you for allowing us access to Your presence and power today.

S – Amazement came over them all, and they were saying to one another, “What is this message? For he commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” ³⁷ And news about him began to go out to every place in the vicinity. 

Luke 4:36–37 CSB

O – Commentary: 

What authority and power this man’s words possess! Magicians and exorcists often used elaborate rituals and incantations. The people were amazed that Jesus merely spoke a word on his own authority and cast out the demon.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

“News” – ēchŏs,a loud or confused noise (“echo”), i.e. roar; fig. a rumor:— fame, sound

  The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Just the words of Jesus brought freedom and deliverance.  I love there was a “roar” about him.

A – Jesus gives us the same power and authority today.  Out of our relationship with Him, we can speak His promises and by faith see results.  We are vessels of God’s power flowing through us.

R – Heavenly Father, we invite Your Holy Spirit to work in us today.  Start with us and forgive us of anything that hinders our relationship with you.  Give us a fresh anointing of Your presence and power.  Help our faith in following your lead.  You receive all the glory. 

S – Then he said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. What we’ve heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in your hometown also

Luke 4:23 CSB

O – After claiming that he was the Messiah, Jesus starts with this statement.  He knew the people expected him to do the same miracles he had done elsewhere.

A – What expectations do we put on God?  We should pray with expectation but do we get angry when God doesn’t meet it?  Jesus just told the people of his hometown that he was the Messiah.  They seem ok with it until he tells them he wouldn’t do much there. He also used two stories about Gentiles which angered them. 

What do you do when God “isn’t” meeting your expectations and others seem to be receiving His blessing?

R – Heavenly Father, I invite your Holy Spirit to lead my thoughts, words and actions today.  Start with my heart and my expectations of You.  I will honor and worship You.  In faith, I share my expectations and requests.  I surrender them to you knowing that Your will and purpose is what I seek more than their answers.  

S – I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. ² He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my stronghold; I will never be shaken

Psalms 62:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The theme of this psalm is stressed in verse 1 when David wrote that he waited in silence for God. My soul finds rest in God alone (cf. v. 5) is literally, “Only to God is my soul silence.” Only to God did he look with complete calmness. He knew that since God was his Rock (cf. comments on 18:2), Salvation, and Fortress (cf. comments on 46:7), he could not be shaken (cf. 62:6 and comments on 15:5). As warriors used to feel at ease in an impregnable fortress, so David rested in the Lord.

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

misgâb, a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); abstr. altitude; fig. a refuge:— defence, high fort (tower), refuge.

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

A – We all need rest.  Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – we need a place where we can refresh and recuperate from the busyness of our lives.  God is that stronghold.  That inaccessible place of sins, cares and worry. 

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender to You today.  We surrender all that is in our lives, our cares and ask for forgiveness for our sins.  We invite Your Holy Spirit to give us a fresh anointing for today.  Let us be renewed in Your presence.

S – The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. ¹⁹ Have him stand before the priest Eleazar and the whole community, and commission him in their sight. ²⁰ Confer some of your authority on him so that the entire Israelite community will obey him

Numbers 27:18–20 CSB

O –  Commentary: 

Joshua had a solid background for the role . He had been Moses’ assistant for a long time (11:28; cp. Exod 33:11). He was also one of the faithful spies (chs 13–14) who knew the people of Israel well. Joshua possessed the Spirit and recognized the special presence of God in his life (cp. 11:25–29). His relationship with God also gave him wisdom for the tasks ahead (e.g., Deut 34:9). • lay your hands on him: This act symbolized the transfer of authority from an elder statesman to his assistant (cp. 8:10–14). Moses did this publicly so that Joshua’s leadership would be incontestable.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

*Moses publically recognizes that Joshua will be his successor.

A – Joshua’s life was in close proximity of Moses.  He gained wisdom, knowledge for daily leadership but notice he also built his own relationship with God.  He didn’t just rely on Moses’.  The passing of the baton of leadership is essential in any group so that those following will have a clear understanding of what is next.

R – Lord, thank you for allowing us to have leaders and authority over us that help direct our paths.  As we grow in our own leadership, we need to honor those who have gone before us.  We are grateful for their wisdom and leadership.  Help us to be strong and courageous leaders as well.

S – Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people

Lukw 2:51–52 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Luke was careful to point out that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary in case his readers would think otherwise from the previous paragraph. Mary treasured all these things in her heart, reflecting on and remembering her 12-year-old’s words, even though she did not understand them. Perhaps Luke received these details about the early years of Jesus from Mary herself or from someone in whom she had confided. Jesus continued to grow (proekopten, lit., “cut one’s way forward,” i.e., “increased”) in every way (spiritually, mentally, and physically) and had favor with God and men (cf. v. 40).

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

Jesus modeled the principle of honoring and obedience.  Since Jesus recognized his purpose at a young age, “cutting his way forward” would be intentional for what was to come.  The foundation was favor with God and others.

A – We can apply the same principles to our walk with God.  When we honor and obey Him it demonstrates how we view God.  It also applies to how we treat others.   Both bring in the law of sowing and reaping.  It allows us to “cut our way forward” and have favor with God and man.

R – Lord, thank you for another day to grow in our relationship with You and others.  We ask that Your Holy Spirit would lead us in our thoughts, words and actions today. We choose to honor and obey You.