S – Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

1 John 3:18 CSB

O – Commentary:

The true test of love is not one’s verbal profession of it (loving with words or tongue) but his willingness to help and thus to love … with actions and in truth

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

A – We can talk about what we believe and others will notice.  Yet, when we do what we believe, others will see the integrity and character of what we say.  Words are an important expression of what we deeply believe.  When we couple our words and actions we bring the richness of what we believe for others to be impacted.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship you as the true God.  Please help our words and actions to align.  Give us the strength and courage to say what we believe and accompany that with actions demonstrating it.  We want to be authentic with integrity in our walk with you.

S – I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 

² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalms 121:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary:

The mountains were known for their idolatrous worship (Deut 12:2), and Israel was enticed to the hilltop shrines (Hos 4:13). This verse can be understood as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer: The gods of the hilltop shrines cannot rescue anyone. Others understand the mountains to be a symbol of the Lord’s strength (95:4). In that case, the question would be interpreted literally (Where does my help come from?), with the answer given in the next verse.

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A—It is easy for us to put our “trust” in something other than God. It could be our job, title, position, relationship, or accomplishment.  When we know the Lord, we recognize He is the one thing that doesn’t change.  From creation til today, He is over all and ready to do life with us.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you today.  We invite you into all that we face today.  We will not put our trust in anything else.  Knowing that you love and care for us, we can confidently step toward you.

S – The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 John 2:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

…A Christian who can hate his fellow Christian has not genuinely escaped from the darkness of this present passing Age. To put it another way, he has much to learn about God and cannot legitimately claim an intimate knowledge of Christ. If he really knew Christ as he ought, he would love his brother.

2:10–11. By contrast, whoever loves his brother lives in the light of the new Age which has dawned in Christ (cf. v. 8). There is nothing in him (in one who loves his brother) to make him stumble. Hatred is a kind of internal “stumbling block” which can lead to disastrous spiritual falls. But the calamities to which hatred leads are avoided by one who loves his brother.

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

A – We should not detest others.  Instead, we should love them unconditionally.  Looking to Jesus as our example, he forgave those who killed him.  He saw beyond people’s actions to see their hearts.  That is how we love those who persecute us.  We can do this when the Holy Spirit empowers us.

R – Heavenly Father, we need you to help us today.  We surrender and invite your Holy Spirit to empower us with your love, mercy and grace for others.  Allow us to see them as you see them, not as we experience their shortcomings.  We choose to love you and love people.

S – If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

1 John 1:8–9 CSB

O – We all sin.  Either we choose not to believe it and live the lie that we are “ok.”  Or, we believe God’s word and confess and receive his forgiveness.

A – This is where fear and pride are important.  Our fear and insecurities recognize we are not living the best life and we choose to hide our faults.  Our pride comes in and says, “I can handle this.”  We choose to rely on our limited capabilities and talents.  When we turn to God, it is a surrender and invitation.  We surrender our inadequacies and fail to Him.  God meets us where we are and forgives us in his unlimited capacity.  He erases the past and empowers us for a better future.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you as our Lord and King.  We ask that you forgive us of our sins – we are sinners.  Empower us to walk with you in confidence and strength as we desire to follow your commands and will.

S – A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. 

Proverbs 28:22 ESV

O – “Stingy” is defined as “unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous.”  Poverty in the Hebrew means “want.”  Reread the verse – A person who is “Me” focused and hoards is unaware that it will all lead to desiring what they don’t have.  

A – It is healthy to desire good things and more.  It is promised in God’s word.  The pathway to attaining those things is generosity.  Our focus must be on others and how our time, talent and treasure can benefit them.  In doing so, it reflects the heart of God and his character.  That allows God to bless us in ways that align with his will and purpose for our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, we are thankful for all that you have provided for us.  You meet us where we are and empower us to be a blessing to others.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us to be generous and giving.  

S – Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.

2 Peter 2:9 CSB

O – Commentary:

As illustrated by Noah’s family (2:5) and Lot (2:7), the Lord is faithful to his own people. Peter’s readers needed assurance that their struggles to live godly lives in the face of false teaching and the world’s scorn would be rewarded

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – The Lord sees all and holds each person accountable for their actions.  For those who live unrighteously, he allows them to live without his blessing.  For those who struggle to live righteously, he gives all of his promises and presence to walk daily.  In the end, God will not be mocked.  He will judge each person according to their heart and actions.  God does not require perfection.  He wants a person who is moving toward him in a relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, we give you all praise and honor.  We are sinners and we fall short of perfect righteousness.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that washes away our sins and brings us to a place of relationship with you.  Please help us to grow more in our intimacy and knowledge of you.  Let it be reflected in our lives so you and others can see your love.

S – The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong 

will suddenly fall.

Proverbs 28:18 CSB

O – The person who walks in purity and blamelessness will find favor with God but those who choose self-serving ways will fail.

A—Walking with God’s favor is an advantage over living in a void of his presence. It doesn’t prevent challenges in our lives, but it allows us to draw upon God’s resources and character when facing these opportunities to grow.

R – Heavenly Father, we love you today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us through your character and love in all of our challenges.  We are grateful for all that you provide us in our interactions.  We draw closer to you so we may represent your love and integrity.

S – If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Daniel 3:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

The three showed absolute confidence in God, stating that their God was greater than Nebuchadnezzar and was able to deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment in a display of His superior power. Their words, the God we serve (cf. 6:16, 20), show they recognized that God’s authority was greater than the authority claimed by Nebuchadnezzar. Though they were employed by Nebuchadnezzar (2:49), they “served” Yahweh.

Their God demanded implicit obedience and had forbidden them to worship any other gods. One who obeys God is not presuming when he expects God to protect and deliver him. Obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they would still obey Him. Therefore they refused to serve Nebuchadnezzar’s gods (or worship the image he made, possibly meaning to worship him as god) even if it meant they would die

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

A – Obedience comes with a price tag.  Sometimes, it causes you to stand out.  There are time it will cost you more than you expected.  With God, there is a reward for obeying His Word above all  the world offers.  When we are faithful and courageous, God will meet us in that step and demonstrate his presence and power.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are God and there is no other.  Help us to obey your Word with faith and confidence.  We recognize the cost and still move toward you in obedience.  We ask for your presence and power in all that we do.

S – Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Proverbs 28:14 NIV

O – The person who fears the Lord is blessed because that attitude keeps them reverent.  When we lose that honor, we are left to our own ways.

A – The fear of the Lord does not repel us from God.  It draws us to Him.  Fear of retribution and anger makes us want to escape His discipline.  This happens due to a lack of relationships.  When we know God, reverence and awe draw us close to him because of his unlimited power and love.  There is still discipline but we know it is for our best.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We draw closer to you and want more relationships.  Discipline us as needed but don’t let us lose your presence and power.

S – Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor

 1 Peter 2:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

…A four-point summary of Christian citizenship. First, Christians are to respect (timēsate, “honor, value, esteem”; cf. timēn, “respect, honor,” in 3:7) … everyone (cf. Rom. 12:10; 13:7). Believers should be conscious of the fact that each human has been uniquely created in God’s image. Second, Christians are to love the brotherhood of believers, their brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s family members should love each other. Third, Christians are to fear God. The verb “fear” (phobeisthe) here does not mean to be in terror, but awe and reverence that leads to obedience (cf. phobō in 1 Peter 1:17, phobou in 3:16, and phobon in 2 Cor. 7:11). One will never truly respect people until he reverences God. Fourth, believers are to honor the king. “Honor” is from timaō, the verb used at the beginning of this verse. The respect or “honor” due to all is especially to be given to those God has placed in authority (cf. “the king” in 1 Peter 2:13 and “governors” in v. 14; cf. Rom. 13:1).

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

A – We live every day with people.  Each person has a value in God’s eyes.  We should treat them with the same value.  We can do this while maintaining healthy boundaries if an individual harms our well-being.  Overall, we can yield our desires and feelings toward a person to God’s sovereignty.

R – Heavenly Father, we see the scope of your unlimited power today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to empower us to value each person.  They are important to you and we will treat them accordingly.  Give us grace to do this in a way that honors our love for you.