S – But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

Holiness can refer to being blameless and without sin, but it also describes a person set apart for service to God. Here Peter cites the Septuagint version of Lev 19:2 to exhort Christians to lead holy lives. However, for Peter true holiness does not consist of keeping the law, but instead obeying the Father (1 Pet 1:17). Both in the ot and the nt periods, God calls His people to holiness—to reflect His character

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – We are to be blameless and set apart.  Both come down to the heart.  We want to obey God’s word because those are his instructions on living life.  We are set apart not in arrogance but in humility we get to “do life” with our creator.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and powerful.  Empower us to walk out our calling of holiness.  We know we will not be perfect but we should be growing towards you.  Thank you for your love that calls us to a higher expression of you.

S – Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

1 Peter 1:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

God accomplished salvation through the work of His Son Jesus Christ. So the focus of a believer’s faith is not on abstract knowledge but on the person of Christ. The apostle’s warm heart overflowed as he spoke of the love and belief in Christ of those who, unlike himself, did not see Jesus when He walked on earth. Peter may have had in mind Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Yet, though Christians do not now see Him, like Peter they love and believe in Him, and are also filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

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

A – One day, we will see Jesus and God. It takes faith to love and worship something you cannot see, touch, smell, taste, or hear.  Yet, his presence is so real I do not doubt his existence or presence in our lives. That brings joy and peace.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship you.  Thank you for making your presence, power and peace so tangible, we know that you exist.  We are grateful that it goes beyond that into a relationship that is alive, vibrant and growing. 

S – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Psalms 119:11 NIV

O – Commentary:

“word”.  The Hebrew word used here, imrah, is one of the eight terms for Yahweh’s directions in Psa 119. It often describes a pledge or promise, and can also refer to a word that should be obeyed (see vv. 67, 133, 158). The psalmist portrays himself as having internalized Yahweh’s directions at a deep level, which results in a consuming loyalty that envelops his will and his emotions

Faithlife Study Bible

A –We must know and apply God’s word in our lives.  It gives us the “plumbline” for us to live.  When we do this, we are empowered not to sin because of knowledge and a heart aligned with God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for your word that gives us direction on how to live and build our relationship with you.  Help us to apply it to our lives.  Give us a hunger to know your word intimately.

S – Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 CSB

O – Commentary:

Like a magnet, the call for commitment has both positive and negative poles: submit … to God and resist the devil. “Submit” is a military term “to be subordinated” or “to render obedience.” “Resist” (antistēte) means “take a stand against.” Take a stand against the devil, and he will flee

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

A – When we obey God’s word, it is not debasing.  It is empowering.  That fuels us to be courageous and take the stand we need.  The enemy cannot defeat a believer who is in unity with God and aligned with his will and purpose.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you.  We surrender our will to yours.  We accept the fresh infilling of your Holy Spirit to be all that you created us to be today.  Give us the courage to stand and resist the devil.   We will walk victorious through you.

S – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.

James 3:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

The virtues James lists are predominantly nonselfish and nonaggressive; those who practice these virtues show greater concern for others than for themselves. They are the opposite of the vices described in vv. 14–16

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – It is interesting that wisdom from God shows a greater value and interest in others than in ourselves.  That is the heartbeat of Christ as he gave himself on the cross.  In seeking wisdom, it goes beyond the ability to answer questions or solve problems.  It speaks to loving the people who are part of the equation as well.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor today.  We ask for divine wisdom from you that is Holy Spirit-led.  We know we will face challenges.  We want to have insight and application from our lifetime of experiences and conversations.  We choose to value others as you would in all we encounter today.

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 – The scripture instructs us how to interact with others – Listen well, allow others to have their time to express themselves and don’t get angry quickly.

A – How many disagreements would not happen if everyone followed this formula?  This is a great template for us to follow.  The key is listening.  The more someone else talks, the better understanding you have of what they think and where they stand on a topic.

R—Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you. Thank you for the practical wisdom that allows us to interact with others. We want to value them and grow. We also want to share what you have given us so they can grow as well.

S – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

 James 1:2–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

It is the true part or approved portion of faith that produces perseverance. The testing refers more to “approval” than to “proving.” The word (dokimion) appears only here and in 1 Peter 1:7. Faith is like gold; it stands in the test of fire. Without this approved standard of faith, trials would not yield perseverance. There would only be ashes. True faith, like pure gold, endures, no matter how hot the fire. True faith therefore develops, or more literally “works” (katergazetai), perseverance or staying power. The noun “perseverance” (hypomonēn; cf. the verbal form in James 1:12) means steadfastness or endurance in the face of difficulties. 

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

A – The walk of a believer is one of faith…true faith.  It must endure all tests and trials.  Either God is who he says he is – the one, true God who has a plan and a purpose for us and will work all things for our good.  Or, he is just a mirage of history and folk lore.  I believe and my faith says he is the one and only God…period.  I will align with his will and purpose for my life no matter the cost.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender to your will and plan for my life.  No matter the trial or challenge, I set my faith in you.  I will endure whatever comes my way so that I can finish. the race you set before me.  

S – The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.

Proverbs 27:21 CSB

O –  Commentary:
Heat both tests and refines silver (cf. 25:4) and gold, showing what the metals are really like. (This first line of 27:21 is identical with 17:3.) Praise tests a person in a similar way in that his reaction to it shows what he is really like. If he gloats over it, he shows himself to be arrogant; he “knows” he is good. But if he accepts the praise modestly, he shows his humility.

 The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – In this area, there are two tests we must pass – the praise we receive and the ability to celebrate others.  Anything that moves us to pride is not healthy.  In my life, the best way to receive praise is to look that person in the eye and say, “Thank you.”  I know my challenges and things I am working on – it keeps me humble.

One tougher question is whether we genuinely celebrate others in their wins.  When you evaluate yourself, it will check to see if envy and insecurity are part of the equation.  I struggled with this when I was younger.  There is freedom when you can celebrate others without either of these.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor.  Help us to walk in genuine humility – not false condescension.  We are grateful for the times we are praised, knowing you are the source of our gifts and talents.  Help us to authentically honor and value others.  It keeps us free from envy and insecurity.

S – As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. 

Proverbs 27:19 CSB

O – The heart is our true identity.  The inner things eventually come out openly.  

A – Our hearts are the foundation for our relationship with God.  The OT focused on obedience to God’s laws.  The NT focuses on the heart and relationship with God.  We must continue to nurture a heart that is full of faith, hope and love.  

R – Heavenly Father, we reverence you.  Life is challenging and our hearts are barraged with good and bad.  Help us protect our hearts and guard them from any evil that wants to bring damage.  Strengthen our hearts to walk in faith, hope and love.

S – Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, ² keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

O – With the history of believers who exercised faith when it was challenging, we should exercise ours uninhibited by things that stop us.  We should persevere focused on Christ.  He modeled this for us when he went to the cross and was resurrected to heaven.

A – The journey of a believer in Christ is a lifetime.  From the moment we choose Christ as our Lord, we begin “the race” to heaven.  It is a marathon and not a sprint.  Our faith is what sustains us in the good and the bad.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for being the role model of Jesus’ perseverance while on earth.  Let us also demonstrate that strength and courage in our walk with you.  Empower us today to live aligned with your will and the resolve to do what you ask of us.