S – A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses

Proverbs 21:1 CSB

O – Commentary:

A king was the most powerful individual in an ancient nation, and it seemed that he could do as he pleased. However, God directs the heart of the king.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – God has given each of us “free will” to do as we please.  God’s sovereignty intersects with our desires and will and he leads us.  Ultimately, we have choices to make between his will and our own.  It is better to seek his will and align with it.  This comes through faith and obedience.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God and your ways are higher than ours.  We want to know you will in our lives so we can choose you and your ways.  There are many distractions; help us to navigate those to get to the essence of your heart and love.

S – Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. ⁷ For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it

1 Corinthians 4:6–7 CSB

O – Commentary:

Now Paul and Apollos would serve as curative examples of men under authority who did not go beyond what was written. They obeyed the Word of God, not their own inclinations or worldly opinions. From the example of their lives Paul hoped the Corinthians would learn the lesson of humility. (The verb “learn” is mathēte, and the related noun mathētēs is translated “disciple,” or “one who practices what he is taught.”) This was a difficult lesson, for the Greeks believed humility was a despicable trait of a slave, a sign of weakness, not a characteristic of great men (Plato Laws 6. 774c).

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

A –  God’s word is our source of instruction on how to live.  We naturally will “add” to that through our beliefs and interpretations.  That is why we have denominations of Christianity.  That isn’t bad unless we become arrogant in our beliefs to judge or condemn others.  We work out our salvation with “fear and trembling,” which results in healthy humility.

R –  Heavenly Father, you are Lord above all.  We humble ourselves before you and worship you.  Help us to walk in humility before you today and express your love for others.  We do not want to judge others but demonstrate grace and mercy in conversations and situations.  

S – I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor

1 Corinthians 3:6–8 CSB

O – Commentary:

Apollos and Paul were given their ministries by Christ (Eph. 4:11). They were the means, not the cause, whereby the Corinthians believed (cf. 1 Cor. 2:4–5). God alone produced results. God made the seed grow (3:6). Therefore God alone should get the credit (v. 7). As servants, Paul and Apollos were not competing against each other but were complementing each other’s ministries

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

A – Every person is vital in ministry. Each part contributes to the message of the gospel being shared.  One is not greater than the other.  All work together to bring people to God.  It is imperative that we minister as a team in unity, with one purpose.  All glory goes to God!

R – Heavenly Father, we love you and are grateful that you loved us first.  As we work together in ministry, help us to be unified in our hearts and minds.  We give you all the glory for lives being changed by your love.

S – “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB

O – Commentary:

“The message of the Cross” is the message of self-renunciation, of obedience to God which may lead as it did in Jesus’ case to humiliation and death, but which ultimately leads not to self-destruction but to preservation (Mark 8:34–35) and exaltation 

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

A – I love the commentary – “leads not to self-destruction but to preservation.”  What some people would call as foolish, makes sense in God’s perspective and is powerful.  We need to be strong in our convictions and tap into the power that God makes available to us.

R – Heavenly Father, we submit to your power, presence and authority.  Help us to see with discernment and understanding in all situations.  We are not afraid to look foolish to some as we honor you in obedience and humility.

S – Whoever curses his father or mother—his lamp will go out in deep darkness

Proverbs 20:20 CSB

O – Aligning with the fifth commandment, a person who did not honor their father and mother committed a capital offense in the OT.  It is so important, the proverb states their life will be shortened or come to an end.

A – Relationships are hard and messy.  Foundationally, it is important to honor our parents.  No matter your situation as a child, this is a biblical principle that honors God.  As a parent, I have made mistakes.  Those instances will never surpass the love I have for my children and their children.  Forgiveness is imperative to build healthy relationships with your parents or children.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  Give us the desire and courage to honor our parents.  Help us to extend forgiveness and allow relationships to grow.  We desire to honor you and them.

S – He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved images that his father Manasseh had made, and he served them. ²³ But he did not humble himself before the Lord like his father Manasseh humbled himself; instead, Amon increased his guilt. 

2 Chronicles 33:22–23 CSB 

O – Two kings – two different responses.  Manasseh realized his sin, humbled himself before God and repented.  Amon chose not to repent.  Instead, he added to his sin.  

A – Repentance leads to “more” for the individual.  More freedom, relationships and freedom.  Being rebellious leads to more in a negative way.  That person carries more burden, pain and guilt.  Pride will cause a person to carry more than they should.  Humility and forgiveness will allow them to release the burden and walk free.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the only God. Help us to humble ourselves from all pride and ego that compels us to walk separate from you.  We ask your forgiveness for our actions that do not honor you.  We desire your presence, power and peace today.

S – This same Hezekiah blocked the upper outlet of the water from the Gihon Spring and channeled it smoothly downward and westward to the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in everything he did

2 Chronicles 32:30 CSB

O – Commentary:

He had wealth and honor; he built storage facilities, agricultural settlements, and villages; he rerouted the city’s water supply from the Gihon spring (in the Kidron Valley on the east) to the west side, and succeeded in these and many other undertakings. The tunnel of Hezekiah was dug through solid rock from the Gihon spring to the Pool of Siloam, a distance of 1,777 feet with workmen digging from each end and meeting in the middle

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

A – The Bible isn’t a storybook.  It is where facts and history meet the present day.  My wife, Kristin, walked through this tunnel when she visited Israel—one line in the Bible about an amazing premodern accomplishment. We can’t make the Bible about the past.  We must continue to make it about us and our relationship with God today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and there is no rival to you.  Give us the ability to read the Bible and apply it to our lives today.  The stories and principles of the past are applicable for us in our relationship with you and others.  We need your presence more than ever.

S – Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. ²¹ He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered

2 Ch 31:20–21 CSB

O – Hezekiah’s leadership carried God’s love back to all of Israel.  The effects went from the masses to the levels of people down to individuals.  God’s relationship with Israel was restored.  He did this because he was true before God, diligent in his tasks and wholehearted in his approach.  That is how he sought God and God blessed him.

A – As leaders, this is how we should approach God’s purpose for our lives.  Start with ourselves and examine our own hearts and motives.  Be faithful and diligent with the work given to us.  We need to give ourselves completely to the work before us, seeking God in its entirety. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are God and there is no equal to you.  We desire to honor you for the purposes you established for us.  Give us strength and courage to examine our hearts and motives.  Give us the faith and endurance to diligently in our relationships and tasks today.   We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.

S – The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord made them both

Provebss 20:12 CSB

O – “Hearing” – shâma˓ ;to hear intelligently (often with impl. of attention, obedience, etc.; caus. to tell, etc.):— × attentively, call (gather) together

“Seeing” – râ˒âh; to see, lit. or fig. (in numerous applications, dir. and impl., tran., intr. and caus.):— advise self, appear, approve, behold, × certainly, consider, discern

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

Hearing intelligently and seeing with discernment is from the Lord.

A – We encounter multiple levels of interaction each day.  We have the physical in actual people and events before us.  We also have the spiritual level where God and the enemy do their work.  In between is “the stuff” – motive, expectations, beliefs, feelings.  We need God’s eyes and ears to discern all of these levels, hear his voice, and do his will.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all God’s today.  Give us your ears and eyes to see and hear what is going on at all levels.  We want to interact with you and each in a way that honors you!

S –  The fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger. 

        Proverbs 19:22 CSB

O – Commentary:

fear the Lord (i.e., to recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). Rē’šîṯ also means the capstone or essence. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary

A – Recognizing God and giving him appropriate reverence and faith leads to fulfillment physically and spiritually.  It gives us peace because we know that whatever is coming against us will not stand against Him.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We reverence your character and holiness, while inviting intimacy with you so our relationship can go deeper. That depth reveals peace with passes our understanding and allows us proper rest.