S – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.
Proverbs 17:17 CSB
O – The terms friend and brother are not distinctive because of birth. Instead, it speaks to the bonding of two people who become close as a sibling.
A – There are people in your life that you will have a healthy, deep connection. This is evident of the proximity you keep when you or they are going through life’s challenges. Stepping into someone else’s mess is not easy. Doing so says “I am here, how can I help?”
R – Heavenly Father, thank you for stepping into our messy lives by sending Jesus for our sins. The ultimate act of love was his willingness to lay down his life for us. Thank you for those relationships you give us where we can serve someone else in their time of need.
S – Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
Proverbs 17:16 CSB
O – Commentary:
A fool is so simple he thinks he can buy wisdom. He comes with money in hand, but fails to realize he lacks the one resource necessary for gaining wisdom: a genuine, heartfelt desire for it.
“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – My definition of wisdom is the application of all that I bring (talents, gifts, attitude), I know (Knowledge and understanding) and I experience (my lifetime of moments). You can’t “purchase” or shortcut your way to any of that. Intentional is in the application process – it is an effort.
R – Heavenly Father, we honor you in fear and reverence today. We desire to grow in our wisdom. Please help us apply all of our gifts, knowledge and experience with intentionality to grow in wisdom. Let it reflect well on you.
S – “So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.
1 Kings 19:21 CSB
O – Commentary:
Elisha burned his plow and slaughtered his oxen to signal a complete break from the past in his present calling. From now on, he would serve the Lord. His meal with family and friends may have been a thanksgiving sacrifice to God capped by a communal meal in joyful celebration of God’s claim upon Elisha’s life. • Elisha would first serve as Elijah’s assistant. Great leaders often begin as good learners. Joshua was Moses’ assistant (Exod 24:13) before becoming his successor (Num 27:18–23; Deut 34:9) and assuming command of the forces of Israel (Josh 1:1–9).
A – We need both strong convictions in our lives. First, we need to break from the past that would tether us to stay where we are. In serving God, he calls us to take new ground in serving him. Secondly, to lead you need to serve. Elisha and Joshua are two examples of learning and leading in close proximity of the leader before you yielded tremendous results.
R – Heavenly Father, we honor and magnify your name! We choose to leave the things of the past behind us. We do not want to be slowed down or tethered to anything that would keep us from growing closer to you. We choose to serve those ahead of us and honor their leadership.
S – As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God
Acts 11:15 CSB
O – Peter remembered how the Lord told them their ministry would work. It worked on them and then it worked through them to others. If God didn’t limit who received it, how could he?
A – We need to be open to all people coming to Christ. There will be those who we don’t agree with or like because they are different. Jesus went to the cross for all of us. If God loves them, so should we. Even in our differences, we are one body.
R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and above all. We surrender and worship to you today. Thank you for your love that brought us salvation and relationship at the cross. We want all people to know you as their Lord and Savior.
S – Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’ ”
15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days
1 Kings 17:13–15 CSB
O – Commentary:
Elijah calmed her fears of himself, her hunger, and her imminent death. He asked her to feed him first … and then use what was left to feed herself and her son. Then he gave her a promise on the authority of the word of God: she would have food until the drought ended.
Her obedient response demonstrated her faith in the word of the Lord. The Lord honored her faith by fulfilling His promise miraculously. This miracle of God’s continually supplying flour and olive oil was another polemic (protest) against Baal, just as was the drought. Baal-worshipers believed he was a fertility god, giving rain to make crops grow. But he could not overcome the drought to make wheat and olive trees grow. Only the true God could provide flour and oil in a drought!
“1 Kings,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – What an amazing faith to believe with your last amount of food to give it to God first. I want to have faith like this. I want to know and trust completely like this.
R – Heavenly Father, there is no God that is equal to you. You are limitless and nothing is too hard for you. Help us to grow in our faith and trust in you in all situations. We know that you are good and your plans for us are for our good.
S – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
Ps 133:1–2 CSB
O – It is good when people can live in unity. It brings an anointing and consecration that is shared and foundational to the strength of the group.
A – Unity is imperative to the success of the individual and to the group. We must start with ourselves and examine our hearts, motives and expectations. When those are healthy, we can be part of a group with a common purpose. Unity doesn’t mean 100% agreement. There are differences that actually make the team stronger. It does mean there is agreement on the overall purpose and goal.
R – Heavenly Father, we want to be in unity with You and others. Please help our hearts align with yours. Even when we don’t understand, we know that your plan is for our good. We want to be in unity with others as well. Show us what we need to change in ourselves so we can be a healthy part of the team.
S – Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers
Proverbs 17:6 CSB
O – Commentary:
A crown (cause for joy and dignity) of older people (cf. 16:31) is their grandchildren. Also children should be proud of their parents. These expressions of joy and pride depend, of course, on the family members being properly related to God (Deut. 6:2) and to each other
“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – As a grandparent, I understand this verse. There is truly a joy that comes from seeing your child raise their child. It allows you to enjoy the expression of that child’s love, gifts and talent in a special way. You never stop parenting. We need to continue to grow in God so our children have a role model to emulate.
R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all names. We surrender and worship you. Help us to live today in a way that honors you and helps us grow. We have generations to build behind us. Give us your insights and wisdom today.
S – Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 9:17 CSB
O – Ananias obeyed God and prayed for Saul, even though he was dangerous. His conversion led to Paul becoming an evangelist and author of two-thirds of the New Testament.
A – Thirty-two words spoken by Ananias changed the world. Can you imagine if he hadn’t been courageous enough to go to Saul and talk to them? We need to be brave and do what God asks us to do. We will certainly change our world and maybe those around us.
R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to lead us daily. We want to hear your voice and obey. Please give us the courage and strength to follow your instructions. We want to see people come to know you in a relationship. We love and honor you today!
S – Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered
Psalms 130:3–4 CSB
O – Commentary:
The psalmist recognized that no one could stand if God dealt with sinners according to what they deserved. To “mark” (keep a record of) sins means to hold one accountable for his sins.
The comfort is that with God there is forgiveness (selîḥâh, “pardon,” also used in Neh. 9:17; Dan. 9:9 [niv, “forgiving”]). This is the reason for the Lord’s not keeping records of sins; He forgives. Believers throughout all ages have rejoiced over this fact, for apart from this, none could endure His judgment!
God forgives so that the forgiven will fear Him. This general word for fear often includes the ideas of worship and obedience. The Scriptures state that many results come from fearing the Lord; the most notable is that the person keeps himself from sin. The forgiveness of God cannot be treated lightly. It turns sinners into saints, people who follow Him in obedience
“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Forgiveness is foundational to the Christian walk. Receiving it from God, we are no longer bound to our sins. We must extend forgiveness to others when they sin against us. A holy fear and reverence should be part of our relationship with God. It will not drive away away from God, but draw us closer.
R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor. We reverence you as the one, true God. Thank you for your forgiveness of our sins and we choose to forgive others today. We stand in awe and respect of who you are. We step closer to you today to know you more.
S – They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 8:11–12 CSB
O – Commentary:
Simon’s magic means his sorcery, his demonic powers (the Gr. words for “practiced sorcery” and “magic” are related). When Philip came to Samaria, he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name (cf. 3:16) of Jesus Christ. The term “the kingdom of God” refers to the coming kingdom (cf. 1:3, 6). “The name of Jesus Christ” looks to His position as Messiah (cf. 8:5, “the Christ,” lit., the Messiah). In other words, the message meant that some Samaritans would become heirs of the Millennium by faith in Jesus, the Messiah.
As an evidence of their faith the Samaritans were baptized, both men and women (cf. “men and women” in v. 3). The contrasts and comparisons between Simon and Philip are striking. Both performed miracles, Simon by demonic power and Philip by divine power. Simon boasted and welcomed acclaim to himself, but Philip proclaimed Christ. People were amazed at Simon’s magic, but people were converted to Christ by Philip’s ministry
“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – There are a lot of “false teachers and signs.” They will amaze you. When you are confronted with the truth of God’s love and plan for you, you will make a choice. Even these Samaritans saw the truth and chose to go God’s way.
R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you as the one, true God. We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today. Give us discernment to know your truth and to obey your Word. We desire only your will and want to avoid all distractions from your purpose.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 