S – There is life in the path of righteousness, and in its path there is no death.

Proverbs 12:28 CSB

O – “Life” – châyâh:  to live, whether lit. or fig.; caus. to revive:— keep (leave, make) alive, × certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (× God) save (alive, life, lives), × surely, be whole.

“Path” – ôrach:  a well-trodden road (lit. or fig.); also a caravan:— manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,

“Righteousness” – tsâdaq,  to be (caus. make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):— cleanse, clear self, (be, do) 

“Death” – mûwth:  to die (lit. or fig.); caus. to kill:— × at all, × crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy (-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, 

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

A – There is a “well-trodden” way for us to go that brings all that we need and clarity in ourselves.  It doesn’t take away from the true person God created us to be.  Why would we not follow it?  We are sinful and self-centered.  The enemy attacks our thoughts and brings condemnation.  We are not strong enough to face temptation.  We must grow in our knowledge of God’s Word so we can apply it to our lives.  We must grow in our faith in His forgiveness and apply that to our lives as well.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace.  We are sinners.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that forgives us when we don’t walk in your ways and righteousness. Give us strength and courage to take steps in your will and purpose today.  

HEY Gus!

S – Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹⁰ No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Deuteronomy 34:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

34:9 full of the spirit of wisdom: When Joshua was selected as Moses’ successor, he had to be invested with the Spirit of God to fill the office (Num 27:15–23; cp. Num 11:16–30). Now that Moses had died, God showed that Joshua was Moses’ divinely appointed successor by giving continuing evidence of the Spirit’s power and blessing.

34:10 face to face: Moses and the Lord had an intimate relationship, and there was no need for an intercessor between them. Aaron and Miriam once challenged Moses’ leadership and were severely rebuked by the Lord (Num 12:8), who reminded them that they were ordinary prophets that received revelation by dreams and visions. Moses was not such a prophet. God said, “I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles” (Num 12:8). No other prophet in OT times could rival Moses’ relationship with God (see note on 18:15).

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Two significant principles:

1.  Joshua was anointed with the spirit of wisdom to lead the next generation of Israelites.  He was not a prophet but a leader.  In succession, choosing the right person is important.  Finding the person whom God is appointing to lead is imperative.

2.  God was so intimate with Moses that they spoke face to face.  That is the closest described in the Bible. YET, Moses didn’t get to go into the promised land.  God’s love exceeds our failures.  Even with grace and mercy, there is accountability for us.

R – Lord, You are big and have no limitations.  I surrender and worship you.  I desire the anointing to lead with the spirit of wisdom.  Let me align with your will, purpose and wisdom today.

S – A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit^, for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” ¹³ Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. 

Luke 13:11–13 CSB

O – Verse 12 – “When Jesus saw her” stands out to me.  Everyone else knew her as the bent over lady.  He calls her out, speak freedom to her, lays hands on her and healed her.  Her response was praise and glory to God.

A – Jesus sees us.  For some that is challenging because of our past or sinful nature.  For others, it is comforting because of our freedom and forgiveness when we do sin.  Ultimately, God sees us and knows us.  It is our choice to allow Him to call us into freedom and bring restoration.  It is also our choice to give Him glory for all that He does for us.

R – Lord, we surrender and glorify your name today.  You alone are worthy of our worship and honor today.  Thank you for seeing us right where we are.  Help us to walk towards freedom and restoration.  We choose your ways over our own.  We will be careful to give you all the glory and praise. 

S – The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor

Proverbs  12:24 CSB

O –

Diligent:  mâhı̂r, quick; hence, skilful:— diligent, hasty, ready.

Rule:  râdâh, ; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; spec. to crumble off:— (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule (-r, over),

Laziness:  r^emı̂yâh, remissness, treachery:— deceit (-ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.

Forced:  lâchats,  to press, i.e. (fig.) to distress:— afflict, crush, force, hold fast, oppress (-or), thrust self.

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

A – We need to grow in our gift and talents.  We need to show consistency and intentionality in our growth if we want to lead.  It is too easy to be lulled into easy, slacking actions.  

R- Heavenly Father, we honor you today at the highest level.  You alone are worthy of all praise and honor.  Let our thoughts, words and actions cause us to make purposeful steps in accomplishing all that you have for us today.  Let us see the fruits of our labor and bring glory to your name.

S – Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:7,8  CSB

O – Moses transfers the leadership over to Moses.  He tells him how to lead, what he will accomplish, how to deal with challenges and what God will do for him.

A – This is a great primer for any change of leadership.  God wants us to lead with strength.  We need to know what we are trying to accomplish.  We will face challenges and we have to have “an attitude” of resolve.  Finally, we need to know that God is not only with us but He goes before us to work on our behalf.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that when we face change or leadership challenges, you go before and with us.  We invite you to move and do what you will.  Empower us mentally, physically and emotionally.  We love you today!

S – The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law

Deuteronomy 29:29 CSB

O – Commentary:

Moses ends his prophecy of the Jews’ rejection, just as St. Paul ends his discourse on the same subject, when it began to be fulfilled, Ro 11:33. We are forbidden curiously to inquire into the secret counsels of God, and to determine concerning them. But we are directed and encouraged, diligently to seek into that which God has made known. He has kept back nothing that is profitable for us, but only that of which it is good for us to be ignorant. The end of all Divine revelation is, not to furnish curious subjects of speculation and discourse, but that we may do all the words of this law, and be blessed in our deed. This, the Bible plainly reveals; further than this, man cannot profitably go. By this light he may live and die comfortably, and be happy for ever. 

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary 

A – God wants us to walk in obedience today. Yet, as we grow closer to Him, more things will beI revealed to us. There will be principles and character traits that God will unveil to us so that we may grow more in Him.  Similar to knowing my wife for 36 years.  She has revealed more of her character, attitude and desires so I can walk alongside her as her husband.  It is the same concept with God.

R – Heavenly Father, I ask that your Holy Spirit will reveal more of who you are to me today.  Please help me to obey your Word and will.  Let my curiosity lead to more growth with You.

S – Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.

 Luke 11:17 CSB

O – Jesus shares the principle that if a group member attacks another group member, it weakens the group.  If it continues, it will be destroyed.

A – Unity is worth fighting and working for in a group.  The strength of a group is the diversity and the ability to maximize those different ways of thinking and action.  The danger is when it goes beyond accomplishing the group vision and individual or sect interests are prioritized over the group.  Fight for unity – that is where the blessings and results are!

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender my will today.  I want to be in unity with your vision and plan.  You know my heart and dreams.  Help me to align them with you.  Thank you for empowering me to accomplish all that you have for me today.

S – He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say, 

Father, 

your name be honored as holy. 

Your kingdom come.

Luke 11:2 CSB

O – Commentary: 

In this model prayer Jesus began with an intimate direct address, Father. This was somewhat characteristic of the way Jesus referred to God in His prayers (cf. 10:21). He then made five requests. The first two dealt with God’s interests. The first request was that God’s name be hallowed (hagiasthētō, from hagiazō, “to set apart or sanctify” or, as here, “to treat as holy”). Thus the request was for God’s reputation to be revered by men.

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

* “When we approach a holy God, there is only two responses – worship and surrender.” Daryl Black

A – What would our prayers and daily life look like if we recognized God’s holiness?  Would our thoughts, words and actions be different if we knew an unlimited, unbound Creator of the universe knew us by name?  God is big and we can easily make him small.  It is beneficial to keep the intimacy with God while maintaining reverence for who He is.

R – Father, I worship and surrender to you today.  I honor and reverence all that you are.  You have no rival or equal.  Yet, you know me intimately.  Let me bring glory to You today in my thoughts, words and actions. Let me be a light of the love that you have for others so they may come to know you in a relationship.

S – A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.

Proverbs 12:14.

O – The fruit of a person’s mouth is his words. The work of his hands is what he produces. What we say and do has an impact on us and others.

A – Two great tools the Lord has given us are our speech and actions.  Adding our thoughts to it gives us a solid progression.  When our thoughts, words and actions align with God’s Word and will, we put ourselves in a healthy place to be used by God.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship You today.  We ask that our thoughts, words and actions align with your Word and will for us today.  Let us be a light in the world.  Give us courage and strength to accomplish all that you have for us.

S – The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

 Proverbs 12:11 CSB

O – “Sense” – lêb, the heart; also used (fig.) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything:

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

The person who works diligently and consistently will see the fruit of his labor.  Those who pursue empty, worthless endeavors do not heart.

A – Hard work is good for us physically and spiritually.  It provides us with what we need and also reveals the things in the heart that exemplify our character, integrity and goals.  Pursuing empty endeavors reveals a lack of sense and direction.  

R – Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit helping us to know what is worth pursuing today.  We desire to do your will and work hard.  We ask for your knowledge, understanding and wisdom.