S – God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found
in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid
Psalms 46:1–2 CSB
O – Commentary:
The psalmist declared that God is the Refuge (maḥseh, “shelter from danger”; cf. comments on 14:6) and Strength (cf. comments on 18:1) of believers. In other words they find safety and courage by trusting in Him, who is always present to help them (see comments on 30:10) in their troubles. So the saints need not fear, even if many perils come against them. The language is hyperbolic, to describe how great the perils may be that could come. No matter what happens, those trusting in Him are safe.
“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
A – When we face challenges or threatening circumstances, we do not need to fear. God is with us to protect and give us courage. We can walk in confidence that He is working even when we don’t see it.
R – Lord, we are facing challenges today. Make Your presence and power known. Give us the courage to walk through each situation and conversation with Your Holy Spirit leading us. Thank you for your protection and strength.
S – The Lord’s blessing enriches, and he adds no painful effort to it.
Proverbs 10:22 CSB
O – Commentary:
After the word “Lord” the Hebrew adds the word “it” for emphasis. So the first line reads, The blessing of the Lord, it brings wealth. The second line affirms the idea that wealth given by the Lord (to the righteous and diligent) is not accompanied by trouble, the tragedies of ill-gotten gain
“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
“Enrich” – âshar, aw-shar’; to accumulate; chiefly (spec.) to grow (caus. make) rich:— be (-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make
A – This applies to financial gain but can also all areas where we can accumulate. We can add to ourselves in a Godly manner or use our own means to grow. God’s blessing is accompanied by His purpose, presence and peace.
R – Lord, thank you for Your Blessings. Having Your Holy Spirit leading us daily is huge. We invite You to work on our behalf and ask for Your blessing today. We want to grow in Your purpose, presence and peace.
S – Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don’t reject us forever!
Why do you hide and forget our affliction and oppression?
Ps 44:23–24 CSB
O – The Psalmist is asking God to remember the nation in a time of crisis. They feel they have done nothing to cause God to delay helping them.
A – We have all been here. Either God wasn’t moving fast enough or at all and we want to see Him take some action. The Psalm doesn’t end with God “saving the day.” These are times when either your faith in God grows or falters. There isn’t an easy answer to this. God isn’t sleeping. Even when you don’t see it, He is working on your behalf.
R – Heavenly Father, thank you that as big and unlimited as you are, you still know us intimately. In all of the situations that I face, I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me. You have a plan and a purpose – I put my faith and trust in you.
S – When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19 CSB
O – The ability to use or hold our tongue is a demonstration of wisdom.
A – In a world where so much information and media is available instantly, this principle rings true. We need to use our words effectively. The word for “prudent” is sakal and it means to “be intelligent.”
Asking the Lord to use our words, while being wise, will bring good results.
R – Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives. May our words be led by your Spirit today to bring Godly wisdom and insight to our conversations. Let it also reflect your character and love for others in all we say and do today.
S – The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes. The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24 CSB
O – “If you can.” This is the turning point in the moment. Jesus challenges the father not out of anger but out of compassion. The father has seen a lifetime of “will this work?” moments ending in disappointments. The father recognizes this is the moment when God is ready to work through the man’s faith in Him.
A – We all go through moments of doubt and unbelief. Our faith is a growing part of our relationship with God. Like a muscle, the more we use it, the more it is likely to grow. The less we use it, the less it grows. Like the father in the story, we need to continue to move from unbelief to belief.
R – Heavenly Father, we surrender to you today. We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today in all situations, conversations and moments. Challenge us to grow our faith when our unbelief can move to belief. Give us the courage we need to take the next step.
S – The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, demanding of him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 Sighing deeply in his spirit, he said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat, and went to the other side.
Mark 8:11–13 CSB
O – Commentary:
What they sought was a miraculous sign from heaven—that is, directly from God—that would demonstrate once for all that Jesus was the Christ. No sign, however, could ever convince them of this. For those whose hearts were open to the truth, the miracles that Jesus had already done (Luke 7:22) were clear and irrefutable signs that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. For those outside (4:11–12), no sign could make them believe (cp. Luke 6:19–31).
A – It comes down to the heart. If your heart is open to God and His Truth, a sign would affirm what you believe. If your heart was closed, a sign would confirm. Promova: “Affirm’ often implies making a statement or assertion to validate or declare something as true. ‘Confirm’ generally implies verifying or establishing the truth or accuracy of something, often as a subsequent or additional assurance.” I want to declare who God and Christ is, not test Him.
R – Heavenly Father, I ask for your Holy Spirit to lead me in all truth today. I affirm that You are God and there is no other. I affirm that Jesus is the Son of God and my savior. Help me to model the love You have for me to others today in my thoughts, words and actions.
S – The reward of the righteous is life; the wages of the wicked is punishment.
Proverbs 10:16 CSB
O – Commentary:
Wages (10:16) refers not to money but to the natural result or “return” for righteous living. That result is a meaningful life (cf. 3:18, 21–22; 4:4; 7:2a). But the wicked reap trouble
“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – If we want a life with true meaning and legacy, following God’s integrity, character and righteousness has to be part of it.
R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all righteousness. Help us to choose Your ways and not our own.
S – For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
Mark 7:21–23 CSB
O – Commentary:
The catalog of evil Jesus gave has a strong Old Testament flavor and consists of 12 items. First, there are six plural nouns (in Gr.) depicting wicked acts viewed individually: sexual immorality (porneiai, “illicit sexual activities of various kinds”); theft (klopai); murder (phonoi); adultery (moicheiai, illicit sexual relations by a married person); greed (pleonexiai, “covetings”), insatiable cravings for what belongs to another; malice (ponēriai, “wickednesses”), the many ways evil thoughts express themselves.
Second, there are six singular nouns depicting evil dispositions: deceit (dolos), cunning maneuvers designed to ensnare someone for one’s personal advantage; lewdness (aselgeia; cf. Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2, 7), unrestrained and unconcealed immoral behavior; envy (opthalmos ponēros, lit., “an evil eye,” a Heb. expression for stinginess; cf. Prov. 23:6), a begrudging, jealous attitude toward the possessions of others; slander (blasphēmia), injurious or defaming speech against God or man; arrogance (hyperēphania, used only here in the NT), boastfully exalting oneself above others who are viewed with scornful contempt; and folly (aphrosynē), moral and spiritual insensitivity.
All these evils defile a person, and have their source from inside, from one’s heart. So Jesus took the focus of attention away from external rituals and placed it on the need for God to cleanse one’s evil heart (cf. Ps. 51
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Two concepts – Evil thoughts that express themselves in words and actions. Secondly, a person’s disposition – a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character. If we don’t actively move our alignment in our thoughts and disposition with God, our default is sinful and self-seeking.
R – Heavenly Father, I surrender and worship You today. You are unlimited and worthy of praise. I confess my human nature is sinful. I choose to align with You and Your Word today so that my words, thoughts, actions and disposition would be one of honor and glorifying You. Give me the strength and courage to succeed in this today.
S – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Proverbs 10:11 CSB
O – Commentary:
His words of wisdom are free-flowing and as refreshing as a cool spring to a weary desert traveler. In the second part of 10:11; the idea is either that his mouth conceals or deceptively hides violence “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
A – Our words are powerful. This proverb says they can be wise, refreshing, and filled with freedom. Or, they can be cruel, damaging, false, or oppressive. Violence is not always physical. I want my words to be wise and draw people closer to God. It statrts with allowing God to work on me on the inside so that it flows out to “lifegiving” on the outside.
R – Father, please work on the inside of me first today. I invite you Holy Spirit to reveal to me those areas that don’t line up with you. Let my thoughts, words and actions be a reflection of the work you are doing inside of me. Then, let me speak with others in a way that will show them Your love.
S – Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended by him.
Mark 6:3 CSB
O – Commentary:
The phrase Mary’s Son was also derogatory since a man was not described as his mother’s son in Jewish usage even if she was a widow, except by insult (cf. Jud. 11:1–2; John 8:41; 9:29). Their words, calculated insults, also suggested they knew there was something unusual about Jesus’ birth
Thus since the townspeople could not explain Jesus, they took offense (from skandalizomai, “to be caused to stumble, to be repelled”; cf. comments on Mark 14:27) at Him, finding no reason to believe He was God’s Anointed One.
“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
A – Sometimes, the people closest to us can be our biggest hurdles. Our circle of influence must have like-minded people who love and follow God like we do. They should build our faith, not belittle it or tear it down
R – Father, thank you for the people who you put in my life that cause me to grow closer to you. They are a true gift. We invite you to draw all of us closer to you and to be led by your Spirit today.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 