S – God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind

Daniel 1:17 CSB

O – As these four men honored God, God gave these men exceptional abilities that would be used by the king and grant them favor.  Daniel’s ability to understand dreams will elevate his worth even more.  It is also an indicator of future prophecy he will do later in the book.  

A – We should continue to ask God to increase our knowledge and understanding each day.  Also, we want to elevate our spiritual gifts so the Lord can use us to grow others in their relationship with God.

R – Lord, we want to grow today.  In knowledge, wisdom and understanding.  We also want to grow in our spiritual gifts so we can be a blessing to You and others.  Give us opportunities to use these gifts.  Like our natural muscles, help us get stronger by being used by you in a way that challenges us.  Thank you for using us to fulfill your purposes.

S – Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:18 CSB

O – Authority: ĕxŏusia,  privilege, i.e. (subj.) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (obj.) mastery; delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Jesus states that all power and influence has been given to him in heaven (God’s realm) and earth (satan’s realm). 

A – It is an important principle to understand that Jesus has all authority because of the victory of the cross.  It gives us the foundation to grow in our faith and to stand on His Word as truth.  It gives us the confidence that God is limitless and has no peer/rival.

R – Lord, there is nothing that compares to you.  Jesus claimed all authority through his crucifixion, death and resurrection.  I want to walk in your authority as your child to accomplish what you have for me today.  Let me walk in humility, courage and confidence demonstrating love for You and others.

S – About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

 Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Mt 27:46.

O – Commentary: Here Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1, which may have been part of the Scripture recitation at this time of day. His opponents do not pause to consider that the psalm ends with the sufferer’s vindication and triumph (Ps 22:25–31).

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.

A –  Jesus experienced what it means to be forsaken by God.  Yet, Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never, never leave you nor forsake you.”  His sacrifice means we do not have to experience what it means to be separated from God.  We have a choice – He has done His part.

R – Lord, I am grateful for the cross and Jesus’ crucifixion.  In taking my sin, He allows me to be in a relationship with You.  Thank you for the forgiveness of my sins through the blood of Christ.  I choose to walk under the direction of the Holy Spirit today. 

S – Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Matthew 26:39 CSB

O – Jesus asks if there is a possibility of another way to fulfill the plan.  But, He surrenders to God’s will and not his human one.

A – This verse shows the pain of humanity in serving a holy God.  God has a will and purpose that far exceeds our understanding.  Fulfilling that plan usually contradicts our human nature for self-preservation and comfort.  In surrendering our will to His will, we have to make conscious choices that line up with God and not our desires.  It is worth it.

R – Lord, I surrender my will to yours today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to empower me with the strength, tenacity and courage to do this.  I ask that in doing this you will be glorified and I will grow in my understanding of what my purpose is.  

S – And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me

Matthew 25:40 CSB

O – Whatever you do for those less fortunate than you, you did unto God.  That person is God’s creation and made in His image.  You are blessing an extension of God.

A – We should ascribe value to all people, corporately and individually.  When we disregard or diminish someone for any reason, we are not demonstrating God’s value that He put on them.  The same value He puts on us.  Going back to the two greatest commandments – Love God, Love People.  In fulfilling those commandments, we open ourselves to do the things for others that the Holy Spirit leads us to do.

R – Lord, I am humbled and grateful for the immeasurable value you put on me.  So much, that your son died on the cross to pay for my sins and establish our relationship.  Give me your lens as I interact with people today.  Then, give me the courage to take action on your promptings.  Let me bring glory to your name in our relationship and with others.

S – Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.

Matthew 24:46 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The coming of the Lord will be a test of servants. As the master in Jesus’ story entrusted all his possessions to his servant, so God has entrusted the care of all things in this earth to His servants. The responses of the servants are indications of their inward conditions. The Lord wants to find His servants, like the first steward, faithfully carrying out His will (vv. 45–46). Such a servant will be rewarded for his faithful service when the Lord returns 

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

A – The second coming of Christ is the theme of this chapter.  As long as I have been a Christian, people have discussed and argued about it.  This verse is where my foundation.  I will live each day as if Christ is coming back today.  I am not perfect but I want to be faithful and taking step towards God.

R – Lord, I invite you into today.  Even when I am not sure what today holds, I know I want you to be with me in it.  Let me live in a way that you would be pleased.  I surrender to your will and purpose for me today.  Let me bring you glory in all that I say and do.

S – In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

Matthew 23:28 CSB

O – Commentary: 

A custom then was to keep tombs painted white on the outside so they would appear beautiful. But inside the tombs was the decaying flesh of dead people. Similarly, while the Pharisees appeared beautiful on the outside because of their religious conformity, they were corrupt and decaying inside. They were full of hypocrisy and wickedness (anomias, “lawlessness

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

A – We all want to look good to others.  It isn’t wrong to spend time on the outside as long as it is a reflection of a healthy inside.  Our main effort should be in developing our hearts.  We should be honest and sincere using the Word of God as the foundation for our actions.  

R – Lord, I thank you that I come to you a sinner. My human nature and desires can be covered up.  But, you see my heart.  Help me to come to you in full transparency so I can grow in my heart, which will be a greater reflection on my outside.  That is the part I want people to see.  My relationship with you reflected on the outside in a health, vibrant way.

S – He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.^{, 38} This is the greatest and most important command. ³⁹ The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{, 40} All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” 

Matthew 22:37–40 CSB

O – Love God. Love people. Jesus didn’t come to do away with the Law.  It was just being fulfilled based on relationship, not mere obedience.

A – If I can do both these really well today, then I will continue to grow in my relationship with God and those I do life with daily. 

R – Lord, I love you and thank you for the gift of the cross.  I thank you for those I do life with – the good and the bad.  We are all broken so we are more challenging to love than you.  Give me the courage and grace to love You and them with honesty and mercy as You love me the same way.

S – What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’ 

²⁹ “He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go. ³¹ Which of the two did his father’s will?” 

Matthew 21:28–31 CSB

O – The first son displayed violated Jewish culture by saying he didn’t want to do his father’s request.  “Change” means regret afterward, not repenting like changing his mind and going a different direction.  He felt remorse and did what his father asked.  The second followed custom with his words.  But his actions revealed his true heart and he didn’t follow through.  Obedience won over disobedience.

A – We need to examine our own hearts and actions.  There are times we don’t want to do something but we do it because it needs to be done.  (Ex. Taking out the garbage.). In following God, our obedience to his Word and will demonstrate our love for him.

R – Lord, give us the courage to obey you.  There are times it is not pleasant.  Yet, we know that your heart for us is for our good.  As we are obedient, it opens up yet another opportunity for you to display your pleasure and power.  

S – He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father

Matthew 20:23 CSB

O –  James and John were seeking assurance of positions in Heaven.  Jesus assured them they would suffer like He would (both gave their lives for Christ).  He also revealed that God would establish positions in Heaven.

A –  Two strong principles.  First, leadership comes with a price tag.  The responsibility of leading others costs you physically, mentally and emotionally.  Secondly, in seeking a position we can miss the whole purpose of the leadership – doing God’s will and aiding others to accomplish it as with us.  A leader must pay the price daily and keep themselves submitted to God daily.  Then, those who they lead will also follow them to the Father.

R – Lord, I invite your Holy Spirit into all that I will think, say and do today.  As I lead, I pray for strength and courage to do so with in a way that brings glory to your name.  I pray for the ability to keep my eyes on you and not deviate from the path.  Help me to serve those I lead today, empowering them to draw closer to you.