Proverbs 1 - 7.12.25

Scripture

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;”

Observation

This chapter is an introduction to the book of Proverbs. The book was mainly written by one of the wisest men who ever lived, King Solomon, the son of David. The book’s purpose is to emphasize the value of wisdom and its connection to the fear of the Lord. If the reader of these proverbs is willing to apply them to their lives, they will receive true wisdom, discipline, understanding, and will be able to live a life of peace, untroubled by fear of harm.

Application

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”-James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭

This verse came immediately to my mind as I was reading this passage today. I mean, here you have King Solomon, a man who was richly blessed with wisdom by God, sharing with the reader all these things he has learned in life. He’s pleading with the reader to learn from people’s foolish mistakes, to grow in wisdom and to know that true wisdom comes from God and following His ways.

But, some people are always going to be stubborn. They’re going to insist that they know better. They’re going to want to learn the hard way. But why?! We literally have one of the wisest people who ever walked the face of this earth giving us his advice. We would be foolish not to listen and do what he says right??? SO DON”T BE A FOOL!  Read God’s Word and do what it says!

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”-James‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God,

Your Word is full of wisdom. You truly bless those who listen and follow Your Word. May I live a life filled with discipline as I seek You in prayer and read your Word each and every day. May You bless those times for me and may I grow wise in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi

Mark 2 - 7.11.25

Scripture: ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!””

Observation:

The people said, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Imagine actually being there. Seeing first hand Jesus’s miracles. Hearing Him teach with authority.  No wonder people were coming from everywhere to witness first hand all that was happening. Even if there were videos, news reports, or social media it would not have been the same as being there. They had gathered in such large numbers to hear Jesus preach the house was full and even outside the door. 

Friends of a paralytic man had faith enough to do the unthinkable. First, they brought their friend to Jesus carrying him on his mat, it took 4 of them. Then, they carried it to the roof and dug a hole in it, large enough for their friend to fit through and lowered him down in front of Jesus!

Jesus saw their faith and forgave his sins. Not, the thing the friends had hoped for. It also stirred up the “teachers of the law” who considered this blasphemy.  Jesus asked them what is easier to forgive or heal?  In verse 10 He says “I want you to know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”  He then told the paralyzed man to get up, take his mat, and go home. He did and all saw and marveled praising God. 

Application:

So much can be learned from this. Jesus wanted people to know the authority He had. His first priority was forgiving people. This is still His heart and we are His vessels to share the good news. 

We can be like those friends who did not let any barrier keep them from getting their friend to Jesus. 

By dying on the cross Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all. He rose again conquering the power of sin and death. We may not be able to go back in time to see his miracles but, God sent the Holy Spirit to fill us and enable us to do even greater miracles.  John 14:12-16

People in our day will if we are obedient praise God and say, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that your desire is to forgive sins. You are all-knowing, full of love and grace.  May I make helping people know you can forgive their sins and give them a new life a priority. Forgive me for letting this world’s distractions get me off course.  I know you can enable me to have the gifts needed to change lives through the power of your Holy Spirit. May I be open and walk in tune with Him.  I am so grateful for your forgiveness in my life and your healing power. Help me purpose daily to share your love and forgiveness with others. As you saw the paralytic man’s friend’s faith, may you and others witness mine.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Job 24 - 07.10.25

SCRIPTURE -Job 24:22-23 NIV

“But God drags away the mighty by HIS power; though they become established, 

they have no assurance of life. 

HE may let them rest in a feeling of security—

but HIS eyes are on their ways.”

OBSERVATION 

Job 24:5–11 offers one of the most vivid depictions of suffering in all of Scripture. Job describes how the wicked steal farmland by moving boundary markers, claiming not only the land but also the animals grazing there. They seize flocks from widows and orphans, leaving them destitute. People are forced to forage like wild animals in the desert. With no clothing, they freeze; with no shelter, they’re soaked by the rain. Children are sold into slavery to pay off family debts, laboring long hours in the fields—yet never allowed to eat the grain they harvest.

God had warned against stealing land and made provisions for workers to eat from the harvest (Deut. 27:17; Deut. 25:4), but these wicked men ignored His judgment and did as they pleased.

Job’s friends accused him of sin, insisting that if he would only repent, God would show mercy and restore his health and fortune. But Job knew he wasn’t hiding any unconfessed sin. His suffering had come suddenly, and though he longed for understanding, he recognized their counsel was wrong.

Job-surely was SEEKING God for answers “WHY” he was enduring such suffering and asking God, “Where are You in this?” Yet for a moment, he shifted his focus outward, reminding his friends that many others were enduring terrible suffering—suffering not caused by their own sin.

God does allow consequences to follow our sin.

“For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.” (Hebrews 12:6)

However, suffering—on its own—is not always the result of sin.

God uses suffering to draw us close. (Romans 5:3-5)

and…God uses suffering to refine us.

“I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.

Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” (Isaiah 48:10 NLT)

Job was chosen for this trial—as God’s instrument—to chastise Satan.
God knew Job would remain faithful.
And—he—did.
(Job 1:8; 2:3,10; 42:7–10)

In the midst of deep suffering,

Job’s trust remained anchored in a sovereign God—who will one day bring justice.

“…HIS eyes are on their ways.”

APPLICATION 

A Heart that Yearns for and Trusts in God

This is my first serious deep dive into studying Job.
Job’s trust in God—through his story of sorrows—is teaching me more about faith than any other book of the Bible I’ve ever studied. It is well worth the journey.

 Job is not a fictional character. He was a real man who lived. Job is referenced in the book of Ezekiel by God for his faithfulness—

“even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in the land, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

(Ezekiel 14:14 NIV)

In the midst of his personal sufferings, Job questioned God— yet he always returned to—his trust in God.

Job, somehow—deep within his heart—knew one day—he would have the opportunity to SEE God and understand “Why”—he was experiencing this suffering.

And Job was right! He did get to see his Redeemer—and Vindicator! In the end, it was Job’s friends who needed to confess and repent (Job 42:7–9).

“I KNOW that my redeemer LIVES, and that in the end—HE-WILL—STAND-on the earth. 

I will SEE God; How my heart yearns WITHIN me!” (Job 19:25, 27 NIV/AMP)

I want THIS Trust in God that Job has. It is astounding to me that “Job’s heart yearned WITHIN him.” “I KNOW my Redeemer Lives”. I stop to realize that Job had nothing close to what I have.  Job did not have Jesus’ assurance of salvation, resurrection, and heaven. Job did not have access to God’s written word as we do today with multiple versions at our fingertips and free online resources.  And we Know that Job did not have friends who were comforting or encouraging—quite the opposite—his friends added to his misery and torment.

Yet, Job’s heart Yearned for God—WITHIN him—

“For I will set My eyes on them for good…and I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer 24:6-7)

 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”(Psalm 119:11)

“Unite my heart to fear your Name” (Psalm 86:11)

“In the last days, God says, I WILL—pour out my Spirit—on ALL people. 

 Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,  your old men will dream dreams. 

 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit—in those days—and they WILL prophesy. 

(Acts 2:16-18 NIV)

PRAYER

Thank YOU Lord Jesus for Your Goodness. I cannot stop giving Thanks. I remember each of my brothers and sisters in prayers today and keep asking that The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Our glorious heavenly Father, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so we may know HIM better. I Pray the ‘eyes of our hearts’ may be enlightened so that we may KNOW the Hope to which HE has called us.

May we experience the incomparably great power, which is the SAME Power that raised Christ from the dead, to glorify God and Be His Witnesses throughout Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, California, the US, and this World—wherever HE Sends us. (Ephesians 1)

Here I am Lord, Send me. In Jesus Name, amen.

Tina L Kudelka