Author: Bill Hall

Mark 6:18
   John was not afraid to speak the truth. It seems likely that Herod himself gave John the opportunity to make this statement. There was some sense of the truth in Herod. Indeed, being an Idumean king of the Jews, he had to have some sense of piety, no matter how strange of a form it might take.

2 Samuel 8:1-11:27

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Heavenly Father, may we never forget the importance of time spent with you! To know you and to be able to fellowship with you and your people is an amazing blessing. We could never fully realize the wonder of this relationship if you did not explain it to us. Thank you for your Word, and how that it connects us to you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a woman’s unspoken request.

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Mark 6:17
   Herod apparently always regretted, or at least felt guilty about his decision to imprison, and later behead, John.

2 Samuel 4:1-7:29

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Heavenly Father, may we always allow your Word to have a profound effect upon our souls. We need it so badly. Without it, our hearts can become very dark places. Your Word has a purifying power that nothing else has. Only from you can we find what we need. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a man with spiritual needs.

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Mark 6:16
   This tells us that this particular opinion was unique to Herod. Many time people in power who have gained and kept it by questionable means, are very jumpy. Herod the Tetrarch, no matter how intelligent, was borderline crazy. This malady is not uncommon for someone in his position.

2 Samuel 1:1-3:39

James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the message of the gospel. We must remember that the gospel is not only a great promise for our salvation, but a great instruction for our lives. Often we rejoice in the power of the cross, but fail to live the truth of it. May we be examples of the gospel in our lives! Living as reflections of Christ is our goal. Thank you for the truth! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for our VBS this week.

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Mark 6:15
   Various views were being circulated about Christ. Only one of them was correct. However, even those who made the right guess were doing just that, guessing. Few recognized, understood, and believed the truth. Jesus is indeed the Prophet, greater than Moses of old.

1 Samuel 28:1-31:13

James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Heavenly Father. we so often do not recognize the beauty of your plan. You have it all figured out. All of our needs are met before we even call upon you. You already have a plan before we begin to seek the way. Thank you for your guidance and mercy! You have not only determined the path, but made it possible for us to walk it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for the families of those who have just lost loved ones.

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Mark 6:14
   Herod the Tetrarch, like many other people in his day, was superstitious. Obviously he still felt a tinge of guilt concerning John and had had a premonition of revenge. Unfortunately, this kind of superstitious ignorance rarely leads to any real repentance.

1 Samuel 25:1-27:12

James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

Heavenly Father, may the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be always focused upon You. You are worthy of our loyalty, worship, and service. Thank You for making life such a joy! Thank you for family and friends. Thank You for the encouragement that they bring into our lives. Thank you for Christ and all that we have in him. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a woman being cared for by hospice.

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Mark 6:13
   The anointing with oil carried no significance in and of itself.It did not bring healing. But, it served as a help to those healed. They could look back at the time when they were healed. This is especially helpful in the case of those who had intermittent diseases.

1 Samuel 22:1-24:22

James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with our unbelief. We often fail to remember your great power. How can we ever fully understand the extent of your might? You hold our whole world together. We will praise you forever and ever. You are worthy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man in a nursing home.

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Mark 6:12
   Repentance is once again the message. It is amazing today how many try separate the message of the gospel form the call to repentance. But, it is just not possible. Preaching salvation without repentance is like offering a life preserver to an Olympic swimmer.

1 Samuel 19:1-21:15

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Heavenly Father, remind us that your wisdom is perfect. We don’t always have to understand everything. Yes, your truth does make sense, it’s genuine. But, we may not see the reasons right away, we may not understand in our limited minds. We know that we can trust you. May we look to your wisdom for our repentance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man who is elderly and very sick.

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Mark 6:11
   This was a way to let those who rejected the truth know that there is a day of judgment coming. The message of the Christ is not an option. It is meant to be heard and accepted. It is the spirit of the antichrist that would work to deny the truth of the Christ. And it is at work in this world every day.

1 Samuel 17:1-18:30

James 1:11 “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”

Heavenly Father, it is amazing to think that you speak to us. Yet, so often we fail to hear you. We get so busy doing our own thing, talking to you about what we think is important. All the time you are waiting to give us great truth for our lives. You are not silent, but we are often deaf. Lord open our spiritual ears, and we will listen for your words are like the drops of honey from the honeycomb, sweet to our souls! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for an elderly woman who is not feeling well.

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Mark 6:10
   The paradigm for hospitality in those days was much different than today. Back in those days, good house-guests were very welcomed and valued. The staying of the disciples in a house wold bring great blessing to it, and those who recognized the truth would not see their stay as an imposition. Though many traditions of the past are good to have rid of, this one has more merit than some might think.

1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 

James 1:10 “But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.”

Heavenly Father, so often we see your will for us as a winding path with many twists and turns. But, you instead tend to reveal it as one very direct, very narrow, and very difficult way which you then lead us through a few steps at a time with relative ease if we keep our gaze upon you. We act as if your plans are changing every minute. But, truly, it is we who change. May we praise you in the great way which you would have us to go! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a woman who was in an accident.

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Mark 6:9
   They would not be going far, but also they should expect to be helped along the way by their countrymen. This was a ministry to those who should know better than to turn a cold shoulder to the ministers of God.

Deuteronomy 1:1-2:37

James 1:9 “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:”

Heavenly Father, your love for us is great in that you are conforming us to the image of your Son. To be made like Chris is the dream of the Christian life. Thank you for your work in us to transform us into his likeness. You are so gracious. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man who is not feeling well.

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