Category: Uncategorized

Mark 6:28
   This is one of several passages of Scripture that help assure us that the state of our body at the time of the resurrection will not matter. Though Christian burial is to be preferred, and is a sign of faith, dismemberment and other atrocities do not in any way hinder our future hope.

1 Kings 10:1-11:43

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

Heavenly Father, we know that we can trust your sovereign wisdom. You always know what is best and lead in the right way. Your wisdom is infinite and our knowledge is so limited. You give us so much in your Word, and yet we fail to take advantage of it.May we always have our ears open to your voice! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a woman who recently lost a friend in a tragic accident.

Journal 15205

Mark 6:27
   The Herods are not known for their mercy. This act, however heinous, was not out of keeping with what the Tetrarch’s family was known for.

1 Kings 8:1-9:28

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Heavenly Father, a desire for your presence is a value to our soul. You are cool waters in the desert. To many you may seem far away, but often you are so close to those who need you most. Indeed, it is not your presence that is the problem, but our perception. To see you is a great blessing. When we realize that you are near, it changes our entire outlook. Thank you for your presence in our lives! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a young girl having her kidneys tested for an obstruction.

Journal 15204

Mark 6:26
He was sorry, yes, but it was an empty sorrow in that one who would make such rash choices might only expect such outcomes. And, his sorrow was likely short lived since his piety was more of a show than a true practice.

1 Kings 6:1-7:51

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Heavenly Father, help us to always trust you. If we have needs, we can trust them to you. If we have wants, you know already. If we don’t know what to do, you have the answer. We try to depend upon ourselves for things that only you can handle. You are worthy of our trust. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a woman who is having her colon removed.

Journal 15203

Mark 6:25
   The daughter quickly executes the mother’s bidding. By and by here indicates it was to be done shortly, not at some uncertain date.

1 Kings 3:1-5:18

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Heavenly Father, may we heed your oft-repeated lesson, to depend upon you. And why? Because you are altogether dependable. We cannot find in you any faltering or failure. You keep your promises. We can always know what you will do, the right thing. Thank you, and I praise you for your great holiness! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for those involved in a bad wreck.

Journal 15202

Mark 6:24
   Evil is an unorganized kingdom. Though the evil one does have his officers, any order in his kingdom is only a virtual plan based on selfishness. He must use ways and means to keep his kingdom running. He cannot simply inspire obedience as Christ may.
   Herodias acts in her own selfishness, and yet stays in order with all that the devil might wish.

1 Kings 1:1-2:46

James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Heavenly Father, never will we truly understand the depth of your love this side of glory. But, we are glad to know that you do love us and give us the truth. You are worthy of all the praise for your glorious goodness. You never change! You’re always faithful. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for several men who have cancer.

Journal 15201

Mark 6:23
   This was a way of offering her membership in his inner circle. In other words, it was meant as a way to coerce her into spending more time in his presence. A young person in her position might try to find a king or powerful official of some kind to marry. Instead, Herod is wanting her to ask for a share of his throne, meaning he would still be king in every right, but she would have an input into his decisions and more than that be more likely to stay with him and her mother.
   It was an improper thought on his part. He wanted this younger woman to stick around for her company. But, his plan backfired. Salome goes to her mother, who was as much or more a snake as Herod. Thus, her idea is to give her mother as much advantage in her relationship with Herod as was possible. But Herodias has only one thing on her mind, being somewhat confident already of her pull with Herod.

2 Samuel 23:1-24:25

James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your purifying work in our lives. Without Christ, we are what we are naturally. Wicked and abominable, we think we are justified because of our twisted thinking. Only you can bring focus to our lives. Thank you for helping us to see the truth. But more than that, by Christ in our hearts, thank you for enabling us to live the truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a family that just lost a loved one.

Journal 15200

Mark 6:22
   It is difficult to know what kind of dance this was, but given the fact that Herod had married his brother’s wife, no kind of foolishness might be held up by him. And, his offer to her is foolish and unseemly for him to make.

2 Samuel 20:1-22:51

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the fact that you guide us. If we will open your Word and look for truth from you, we will find it. You will show us the path for our lives. You will lead us in the right way. This is such a comfort when so many have no idea where they are going in life. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for our last night of VBS!

Journal 15199

Mark 6:21
   Herod likely took many opportunities to have feasts, or parties, of one kind or another. Of course, on his own birthday he would be likely to be even more merry than at other times.

2 Samuel 17:1-19:43

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Heavenly Father, remind us of the power of your forgiveness. Sometimes we just go along in life and think we don’t need your forgiveness. We don’t know a particular sin we have in our hearts, and so we assume we are fine. But, the truth is that we need your forgiveness all the time. Just as your grace, we need your mercy. You are so gracious and loving! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a man who may have had a stroke.

Journal 15198

Mark 6:20
   The truth almost took hold in Herod’s heart. But, the gospel found stony ground there. Indeed, it seems many political leaders in the Bible found the gospel intriguing, but few accepted it.

2 Samuel 14:1-16:23

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Heavenly Father, may we always use your love. Our love is imperfect, unforgiving, and conditional. But, yours is wonderful, merciful, and boundless. Thank you for loving us as you do! We must share your love with the whole world. Everyone needs this kind of love. To live in your love and care for all of our lives is such a blessing to us. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for Vacation Bible School.

Journal 15197

Mark 6:19
   Unlike Herod, Herodias was not held up by any artificial piety. She was wicked with the mask off. But, she lacked the power of Herod and had to wait for an opportunity for revenge.

2 Samuel 12:1-13:39

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Heavenly Father, you know that we worry constantly about what is next. We do not rest, but yet fret over tomorrow. May we always find rest in you! You have your plans for us made out. Your provision is already there. May we depend upon your supply! You are worthy of all the praise, for by you alone can we make it through. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a man in the nursing home.

Journal 15196