Category: Uncategorized

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

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.

Journal 15195

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.

Journal 15194

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.

Journal 15193

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.

Journal 15192