“When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat” (Mark 6:35-36).

The disciples wanted to get away from the crowds.  How often are we annoyed with our situation?  The Lord has compassion and does not take the easy way.  He went to the cross so that we could go with Him into eternal life.  The Lord does not send us away to feed ourselves but gives us Himself as the bread of life.  What He gives we cannot buy, for He alone was able to pay the price.

Lord God, in everyday life I demonstrate the ways in which I do not have compassion and mercy.  Many is the time when I am tired and just want to rest, and yet, there are always opportunities for ministry.  Lead me so that I do not settle for the worldly way of doing things but come along with You on the narrow path and walk according to Your word, partaking of the living bread which You give.

Lord Jesus, You always give that which leads to us to being perfected in mind.  I would settle, but You intend that I live unto life eternal with You.  You have shown me that You do not stop.  Do not stop with me but help me to listen to the Holy Spirit as You speak, learning how to obey the Father and walk faithfully, becoming ever more like You in all things.  Feed me  on the living food which You give.  Amen.

“The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.  When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34).

No matter where we go, there are always more who are in need.  Such is the state of the world in this age.  Many are called but few are chosen.  The choosing comes in belief and belief is action.  It is not busy-ness for its own sake but doing what the Father gives us to do.  It seems many are trying to live for themselves only – and this is what sin has done – so we are called to be diligent in all that we do.

Lord, I know how to be lazy.  I also know how to look for others to do what I can do.  Teach me to be diligent and serve my neighbor with justice and grace.  Teach me to not be a burden to others, but to be a person of action.  Through all things, teach me to look to You, the source of all goodness, and to live according to Your will and not according to the constant pressure of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have told us to work while it is day.  Your word tells us to put our hand to the plow and not look back.  I know that this has nothing to do with earning something but is a part of how You teach me what I need to know.  As Your disciple, lead me in the power of Your Holy Spirit to live the life You give me to live knowing that all things are in Your hands and You will accomplish all that is needful.  Amen.

“The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.  And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)  They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves” (Mark 6:30-32).

Our Lord knows all that we need.  Sometimes we so wrap ourselves up into all that is happening that we do not take time to take care of ourselves.  Jesus withdrew the disciples for a time of retreat.  The disciples reported to Him all that had happened.  The needs of the people were constant and continuous.  All things that need doing will never be completed by us during this age because they are continuous.

Lord, help me to see that I can do only what I can do, that there are limits, and time is needful to decompress.  Teach me to come to You and, in prayer, share all that I have done.  You already know, but I need to unload the things that have been going on.  Teach me also that I can never do all that needs doing.  There will always be more to do.  Guide me, Lord, so that I live into the life You have set before me.

Lord Jesus, You have shown me how to live.  There are times to be busy and times to rest.  Every time is time for prayer.  Guide me so that I live a temperate life which does not live on the edge, but in the balance and peace which You provide.  Help me now and always to humbly abide in You as You abide in me.  You alone are the One who can lead me to live according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb” (Mark 6:27-29).

Regardless of how we may have felt in the moment, the regrets are overcome by the obligation which pride created.  Pride is strong and it hammers at us all.  We each do what we do, but how often do we think about what we do?  The Lord calls us to constant prayer and communion with Him.  We are to be aware not only of what we are doing, but also of our attitude and motivation.

Lord, I sometimes do things without thinking about them.  I put myself into situations where my own obligations drive me to do even things I do not want to do.  Help me so that I live according to Your word and not according to the things of this world or the pressures that it puts on me.  Teach me to be guarded concerning my promises.  With all things, help me to think through what I am saying and doing.

Lord Jesus, without You, I would not even know the extent of the difficulty I have with pride, let alone have a way out.  My Savior, lead me through these things so that I learn how to live loving You and my neighbor.  Teach me how to properly behave in all circumstances.  Aid me to live a life of praise of You whose work alone endures forever.  Through Your word, Lord, may I be guided into all goodness.  Amen

“Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”  And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her” (Mark 6:25-26).

The scheming and plotting of this world is constant.  It never stops.  We fall into the traps of our own making and we are remorseful.  Avoid the remorse and learn how not to fall into the trap.  No matter our position, we too can fall for the traps that are set by the wicked one.  Pride goes before the fall.  If that happens, repent, confess, come before the Lord, and learn the lesson.  Be led by the Lord alone.

Lord, You know what is in store for me.  You know what will happen.  I pray that You will help me learn the lessons You teach me without my falling into the pits of temptation that are around me.  Kill my pride and help me to learn how to humbly live with You as the One who guides me.  Through all things, may I learn from You how to live a life filled with righteousness.

Thank You Lord Jesus for saving me.  Through all the dangers and tribulations that will come in this world, be the One who leads me.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy so that I am quick to learn, slow to anger, and living out the love You are giving me.  Guide me into the depth of the faith You have given me so that I may become more like You each day.  Amen.

“And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”  And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:23-24).

Do not make a prideful oath.  It is not that we cannot swear allegiance or pledge the truth, but that we ought not promise when we do not know what the outcome will be.  You know this story.  You know what is going to happen.  Do not make a pledge that will trap you into sinning proudly and harming your ability to do what is right.  Be led by the Lord alone and be on the guard lest pride cause you to act with unrighteousness.

Lord God, You know how many times I have made an oath that led me down the wrong path.  I know that I am saved by grace. But keep me from making the same mistakes over and over again.  Open my eyes to see more clearly so that I may begin to understand the path that is before me. Help me see the pits that are alongside the trail which may tempt me.  Teach me how to be in constant prayer, seeking Your counsel.

Lord Jesus, You were in constant communion with the Father.  You have told me to pray without ceasing.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, so that I too learn how to constantly be in prayer.  You are my Savior and I need to be saved.  Help me this day to follow closely where You lead.  Show me the temptations that come my way so that I do not fall for them.  Through all things, aid me learn what it means to be righteous.  Amen.

“A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you” (Mark 6:21-22).

Never make a bargain with the devil.  In our sinfulness, we may be tempted to be charitable but if it is done with pride, it may well become a devil’s bargain.  Herod placed himself in the position of having to be generous because of all the guests.  Showing off is never a good idea.  Learn from folly, yours and others, and seek to do what is best in every situation.  Be guided by the Holy Spirit and not by your pride, for “pride goes before destruction.”

Lord, there are times when I do things I think are good, and they are not.  There are times when pride rules me.  Be the One who guides me in how I live my life and direct the things I do.  Where there is pride, slay it.  Where there is false generosity, humble me.  Help me to see myself as I am and not fall prey to the plotting and scheming that happens in this world.  Be the One who guides my heart.

Lord Jesus, how many times have You seen this kind of thing play out?  Regardless of the times I do anything like this, help me to follow Your example and seek at all times and in all ways to please the Father.  Be the One who is leading my life.  Guard my mouth and mind so that I may learn humility and hear clearly when Your Holy Spirit speaks.  Guide me, dear Savior, into the way of righteousness.  Amen.

“Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him” (Mark 6:19-20).

If the sin confronting you is spoken of by another, kill the other.  That does not get rid of the sin, but it does keep the reminder away.  Or does it?  Whether small or large, our sinfulness does not like being confronted.  The righteous and holy will remind us that the Lord is calling us to righteousness and holiness.  Some are perplexed by the truth, but others hear the truth and rejoice.

Lord, help me to hear Your word and rejoice in the truth You have spoken.  Guide me in Your goodness to always abide by what You have spoken.  You have given me truth and called me to walk in that truth all the days of my life.  Help all the faithful to live into the life for which You sacrificed Your own.  Lead the church according to Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, there are those in this world who would silence my voice.  Whether You allow me to speak or have my voice silenced, which is Your judgement, help me to always be faithful.  While it is day, help me to speak the truth You have revealed.  Guide me to seek righteousness and live into the call to become like You.  Help me by Your grace and mercy to be forthright, honest and faithful.  Amen.

“For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.  For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:17-18).

Guilty is guilty.  It does not matter what the world says.  The truth of God’s law pierces the heart, and the sinner works hard to not hear the voice of truth.  We each have that in ourselves.  Let the truth pierce your heart.  It is the truth which sets you free.  We often become hostile to the ones who remind us of the battle which is deep within us.  We want to be rid of those who confront us and we sometimes fear them.

Lord, help me to see that it is You who confronts me in my sin.  You have placed all things on their course, and Your law is inviolable.  Throughout the struggles that confront me in this world, help me to hear clearly Your voice and apply the message You are giving me.  Let me not be carried away by my own reasoning but listen and obey as You direct me in the way of life as You created it to be lived.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You have set before me.  Knowing that other voices will come and the temptation will arise to go another way, help me to understand the truth You speak knowing that You alone have set all things on their course.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me to hear Your voice above my own so that I may walk in the way of truth.  Amen.

“But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”  But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” (Mark 6:15-16)

Speculation, speculation, speculation!  Have things really changed?  We speculate and then proceed as if we know what the truth is.  Come to know the truth.  The truth is not a proposition, a speculation, a feeling, but the reality that Jesus is God in the flesh.  He has come to lead as many as hear His voice into truth.  He is the truth.  Do not live by the speculations of this world, but in the Truth who is Jesus.

Lord, I am often carried away by the thoughts of those around me.  There is constant speculation and then positions are held and there is great hostility.  Help me to live according to Your purpose.  You created me and continue to guide me in the truth You have revealed.  Lead me into all truth.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to see that only in You will I find what is right and true.

Lord Jesus, through all the confusion of this world, lead me to see that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Regardless of the cacophony of noise which surrounds me, help me to hear Your clear, gentle voice, and follow You.  Be the One who is leading me.  Let me hear Your voice clearly, listen, and obey to all that You command.  Help me to walk through the noise of this world and listen to You above all the distractions of this world. Amen.