“And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all.  They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish” (Mark 6:41-42).

They all ate and were satisfied.  What is it that we really need?  The Lord causes the rain to fall and the plants to grow.  The world feeds daily by His provision.  Too many act as though the very things we use each day are not miracles provided by the Lord.  The faithful ones are called to lives that are thankful for all that the Lord provides.  There is enough for everyone.

“Take and eat, this is my body, given for you.”  Lord God, You have provided all that we need.  It is right there before us.  Overcome the unbelief amongst those who call themselves Yours.  Help us to understand these things and act on them.  Help us to use the provision You give us and live as You are leading us in the way of the everlasting life You have offered us.

Thank You Lord Jesus for providing the means of grace.  In Your grace, You have given me all that I need.  Life is more than food or clothing for the body.  You are the author of life and have established the narrow way that leads to life everlasting.  Help me each step of the way, for you alone know all that is needed.  Guide me in Your goodness to see the everyday miracles that surround me.  Amen.

“And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”  And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass.  They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties” (Mark 6:38-40).

With the Lord, all that we have is enough.  Can you not see that He, through whom all things came into existence, is more than able to do all that is needful to provide for our every need.  He calls us together and provides all that is necessary.  Do we believe?  Do we trust that He is the One who will lead us all the days of our lives?  Come and taste and see that the Lord is always good.

Lord God, all things are possible with You, but I often doubt, and in my doubts, do not believe.  Help me to move beyond my own abilities to see that in You there is hope.  You give us hope beyond anything this world can provide.  When You tell us to do something, grant us faith such that we do what You command.  If You say that we should tell a mountain to be moved into the sea, help us to speak to the mountain.

Lord Jesus, in the example of Your life and ministry, You have demonstrated how to live a life of willing obedience to the Father.  Lead me to be in constant prayer.  Help me to do those things You give me to do.  Through all that comes, help me now and always to abide in the truth that You are always with me and leading me in the journey of faith.  Not by my will, but by Yours, guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” (Mark 6:37)

Sometimes what the Lord asks of us seems so outrageous.  We think of earthly things and count the cost, figuring we cannot afford it.  Jesus, the One through whom all things have come to be, is able to do all things.  It is not just food for the belly that Jesus has come to give, but food for the soul which nourishes us and prepares us for life everlasting.  If the Lord asks for you to do something, He will provide what is needful.

Lord, You know where I do not fully believe and think only in worldly terms.  You know the places where I try to figure things out on my own and do not do what You would have me do.  Help my unbelief and guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Help me to not act on what I see, but upon what You tell me.  Lead me into all righteousness for Your sake and learn how to step out in the faith You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You have become the living bread for our sake.  There is more than enough, for You have provided what money cannot buy.  Lead me in the way You would have me go and help me to believe in You when You ask me to do something.  Help me through my doubts in order that I may learn to obey all that You command.  You have told me to go.  Guide me to go where You send me.  Amen.

“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.