Mark 6:14-29 – Brutal Death

Read Mark 6:14-29

We haven’t heard much about John the Baptist’s ministry since our first reading in Mark. The account of John’s death would have made an impact on many people. You’ll recall John had been the one God chose to announce Jesus’ coming into the world. John’s ministry encouraged his fellow Jews to repent, turn from their sins, and be baptized.

Herod Antipas was the Jewish king of the land in those days, and we learn here that he respected John as a holy man. Can you imagine the anguish he felt when he had to order John’s death? Never in a million years had he thought his daughter would ask for such a thing as the appreciation gift for her dance. What a barbaric request! Continue reading “Mark 6:14-29 – Brutal Death”

Philippians 1:20-26 – Why Am I Here?

Read Philippians 1:20-26

images of people with question marks above their heads in thought bubbles

I can still see myself sitting at the kitchen table in my pajamas as a teen. After everyone had gone to bed, and the house was quiet, I wrote. I wrote a lot of things in a journal questioning my purpose. I suppose you could say I was talking to God on those pages. I may have even written “Dear God” at the top of some of those rants.

Even still today, I ask God daily to show me my purpose, how I can best walk this journey of faith with him close. These words of Paul really resonate with me today, and I feel a kindred spirit with him and how he sees his own journey.

Continue reading “Philippians 1:20-26 – Why Am I Here?”

1 Kings 15:1-32 – Moving On

Read 1 Kings 15:1-32

lighthouse overlooking a bay, with a sunset in the background

This passage will take us onward from Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Starting with the new king in Judah, the southern kingdom, we have Rehoboam’s son, Abijam. We know Jeroboam’s reign was 22 years from a previous reading, so Abijam steps up when Jeroboam still has four years left in the northern kingdom.

If you’re a visual person like me, you might want to find a chart or something that gives the timelines of these kings and how they overlap. Interesting fact here–Abijam is related to two sons of King David – his mother’s relative was Absalom and his father’s relative was Solomon.

Continue reading “1 Kings 15:1-32 – Moving On”
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