Mark 6:19-20, 26

February 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly” (Mark 6:19-20).

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to break his word to her” (Mark 6:26).

This story is so interesting (and instructional) to me. John the Baptist had rebuked Herod for taking his brother’s wife. While Herod didn’t like the rebuke, he respected John as a righteous and holy man. Herod’s wife didn’t share the same respect for John and figured out a way to trap Herod into killing John. Although Herod kept his word to execute John, he felt bad for doing so.

Here is what I mean by instructional. I often fear the fallout if I suggest that someone is a sinner, especially if a specific sin is the topic of discussion. I see that John was both able to identify sin AND maintain the relationship with Herod. So much so that Herod felt bad for executing John.

What I learn from this story is that we can both identify sin and maintain relationships. I’m not sure how to do that yet, and I know that not everyone will respect the person pointing out their sin. I want to get better at this.

Father, help me always be faithful to you regardless of the outcome. Please help me to do this in humility. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Helping Others, Mark

Mark 5:30-31

February 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’’” (Mark 5:30-31).
‭
I always marvel at this scene. Lots of people were touching Jesus. But only one was affected. Why? Because she had faith and was intentionally touching him. Bumping into Jesus without intentional faith is meaningless.

Conclusion: You can touch Jesus. Or, you can touch Jesus. There is a difference.

I’m afraid that, too often, I’m in the crowd bumping into Jesus. Seemingly content to be in the crowd around him rather than intentionally straining to touch him.

Father, help me to have the active faith of that woman. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, forgiveness, Gospels, Jesus Said, Mark, Uncategorized

Mark 4:8, 20

February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:8).

“But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20‬).

In this chapter, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. I’m focused on the last soil mentioned, the good soil. The good soil is the heart that hears the word and accepts it and bears fruit.

Narrowing down still, I see that the good soil bears different measures of fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some one hundredfold. This realization should help us not to compare ourselves with others. We are not in competition with other believers to see who is the best Christian.

We should work together in a movement to know Jesus and make him known. All believers should focus on their own part without comparison with other believers. We should be able to encourage one another to strive to know Jesus better and more faithfully make him known to others. And we should be able to do this without thoughts of ranking who is best.

When we receive the word, we will produce varying levels of fruit. And we do that because of God’s grace.

Father, help me to be more faithful in receiving your word. Help me bear fruit in the amount you desire. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, discipleship, Gospels, Jesus Said, Mark

Mark 3:11-12

February 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ And he strictly ordered them not to make him known” (Mark 3:11-12).
‭
I see two things in this passage. First, unclean or demonic spirits recognize the work of the Holy Spirit, whether that be through the works of Jesus or Paul. (See the Luke and Acts references below.) If demons can recognize the work of the Spirit, why do I struggle to know if a person is legitimately from God? How can demons have better spiritual discernment than I?

Second, Jesus does not allow demons to testify about Him. Already in Mark 1:34, we saw this: “And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” In contrast, Jesus expects me to testify, but at times I struggle to do so. Why? I feel like a walking contradiction! Demons are not supposed to testify, but they do. I am supposed to testify, but I don’t. Yikes.

Father, please help me to have greater love for and confidence in you. Help me to be quick to testify about you. Amen.

“And demons also came out of many, crying, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭41‬).

“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation’” (Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬-‭17‬).

Filed Under: Acts, devotional thoughts, Gospels, Mark

Mark 2:1-4

February 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.”

This was the first sermon I preached in Hebrew. I love this story, and what stands out to me is the word “expectation.” Of course, the word “expectation” doesn’t appear in the story. It was their actions that shouted “expectation.” Everything they did was based on their expectation that Jesus would heal their friend.

I wish that every time I gather with God’s people, I expect God to do something, … for me and for others. However, I realize that way too often I gather with God’s people because I am “supposed to.”

Can God surprise me? Sure! But when I am present out of habit or obligation, where is my mind and heart while I am physically present? A million miles away. On those occasions, I may not hear what is said because my thoughts of other things are so loud. Since God works through His word, I am effectively telling God to “be quiet.”

Father, please help me to gather with your people (or read your word) with expectation. You are a good God who showers His people with blessings. Forgive me for the many times I have disregarded or ignored what you had for me. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Gospels, Mark
« Previous Page
Next Page »