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Sweeter Than Honey: It's Time for a Faith Check

12/9/2025

2 Comments

 
#Discover the #powerful #message behind #Jesus’ visit to #Nazareth in Mark 6 and why He “marveled at their unbelief.” This #devotional challenges #believers to perform a #faith check and examine how #doubt may limit #God’s work in their lives. #Explore themes of #faith, #SpiritualGrowth, #trust, and the transformative power of #believing God can still do mighty works today. Perfect #encouragement for your daily walk with #Christ. #BibleStudy #SweeterThanHoney #QuietTime #BibleJournaling #verse
What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? And what if we committed to doing that all year long—only to find that by the end of the year, we had read the entirety of God’s Word—His love letter to us?

How many times have you, on January 1, resolved to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I’ve made that commitment more times than I can count—and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit. But a few years ago, I tried something different. I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis wasn’t the first book of the Bible written? While these plans can vary—since it’s impossible to pinpoint exact dates for some books—the plan I used began with the book of Job.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

Sweeter Than Honey
Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey: A 365-Day Devotional Journey, a devotional patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, through the end of the year, I’d love for you to join me as we journey through parts of Sweeter Than Honey together!

As we look ahead to 2026, why not make a plan now—either on your own or with your small group, Sunday school class, or women’s Bible study—to read through the Bible together using the Sweeter Than Honey Bible Reading Plan? Imagine the growth, encouragement, and community that could come from walking through God’s Word side by side for an entire year!

Mark 5-8: It's Time for a Faith Check

Today, we’re going to perform a faith check. In Mark 6, Jesus visits His hometown of Nazareth and is rejected by the people there. He taught in the synagogue, and the people were astonished at His wisdom and mighty works, yet they rejected Him. They questioned where He could have obtained such knowledge and power, yet their faith was nonexistent, and they did not believe.
“He [Jesus] went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. And on the Sabbath, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.’ And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:1-6)
The people of Nazareth could not believe that one of their own could be the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world—our Redeemer. They even went as far as to take offense at Him, the Bible records.

Jesus simply says, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household” (6:4).

Then, Mark makes this disheartening statement, “And He could do no mighty work there…” (6:5).

The people of Nazareth did not have faith in Jesus. They did not believe what their ears heard and what their eyes saw. And because of their unbelief, Mark records that Jesus could not do the mighty works there in Nazareth that He had done in other places. Wow!

Is it time for us to do a faith check? Are there works God desires to perform in our lives that He cannot do because of our lack of faith? Sure, we believe that He was born in a manger, that He lived a perfect life as fully man and yet still fully God. We believe that He died, shedding His precious blood for our sins, and then that He rose again three days later. We believe He is coming again, and we are truly waiting and anticipating that Second Coming! But, we don’t have faith enough to believe He can do mighty works in our own lives and in the lives of those around us—healing, restoring, providing...
​
Mark 6:6 says that Jesus “marveled because of their unbelief.” It’s time for a faith check!
Is it time for a faith check? In Mark 6, Jesus was rejected in Nazareth—and “He could do no mighty work there” because of their unbelief. What might God want to do in your life that disbelief is holding back? Let’s lean in with faith today! 
About Sweeter Than Honey
Spending time in God’s Word each day changes everything. It brings peace in chaos, strength in weakness, and direction for whatever lies ahead. Scripture truly is God’s Love Letter to us—personal, powerful, and life-giving.

Even in our busiest seasons, there’s always time to meet with Him—early in the morning, late at night, or somewhere in between. When we make space for His Word, we allow His truth to shape our thoughts, guide our steps, and overflow into the lives of those around us.
Sweeter Than Honey
That’s why I created Sweeter Than Honey—a 365-day devotional journey designed to help busy women read through the entire Bible in one year. Inspired by Psalm 119:103—“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”—this devotional offers daily encouragement rooted in Scripture.

Each day includes a short devotion and reading itinerary that follows the Bible in chronological order of book authorship. By year’s end, you’ll have read the entire Bible while deepening your relationship with the Author Himself.

You’ll find encouragement on every page to seek God first, experience His presence in new ways, and live each day with purpose and peace. Sweeter Than Honey isn’t just another devotional—it’s a keepsake for your journey of faith.

Join the private Facebook group to connect with other believers, share insights, and grow together in God’s Word.

What Readers Are Saying
"Sweeter Than Honey invites readers into a robust reading of God's Word with the expectation that they will continue in the spiritual practice for a lifetime. With space to record prayer and reflection along the way, the book becomes a keepsake as well as a resource. Best of all, following the narrative arc of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation reveals the beauty of God's great rescue plan from start to finish." —Michele Morin, Living Our Days 
​
Get Started Today
Want to try it out? Download January for free and begin your journey through God’s Word today!
​
Leading a small group, Sunday school, or Bible study? Download the FREE Media Package, complete with planning tools, promotional materials, and leader resources—everything you need to guide your group confidently through Sweeter Than Honey.

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Please Share
2 Comments
Michele Morin link
12/9/2025 01:32:00 pm

I remember being so surprised that Job preceded Moses. I am still really curious about Job…

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
12/9/2025 01:41:10 pm

It really is fascinating, isn't it, Michele?! Who would have ever thought that the book of Job came before the Pentateuch? Maybe God knew we would need that book the most—so much complexity there.

Reply

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    Patsy
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      • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
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