Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Troy Albertson from Altoona, IA. Your partnership with us through Project 23 is completing God's work and word in the lives of others. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:22-26:

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”— Mark 8:22-26

Jesus arrives in Bethsaida, and a blind man is brought to him. But rather than heal immediately, Jesus does something unexpected. He leads the man away from the village. Then comes the moment: spit, touch, and a question—“Do you see anything?”

The man answers honestly, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.”

He’s been touched… but not fully healed. His vision is still blurry. So Jesus touches him again. And this time, everything becomes clear.

If you’ve ever felt like Jesus started something in your life but hasn’t finished it—this moment is for you.

This healing wasn’t evidence of Jesus' lack of power. It was intentional. It was a visual parable for the disciples—and us today. You see, sometimes, God’s work in us unfolds in stages. It's not always instant. Sometimes, our spiritual sight improves gradually. Sometimes, the spiritual healing we need takes time. But Jesus never leaves it unfinished.

When the answers are partial in your life, remember that he’s not done. When your spiritual sight is blurry, remember he’s still working. When his touch feels incomplete, remember he’s coming back with more. You may be in between touches today—don’t panic. He hasn’t forgotten you. His grace is not half-measured. His power is not limited. His plan is not on pause.

Wait. Trust. Let Jesus finish what he started in you. He won't fail.

#GodIsStillWorking, #FaithInProcess, #Mark8

ASK THIS:

1. Have you ever felt like God started something but didn’t finish it?
2. Why do you think Jesus healed this man in stages?
3. What area of your life feels “blurry” right now?
4. How can you stay faithful while waiting for clarity?

DO THIS:

Pray today for endurance in the in-between—trusting God to finish the work Jesus began in you.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, even when I can’t see clearly, I trust that You’re still working. Complete the work You’ve started in me—Your timing, not mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Firm Foundation (He Won’t)."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Jim Travato from Brentwood, CA. Jim, your partnership with us through Project 23 is helping us and others remember what God has done in the past and will do in the future. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:14-21:

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” — Mark 8:14-21

The disciples forget bread. Again.

And as they’re grumbling about lunch, Jesus gives them a deeper warning:

“Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod.”

But they miss the point. They think Jesus is mad because they forgot the food. Jesus isn’t talking about carbs. He’s talking about corruption. Leaven was a metaphor. Just a pinch of it affects the whole loaf. And just a pinch of pride, hypocrisy, and unbelief—like that of the Pharisees and Herod—can corrupt the soul.

But the disciples are stuck in their heads on bread. So Jesus hits them with a list of questions:

Don’t you understand?
Are your hearts hardened?
Didn’t you see the miracles?
Don’t you remember what I did with five loaves? With seven?

They had seen the power of Jesus multiply what little they had. But somehow—they still worried there wouldn’t be enough.

The danger wasn’t the lack of bread—it was the lack of belief. And that’s the same danger we face today. You’ve seen Jesus provide—but you still stress about tomorrow. You’ve seen Jesus' power—but still act like it’s all up to you. You’ve watched Jesus move—but forget by the time the next challenge hits.

That’s spiritual amnesia. And Jesus calls it out in the lives of his disciples and ours.

But Jesus is not frustrated by your questions. He’s grieved by your forgetfulness. Because when you forget what God has done, you start depending on yourself again.

So, pause today. Remember the baskets in your life. Remember the miracles he has done in the past. Remember what he did with your “not enough.” And let that memory build your trust today. Then, keep believing and moving forward.

#RememberGod, #FaithNotFear, #Mark8

ASK THIS:

1. What “basket moments” have you forgotten?
2. How does forgetting God’s past provision affect today’s faith?
3. What does “leaven” look like in your life today?
4. How can you train your heart to remember?

DO THIS:

Write down three things God has provided for you this year—and thank him for each one.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, forgive me for forgetting Your past faithfulness. Help me remember who You are—and trust You with what’s next. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Do It Again” by Elevation Worship.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Mark Blumenthal from Charlotte, NC. Mark, your partnership with us through Project 23 is a testament to your faith and a blessing to us. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:11-13:

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.— Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees show up again—not to listen, but to argue. They demand a sign. Not because they’re curious—but because they’re testing Jesus. And Jesus responds with a deep sigh—not the frustrated kind, but the disappointed kind. The sigh you make when someone just doesn’t get it.

He says: “Why does this generation seek a sign?”

The irony is Jesus has given them plenty of signs. Healing. Exorcism. Bread. Fish. Hearing. Sight. Storms calmed. But these religious elite are not looking for evidence—they’re looking for control over a situation that is scaling beyond their control. And Jesus doesn’t play their game. He doesn’t cave to pressure. He doesn’t bend to cynicism. He walks away.

This is a sobering moment. Jesus doesn’t chase them. He doesn’t argue back. He gets in the boat and moves on.

Some people don’t want to believe and surrender—they want to control and stay in charge. And that’s the Pharisees. They have not come to inquire of Jesus or have any desire to follow him. They merely want Jesus to play by their rules.

And we can all fall into the same trap. We think:

“God, show me something and then I’ll believe.”
“Fix this first, and then I’ll trust you.”
“Give me a sign, and then I’ll surrender.”

But that’s not how belief and faith work.

Faith moves before the sign. It steps out without a guarantee. It trusts in Jesus—without forcing his hand. There’s a huge difference between asking by faith and demanding with pride. One walks toward Jesus. The other makes Jesus sigh and walk away.

Jesus, I don’t want to test you—I want to trust You. Help my faith walk ahead of the sign I think I need. Amen.

#FaithNotSigns, #TrustJesus, #Mark8

ASK THIS:

1. Have you ever asked God for a sign to prove Himself?
2. How do you respond when God seems silent?
3. What’s the difference between testing God and trusting Him?
4. How does pride keep us from surrender?

DO THIS:

Choose to trust Jesus today in one area where you've been waiting for proof.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t want to test you—I want to trust You. Help my faith walk ahead of the sign I think I need. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle.