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.

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

Today’s shout-out goes to Daryl Ackerman from Becker, MN. Daryl, your partnership with us through Project23 is bringing compassion and miracles to others. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:1-10:

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.— Mark 8:1-10

This crowd didn’t just stumble into a sermon. They stayed for three days. No food. No preparation. Just hungry hearts chasing after truth.

And Jesus notices.

He doesn’t just preach—He provides. He sees their empty stomachs and says something compassionate. In my words:

“I feel for the people. They have full souls and empty stomachs, and I cannot leave them in this condition.”

But the word Jesus uses here is—"compassion,"—which means to feel it in your gut. It wasn’t pity. It wasn’t obligation. It was love that moved him to act.

And the disciples? They still don’t get it. They respond:

“How can we feed all these people out here?”

Did they forget the feeding of the 5,000 just a few chapters ago? But Jesus doesn’t shame their forgetfulness—He invites them to participate.

“How many loaves do you have?”

They hand him what they have. Just seven loaves and a few small fish. And Jesus does what He always does—He multiplies. Everyone eats. Everyone is satisfied. And there are leftovers—seven baskets full. That’s the kind of King we serve. A King who notices. Who cares. Who multiplies.

Some of us need this reminder today.

Jesus sees your situation. He knows you’re worn down. He knows what you lack. And he’s not asking you for what you don’t have. He’s asking, “What do you have?” A little time. A few dollars. A short prayer. An act of obedience.

That’s where he starts. And if you give it to Jesus, he will use it. He will multiply it. Because Jesus still feeds. He still satisfies. He still multiplies. But it begins with you bringing what you have, and then you will see Jesus has no lack.

#GodProvides, #JesusFeeds, #FaithInAction

ASK THIS:

1. What small “loaves” could you offer to Jesus today?
2. Why do we forget what God has already done for us?
3. How do you know when God is stirring you to compassion?
4. What area of your life feels empty or “desolate” right now?

DO THIS:

Offer one small act of obedience today and ask God to multiply it for his glory.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I trust you with the little I have. Multiply it for Your glory and help me to see others through your compassionate eyes. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Jireh” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City

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

Today’s shout-out goes to David Sindelar from Roswell, GA. David, your partnership with us through Project23 is helping open ears and loosen tongues with the truth of the gospel. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 7:31-37:

Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”— Mark 7:31-37

Jesus returns to the Decapolis—Gentile territory again. This time, a man is brought to him. He’s deaf and mostly mute. And the people beg Jesus to lay his hand on him. What happens next is strange—and intimate. Jesus pulls him away from the crowd. He touches his ears. He touches his tongue. He looks up and sighs deeply. Then he speaks a single word: “Ephphatha”—Be opened. A word that the man didn't even hear and couldn't speak opened his ears and loosened his mouth.

In an instant, everything changes. The man hears. The man speaks. His world expands from silence to sound. From isolation to community.

This miracle isn’t just about healing—it’s about how Jesus heals. He doesn’t heal from a distance. He gets close. He touches. He sighs. It’s personal. It’s intentional. And it’s full of compassion.

And the crowd? They can’t stop talking: “He has done all things well.”

That’s still true. Jesus still does all things well. He doesn’t just fix what’s broken—he restores what’s been lost. And he can do that in your life, too.

Maybe your ears aren’t physically shut today, but maybe you’ve shut your ears to the sound of God’s voice. Maybe your mouth still works, but you’ve been silent when you should speak.

Let Jesus touch those places. Let him open what’s been shut. Let him loosen what’s been stuck. Let him restore what’s been silenced. Let him come close and touch you spiritually. Hear him say, "Be opened."

Because when Jesus speaks “Be opened” over your life, you will never be the same.

#BeOpened, #JesusHealsDeeply, #AllThingsWell

ASK THIS:

1. What part of my life feels spiritually “deaf” or “mute”?
2. Where do I need Jesus to get personal with my pain?
3. What have I been too afraid to speak aloud?
4. Do I truly believe Jesus still does all things well?

DO THIS:

Take 10 minutes alone today and ask Jesus to touch the part of your life that feels shut down or stuck.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, open the parts of me that have gone silent. Touch what I’ve hidden, and restore me to wholeness with your gentle power. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Same God” – 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 Ted Tulibaski from Perham, MN. Ted, your partnership with us through Project23 is helping open ears and loosen tongues with the truth of the gospel. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 7:24-30:

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.— Mark 7:24-30

Jesus enters Gentile territory—Tyre and Sidon—away from the Jewish crowds. He tries to lay low. But one woman finds him. A woman with no status in Jewish society. She was a Gentile. A Syrophoenician. An outsider by birth. According to every religious and social system—she didn’t belong.

She had no reason to approach a Jewish rabbi. No social footing. No spiritual leverage. But she had a desperate need—and a bold faith.

And Jesus seems to test that faith with a hard statement: “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs (Gentiles).”

But instead of recoiling, she leans in. “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs (Gentiles) eat the crumbs under the table.”

It’s not a demand. It’s a confession. She knows she doesn’t deserve anything—but she still believes Jesus has more than enough to meet her needs. And that humility moves Jesus. Her faith—not her status—is what leads to healing.

This is a challenge for all of us—especially in a culture obsessed with status, labels, platforms, and recognition.

Jesus isn’t impressed by credentials. He’s not persuaded by accomplishments. He doesn’t bend to social influence. He’s moved by our faith—humble, honest, surrendered faith.

So don’t let your status—high or low—define your approach to God. Come like this woman. Come as you are. Come boldly, and believe that even the crumbs from Jesus are enough to change everything.

#FaithOverStatus, #JesusRespondsToFaith, #SurrenderedFaith

ASK THIS:

1. Do I rely on status more than faith when approaching God?
2. Where do I feel like an outsider spiritually or socially?
3. How does this story challenge my pride?
4. What “crumb” from Jesus am I afraid to ask for today?

DO THIS:

Come to Jesus today without pretense. Drop your credentials, your insecurities, and your excuses. Just come in faith.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I lay aside everything I think makes me worthy. I come in faith, believing You’re more than enough for my deepest need. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Run to the Father” – Cody Carnes.

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

Today’s shout-out goes to Aaron Knox from Cartersville, GA. Aaron, your partnership with us through Project23 is helping take the Word across cultural lines and into hearts that need hope. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 7:24-30:

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.— Mark 7:24-30

This encounter feels uncomfortable—at least at first.

Jesus is in Gentile territory, far from Jewish crowds. And a Syrophoenician woman interrupts his rest. Her daughter is possessed. She’s desperate. And Jesus’ initial response sounds harsh: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Dogs being a derogatory word for "Gentiles."

But this isn’t rejection. It’s a test.

Jesus often used parables and tension to expose faith—and this woman steps into that tension. Her reply is both humble and bold: “Even the dogs (the Gentiles) eat the crumbs.” She doesn’t deny her unworthiness. She just believes Jesus has enough power for people like her.

And that’s the moment everything shifts. Jesus heals her daughter from a distance. No touch. No spectacle. Just a word.

This moment isn’t about geography—it’s about grace. It’s not about heritage—it’s about heart. This woman broke every cultural rule to get to Jesus. She didn’t belong by lineage, but she belonged by faith.

Sometimes, we feel like outsiders, too. Too broken. Too far gone. Not spiritual enough. But Jesus responds to desperate faith, not spiritual credentials.

So, what barriers have you let stand between you and Jesus? Pride? Past shame? A sense that you’re not worthy?

This woman didn’t let cultural boundaries, religious expectations, or social discomfort hold her back. And Jesus didn’t just heal her daughter—he honored her faith.

Don't let that thing, or anything, keep you from falling at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus, I know I don’t deserve anything—but even your crumbs are enough for me. Give me the boldness to bring you my full need. Amen.

#DesperateFaith, #JesusCrossesLines, #EvenTheCrumbs

ASK THIS:

1. What has stopped me from pursuing Jesus with desperate faith?
2. Do I believe Jesus has enough power for my need?
3. Where have I let shame, culture, or fear keep me distant from him?
4. What would it look like to throw myself at Jesus’ feet today?

DO THIS:

Push through the discomfort and pray boldly for what you need. Don’t let man-made lines keep you from Jesus.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I know I don’t deserve anything—but even your crumbs are enough for me. Give me the boldness to bring you my full need. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Come to the Altar” – Elevation Worship.