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

Today's shout-out goes to David Freeman from Palm Coast, FL. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping people everywhere live with authentic faith. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:23-31:

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”— Mark 10:23-31

Jesus speaks a sobering fact: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Not because riches are wrong. But because riches are deceptive. Wealth, comfort, and success—all can offer an illusion. An illusion of control, security, and self-made power. But these are shadows, not substance. And many of us, even those without great wealth, fall for the same illusions. We often cling to:

• Titles for identity.
• Relationships for validation.
• Savings for security.
• Performance for peace.

And yet, when these things are threatened, we freak out, because what we thought was firm was faulty, what was solid was shifting sand. And Jesus wants to set us free from this illusion. Not to take away our joy, but to free us from the illusion so we can experience the freedom of greater joy.

Then Peter exclaims as he beats his chest, “We’ve left everything for you!” And Jesus reassures his statement, even though he knows his own words will test him. Peter has not left everything because a rooster is yet to crow. He was still clinging to his ideas about Jesus and his security, safety, and significance, which is why Jesus explained again, "The first will be last. And the last will be first."

Stop clinging to things that pretend to be saviors. Your status, your stuff, your success—none of them can save you; only Jesus can. Let go of the illusions, and grab hold of what’s real. True security is never found in what you secure, but in the One who saves and secures your salvation.

#LetGoAndTrust, #FaithOverComfort, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What illusion of control are you tempted to believe?
2. Why do comfort and success often feel more trustworthy than faith?
3. Where is God asking you to trust Him more deeply today?
4. What’s something you need to release so you can follow Jesus more fully?

DO THIS:

Identify one illusion you’re tempted to trust—then name it in prayer and replace it with faith in Jesus.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, open my eyes to the things I rely on instead of you. Help me let go of what’s false so I can live by true faith. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“More Than Anything” by Natalie Grant.

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

Today's shout-out goes to James Oliver Cox from Cherry Log, GA. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping us call people to deeper surrender. This one's for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:17-22:

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. — Mark 10:17-22

He runs. He kneels. He asks. He's moral. He's successful. He's hungry for something more. And Jesus sees it. But Jesus also sees deeper into the one thing he lacks.

The rich young man is seeking one more thing to add to his list of accomplishments. He wants to complete the checklist. But Jesus invites a different question that leads to an unexpected answer: "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."

It's a subtle signal toward a loftier reflection—there is no "level of goodness" that reaches the extent of God's goodness.

Then comes his invitation. Not to do more, but to let go. Sell it. Give it. Follow him alone. This has nothing to do with poverty—it's about priority. His wealth wasn't the problem. It was his grip on his wealth that was the problem. And when Jesus touches on this sensitive area, the man walks away sad.

Jesus always comes after the thing we grip onto that keeps us from gripping onto him. This is because he's not interested in our level of spiritual goodness or religious checklists. He wants surrendered hearts, fully willing to let go of their grip on things and grip onto him. For this man, it was his money. For you, it may be something different or more specific, such as success, approval, comfort, or a sense of control.

But Jesus doesn't care about these things, unless you are going to loosen your grip on them and sacrifice them to him to grip fully on him. Because the call to "follow me" always means we have to "unfollow" something else.

#SurrenderEverything, #FollowJesus, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What good things are you tempted to use as spiritual credentials?
2. Why do you think Jesus loved the rich man even before he responded?
3. What’s one thing you’re afraid Jesus might ask you to surrender?
4. How does this story reshape your view of “success”?

DO THIS:

Ask yourself, “What’s the one thing Jesus might ask me to unfollow?” Then ask him for the courage to surrender it.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, show me what I’m still clinging to. I want to follow you without hesitation—help me let go of whatever stands in the way. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“I Surrender.”

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

Today's shout-out goes to Chris Belyew from Stark, FL. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping build a legacy of truth that reaches the next generation. This one's for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:13-16:

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. — Mark 10:13-16

Jesus just finished teaching about marriage and the seriousness of covenant—and now, in a powerful contrast, we see children being brought to him. But the disciples see it as a distraction. A nuisance. Not worth the time of the Messiah. They rebuke the parents, shoo the kids away, and try to protect Jesus from this "waste of time".

But Jesus' response is surprising—it's indignant with them.

He says, "Stop shooing them away. Let the kids come. The kingdom belongs to those as willing and vulnerable as these."

In a culture that often overlooked or undervalued children, Jesus says they're the model citizens of the kingdom. Not because of their performance or power. But because of their posture. Their dependence. Their willingness. Their all in faith. Jesus is calling children and correcting the disciples. He's reminding them (and us) that greatness in the kingdom is not about status. It's about surrender.

Are you still "childlike" in your approach with Jesus, dependent, trusting, eager? Or have you "outgrown" this and become too busy, important, reserved, and protective?

We are all prone to outgrow the blessings of our childlike faith and develop a spiritual pretentiousness. We only do this because we wrongly believe that our intellect, education, doctrine, good works, experience, or notoriety is earned by effort or maturity. But Jesus teaches something different. It's not only about rejecting childishness. It's about embracing certain aspects of childlikeness.

So, where do you need to reject childishness? And then, where do you need to embrace childlikeness again in your relationship with Jesus?

#ChildlikeFaith, #LetThemCome, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. When was the last time you approached God with childlike trust?
2. What distractions keep you from depending fully on Jesus?
3. How do we sometimes hinder others from coming to Jesus?
4. What would it look like to welcome and bless the "little ones" in your life?

DO THIS:

Pause today. Slow down. Say this simple prayer: "Jesus, I come to you with nothing but need. Hold me, bless me, lead me."

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank you for seeing me, not for what I can do, but for who I am. Teach me to trust you like a child again.

PLAY THIS:

"Run to the Father" by 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 John Andreas from Delano, CA. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your support helps reach men and women with the Word. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:1-12:

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” — Mark 10:1-12

The Pharisees weren’t genuinely curious—they were trying to trap Jesus. They bring up divorce, hoping he’d contradict Moses. But Jesus flips the question. He doesn’t begin with the law. He goes back further than the law. He goes back to God's original intent in the Garden.

“Moses allowed it because you were selfish and covenant breakers—unlike God.”

This marriage issue is not about the law or the lines we draw around the law. It’s about spiritual condition. Before divorce fractures the marital covenant, hardness fractures a heart. Jesus shifts the conversation from technicalities to theology. From loopholes to love. He basically says, “Let’s talk about what God intended, not what is permitted because of your fallen condition.”

Marriage wasn’t designed to be disposable. It was designed to be durable. A covenant made between two people and God where two become one and stay one through sin, struggle, and sanctification.

This is why Jesus makes this bold and sobering statement about remarriage and adultery. It’s not to heap shame on us for our mistakes but to reveal the sacredness of marriage and the seriousness of our selfish and hard hearts.

Our culture celebrates personal happiness above covenant faithfulness. But Jesus reminds us: the problem isn’t the institution—it’s the condition of the hearts permitted by the culture. So let's elevate the covenant. Check your heart. Is there pride? Bitterness? Self-righteousness? Indifference?

You're not going to "fix" a marriage by pointing fingers and drawing lines with a hard heart. You fix a marriage by submitting to the covenant, softening your heart, and surrendering to Jesus. If you are married, surrender something today. If you are not, remember marriage is an unchangeable covenant, not an amendable contract.

#HeartCheck, #MarriageMatters, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What excuses do we make for failing to fight for faithfulness?
2. Why do you think Jesus points to creation instead of law?
3. How can hard-heartedness show up in small, subtle ways?
4. What would it look like to forgive or pursue your spouse like Christ?

DO THIS:

Today, take five minutes to ask God where your heart has grown hard—in marriage, friendships, or faith. Then invite him to soften it.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, I confess the places where I’ve let my heart grow hard. Soften me again. Teach me to love as you first loved me—faithfully and sacrificially.

PLAY THIS:

“Lead Me”

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

Today's shout-out goes to Joel Walls from Maben, MS. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your commitment is making disciples who are rooted in truth. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 9:42-50:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” — Mark 9:42-50

Jesus doesn’t play soft when it comes to sin.

In this text, he uses graphic language—cut it off, tear it out—to drive home a very real spiritual point: sin is serious, and tolerating it is dangerous. Not just for you but for those around you. Jesus opens with a sobering warning: if your actions lead another believer astray—especially the spiritually vulnerable—it’s better for you to be tossed into the sea than to face the judgment coming.

Then, he shifts from how we affect others to how we deal with sin in ourselves. His command? If your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin—cut it off. Tear it out. Deal with it drastically.

Why? Because sin always over-promises and under-delivers. It offers comfort, control, or pleasure—but it ends in bondage. And Jesus loves us enough to say that freedom is worth the fight. Even if it costs you something. Even if it’s painful.

So, what do you need to cut off? A relationship? A habit? A secret? If something is leading you to sin—don’t manage it. Don’t excuse it. Don’t rename it.

Cut. It. Off.

Jesus isn’t trying to make your life harder—he’s trying to set you free. Holiness is always costly. But hell costs more. Let go of what’s holding you back from real life. Not tomorrow. Not when you’re ready. Now. Because freedom is worth the fight. And then, be salty, my friends.

#FreedomInChrist, #FightSin, #Mark9

ASK THIS:

1. What am I tolerating that Jesus calls me to cut off?
2. Have I downplayed a sin that’s damaging others?
3. Where have I justified what Jesus would challenge?
4. What would freedom look like if I let go of what’s holding me?

DO THIS:

Name the sin or weight that keeps returning—and take a bold step today to remove access to it.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, show me what needs to go. I trust your way leads to freedom—give me the courage to cut off anything keeping me from you. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“No Longer Slaves.”

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

Today's shout-out goes to Frank & Peggy Pittenger from South Bound Brook, NJ. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your commitment is helping deliver God’s Word with clarity and conviction. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 9:38-41:

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.” — Mark 9:38–41

On this July 4th, we celebrate freedom. But as followers of Christ, we know there’s greater freedom—a freedom not won by force but by grace. Today’s text challenges us to think beyond our own independence and toward interdependence within the body of Christ.

John comes to Jesus with a complaint. “Someone outside our circle is casting out demons in your name. Let's shut him down.” And Why? “Because he is not following us.” There it is. Not Jesus. Us.

This wasn’t a case of false teaching—it was spiritual tribalism. A turf war. And Jesus rebukes it. “Don’t stop him… the one who is not against us is for us.”

Jesus is widening their perspective. Kingdom work doesn’t always come through your group, your denomination, or your favorite leader. The Spirit of God is not limited to our preferred lanes.

That said, Scripture is clear—not every spiritual-looking person is worth following. Some use Jesus’ name without his authority. And we must test fruit, not just flash (see Matthew 7:15–23). But that’s not the situation here. This was real fruit. Real ministry. Just outside the disciples’ bubble.

Jesus reminds them: “Even a cup of water given in my name won’t go unrewarded.”

That’s how far God’s grace and reward go. Even the smallest act, if done for Christ, is noticed and honored. So here’s the question: Are you more loyal to your camp than you are to Christ?

Don’t let your spiritual pride become a spiritual roadblock. Don’t gatekeep the kingdom. Celebrate gospel work—even when it’s not from someone in your inner circle.

And on this day of national independence, remember this—our unity in Christ is what makes us truly free.

#FreedomInChrist, #KingdomUnity, #Mark9

ASK THIS:

1. Have I mistaken group loyalty for Christ-centered unity?
2. How can I discern real gospel fruit from false appearances?
3. Do I rejoice when others succeed in ministry?
4. Where might pride be limiting my kingdom vision?

DO THIS:

Encourage someone doing faithful work for Christ outside your usual circles.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me celebrate your work—even when it doesn't come through me. Free me from pride and expand my heart for your kingdom. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Build Your Kingdom Here.”

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

Today's shout-out goes to Christina Muscianese from Johnson City, TN. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23, which is helping people hear and respond to the truth of God’s Word. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 9:33-37:

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” — Mark 9:33-37

Jesus and the disciples arrive in Capernaum. They enter a house. And Jesus asks them a question—one he already knows the answer to: “What were you discussing on the way?”

They fall silent. Why? Because they were arguing about status. About greatness. About who would be first in the kingdom.

Let that sink in. Jesus just told them—again—that he would suffer and die. And they follow it up by debating rank.

But here’s what makes this moment even more ironic and powerful: the greatest person in the room is the one teaching them what true greatness really is. The Son of God—radiant in glory, worthy of all worship—sits down and calls them close. And then he turns greatness on its head: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Then Jesus does something shocking. He takes a child—a symbol of weakness, low status, and dependency—and pulls him into their circle. Not to say, “Be like this child,” but, “Receive this child.” Welcome the unnoticed. Embrace the vulnerable. Value the ones the world forgets.

Jesus isn’t just telling us what greatness is—he’s embodying it. The King of all is stooping to serve. The highest is showing us how to go low.

In God's kingdom, greatness is not defined by visibility but by humility. Not by power but by service. Not by the spotlight but by sacrifice.

So, if you want to be great, stop climbing. Start kneeling. Serve those around you today, and learn his greatness!

#ServantLeadership, #KingdomGreatness, #Mark9

ASK THIS:

1. What definition of greatness have you bought into?
2. How does Jesus’ model challenge your own ambitions?
3. Who are the “children” around you God wants you to welcome?
4. What would it look like to choose service over status today?

DO THIS:

Humble yourself by serving someone with no influence—someone who can’t repay you—just as Jesus did.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I confess I chase the wrong kind of greatness. Teach me to see, serve, and value others like you do. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Make Room.”