The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today’s shout-out goes to Lee Hover from Kirland, WA. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. You're helping equip many to live faithfully. This one's for you. Our text today is Mark 14:26-31: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. — Mark 14:26-31 Jesus sees clearly what Peter cannot yet see—danger ahead. In response to Jesus' sobering warning, Peter declares with great confidence: “Even if everyone else fails, I won’t.” His intentions are good, but his self-assessment is dangerously flawed. Peter is overestimating his spiritual strength and underestimating the trial he's about to face. Jesus gently warns him: “Tonight, you will deny me three times.” But Peter insists emphatically, relying on his own courage, loyalty, and determination rather than leaning humbly into Jesus’ warning. Peter’s overconfidence blinds him. He doesn't recognize that good intentions are insufficient when pressure and temptation arise. His bold words may seem brave in the moment, but his self-confidence ultimately sets him up for a painful fall. We are often more like Peter than we realize. We confidently promise God things based on our determination, willpower, or emotions. We often imagine ourselves to be stronger, wiser, and more faithful than we are. This misplaced confidence makes us vulnerable, unprepared for temptation, trials, and spiritual setbacks. Overconfidence in ourselves leaves little room for dependence on God. The truth is, spiritual strength isn't found in making big promises to God—it's found in humble, daily dependence on Christ. Don't let your confidence rest on your strength. Don't let pride blind you to your weaknesses. Let your confidence be in Christ alone—His strength, His grace, His sustaining power. Surrender any overconfidence to the Lord today! Like right now. Before you do something stupid later today. #Overconfidence #Mark14 #HumbleFaith ASK THIS: DO THIS: Today, humbly ask God to reveal any areas where you might be overly confident in yourself. Surrender those areas to Him and acknowledge your need for His strength. PRAY THIS: Jesus, forgive me when I trust more in myself than in You. Reveal the pride hidden in my heart. Help me to depend fully on Your strength, not mine. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today’s shout-out goes to J. Merc Albertson from Macon, GA. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. Your faithfulness is helping many see Jesus as their greatest treasure. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 14:12-25: And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” — Mark 14:12-25 It was the holiest moment of their lives. Passover night. The room is prepared. The meal set. The Lamb of God is sitting at the table. And right in the middle of that sacred space, unholiness was hiding. Jesus doesn’t name names at first. He simply says, “One of you will betray me.” And the room shifts. The disciples look around, unsure. They don’t point fingers. They ask a question: “Is it I?” Because something in them knows: There’s sin in the room. And they’re not immune to it. Jesus knew. He knew who would betray. But he still served. Still reclined at the table. Still broke the bread. Still passed the cup. The tension is thick—this holy moment being invaded by quiet rebellion. And yet, grace is always greater. Jesus doesn’t clear the room. He offers himself anyway. He redefines the bread as his body. He lifts the cup as a symbol of his blood. Poured out for many, even the undeserving and unholy, sitting in the room. Even the ones hiding their sin. There are times when holiness is happening around us, but sometimes unholiness is hiding inside us. And instead of recognizing our issues and sins, we sit at the table, dumbfounded or altogether disinterested. But Jesus never shied away. He didn't cancel sacred moments when sin was near. He brought people closer. Not to dismiss sin, but to expose it, deal with it, and redeem it. This holy event wasn’t just about a ritual meal. It was about the man who would become the Lamb and his desire to redeem even the unholiness in Judas, who sat in the room. That’s grace. Today, Jesus invites us to receive his grace. He knows your unholiness. He calls it out, but he also comes to the table and resolves your known and unknown unholiness. Are you ready to confess it? Jesus, thank you for your grace. I don't deserve it. But I receive it. For both my known unholiness and my unknown unholiness. That for inviting me to the table and giving me life through your body and blood. Amen. #GraceOverSin, #Mark14, #ComeToTheTable ASK THIS: DO...

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today’s shout-out goes to Charles Thompson from Marshallville, GA. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. Your faithfulness is helping many see Jesus as their greatest treasure. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 14:1-11: It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. — Mark 14:1-11 This passage presents a stark contrast—two people standing on opposite sides of the same moment. Both are close to Jesus. Both witness His power. But one sees a treasure. The other sees a transaction. The woman walks in quietly. Breaks the jar. Pours out a year’s wages in perfume on Jesus' head. No explanation. No hesitation. Just worship. And what does Jesus say? “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” She saw Jesus as worthy of everything. And then Judas walks out, looking for a price tag. Looking for a way to make Jesus useful, not worshipped. Looking to gain something, not give something. The woman gave everything to honor Jesus. Judas gave Jesus up for a handful of silver. Same setting. Same Savior. Two radically different responses. We all have to wrestle with this question: Do I truly treasure Jesus, or do I just transact with Him? Do I give Him what’s costly, or do I manage my faith to keep things convenient? Do I bring Him my heart, or look for what He can do for me? Let’s not be too quick to assume we’re the woman. Sometimes, we come with motives that resemble Judas. We attend church, say the right words, maybe even give a little, but deep down, we’re asking: What do I get out of this? And Jesus sees through it all. He always has. So ask yourself honestly: Do I see a Savior to love—or a Lord to leverage? #TreasureOrTransaction, #Mark14, #CostlyWorship ASK THIS: DO THIS: Write down what you’re most tempted to pursue instead of Jesus. Lay it before Him today. Choose to treasure Him over everything else. PRAY THIS: Jesus, I don’t want to treat you like a transaction. You’re not a means to an end. You’re the treasure. Help me worship like you’re worth everything—because you are. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Alabaster Heart”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:32-37: “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” — Mark 13:32-37 The final words of Jesus in this chapter are gentle. But not casual. They aren’t loud commands. They’re more like a whisper in the dark: “Stay awake.” He doesn’t say this once—He says it three times. Not because you need more information, but because you need more awareness. Jesus doesn’t tell us the day or the hour. Not because he’s hiding it. But the posture of readiness is better than a countdown clock. A master has gone away. Servants have been entrusted with a task. Each one has a role. And no one knows the exact hour of return. But he is returning. And Jesus doesn’t want his people found sleeping, not distracted, disinterested, or disengaged. Not lulled to sleep by comfort, busyness, or pride. He wants us awake. Alert. Tuned in. Working, watching, and ready. What does it mean to stay awake? Here are five actions: It means tending your soul.It means choosing holiness over habit.It means letting the Word sharpen you and the Spirit soften you.It means living today like it matters, because it does.It means living tomorrow like it could be your last, because it might be. Jesus isn’t trying to stir anxiety. He’s stirring urgency. Because when He returns—and He will return—you won’t be able to hit snooze. So wake up.Get in the Word.Cut out the compromise.Live like He’s near.Because He is. #StayAwake, #Mark13, #JesusIsComing ASK THIS: DO THIS: Choose one habit today that’s been putting your soul to sleep—and cut it off. Replace it with something that stirs spiritual alertness. PRAY THIS: Jesus, wake me up. If I’ve grown numb, shake me. If I’ve grown lazy, correct me. I don’t want to be found asleep—I want to be found faithful. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Keep Me Burning."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:28-31: “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. — Mark 13:28-31 Jesus tells His disciples to look at a fig tree. Not to predict the future, but to prepare for it. Just like you can recognize the signs of changing seasons, you should recognize the signs of spiritual urgency. When the branches soften. When the leaves start budding. When the shift in the air says, “summer is near.” Jesus says: That’s how close I am. At the gates. Nearer than you realize. But then He anchors them all with this line: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” This world is temporary. His Word is not. Everything else will shake. But his truth will stand. It's unshakable. We spend so much useless energy trying to guess the timeline. When will the end come?Who’s the antichrist?What about this global event?What does this sign mean? But Jesus isn’t asking you to decode the calendar. He’s asking you to remain spiritually alert, awake, and ready. To recognize the season and stop worrying about the date. Because the truth is—Jesus may return in your lifetime. Or not. But either way, you will stand before King Jesus. And that’s not meant to cause panic. It’s meant to produce urgency, holiness, and hope. So are you ready? I not, trust in King Jesus today. Jesus, I believe your Word is true and eternal. While this world fades, you remain. Today, I surrender my life to you. I place my faith not in signs, success, or security—but in your saving grace. Forgive my sin. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me ready for your return. From this day forward, I choose to follow you as my Savior, my King, and my only hope. Amen. #StayReady, #Mark13, #UnshakableWord ASK THIS: “season signs” DO THIS: Write this down and post it somewhere visible: “Everything else will pass—but His Word never will.” And ask yourself daily: Am I ready? PRAY THIS: Jesus, I believe your Word is true and eternal. While this world fades, you remain. Today, I surrender my life to you. I place my faith not in signs, success, or security—but in your saving grace. Forgive my sin. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me ready for your return. From this day forward, I choose to follow you as my Savior, my King, and my only hope. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:24-27: "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. — Mark 13:24-27 The world will shake. The sky will go dark. The celestial order will collapse. And then, the Son comes. Not calmly in a manger. Not humbly on an ass. But in the clouds, through the sky, with power and in glory. Jesus gives his disciples a vision of the end, but not to frighten them. To focus them. Because at the end of the chaos, there is a Conquering King. He's not coming to suffer. He's coming to reign for all time. In the ancient world, clouds were often seen as symbols of divine authority and power from heaven. So when Jesus says He's coming "in the clouds," He's declaring exactly what Daniel saw centuries earlier (Daniel 7): The Son of Man receiving dominion, glory, and an eternal kingdom. When all you see is tribulation, your heart will be filled with fear. But if you, like me, fix your eyes on Jesus breaking through the clouds, you'll be filled with hope and live free from all fear. This is where the story is headed. Not endless darkness. Not endless division. Not endless waiting. The Son of God is coming again. And he's not coming to negotiate. He's not coming to debate, persuade, or die. He is coming to gather. To collect His people. To finish what He started. To make all things right. So lift your eyes. Stop getting lost in headlines. Don't be shaken by the shaking. Because one day, what you believe in faith, you'll see with your own eyes. Faith will become sight. Hope will become reality. Long live King Jesus. #ReturnOfChrist, #Mark13, #SonOfMan ASK THIS: DO THIS: When you’re tempted to fear the future, speak this out loud: “Jesus is coming back—and He’s bringing glory with Him.” PRAY THIS: Jesus, I place my hope in your return. When the world feels dark, remind me that your light will break through. You are coming again in power. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Even So Come."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:14-23: “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. — Mark 13:14-23 Jesus gives his disciples another sharp warning. He speaks of an event called the “abomination of desolation”—a moment of ultimate defilement and destruction, spoken of by the prophet Daniel. Historically, this has many layers: it looked ahead to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and it likely foreshadows an even greater future moment of spiritual deception and tribulation. But either way, the tone is the same. When it happens. Don’t delay. Don’t linger. Run for your lives. There’s no time to grab things. No room for hesitation. No room for divided loyalties. This is ultimate urgency. And Jesus doesn’t give these details to stir up fear in his followers but to prompt readiness. God gives warnings like this not to frighten us, but to prepare us. And if Jesus takes time to say, “I have told you all these things beforehand,” then we should take him seriously at his spoken word. The truth is, spiritual deception won’t always look demonic. It may look persuasive, polished, even powerful. That’s why Jesus says: “Don’t be swayed.”“Be on guard.”“Stay alert.” God is not the author of confusion. He’s the author of clarity. And while we don’t know every detail of the end times, we do know this: God protects His people, even in and through tribulation. So instead of wasting time trying to decode every sign ask yourself: Am I grounded in God's truth?Am I guarded from untruth? Am I alert and ready for the end? #SpiritualDiscernment, #Mark13, #BeOnGuard ASK THIS: DO THIS: Set aside 10 minutes to read Daniel 9 and Daniel 11 this week. Ask God to grow your spiritual discernment—not to predict dates, but to guard your devotion. PRAY THIS: Father, thank you for being a God who warns and prepares. Help me stay rooted in your Word and unshaken when the world unravels. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:9-13: “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. — Mark 13:9-13 I love Jesus. He never sugarcoats the future. He’s just warned of false teachers, wars, famines, and earthquakes. Now it gets even more personal. He tells his disciples, You will be handed over. Beaten. Betrayed. Hated. Not for doing wrong, but for following him. And that’s the sobering truth. Persecution isn’t a sign the plan is failing. It’s an integral part of the plan. But notice how Jesus frames it. Yes, they’ll suffer. But they will also stand before kings and councils to bear witness. Their trials become testimonies. Their pain becomes a platform. And Jesus promises something else. When you’re called to speak, don’t panic. The Holy Spirit will give you the words. You don’t have to be polished. You have to be present and obedient. We often associate following Jesus with peace and blessing. And it is—sometimes. But it also comes with tension. Misunderstanding. Conflict. Sometimes even suffering. And when it comes, don’t be surprised, my friend. Be faithful. This isn’t failure. It’s faithful obedience in a hostile world. Jesus never promised popularity or peace in this world. He promised his presence. He promised the Holy Spirit would show up. And he promised endurance would be rewarded. So, whether you're facing resistance at work, tension at home, or isolation due to your beliefs, stay faithful. The gospel must advance through your life in the persecution, even when it costs you something. #EndureInFaith, #Mark13, #PersecutionAndPurpose ASK THIS: “be on your guard” DO THIS: Pray for boldness today. Then look for a simple opportunity to speak truth, show love, or represent Christ—especially when it's uncomfortable. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me be faithful when it’s costly. Speak through me when I feel weak. Use my life—even in trial—to proclaim your gospel. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Holy Spirit.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:3-8: And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. — Mark 13:3-8 The disciples are still thinking about the temple, and understandably so. Jesus just said it would be destroyed. So they ask a natural question: When? What signs should we watch for? Jesus begins to answer. But not in the way they expected. He doesn’t give a date. He gives a warning: “Don’t be led astray.” Because before destruction comes deception. Before the end comes confusion. Jesus tells them false messiahs will rise. Nations will rage. Nature itself will unravel. But then he says something strange: “Do not be alarmed.” Why? Because we will be alarmed but deception, confusion, false teachers, and rage must take place. But the chaos isn’t the conclusion. It’s the contraction. Jesus calls it “the beginning of the birth pains.” In other words, this isn’t death, it’s labor. Something is being born. And like all births, there’s discomfort before joy. Most of us don’t like uncertainty. But Jesus prepares us for it. He says there will be tension. Wars. Natural disasters. Fear. False teaching. And every one of those things will make you feel like the world is ending. But it’s not. It’s the beginning of something better. Jesus doesn't want us to worry about the timing. He’s calling us to remain spiritually steady when everything else feels unstable. So don’t panic. Don’t drift. Don’t follow every voice that claims to speak for God. Stay rooted. Stay alert. Stay calm. The contractions mean something is coming. And what’s coming is very good and worth the pain. #StayRooted, #Mark13, #BirthPains ASK THIS: DO THIS: Write down three things that are shaking your confidence right now—and ask God to help you see them not as endings, but as birth pains. PRAY THIS: Jesus, help me stay grounded in you when the world is shaking. I choose faith over fear—because I trust the One writing the story. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Be Still.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 13:1-2: And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” — Mark 13:1-2 The disciples were stunned by the glory of the temple. And rightly so. It was massive. Breathtaking. Some stones weighed over 500 tons. It dominated the Jerusalem skyline. And to the Jewish people, it wasn’t just beautiful, it was sacred. It housed God's presence, their heritage, and their national identity. So when one disciple turns to Jesus and says, “Look at these stones!” He’s marveling at a structure he believed would last forever. But Jesus responds with an upsetting declaration and prophecy: “Not one stone will be left on another.” In other words: "Don’t get too attached to this building and its stones." Jesus was never impressed by architecture or religious infrastructure. He saw through the facade to the corruption, pride, and misplaced worship inside. And he knew it was all temporary. Forty years later, in A.D. 70, the Roman army would destroy the temple—stone by stone—just as Jesus said. We still marvel at impressive things. I do. Impressive buildings, homes, and cars. I love to look at them. But even the most beautiful, durable, and influential things in this world can, and will, crumble. Our homes. Our careers. Our churches. Our bank accounts. Our platforms. If your hope is built on what appears impressive, be prepared to have your hope dashed, as it will ultimately collapse. And that's not prophetic, it's just the truth. But this does not mean we should not appreciate beauty or build meaningful things. Jesus is reminding us not to confuse the temporary with the eternal. So don’t be fooled by the size of the stones. Fix your eyes on the Cornerstone, the One who cannot be shaken. #FirmFoundation, #Mark13, #EternalPerspective ASK THIS: “stones” DO THIS: Identify one earthly thing you’ve been placing too much trust in. Name it, then ask God to shift your focus back to what’s eternal. PRAY THIS: Lord, I’m tempted to be impressed by what won’t last. Help me trust in what’s eternal. Anchor my life in what cannot be shaken. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Firm Foundation.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:41-44: And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” — Mark 12:41-44 Jesus takes a seat near the temple treasury. He watches people giving their offerings. The wealthy drop in large amounts. They draw attention. Heads turn. But then, a widow steps forward. No fanfare. No status. Just two small copper coins. Practically worthless. She drops them in and quietly walks away. Jesus doesn’t miss it. He calls his disciples over, not to talk about the rich, but to highlight her. “She gave more than all of them,” he declares. Why? Because while the others gave from surplus, she gave from sacrifice. She gave not what was convenient, but what was costly. We often measure generosity by the amount given. But Jesus measures generosity by the sacrifice of our faith. This woman didn’t just give money. She was entrusting her next meal to God. She gave all she had. Everything! But it wasn’t the size of her gift or the proportion and percentage that moved Jesus. It was the depth of her surrender. This is the kind of giving that pleases God. Not the loudest, but the most faithful. Not what impresses the crowd, but what trusts Him with everything. So what about you? Are you giving from a place of abundance or trust? Are you offering God what’s leftover, or what matters most? You cannot hide this from Jesus. He sees the heart behind the hand. He sees the openness behind your offering. And when you give in faith, especially when no one’s watching, Jesus notices. Thus, this poor widow became one of the greatest stories in the Gospel of Mark. So, how about you? #SurrenderedGiving, #Mark12, #FaithNotFanfare ASK THIS: DO THIS: Offer something today that costs you—not just in money, but in comfort, time, or trust. Make it between you and God. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me give like this widow—with trust, not calculation. Grow my faith to give not what’s easy, but what’s surrendered. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Offering.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:38-40: And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” — Mark 12:38-40 Jesus has been teaching in the temple all day, and now he turns from answering questions to issuing a warning. “Beware of the scribes.” He calls them out on their own turf. And notice the exhortation. He does not say to “disagree with them” or “debate them.” He says "beware" as in, be on high alert. Why? Because their spiritual influence looked holy on the outside. They wore the robes. Spoke the language. Took the places of honor. Prayed eloquent prayers. But it was all for show. Underneath the surface, Jesus exposes something far more dangerous: They devoured widows’ houses. They used their spiritual authority to manipulate, exploit, and take. Their power was not for people’s good, but for their own gain. And Jesus doesn’t just call it out—he warns of a greater condemnation. Spiritual leadership without spiritual integrity is deadly. And Jesus is clear. He’s not impressed with religious appearances. He sees the robes. The seats. The greetings. The prayers. But more importantly, he sees the motives. Are you living for God’s approval or people’s applause? This warning isn’t just for teachers and pastors, like myself, which is humbling to consider. It’s for anyone tempted to put on a spiritual performance. It’s for the man who prays in public but won’t lead at home. The woman who knows Scripture but won’t show grace. The leader who loves attention but won’t serve in obscurity. God is not looking for polished people. He’s looking for surrendered hearts. So beware of putting on a religious show. It may impress people, but it never fools God. #BewareTheShow, #Mark12, #SpiritualIntegrity ASK THIS: DO THIS: Ask someone who knows you well: “Do you ever see a gap between what I say spiritually and how I actually live?” PRAY THIS: Jesus, protect me from the temptation to perform spiritually. I don’t want appearance—I want authenticity. Shape my heart, not just my image. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Give Me Jesus”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:35-37: And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. — Mark 12:35-37 After fielding a string of trick questions from religious leaders, Jesus turns the tables and asks a question of his own. At first glance, it sounds simple: “How can the Christ be David’s son, if David calls him Lord?” But it’s a loaded question. Because in Jewish tradition, a father always held greater honor than a son. And yet, David, the greatest king in Israel’s history, refers to his own descendant as “Lord.” Jesus is forcing the spiritual elite to stop thinking in terms of physical hierarchy and start thinking in terms of divine authority. He’s quoting Psalm 110, where David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prophesies about a coming Messiah who would sit at God’s right hand, a place of divine power. In short, Jesus is saying: “David wasn’t just writing about his family tree. He was writing about me.” And if that’s true, and it is, then the Messiah is not merely a political figure or a human descendant. He is the Lord, David’s Lord, and our Lord. It’s easy to develop a small view of Jesus. To admire him as a wise teacher. To respect him as a prophet. To even call him Savior, without surrendering to him as Lord. But Jesus is both the Son of David and the Lord of David. Both fully human and fully divine. The fulfillment of prophecy—and the author of it. Which is mind-blowing when you really think about it. Here’s the point: Jesus won’t always be the one answering questions. Sometimes he asks them of us. Not to check your theology, but to reveal your heart. So let’s make it more personal: Who is Jesus to you? A historical figure—or your living King? A religious concept—or your ultimate authority? Because how you answer that question changes everything. How you think, feel, and act. #JesusIsLord, #Mark12, #SonAndSovereign ASK THIS: DO THIS: Read Psalm 110. Let the weight of Jesus’ identity as both Son and Sovereign shift how you speak to him and live for him today. PRAY THIS: Jesus, you are more than I realize. Help me see you clearly and surrender fully. Expand my thoughts, my desires, and my decisions to reflect who you truly are. Amen. PLAY THIS: “King of Kings”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:28-34: And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. — Mark 12:28-34 In a moment filled with debates and trick questions, one man dares to ask something sincere: "What's the most important commandment?" That's the right question. And Jesus doesn't hesitate. He quotes the Shema from Deuteronomy 6—words every Jewish boy and girl had memorized: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. That's it. That's the whole law in two lines. Love vertically. Love horizontally. The man nods. He gets it. He says it back to Jesus, and Jesus replies: "You are not far from the kingdom." We complicate faith. Jesus simplifies it. It's not about rules or rituals. Not about knowledge or appearances. It's about love—real love. Do you love God with your whole being? Do you love people as you love yourself? That's the measuring stick—not how much you know, but how well you love. And it's convicting, because most of us are pretty good at loving ourselves. We think about ourselves. Protect ourselves. Excuse ourselves. But Jesus says: That same energy you give yourself? Give it to others. And more than that—give all of yourself to God. The love God wants is total. Not partial. Not occasional. Not reserved. All of it. This command doesn't leave room for compartmentalized faith. It pulls everything into the light: affections, thoughts, decisions, actions. So live all in for him who lived all in for you. #GreatestCommandment, #Mark12, #LoveGodLovePeople ASK THIS: DO THIS: Ask God to show you where your love for Him has grown thin, and who around you needs the love you’ve been withholding. PRAY THIS: God, help me love you with all that I am—and love others the way you love me. Let my faith be full of real love, not empty religion. Amen. PLAY THIS: “The Heart of Worship”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:18-27: And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” — Mark 12:18-27 Sometimes we don’t want the truth. We want control. And so, we try to outsmart God. That’s exactly what the Sadducees were doing here. They didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they built a cleverly absurd story to make it look foolish. Seven brothers. One woman. No kids. One question: Whose wife will she be in heaven? To them, it was intellectual checkmate. But Jesus didn’t flinch at their game. “You’re wrong,” he said. “Because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.” To Jesus, their issue was not a matter of theological debate—it was a matter of spiritual diagnosis. They didn’t want the truth. They tried to trap truth in their logic and reduce an infinite God to a human riddle. But you don’t have to be a slippery Sadducee to try to outsmart God. We act this way every time we twist Scripture to justify sin. Every time we argue around obedience. Every time we elevate our logic over God’s revelation. We’re not wrestling for clarity—we’re dodging surrender and trying to outsmart God. Jesus reveals that faith doesn’t come from clever arguments—it comes from humble submission to God's will, as laid out in Scripture. It comes from knowing God’s Word and trusting God’s power, even when it doesn’t fit our mental grid. So, stop debating with God like you’re his equal. You don’t need to outthink Him. You merely need to trust Him. Read his Word. Take him at his word. And act in faith. Because the real issue isn’t intelligence—it’s always surrender. #Mark12, #TrustOverControl, #ObedientFaith ASK THIS: DO THIS: What’s one area where you’ve been reasoning your way out of obedience? Confess it today—and take a simple step of surrender instead. PRAY THIS: God, I confess the ways I’ve tried to control you with logic. I don’t want to win arguments—I want to walk in obedience. Teach me to trust you again. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Reign Above It All”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you want to know more about this project click the link to learn more and partner with us. Our text today is Mark 12:13-17: And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him. — Mark 12:13-17 It’s a trap disguised as a question. The Pharisees and Herodians, strange allies, join forces to corner Jesus. They ask about taxes. If he sides with Caesar, he looks like a sellout. If he sides against Caesar, they’ll turn him in. But Jesus doesn’t flinch at their political trap. He asks for a coin, points to Caesar’s image, and delivers a mic-drop moment: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s—and to God what is God’s.” They came for a soundbite. What they got was a lesson on image, ownership, and ultimate allegiance. Because the coin may bear the emperor's image, but you bear God’s. Jesus isn’t just being clever. He’s being confrontational. Caesar may own the coin, but God owns everything—including you. You’re made in His image. That means every breath, every choice, every allegiance belongs to Him. That’s not a political dodge—it’s the deeper political tension. It's the political discussion most people won't have. God’s image is the greater political image. And no matter where your passport says you’re from, His image on your soul demands a higher allegiance. So yes—pay your taxes. Be a good citizen. Honor the laws of the land. But don’t let politics become a spiritual escape. Don’t let national loyalty replace kingdom loyalty. Because you can’t truly render to Caesar what’s his unless you’ve already rendered to God what’s His: that's everything. #GreaterAllegiance, #GodsImage, #Mark12 ASK THIS: DO THIS: Ask: Am I spending more energy defending Caesar’s image than reflecting God’s? PRAY THIS: Father, you made me in your image. I don’t want to give my loyalty to lesser kings. Help me live in a way that reflects your rule. Amen. PLAY THIS: “No Other Name”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Roy Salazar from Richland Hills, TX. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping bring God’s Word to life—one chapter at a time. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 12:1-12: And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away. — Mark 12:1-12 Jesus tells a parable—but it's not entertainment. It’s a confrontation. A vineyard. A landowner. Servants. A beloved son. Each one represents something. Or someone. It’s a story with layers, but one message cuts through. This story exposes the hearts of everyone listening. It exposed the religious leaders. They knew it was about them. It exposes the history of Israel, rejecting the prophets, and then the Messiah. But it also exposes us. Because we are the tenants, too. We like the blessings of the vineyard. We enjoy the freedom, the opportunities, and the fruit. But when the Owner shows up asking for a return—when the Son comes to claim what’s his—something in us resists. We don’t want to hand over control. We don’t want accountability. We want ownership without obedience. This story reveals what’s always been true: Rejection of Jesus doesn’t start with violence. It starts with self-preservation. This story isn’t about a land and time from long ago. It’s about what Jesus finds when he steps into your heartland. Does he find surrender? Or resistance? Worship? Or entitlement? It’s easy to think this is about “those” who rejected him. However, this is a story that exposes all of us, the subtle ways we push Jesus aside because we want to stay in control. So, will your life be built on him, or broken apart by resisting him? Because you can’t just admire the Son. You must answer to him. You can’t keep enjoying the fruit of God’s goodness while ignoring the Owner’s voice. Jesus is coming to inspect the vineyard. He will ask for fruit. And when he does, he won’t settle for excuses. He’ll be looking for surrender. So be honest today. Have you truly given him everything? Or are you just leasing space in your heart, while living like it’s still yours? He’s not just the cornerstone. He’s the Owner. And one day, he’s coming back to collect what belongs to him. #HeartCheck, #Mark12, #JesusIsLord ASK THIS: DO THIS: Ask Jesus to search your heart. Where are you resisting his authority while enjoying his blessings? PRAY THIS: Jesus, you are the rightful owner of everything in my life. Expose the places I’ve closed off to you—and give me the courage to surrender them. 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 Mark & Holly Roth from Burnsville, MN. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. Your support is helping others encounter Jesus, not just in theory, but in truth. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 11:31-33: And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” — Mark 11:31-33 The religious leaders are finally cornered. Jesus asked them a question about John the Baptist, and they knew whichever way they answered, it would cost them. So they evade with the response, “We don’t know.” But they do know. They’ve just chosen not to answer, because the truth would force a change they’re unwilling to make. They feared the people. They feared losing influence. They feared what complete honesty would require of them. So they play it safe. They answer with a non-answer. And Jesus refuses to answer their original question, just like they evade his. Sometimes the real problem isn’t that we don’t know what’s true, it’s that we don’t want to deal with the consequences of accepting the known truth. So we pretend we’re unsure. So we stall. So we delay obedience. Which in the end is disobedience. But deep down most of the time, we already know the answer. You know that habit has to go. You know that relationship isn’t healthy. You know the forgiveness needs to be extended. You know Jesus is calling you to surrender something. Stop playing games with God. Stop saying “I don’t know” when the truth is right before you. Remember, the truth is a gift. But it only changes you when you receive it from God, accept it into your heart, soul, and mind, and apply it to your life. #ActOnTruth, #Mark11, #ObedientFaith ASK THIS: “We don’t know” DO THIS: Name one thing God has already made clear to you, but you’ve been putting off. Then take one action step today toward obedience. PRAY THIS: Lord, I don’t want to pretend I don’t know what you’re asking. Give me the courage to act on the truth I’ve already received. Amen. PLAY THIS: "From The Inside Out."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Daniel Offutt from Kingman, AZ. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping people encounter truth—and wrestle with it honestly. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 11:27-30: And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” — Mark 11:27-30 The religious leaders confront Jesus again—this time with a loaded question. Here it is: “By what authority are you doing these things?” They aren’t curious. They’re calculating. This isn’t about truth—it’s about control. Jesus had turned their tables. He had called out and shut down extortion in the temple. He had exposed their spiritual hollowness. Now they’re demanding credentials. But Jesus doesn’t answer directly. Instead, he asks his own question about another man who came before him, John the Baptist: “Was his baptism authority from heaven or from man?” It’s brilliant. Because their response to John reveals everything about their posture toward truth. If they say John’s ministry was authorized from heaven, they know Jesus will say, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” If they say it was authority from man, they’ll lose their influence over the crowd. So they dodge the question altogether. Sometimes people ask spiritual questions, but not to get answers. They ask to stall. To spin their version of the truth. To stay in control because they resist surrender. And we do this, too, when we question God's timing. His Word. His commands. But deep down, it’s not always a question of gaining understanding—it’s about resisting total surrender. The truth is: Jesus has authority. Over all belief. Over all morality. Over all future. Over all life and death, whether you like his authority or not. So the real question isn’t: “Who gave Jesus all this authority?” It’s: Will you submit to the authority he already has? Jesus, we submit to you again today. Amen. #JesusIsLord, #AuthorityOfChrist, #Mark11 ASK THIS: DO THIS: Ask God to expose any area of your life where you’re questioning, not out of hunger, but out of hesitation to obey. PRAY THIS: Jesus, you don’t need my permission to have authority. You already have it. So help me stop resisting and start surrendering. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Forever Reign."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Calvin Tilman from Valley View, TX. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping grow faith that’s deep, rooted, and bold. This one’s for you. Our text today is Mark 11:25: And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” — Mark 11:25 Jesus just finished teaching about bold, mountain-moving prayer. But now he adds a critical detail: forgiveness. Jesus says, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive.” Why? Because unforgiveness short-circuits prayer. You can pray with passion. You can pray with persistence. But if your heart is harboring bitterness, something is blocked. Unforgiveness is a spiritual deadbolt. It locks up your heart, hardens your spirit, and hinders the flow of grace, not just toward others, but also from God to you. Jesus isn’t suggesting forgiveness. He’s commanding it. He’s saying: Don’t come into God’s presence asking for power while holding onto poison. Prayer isn’t just about talking to God—it’s also about being shaped by God. And when we pray, one of the clearest signs that God is shaping us is our willingness to forgive. This doesn’t mean trust is instantly restored. It doesn’t mean consequences disappear. But it does mean releasing others from the debt they owe you, just as God released you. So here’s the challenge: Don’t just pray for mountains to move—pray for your heart to soften. Because some of the most immovable mountains in your life might be made of unforgiveness that lies in your heart. #ForgiveAndPray, #GraceFirst, #Mark11 ASK THIS: DO THIS: Who is the person you need to forgive today, before I ask God for anything else? PRAY THIS: Father, help me forgive others the way you’ve forgiven me. I don’t want to carry bitterness—I want to walk in the freedom of grace. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Forgiveness” by Matthew West.