MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 5:21-43
1 Corinthians 9:13-27
Psalm 83
Judges 4–5

1 Corinthians 9:13-27
Do you know someone who is training for a marathon or other athletic event? These people understand hard work. They see their goal and work for it as if their life depended on it. Some of them run through injuries to the finish line. I wonder how our world would change if Christians took their faith that seriously, if we worked for Jesus as hard as runners work for their goal. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “run in such a way as to get the prize” (v. 24). This week, train yourself in your faith like a runner trains for a marathon.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 6:1-13
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Psalm 84
Judges 6–7

Mark 6:1-13
Jesus’ hometown refused to believe in him. He was so familiar to them they couldn’t believe he was who he said he was. Like the people of Nazareth, many of us today get so used to following Jesus that we lose that excitement we had when we first believed in him. His presence becomes the norm, and we lose the wonder of who he is. Remember how excited for the Lord you used to get. Remember how much you wanted to tell everyone about him. Today, don’t let Jesus be amazed by your lack of faith. Recall the wonder. Regain the amazement.

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 6:14-29
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Psalm 85
Judges 8

1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Idolatry looks different today than it did during biblical times. In biblical times, it was easy to see. Those who worshipped idols bowed down to images of wood or stone. There was no denying what they were doing. Today, idolatry can be harder to identify. Instead of bowing down to images, we worship our idols in less obvious ways. We practice idolatry when we put self above others, when we make money our primary goal, and when we seek something or someone more than God. Even though our idolatry might be less obvious, it’s there nonetheless. Flee from it this week.

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 6:30-44
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Psalm 86
Judges 9

Psalm 86
A divided heart wants more than one thing at the same time. A divided heart wants God, but also a life where it gets to call the shots. A divided heart wants to follow most of God’s laws, but picks and chooses a few it wants to ignore. A divided heart might look like it’s following Jesus, but isn’t fully committed. David prayed in this psalm, “Give me an undivided heart” (v. 11). He asked the Lord to make him 100 percent God’s. Do you have an undivided heart? Today, make your prayer the same as David’s.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 6:45-56
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 87
Judges 10–12

Judges 10–12
Jephthah promised if God gave him victory over his enemies, he would sacrifice as a burnt offering whatever came through the door of his house (Judges 11:30, 31). Have you ever tried to bargain with God? Have you ever promised him if he did something, then you would do something else? This text reminds us of two things: We should think before we speak, because once a word is out, we can’t take it back; and bargaining with God is never a good idea. Ask the Lord for what you need, but don’t try to get your way by making rash promises.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 7:1-23
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Psalm 88
Judges 13–15

Mark 7:1-23
Many people don’t like change. I’m one of them. I like to stick to what works and to what I like. But often change is not only necessary, it’s beneficial. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day didn’t like change either. They clung to their traditions and to the things they had been doing for years. They didn’t appreciate it when Jesus came onto the scene and mixed things up. When the religious leaders clung to their traditions, they missed out on God. I wonder what we might miss out on if we cling to ours.