MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 1:1-8
1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 72
Joshua 1–2

1 Corinthians 1:1-17
The problem of division has affected the church since its inception. It’s sad if you think about it. We have the most amazing, wonderful, life-changing good news to share with the world, but we sometimes fixate on things that don’t matter for eternity. We argue about the style of music, the way a decision was made, or the programs a church offers. Sometimes we even allow our disagreements to lead to division in the church. Disagreements might be inevitable when flawed humans are involved, but division is not. The next time you disagree with a fellow believer, remember that you’re on the same team.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 1:9-20
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Psalm 73
Joshua 3–5

Joshua 3–5
God didn’t stop the waters before the Israelites stepped into the Jordan River. Instead, God waited for the Israelites to show their faith and then made the water stop flowing. God is like that sometimes. He’s capable of doing a miracle with or without our faith in him. But sometimes he wants us to believe first. Believe before we see. That’s what he asked the Israelites to do. He asked them to step into the river and believe he would do his part in return. This week, don’t ask God to prove himself. Take the first step. Get your feet wet. 

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 1:21-34
1 Corinthians 2
Psalm 74
Joshua 6–7

Psalm 74
God doesn’t always do the miracle or send the prophet. He doesn’t always stop the persecution or prevent the fire. The writer of Psalm 74 knew this well. He was clearly devastated by the situation before him. He questioned how long God would allow him and his people to suffer. Many of us can relate. It’s easy to lose hope when life is hard. It’s easy to feel defeated when God seems slow in coming to your aid. When hard times come (and they will), don’t stop crying out to the one who is most capable of bringing change. 

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 1:35-45
1 Corinthians 3
Psalm 75
Joshua 8–9

Mark 1:35-45
Productivity has become the god of many people. We think if we’re not doing something—accomplishing something—then we’re wasting our time. Jesus, however, knew the truth. He knew that sometimes it is through doing little that the most is accomplished. In Mark 1, Jesus went off by himself and prayed. He didn’t get up while it was still dark so he could accomplish more or earn more money. No, he got up for solitude and prayer: two things that might not feel like they accomplish much but that, in reality, are crucial to our wellbeing.

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 2:1-12
1 Corinthians 4
Psalm 76
Joshua 10–12

Joshua 10–12
Sometimes the very people who claim prayer changes things don’t pray very much. Maybe that’s because they aren’t, in fact, convinced of their own claim. Joshua 10, though, proves prayer is powerful. Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still until he was able to defeat the Amorites. Then, Joshua 10:14 reads, “There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being.” God fought for Israel that day because of one prayer. He prolonged the day because of one prayer. One prayer really can change history.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 2:13-17
1 Corinthians 5
Psalm 77
Joshua 13–14

Psalm 77
There’s a verse in Psalm 77 I’ve never noticed before: “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen” (verse 19). I love the imagery of this verse: God leading the Israelites through the sea but not leaving even a single footprint. I love it because I can relate to it. Sometimes, when life is especially difficult, I don’t see God’s footprints. I feel alone and wonder if he’s still with me. The beauty of this image is the reminder that God is still there. We might not see his footprints, but he’s there nonetheless.