MONDAY

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

Mark 5:21-43
Many people were touching Jesus when he traveled with Jairus. I imagine that at least a few of those people had ailments of their own: coughs, skin diseases, cuts, fevers, or bruises. Nonetheless, the one person Mark tells us that Jesus healed was the bleeding woman who touched his cloak. Why was she healed when clearly many people touched Jesus? If all it took was touching him, why weren’t others who bumped shoulders with Jesus healed of their illnesses too? The reason is because touching Jesus wasn’t, in fact, all it took. It also took faith—faith that this woman possessed.

TUESDAY

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

1 Corinthians 10:1-13
One of the easiest ways to fall into temptation is to think it could never happen to you. When we think we are immune to certain sins or temptations, we let our guard down. Our pride leads us to think we are safe, and that’s when Satan often moves in. First Corinthians 10:12 reminds us, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” No one is immune to temptation, not even Jesus. Knowing that, make it your goal this week to do two things. First, realize you are not immune and second, stand firm, no matter what. 

WEDNESDAY

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

Judges 8
Gideon might have been a hero in many ways, but he also failed a lot too, as we read in Judges 8. His home life was pretty much a disaster with multiple wives and concubines. He fashioned an ephod out of gold and led not only his family but the nation astray. Take a lesson from Gideon, and don’t compartmentalize your life. Don’t let one area shine while another falls to the backburner. Don’t let Jesus only have one aspect of your life or even most of the aspects of your life. Instead, let him have it all. 

THURSDAY

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

Mark 6:30-44
How do you respond to interruptions? Better yet, how do you respond to interruptions after a long day when you’re tired, hungry, and want to be alone? Jesus responded with compassion. When he saw a crowd who needed him, he showed kindness and love when it would have been easier to send them away. He saw them through his Father’s eyes—as sheep without a shepherd—instead of seeing them through his human eyes. This week, when you’re interrupted, pray and ask God to give you eyes to see those around you like he sees them.

FRIDAY

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

1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Do you ever take communion without really focusing on why you’re taking it? Do you ever take it simply because it’s habit or a regular part of the service? Communion isn’t just grape juice and crackers. It’s something Jesus gave us to remember him by. We forget easily. We forget where we put our keys, why we came into the living room, and what we were supposed to pick up at the grocery store. Without lists and reminders, many of us would be completely lost. Communion, therefore, isn’t optional. It’s a necessary reminder from God, a chance for us to remember Jesus.

SATURDAY

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

Psalm 88
Many of the Psalms end with hopeful declarations. The psalmist might weep and pour out his heart to the Lord in pain at the beginning of the Psalm, but then he finds hope and renewed strength by the end of it. This Psalm, however, does not end with hope-filled words. It ends instead with the psalmist saying that darkness is his closest friend. There might be times in your life where you feel similar, times when you can’t find the positive and where things seem very dark. In those instances, do what this psalmist did: cry out to God.