MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 7:24-37
1 Corinthians 12:14-31
Psalm 89:1-18
Judges 16

Judges 16
Samson put his trust in a woman who wasn’t trustworthy. Have you ever done something similar? Have you ever trusted someone you shouldn’t have? Most of us probably have at some point or another. Delilah used her looks and her words to deceive Samson. Even after she lied to him three times and led his enemies to him, he continued to trust her. Learn a lesson from Samson’s mistake. Be careful where you place your trust, and if someone shows you time and again that they’re not trustworthy, don’t continue putting your life in their hands.

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 8:1-13
1 Corinthians 13
Psalm 89:19-52
Judges 17–18

1 Corinthians 13
It matters very little what you do if you don’t do it with love. Do you preach the gospel every week to a church full of people? Do you serve those around you at a local food pantry or crisis pregnancy center? Do you lead others in worship? Do you talk about Jesus at work? None of these things matter if they aren’t done with love. If you’re preaching because it’s your job or serving because it’s expected or leading because you feel obligated, you are missing out. Love is crucial. Love is what makes each of these things last for eternity. 

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 8:14-21
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Psalm 90
Judges 19

Psalm 90
Many of us—even those of us who claim Jesus as our Lord—continue searching for something else to satisfy us. Even though we have all that we need in Jesus, we continue to search for more. Sometimes we look to our relationships to make us feel complete. Other times we look to our jobs, our possessions, or our social status. In Psalm 90, Moses asked God to satisfy him in the morning with his unfailing love (v. 14). Make that be your prayer today too. “Lord, satisfy me with your love, because you really are all I need.”

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 8:22-30
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Psalm 91
Judges 20–21

Mark 8:22-30
When Jesus asked his disciples who people claimed he was, they told him that some thought he was Elijah, others John the Baptist, and others a prophet. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Jesus was much more interested in what they thought about him than what others thought. He wanted them to make their faith their own. Our faith, likewise, can’t be anyone else’s. We can’t piggyback our way into Heaven, riding on the faith of our parents, our spouse, or our children. Make your faith your own. Who do you say Jesus is?

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Mark 8:31-38
1 Corinthians 15:1-28
Psalm 92
Ruth 1

Ruth 1
Earlier this week we read 1 Corinthians 13 where Paul described true love. Ruth 1 contains a story that perfectly describes this type of love. Both Ruth and Naomi put the other person’s needs above their own. Naomi suggested her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, go back home to their families, even though doing so would leave Naomi alone. Ruth chose to stay with Naomi even though doing so meant she would leave her homeland behind. Love puts the needs of someone else before your own. Love doesn’t ask, “What can I get?” but instead, “What can I give?” S