Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Mark Maple from Kokomo, IN. Your partnership with us through Project 23 is helping people find the answer to the most important question that still demands an answer. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:27-30:

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. — Mark 8:27-30

Jesus comes with his disciples to Caesarea Philippi—a place known for temples, idols, and false gods. And in the shadow of this spiritual confusion, he asks the most defining question of all time:

"Who do people say that I am?"

They answer with the popular responses. It's what all the headlines proclaim: "John the Baptist. Elijah. A prophet." Opinions swirled then, just like now.

But then Jesus turns to the more personal question:

"But who do you say that I am?"

This isn't a theology test. It's a heart check. It's not about reciting what others believe. It's about declaring their beliefs.

And Peter, with clarity and courage, answers: "You are the Christ." The Anointed One. The Messiah. The fulfillment of every promise.

Peter was right to answer this way because this is the most important question he would ever answer. But it's also the most important question we could ever be asked and respond to: "Who do you say Jesus is?"

And when asked, you can't hide behind a parent's faith. Or echo your pastor's voice. Or repeat what Christian culture says. Eventually, you must give your answer. Not just with words—but with your life.

If Jesus is truly the Messiah, then he must be the Lord of all. Not just a one-time Savior. Not just a once-in-a-while helper. Not just there to rescue you from your mistakes. But Lord of all you life. Lord of your time. Lord of your thoughts. Lord of your decisions. And you must serve him.

This confession would alter the rest of Peter's life. And it will change yours, too. But Jesus cannot just be a one-time Savior. He must be a Lord who has complete leadership of your life. If you question the answer to the question—surrender it all to him today.

#JesusIsLord, #Mark8Devotional, #ChristConfession

ASK THIS:

1. How would you answer Jesus' question today?
2. Why do people hesitate to call Jesus the Christ?
3. In what areas of your life is Jesus not yet King?
4. What does it look like to confess Christ with action, not just words?

DO THIS:

Write your answer to Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” Then, pray it out loud.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, You are the Christ—my Savior and King. Help me live today in a way that reflects that confession with boldness and faith. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Christ Is Enough.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Troy Albertson from Altoona, IA. Your partnership with us through Project 23 is completing God's work and word in the lives of others. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:22-26:

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”— Mark 8:22-26

Jesus arrives in Bethsaida, and a blind man is brought to him. But rather than heal immediately, Jesus does something unexpected. He leads the man away from the village. Then comes the moment: spit, touch, and a question—“Do you see anything?”

The man answers honestly, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.”

He’s been touched… but not fully healed. His vision is still blurry. So Jesus touches him again. And this time, everything becomes clear.

If you’ve ever felt like Jesus started something in your life but hasn’t finished it—this moment is for you.

This healing wasn’t evidence of Jesus' lack of power. It was intentional. It was a visual parable for the disciples—and us today. You see, sometimes, God’s work in us unfolds in stages. It's not always instant. Sometimes, our spiritual sight improves gradually. Sometimes, the spiritual healing we need takes time. But Jesus never leaves it unfinished.

When the answers are partial in your life, remember that he’s not done. When your spiritual sight is blurry, remember he’s still working. When his touch feels incomplete, remember he’s coming back with more. You may be in between touches today—don’t panic. He hasn’t forgotten you. His grace is not half-measured. His power is not limited. His plan is not on pause.

Wait. Trust. Let Jesus finish what he started in you. He won't fail.

#GodIsStillWorking, #FaithInProcess, #Mark8

ASK THIS:

1. Have you ever felt like God started something but didn’t finish it?
2. Why do you think Jesus healed this man in stages?
3. What area of your life feels “blurry” right now?
4. How can you stay faithful while waiting for clarity?

DO THIS:

Pray today for endurance in the in-between—trusting God to finish the work Jesus began in you.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, even when I can’t see clearly, I trust that You’re still working. Complete the work You’ve started in me—Your timing, not mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Firm Foundation (He Won’t)."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Jim Travato from Brentwood, CA. Jim, your partnership with us through Project 23 is helping us and others remember what God has done in the past and will do in the future. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 8:14-21:

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” — Mark 8:14-21

The disciples forget bread. Again.

And as they’re grumbling about lunch, Jesus gives them a deeper warning:

“Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod.”

But they miss the point. They think Jesus is mad because they forgot the food. Jesus isn’t talking about carbs. He’s talking about corruption. Leaven was a metaphor. Just a pinch of it affects the whole loaf. And just a pinch of pride, hypocrisy, and unbelief—like that of the Pharisees and Herod—can corrupt the soul.

But the disciples are stuck in their heads on bread. So Jesus hits them with a list of questions:

Don’t you understand?
Are your hearts hardened?
Didn’t you see the miracles?
Don’t you remember what I did with five loaves? With seven?

They had seen the power of Jesus multiply what little they had. But somehow—they still worried there wouldn’t be enough.

The danger wasn’t the lack of bread—it was the lack of belief. And that’s the same danger we face today. You’ve seen Jesus provide—but you still stress about tomorrow. You’ve seen Jesus' power—but still act like it’s all up to you. You’ve watched Jesus move—but forget by the time the next challenge hits.

That’s spiritual amnesia. And Jesus calls it out in the lives of his disciples and ours.

But Jesus is not frustrated by your questions. He’s grieved by your forgetfulness. Because when you forget what God has done, you start depending on yourself again.

So, pause today. Remember the baskets in your life. Remember the miracles he has done in the past. Remember what he did with your “not enough.” And let that memory build your trust today. Then, keep believing and moving forward.

#RememberGod, #FaithNotFear, #Mark8

ASK THIS:

1. What “basket moments” have you forgotten?
2. How does forgetting God’s past provision affect today’s faith?
3. What does “leaven” look like in your life today?
4. How can you train your heart to remember?

DO THIS:

Write down three things God has provided for you this year—and thank him for each one.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, forgive me for forgetting Your past faithfulness. Help me remember who You are—and trust You with what’s next. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Do It Again” by Elevation Worship.