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

Today’s shout-out goes to Corey Dill from Auburn, ME. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your faithfulness is helping others find truth in God's Word. This study is for you.

Our text today is Mark 7:1-5:

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” — Mark 7:1-5

Jesus is about to challenge a deeply embedded cultural and religious practice—and the collision is unavoidable.

The Pharisees come down from Jerusalem, the religious epicenter. But instead of focusing on Jesus’ message or miracles, they fixate on something petty: his disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating.

Now, this wasn’t about hygiene—it was about ceremonial cleanliness. Over time, religious leaders added layer upon layer of rules—man-made rituals meant to “guard” God’s law. But in guarding it, they buried it. They replaced heartfelt obedience with outward performance.

That’s the danger. Religion becomes a show. Tradition becomes a substitute for transformation.

And here’s where it hits home. We do this, too.
— We go to church but don’t listen.
— We pray before meals but don’t pray from the heart.
— We read a verse a day but don’t seek to apply it.
— We volunteer, tithe, serve—but resist surrender.

Why? Because those things are easier to manage than dealing with our motives, bitterness, pride, or hidden sin. They’re visible. Comfortable. Controllable. But Jesus didn’t die to give us clean habits—he died to give us clean hearts.

So, what traditions are you clinging to while avoiding true obedience?
Are there places where you’ve mistaken the routine for the relationship?

God never asked for clean hands at the table—he asked for clean hearts before his throne.

#HeartOverHabit, #JesusOverTradition, #CleanHeartsNotJustHands

ASK THIS:

1. Where am I relying on tradition instead of real relationship with Jesus?
2. What habits have become heartless rituals in my life?
3. Do I obey God from the heart—or just to be seen?
4. When was the last time I confessed a hidden motive to God?

DO THIS:

Identify one spiritual routine this week you’ve been doing on autopilot—and ask God to reawaken your heart through it.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, I don’t want empty religion. Wake up my heart. Make my obedience real. Strip away what looks good but lacks love. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Heart of Worship” – Matt Redman.

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

Today’s shout-out goes to Bruce Bowler from Cedar Falls, IA. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your support is helping others reach for Jesus—maybe for the first time. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:53-56:

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. — Mark 6:53-56

Jesus steps out of the boat in Gennesaret—and the people move fast. They recognize him. They run through towns and villages. They gather the sick, the broken, the weary—laying them out in streets and marketplaces. But what they want is simple. Not a lesson. Not a meeting. Not even a touch from his hand.

“If we could just touch the fringe of his garment.”

That’s what they were after. Just the edge. The tassel. The outermost thread. Because they believed the power of Jesus extended even to the fringe. And it did.

“As many as touched it were made well.”

Faith doesn’t always walk in with swagger. Sometimes, it crawls in with desperation. Sometimes, it’s not bold enough to stand tall—
but just enough to stretch out an arm. Faith reaches for the fringe.

The people in this story knew they weren’t worthy to ask for much. But they believed Jesus was more than enough. So they reached. And Jesus healed.

It’s the same today. You may not feel like your faith is strong. You may not feel like you have the words. You may not even feel worthy of asking. But Jesus still honors those who reach out to him. Even if all you can manage today is a whisper. A prayer through tears. A step toward the church. A breath of surrender. A call of repentance. That’s faith. And Jesus sees it and responds to it.

So wherever you are, however far off you feel—reach. The fringe of his robe still holds the fullness of his power.

ASK THIS:

1. When have you felt unworthy to approach Jesus?
2. What does “reaching for the fringe” look like in your life today?
3. How can desperation lead to deeper faith?
4. Why do you think Jesus honors even small acts of faith?

DO THIS:

Take one small action today that symbolizes reaching for Jesus—pray, read one verse, confess, or ask for help.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t always feel strong or worthy, but I’m reaching for you anyway. Meet me in my weakness with your healing power. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Touch the Hem of His Garment.

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

Today’s shout-out goes to Henry Kunkel from West Islip, NY. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. You’re helping others find peace in the middle of their storms. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:45-52:

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. — Mark 6:45-52

After feeding thousands, Jesus sends the disciples ahead in a boat while he goes up the mountain to pray. They head out across the water, probably expecting a simple trip to the other side. But as night falls, things get difficult. The wind picks up. The boat stalls. And the disciples are stuck—rowing with everything they’ve got but making little progress.

It’s late, probably around 3:00 a.m. They’re exhausted, confused, and afraid.

And Jesus sees them stuck in the middle. But he doesn’t shout from the shoreline or send instructions from the mountain.
He walks out to them—on the water.

But when they see him, they don’t recognize him. They think he’s a ghost. Fear takes over. And they cry out. But Jesus responds with calm assurance:

“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Right in the middle of the storm, he shows up. He gets into the boat with them. The wind dies down. Peace returns. It’s a miracle and an important one. Jesus doesn’t meet them at the beginning of the storm or the end of the storm. He meets them in the middle of it. When they are the most exhausted. When they are about to give up hope.

And he still does that. Jesus doesn’t always wait for the waves to settle or the skies to clear. Sometimes, he steps right into your chaos—right in the middle of your confusion and fear. Then he comes close. Not to condemn your fear but to calm your heart. And often, his presence is the peace you’ve been looking for all along.

If you're weary, stuck, or straining against the wind—know this: He meets you in the middle. Not when it’s over. Not when you’ve figured it out. But right in the thick of it. Are you in the storm today? Stop fearing, call out to him.

Jesus, we call out for you in our storm. Come to us. Give us peace. Command our storm. Call it calm. Amen

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus let the disciples struggle before coming to them?
2. What does this moment teach you about how Jesus shows up in your life?
3. Where do you feel like you’re “rowing against the wind”?
4. What would it look like to trust Jesus in the middle of it—not just when it’s over

DO THIS:

Write down one area of your life that feels stuck or stormy. Take a few minutes today to sit quietly and ask Jesus to meet you in that space.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I’m tired of trying to row through this on my own. Thank you for coming close. Help me feel your presence and trust your peace, even in the middle of the storm. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Peace be Still.