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

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 13:1-2:

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” — Mark 13:1-2

The disciples were stunned by the glory of the temple. And rightly so. It was massive. Breathtaking. Some stones weighed over 500 tons. It dominated the Jerusalem skyline. And to the Jewish people, it wasn’t just beautiful, it was sacred. It housed God's presence, their heritage, and their national identity.

So when one disciple turns to Jesus and says, “Look at these stones!” He’s marveling at a structure he believed would last forever.

But Jesus responds with an upsetting declaration and prophecy: “Not one stone will be left on another.”

In other words: "Don’t get too attached to this building and its stones."

Jesus was never impressed by architecture or religious infrastructure. He saw through the facade to the corruption, pride, and misplaced worship inside. And he knew it was all temporary. Forty years later, in A.D. 70, the Roman army would destroy the temple—stone by stone—just as Jesus said.

We still marvel at impressive things. I do. Impressive buildings, homes, and cars. I love to look at them. But even the most beautiful, durable, and influential things in this world can, and will, crumble. Our homes. Our careers. Our churches. Our bank accounts. Our platforms. If your hope is built on what appears impressive, be prepared to have your hope dashed, as it will ultimately collapse. And that's not prophetic, it's just the truth.

But this does not mean we should not appreciate beauty or build meaningful things. Jesus is reminding us not to confuse the temporary with the eternal. So don’t be fooled by the size of the stones. Fix your eyes on the Cornerstone, the One who cannot be shaken.

#FirmFoundation, #Mark13, #EternalPerspective

ASK THIS:

1. What made the temple so significant to the disciples?
2. Why does Jesus predict its destruction so bluntly?
3. What “stones” are you trusting in today that may not last?
4. How can you live more focused on the eternal this week?

DO THIS:

Identify one earthly thing you’ve been placing too much trust in. Name it, then ask God to shift your focus back to what’s eternal.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, I’m tempted to be impressed by what won’t last. Help me trust in what’s eternal. Anchor my life in what cannot be shaken. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Firm Foundation.”

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

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:41-44:

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” — Mark 12:41-44

Jesus takes a seat near the temple treasury. He watches people giving their offerings. The wealthy drop in large amounts. They draw attention. Heads turn. But then, a widow steps forward. No fanfare. No status. Just two small copper coins. Practically worthless. She drops them in and quietly walks away.

Jesus doesn’t miss it.

He calls his disciples over, not to talk about the rich, but to highlight her. “She gave more than all of them,” he declares. Why? Because while the others gave from surplus, she gave from sacrifice. She gave not what was convenient, but what was costly.

We often measure generosity by the amount given. But Jesus measures generosity by the sacrifice of our faith. This woman didn’t just give money. She was entrusting her next meal to God. She gave all she had. Everything! But it wasn’t the size of her gift or the proportion and percentage that moved Jesus. It was the depth of her surrender.

This is the kind of giving that pleases God. Not the loudest, but the most faithful. Not what impresses the crowd, but what trusts Him with everything.

So what about you? Are you giving from a place of abundance or trust? Are you offering God what’s leftover, or what matters most? You cannot hide this from Jesus. He sees the heart behind the hand. He sees the openness behind your offering. And when you give in faith, especially when no one’s watching, Jesus notices.

Thus, this poor widow became one of the greatest stories in the Gospel of Mark. So, how about you?

#SurrenderedGiving, #Mark12, #FaithNotFanfare

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus value the widow’s gift over the others?
2. How does this story challenge your view of generosity?
3. Where are you giving from convenience rather than trust?
4. What would it look like to give sacrificially this week?

DO THIS:

Offer something today that costs you—not just in money, but in comfort, time, or trust. Make it between you and God.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me give like this widow—with trust, not calculation. Grow my faith to give not what’s easy, but what’s surrendered. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Offering.”

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

Thank you for joining me today and following us throughout Project 23. If you would like to learn more about this project, click the link to discover more and partner with us.

Our text today is Mark 12:38-40:

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” — Mark 12:38-40

Jesus has been teaching in the temple all day, and now he turns from answering questions to issuing a warning.

“Beware of the scribes.”

He calls them out on their own turf. And notice the exhortation. He does not say to “disagree with them” or “debate them.” He says "beware" as in, be on high alert.

Why? Because their spiritual influence looked holy on the outside. They wore the robes. Spoke the language. Took the places of honor. Prayed eloquent prayers. But it was all for show. Underneath the surface, Jesus exposes something far more dangerous: They devoured widows’ houses. They used their spiritual authority to manipulate, exploit, and take. Their power was not for people’s good, but for their own gain.

And Jesus doesn’t just call it out—he warns of a greater condemnation.

Spiritual leadership without spiritual integrity is deadly. And Jesus is clear. He’s not impressed with religious appearances. He sees the robes. The seats. The greetings. The prayers. But more importantly, he sees the motives.

Are you living for God’s approval or people’s applause?

This warning isn’t just for teachers and pastors, like myself, which is humbling to consider. It’s for anyone tempted to put on a spiritual performance. It’s for the man who prays in public but won’t lead at home. The woman who knows Scripture but won’t show grace. The leader who loves attention but won’t serve in obscurity. God is not looking for polished people. He’s looking for surrendered hearts. So beware of putting on a religious show. It may impress people, but it never fools God.

#BewareTheShow, #Mark12, #SpiritualIntegrity

ASK THIS:

1. Why does Jesus say “beware” instead of just “disagree”?
2. What does “devouring widows’ houses” tell you about the scribes?
3. Where are you tempted to perform spiritually?
4. How can you pursue deeper integrity in your walk with Christ?

DO THIS:

Ask someone who knows you well: “Do you ever see a gap between what I say spiritually and how I actually live?”

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, protect me from the temptation to perform spiritually. I don’t want appearance—I want authenticity. Shape my heart, not just my image. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Give Me Jesus”