A cross is more than just an emblem of suffering. It is a daily reminder that the hard places in this life should cause us to look up and to bear our crosses just the way Jesus did.

Bible Reading: Mark 7–8

Verse of the day: Mark 8:34, "Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me."

Word of the day: Cross. It is the Greek word: σταυρός (stow-ros').