Today Daily Devotional

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.”

— Mark 9:17

My wife and I have two children, and I can’t imagine them being sick with more than the flu. When I hear about kids who have cancer or other terrible diseases, my eyes tear up as I think about the burden of suffering in childhood and the load of concern weighing on parents in those situations.

I can’t imagine what the father of the boy in Mark 9 was going through. Hearing about the healer named Jesus and what he and his disciples could do was probably that father’s last hope. So when Jesus’ disciples couldn’t cast out the impure spirit from his son, the man must have been devastated. And when Jesus asked him if he believed, the man’s heartfelt confession was as raw and true as they come: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

We often find ourselves in similar situations, even if they aren’t as dire as this father’s predicament. We want to believe. We know that we need to believe. And in the meantime we keep fighting against nagging feelings of unbelief.

Jesus has come to help in the way we need it most. Though he might not help us in the same way he helped the anguished father and his son in today’s story, Jesus showed, by laying down his life, that he truly loves us. And by his resurrection he made it possible for us to live with him forever!

Lord, I believe you are God above all and in control of all things. Help me overcome my unbelief in every area of life! Amen.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

— Mark 9:7

From the cloud on the mount of transfiguration, God said, “This is my Son.” Here God identifies Jesus so that his disciples will have no doubt about his identity. This is God’s Son, whom God sent to earth for a purpose. And that purpose was about to become clearer in the coming weeks. Jesus’ mission would soon lead to his death and resurrection for us all.

“Whom I love.” God’s feeling for his Son is also clear. God didn’t send his Son to earth on some deadly mission because he didn’t care about him. God loved his Son with every part of his being. This was a selfless act by a loving Father who hurt deeply because of what was about to happen.

“Listen to him!” This command was directed at Jesus’ disciples who were with him that day, and it is directed at you and me today. Jesus told his disciples why he had come and what he was about to do, but they didn’t always listen or understand. It was very important, though, that they understand! Only when they understood what Jesus was doing could they share it with everyone else they came into contact with—as he would command them to do later (Matthew 28:18-20).

Similarly, only when we listen can we fulfill God’s commands as well. So as we read God’s Word, let’s listen to what Jesus is saying!

Father God, thank you for loving Jesus and for sending him to us. Help us to listen to him faithfully each day. Amen.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

— Mark 9:5

Mountaintop experiences can come in many forms. Sometimes they occur on a literal mountain, like when our family rode the cog railroad to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. Other times they can be an experience or part of an event that leaves us feeling like we are on a mountaintop. Some of the students I work with have mountaintop experiences at a summer camp or on a mission trip, where everything goes well and they learn and grow in faith. We sometimes wish events like that could last forever, but mountaintop experiences rarely last.

Peter thought the experience of Jesus’ transfiguration on a mountain would last a long time. He even suggested building shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But the top of this mountain wasn’t where they needed to stay. The amazing, spectacular transfiguration of Jesus was soon past.

Whatever your mountaintop experience is, it’s probably not where you need to stay either. We are called to be in the world, living life, talking to the people around us, bringing about healing and peace, and walking the path that God has in store for us.

Mountaintop experiences are great. And we can use them to fill us up for the everyday challenges God has in store for us.

Holy God, thank you for filling us up with moments of your presence. Allow those times to carry us along on the path you have laid out for us. In Jesus, Amen.

Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.

— John 12:3

Again we see Jesus interacting with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. They were giving a dinner in Jesus’ honor. And as Jesus reclined at the table with everyone around, Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and then wiped his feet with her hair.

This was a very unusual act, and we might have reacted in a way like some of Jesus’ disciples did, thinking it was a waste of money. But Jesus saw it for what it was—an act of sacrifice that pointed ahead to the preparation for his burial.

If we can picture for a moment being in that house after Mary poured out the perfume, we can imagine the fragrance filling the house. John even notes that the whole house is filled with the fragrance. But even if we take the perfume out of the picture, we can still imagine the house being filled with the “aroma” of this act.

Selfless acts of service and sacrifice tend to spread. People talk about them, describing what they’ve seen or experienced. Their stories can even inspire others to do selfless acts as well. Through acts like this, love, compassion, caring, and kindness are spread.

Maybe you are being called, in honor of Jesus, to do some act of humble service today. And maybe that act will unleash a fragrance that spreads to others.

Loving God, help us to see where you are calling us to serve others. Use us to spread the aroma of your love. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. . . .

— John 11:1

Losing someone close to you is never easy. Many of us have lost family members, friends, and people from our community who were very close to us. Loss brings tears and sadness and questions about “Why?”

When we read this Bible passage, we can’t help thinking about Jesus’ friendship with Lazarus and his sisters. This wasn’t just any man who had fallen ill and died. This was someone whom Jesus knew and loved.

So why didn’t Jesus come running to help Lazarus as soon as he heard about his illness? That’s what we want him to do. But maybe we need to realize that Jesus doesn’t always do what we think he should do. His agenda is not ours, and his time is not ours.

Jesus explained that his delay had to do with God’s glory, and he talked with his disciples and then with Lazarus’s sisters about faith and belief. What’s more, we soon learn that although Lazarus died and was buried for four days, Jesus was able to raise him from the dead!

This was actually just a small prelude to what would happen to Jesus himself. After he died to save us from the curse of sin, he was raised from the dead to show the whole world God’s power over death for us all!

Heavenly Father, you have power over all things. Through your love for us, show us that power in our lives each day, and help us to trust in you. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

— John 10:11

In this passage Jesus refers to his upcoming death to save all who will believe in him. Here he is talking to the Pharisees and to others listening in. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who knows and cares for his sheep so much that he will lay down his life for them.

But many of the people listening to him don’t understand what he is talking about. Some think he is demon-possessed or insane. Others, however, realize that he has amazing power to heal and do good, and many people believe in him. This kind of thing happens often when Jesus does something amazing or teaches something new. Some people believe, and others don’t.

We might think that these split reactions would make Jesus frustrated and want to quit, but he kept on going. He kept interacting with the crowds. He kept talking to the Pharisees and teaching his disciples. He kept healing the sick. He kept heading toward the cross and his death for our sake.

As we reflect on these things, considering all that Jesus has done for us, surely our reactions will include thanksgiving, gratitude, awe, and more.

If you are facing hard times and struggling to maintain a sense of gratitude lately, take some time to remember all that Jesus has gone through for us. The good shepherd who laid down his life for you and for me truly is good.

Good Shepherd, thank you for laying down your life for us. Help us to live in gratitude each day and to share your love with others. Amen.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. . . .

— John 4:39

The Samaritan woman who had met Jesus at the well (John 4:1-30) ran back to her town and informed everyone that Jesus had told her everything she had ever done. Her story wasn’t a shining example of how to be a great person. But she shared how Jesus had talked with her and given her hope, despite her complicated past, and she invited others to come hear Jesus as well.

As a result, many Samaritans believed in Jesus both because of her testimony and because of his teaching.

It amazes me what can happen when we share our stories and we are able to spend time with Jesus and his followers. Jesus can use any story to help people put their faith in him.

How might Jesus use your story to bring others to learn about him and his great salvation? The Samaritan woman shared her story about how Jesus had changed her. Can we do that too?

No one’s life is beyond saving through the power of Jesus. The Lord can use all of our stories to bring others into his loving embrace.

How will you use your story and your encounter with Jesus to tell someone about his love today?

Jesus, help me to share my story with others so that more people may come to believe in you today. In your name, Amen.

He came to Jesus at night. . . .

— John 3:2

Many people have wondered and speculated about why Nicodemus went to Jesus at night. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling religious council, which was often opposed to Jesus. Was Nicodemus afraid of being seen by other council members? Did he go at night because Jesus would be less busy and have time for an in-depth conversation? Did John include that detail because it fit with his emphasis on light and darkness in his account of Jesus’ life and work?

Whatever the reason, the fact that Nicodemus went to Jesus with questions and that Jesus engaged him in conversation has always intrigued me. Nicodemus had questions about spiritual matters, and Jesus was interested in discussing those with him, even at night.

This encounter prompts me to ask, “Are we ready and willing to come to Jesus with our questions about faith?” We all have questions, and Jesus is always ready to hear them.

What are your questions about faith? Did you know Jesus cares about you and wants you to have “life to the full” (John 10:10)? You can ask him questions anytime in prayer, and Jesus’ followers can help with finding answers in the Bible and providing a community that supports you in faith. If you know some followers of Jesus, ask them for help with your questions. (You can also connect with ReFrame Ministries for more information).

Jesus, thank you for engaging with our questions and for providing people who can support and talk with us. Amen.

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him. . . .

— Luke 10:1

In my first job as a teenager, I picked raspberries at a farm in Washington State. I can’t say it was my favorite job ever, but it gave me something to do for the summer and provided me with some money to buy baseball cards at the local gas station. More than keeping me busy and giving me a bit of money, though, that job helped to give me a sense of purpose for the summer.

Jesus sent out 72 of his followers with a task and a purpose. They went ahead of him to the towns and villages he was about to go to as he brought the good news of the kingdom of God.

As these followers went out, they shared the good news about Jesus, and they were even able to heal people and cast out demons. From their reaction it seems they were also surprised that they could do these things in Jesus’ name.

But that’s what happens when Jesus gives us a job and sends us out with his blessing. Even if we don’t feel fully equipped to do what we are called to do, Jesus goes with us and blesses our efforts.

The Lord has a task and a purpose for us to carry out. We are his followers on this earth, sent out to share his message with the world.

Jesus, thank you for sending us into this world to share your good news with everyone we meet. Amen.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

— Romans 12:1

At times I have struggled with trusting God to direct and control my life. And Romans 12:1 has been a helpful reminder that I need to surrender myself to the Lord. This verse challenges me to offer myself completely to God, recognizing his mercy and goodness in my life.

Surrendering to God is not just a one-time decision; each day we need to commit to aligning our will with God’s. This involves letting go of our desires, fears, and ambitions, and inviting God to guide and shape our lives according to his purpose. It requires humility and faith to surrender our plans and trust that God’s ways are higher and his love is unfailing.

When we surrender to God, we experience true freedom and peace. We release the burden of trying to control outcomes and instead embrace God’s sovereignty. Surrender opens the door for God to work miracles in our lives, transforming our weaknesses into strengths and our struggles into testimonies of his grace.

If you wrestle with surrendering to God, I encourage you to pray earnestly and ask him to help you see that we can’t control our own lives—only God can. Surrender your fears, dreams, and uncertainties into his capable hands, knowing that he cares for you and desires the best for your life.

Father, help us to trust your plans and yield to your will each day. May our lives be a testimony to your goodness and faithfulness. Amen.