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

We are in the Gospel of Mark. Go to the website and grab the Scripture Journal for this study so you can study along with us.

Our shout-out today goes to Tim Salvesen from Carver, MN! Thank you for being a monthly partner, Tim. You rock my face off. I hope you enjoy this devotional today.

Today, we’re reading Mark 1:16-20:

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. — Mark 1:16-20

Jesus didn’t give these men a detailed plan.
He didn’t give a lecture or a checklist.
He gave a simple, life-altering invitation: “Follow me.”

No resume required. No spiritual degree. Just ordinary fishermen—busy working, heads down, doing life. Jesus walks up and flips their world upside down with two words.

And here’s the wild part—they dropped everything.
Nets. Boats. Family. Comfort. Security.
Gone in an instant. Because when Jesus calls, obedience can’t be delayed.

He didn’t just invite them to believe something—He invited them to become something.
"Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
He wasn’t offering a career change. He was offering transformation. A new mission. A new identity.

That’s what following Jesus always does. It interrupts. It costs. But it also creates.
He doesn’t call you to a better version of yourself—He calls you into a whole new purpose.

And notice the pattern: He calls. They respond.
No stalling. No excuses. No “let me check my schedule.” Just immediate obedience. That’s the power of Jesus’ voice—it cuts through the noise and speaks straight to the soul.

So, what do you need to drop to become someone different in Jesus today?

#FollowJesus, #RadicalObedience, #FishersOfMen

ASK THIS:

1. What is Jesus asking me to drop in this season?

2. Do I respond to Jesus immediately or with hesitation?

3. How does my identity change when I follow Jesus fully?

4. Am I more focused on comfort or on His calling?

DO THIS:

Drop the one thing today that’s delaying your full obedience to Jesus.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, give me the courage to drop what’s familiar and follow you without delay. Make me into who you’ve called me to be. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.

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

A shout-out today goes to David and Patti Fredrickson from Lake City, MN. Thank you both for your kind email, for be grateful listeners, and for becoming month partners. We cannot do this without you. Be like the Fredrickson's and listen daily with your spouse!

Today we premiere the next lesson in my newest study for men, titled Blacksmith's Discipline. If you'd like to join me for this click the link to receive notifications and purchase the study book that accompanies the study today. We have four more weeks to go.

Today, we’re reading Mark 1:12-13:

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.— Mark 1:12-13

The moment Jesus is baptized—He’s launched into battle.

No time to bask in the glory of that voice from heaven. No pause. No pat on the back. The same Spirit that descended like a dove drives him into the wilderness. And what waits for him there? Satan. Temptation. Wild animals. Isolation.

It’s easy to think that following God should lead to peace, comfort, clarity. But here—obedience leads Jesus into hardship. Before Jesus ever preached a word, He had to fight a war.

This wilderness moment matters. Jesus steps into the mess of temptation not because He had to—but because we do. He willingly walks into the fire so He could stand in it with us. He faces Satan head-on, not as a show of power, but as a statement of solidarity. The Son of God chose to suffer first.

And Mark tells it fast—just two verses. No dialogue. No breakdown of the temptation. Just this: He was tempted, He endured, He was not alone.

God doesn’t abandon us in the wilderness—He strengthens us there. You may feel like you're walking through your own desert right now. Maybe you're facing temptation, loneliness, or attack. But take this to heart: Jesus has walked that road, and He’s walking it with you now.

#WildernessFaith, #JesusFightsFirst, #Mark11213

ASK THIS:
What “wilderness” are you currently facing?
How do you typically respond to spiritual battles?
What does this passage teach you about God’s presence in trials?
In what ways can you rely more on the Spirit during temptation?
DO THIS:
Walk into your wilderness today with confidence—Jesus has already been there, and He’s walking with you now.

PRAY THIS:
Jesus, thank you for walking into the wilderness before me. Help me to see your presence in my hardest moments and trust your strength in my weakness. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
Battle Belongs.