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

Today’s shout-out goes to Bob & Shannon Maxiner from Lake Elmo, MN. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your support reminds us that Jesus is always more than enough. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:35-44:

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. — Mark 6:35-44

The sun was setting. The crowd was huge. And the disciples were doing the math. After a few quick calculations, they concluded that there was not enough. Enough time. Enough money. Enough food.

It’s a rational thought about the necessary rations. Five thousand men, not counting women and children. In a remote location.

But Jesus challenges their rational logic with a divine line:

“You give them something to eat.”

And their scarcity mentality kicks in.

“Are we supposed to spend two hundred denarii on bread?”
“We only have five loaves and two fish.”

The disciples only perceived natural impossibilities.
Jesus perceived spiritual possibilities.

Scarcity sees lack—but faith sees the Lord.

Jesus tells them to organize the crowd. He blesses the bread. He breaks the fish. What wasn’t enough in their hands becomes more than enough in his.

“And they all ate and were satisfied.”

Every need was met. No one went hungry. It cost nothing. They traveled nowhere. And there were twelve baskets of leftovers. This is what happens when we surrender scarcity to the Savior. Too many believers live day-by-day with a scarcity mentality.

Not enough time.
Not enough talent.
Not enough experience.
Not enough influence.
Not enough faith.

And so we play it safe. We hold back. We tell Jesus to “send them/it away.” However, Jesus never operates from a place of scarcity or lack. He’s not concerned about how much you have—he's asking if you’ll have faith, bring what you have, and give it to him. Because what feels insufficient to us becomes sufficient in Jesus's hands.

So stop living with a scarcity mentality. Live by faith. Bring what you have. Let Jesus multiply and make it more than enough.

ASK THIS:

1. Why do you think the disciples focused on what they didn’t have?
2. What does this story teach us about God's provision?
3. Where are you tempted to say, “It’s not enough”?
4. What would it look like to trust Jesus with that area today?

DO THIS:

Identify one area where you’ve been operating from a scarcity mindset. Write it down, bring it to Jesus in prayer, and trust Him to do more than you can see.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I confess I’ve been focused on what I lack. Today I choose to bring what I have to you. Help me trust that your hands are better than mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"More Than Able" by Elevation Worship

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

Today’s shout-out goes to Terry White from Dodge City, KS. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. You’re helping others find rest in Christ and strength in His Word. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:30-34:

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. — Mark 6:30-34

The disciples return from their first mission trip—tired, drained, and hungry. They’ve been pouring themselves out in ministry. And Jesus sees it.

“Come away by yourselves… and rest a while.”

This is the heart of Jesus. He doesn’t just care about the mission—he realizes they are the mission. He invites them to recover, to respire, to rest.

But before they get to their quiet place, the crowd shows up. Not a few people—thousands. Uninvited. Unexpected. Undeterred.

And Jesus? He sees the crowd. He knows what it’ll cost. But he doesn’t send them away. Looking past the obligation, he sees who they are: "sheep without a shepherd." Therefore, he teaches them. He puts down his plan and picks up their burden.

Because with Jesus, compassion always overrides convenience.

Recognize that Jesus and the disciples were tired. But compassion made space for the crowd.

That’s not soft leadership—it’s spiritual maturity. And it’s the kind of heart Jesus is forming in us.

Let’s be honest—most of us guard our convenience with everything we’ve got. We guard our calendars, our boundaries, our margin, and our entertainment. But sometimes the Spirit brings the “crowd” to the shore of your day. And the question is—will you see them as a problem or a person? Will you protect your comfort, or extend compassion?

Compassion will cost you something. It always does. But it’s how we love like Jesus. It’s how we lead like Jesus. It’s how we point people to Jesus.

So today—who’s the crowd in front of you? Stop seeing your colleagues, children, and spouse as an inconvenience. See them as an opportunity to soften your heart and have a heart of compassion like Jesus.

ASK THIS:

1. Why do you think Jesus invited the disciples to rest but still made room for the crowd?
2. How did He balance compassion with leadership?
3. Where are you tempted to protect convenience over showing compassion?
4. What would it look like to allow compassion to override your plans this week?

DO THIS:

Think of one time recently when convenience won over compassion. Ask Jesus for the grace to make space—and love like He does next time.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, give me your eyes to see people—especially when it’s inconvenient. Teach me to love like you, even when I’m tired, interrupted, or busy. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"God of Justice" by Tim Hughes.