Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Apr 20, 2023, 7:09 AM
Passage Read: Proverbs 2-5
Meditation Verses: 2:1-5
Thought
Understanding the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God doesn't just happen, it takes effort. It starts with accepting the commands of a parent, directing the ear to listen and the heart to understand wisdom and understanding, calling out for insight and understanding, and searching for it like hidden treasure. How much effort do we put into working for a paycheck? That's the kind of effort it takes to know the fear of the Lord and to find the knowledge of God.
Apr 19, 2023, 7:10 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 148 - Proverbs 1
Meditation Verses: Proverbs 1:22-33
Thought
Wisdom is brutal! Yes, generous to those who listen to rebuke, she pours out her heart to them. But refuse to listen to rebuke, and she cuts you off. When calamity strikes because you didn't listen to her, she laughs at you! Then when you do call out to her, she blows you off. She characterizes such simpletons as hating knowledge and rejecting the fear of God, so she consigns them to eating fully from their own ways.
Apr 18, 2023, 6:45 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 144-147
Meditation Verses: 147:19-20
Thought
God has revealed His Word to Israel. Paul speaks of that as a great advantage Jews have over Gentiles. It is a privilege that we don't often recognize. That God would choose a people and make sure they understand what is needed in order to gain eternal life, to have peace with Him and enjoy His favor, and leave the rest of mankind to grope for Him, to seek Him and not know when they've found Him, that sure looks like God playing favorites.
Apr 17, 2023, 6:46 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 140-143
Meditation Verses: 141:4-5
Thought
Several things I learn from this: I don't want my heart to be drawn to what is evil or to take part of evil deeds, so I should not enjoy or partake of their delicacies. Enjoying their riches is one way my heart will be drawn into their ways. Then I always need to be open to and grateful for the rebuke of righteous men who see me stumbling into the delicacies or ways of the wicked. And lastly, I need to continually pray against the deeds of the wicked.
Apr 16, 2023, 6:48 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 136-139
Meditation Verse: 138:1
Thought
I don't have much cause for this, in that I don't spend much time among other gods or among great men who think and act like they are gods, but even when I encounter those who think much of themselves as their idols, I must praise the Lord as my God and Savior. He is my help, while other men look to themselves and their cleverness or power. He is my hope, even when all things look bleak.
Apr 15, 2023, 6:49 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 132-135
Meditation Verse: 135:14
Thought
The Lord has done mighty works for the sake of His name and His people. He will yet do mighty works that will save His people and bring glory to His name. While we wait for those final signs and wonders, for His reclaiming of the earth and installation of His King in Zion, we can still hope for lesser deeds and acts on our behalf. It does not mean He will overthrow nations for us, but He can still do great things for us. He still cares about His name and His people, but it will always take faith to believe until Jesus comes in the clouds.
Apr 14, 2023, 6:51 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 128-131
Meditation Verse: 131:1
Thought
There is freedom and great peace when I understand my place, my responsibilities, and trust those over me. When I content and confine myself with just things I have control of or responsibility for, when I can let go of those things that are too high or complicated for me, things that belong to others, then I can be at peace, especially when resting in the Lord. Whether it's matters that concern my boss or other authorities over me, if I leave them with those responsible for them, I can enjoy peace, especially when my trust and hope are in the Lord.
Apr 13, 2023, 6:52 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 124-127
Meditation Verses: 127:1-2
Thought
If the Lord doesn't want a thing accomplished, those who work at it do so in vain. They may make progress, may even complete it, but it will continually be under threat of overthrow. They'll have to watch over it like a hawk, they'll have to continually labor over it to protect it. But if God supports the project, those who work at it can do so in peace, can lie down and sleep at night, because the Lord will protect and prosper it.
Apr 12, 2023, 6:53 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 120-123
Meditation Verses: 121:1-2
Thought
In anything and everything I do, the Lord is my help. I need to remember to call on Him not just for strength or protection, but wisdom and guidance. I don't just need Him to keep me safe in hard times or circumstances, but I need Him to show me the way I should go.
Apr 11, 2023, 6:54 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 119
Meditation Verses: 119:99-100
Thought
Insight and understanding come from meditation and obedience. To be as wise or wiser than teachers of the Word or elders who have much more lived experience of God requires meditating on God's Word (probably day and night) and obedience to it. I suppose that anyone who thinks on God's Word regularly will also be inclined to do what it says, especially if they are like the psalmist who finds great delight in the Law. If you see its beauty, that should inspire obedience.
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