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
Sep 10, 2024, 11:00 AM
Passage Read: Acts 8-9
Meditation Verses: 8:21-23
Thought
Simon believed the Gospel at Philip's preaching, but he used to be someone great, called the "Great Power of God." But he saw in Philip and the Gospel something greater, and when the apostles came to give the Holy Spirit, he saw something still greater. He wanted the power to give the Holy Spirit, and Peter sensed in him or was told by God that Simon had a serious problem. Even though he had believed the Gospel and given up his former ways, he still wanted power to awe the people.
Sep 9, 2024, 11:01 AM
Passage Read: Acts 6-7
Meditation Verse: 7:60
Thought
Stephen drew from history to show how disobedient and rebellious the Jews were, especially this leadership. He called them out for their sin in no uncertain terms, calling them stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart, the betrayers and murderers of Jesus. Was he wrong? Should he have been more gentle? Would he have lived a long and spiritually fruitful life if he had handled this differently, been more gracious?
Sep 8, 2024, 11:02 AM
Passage Read: Acts 4-5
Meditation Verse: 5:33
Thought
This is the third time the apostles were arrested, and their courage and boldness remain undimmed. They were just imprisoned, but released by an angel and told to preach in the temple first thing in the morning. Is that really so wise? They could be arrested again, and perhaps killed! If they're killed, what would happen to the fledgling church? And sure enough, they're arrested again and brought in for questioning. This time Peter doesn't leave it for them to guess whom the apostles need to obey: They are compelled to obey God.
Sep 7, 2024, 11:04 AM
Passage Read: Acts 2-3
Meditation Verse: 3:15
Thought
The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance that all He taught, all He claimed about Himself, and all He promised to those who believe in Him is true. It is the evidence we need to believe in Him. If He had remained dead until the first resurrection, none of us would know we were saved, none of us would have confidence to believe we were forgiven, and none of us would turn from our wicked ways.
Sep 6, 2024, 11:06 AM
Passage Read: John 21 - Acts 1
Meditation Verses: John 21:17-18
Thought
Jesus adjusts His question to meet Peter where he is. Jesus first asks if Peter loves Him with a sacrificial love, but after denying Jesus three times, Peter no longer dares claim such a love for Him. The best he can admit to is brotherly love. In Jesus's third question, He asks Peter if he loves Him with brotherly love.
Sep 5, 2024, 10:53 AM
Passage Read: John 19-20
Meditation Verse: 19:11
Thought
Jesus here is saying what Paul later explains, that all authority on earth is appointed by God. God established authorities, not just those that acknowledge Him, but even those that have no idea He exists. God is a God of authority and structure and order, and He appoints authorities at every level of human interaction. Though Jesus is the Son of God, He is presently made lower than the angels, He presently has been granted no authority among men, though He possesses great authority over the heavenly realm and has power to command nature and disease and angelic beings.
Sep 4, 2024, 10:55 AM
Passage Read: John 17-18
Meditation Verses: 17:14-18
Thought
Jesus sends His disciples into the world, even though the world hates them. He sends us into the world just as the Father sent Him into the world, to testify of its deeds, that they are evil, and to call them to repentance and faith in Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. We need protection from the evil one, that Jesus prays for us.
Sep 3, 2024, 10:56 AM
Passage Read: John 15-16
Meditation Verses: 15:26-27
Thought
The disciples would not be alone in their testifying about Jesus. The Holy Spirit would also be testifying to the whole world. The Spirit's testimony is what makes our testimony powerful and effective. It's also what makes our testimony a condemnation to those who reject it. We are not speaking about God in a vacuum; the message we speak is not without consequence.
Sep 2, 2024, 10:57 AM
Passage Read: John 13-14
Meditation Verses: 14:12-14
Thought
This seems like such a great promise, such a huge promise. The works that Jesus did, those who believe in Him will do greater things. He has done some pretty spectacular miracles! But He promises that those who believe in Him will do even greater things, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And He says, "Whatever you ask," as if there's no limit, just as long as the Father can be glorified through the Son.
Sep 1, 2024, 10:59 AM
Passage Read: John 11-12
Meditation Verses: 12:49-50
Thought
Jesus doesn't come up with His own thoughts and wisdom, but He only says what His Father has commanded Him to say. The Father's command is eternal life, so He is careful to speak just as the Father has instructed Him. As many ideas and thoughts that I might have and think they're good, as many thoughts or ideas I may hear and think that they're good, only the commands and Words that come from God are good and right and eternal life.
- ← Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3 (current)
- Next →