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
Dec 31, 2024, 9:38 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 27 - Numbers 3
Meditation Verse: Numbers 3:9
Thought
All the firstborn males in Israel belonged to the Lord, that meant they were supposed to be dedicated to His service. That was to be their vocation, though since it wasn't all-consuming work and there would be a multiplying of their numbers, the tasks could be spread across more and more people, leaving increasing time to do other things.
Dec 30, 2024, 9:40 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 23-26
Meditation Verses: 24:12-14
Thought
At the time of this incident, they had at least the ten commandments and had been warned against taking the name of the Lord in vain. Perhaps much more of the Law had been given at this point, but not the penalty of a blasphemer.
Dec 29, 2024, 10:36 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 19-22
Meditation Verses: 19:17-18
Thought
It is hatred to not rebuke your neighbor frankly and clearly, and it's a sharing in his guilt. It can also be like seeking revenge against them or bearing a grudge against them. These two sets of commands are bookended by the instructions to not hate a neighbor but love them.
Dec 28, 2024, 10:39 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 15-18
Meditation Verse: 18:25
Thought
The wickedness of the people defile their land, and when God punishes the land, it tries to get rid of the things that actually brought sin upon it. The land didn't sin, so why would God punish it?
Dec 27, 2024, 10:41 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 11-14
Meditation Verses: 14:34-35
Thought
It's interesting that God takes responsibility for the mark of leprosy in the house. What about in clothing or on a person? The Lord is sovereign over all and does control or oversee all that happens in the earth.
Dec 26, 2024, 10:43 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 7-10
Meditation Verse: 10:3
Thought
Those who represent the Lord, those who draw nearest to Him, must hold closest to His Word and ways. He is holy and His holiness will be on display to those who draw nearest to Him, but that means those that draw nearest to Him must be most diligent to know and treat Him with the utmost honor.
Dec 25, 2024, 6:14 AM
Passage Read: Leviticus 3-6
Meditation Verse: 5:4
Thought
Anyone who thoughtlessly swears any oath, whether good or evil, is guilty of sin and must offer a sacrifice. It did not matter if he was aware of it or not. As soon as he is made aware, he must seek the Lord's forgiveness and offer sacrifice.
Dec 24, 2024, 6:16 AM
Passage Read: Exodus 39 - Leviticus 2
Meditation Verses: Leviticus 1:11-13
Thought
This aspect of the priest's job sounds pretty gruesome. They're not unlike a butcher, except they're only cutting the offering into smaller parts for burning, not carving it up to sell as meat. Killing, draining blood, skinning, cutting it into sections, gutting, cleaning, burning.
Dec 23, 2024, 6:18 AM
Passage Read: Exodus 35-38
Meditation Verses: 36:1-2
Thought
It seems like all the people who contributed to the tabernacle and all is equipment gave willingly and without compulsion. But the craftsmen, both named and unnamed, were summoned to the project. Did they have a choice or did they also give willingly of their time and skill?
Dec 22, 2024, 6:20 AM
Passage Read: Exodus 31-34
Meditation Verse: 34:21
Thought
It's interesting that God makes a point of mentioning the two busiest times of the year for farmers. Even during plowing and harvesting, all God's people are to rest one day a week. No excuses. No matter how urgent your work may be, everyone needs to take one day each week and rest.