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
May 10, 2026, 6:58 PM
Passage Read: Psalm 120-123
Meditation Verses: 121:2-4
Thought
This is a great passage for a travel day like today. It is good to be reminded that the Lord watches over me and will be my help if trouble comes. He doesn't take breaks; He is always keeping watch and always aware not just of what is happening now, but what is coming up.
May 10, 2026, 1:13 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 119 Meditation Verses: 119:99-100
Thought
Meditation on and observation of God's Law is what makes a man truly wise, giving him more insight and more understanding than teachers and the aged. That seems like a dangerous thing, a prideful thing to say. We're supposed to learn from teachers and honor the aged, which would include respecting their experience and the wisdom they've gained by it.
May 9, 2026, 1:05 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 115-118
Meditation Verses: 115:1-8
Thought
The idols of the nations are nothing and can do nothing, and those who trust in them will become like them, powerless and nothing. But the nations ask, "Where is our God?" because there is nothing to see, no likeness, no image, no statue, no representation of His likeness. Our God is in heaven, but He sees all that goes on in the earth.
May 8, 2026, 12:09 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 111-114
Meditation Verses: 111:7-8
Thought
Everything God does is truth and justice, because everything He does is based on His unchanging precepts and principles. God never changes, so the principles by which He operates never change. Their unchanging nature is what makes them truth and justice. And those principles require that they be exercised in truth and uprightness.
May 7, 2026, 12:33 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 107-110
Meditation Verses: 109:2-5
Thought
David has determined in his heart to do what is just and right in the eyes of the Lord--not in his own eyes, or else he could have no confidence in pleading with the Lord for help. He has sought to do good and show love to everyone around him, but some of those near to him have turned against him.
May 6, 2026, 1:15 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 103-106
Meditation Verses: 106:43-45
Thought
Many times God delivered His people, though they had rebelled against Him and worshiped and served other gods. He delivered them, but not before turning them over to the consequences of their evil choices. Then they discovered how hard it is to live with their evil choices, the grief that comes from losing God's protection and blessing and help
May 5, 2026, 12:53 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 99-102
Meditation Verses: 102:17-18
Thought
The Lord is compassionate and gracious. He hears the prayer of the destitute, He has compassion on those who are abused and cursed and condemned by their enemies. The humble have no power against their enemies; they can only turn to the Lord for help and deliverance.
May 4, 2026, 12:06 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 95-98
Meditation Verses: 95:7-11
Thought
The key to hearing God's voice and knowing Him is not to harden my heart when He speaks. The people of Israel heard God's voice again and again in the wilderness, but they didn't listen because they didn't care what He had to say. All they cared about was what they wanted and what they weren't getting.
May 3, 2026, 1:41 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 91-94
Meditation Verses: 94:3-6
Thought
How long, O Lord, will the wicked continue without rebuke, without judgment? How long will they continue to do their wicked things and harm those around them? When will You judge them? When will You cast them from the earth and let those who love goodness live in peace?
May 2, 2026, 2:13 AM
Passage Read: Psalm 87-90
Meditation Verses: 90:7-12
Thought
Moses wrote this, and he was well past 80 years, and he was the most humble man on earth. He was faithful in all God's household. There was no one like Moses. He spent a third of his life as a prince of one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth. He spent a third of his life as a shepherd, living a simple life of simple pleasures.