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
Jul 16, 2026, 8:04 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 12 - Hosea 3
Meditation Verses: Hosea 2:11-15
Thought
God promises to destroy all the resources of His adulterous wife, Israel. He promises to take away all her celebrations, all her treasures and cause all her lovers to turn against her. He will then drive her out into the wilderness, where He will speak kindly to her.
Jul 15, 2026, 8:11 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verse: 8:12
Thought
On account of sin, Israel was sent into exile. After seventy years, God brought them back to their land. But they would not remain faithful or they would not return in full repentance. Because this awful king who will do away with the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination that causes desolation would be sent against them because of their transgression.
Jul 14, 2026, 7:38 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 5:21-23
Thought
Belshazzar knew of his father's insanity, both the cause and the reason his kingdom was restored. Nebuchadnezzar lost his kingdom because of his own pride, thinking that he had made Babylon great without recognizing that it was God who allowed it and blessed him. But when his mind returned, he blessed the God of heaven and his kingdom was restored to him.
Jul 13, 2026, 7:01 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 48 - Daniel 3
Meditation Verses: Daniel 3:27-28
Thought
It is good and right to refuse to obey commands that violate the Law and heart of the Lord. But that doesn't mean we throw out respect and obedience to the ruler who gives such a command. These three men still spoke to the king with honor and served him both before and after this incident.
Jul 12, 2026, 8:24 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 44-47
Meditation Verses: 44:15-16
Thought
The Levites failed in their duties, helping the people worship idols. They were not to take the role of the priest on themselves, but like Jonathan the grandson of Moses, some or many found they could advance to the role of priest with idols or foreign gods. Instead of being just a servant or helper, they could be the head guy.
Jul 11, 2026, 8:54 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 40-43
Meditation Verses: 43:10-11
Thought
The Lord dictated all these plans and Ezekiel was to describe them to the people of Israel so that they might be ashamed. And only if they were ashamed of all they had done was he to give them the details. In fact, only if they were truly ashamed and ready to make things right was there any point in giving them the details. If they didn't change, they would either not bother to make the temple or they would make it but continue their false worship.
Jul 10, 2026, 7:27 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 36-39
Meditation Verses: 36:5-10
Thought
By divine decree, the land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel forever. Even when the Lord Himself drives His people out of the land as punishment for their sins, it does not mean the Lord has given up the land or allowed others to take ownership of it. Any who claim it for themselves in Israel's absence are counted as thieves and interlopers.
Jul 9, 2026, 8:19 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 32-35
Meditation Verses: 34:15-16
Thought
How the flock must suffer at the hands of their worthless shepherds. If only the Lord would deliver them from their cruel shepherds by removing them long before harm is done. The Lord knows the beginning from the end. He knows which shepherds will be good and which evil.
Jul 8, 2026, 6:16 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 28-31
Meditation Verses: 28:2-5
Thought
Intelligence, particularly wisdom, and financial success are two of three most common sources of personal pride leading to arrogance. Jeremiah warns against a man boasting of his wisdom, strength or riches, instead of in knowing the Lord. Tyre actually had all three, so it's no wonder it was so proud, and its ruler thought himself a god.
Jul 7, 2026, 7:44 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 24-27
Meditation Verses: 25:15-17
Thought
Ammon and Moab, Edom and the Philistines, neighbors of Israel, perpetual enemies, though three of them are related by blood! So they rejoice at the destruction of Israel and Judah. They take advantage of the situation and plunder the edges of the land and take for themselves whatever the Babylonians leave behind.