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
Nov 13, 2026, 7:24 AM
Passage Read: Titus 3 - Philemon 1
Meditation Verses: Titus 3:1-3
Thought
The reason Paul gives for believers to submit to every authority, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle and to be considerate toward all men is because we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and full of all kinds of hatred and envy.
Nov 12, 2026, 7:12 AM
Passage Read: Titus 1-2
Meditation Verse: 2:15
Thought
In the first chapter, Paul told Titus to reprove the Cretans severely, because they are in fact "liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." In regard to the conduct of men and women, husbands and wives, young men, young women and slaves, Paul tells Titus to "speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
Nov 11, 2026, 6:31 AM
Passage Read: 2 Timothy 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:2-4
Thought
We have such a tendency, such a drive to drift into myths and fables--anything but the truth! It is vital that leaders and teachers hold to the truth, preach it regularly and "reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction." As much as Paul teaches that love "believes the best," yet here he warns Timothy that unless he preaches the Word faithfully with reproof, rebuke and exhortation, the believers will drift into nonsense--and not just drift, they will gather to themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear!
Nov 10, 2026, 7:16 AM
Passage Read: 2 Timothy 1-2
Meditation Verse: 1:8
Thought
It is easy to be afraid to be identified with those who suffer because of the Gospel and Jesus Christ. There is a natural, earthly, human desire to distance ourselves from them. Perhaps they went too far in their teaching or their example. Perhaps they were too mean.
Nov 9, 2026, 8:02 AM
Passage Read: 1 Timothy 5-6
Meditation Verses: 6:20-21
Thought
There is worldly and empty chatter and there are "the opposing arguments of what is falsely called 'knowledge.'" There are things that are totally meaningless and there are things that masquerade as knowledge. Both are useless and dangerous to the true believer because they lead away from the faith.
Nov 8, 2026, 6:58 AM
Passage Read: 1 Timothy 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:7-8
Thought
It's not just worldly fables that we need to be careful of and alert to, but also these doctrines of demons which include forbidding of marriage and abstaining from certain foods. Really it is anything that distracts from disciplining ourselves for godliness.
Nov 7, 2026, 8:22 AM
Passage Read: 1 Timothy 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:1-4
Thought
A tranquil and quiet life is good in God's eyes if it is lived in godliness and dignity. It helps further God's desire that all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Whether that is by the granting of such prayers that reveals the truth and power of God or through the godly and dignified testimony of men and women displayed freely and widely because of the peace they enjoy.
Nov 6, 2026, 7:57 AM
Passage Read: 2 Thessalonians 2-3
Meditation Verse: 2:15
Thought
The antidote to the delusion that's coming and likely is already working its deception is to hold firmly to the traditions handed down to us from Paul and the original Apostles and the rest of Scripture. They and their teaching were not part of the delusion, but anything that calls us to step aside from anything they taught is.
Nov 5, 2026, 7:53 AM
Passage Read: 1 Thessalonians 5 - 2 Thessalonians 1
Meditation Verses: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-6
Thought
The Thessalonian believers are still suffering persecution, long after Paul has departed. They continue not only to believe in the Lord but they also have desires for goodness and works of faith, which Paul prays God would fulfill and empower. They haven't stopped trusting the Lord, and they have continued to grow in their understanding and obedience and love for their neighbors.
Nov 4, 2026, 7:03 AM
Passage Read: 1 Thessalonians 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:7-8
Thought
God has not called us to remain in impurity, but to be and to grow in holiness. The Gospel is not just a call to forgiveness, but to a transformed life. It is a call to repentance, to turning away from impurity and immorality, and a turning to holiness, righteousness and purity.