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 15, 2024, 2:43 PM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 5 - 2 Peter 1
Meditation Verses: 1 Peter 5:8-10
Thought
The devil is prowling around, looking for someone to devour. He is not silent. He hasn't given up, even when we have trusted in Christ and surrendered our lives to Him. He is looking to make us stumble, even to attack us violently to shake our faith. By the grace of God, many of us are spared his violence, but we are not all spared his more subtle attacks.
Nov 14, 2024, 2:44 PM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:7-11
Thought
We're supposed to live for the will of God, but what does that look like? Peter has mentioned many things already, but here he points out several commands which suggest a heavy emphasis on caring for one another. There is the need for sound judgment and clear thinking for the purpose of prayer, which is not limited in any way. But then he tells the believers to remain fervent in love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Nov 13, 2024, 2:46 PM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 1-2
Meditation Verses: 1:17-19
Thought
What happened to "perfect love drives out all fear"? I suppose if we have perfect love for the Father, we would do all He asks and so have no fear of His judgment. If we understand what Peter's saying here, we would come to have perfect love for God or we would honor Him out of perfect love. God judges all men impartially, which means He doesn't look at believers and turn a blind eye to their sin. He sees it all clearly. In fact, believers are supposed to be those who have repented and humbled themselves before God and so should be more eager to do God's will.
Oct 27, 2023, 2:37 AM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 3-4
Meditation Verse: 4:7
Thought
The end of all things is near. Every generation since Peter is supposed to think that, so that they will adjust their priorities and live for the kingdom rather than for the world. Peter makes immediate application: Be clear minded and self-controlled, so that you can pray. Recognizing the nearness of the end of all things should drive me to be clear minded, to recognize what is truly important, and to be self-controlled, to direct my energies and efforts into doing what matters, which includes prayer in a significant place.
Oct 26, 2023, 2:38 AM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:18-23
Thought
What Christ did applies to everyone, not just slaves. What Christ did, enduring the unjust persecution and murder at the hands of authorities, He did as an example for all of us who follow Him. We are called to follow in His footsteps, enduring even unjust treatment because we are conscious of God, and because we entrust ourselves to His perfect and just judgment. We have trouble accepting this truth because we make so much of this life and our rights to a happy one this side of eternity.
Oct 27, 2022, 8:29 AM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 5 - 2 Peter 1
Meditation Verses: 1 Peter 5:2-3
Thought
Elders are supposed to exercise authority over their flock willingly, not under compulsion. In a sense, that means elders should not really be seeking the responsibility, and neither should they be forced into it. But they should see the need and be willing to step in to lead. Neither should they do it because they think they'll get rich doing it, but because of the need. There's a suggestion here that all the elders should receive some form of compensation, not like our modern idea that only the hired pastor receives a salary, though elsewhere it is written that those who do well should receive double honor.
Oct 26, 2022, 8:30 AM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 3-4
Meditation Verse: 4:15
Thought
"A murderer, a thief, an evildoer or a meddler in the affairs of others." Peter puts meddling in the affairs of others in the same category as murderers and thieves and evildoers! I know full well that I shouldn't kill anyone or steal things or practice evil, but do I recognize that I shouldn't meddle in the affairs of others? If I do, it's not much different in God's eyes from murder or theft. I need to keep my opinions to myself, I need to mind my own business.
Oct 25, 2022, 8:31 AM
Passage Read: 1 Peter 1-2
Meditation Verses: 1:13-18
Thought
Peter wants me to be holy, just as He who called me is holy. To do that, he calls me to set my hope perfectly on the grace to be given me at Christ's return, and to spend my days in fear of Him who judges justly without favoritism. He does not want me walking in old ways, in ways of the flesh and sin, in ways of my forefathers who didn't know God, or didn't obey Him. Peter wants me walking in God's ways of holiness and righteousness, and somehow both hope and fear should motivate me.