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.