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
Sep 12, 2024, 10:57 AM
Passage Read: Acts 12-13
Meditation Verse: 13:10
Thought
Elymas was a Jewish false prophet, who served the proconsul. When the proconsul invited Paul and Barnabas to explain the Gospel to him, Elymas opposed them and worked at turning the proconsul away from the message. According to Paul in his rebuke, Elymas was turning the straight way of the Lord into a crooked way.
Sep 11, 2024, 10:58 AM
Passage Read: Acts 10-11
Meditation Verses: 10:34-35
Thought
Cornelius believed in the God of the Jews, that He was indeed the one true God. He turned away from his own gods and accepted the conditions and restraints and lesser position Gentiles had in the Jewish world. That did not bother him. He in fact gave generously to the Jews and prayed faithfully to the Lord. And the Lord took notice. In compassion and acceptance, He told Cornelius to send for Peter, who would tell him what was needed to be saved. Cornelius obeyed right away.
Sep 10, 2024, 11:00 AM
Passage Read: Acts 8-9
Meditation Verses: 8:21-23
Thought
Simon believed the Gospel at Philip's preaching, but he used to be someone great, called the "Great Power of God." But he saw in Philip and the Gospel something greater, and when the apostles came to give the Holy Spirit, he saw something still greater. He wanted the power to give the Holy Spirit, and Peter sensed in him or was told by God that Simon had a serious problem. Even though he had believed the Gospel and given up his former ways, he still wanted power to awe the people.
Sep 9, 2024, 11:01 AM
Passage Read: Acts 6-7
Meditation Verse: 7:60
Thought
Stephen drew from history to show how disobedient and rebellious the Jews were, especially this leadership. He called them out for their sin in no uncertain terms, calling them stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart, the betrayers and murderers of Jesus. Was he wrong? Should he have been more gentle? Would he have lived a long and spiritually fruitful life if he had handled this differently, been more gracious?
Sep 8, 2024, 11:02 AM
Passage Read: Acts 4-5
Meditation Verse: 5:33
Thought
This is the third time the apostles were arrested, and their courage and boldness remain undimmed. They were just imprisoned, but released by an angel and told to preach in the temple first thing in the morning. Is that really so wise? They could be arrested again, and perhaps killed! If they're killed, what would happen to the fledgling church? And sure enough, they're arrested again and brought in for questioning. This time Peter doesn't leave it for them to guess whom the apostles need to obey: They are compelled to obey God.
Sep 7, 2024, 11:04 AM
Passage Read: Acts 2-3
Meditation Verse: 3:15
Thought
The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance that all He taught, all He claimed about Himself, and all He promised to those who believe in Him is true. It is the evidence we need to believe in Him. If He had remained dead until the first resurrection, none of us would know we were saved, none of us would have confidence to believe we were forgiven, and none of us would turn from our wicked ways.
Aug 30, 2023, 4:19 PM
Passage Read: Acts 26-27
Meditation Verses: 26:2-3
Thought
It's interesting that Paul has a more respectful tone here than even among the Sanhedrin. He's been given freedom to speak as he wishes, and knows that the king understands much of what he is taking about. He has no idea how Agrippa will respond, but he knows at least that he's not before a hostile audience.
Aug 29, 2023, 4:20 PM
Passage Read: Acts 24-25
Meditation Verse: 24:25
Thought
Righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come are all key elements of our faith. We are called to live righteously, as God describes righteousness. That requires self-control, which we must then exercise in order to resist the evil impulses of our flesh and the enticements of the world, and compel ourselves to walk in righteousness. Knowing that all men will be judged for their deeds, whether good or evil, we fear the Lord and act accordingly, seeking to please and honor Him by our lives lived in obedience to Him.
Aug 28, 2023, 4:21 PM
Passage Read: Acts 22-23
Meditation Verse: 23:11
Thought
Paul didn't say so that much about Jesus in Jerusalem, but the Lord considered it enough. He would get more opportunity in Caesarea and Rome than in Jerusalem. But apparently it is enough to say that it was the Lord Jesus of Nazareth who spoke to you from heaven. Something as simple as that, especially in a place that is so set against Him, is sufficient testimony for them.
Aug 27, 2023, 4:22 PM
Passage Read: Acts 20-21
Meditation Verse: 20:28
Thought
The first step to keeping watch over others is to keep watch over yourself. If I don't know Christ or don't remain faithful to Him and His Word, then neither will I be able to keep the flock entrusted to me safe. There are those who want to attack; there are those who want followers for themselves, not Christ.