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 23, 2023, 7:11 AM
Passage Read: Mark 11-12
Meditation Verse: 12:12
Thought
They understood that Jesus had spoken that parable against them, and their response wasn't repentance but murder! Solve their problem by removing the one who pointed it out...which only confirms that their problem is real! Instead of repentance they chose elimination of the messenger. That doesn't correct their problem, so they only confirm and assure their judgment. But there are many that are determined to live in sin, and nothing anyone says or does will change that.
Jul 22, 2023, 7:12 AM
Passage Read: Mark 9-10
Meditation Verse: 10:21
Thought
This man wanted to know how to inherit eternal life, and Jesus pointed him at the Ten Commandments. Astonishingly, the man claimed to have kept them since he was a child, and Jesus didn't disagree with him! He, however, wasn't satisfied with that answer, otherwise he wouldn't be asking Jesus this question now. Jesus saw that there was something missing: It's apparently pretty easy for a rich man to keep the commandments when he's determined to, because he's in a pretty blessed and safe situation.
Jul 21, 2023, 7:14 AM
Passage Read: Mark 7-8
Meditation Verse: 8:38
Thought
So Jesus is right in everything He says. All of God's Word is right in everything it teaches. If I am ashamed of anything God has said, any of His words, Jesus will be ashamed of me when He returns. It is either follow God or follow this adulterous and sinful generation. This generation in all its "wisdom" cannot keep me out of God's judgment. Only God can do that. And if I want to be saved, not condemned, then I have to choose to believe and obey the Lord, especially when His words are counter-cultural!
Jul 20, 2023, 7:15 AM
Passage Read: Mark 5-6
Meditation Verses: 6:19-21
Thought
John was arrested by Herod and protected by him from his wife who wanted him dead. Herod knew he was a righteous and holy man and liked to listen to him, but couldn't understand him. That in itself is an interesting statement. There are those who are intrigued by truth but cannot understand. How long was John in prison? Did he wonder if he'd ever get out? Did he hope Jesus would become king soon and release him?
Jul 19, 2023, 7:16 AM
Passage Read: Mark 3-4
Meditation Verses: 4:11-12
Thought
It is not everyone who can understand the Word of God, but only those to whom Jesus chooses to reveal it. I can't make people understand, any more than I can make myself understand. If Jesus doesn't open their eyes, then there is nothing I can do to make them see. If Jesus doesn't open my eyes, there's nothing I can do to understand. I am at His mercy, both for myself and for others.
Jul 18, 2023, 7:18 AM
Passage Read: Mark 1-2
Meditation Verse: 1:38
Thought
Jesus came to preach, but He gladly healed people left and right. He came to bless people, to help them out from under Satan's thumb. He didn't build houses or provide fresh drinking water, He healed diseases and demon possession. He helped the people in ways they couldn't help themselves. He helped the people in ways only God could, but most significantly to me right now is the fact that He gladly and frequently healed them.
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