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 17, 2024, 2:12 AM
Passage Read: Micah 5 - Nahum 1
Meditation Verses: Micah 7:5-10
Thought
When the days are evil, they will be very evil. Friend will be foe, family will be enemy. The believer will not be able to trust anyone, even those who should be closest and most committed to them. Neighbor, friend, wife. Children will treat parents contemptuously, a man's own household will rise up against him. Because he will have been given over to contempt; he will fall.
Jul 16, 2024, 2:13 AM
Passage Read: Micah 1-4
Meditation Verses: 2:6-7
Thought
How badly we misunderstand God. We are no better than Israel and Judah at this time. A true prophet speaks, and we say, "Silence! Do not say such things! That's not what the Lord is like!" But if we silence the prophets who show us our sins, how will there be repentance? How will the reproach coming our way be turned back? There will only be death and destruction coming our way. In truth, God's Spirit is impatient with sin! God has given us who trust in Christ everything we need to live a holy life, but we keep pursuing the world and the desires of our flesh.
Jun 26, 2023, 6:53 AM
Passage Read: Micah 5 - Nahum 1
Meditation Verse: Micah 5:2
Thought
The priests of Jesus's day knew that the Messiah was supposed to be both in Bethlehem based on this verse, but they didn't recognize that his origin was from of old and from ancient times? It didn't occur to them that the Messiah might be someone very special and unique? Surely it would be hard to comprehend based on our usual experience and way of thinking, but when the prophet says that the one to come from Bethlehem and return as king would also be very ancient, shouldn't they expect something outside their experience?
Jun 25, 2023, 6:54 AM
Passage Read: Micah 1-4
Meditation Verses: 3:11-12
Thought
Zion will be destroyed because of her leaders. Rulers judge for a bribe, priests teach for a price and prophets tell fortunes for money. All are greedy for gain, none seek the Lord, understand His ways and do as He requires. They only think of themselves, their own benefit and how they can extort more money from the people. They do not fear the Lord, but use Him for their own gain. They don't know Him or walk in His ways.