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
Oct 21, 2024, 9:27 PM
Passage Read: Philippians 3-4
Meditation Verses: 3:15-16
Thought
The NASB chooses the word "perfect" to translate Paul's idea here: "As many as are perfect." As many as are mature or complete in Christ, as many as have attained perfection according to the standard preached in Christ. Anyone who has attained a completeness in their pursuit of Christ, he encourages to have the same attitude as he does, of continuously pressing on, not plateauing or being content in their spiritual growth or maturity, but continually pressing on toward the goal of knowing Christ better and reaching His presence in heaven. And if there is a matter about which they think differently, God will make it clear to them.
Oct 20, 2024, 9:29 PM
Passage Read: Philippians 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:14-16
Thought
This is a letter of thanks for a gift sent through one of their number, Epaphroditus, but in it, Paul has some exhortations, including a call for humility and this instruction to do all things without grumbling or disputing, which is actually an expression of humility. These are the Macedonians, whom elsewhere Paul has praised for their generosity in spite of their poverty. These people seem to be such models of Christian life and faith. Yet Paul still includes these commands.