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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD

Daily Bible Reading “I Am a Great King” (Malachi 1:7-14)

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

I Am a Great King

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Malachi 1:7-14. Malachi relayed to the children of Israel what the LORD had to say to them. The LORD scorned them because they offered dirty bread on the altar and then asked Him, “Where have we contaminated you?” He told them by doing that they shamed the LORD’S Table.

The priests were offering sacrifices to the LORD, but they weren’t holy, without spot or blemish. They were using animals which were blind, sick and lame. He tells them to offer them to the governor and see if he would accept their damaged goods and be pleased with their offering.

Leviticus 1:10 tells us what the offering was supposed to be like, “And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.”

How many times do we do the same thing? We don’t offer God our best, but we give Him whatever we have left over or don’t want for ourselves, and then we expect God to bless our offering. How do you think that makes Him feel? Does it make Him feel like He is important to us, we treasure Him, and we think He is worthy of honor, worship and praise, or does it make God feel like we don’t really care about Him?

I’m not trying to condemn you; this struck me as something we all need to consider, including me. I don’t want to do anything that would make the LORD feel that I don’t love Him, treasure my relationship with Him and respect who He is. I’m sure I fall short of this every day, but that is the desire of my heart.

God told them after the way they had treated Him and His holy offerings, they needed to plead to God and see if He would be gracious to them. Malachi asked, “Do you think He will even consider your people?” The LORD then asked them, “Who is there among you that would even shut the doors for nothing? You don’t even kindle fire on my altar for nothing.”

I remember when I was growing up we would volunteer to do work around the church and the church yard. These days it seems that most of the positions at church are salaried. Have you noticed this or am I the only one who has observed these changes?

The LORD told them that because of this He had no pleasure in them, nor would He accept an offering from their hands. It sounded like the LORD was disappointed with the children of Israel during this time. I’m sure He gets disappointed with us sometimes as well.

The LORD told the children of Israel from the rising of the sun to the going down of the sun His name would be great among the Gentiles. He told them incense would be offered in His name and He would be great among the heathen. He told them if they wouldn’t worship Him like they were supposed to, He would find somebody who would.
He scolded them because they had disrespected His name by using unclean animals for sacrifices and using bread that was not fresh on the table. He told them to consider what disillusionment it was. The LORD told them they had slain His name; because they brought sacrifices that were torn, lame and sick. He questioned them asking why He should accept their defiled offering.

The LORD warned them, “Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male who is pure and without blemish, and vows, and sacrifices unto the LORD a damaged offering.” He reminded them, “I am a great King, and my name is appalling among the heathen.”

God loves us and He gave His best for us by giving His only Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins. In Romans 5:8 we are reminded of this, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In light of His great sacrifice, should we give Him any less than our best? He is a great King. He is worthy to be praised and honored with the best that we have to offer.

What are some of the things we could offer the LORD today as a sacrifice and offering to Him? We may give money to help support our church. We may offer our time to serve others or to serve at our church. We may do things to help those less fortunate than us. Widows and orphans are another group that is mentioned in the Bible as those we should help. We can offer the sacrifice of praise to God. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. Our offering or sacrifice may seem minute compared to His sacrifice, but we can still do things to honor God and show our love and appreciation to Him.

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 1:7-14

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

Things to think about:

What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

What kind of offerings does the LORD want us to give?

Have you acknowledged God as the King of your life?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study this Scripture in the book of Malachi, we see where the children of Israel highly disappointed You by not offering their best sacrifices. Help us as we study this Scripture to see that You gave us Your best and You want our best in return. Please forgive us of the many times we have failed You by not offering You our best. You are a great King and You are worthy to be praised. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

-Excerpt from The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD.

Christian Music Video: King of the World

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Have you read

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: Amazon

To download your copy!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD

Daily Bible Reading “The LORD Speaks to Malachi” (Malachi 1:1-6)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

The LORD Speaks to Malachi

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from the book of Malachi. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” The name Malachi comes from the Hebrew name (Mal’akhiy) which means “my messenger” or “my angel.”

God delivered His message to the people of Israel through the hand of Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament.

The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible. No other prophet was sent to the people after Malachi until John the Baptist appeared on the scene making a way for the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is believed that the book of Malachi was written after the books of Haggai and Zechariah, because Malachi talked about the temple already being rebuilt. Malachi ministers to the people of Israel about 100 years after they returned to Jerusalem from exile.

The temple had already been rebuilt. The people were making their sacrifices, but they still hadn’t seen the things come to pass that the prophets Zechariah and Haggai told them the LORD said would happen. They may have been discouraged and wondering if the LORD forgot about them.

In this Scripture Malachi shared the judgment of the Word of the LORD to Israel. The LORD first said, “I have loved you, but you say where have you loved us?” Have you ever asked God that question? Maybe you didn’t ask Him out loud, but you thought it, because of the circumstances of your life?

The people of Israel went through some tough times. Some of them were in captivity for a long time. They returned home, but things weren’t easy. A lot of work had to be done. They had to rebuild the temple and rebuild the city.

The LORD tried to reassure the people of Israel of His love for them before He corrected them for their disobedience. God loved Israel. They were His chosen people. He tried to make a point like Jesus did in John 14:15 when He reminded us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

The LORD asked, “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? I loved Jacob, and hated Esau.” He basically told them that He chose Jacob and didn’t choose Esau. He chose the children of Israel, who were the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, to be His people. But He didn’t choose the people of Edom, who were Abraham’s children with Hagar, Sarah’s maid. The Israelites had been in captivity, but they were able to return to their homeland. The people of Edom were forever out of God’s blessing.

The LORD told about the judgment He placed on Edom and the blessing He bestowed on the Israelites. He reassured the Israelites that they were His chosen people. He loves them and will love them forever.

Speaking to the priests, He said they despised my name and then they asked me, “Where have we despised your name?” Do we do the same thing, not honor God, as our Heavenly Father, and the LORD and Master of our lives?

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 1:1-6

1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Things to think about:

What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

What did the LORD say about Edom?

In what ways can we Honor God as our Heavenly Father?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture in the book of Malachi we are reminded that, as our Heavenly Father, we are to honor and respect You. Forgive us of the many ways in which we fail to show honor to Your name. Help us to be mindful as we go about our daily lives to honor and respect You as our Heavenly Father. Help those who haven’t accepted You as their Heavenly Father to come to know You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

-Excerpt from The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD.

Christian Music Video: My Heavenly Father Loves Me

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Have you read

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: Amazon

To download your copy!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Song of Moses” (Exodus 15:1-18)

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Song of Moses

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Exodus 15. In this scripture is a well-known Biblical prayer called the Song of Moses. It is the first song in the Bible. It is a prayer in the form of a song praising and thanking the Lord for what He did for them.

In chapter 14 the people of Israel were camped between two mountains and were boxed in when Pharaoh’s army came after them. God parted the Red Sea and casts Pharaoh’s men in the sea.

God put them in this situation so he could show them His provision. They were set free from Egypt. Egypt is a picture of the world. We too can be joyous when we are set free from this world and see God’s provision in our lives.

This song is also mentioned in Isaiah 12, Psalm 118 and in Revelation 15. In every one of these situations the people were rescued by God, their deliverer.

Singing a song to God is a wonderful way to praise and worship God. Prayers can be sung to God. Psalms 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

You don’t have to have a beautiful voice to sing to the Lord. He wants you to praise Him anyway. It doesn’t matter where you are you can sing to the Lord anywhere. Singing can be a way of showing thanks to God for what He has done for you.

When you reach out to God by singing and praising Him the Bible says, He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Moses says in verse two, I will prepare him a habitation.

When you are feeling down, just start singing and praising God and your spirit will be lifted, because the Father seeks those who worship him.

Read through this Scripture and notice what it says the LORD is. He is my strength and song, He is my God. He is my father’s God. He is a man of war. He is glorious in power and in holiness. He is great and excellent. He will reign forever.

Even though God is a God of love, He still is a warrior, in that He protects His people from the enemy. This Scripture pictures physically what we have to do in prayer as we war against the wicked spiritual forces in this world.

We need to pray for our families and ask for God to watch over them and protect them every day. Thank God we have Him to go to and pray fervently to intercede for those who are in our world.

Daily Bible Reading:

Exodus 15:1-18

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Things to think about:

Who do you say that the LORD is to you?
What are some ways we can praise and worship Him?
How do you praise and worship Him?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this scripture that once again shows us how You take care of the people who serve You. We worship and praise You for Your holiness. We are in awe of Your strength, power and might. We love you, LORD. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. – Exodus 15:2

Christian Music Video:Song of Moses

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends to join us in our Bible Study.

Give Thanks

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

About the book:

Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.

Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.

Go to: http://tinyurl.com/k6ex5xn

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

Daily Bible Reading “Seasons of Our Lives” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 )

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Seasons of Our Lives

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. We can all understand that there are different Seasons of Our Lives. There is also a time for everything in our lives. This Scripture in Ecclesiastes states that very well.

As there are seasons of the year: spring, summer, fall and winter, we all go through seasons in our lives. The seasons of the year were part of God’s plan from the beginning of creation as we see in this Scripture in Genesis 1:14-15 which tells us, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.”

SPRING is a time for planning and planting. Maybe you plant a garden or a flower bed. You may plan your vacation, wedding or some event that will take place in the future. It is a time for hope, new beginnings and looking forward for what is to come.

I really love the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter in the spring. John 11:25 reminds us, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

SUMMER is a time for fun, cookouts, vacations, weddings, beach trips, and births; these are times in our lives when we are celebrating the good things and blessings that God has brought into our lives. It is a time of joy and a time to harvest the crops that we planted in spring like this Scripture talks about. Proverbs 10:5 tells us, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

FALL may be a time of letting go of something or someone, maybe the people that we love most in our lives. I love when the leaves on the trees change colors to beautiful colors of gold, rust, and orange. But eventually, as we have to learn to let go, the trees have to let go of their leaves. This may be a time of sadness. We have to learn to lean on God for strength to get through these times in our lives.

One of the highlights of fall is the celebration of Thanksgiving. It is a time when families get together and celebrate with one another. It gives us a chance to offer thanks to God for all His blessings like this Scripture says. Psalm 100:4 reminds us, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

WINTER of our lives may represent a death, a divorce, a serious illness. It is a time of sorrow. These are cold dark times in our lives, but with God’s help we can get through them and then it is spring again and He brings hope back into our lives. One thing that I love about winter, which helps to brighten those cold, dark, dreary days, is the celebration of Jesus’ birth during the Christmas holidays.

This Scripture reminds us that as long as the earth exists these seasons will remain. Genesis 8:22 tells us, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

No matter what season of your life you are in God is there for you. He is there when you are celebrating something in your life and you are happy. He is also there when you are letting go or mourning something in your life and you are sad.

Sometimes when we are going through the tough times we can feel His presence even more. I am not sure whether it is because He knows we need Him or because we realize in those times that we need Him. Reach out to God and He will help you get through whatever season you are in.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Things to think about:

What season of life are you in?
What is your favorite season of the year? Why?
If you could turn back the calender to any time in your life when would it be?
What season of your life are you looking forward to?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture that reminds of that there is a season for everything in our lives. Help us to navigate the season that we are currently in. Help us to look forward to the good things in life. Help us to get through the tough times in life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

If you are need help navigating the season of life that you find yourself in. I’d be glad to help you navigate through it. Send me an email and let’s set up a time to talk about my coaching services. Email me at: batemandeborah@gmail.com

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.

Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.

Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.

Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.

Go to: http://bookShow.me/B00INHXUWM

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah