Daily Bible Reading “Christmas Overload” (Luke 10:38-42)

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Christmas Overload

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 10:38-42. I love Christmas and all the things we do to celebrate Christmas. It is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy decorating. I like buying gifts for those I love and wrapping them up in pretty paper, decorating them with ribbons and bows and putting them under the tree. I love the excitement of the holiday season. I love watching my children and grandchildren open their presents and waiting to see their reaction. I love fixing a good meal, special goodies, and dessert for my family and seeing them enjoy it.

I love celebrating Jesus’ birth and my love for Him. Sometimes I feel like all the other things we do at Christmas takes precedence over the true meaning of Christmas. The business of the season sometimes causes us to put other, more important things, on the back burner, due to lack of time. This scenario reminds me of the Mary and Martha story in the Bible where Martha is busy running around doing things to prepare for Jesus’ visit while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet enjoying spending time with Him.

We may think that Martha is the industrious one and Mary is being lazy, but Jesus says that Mary chose the more important thing. How often are we busy doing things that are not necessarily the most important thing?

By the time Christmas is over I am usually exhausted from doing all the things that we call Christmas traditions. I have been so busy preparing for Christmas that I have worn myself out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. Do you ever feel like you’re the one doing everything, while someone else is enjoying the holiday season?

How can we change this syndrome and make it more enjoyable and relaxing for all of us? Maybe if we start earlier and spread the things we need to do over a longer period of time it wouldn’t be so stressful. Maybe we could get most of what has to do done earlier we could really enjoy the Christmas season. Then, we may be able to spend more time with friends and family and reflecting on Jesus and the love that God showed toward us when He sent Jesus to be born as our Savior. Wouldn’t that be better than working ourselves to death right up to the last-minute?

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Things to think about:

How do you feel after Christmas? Are you tired and exhausted or are you refreshed and excited?
Have you ever thought maybe we try to do too much for the holidays?
What can you do in the future to change how you feel during the Christmas holidays and after Christmas?
Are you like Mary or are you more of a Martha?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we reflect on the Christmas season and our response to it, help us to do as Mary and choose the good part. Help us to realize the changes we need to make in order not to overwhelm or exhaust ourselves from all the activity that we have made part of our Christmas celebration. Help us to spend more time reflecting on Jesus and the love that God shared with us by sending Him to earth to become our Savior. Help us to show our love and gratitude for all You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and …

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troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. – Luke 10:41-42

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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

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May God bless you and your family during this holiday season.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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PS. I will be taking some time off this week for the holidays. My husband is on vacation and my grandchildren are out of school, so I’m taking some time off so we can have some family time and I can get some rest. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Daily Bible Reading “Love Your Enemies” (Luke 6:27-38)

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Love Your Enemies

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 6:27-38. In this Scripture, Jesus is talking to His disciples, and is telling them to love their enemies. It is much easier to love the people who love you, such as your family and your friends. It is another thing to love the people who curse you, spitefully use you, hit you, or steal from you. But Jesus says, as Christians, we should love those people as well. How are we supposed to love our enemies?

Loving our enemies isn’t something we can do on our own. It is only something we can do with the Lord’s help and with the Holy Spirit living in us. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. He says everybody loves the people who love them, but He expects us to go beyond that, and show a Christ-like love to everybody. He even wants us to love those who don’t love us or mistreat us.

In Luke 6:35, Jesus says, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Jesus says to be merciful, as their Father is merciful. He is talking about their Heavenly Father, not their earthly father.

Jesus tells them not to judge or condemn, but to forgive and they shall be forgiven. Then in verse thirty-eight He says to, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” If we are generous and giving with people, they will be generous and giving with us. If we are stingy and selfish with people then they will most likely treat us the same way.

This is a lesson we can all take today. Because it is easy to love the people who love us and do good to the people who do good to us. But, with God’s help, we can learn to love the people who don’t love us. We can learn to do good to the people who don’t do good to us. We can learn to be loving and generous by giving to those who never can repay us.

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 6:27-38

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Things to think about:

How can we love our enemies?

How can we do good to those who don’t do good to us?

Do you give to those who can never repay you?

Do you pray for those who spitefully use you?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

Please help us to do what Jesus talked about in this Scripture. Help us to love our enemies, and do good to those who don’t do good to us. Help us to be generous and give to those who can never repay us. Help us not to judge or condemn others. God, this is a big task for us, and if we tried to do it in our own power, we would fail. The only way we can do these things is with Your help. We acknowledge that we need Your help. Help us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and …

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your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

– Luke 6:35

–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

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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.

Featured Book:

God Is Love

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

God is Love is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It contains 19 daily devotionals on Scriptures about love from the Bible: including God’s love for us, the love relationship between a husband and wife, love and honoring our parents, and much more.

This devotional would be great for either a personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

In God is Love, Deborah strives to show you not only what love is, but that love comes from God, as well as the love of God surpasses all imagination. Her goal for you as you read this book is that you would realize how much God loves you.

Benefits of reading God is Love
• You will learn what love is
• You will learn about different kinds of love
• You will learn how much God loves you
• You will learn of the sacrifice made by God because of His love for you

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “I Must Be About My Father’s Business” (Luke 2:42-52)

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

I Must Be About My

Father’s Business

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 2:42-52. In this Scripture we have a record of a time when Jesus was twelve years old He went to Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary, which was their yearly custom. But, this time was different because when Joseph and Mary left to go back home Jesus failed to come with them. He stayed behind at the temple without His parent’s knowledge.

Mary and Joseph were about a day’s journey away when they looked for Him and He was nowhere to be found. You know they must have been frightened when they couldn’t find Him. Have you ever taken your children shopping or somewhere and looked around and couldn’t find them? If so, you know the fright Jesus’ parents must have felt in their hearts and the pain that must have been in the pit of their stomachs.

They turned around and went back to Jerusalem to search for Him and found Him at the temple. When they found him at the temple they asked Him why he stayed behind and told Him they had been looking for Him and were worried about Him and His safety. Jesus answered them, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” His parents didn’t understand what He was talking about, so they took Him back with them to Nazareth.

Even Jesus knew it was not about Him, but about obeying His Heavenly Father. It was about serving God and obeying His will. We were all created by God for a purpose. Jesus’ purpose was to be the Savior of the world. Jesus knew He needed to be near the Father to learn more and draw strength from the Heavenly Father to fulfill His destiny.

In the book of Esther, Esther was in the king’s palace. She could have wondered why she was there. Was it her beauty that landed her in the king’s palace? Maybe so, but she realized she may have been there for a higher purpose when her relative Mordecai asked her to plead for the life of her people before the king.

She could have ignored Mordecai’s request. She could have been concerned only about her own wellbeing, but she loved Mordecai and cared about the Jewish people.

God had her in the palace for a purpose. He used Esther’s influence with the king to save the Jewish people. Esther realized she had a greater purpose. She was about the Father’s business. God used Esther in a mighty way to save the Jewish people. Esther knew she needed God’s strength and favor to fulfill her destiny.

Are you about the Father’s business? Have you asked Him if there was something He wants you to do? Maybe God has you where you are for a reason, as Esther was in the king’s palace at the appointed time. Maybe there is someone where you work God wants you to witness to.

Pray and ask God to show you His purpose for you and what He wants you to do. Then, when He shows you, obey Him. He may have a greater purpose for you than you can imagine. Follow God’s will and see where He leads you.

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 2:42-52

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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Things to think about:

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they couldn’t find Jesus?
Why was Jesus surprised they were looking for Him?
Where was Jesus when they found Him?
Why was He there?
What did He tell them?
Are you about your heavenly Father’s business?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture, where we see Jesus saying He was about His Father’s business. We realize He was committed to doing Your will. Help us to be committed to doing Your will, as Jesus was. Show us Your will for our lives and help us to obey and walk in Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Excerpt from: PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

If you haven’t read the story of Esther and learned what she had to do with Purim check out my book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

The Jewish people will be celebrating Purim this week. Purim 2020 starts Monday evening March 9 and ends on Tuesday evening March 10.

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Featured Book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals is a Daily Bible Reading Study Book by Deborah H. Bateman and friends. It is a compilation of 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah and fourteen of her author and writer friends.

Purim is a holiday that was started back in the days of Queen Esther and is still celebrated today. Deborah took the letters of PURIM and created categories for the contributors to write about:

• P=Praise
• U=Un-forgiveness or Forgiveness
• R=Relationships
• I=Inspirational
• M=Marriage

One of the traditions of Purim is giving gifts to the poor. In light of that tradition we have decided that a portion of the proceeds of this book will go to charity.

PURIM Celebration was created as part of Deborah’s Book Launch for her book: The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor which was published in 2012.

PURIM Celebration includes devotionals from: Mary Pacheco, Penny Zeller, Katherine Harms, Dave Moore, Marlo Schalesky, Judith Robl, Lynn Dove, Buffy Crabtree, Deborah McCarragher, Shawn Lamb, Serge Roux-Levrat, Lily Brenner, Heidi Faith, and Lisa Buffaloe. The book is edited by Lisa Lickel, one of my friends in the John 3:16 Networking Group.

Some of the contributors are from the John 3:16 Network Marketing group Deborah belongs to. Some of the writers are from a coaching program that Deborah participates in. One of the authors is from the Palmetto Christian Writer’s Network Deborah is a member of. The rest of the writers and authors are friends Deborah has made over the past few years online.

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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.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study the Bible along with us.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “The Greatest Gift” (Luke 2:1-14)

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Greatest Gift

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 2:1-14. We have all spent the last several weeks or even months getting ready for the Christmas holiday season.

We have been busy picking out gifts for our loved ones, decorating our houses, and Christmas trees. Many of us have been baking our favorite holiday treats for our family and friends, and getting ready for our Christmas celebrations.

We have been going to parties and wrapping gifts. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday season, let’s not forget the true reason for the season. Christmas is supposed to be a holiday to celebrate the greatest gift of all, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Scripture in Luke 2 gives us the details of that glorious day. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. It was almost time for Mary to deliver baby Jesus. While they were in Bethlehem the time for her to give birth came. The Scripture tells us she delivered her firstborn Son in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

The shepherds were in the field watching over their sheep at night when the angel of the Lord came to them. The glory of the Lord shined all around them and they were afraid. The angel said to them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Then, the angel informed them that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

All of a sudden, along with the angel was a heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” There was a great celebration on that glorious day.

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 2:1-14

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men

As we celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus on Christmas, remember the greatest gift was not His birth. The greatest gift was the reason for Him coming to earth in the first place. Of course, this gift would not be possible had He not been born.

The gift of salvation that God offers us through the death of His beloved Son on the cross for the remission of our sins is the greatest gift.

The Bible tells us in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

When we give someone a gift, they can make the choice to receive our gift or reject it. In the same way, we have to make the decision whether we want to receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ or reject it. If we receive it, we can live eternally with God and Jesus. If we reject this precious gift from God there will be eternal consequences.

Things to think about:

What do we celebrate on Christmas?
How does it make you feel to know that you can be forgiven for all your sins?
Have you accepted the gift of salvation? If so, we praise God with you. If not, please consider doing so today.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we thank You for Your Son, Jesus. We thank You for the greatest gift of all that You offered us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Help us not to take this precious gift for granted, but to treasure it. Help those who have not yet accepted this gift to consider doing so today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. We will continue to study God’s Word together.