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Daily Bible Reading “The Children of Promise” (Galatians 4:21-31)

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The Children of Promise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:21-31. As we continue in the book of Galatians with the letter that Paul wrote to the Galatians. Paul inquires of them asking, “Those of you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?”

Under the law, it is what you do, the rules you follow, that makes you right with God, but under grace it is what God did through His Son, Jesus Christ that makes us right with God. If you fail under the law, you are out of fellowship with God, but through grace and faith you can be forgiven.

Paul compares the law and faith to the difference between Abraham’s two sons. Paul says, “It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid and the other by a freewoman. Abraham’s son Ishmael who was born of a bondwoman, was born of the flesh, but his son Isaac, who was born of the freewoman, was born by the promise.”

If you remember in Genesis Sarah was barren for many years so she gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abraham who bore him a son called Ishmael. Sarah was impatient and tried to fix the problem on her own, but in God’s time Sarah gave birth to Isaac, who was the son God promised her.

Paul talks about the two covenants and compares them. Paul says that Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, the same mount where Moses received the law, answers to Jerusalem which is now in bondage with her children. However, Jerusalem above, which is Sarah is free, and is the mother above us all. Paul is speaking of the New Jerusalem.

Paul says, “It is written, rejoice those of you who are barren, cry out those of you that are not giving birth, the desolate have many more children than she which has a husband.” Paul was saying that there would be more people born of the flesh than Christians, who are born of the promise.

Paul says that, we are like Sarah’s son Isaac, the children of promise. Like Isaac those who are born of the promise will be persecuted by those who are born of the flesh. Paul reminds them that the Scripture says to cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son (Ishmael). The son of the bondwoman won’t be an heir with the son of the freewoman (Sarah). Likewise, we aren’t sons of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Do you get the picture of how Paul is comparing Isaac and Ishmael to the law and faith? As Christians we aren’t under the bondage of the law, but we are free through faith in Jesus Christ. Look at this Scripture in Romans 4:13-16

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why would anyone prefer to live under the law or by grace? Do you have a preference?
  • Why do we try to put ourselves back under the law when Jesus died to set us free from the law?
  • What does it mean to be children of the promise?
  • What does it mean to you to live free from bondage?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains to the Galatians about the difference of living in bondage and being free. Help us to accept the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to keep ourselves out of bondage, and live in grace and faith. Thank You for loving us and giving us this special gift of freedom. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. – Galatians 4:28

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

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Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

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 this book.

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Daily Bible Reading “Paul Warns the Galatians” (Galatians 1:7-12)

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Paul Warns the Galatians

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:7-12. In this Scripture, we see Paul’s concern for the people was legitimate. What was Paul concerned about in the previous lesson? Let’s look at the Scripture in verse six and seven to see if we can find out why Paul was concerned. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another, there are some that trouble you, and pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Someone had brought “another gospel” to the Galatians. It was a perversion of the real gospel of Christ. He tells them that these people will cause trouble. They are trying to get the people of Galatia to believe something other than the true gospel which Paul preached to them.

The gospel of Christ may be hard for some people to believe, that Jesus came to earth as a man. He suffered and died in a gruesome way for our sins. He rose again on the third day. It may hurt some people’s pride to know that they need a Savior. The fact that salvation is a gift of God and not something we can do for ourselves is hard for some people to accept. Have you accepted God’s precious gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ?

Paul tells them that if he, or anybody else – even an angel – preaches any other gospel to them except the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ let them be cursed. Paul not only says this once, but twice. He shows his allegiance to the gospel of Christ.

Paul also talked to the Corinthians about this in 1Corinthians 15:1 when he said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…”

Paul tells the people that he is not trying to please men, but God, because if he tries to please men, how can he be a servant of Christ? He tells them that the gospel he preached to them wasn’t of man, but he received the gospel by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Why would someone want to pervert the gospel of Christ?

In the next lesson we will see how Paul proves to the people that his message was from God.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:7-12

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

Things to think about:

  • What was Paul’s concern in this Scripture?
  • Where did Paul say he received the gospel that he taught the Galatians?
  • Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?
  • What do you consider to be the gospel truth in your life?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul addressed the Galatians concerning their belief in “another gospel.” Help us to study the Bible so we will know when someone is telling us the true gospel. Give us strength as we live in this world to share your gospel with others. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet …

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pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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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:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

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 this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

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

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “God’s Timing is Perfect” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

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God’s Timing is Perfect

I wanted to share with you about one of the trials of my life. I started praying for a Christian husband when I was a teenager, even though I was much too young to get married. I actually dated my husband for the first time when I was sixteen and he was twenty. I was too young and immature so we just had one date and that was it.

About two years later he called me and we started dating and six months later we got married. Things have not always been easy. With our love for each other, our faith in God and our determination to stay together we have now been married for over forty years.

We were only been married for a few months when we decided we wanted to have children, but that was not God’s plan for us at the time.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It took us two years to get pregnant. We were so excited. We had been trying to get pregnant for two years and now we finally were expecting a baby. At three months we had a miscarriage. We were heartbroken.

I experienced so much emotion. I felt like there had been a death in the family and there was, except I felt like I was the only one mourning it. It was a very sad time for me. I would get upset when I found out other people were pregnant, especially if I thought they did not deserve to be. I acted like I was a judge. Who was I to judge who did or did not get pregnant? It was not up to me. God is the giver of life.

The doctor told us to wait a few months before trying to get pregnant again. We did, but had no idea that it would take so long. I went through all kinds of emotions over the next few years. It took us four years to get pregnant the second time. We were excited this time too, but a little apprehensive. We were scared we would miscarry again. Sure enough after three months we miscarried for the second time. We were heartbroken all over again.

We will always love and remember those two little ones. We lost both of them in the month of March, so every year we talk about how old they would be if they had lived. They will have a place in our hearts and lives forever.

This time the doctor did not tell us we had to wait. I am sure he thought that he did not have anything to worry about since it took so long before. The next month we got pregnant for the third time. We were scared the whole time. We were afraid to get excited. We had been hurt before and did not want to get hurt again. Once we passed the three-month time-table we started to relax a little.

We finally gave birth to our first daughter after eight years of being married and trying to get pregnant most of that time. God finally blessed us with a child. Four years later we had our second daughter. God completed our little family. Our two daughters are both grown now and God has blessed us with five grandchildren. God makes everything beautiful in His time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

I would love to tell you that life has been a basket of roses since that time, but we have had other trials to face. One thing I can tell you for sure, that no matter what trials we had to face, God has always been there to see us through them all.

We have learned so many lessons over the years. We learned that things don’t always happen when we want them to happen. We learned that God’s plans are not always the same as our plans. We have learned that God is faithful to His children.

We learned that God’s timing is perfect. #DeborahHBateman

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We learned that God works all things together for good in our lives.

Romans 8:28, KJV, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

If you have experienced infertility and miscarriage as we did, ask God to help you with all the emotions that come along with a loss of this kind. Ask God to comfort your heart. He loves you and only wants the best for you. I know it might not seem like it at the time, but He does love you. Give the situation over to God and ask Him to help you deal with it. Ask God to show you His will in your life. Ask God to help you accept His timing for your life.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I pray that God will meet the need that you have in your heart to have a child. I realize that this is a desire that most women have in their lives, even though not everyone is able to have children. But, there are other options such as adoption and foster care for those who want to make a difference in a child’s life while filling their need to have a child to love in their home.

May God richly bless you!

Maybe this is not the need you have in your life. Maybe you have a need in another area. Remember the same principles apply, God love you and wants the best for you in your life. Turn your cares and concerns over to Him and let Him carry you through this time in your life.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

God’s Timing is Perfect was originally published on Still Birthday at:http://stillbirthday.com/2011/09/04/gods-timing-is-perfect/

 

Daily Bible Reading “Selfish Desire” (Proverbs 18:1-9)

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Selfish Desire

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 18:1-9. In this Scripture, we are told that through selfish desire a person, who separates themselves, seeks and rages against all wisdom.

A fool has no delight in understanding, but that their heart may discover itself.

When the wicked comes, then comes contempt, and with shame reproach.

The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool’s lips enter into controversy, and their mouth calls for blows.

A fool’s mouth is their destruction, and their mouth is the lure of their soul.

The words of a gossipers are like wounds that are swallowed deep into the belly.

Those who are lazy in their work are kin to those who are great wasters.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

As believers we are told to separate ourselves from unbelievers and from their ungodly ways.

Have you ever had someone wound you with their words like this Scripture talks about? We need to refrain from being a part of gossipers’ conversations. We need to realize that our words can both lift people up and encourage them or our words can harm people by cutting them down and discouraging them. Lord, help us to use our words as tools of encouragement to others.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 18:1-9

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do our selfish desires cause?
  • Why do the words of a talebearer pierce us so deeply?
  • What usually causes a fool to get into trouble?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs help us to see all of the examples in this Scripture and examine ourselves to see if any of these apply to us. Examine our hearts and lives. Examine our motives and intents. Help us to be what You would have us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. – Proverbs 18:1

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Featured Book:

I AM: Jesus, the Son of God

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Jesus asks his disciples the question, “Who do men say that I am?” Then, through different metaphors, He describes who He is.

In I AM: Jesus, the Son of God, Deborah H. Bateman shares biblical illustrations on each of these topics and includes the reason God sent Jesus to the world. This book will help you more fully grasp who Jesus is and His purpose in your life.

I AM: Jesus, the Son of God is the thirty-third book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for consideration or discussion, a prayer, and a Bible Verse to journal or memorize. This book is great as a personal devotional or a group Bible Study. Get your copy today. You will be glad you did.

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Daily Bible Reading “Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes” (Psalm 146:3-4)

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dont-put-your-trust-in-princes-psalm-146-3Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 146. The Bible warns us not to put our trust in princes. Even as believers, we have a tendency to put our faith in people in authority and are many times disappointed because of it.

We put people who are in leadership positions on pedestals and expect perfection from them, only to be let down when they can’t live up to our expectations.

Some of the people we may put our trust in includes pastors, religious leaders, government officials, celebrities, friends, and even our own family members. This particular Scripture warns us about putting our confidence in people who are in authority over us in the government such as princes, kings, and presidents.

As verse four warns us, we need to realize that like us, they are all human and despite our best efforts at times we all fail those whom we care about most, due to our lack of good judgement.

My focus in this particular lesson is on verses 3 and 4, but if you go on to read the rest of this chapter, which I have included for you, you will see that when we put our faith and trust in LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of people, we won’t be disappointed. They will never fail us. They will never leave us or forsake us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 146:1-10

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Things to think about:

  • Who does this Scripture warn us about putting our trust in?
  • Why does it say we shouldn’t trust in them?
  • Who should we put our trust in and why?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this Scripture that warns us about putting our faith and trust in princes. Help us to realize that they are only human, as we are, and despite their best efforts, at times they will make bad decisions and disappoint us. Help us to put our faith and trust in You and Your Son, instead of people. Help us to realize that You are the only one who will never leave us or forsake us. 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. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

psalms_part_5-25The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

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Deborah

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