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The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

– Philippians 1:27

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by Deborah H. Bateman

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.

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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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

Daily Bible Reading “What Are Your Motives?” (Philippians 1:15-20)

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

What Are Your Motives?

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 1:15-20. In this Scripture Paul says he knew that some of those who were preaching Christ were doing it out of envy and strife. What did Paul mean by this? There were those who were using this time that Paul was imprisoned as an opportunity to gain an advantage over him. They were trying to advance themselves.

Some of them were envious of Paul’s ministry. They wanted to add to Paul’s suffering by trying to surpass him in ministry and make him look bad. Paul didn’t care about competing with them. His ministry was about serving God and furthering the gospel of Christ. It wasn’t about making a name for him.

We all need to work together and cooperate to share the gospel. There is enough work for all of us to do. We don’t have any reason to be competing in the work of the Lord. There are a lot of people to reach. We are wasting precious time when we try to compete with one another. We should support one another’s ministry instead of trying to tear each other down to make ourselves look better. We need to pray for each other.

Paul also knew that there were those who preached the gospel as an act of goodwill, truly wanting to further the Gospel of Christ. They preached the gospel out of a love for God and as an extension of Paul’s ministry while he wasn’t available. Paul was happy that the gospel of Christ was being preached. He wasn’t concerned about their motives. Do you rejoice that the gospel of Christ is being preached?

Paul thanked the Philippians for praying for him. He knew God answered their prayers. God gave Paul an ample supply of the Holy Spirit of Christ to comfort and keep him in spite of the circumstances.

Paul knew that God was in control even though the circumstances didn’t look too good at the moment. Paul still fully trusted God. Paul was awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero and he didn’t know what the outcome would be. Paul turned the situation over to God. Paul’s hope and trust in God gave him confidence to know that whether he lived or died Christ would be glorified in his body.

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 1:15-20

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Things to think about:

How can we work together to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Do you make it a habit to pray for other Christians? What are some things we can pray about on their behalf?

How can we support other ministries who preach or teach the gospel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see that Paul rejoiced because the gospel of Christ was being preached in spite of his circumstances and others motives. He wasn’t nearly as concerned about himself as he was the furtherance of the gospel. Paul counted on the prayers of the Philippians and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to keep him during this difficult time.

Help us to put aside our selfish desires and focus on spreading the gospel of Christ to this lost and dying world. Help us as Christians to work together to further Your kingdom. Give us the same kind of trust and confidence in You Paul had. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

– Philippians 1:20

Featured Book:

by Deborah H. Bateman

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.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26)

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk in the Spirit

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:16-26. Paul continues with his letter to the churches at Galatia instructing them to walk in the Spirit so they won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Do you know what Paul means by telling them to walk in the Spirit?

When Paul speaks of the Spirit, he is talking about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. God is made up of three parts – God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. When a person gets saved, or accepts Jesus as their Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the new believer. He helps to lead, guide, and direct him to do the right thing in his life. He also comforts the believer.

The flesh (our earthly body) lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit oppose one another, which causes us not to be able to do the things that we know are right sometimes. It is like a war is going on inside of us. It is the war against good and evil. If you are led of the Spirit, you aren’t under the law.

Paul includes a long list of sins that are manifest in the body, in Galatians 5:19-21, when you turn your will over to the desires of the flesh, by listening to and giving into the temptation to do wrong. Paul says those who practice these things won’t inherit the kingdom of God.

In Romans 7 Paul talks about the “inward man,” which is the “Spiritual man” and the “outward man,” which is the “flesh” and how there is a battle that goes on between the two of them. He talks about how sometimes we know that we should do good, but we don’t do it.

In this Scripture in John, Jesus Himself is talking to Nicodemus and tells him “You must be born again.” John 3:5-7:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When we are born into this world of our mother we are born of water and of the flesh. Since the fall of Adam every person who is born of the flesh is born in sin. To be born of the Spirit you have to accept Jesus as your Savior, and then the Spirit comes and abides with you.

In this Scripture, Paul talks next about the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are the characteristics that a Christian living in the Spirit should have. Paul says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, including its affections and the lusts of the flesh. Look at these two sets of characteristics and see where they fit into your life.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Once you become a Christian all the sins you have committed are covered by Jesus’ blood through His death on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins.

If you are a Christian, does that mean you will always do the right thing or act the right way? No, it doesn’t, because we still have the flesh – our earthly desires and temptations – to deal with in this life. The more you study God’s Word and develop a closer relationship with Him the more you will see the Spirit at work in your life. Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Not desiring vain glory, provoking one another or being envious of one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:16-26

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Things to think about:

What are considered to be the works of the flesh?
What are the fruits of the Spirit?
In what ways are you walking in the Spirit?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks about the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Help us to always follow the Spirit in our lives. Forgive us of the times we have let the flesh rule in our lives. Give us strength day to day to do Your will. Help us to have the fruit of the Spirit alive and working in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

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

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

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:

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.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Deborah

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. – Galatians 2:10

Daily Bible Reading “Paul Returns to Jerusalem” (Galatians 2:1-10)

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Paul Returns to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:1-10. Paul tells us he went back to Jerusalem fourteen years later. After fourteen years why do you think Paul would return to Jerusalem? This time he took Barnabas and Titus with him.

Paul was called to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles-anyone who was not Jewish. He was instructed by God to go to Jerusalem to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he had been preaching to the Gentiles. After the death of Jesus on the cross, the people of God were no longer under the law, but under the grace of God, through Jesus Christ. The people at Jerusalem believed that the Gentiles could be saved, but they believed that the Gentiles had to become Jews first.

Titus, who was a Greek, was not circumcised. He was Paul’s missionary partner. Paul trusted Titus and knew that he had a heart for the gospel, just as Paul did. The people at Jerusalem were still living under the law and circumcision of the males was one of the requirements under the law of the Old Testament. It was a way for the Jewish people to show that they were set apart from others and were God’s chosen people.

The only reason this question even came up was that there were false brethren who spied on Paul and his followers to see what liberties they had through grace and how they lived differently than the Jewish people. Paul, knowing that there were these differences in their beliefs met privately with the leaders to discuss their differences. The fact that Paul met with them privately and didn’t dispute with them openly shows discretion on his part.

They saw that the same God that called Peter, who preached circumcision to the Jews, also called Paul, who preached uncircumcision to the Gentiles. James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who were their leaders in Jerusalem, saw the grace of God that was given to Paul.

Because of the laws of the Old Testament where the Jews were required to be circumcised a lot of times the Jewish people were considered to be the circumcision and the Gentiles were considered to be the un-circumcision.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:18-20, “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”

Paul wasn’t as concerned about people’s outward appearance as he was about whether their heart was right with God. Sometimes we judge people by what we see on the outside and we can’t see the work of God that may be going on inside of them.

They gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They realized that Paul and Barnabas were called by God to preach salvation to the Gentiles, just as they had been called by God to preach to the Jewish people. The only thing the leaders of Jerusalem asked was for Paul to teach the other churches to remember the poor, which Paul already did.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:1-10

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Things to think about:

What was the dispute in this Scripture?
Why did the people want Paul to remember the poor?
What does it mean to you to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Why would you consider listening to any other gospel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles just as You called others to preach to the Jews. We thank You that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You made a way that we all could become Christians. We also see that You call different people to do different things. Help us to be faithful to whatever it is You call us to do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

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

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

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:

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

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and …

Daily Bible Reading “In His Time” (Galatians 1:13-24)

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

In His Time

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:13-24. We see in this Scripture that Paul acknowledges he persecuted the church in the past. Paul’s persecution of the church of God is also spoken of in the book of Acts. Paul previously was very much into Judaism.

In God’s perfect timing, He called Paul by His grace, to be an apostle and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen. When Paul was called by God he didn’t go to the other apostles for their approval. He went straight to the lands of Arabia and Damascus to preach the gospel which God called him to do.

After three years of being in the ministry, Paul went to Jerusalem. There he met Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle that Paul met at this time was James, Jesus’ brother.

Paul swore before God that everything he was telling the Galatians was true. After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem he went to Syria and Cilicia. Paul was unknown to the churches of Christ in Judaea. The only thing they knew about Paul was that he once persecuted the church of the Lord, but now he was preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people glorified God for His work in Paul’s life.

Isn’t it amazing how God can take someone who was completely against God and His church, and turn that person completely around? He took Paul from being a persecutor of the church to preaching the gospel. Notice Paul says it happened in God’s perfect timing, not in Paul’s timing. Things don’t always happen when we want them to happen, but they happen when God thinks the time is right.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:13-24

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

Things to think about:

In what ways have you experienced God’s perfect timing in your life?
Does it amaze you how God transformed Paul’s life?
In what ways has God transformed your life?
How have you surrendered your will to God’s will?

Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture from the book of Galatians where Paul tells us about his conversion. He tells us that even though he was previously completely against the church You saved him and used him for Your glory. Help us to use Paul’s testimony to realize there is hope for anybody. We see how You used Paul, in spite of his past, to spread the gospel. Help us to be willing to be used by You to spread the gospel in any way You see fit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse: