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Christians Response to Government

Daily Bible Reading “God Removes and Establishes Kings” (Daniel 2:17-30)

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Removes and Establishes Kings

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Daniel 2:17-30. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream while he was sleeping, but when he woke up he couldn’t remember the dream. He asked the Chaldeans, who were considered to be the wisest men in the land, to reveal his dream and interpret it for him. The king was so angry they couldn’t do as he requested that he threatened to destroy all the wise men in Babylon.

Daniel questioned Arioch, the king’s captain, why the king was so anxious to destroy all the wise men. Arioch told Daniel about the king’s dream. Daniel went to his house and told his companions about the problem. He asked them to pray about the situation with him. Daniel was afraid they would be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel was a wise man. He understood the importance of seeking God’s wisdom as well. My point of sharing this story is not so much the story, but Daniel’s response to God answering his prayer in verses 20-23. Daniel praises God for his wisdom and might. He acknowledges God for changing the times and seasons. Daniel says it is God who establishes and removes kings. It is God who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those of understanding. He reveals deep and secret things to the people of God who seek His face. He is very much aware of the evil and darkness in this world even though He is the light of the world.

As we reflect on history and the leaders that have been in control throughout the ages we must remember that God plays a role in the events of this world. Even during biblical times we can see where God directed the paths of different leaders. He blessed the people when there were leaders who followed His will. He also caused leaders to be overthrown when they were disobedient to Him.

We have our part to play in electing government officials, but God also directs in the lives of people and the affairs of this world. We need to seek God’s face concerning the events of this world. We need to pray for our leaders and our countries and ask God to lead, guide, and direct in them.

Even in democratic countries we may not always get our way in the election of government officials, but at least we have the right to vote our convictions. Then, once the election is done, we need to accept the candidates that the election process has revealed to be the people’s choice. We need to pray for them and do our part as citizens to support them in their duties as leaders of our country.

Daily Bible Reading:

Daniel 2:17-30

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Things to think about:

What was the king’s dilemma?
Who came to the king’s rescue?
Who did Daniel seek in answering the king’s problem?
What did Daniel have to say about God?
Who did Daniel give credit to for his wisdom?
What did we learn from this lesson about God’s role in establishing and removing leaders?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture. We thank You for Daniel and his love for You. We thank You that You are the one who gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to those of knowledge. We thank You that You establish and remove leaders of this world, even today. We pray that You would help us to understand our part as citizens to support and pray for our leaders. Help us to be the kind of citizens that You would be proud of. Help us to do our part to make our countries great. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from Christians Response to Government.

Have you read the book? If not, click on the link above to get your copy.

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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:

by Deborah H. Bateman

Christians Response to Government is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is Book 32 in the Daily Bible Reading Series. Deborah wrote this book in response to the events surrounding the 2016 United States Presidential election. This book was born as she searched her own heart to try to determine how to respond in this election. She searched the Scriptures to see what God had to say about what our response as Christians should be to government and decided to share what she discovered with you. Hopefully this book enlightens you and helps you to know how to respond in a godly way to the powers that be. Remember to check out the other books in the Daily Bible Reading Series by Deborah H. Bateman.

Christians Response to Government contains ten Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation and discussion, which the author calls “Things to think about,” and a Prayer of the Day.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD

Daily Bible Reading “The LORD Warns the Priests” (Malachi 2:1-9)

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

The LORD Warns the Priests

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Malachi 2:1-9. The LORD spoke to the priests through His servant Malachi. The LORD said if the priests didn’t listen to His commandment, take it to heart and give glory to His name, He would curse their blessing. In fact He had already cursed them because they hadn’t taken it to heart. The LORD expected them to honor His name.

The LORD said He would corrupt their seed. He said He would spread refuse on their faces, which was the manure from their somber feasts; that was burned outside the sanctuary. He warned them that then the people would take them away, like they take the sin offering away.

If they were unclean they were not considered to be fit vessels to carry out the work of the priests. In order for them to be able to do the LORD’S work and offer the sacrifices that were required for their position as priests their hearts and lives had to be right with the LORD. They weren’t to go around sinning and expect the people or God to respect the work they were doing.

Exodus 29:14 tells us about the sin offering, “But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.”

The LORD told Malachi to tell the priests when this happened they would know that His covenant with Levi would continue. The LORD was hoping this warning would make the priests realize their shortcomings and turn their hearts back to God and back to respecting the covenant He made with Levi. Priests were prosperous on the outside. They were respected by the people because they held a place of prominence as priests. They were going through the rituals, but their hearts and lives weren’t always right with God.

The LORD reminded them that His covenant with Levi was for life and peace. He promised these to Levi and his descendants because Levi feared the LORD and respected and honored His name. The LORD wanted to give them the same blessings He promised Levi, but they weren’t performing in a way to show they respected the LORD, so He couldn’t bless them with His blessings.

The LORD reminded them that Levi spoke the truth of the law, he didn’t speak wickedly. Levi walked with God in harmony and justice, and he turned many away from sin, though he wasn’t perfect. The priests were to share their knowledge of the laws of God with the people. The people should be able to listen for the commandments of God from the priest’s mouth: the priest was supposed to be the messenger of the LORD.

It was the priest’s duty to study the Word of the LORD and reveal it to the people so they might do what was right in the sight of God, and not sin against the LORD. The LORD rebuked them because they turned away from the laws of God and caused many people to stumble at the law. By doing this, they broke the agreement that God made with Levi. The LORD told them that because of their disobedience He had made them disreputable and limited their influence among the people, since they hadn’t kept His ways, but were half-handed concerning the law.

How can we apply this to our lives today? We need to be careful not to be going through the religious rituals of serving God and not worship Him with our whole heart. We need to make sure we aren’t saying one thing and doing another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 2:1-9

1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.

2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.

4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.

6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

Things to think about:

What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

What did the LORD say He would do as a response to their disobedience?

What did you learn from this Bible Study?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today, as we study this Scripture from the book of Malachi we see that the priests of that day dishonored You by not following Your ways. Help us to make sure that whatever we do, we honor Your name. Forgive us of the many ways we’ve failed You. We want Your blessings on our lives and don’t want to do anything to turn You away from us. Help us, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

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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.

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by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through 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.

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD includes eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary from the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for discussion or contemplation, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This book is great for a personal daily devotional 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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To download your copy!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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.

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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.

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