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Daily Bible Reading “Teach Your Children Well” (Proverbs 1:8-19)

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Teach Your Children Well

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 1:8-19. Solomon exhorts his son to listen to the instruction and teaching of both his father and mother. He warns him about hanging out with the wrong people. He tells him if sinners entice him to do wrong don’t consent to their offers.

He warns his son that many people are only interested in their own gain. They don’t care about other people. They will steal from other people. They may even hurt other people to get what they want.

He tells him that those who are greedy are the same. They will take away from those who are less fortunate for their own gain.

It is important for us to consider those with whom we keep company. Your friends can influence you for good or bad. They can encourage you to do things that are right or they can influence you to do things that are wrong. Friends can improve your life or they can take you down the wrong road with them.

As believers we need other Christian friends to talk to and to do things with. The people we hang around with do influence us more than we may realize. These are things we not only need to teach our children and grandchildren, but need to consider for ourselves as well.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 1:8-19

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Things to think about:

What does Solomon encourage his son to do?
What does he warn his son about?
What can we learn from this lesson?
Give some thought as to who your best friends are and how they influence your life.
What are some things that your parents taught you that you will never forget?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see from the wisdom of Solomon that it is important for us to consider those with whom we are friends. Help us to take this into consideration when choosing our friends. Help us to choose people to hang around with that will lift us up and not choose those who will cause us trouble. Help those of us who are parents or grandparents to be good examples to our children and grandchildren. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Friends” – Michael W. Smith

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 Haggai: Consider Your Ways
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Haggai: Consider Your Ways is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Haggai by Deborah H. Bateman. It is the twenty-fifth book in the Daily Bible Reading Series by the author. Haggai was one of the prophets from the Old Testament of the Bible.

In the book of Haggai the LORD reveals a message to Haggai for the people asking them to consider your ways. The LORD also reminded the people through Haggai that He was with them, among other things. These are lessons that we can still use today in our lives.

The Book of Haggai: Consider Your Ways contains four Daily Bible Reading lessons consisting of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions to consider called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individual or group study.
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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “The Proverbs of Solomon” (Proverbs 1:1-7)

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Proverbs of Solomon

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 1:1-7. The book of Proverbs was primarily written by Solomon, the son of King David. It is thought that Solomon collected these proverbs to pass down to his son to help him learn wisdom from his experiences.

This book is filled with words of wisdom and instruction to help those who read it to acquire a disciplined and wise life. It is meant to help us learn to do what is right, just, and fair.

The Proverbs were used by fathers in the Old Testament days to help teach their children knowledge and discretion. The wise were to listen to the words of Proverbs and add their own experiences as they taught their children. It was used to give guidance and understanding concerning the proverbs and parables – the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Proverbs are not the same as promises. Proverbs are general observations made by wise men. They may not always prove to be true in your situation, but generally are true. A promise is a particular obligation from a certain person.

Sometimes people take the Proverbs out of context and try to use them as promises of God. We need to remember that this is not how they are intended as we study the book of Proverbs.

In Old Testament times it was primarily the father’s duty to instruct the children in the Torah and the ways of God. They were to pass down the knowledge of God’s Word from generation to generation.

As parents it is our responsibility to teach our children about the Bible and how to live a good, godly life. That doesn’t mean that they are always going to listen and abide by everything we teach them, but it is our duty to make sure they know right from wrong.

Proverbs 10:1 tells us, “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”

My favorite verse from this passage is Proverbs 1:7 which says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

This means submission to the will of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Fools are those who reject wisdom and discipline.

The word fool is used in Proverbs and other places in the Old Testament of the Bible to mean one who lacks morals.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 1:1-7

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Things to think about:

What are some of the things we will learn from the book of Proverbs?
What was the primary use of the book of Proverbs in Old Testament days?
What does the Scripture say about the fear of the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,
As we read this Scripture and study the book of Proverbs help us to learn the lessons of this book. Help us to learn to be wise, disciplined and to have discretion in the decisions we make in life. Help us to always do what is right, just, and fair. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse for Journaling and Memorization:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

– Proverbs 1:7

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

Featured Book:

Give Thanks

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

About the book:

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

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

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

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

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
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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.

Christian Music Video:

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:

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