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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

– Matthew 14:19

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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

About the book:

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

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

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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Everything and everybody God has given us in our lives is temporary. – Deborah H. Bateman

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Instructs His Disciples” (Matthew 10:21-42)

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus Instructs His Disciples

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 10:21-42. This Scripture is a continuation of the previous lesson where Jesus called His disciples. Jesus gave them a commandment before He sent them out to let them know what to expect and what He expected of them.

Jesus lets them know it wouldn’t be easy. He says some of the people who will give them the hardest time will be members of their own families. He tells them they don’t need to fear man, who can only kill the body, but they need to fear the one who can kill the body and soul in hell.

Jesus then compares them to the sparrows by letting them know if God takes care of the sparrows, how much more valuable the disciples are to Him. He tells them every hair on their head is numbered. Jesus tells them he who doesn’t take up his cross and follow Him isn’t worthy of Him. Jesus then says whoever receives the disciples, receives Him.

As we read this Scripture we realize that Jesus and God don’t want us to put anything or anybody ahead of them in our lives.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, …

Only God is eternal. This is something I feel God has been trying to teach me in the past several years.

When I lost my Mama a few years ago it was really hard on me. I was used to seeing her several times a week. Even though I had to visit her at the nursing home or in the hospital the last few years of her life, I still missed her.

As we get older, I think we realize more and more our loved ones are just loaned to us for a season. Jesus was explaining to the disciples we shouldn’t value our loved ones more than Him.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 10:21-42

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Things to think about:

Would you have been willing to follow Jesus after you heard Him talk about the things He talked about in this Scripture?
Have you ever had to deny someone else in order to do something you felt the Lord wanted you to do?
Would you be willing to deny yourself of some of the creature comforts you are used to in order to do God’s will?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture of the commandments Jesus gave to His disciples, we see life with You isn’t always going to be easy. Help us know You are in control and You are watching over us. Help us to realize the difference between things that are temporary and things that are eternal. Give us strength as we take up our cross and follow You. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

that preach ye upon the housetops.

– Matthew 10:27

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ Get your copy now!

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. – Matthew 3:13

Daily Bible Reading “John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus” (Matthew 3:1-17)

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus

Today’s Daily bible Reading is from Matthew 3:1-17. In this Scripture, we’ll see what happens when John the Baptist baptizes Jesus. First, Matthew talks about John the Baptist, preaching in Judea and telling the people to repent, because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He traveled to Jerusalem, Judea and Jordan preaching and baptizing people.

John the Baptist was a humble man. He wore garments made of camel’s-hair and leather. He was not a wealthy man. He was a meager man who ate locusts and wild honey. It was said, by the prophet, Isaiah, in Isaiah 40:3, John was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. What does he mean by that statement?

Many people came out to see John, heard the message, repented of their sins, and were baptized. John told them about the coming Messiah. His mission was to spread the good news of Jesus, try to get people to turn from their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Jesus asked John to baptize Him. John felt unworthy to baptize Jesus. Have you ever felt unworthy to do something God asked you to do? When John baptized Jesus the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. Then He heard a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Can you imagine the people who were standing around watching John baptize Jesus? What do you think their response was? Do you think they got the message?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, would you consider praying and asking Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart today?

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 3:1-17

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Things to think about:

Jesus asked John to baptize Him, what has He asked you to do?
If you are a Christian, how do you share your faith with others?
John was a follower of Jesus Christ, but he also was a servant of Christ. How do you make yourself available for His service?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture telling us about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Help us to give our hearts to You. Jesus gave an example of being baptized for us. Help us not to take these things lightly, but to truly repent. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

Christian Music Video: “Born Again” – Third Day

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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

About the book:

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

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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of …

Daily Bible Reading “The Good Shepherd Divides His Sheep” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Good Shepherd Divides His Sheep

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46. In this Scripture, Jesus is talking to the disciples and tells them that when the Son of Man comes, and the angels with Him, He’ll sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be before Him and He’ll divide them as a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats. He’ll put the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left hand. Are you a sheep or a goat?

All the nations will be before Him and He’ll divide them as a shepherd divides His sheep from the goats. He’ll put the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left hand. Are you a sheep or a goat?

To the sheep, who are on His right hand, He’ll say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

The righteous ones asked when they saw Him, and did all those things, and He told them: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

He said to the ones on the left side, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.”

They asked Him when they saw him and didn’t do these things. He told them, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Therefore, you will go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

This is a harsh reality, but, we need to realize one day this is truly going to happen. Are you prepared? Do you know if you will be on the right hand or the left? Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, I pray you will do so before it is too late.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 25:31-46

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Things to think about:

Are you prepared to meet the Master?
What does Jesus say to the sheep?
What does Jesus say to the goats?
Do you have compassion for others who are in need?
Ask God to help you to see the need of others and to respond to their needs.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us as we read this Scripture, to know in our hearts whether we are the sheep or the goats. We want to spend eternity with You in heaven. I pray for the ones who haven’t accepted You yet, that You would draw them to Yourself before it is eternally too late. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

– Matthew 25:34

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ.

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. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book: Have you read:

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

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast …

Daily Bible Reading “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30)

Posted on March 24, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Parable of the Talents

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 25:14-30. In this Scripture, Jesus is telling the disciples another parable about the kingdom of heaven. He says it is like a man who was traveling to a far country.

The man called his servants and gave them his goods to keep until he returned. He gave each one of them according to their ability. One he gave five talents, one two, and one he gave one talent. What do you think the servants did with their talents while the man was gone?

A talent was made of silver and each one weighed fifty to eighty pounds. When the man returned he found the man who had five talents doubled his, the one who had two talents doubled his, but, the one who had only one talent buried his talent in the ground. Why do you think he buried it in the ground?

He said he was afraid, so instead of taking what his lord gave him and trying to make more with it, he hid it in the ground. Isn’t it funny how we let fear cripple us?

The man was happy with the ones who doubled their talents and told them he would give them more. But the one who buried his displeased the lord.

So, the Lord told his servants to take his talent from him and give it to the one who had ten talents. Then he wanted them to cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.

Remember, this is a parable about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus went away and He is coming back someday. He left each one of His servants with talents and we’ll all be accountable to Him for how we use those talents. Everything we have He provided and every gift we have He gave us. So, we need to make sure we are using our money, our time, and our talents in a way that will honor Him when He returns.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Things to think about:

Which of the men were most responsible with their talents?
Which of the men were least responsible with their talents?
What did the man do with the one who was least responsible?
How are you using the talents God has given you for Him?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this parable of the talents, help us examine ourselves and see how we are using what You have given to us. Help us to use what you have provided for us wisely, so at Jesus’ return, He’ll be pleased with us. Help us to not be hearers of the Word only, but doers of the Word, as well. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD, Amen.

Daily Bible Verse: