Tag Archives: God

Daily Bible Reading “We are Chosen” (Ephesians 1:1-14)

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We are Chosen

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 1:1-14. The book of Ephesians is one of many books in the Bible that are letters written by the Apostle Paul to the churches of his day. Paul’s letters were meant to encourage the churches and help them to follow the ways of God. Some of the churches Paul founded. We know from reading Acts 19 that Paul lived in Ephesus for two years. Paul refers to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. By addressing the letter this way he is telling that he wrote the letter.

You may be a mom, dad, grandparent, pastor, teacher, etc. by the will of God. You are where God has placed you for a reason. He has a plan for your life.

Paul addresses the letter to the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ, which includes those of us who are saved. He greets them by wishing them grace and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul gives glory to God saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.” Paul is talking to Christians and he wants them to understand all the blessings they have in Jesus Christ.

He reminds them that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and we should be holy and blameless before Him in love. We were created to become God’s children and to have an personal relationship and fellowship with God.

Paul says God predestined us to become His children by adoption through Jesus Christ, by His will and for His pleasure. We praise God that because of the glory of His grace, we were made acceptable in the “beloved,” (verse 6) which is Jesus Christ. We have been redeemed.

Jesus paid for our sins through His blood and forgave us because of the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. God’s secret plan, which He designed long ago according to His purpose, is centered on Christ and He has revealed it to us.

God’s plan is that at the right time He will bring everything in heaven and earth together in Christ. In Him we were chosen to receive an inheritance, because He predestined it according to His will. We who first trusted in Christ were chosen to live for the praise of His glory.

When you heard the truth of the gospel of your salvation and believed in Christ, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, whom God promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us all He has promised us and that He purchased us to be His children, to the praise of His glory.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Things to think about:

  • Have you ever thought that becoming a Christian was similar to adoption?
  • Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If yes, when did you come to know Him? If no, have you considered accepting Jesus as your Savior?
  • What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture we are reminded how much you love us and that You chose us to be Your children before the foundation of the world.  We pray that You would help us to be obedient and to show Your love to the world so they might come to know You as their Heavenly Father, as well.  We thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross so we might be redeemed and forgiven of our sins.  We see in this Scripture that everything is for the praise of Your glory.  We love You, LORD and thank You for all the promises You have given us.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 1:2

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-This is an excerpt from The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus by Deborah H. Bateman

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 Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. 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.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

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

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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

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The Children of Promise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Things to think about:

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

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

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

 

Daily Bible Verse:

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

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

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.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

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

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

 

Daily Bible Reading “Be As I Am” (Galatians 4:12-20)

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Be As I Am

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:12-20. As Paul continued to write his letter to the churches of Galatia He addressed his brethren, almost begging them, and saying, “Be as I am.” Why would Paul say to the Galatians “Be as I am?” Wasn’t Paul trying to point these people to Christ?  Could you say to someone “Be as I am?”

Paul was walking in the freedom of Christ, not in the bondage of the law. He wanted the Galatians to walk in that same freedom. They’d been taught about the freedom they could have in Christ, but they’d let other people persuade them to go back to living under the law and trying to obey all the laws that were established in the Old Testament before Jesus Christ gave His life in remission for our sins.

You can tell in this portion of Paul’s letter that he loved the Galatians. He’d been a part of them before, when he was there preaching to them. He had a heart for them and he wanted them to be free.

Paul says, “You know how I preached the gospel to you even though I had ill-health. You didn’t reject me because of my thorn in my flesh, but you received me as a messenger of God, just like you would have treated Jesus Christ himself.” Paul also speaks of having a thorn in the flesh in Corinthians. There is a lot of speculation about what Paul’s physical ailment was, but nobody really knows.

Paul remembers that they would’ve done anything for him, even plucked out their eyes and given them to him if it was possible. Now that Paul was telling them the truth, he wondered if they would consider him to be their enemy.

Paul warns the Galatians that those people who wanted everyone to be legalistic were trying to influence them so they would follow them. They were trying to draw the Galatians away from the freedom they have in Christ and exclude them from the other Christians. But Paul wants the Galatians to be passionate about serving Christ always and not just when he is there with them. Paul knows they could have zeal for things that were good or bad, but warns them that it is dangerous to have zeal for things which are wrong.

Paul calls the Galatians, “my little children.” This shows his love for them. Paul compares himself to a woman giving birth, saying he is travailing in birth again until Christ is formed in them. Paul thought he had birthed the Galatians into the family of God when he’d been with them before, but now that this situation came up, he felt like he needed to bring them to Christ all over again. Paul wished he could be with the Galatians because he had great concern for them and doubted they were on the right path he’d set them on. He wanted the best for the Galatians.

As a minister of the gospel, God had given Paul a great love, compassion, and concern for the people he had ministered to. In this Scripture you can hear the love, compassion, and concern in Paul’s writing. He is concerned that the people he’d led to the Lord earlier were being led astray.

Paul wasn’t trying to influence the people to be his followers, but wanted them to have a strong desire for following Christ and to live in the freedom that Christ died for them to have. Are you passionate about following Christ? Have you accepted the freedom of Christ in your life or are you still trying to keep the law?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:12-20

12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

 

Things to think about:

  • What did Paul mean by saying, “Be like me?”
  • What would give you the right to tell someone to be like you?
  • What does it mean to you to be passionate about following Christ and sharing the gospel with others?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see Paul’s true love and concern for the Galatians. Help us to be zealous about following Christ and living in the freedom He died to give us. Help us to be zealous about sharing the gospel of Christ with others. Help us to be on guard against those who might try to lead us astray. Thank You for the pastors, teachers, and leaders that You send into our lives to lead us to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. – Galatians 4:12

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

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

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

 

Daily Bible Reading “The Law Was Our Schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:21-29)

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The Law Was Our Schoolmaster

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 3:21-29. We see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul asks an important question. Paul asks, “Is the law against the promises of God?” Paul says, “God forbid: if the law could have given life, then righteousness would have been by the law.”

The law with all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament was given to tell us how to live, but being the sinful creatures that we are, we couldn’t keep the law. The law was dependent on man’s ability to keep it, which we failed at miserably. However, the promise of God through Jesus Christ (eternal life in heaven) isn’t dependent on our ability to hold onto God through Jesus, but is God’s promise to hold onto us for eternity through our belief in Jesus Christ.

Before faith came we were kept under the law. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to faith in Christ that we might be justified, or forgiven of our sins, by faith. The law shows us that we are in bondage to our sin and we need the faith in Jesus to free us from that bondage. After faith came, we were no longer under bondage by the schoolmaster of the law. We are made children of God, or His heirs, by faith in Jesus Christ, which we will discuss more fully in the next lesson.

The idea that Paul uses a schoolmaster reminds me of when I was a child and was under the leadership of my teachers. They made the rules and if I didn’t follow those rules I suffered the consequences. For most of you, your parents, or other adults in your life, not only taught you right from wrong, they took care of you, provided for you and protected you.

As you became an adult you remembered and respected what you were taught, but when you got out on your own you were no longer under their rule. They trusted you to do the right thing and to make right decisions based on what they had taught you over the years. The lessons they taught were meant to be carried with you for the rest of your life. The law was to teach, protect, provide, and correct Christians until the faith of Christ was revealed.

The law was God’s way of protecting man until the coming of grace by Jesus’ death on the cross. It gave Christians a model to live by. It shows us what kind of standards God has. The law kept man under its guard until faith was revealed. Just because we have Jesus in our lives doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to live right. Faith doesn’t give us a free ticket to do as we please.

Paul says those who’ve been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. This isn’t talking about the water baptism that we think about when we say we’ve been baptized. Think of the picture of baptism. You are completely immersed in the water. When you put your faith in Christ you are baptized with Christ you are immersed with Jesus. He is a part of every aspect of your life.

My favorite verse from this passage of Scripture is Galatians 3:28 which says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes as humans we have our prejudices and think we may be better than someone else because of the color of our skin or our social status. This Scripture lets us know that as Christians we’re all one in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us if we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs of the promise of God.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 3:21-29 

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Things to think about:

  • What was the purpose of the law?
  • What happened to the law after Christ’s death on the cross?
  • How do we become God’s children?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains what it means to have faith in Christ. Even though the law is still today a good schoolmaster for us to learn Your ways and Your desires for our lives, we are so thankful for Your gift of faith to us. Help those who haven’t put their faith and trust in Christ to realize their need for a Savior. Help those of us who’ve put our faith in Christ to stay true to our faith and continue to walk in it every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. – Galatians 3:24

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

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

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “God’s Promise to Abraham” (Galatians 3:15-20)

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God’s Promise to Abraham

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 3:15-20. We see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul continues to talk to the churches of Galatia about the law and faith. Paul tells the brethren that the promise God made to Abraham which we studied about in the previous lesson, is irrevocable. Nobody can do away with it or add to it. It was a promise between God and Abraham to be handed down throughout the generations to come.

God didn’t say the promise was to Abraham and his seeds, but he said it was to his seed, which is one particular descendent of Abraham: Jesus Christ. This covenant was not only made with Abraham, but it was also made with Christ. The covenant that God made to Abraham four hundred and thirty years prior to God giving the law to Moses couldn’t be annulled by the law.

If the inheritance is received by keeping the law, then it wouldn’t be the result of the promise, but instead would be determined by our ability to keep the entire law or not. Paul asks them what the purpose of the law is. The law was added, or given to people to follow, because of our disobedience. The law was given to show us what God’s standard was. Because God’s standard is so high and man is sinful it also shows us our need for the Savior. The law was sent to man until the coming of the Savior.

Jesus wasn’t sent to this earth by God to die on the cross in order to destroy the law, but His purpose was to fulfill the law, as mentioned in Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Therefore, the keeping of the Law of Moses is no longer how we gain access to God. We come to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The law was given to Moses by angels; they were his mediator. We can go directly to God through Jesus, who is our mediator with God.

Jesus dying on the cross doesn’t give us a permission to do as we please. We still must act responsibly and treat each other and God with respect. We do this as a way of honoring God and acting out our faith, not because we think that obeying all the rules gets us to heaven.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 3-15-20

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

 

Things to think about:

  • To who was the covenant made?
  • Who is considered to be the seed of Abraham?
  • What was the promise that God gave to Abraham?
  • How does this promise apply to us today?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks to the churches at Galatia about the promise to Abraham. Help us to see how it still applies to us today. Speak to the hearts of those who haven’t yet accepted the promise. Help us to continue to study the Bible to learn about You and grow a deeper, more intimate, relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to …

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seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

– Galatians 3:16

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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Featured Book:

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

By Deborah H. Bateman

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

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

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

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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