Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Says, Have Faith” (Matthew 17:14-27)

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus Says, Have Faith

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 17:14-27. In this Scripture, when Jesus came to the multitude, there was a man there whose son was a lunatic. He brought him to the disciples, but they couldn’t heal him. Jesus rebuked the devil, and the child was healed. Why was Jesus able to heal the boy, but the disciples weren’t?

The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to heal the child and Jesus told them that it was because of their lack of faith. He tells them if they have faith as small as the grain of a mustard seed then they could say to the mountain, “be moved” and it would be so. Jesus says that kind of faith only comes with prayer and fasting.

While they were in Galilee, Jesus tells them that He is going to be betrayed, killed, and on the third day will be raised again. The disciples were very sad.

When they came to Capernaum, the tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid taxes. Peter just says yes. Jesus asks Peter what he was thinking. Then Jesus tells him that, to keep from offending them, he could go fishing and the first fish he caught would have the money in his mouth to pay the taxes for Him and for Peter. I need to catch a few fish like that one. How about you?

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 17:14-27

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Things to think about:

Why were the disciples not able to heal the boy?

How much faith did Jesus tell them they needed?

What did Jesus say they could do if they had faith?

How is your faith in Jesus and God?

In what ways do you exercise your faith?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture that tells us if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can say to the mountain, move from here to there; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible. Help us Lord, to have enough faith in You that we would be able to pray and see You work in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you,…

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If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

– Matthew 17:20

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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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.

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Daily Bible Reading “Know the Love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:13-21)

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Know the Love of Christ

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 3:13-21. In this Scripture Paul told the Ephesians not to be discouraged because he was in prison, as it was for their honor and glory that he was suffering. Would you be discouraged if your leader was in prison?

Paul says, “For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the creator of everything in heaven and earth.” This shows Paul’s humility and his reverence for God.

Paul’s desire for the church members was that God would give them inner strength by His Spirit through the riches of His glory. Paul hoped that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith as they put their trust in Him. Paul wanted them to be rooted and grounded in love. His prayer for them was that they would be able to understand, as all Christians should, how high, how wide, how long, and how deep God’s love is for us. He also desired that they would know the love of Christ, which passes all knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God.

Paul gives glory to God who is able to do more than we could ever imagine by His power that is at work in us. His desire was that God be given glory in the church forever through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul didn’t try to take glory or honor for anything he did. He made sure that whatever he did he gave the glory to God and to Jesus Christ. Paul realized that without God he was nothing, and he could do nothing without the power of God living in him. Paul loved the Ephesians, but he knew that God loved them even more and he wanted them to understand and know the love of God.

I love this Scripture. As you read it, Paul’s prayer is also my prayer for you. Read the Scripture as if Paul were talking to you. I pray that it will help you to understand and know how deep, how wide, how long, and how high God’s love is for you. May you always give God all the honor, glory, and praise for all He has done.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 3:13-21

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Things to think about:

What are some ways we can find strength for our “inner selves” through Christ?

What are some ways we can know the love of God?

In what ways have you experienced the immeasurable love of God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul is praising and glorifying You. Help us to get a glimpse into how much You love us. We give You praise, honor, and glory for all You have done for us and for the wonderful plan that You had for us from the beginning of time. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might …

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be filled with all the fulness of God.

– Ephesians 3:19

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The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

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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.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “He Loved Us” (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

He Loved Us

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 2:4-9. In Ephesians 2:4, Paul says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” God is merciful, He loves us so much He demonstrated His great love for us while we were still dead in our sins He made us alive in Christ.

God showed His compassion toward us by giving us a way to have forgiveness for our sins. If it wasn’t for His love and compassion for us, we would all be on our way to hell. Thank God for His love, grace, and mercy toward us.

By His grace we are saved. Only through God’s unmerited favor can we be saved. God raised us up with Christ to sit in heavenly places, so He could show His abundant grace and compassion to us through Jesus Christ. It is by grace we are saved through faith. It is a precious gift of God. It is not anything we can do by ourselves or by our own works, so we have no reason to boast in ourselves. We can only boast about God and His great love for us, which He expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ.

When someone gives you a gift, do you open it right away? Are you excited to see what is inside the package? What would happen if someone offered you a gift, but you never opened it? It would be there for you to enjoy, if you would open it and take advantage of the gift inside. That is often how we look at God’s gift of salvation. It is there for us to receive if we are willing to accept it. God is not going to force it on us. We have to receive it willingly. Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation for your life?

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 2:4-9

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved;

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Things to think about:

Are you thankful for God’s mercy?

What does the Scripture mean when it says, “By grace we are saved?”

Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

We thank You for this Scripture which reminds us how much You love us. It tells us about Your grace and mercy toward us. Help us to realize what a precious gift You gave us through Your Son. Help those who haven’t accepted this gift of salvation to do so today. Help those of us who know Jesus as our Savior to appreciate the gracious gift You gave us. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,- Ephesians 2:4

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–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

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God Is Love

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

God is Love is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It contains 19 daily devotionals on Scriptures about love from the Bible: including God’s love for us, the love relationship between a husband and wife, love and honoring our parents, and much more.

This devotional would be great for either a personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

In God is Love, Deborah strives to show you not only what love is, but that love comes from God, as well as the love of God surpasses all imagination. Her goal for you as you read this book is that you would realize how much God loves you.

Benefits of reading God is Love
• You will learn what love is
• You will learn about different kinds of love
• You will learn how much God loves you
• You will learn of the sacrifice made by God because of His love for you

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “What Manner of Love” (1 John 3:1-24)

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

What Manner of Love

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 John 3:1-24. In this Scripture, we are told about the great love the Father has given us through His Son, Jesus, so we can become the sons of God. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we are adopted into the family of God.

While we wait for Jesus to come back to get us, we should be purifying ourselves through studying God’s Word and hiding it in our hearts, so we might not sin against Him.

If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior we no longer live under the law, but under grace; but that doesn’t mean we can do as we please.

There should be evidence in our lives that we are saved and one aspect of that evidence should be that we love our brethren.

If God has blessed us and dwells in our hearts then when we see a brother in need, we should help him.

We don’t show our love by words alone, but by doing for one another with sincerity and brotherly love.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 John 3:1-24

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Things to think about:

Can you even imagine how much love God has for you?

As children of God, how are we to show our love for others?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

Thank You for the love You have shown to us by sending Your Son, Jesus to die on the cross for us, that we might be able to become the sons of God. Help us to love one another and show our love for each other. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we …

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should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

– 1 John 3:1

God Is Love by Deborah H. Bateman

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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:

God is Love

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

This devotional would be good for personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

In God is Love, Deborah strives to show you not only what love is, but that love comes from God, as well as the love of God surpasses all imagination.

Available on Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Talks about the End of Time” (Matthew 24:1-35)

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus Talks About the End of Time

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 24:1-35. In this Scripture, Jesus left the temple and His disciples came and wanted to show Him the buildings of the temple. Jesus tells them not one of the stones will be left intact; they’ll all be thrown down. Was He speaking literally?

Jesus went to sit on the Mount of Olives, and the disciples came to Him asking Him what the signs of His coming and the end of the world would be. Jesus warns them there will be many who will come claiming to be Him, but warns them not to be deceived. We have to be careful who we listen to. It is good for us to read our Bible, so we can know the truth for ourselves.

Jesus tells them there will be wars and nations will rise against nations, there will be famines, pests, and earthquakes. Does any of this sound familiar? Jesus tells them there will be persecutions, and people will turn against one another. Jesus compares these happenings to the labor a woman goes through when she is having a baby. The pains will get stronger and stronger until the baby is birthed.

Jesus says the gospel will be preached to all nations, and then the end will come. In Matthew 24:27-35 He tells them what will happen.

Jesus compares His coming to the fig tree and reminds us to watch for the signs. When we see these things happening Jesus is talking about we’ll know the time is drawing near. We are to watch and be ready for His appearance.

I know these Scriptures are heavy, but I want to encourage you to keep the faith, and anxiously await the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do it before it is too late. God loves you, and it isn’t His will that any should perish.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 24:1-35

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Things to think about:

What did Jesus tell the disciples about the temple?
What did Jesus say for us to take heed to?
What did Jesus say about the gospel of the kingdom?
What is the significance of the fig tree?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture, where Jesus tells the disciples about the end of time, help us not to be deceived. Help us to discern the truth. Help us to keep the faith. These are troubled times we read about and we need Your help to get through them. Help us to look forward to the day when we see the Son of Man coming in the clouds. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.– Matthew 24:35

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– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ. Click the link to get your copy now!

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