Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Timothy 1:7. Second Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Have you ever been afraid of something? What is your greatest fear? Has there ever been a time in your life that you were crippled by fear?
I had a time like that in my life when I was overcome with fear about the future. As Christians, we shouldn’t have that problem. But when we take our eyes off of God and put them on our circumstances it is easy to be overcome by fear.
I was a corporate employee for more than twenty-two years. When I found out I was going to lose my job due to a surplus situation I became fearful. The enemy tried to tell me we were not going to make it. My salary was about half of our household income at the time. Even though I had been a Christian for many years I let this fear overtake me for a while. Finally, with the Lord’s help, I began to quote this Scripture where Paul reminds Timothy it is not God who gives us the spirit of fear. God gives us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
As I began to use this Scripture and others from the Bible to reassure myself that God was in control and any doubt or fear I had was not from Him, I gradually overcame the fear in my life through applying God’s Word. I learned to trust God and realized He could provide for me in any way He chose. You see, I had been trusting in my strength and my power to make a living and provide for myself. I had to put my trust in God completely.
Have you ever had a circumstance like this in your life? When the enemy tries to make you afraid, remind yourself of this Scripture. He’ll try to do anything he can to defeat you and bring you down. You can’t let him win; you have to proclaim the promises in God’s Word. Quote this Scripture to yourself over and over until you get it in your spirit.
God doesn’t give you the spirit of fear. If you are fearful, that fear comes from the enemy. Remind yourself the spirit that comes from God is of power, love, and a sound mind. God empowers you through His love.
Things to think about:
What are you afraid of right now? What often makes you feel afraid?
Who gives us the spirit of fear?
What kind of things does God’s Spirit give us?
Who should we trust?
How can we overcome fear?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear God,
Thank You for this Scripture which reminds us that You don’t make us afraid. Help us to have feelings of love, power, and good thoughts. Forgive us for letting the enemy try to make us fearful. Help us to claim the promises of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from John 3:16-17. In this Scripture, we are told of the greatest love of all. We can’t possibly imagine how much God loves us. Think about the sacrifice He made when He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us.
We find this in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
For those of you who are parents, can you imagine giving your only son’s life for people you didn’t even have a relationship with? I know this was part of God’s plan, but I hope as we think about it as parents we can see what an awesome sacrifice this was. Both Jesus and God made this sacrifice so we could have eternal life.
There may be some parents who may relate to this better than most of us, those who have lost their children fighting in combat to give freedom to the rest of us. I recently went to a funeral of a soldier that I knew from my hometown. It was so sad for me. I can’t imagine how grieved the parents must have been. I am sure it grieved God’s heart to sacrifice His Son’s life.
God didn’t send His Son into this world to condemn us of our sins, but to save us from our sins. See, God knows us better than anybody and He knew we would never be able to keep the laws of God in our own human nature. So He gave His Son, Jesus, as the sacrifice for our sins.
God showed His love for us, because while we were still sinners He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. Romans 5:8 tell us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Because of Adam and Eve’s fall, back in the Garden of Eden, we were all born into sin. God acclaimed His love for us by having Christ die for us before we were ever born so He could take our place and pay the price for our sins. Have you accepted this love gift of salvation God provided for you?
Things to think about:
Where would we be if it weren’t for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
Are you thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice?
Do you thank God for loving us so much?
Do you share God’s love with others?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear God,
We thank You for this Scripture in the Bible that tells us how much You love us. We realize it was an awesome sacrifice for You to give Your only Son Jesus’ life for our sins. We thank You for the sacrifice You made on our behalf. We thank You for having a plan for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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
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.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Genesis 29:1-35. In this Scripture, Jacob found the love of his life, Rachel, but he was deceived by her father, Laban. Jacob went east and came to a well in the field where there were sheep and servants in the field. He later found out they belonged to his Uncle Laban. When Jacob saw Laban’s daughter coming with the sheep, he removed the stone from the well for the sheep to drink, then he kissed Rachel. This was love at first sight.
Jacob tells Rachel who he is, then she rushes back home to tell her father that her cousin, Jacob, was at the well. Laban runs out to meet Jacob, kissed him and brought him to his house to stay. After Jacob was living at Laban’s house for a month, Laban asked Jacob what he could pay him for helping him. Jacob requested Rachel to be his wife. Laban promised Jacob if he worked for him for seven years he could have Rachel for his wife.
Can you imagine how much Jacob loved Rachel, to be willing to work for her father for seven years so he could have her for his wife? After Jacob worked for Laban for seven years he went to Laban and asked him for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Laban prepared a wedding feast for Jacob, but instead of giving him Rachel, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Rachel’s sister Leah to be his wife.
The next morning when Jacob went to Laban and asked him why he did what he did, Laban said they had a custom that they couldn’t marry off the youngest daughter until they had taken care of the firstborn. This was probably a reminder to Jacob since he stole his brother, Esau’s birthright.
Then, Laban tells Jacob, if he worked for him for seven more years he would give him his younger daughter Rachel to be his wife. Jacob loved Rachel so much he was willing to work for her father seven more years in order to have Rachel as his wife. Jacob did as Laban requested and completed Leah’s bridal week before Laban allowed Jacob to have Rachel as his wife also. Jacob loved Rachel much more than he loved Leah.
The Lord saw Leah was hated and Rachel was loved, so he opened Leah’s womb so she could bear children, but Rachel was barren. Leah kept having children for Jacob in hopes it would cause Jacob to love her more than he loved Rachel.
In Biblical times much importance was put on having children. There are women today who may want to have children, but haven’t been blessed with them yet. My husband and I went for over eight years trying to have children before God finally blessed us with our girls. It was a very emotional time for me especially. I can relate to Rachel and how she must have felt. At times I felt grieved about not being able to have children. I imagine Rachel felt the same way. She also had the other woman to deal with. This only caused more jealousy between Rachael and Leah. Leah couldn’t earn Jacob’s love. His heart was devoted to Rachel.
God knows you can’t have two masters. The Bible says in Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” True love is giving one person your undivided love and attention.
Proverbs 6:34-35 reminds us, “For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.” The jealousy between these two sisters caused a lot of trouble for Jacob for many years.
Daily Bible Reading:
Genesis 29:1-35
1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.
3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.
13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
Things to think about:
Do you wonder what it was about Rachel that made Jacob fall in love with her at first sight?
Can you imagine working for seven years for a bride and then getting the wrong one?
Think about the way Rachel felt when God blessed Leah and allowed her to have children for Jacob, while Rachel was barren.
Prayer of the Day:
Dear God,
There are many lessons we can learn from this Scripture in the Bible. You demonstrated through this Scripture that we can only have true love for one person at a time and trying to do anything other than that will cause a lot of jealousy and trouble for everybody concerned. Help us, dear God, to be faithful to our partners and to love them in the way You would have us to. Help us to love You, and put You first in our lives. Bless our homes and our families. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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.
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
God Does Not Give Us the Spirit of Fear
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