Daily Bible Reading “Paul Returns to Jerusalem” (Galatians 2:1-10)

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Paul Returns to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:1-10. Paul tells us he went back to Jerusalem fourteen years later. After fourteen years why do you think Paul would return to Jerusalem? This time he took Barnabas and Titus with him.

Paul was called to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles-anyone who was not Jewish. He was instructed by God to go to Jerusalem to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he had been preaching to the Gentiles. After the death of Jesus on the cross, the people of God were no longer under the law, but under the grace of God, through Jesus Christ. The people at Jerusalem believed that the Gentiles could be saved, but they believed that the Gentiles had to become Jews first.

Titus, who was a Greek, was not circumcised. He was Paul’s missionary partner. Paul trusted Titus and knew that he had a heart for the gospel, just as Paul did. The people at Jerusalem were still living under the law and circumcision of the males was one of the requirements under the law of the Old Testament. It was a way for the Jewish people to show that they were set apart from others and were God’s chosen people.

The only reason this question even came up was that there were false brethren who spied on Paul and his followers to see what liberties they had through grace and how they lived differently than the Jewish people. Paul, knowing that there were these differences in their beliefs met privately with the leaders to discuss their differences. The fact that Paul met with them privately and didn’t dispute with them openly shows discretion on his part.

They saw that the same God that called Peter, who preached circumcision to the Jews, also called Paul, who preached uncircumcision to the Gentiles. James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who were their leaders in Jerusalem, saw the grace of God that was given to Paul.

Because of the laws of the Old Testament where the Jews were required to be circumcised a lot of times the Jewish people were considered to be the circumcision and the Gentiles were considered to be the un-circumcision.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:18-20, “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”

Paul wasn’t as concerned about people’s outward appearance as he was about whether their heart was right with God. Sometimes we judge people by what we see on the outside and we can’t see the work of God that may be going on inside of them.

They gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They realized that Paul and Barnabas were called by God to preach salvation to the Gentiles, just as they had been called by God to preach to the Jewish people. The only thing the leaders of Jerusalem asked was for Paul to teach the other churches to remember the poor, which Paul already did.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:1-10

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Things to think about:

What was the dispute in this Scripture?
Why did the people want Paul to remember the poor?
What does it mean to you to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Why would you consider listening to any other gospel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles just as You called others to preach to the Jews. We thank You that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You made a way that we all could become Christians. We also see that You call different people to do different things. Help us to be faithful to whatever it is You call us to do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. – Galatians 2:10

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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!

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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:

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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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “In His Time” (Galatians 1:13-24)

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

In His Time

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:13-24. We see in this Scripture that Paul acknowledges he persecuted the church in the past. Paul’s persecution of the church of God is also spoken of in the book of Acts. Paul previously was very much into Judaism.

In God’s perfect timing, He called Paul by His grace, to be an apostle and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen. When Paul was called by God he didn’t go to the other apostles for their approval. He went straight to the lands of Arabia and Damascus to preach the gospel which God called him to do.

After three years of being in the ministry, Paul went to Jerusalem. There he met Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. The only other apostle that Paul met at this time was James, Jesus’ brother.

Paul swore before God that everything he was telling the Galatians was true. After Paul’s visit to Jerusalem he went to Syria and Cilicia. Paul was unknown to the churches of Christ in Judaea. The only thing they knew about Paul was that he once persecuted the church of the Lord, but now he was preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people glorified God for His work in Paul’s life.

Isn’t it amazing how God can take someone who was completely against God and His church, and turn that person completely around? He took Paul from being a persecutor of the church to preaching the gospel. Notice Paul says it happened in God’s perfect timing, not in Paul’s timing. Things don’t always happen when we want them to happen, but they happen when God thinks the time is right.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:13-24

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

Things to think about:

In what ways have you experienced God’s perfect timing in your life?
Does it amaze you how God transformed Paul’s life?
In what ways has God transformed your life?
How have you surrendered your will to God’s will?

Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture from the book of Galatians where Paul tells us about his conversion. He tells us that even though he was previously completely against the church You saved him and used him for Your glory. Help us to use Paul’s testimony to realize there is hope for anybody. We see how You used Paul, in spite of his past, to spread the gospel. Help us to be willing to be used by You to spread the gospel in any way You see fit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and …

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called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

– Galatians 1:15-16

– 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!

Christian Music Video: In His Time


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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Paul’s Concern for the Galatians” (Galatians 1:1-6)

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:1-6. This is the study of the book of Galatians which is an epistle or letter written by Paul. Have you ever studied the book of Galatians? Paul introduces himself as an apostle of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and of God our Heavenly Father.

He is writing this letter to the churches of Galatia. The epistle is thought to have been written around 50 A.D. Notice the Scripture says churches. This letter wasn’t written to one specific church, as many of Paul’s writings were, but it was written to all the churches in the region of Galatia. Do you know who the people of Galatia were?

The region of Galatia was a Roman Province in Asia Minor. It was thought to be inhabited by Celtic people who were called Gauls. The name Galatia means land of the Galli or Gauls. There were two regions of Galatia a northern region, which was small agricultural cities, and the southern region, which was more commercial.

Paul starts with a greeting saying, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.” If Paul considered the world to be evil at that time, what do you think he would think of our world today?

Paul made sure the churches of Galatia knew who he was representing when he wrote this letter. He had some things to discuss with them and he wanted them to know where he got his authority from so they would respect his writings. Paul was not called by man to be an apostle. His call to be an apostle was directly from God.

Paul’s concern for the people of the churches of Galatia was that they had turned away from God and from the grace of Christ to another gospel so soon. When Paul started this chapter with the words grace and peace he knew that they couldn’t have peace without the grace of God in their lives. They were called by God through Jesus to be His followers, but yet they turned away from Him. You can’t turn to something else without first turning away from God.

Even though the people of Galatia lived long ago the messages Paul gives in the book of Galatians are messages and warnings for all of us. We need to be careful not to turn away from God, but to stay true to Him and His Word. In the next lesson we will look further into this matter and see how the churches of Galatia turned away from God and from the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will also see how Paul leads them back to God.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:1-6

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

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

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Things to think about:

What did you learn about Paul and his dedication to the Lord in this lesson?
Who called Paul to serve the churches of his day?
What was Paul’s concern for the people of Galatia?
Have you ever turned your back on God? What was the circumstance? What happened?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul was an apostle, called by You. It doesn’t matter what other credentials he has. He had the highest calling and that was to be called by You to serve the churches of his day. Help us not to be worried about trying to impress men with our credentials, but to be more concerned about pleasing You. We see that Paul had a great concern for the churches of Galatia because they turned against You and against the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Help us be on guard not to turn away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, – Galatians 1:3

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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: Call It Grace – Unspoken

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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

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Daily Bible Reading “Jacob Loved Rachel” (Genesis 29:1-35)

Posted on February 13, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jacob Loved Rachel

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.

Daily Bible Verse:

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. – Genesis 29:18

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–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

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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:

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 “Love One Another” (John 15:12-27)

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Love One Another

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from John 15:12-27. In this Scripture, Jesus is talking to His disciples; right before He went to be crucified. Jesus tells them, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” He didn’t tell them to love each other if they felt like it. Jesus wanted them to commit to love each other.

Make the decision to love someone whether you feel like it or not. Even in our families there might be times when we don’t feel like loving each other. But we should love each other anyway, because we are committed to love them.

Even so, we should love our brothers and sisters in Christ because Jesus tells us to love one another. What better example than that of Jesus who taught us how to love others? This kind of love is not an emotional love, but rather a decision to love one another.

Jesus reminds His disciples, “Greater love has no man than this that He lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” He tells the disciples they didn’t choose Him, but He chose them and ordained them to bear fruit, that whatever they ask the Father in His name, He may give it to them.

Not everybody we meet is going to love us. Jesus reminds the disciples of this by telling them if the world hates them or mistreats them they should not be dismayed because they knew the world hated Him and His Father before it hated them. Jesus explains to them that since He came into the world and told the world about their sin, they had no covering for their sin.

Those who didn’t want to accept Jesus as their Savior hated Him and His Father. Not everyone you try to share the gospel with will accept Jesus, and they may not like you for sharing it, even though you are trying to help them.

Another way God showed His love for us is by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell with us. Jesus promises the disciples that He will send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, unto them from the Father and He will testify of Jesus. He tells them they also will bear witness of Him, because they were with Him from the beginning. God didn’t want to leave us alone so He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with us.

God wants us to have this same kind of love for one another that He has for us, the kind of love that cares for one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

John 15:12-27

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Things to think about:

Why does Jesus want us to love one another?
How do you know you have the love of Jesus in your heart?
When do you find it hard to love others?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

Please help us to love one another as Jesus commanded in this Scripture. Help us not to go by our feelings, but to make a decision in our hearts and lives to love anyway. As we live in this world help us to bear witness of You and Your Son, and share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. – John 15:12

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–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

Christian Music Video: “Love One Another” – Michael W. Smith

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.