Daily Bible Reading “Did Christ Die in Vain” (Galatians 2:11-21)

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Did Christ Die in Vain

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 2:11-21. As we study the Bible, we see in this Scripture in the book of Galatians that Paul and Peter met face-to-face in Antioch. Why was Paul upset with Peter? Peter at one time befriended the Gentiles who came to Christ. When certain Jewish people came around, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of what the Jewish people might think of him. Have you ever treated someone differently when other people were around because you were afraid of what they might think?

Some of the other Jewish people followed Peter’s example and disassociated with the Gentiles as well. Peter knew the Gentiles weren’t required to come under the law. Even Barnabas, who was a trusted friend of Paul, was led astray by Peter’s actions. Paul confronted Peter about the way he was treating the Gentiles. Paul asked Peter, if he was living like the Gentiles why was he trying to make the Gentiles conform to the ways of the Jewish people?

Paul tells them even the Jewish people know that they aren’t justified by the works of the law, but by their faith in Jesus Christ. Nobody, whether Jew or Gentile, can be justified by the works of the law: the only way we can be forgiven of our sins and justified in the sight of God is through our faith in Jesus Christ.

I love Galatians 2:20 where Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Paul is saying that when he became a Christian his old spirit was crucified with Christ. Even though he still lives in his body, now he has a new spirit because Christ lives in him. The life he lives in the flesh he lives by the faith of the Son of God, Jesus, who loved him and died for him.

Paul says that he doesn’t discourage the grace of God: because if we receive our righteousness by obeying the law, then Christ died in vain. God knew that we wouldn’t be able to keep the law, so He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so we might have a sacrifice for our sins.

It is by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus that we can become Christians. This is best described in Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:11-21

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why was Paul upset with Peter?
  • What does it mean to have Christ living in you?
  • Is Christ living in you? If not, why?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul defended the Gentiles. He knew that Your plan included the Gentiles. It includes all of us and for that we thank You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to die for our sins. Help us who have received Him as our Savior to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Help those who haven’t yet accepted Him see their need for the Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and …

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the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

– Galatians 2:20

 

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

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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

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 “Paul Warns the Galatians” (Galatians 1:7-12)

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Paul Warns the Galatians

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 1:7-12. In this Scripture, we see Paul’s concern for the people was legitimate. What was Paul concerned about in the previous lesson? Let’s look at the Scripture in verse six and seven to see if we can find out why Paul was concerned. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another, there are some that trouble you, and pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Someone had brought “another gospel” to the Galatians. It was a perversion of the real gospel of Christ. He tells them that these people will cause trouble. They are trying to get the people of Galatia to believe something other than the true gospel which Paul preached to them.

The gospel of Christ may be hard for some people to believe, that Jesus came to earth as a man. He suffered and died in a gruesome way for our sins. He rose again on the third day. It may hurt some people’s pride to know that they need a Savior. The fact that salvation is a gift of God and not something we can do for ourselves is hard for some people to accept. Have you accepted God’s precious gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ?

Paul tells them that if he, or anybody else – even an angel – preaches any other gospel to them except the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ let them be cursed. Paul not only says this once, but twice. He shows his allegiance to the gospel of Christ.

Paul also talked to the Corinthians about this in 1Corinthians 15:1 when he said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…”

Paul tells the people that he is not trying to please men, but God, because if he tries to please men, how can he be a servant of Christ? He tells them that the gospel he preached to them wasn’t of man, but he received the gospel by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Why would someone want to pervert the gospel of Christ?

In the next lesson we will see how Paul proves to the people that his message was from God.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:7-12

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

Things to think about:

  • What was Paul’s concern in this Scripture?
  • Where did Paul say he received the gospel that he taught the Galatians?
  • Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?
  • What do you consider to be the gospel truth in your life?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we see that Paul addressed the Galatians concerning their belief in “another gospel.” Help us to study the Bible so we will know when someone is telling us the true gospel. Give us strength as we live in this world to share your gospel with others. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet …

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pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

 

– 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: Jesus I Need You – Hillsong


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

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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

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 “Who Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ” (Romans 8:32-39)

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Who Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Romans 8:32-39. Paul asks the question if God didn’t spare His own Son, “How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” If God loved us enough to sacrifice His only Son for our sins, why wouldn’t He be willing to do anything else for us if we asked Him?

Who or what in life can separate us from the love of Christ? Is there anything in this life that could separate us from the love of Christ? Is there anything in this life that means more to us than God and His love for us?

When we put other things and other people in place of God in our lives we can build barriers between us and God. We need to make sure we keep things in the proper perspective and put God first in our lives. We don’t want anything or anybody to come between us and God. He loves us supremely and we should love Him in the same way.

Paul was persecuted for the cause of Christ, but was still able to declare “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” I love Romans 8:38-39, where Paul proclaims that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Romans 8:32-39

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why did God sacrifice His Son?
  • Since God was willing to sacrifice His Son, should we be afraid to ask Him for anything else we need?
  • Who is it that vindicates the believer?
  • Who makes intercession for us as believers?
  • Have you accepted the love of God through Jesus Christ?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

We thank You for this Scripture which tells us we are more than conquerors through You. We are also reminded of Your precious gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You for Paul’s proclamation that, in Christ, nothing can separate us from Your love. Help us to stand on these promises. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, …

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or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

– Romans 8:35

–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

 

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Featured Book:

godislove25

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

Available on Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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