Daily Bible Reading “God’s Timing is Perfect” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

 

God’s Timing is Perfect

I wanted to share with you about one of the trials of my life. I started praying for a Christian husband when I was a teenager, even though I was much too young to get married. I actually dated my husband for the first time when I was sixteen and he was twenty. I was too young and immature so we just had one date and that was it.

About two years later he called me and we started dating and six months later we got married. Things have not always been easy. With our love for each other, our faith in God and our determination to stay together we have now been married for over forty years.

We were only been married for a few months when we decided we wanted to have children, but that was not God’s plan for us at the time.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It took us two years to get pregnant. We were so excited. We had been trying to get pregnant for two years and now we finally were expecting a baby. At three months we had a miscarriage. We were heartbroken.

I experienced so much emotion. I felt like there had been a death in the family and there was, except I felt like I was the only one mourning it. It was a very sad time for me. I would get upset when I found out other people were pregnant, especially if I thought they did not deserve to be. I acted like I was a judge. Who was I to judge who did or did not get pregnant? It was not up to me. God is the giver of life.

The doctor told us to wait a few months before trying to get pregnant again. We did, but had no idea that it would take so long. I went through all kinds of emotions over the next few years. It took us four years to get pregnant the second time. We were excited this time too, but a little apprehensive. We were scared we would miscarry again. Sure enough after three months we miscarried for the second time. We were heartbroken all over again.

We will always love and remember those two little ones. We lost both of them in the month of March, so every year we talk about how old they would be if they had lived. They will have a place in our hearts and lives forever.

This time the doctor did not tell us we had to wait. I am sure he thought that he did not have anything to worry about since it took so long before. The next month we got pregnant for the third time. We were scared the whole time. We were afraid to get excited. We had been hurt before and did not want to get hurt again. Once we passed the three-month time-table we started to relax a little.

We finally gave birth to our first daughter after eight years of being married and trying to get pregnant most of that time. God finally blessed us with a child. Four years later we had our second daughter. God completed our little family. Our two daughters are both grown now and God has blessed us with five grandchildren. God makes everything beautiful in His time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

I would love to tell you that life has been a basket of roses since that time, but we have had other trials to face. One thing I can tell you for sure, that no matter what trials we had to face, God has always been there to see us through them all.

We have learned so many lessons over the years. We learned that things don’t always happen when we want them to happen. We learned that God’s plans are not always the same as our plans. We have learned that God is faithful to His children.

We learned that God works all things together for good in our lives.

Romans 8:28, KJV, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

If you have experienced infertility and miscarriage as we did, ask God to help you with all the emotions that come along with a loss of this kind. Ask God to comfort your heart. He loves you and only wants the best for you. I know it might not seem like it at the time, but He does love you. Give the situation over to God and ask Him to help you deal with it. Ask God to show you His will in your life. Ask God to help you accept His timing for your life.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I pray that God will meet the need that you have in your heart to have a child. I realize that this is a desire that most women have in their lives, even though not everyone is able to have children. But, there are other options such as adoption and foster care for those who want to make a difference in a child’s life while filling their need to have a child to love in their home.

May God richly bless you!

Maybe this is not the need you have in your life. Maybe you have a need in another area. Remember the same principles apply, God love you and wants the best for you in your life. Turn your cares and concerns over to Him and let Him carry you through this time in your life.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

God’s Timing is Perfect was originally published on Still Birthday at:http://stillbirthday.com/2011/09/04/gods-timing-is-perfect/

 

Daily Bible Reading “God Chose the Tribe of Judah” (Psalm 78:63-72)

God Chose the Tribe of Judah

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 78:63-72. In this portion of Psalm 78, Asaph tells us that God chose the tribe of Judah because the tribe of Ephraim rebelled. Who was the tribe of Judah? Why were they significant to God?

God poured out His wrath on the tribe of Ephraim. The young men were consumed with fire, and because of this the maidens were unable to marry. Even the priests indulged in sin and fell by the sword, and the widows didn’t weep over their loss.

God built His tabernacle in Zion. He took David from the sheepfold and chose him to be a servant of God. David was crowned king and was put in charge of leading the people of Israel. In this Scripture we see how people’s choices can cause them either to be lifted up by God or to be destroyed because of their rebellion against God.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 78:63-72

63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why was the tribe of Ephraim not chosen by God?
  • Why was the tribe of Judah chosen by God?
  • In this Scripture, who did God choose to lead His people?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in Psalm 78. In this Scripture we see where You lifted some up because of their obedience, and caused some to fall because of their rebellion against You. Help us to be obedient children of God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

This is an excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 3 Chapters 61-90

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Featured Book:

Psalms Part 3-25The Book of Psalms:
Part 3 Chapters 61-90
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms:Part 3 Chapters 61-90 by Deborah H. Bateman is 28th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet.

The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

The Book of Psalms: Part 3 Chapters 61-90 contains fifty Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Israel Provoked God to Anger” (Psalm 78:53-62)

Israel Provoked God to Anger

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 78:53-62. In this Scripture, we are told that God led the children of Israel to safety, when He divided the Red Sea and the sea overtook their enemies.

God brought them to His sanctuary. He cast out the heathen from them and set up the tribes of Israel in their tents.

God did all this for them, but they didn’t keep His testimonies and provoked Him to anger. Do we ever do the same thing by turning our backs on God after all the blessings He has given us?

They turned away from God and were unfaithful to Him like their fathers were. They provoked God to anger with the high places they built for the other gods. The children of Israel caused God to be jealous because of their worship of images that they carved from stone.

God was so angry with Israel that He forsook the tabernacle at Shiloh and delivered them into the hands of the enemy. We don’t ever want to be in this position with God.

“Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 6:14-15).

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).

Exodus 20:1-6 says, “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. “

All these Scriptures show us the character of God, that He is a jealous God and wants us to serve Him only. He is not willing to share our love and affection with other gods. He loves His children and shows mercy to those who love Him and serve Him with their whole heart.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 78:53-62

53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.
62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

 

Things to think about:

  • What does it mean to be jealous?
  • Did you realize God was a jealous God?
  • How do we put other things ahead of God?
  • How can we put God first in our lives?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please help us to realize as we read this Scripture in Psalm 78 that You are a jealous God and You don’t want us to put anything or anyone above You. Help us not to worship other things in our lives, but to serve You only. Help us to love You and worship You in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

– Psalm 78:58

This is an excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 3 Chapters 61-90

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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:

Psalms Part 3-25The Book of Psalms:
Part 3 Chapters 61-90
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms:Part 3 Chapters 61-90 by Deborah H. Bateman is 28th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet.

The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

The Book of Psalms: Part 3 Chapters 61-90 contains fifty Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

Go to: 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

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Daily Bible Reading “I Am the True Vine” (John 15:1-11)

I Am the True Vine

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from John 15:1-11. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

In this Scripture Jesus is telling His disciples the parable of the vine. He tells them He is the true vine, and His Father is the husbandman (gardener, vinedresser). Believers are considered to be the “branches.” Branches in Him which don’t bear fruit He cuts off. Branches that bear fruit, He prunes, so they will bear more fruit. There are many references to the word “fruit” in the Bible. As believers we are expected to bear fruit for the Lord.

One of the references to “fruit” is the fruit of the SpiritGalatians 5:22-23 says,But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” This is what we should produce if we are abiding in the vine.

Ephesians 5:9 and 10 says, “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. You are clean through the Word I have spoken to you.” This is why it is important for us to study the Bible so we will know the Word. It will purify our hearts and lives so we can produce good fruit.

Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, it must abide in the vine, and so it is for us we have to abide in Him. If you don’t abide in me, you will be like a branch that withers and is cut off and burned in the fire.”

Think of this parable as if you had a vine growing in your yard and there are branches coming off the main vine. As the gardener, you cut off the branches that are dead and prune the branches that are producing fruit so they will produce more fruit.

In this parable, God the Father is the gardener, Jesus is the main vine, and as Christians we are the branches. First Corinthians 3:11 says, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  In John 15: 7 Jesus says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” What do you think the word abide means? Maybe it means to stay close, or continue in Him.

Jesus tells the disciples, His Father will be glorified, and they will bear much fruit; and they will be His disciples. He says, “Just as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love.” He wants us to come to Him, worship Him and pray to Him. Jesus tells them in the same way He loves His Father and keeps His commandments; we too should keep His commandments and abide in His love. He tells them, “These things I have told you, that my joy will remain in you, and that your joy will be full.”

 

Daily Bible Reading:

John 15:1-11

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do you do to the dead branches on your vines?
  • As Christians why should we abide in Jesus?
  • In this Scripture, who is the gardener?
  • What does this Scripture say will happen if we don’t bear fruit?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who in this parable is the true vine. As Christians we are the branches, thank You that He is our source of strength and provision. Help us to abide in Him so our joy might be full. Help us to produce good fruit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

 

Bible Verse for Journaling and Memorization:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

– John 15:5

Excerpt from I AM: Jesus, the Son of God

 

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I AM: Jesus, the Son of God

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Jesus asks his disciples the question, “Who do men say that I am?” Then, through different metaphors, He describes who He is.

In I AM: Jesus, the Son of God, Deborah H. Bateman shares biblical illustrations on each of these topics and includes the reason God sent Jesus to the world. This book will help you more fully grasp who Jesus is and His purpose in your life.

I AM: Jesus, the Son of God is the thirty-third book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for consideration or discussion, a prayer, and a Bible Verse to journal or memorize. This book is great as a personal devotional or a group Bible Study. Get your copy today. You will be glad you did.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Think on These Things” (Philippians 4:8)

Think on These Things

Do you ever have trouble with thinking negative thoughts? I guess we all do from time to time. Some of us may have more trouble with this than others. When we focus on the negative things that are going on in our lives it can bring us down.

In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells the Philippians to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy.

This is good advice for us today. It is hard to be negative and have a bad attitude if we are spending our time praying, praising God for His blessings, and thinking on good things.

This is a good Scripture for us to keep close to our hearts and mind to remind us of what we should be thinking about daily. If you have negative thoughts come into your mind, remember this Scripture, quote it to yourself and go through the list of what Paul says we should think about, if it doesn’t measure up, then cast those thoughts aside. This will help you to train yourself to think about good things rather than focusing on negative things.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

Things to think about:

  • Do you have trouble keeping a positive attitude?
  • What do you do when you start thinking negatively?
  • How can we retrain our brain to think good thoughts?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture where Paul reminds the Philippians to think about good things. Help us to use this as our guide. Help us not to have a negative attitude. Help us to be grateful to You for all Your many blessings. Keep a guard over our hearts and minds. Don’t let the enemy use our thoughts to discourage us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8

 

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Philippians - 25The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.

Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.

Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.

Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling 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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