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

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

He Loved Us

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 2:4-9

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

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

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

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

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

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Things to think about:

Are you thankful for God’s mercy?

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

Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

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

Daily Bible Verse:

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

Click To Tweet

–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

Christian Music Video: Reckless Love
<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>

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

Available on Amazon

Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

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.

Daily Bible Reading “Honor Your Father and Mother” (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Honor Your Father and Mother

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 6:1-4. This Scripture reminds us that we should honor our father and mother.

This is the first of the Ten Commandments that has a promise attached to it. The promise is that “it may be well with you, and you might live long on the earth.”

Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

What do you think it means to honor your parents? Maybe to love, obey, respect, and cherish them. This Scripture starts off by telling us we should obey our parents as their children because it is right. I don’t think we are only supposed to honor our parents as children, but all the days of our lives. Ephesians 6:4 gives direction to the parents that they should bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Both as parents and as children we have a commitment to each other.

My parents have both already gone to heaven to be with the Lord, and I miss them very much. Those of you who are fortunate enough to still have your parents here with you, spend as much time as you can with them and treasure every moment. How I would love to be able to sit down and have a conversation with my parents and to visit with them.

Our parents are the first ones who love us and teach us what love is. Love should be unconditional between a parent and their children. As children we should return that love and respect to our parents. We may not always agree with everything our parents do. They aren’t perfect and neither are we, but we can love each other in spite of our differences.

Some parents may not treat their children in the way that God intended them to, but that doesn’t negate our responsibility to honor them as our parents. We may have to ask God to help us forgive our parents for some of the things did or didn’t do.

If you are a parent you probably haven’t done everything right, either. You have probably made mistakes and wrong decisions concerning your children. This Scripture teaches us that we should honor our parents and God will bless us for doing so.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 6:1-4

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise:)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Things to think about:

What is the promise God gives us for honoring our parents?

What does it mean to honor someone?

Should we only honor our parents when we are children or should it be a life-long commitment?
Should we only honor our parents if they treated us well and loved us the way God intended for them to?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

We want to thank You for the parents You gave us. Forgive us of the times in our lives when we haven’t honored our parents. We know You blessed us with them and for that we are grateful. Help us to always honor them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise:) – Ephesians 6:2

Click To Tweet

– This is an excerpt from God Is Love by Deborah H. Bateman

Christian Music Video:
<span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

God is Love

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

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

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

Available on Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

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

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Know the Love of Christ

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 3:13-21. In this Scripture, Paul tells the Ephesians not to be discouraged because he was in prison. It was for their honor and glory 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 reverence to God.

Paul’s desire for them was that God would give them inner strength by His Spirit through the riches of God’s glory. His prayer was that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith as they put their trust in Him. He 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 is God’s love for us. He also desired that they 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 at work in us. He prayed 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 whatever he did he gave the glory to God and to Jesus Christ. Paul realized 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 God loved them even more and he wanted them to understand and know the love of God.

I love this Scripture. As you read this Scripture, this is my prayer for you. I pray God would allow you by the riches of His glory to be strong with His might by His Spirit in your inner man. I pray Christ would dwell in your heart by faith and you would be rooted and grounded in love.

I pray you might be able to comprehend the vastness of Christ’s love for you, even though it surpasses our knowledge. My prayers for you are that you would be filled with the love of God and know in your heart He is able to do much more than we can ask or think, by the power of God that works in us. To God is the glory forever.

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:

Do you think we can comprehend how much God loves us?

Does reading this Scripture lift your spirit?

Have you experienced the immeasurable love of God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

Thank You for this Scripture in Ephesians where Paul is praising and glorifying You. Help us get a glimpse into how much You love us. We give You praise, honor, and glory for all You do for us. We thank You for the wonderful plan You had for us from the beginning of time. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. – Ephesians 3:19

–Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

God Is Love

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Available on Amazon

Get your copy now!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

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.

Daily Bible Reading “Armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13-24)

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Armor of God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 6:13-24. We read in this Scripture where Paul talks about putting on the “whole armor of God” so we will be able to stand against the evil of the world we live in.

Paul says to have your “loins girt with truth,” which means to speak the truth. John 1:17 reminds us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 4:24 says, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Paul instructs us to cover our body with the breastplate of righteousness. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Paul reminds us to cover our feet with “shoes of the preparation” of the gospel of peace. Romans 10:15 says, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Paul instructs us to carry the “shield of faith” with us so we can block the fiery darts of evil. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Paul says we should take the “helmet of salvation.” Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

First Thessalonians 5:8, tells us, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Paul instructs us to take the “Sword of the Spirit,” which is the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Can you picture a soldier, ready for battle? That is how prepared we need to be. Put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the evil of this world.

Paul tells us to “pray in the spirit continually for all the saints and be watchful over them.” He instructs us to have an active prayer life. Matthew 26:41 warns us to “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him that he would be bold in preaching the gospel. He tells them to ask God to give him the words to say. We, as Christians, need to pray for our pastors. We also need to pray for fellow Christians and church members. We need to support one another. This is one place the enemy loves to try to attack and we need to stand together for the Lord.

Paul says that he is sending them Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord. Paul sent him to inform the Ephesians of what is going on. Paul wanted Tychicus to comfort and encourage the hearts of the Christians at Ephesus. Paul ends the letter by wishing them grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ, to all those who love the Lord.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 6:13-24

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Things to think about:

What are the parts of the armor of God that Paul mentions in this Scripture?
What are some ways we can arm ourselves?

Have you put on the whole armor of God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul reminds us to put on the whole armor of God. Help us to prepare ourselves, so we can stand for You. Help us to pray continually and lift each other up in prayer. Give us the strength we need to stand against the evil of today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

– Ephesians 6:13

Featured Book:

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

by Deborah H. Bateman

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.

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

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Relationships” (Ephesians 6:1-12)

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Relationships

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 6:1-12. In this Scripture Paul talks about some of our other relationships. The first relationship he talks about is how we should honor our father and mother. This is the first, of the Ten Commandments, which had a promise attached to it. The promise is that it may be well with you, and you might live long on the earth.

Deuteronomy 5:16 says, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

What do you think it means to honor your parents? Maybe to love, obey, respect and cherish them. This Scripture tells us we should obey our parents as their children because it is right. I don’t think we are only supposed to honor our parents when we are children, but all the days of our lives.

Both of my parents have already gone to be with the Lord. If you are fortunate enough to still have your parents around, make sure to show them the honor and respect they deserve. After all, if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t be here.

Paul gives direction to fathers that they shouldn’t provoke their children to anger by their treatment. They are to bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Paul talks about servants being obedient to their masters. He says they should try to please them all the time and not just when the masters are watching. They are to work as servants of Christ, pleasing the Lord. We know that God will reward us for every good thing we do whether we are bonded or free. In today’s world we might look at this as employees. When we do our jobs to the best of our ability it not only honors our bosses, it honors God.

Paul tells masters to treat their slaves in the same way. We all have the same Master in heaven. God doesn’t show favoritism, but treats everyone equally. We can use this same example today with the employer-employee relationship.

Paul encourages us to be strong in the Lord, putting on the whole armor of God, that we will be able to stand against all the tricks of the devil. We need to stay in God’s Word and know what it says so we will be able to stand up to the enemy. In this world, we don’t fight against each other. We have to fight against rulers of darkness, powers, and evil spirits in the unseen world.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 6:1-12

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Things to think about:

As adults, how can we still honor our parents?

How can we honor those who have authority over us?

What does Paul mean when he says to put on the whole armor of God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul reminds us how we should conduct ourselves in our relationships to others. Help us to always honor our fathers and mothers no matter how old we are or how old they are. We see in this Scripture how You have set up certain lines of authority in our lives.

Help us to respect those who have authority over us. Help us to do that as if we are honoring You by our actions toward them. Help us to study Your Word so we will be strong and fully armored and able to stand against the evil of this world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;…

Click To Tweet

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

– Ephesians 6:2-3

Featured Book:

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

by Deborah H. Bateman

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,