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 fifty 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 “Selfish Desire” (Proverbs 18:1-9)

Selfish Desire

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 18:1-9. In this Scripture, we are told that through selfish desire a person, who separates themselves, seeks and rages against all wisdom.

A fool has no delight in understanding, but that their heart may discover itself.

When the wicked comes, then comes contempt, and with shame reproach.

The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool’s lips enter into controversy, and their mouth calls for blows.

A fool’s mouth is their destruction, and their mouth is the lure of their soul.

The words of a gossipers are like wounds that are swallowed deep into the belly.

Those who are lazy in their work are kin to those who are great wasters.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

As believers we are told to separate ourselves from unbelievers and from their ungodly ways.

Have you ever had someone wound you with their words like this Scripture talks about? We need to refrain from being a part of gossipers’ conversations. We need to realize that our words can both lift people up and encourage them or our words can harm people by cutting them down and discouraging them. Lord, help us to use our words as tools of encouragement to others.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 18:1-9

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do our selfish desires cause?
  • Why do the words of a talebearer pierce us so deeply?
  • What usually causes a fool to get into trouble?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs help us to see all of the examples in this Scripture and examine ourselves to see if any of these apply to us. Examine our hearts and lives. Examine our motives and intents. Help us to be what You would have us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

 

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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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Daily Bible Reading “Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes” (Psalm 146:3-4)

dont-put-your-trust-in-princes-psalm-146-3Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 146. The Bible warns us not to put our trust in princes. Even as believers, we have a tendency to put our faith in people in authority and are many times disappointed because of it.

We put people who are in leadership positions on pedestals and expect perfection from them, only to be let down when they can’t live up to our expectations.

Some of the people we may put our trust in includes pastors, religious leaders, government officials, celebrities, friends, and even our own family members. This particular Scripture warns us about putting our confidence in people who are in authority over us in the government such as princes, kings, and presidents.

As verse four warns us, we need to realize that like us, they are all human and despite our best efforts at times we all fail those whom we care about most, due to our lack of good judgement.

My focus in this particular lesson is on verses 3 and 4, but if you go on to read the rest of this chapter, which I have included for you, you will see that when we put our faith and trust in LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of people, we won’t be disappointed. They will never fail us. They will never leave us or forsake us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 146:1-10

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Things to think about:

  • Who does this Scripture warn us about putting our trust in?
  • Why does it say we shouldn’t trust in them?
  • Who should we put our trust in and why?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this Scripture that warns us about putting our faith and trust in princes. Help us to realize that they are only human, as we are, and despite their best efforts, at times they will make bad decisions and disappoint us. Help us to put our faith and trust in You and Your Son, instead of people. Help us to realize that You are the only one who will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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Featured Book:

psalms_part_5-25The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th 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.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight 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: http://amazon.com/dp/B017QPOIS6

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Noah Found Grace” (Genesis 6:1-13)

Genesis 6 8Noah Found Grace

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Genesis 6:1-13. In chapter six we learn that as men began to reproduce on the earth, and started having daughters. The sons of God were in awe of the daughters of men; and took as many wives as they chose.

The LORD was grieved and said, “My spirit will not always be with man, because he is human as well: now his days will be a 120 years.”

There were giants in the earth during that time. The sons of God had relationships with the daughters of men, and had children by them. They became mighty men of old, men of notoriety.

GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that all the thoughts of their heart were constantly evil.

The LORD regretted that he had created man. Their wickedness grieved his heart. The LORD decided that he would abolish man from the earth. Not only would he destroy man, but also the beast, creeping things, and fowls of the air; because it made him sad that he created them.

Noah was the only man living during this time that found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Noah walked with God. He was a just man, faultless among his peers. Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The people of the earth had become immoral before God and the earth was full of violence. God beheld the condition of the earth, and saw that it was corrupt. All living things had violated God’s manner on the earth.

God told Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; because the earth is filled with violence through them; watch, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Can you imagine God being so upset with man that He would want to destroy them?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Genesis 6:1-13

1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why was God upset with His creation?
  • What did God want to do to His creation?
  • Who is the one man that found grace in God’s eyes during this time?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this passage, we see the condition of the world had become so bad that You wanted to destroy everything You had created. We can only imagine how You must feel about the world and the condition it is in today. Please forgive us of all the ways we have failed You. Help us to repent and turn back to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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Featured Book:

psalms_part_5-25The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th 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.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight 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: http://amazon.com/dp/B017QPOIS6

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive FREE
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

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 the Bible along with us.

Daily Bible Reading “David Counts the Fighting Men” (2 Samuel 24:1-9)

2 samuel 24-8David Counts the Fighting Men

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 24:1-9. The LORD was angry with his people so He influenced David to count the fighting men of Israel and Judah.

1 Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan was the one who incited David to take a count. Whether it was Satan or the LORD allowed Satan to cause David to do this is irrelevant at this point. The fact that David was determined to do it is what we need to know.

King David told Joab, the captain of the army to go and take a census of the men from Dan to Beersheba so he could know how many warriors there were during that time.

Joab couldn’t understand why the king wanted a count of the soldiers and questioned him about it, but the king prevailed, and Joab did as the king asked.

Joab and the captains of the army went out and counted the men like the king had requested. It took them nine months and twenty days to travel throughout all of Israel and Judah and take a count of the people.

Joab reported back to the king with the numbers. There were eight hundred thousand valiant men in Israel and five hundred thousand men in Judah.

What was the purpose of counting the men? Was this a pride thing for David? Did he want to know how many men there were in his army so he could brag about it, or what?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 24:1-9

1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
4 Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why did the king want a count of all of the men?
  • Who did he put in charge of the project?
  • Who went with him to count the men?
  • What was the results of their census?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture we see that You were angry with Israel. We see that David was enticed to count the fighting men. Help us to discern whether our ideas are from you or from the enemy. Give us strength and wisdom to make the right decisions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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Featured Book:

Malachi(1)-25The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:
The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD includes eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary from the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for discussion or contemplation, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This book is great for a personal daily devotional or for a group Bible study.

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