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The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

– Philippians 1:27

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by Deborah H. Bateman

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, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

Daily Bible Reading “What Are Your Motives?” (Philippians 1:15-20)

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

What Are Your Motives?

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 1:15-20. In this Scripture Paul says he knew that some of those who were preaching Christ were doing it out of envy and strife. What did Paul mean by this? There were those who were using this time that Paul was imprisoned as an opportunity to gain an advantage over him. They were trying to advance themselves.

Some of them were envious of Paul’s ministry. They wanted to add to Paul’s suffering by trying to surpass him in ministry and make him look bad. Paul didn’t care about competing with them. His ministry was about serving God and furthering the gospel of Christ. It wasn’t about making a name for him.

We all need to work together and cooperate to share the gospel. There is enough work for all of us to do. We don’t have any reason to be competing in the work of the Lord. There are a lot of people to reach. We are wasting precious time when we try to compete with one another. We should support one another’s ministry instead of trying to tear each other down to make ourselves look better. We need to pray for each other.

Paul also knew that there were those who preached the gospel as an act of goodwill, truly wanting to further the Gospel of Christ. They preached the gospel out of a love for God and as an extension of Paul’s ministry while he wasn’t available. Paul was happy that the gospel of Christ was being preached. He wasn’t concerned about their motives. Do you rejoice that the gospel of Christ is being preached?

Paul thanked the Philippians for praying for him. He knew God answered their prayers. God gave Paul an ample supply of the Holy Spirit of Christ to comfort and keep him in spite of the circumstances.

Paul knew that God was in control even though the circumstances didn’t look too good at the moment. Paul still fully trusted God. Paul was awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero and he didn’t know what the outcome would be. Paul turned the situation over to God. Paul’s hope and trust in God gave him confidence to know that whether he lived or died Christ would be glorified in his body.

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 1:15-20

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Things to think about:

How can we work together to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Do you make it a habit to pray for other Christians? What are some things we can pray about on their behalf?

How can we support other ministries who preach or teach the gospel?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see that Paul rejoiced because the gospel of Christ was being preached in spite of his circumstances and others motives. He wasn’t nearly as concerned about himself as he was the furtherance of the gospel. Paul counted on the prayers of the Philippians and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to keep him during this difficult time.

Help us to put aside our selfish desires and focus on spreading the gospel of Christ to this lost and dying world. Help us as Christians to work together to further Your kingdom. Give us the same kind of trust and confidence in You Paul had. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

– Philippians 1:20

Featured Book:

by Deborah H. Bateman

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.

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

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

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

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

Paul Returns to Jerusalem

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 2:1-10

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

Things to think about:

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

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

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

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

– This is an excerpt from my book:

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.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Deborah

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

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

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

In His Time

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 1:13-24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 And they glorified God in me.

Things to think about:

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

Prayer of the day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

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

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

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:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video: In His Time


PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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

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

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Deborah H. Bateman

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: