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Daily Bible Reading “I Am a Great King” (Malachi 1:7-14)

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

I Am a Great King

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Malachi 1:7-14. Malachi relayed to the children of Israel what the LORD had to say to them. The LORD scorned them because they offered dirty bread on the altar and then asked Him, “Where have we contaminated you?” He told them by doing that they shamed the LORD’S Table.

The priests were offering sacrifices to the LORD, but they weren’t holy, without spot or blemish. They were using animals which were blind, sick and lame. He tells them to offer them to the governor and see if he would accept their damaged goods and be pleased with their offering.

Leviticus 1:10 tells us what the offering was supposed to be like, “And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.”

How many times do we do the same thing? We don’t offer God our best, but we give Him whatever we have left over or don’t want for ourselves, and then we expect God to bless our offering. How do you think that makes Him feel? Does it make Him feel like He is important to us, we treasure Him, and we think He is worthy of honor, worship and praise, or does it make God feel like we don’t really care about Him?

I’m not trying to condemn you; this struck me as something we all need to consider, including me. I don’t want to do anything that would make the LORD feel that I don’t love Him, treasure my relationship with Him and respect who He is. I’m sure I fall short of this every day, but that is the desire of my heart.

God told them after the way they had treated Him and His holy offerings, they needed to plead to God and see if He would be gracious to them. Malachi asked, “Do you think He will even consider your people?” The LORD then asked them, “Who is there among you that would even shut the doors for nothing? You don’t even kindle fire on my altar for nothing.”

I remember when I was growing up we would volunteer to do work around the church and the church yard. These days it seems that most of the positions at church are salaried. Have you noticed this or am I the only one who has observed these changes?

The LORD told them that because of this He had no pleasure in them, nor would He accept an offering from their hands. It sounded like the LORD was disappointed with the children of Israel during this time. I’m sure He gets disappointed with us sometimes as well.

The LORD told the children of Israel from the rising of the sun to the going down of the sun His name would be great among the Gentiles. He told them incense would be offered in His name and He would be great among the heathen. He told them if they wouldn’t worship Him like they were supposed to, He would find somebody who would.
He scolded them because they had disrespected His name by using unclean animals for sacrifices and using bread that was not fresh on the table. He told them to consider what disillusionment it was. The LORD told them they had slain His name; because they brought sacrifices that were torn, lame and sick. He questioned them asking why He should accept their defiled offering.

The LORD warned them, “Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male who is pure and without blemish, and vows, and sacrifices unto the LORD a damaged offering.” He reminded them, “I am a great King, and my name is appalling among the heathen.”

God loves us and He gave His best for us by giving His only Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins. In Romans 5:8 we are reminded of this, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In light of His great sacrifice, should we give Him any less than our best? He is a great King. He is worthy to be praised and honored with the best that we have to offer.

What are some of the things we could offer the LORD today as a sacrifice and offering to Him? We may give money to help support our church. We may offer our time to serve others or to serve at our church. We may do things to help those less fortunate than us. Widows and orphans are another group that is mentioned in the Bible as those we should help. We can offer the sacrifice of praise to God. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. Our offering or sacrifice may seem minute compared to His sacrifice, but we can still do things to honor God and show our love and appreciation to Him.

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 1:7-14

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

Things to think about:

What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

What kind of offerings does the LORD want us to give?

Have you acknowledged God as the King of your life?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study this Scripture in the book of Malachi, we see where the children of Israel highly disappointed You by not offering their best sacrifices. Help us as we study this Scripture to see that You gave us Your best and You want our best in return. Please forgive us of the many times we have failed You by not offering You our best. You are a great King and You are worthy to be praised. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

-Excerpt from The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD.

Christian Music Video: King of the World

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.

Have you read

The 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.

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

To download your copy!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD

Daily Bible Reading “The LORD Speaks to Malachi” (Malachi 1:1-6)

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

The LORD Speaks to Malachi

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from the book of Malachi. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” The name Malachi comes from the Hebrew name (Mal’akhiy) which means “my messenger” or “my angel.”

God delivered His message to the people of Israel through the hand of 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. No other prophet was sent to the people after Malachi until John the Baptist appeared on the scene making a way for the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is believed that the book of Malachi was written after the books of Haggai and Zechariah, because Malachi talked about the temple already being rebuilt. Malachi ministers to the people of Israel about 100 years after they returned to Jerusalem from exile.

The temple had already been rebuilt. The people were making their sacrifices, but they still hadn’t seen the things come to pass that the prophets Zechariah and Haggai told them the LORD said would happen. They may have been discouraged and wondering if the LORD forgot about them.

In this Scripture Malachi shared the judgment of the Word of the LORD to Israel. The LORD first said, “I have loved you, but you say where have you loved us?” Have you ever asked God that question? Maybe you didn’t ask Him out loud, but you thought it, because of the circumstances of your life?

The people of Israel went through some tough times. Some of them were in captivity for a long time. They returned home, but things weren’t easy. A lot of work had to be done. They had to rebuild the temple and rebuild the city.

The LORD tried to reassure the people of Israel of His love for them before He corrected them for their disobedience. God loved Israel. They were His chosen people. He tried to make a point like Jesus did in John 14:15 when He reminded us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

The LORD asked, “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? I loved Jacob, and hated Esau.” He basically told them that He chose Jacob and didn’t choose Esau. He chose the children of Israel, who were the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, to be His people. But He didn’t choose the people of Edom, who were Abraham’s children with Hagar, Sarah’s maid. The Israelites had been in captivity, but they were able to return to their homeland. The people of Edom were forever out of God’s blessing.

The LORD told about the judgment He placed on Edom and the blessing He bestowed on the Israelites. He reassured the Israelites that they were His chosen people. He loves them and will love them forever.

Speaking to the priests, He said they despised my name and then they asked me, “Where have we despised your name?” Do we do the same thing, not honor God, as our Heavenly Father, and the LORD and Master of our lives?

Daily Bible Reading:

Malachi 1:1-6

1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Things to think about:

What was the LORD’S concern in this Scripture?

What did the LORD say about Edom?

In what ways can we Honor God as our Heavenly Father?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture in the book of Malachi we are reminded that, as our Heavenly Father, we are to honor and respect You. Forgive us of the many ways in which we fail to show honor to Your name. Help us to be mindful as we go about our daily lives to honor and respect You as our Heavenly Father. Help those who haven’t accepted You as their Heavenly Father to come to know You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

-Excerpt from The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD.

Christian Music Video: My Heavenly Father Loves Me

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.

Have you read

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Go to: Amazon

To download your copy!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Song of Moses” (Exodus 15:1-18)

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

Song of Moses

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Exodus 15. In this scripture is a well-known Biblical prayer called the Song of Moses. It is the first song in the Bible. It is a prayer in the form of a song praising and thanking the Lord for what He did for them.

In chapter 14 the people of Israel were camped between two mountains and were boxed in when Pharaoh’s army came after them. God parted the Red Sea and casts Pharaoh’s men in the sea.

God put them in this situation so he could show them His provision. They were set free from Egypt. Egypt is a picture of the world. We too can be joyous when we are set free from this world and see God’s provision in our lives.

This song is also mentioned in Isaiah 12, Psalm 118 and in Revelation 15. In every one of these situations the people were rescued by God, their deliverer.

Singing a song to God is a wonderful way to praise and worship God. Prayers can be sung to God. Psalms 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

You don’t have to have a beautiful voice to sing to the Lord. He wants you to praise Him anyway. It doesn’t matter where you are you can sing to the Lord anywhere. Singing can be a way of showing thanks to God for what He has done for you.

When you reach out to God by singing and praising Him the Bible says, He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Moses says in verse two, I will prepare him a habitation.

When you are feeling down, just start singing and praising God and your spirit will be lifted, because the Father seeks those who worship him.

Read through this Scripture and notice what it says the LORD is. He is my strength and song, He is my God. He is my father’s God. He is a man of war. He is glorious in power and in holiness. He is great and excellent. He will reign forever.

Even though God is a God of love, He still is a warrior, in that He protects His people from the enemy. This Scripture pictures physically what we have to do in prayer as we war against the wicked spiritual forces in this world.

We need to pray for our families and ask for God to watch over them and protect them every day. Thank God we have Him to go to and pray fervently to intercede for those who are in our world.

Daily Bible Reading:

Exodus 15:1-18

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Things to think about:

Who do you say that the LORD is to you?
What are some ways we can praise and worship Him?
How do you praise and worship Him?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this scripture that once again shows us how You take care of the people who serve You. We worship and praise You for Your holiness. We are in awe of Your strength, power and might. We love you, LORD. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. – Exodus 15:2

Christian Music Video:Song of Moses

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends to join us in our Bible Study.

Give Thanks

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

About the book:

Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.

Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.

Go to: http://tinyurl.com/k6ex5xn

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Daily Bible Reading “Create in Me a Clean Heart” (Psalm 51:1-19)

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Deborah H. Bateman

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 51:1-19. Psalm 51 is a Psalm of David, it is written after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and the prophet Nathan confronted him. The story of David and Bathsheba is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12. You may want to read those chapters to help you better understand David’s situation at the time. In Psalm 51 David cries out to God for forgiveness. He confesses his sin to God and asks God to cleanse him. Have you asked God to forgive you of your sins?

David asks God to cleanse his heart and create a right spirit in him. He begs God not to turn away from him or to take the Holy Spirit from him. He asks God to restore to him the joy of his salvation. David declares he will praise God despite his shortcomings.

David says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” God wants us to come to Him and ask for His forgiveness for our sins. He wants us to be obedient and do the things that are right in His sight. God loves us unconditionally, but when we fail to meet His expectations we need to repent, and turn from our sins.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 51:1-19

1 [[To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.]] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Things to think about:

Is there anything in your life for which you need to ask God’s forgiveness? If so, pray and ask Him to forgive you.
In what ways can we be in constant fellowship with God?
Have you received the joy of salvation?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Help us to ask for Your forgiveness of our sins. Help us to be obedient to Your Word. Help us to desire to be in fellowship with You constantly. Create in us a clean heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Click the link above to get your copy now!

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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:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60 by Deborah H. Bateman is 27th 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 will contain 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 2 Chapters 31-60 contains thirty-five 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://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XYVIXMY
Get your copy now!

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Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox
at: http://DeborahHBateman.com/subscribe

Have a blessed day,

Deborah