Daily Bible Reading “Paul Instructs Titus” (Titus 1:10-16)

Paul Instructs Titus

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Titus 1:10-16. In this Scripture, Paul reminds Titus that there are many disobedient people; especially those of the circumcision (his own Jewish people). He says they are useless talkers and deceivers. Do you wonder why Paul says this about them? They weren’t willing to submit to God’s leadership. These were people in the church, not people on the outside.

Paul was concerned that these people with a Jewish background in the Christian church were still trying to tell people that they had to live under the Law of Moses (the first books of the Old Testament) instead of teaching the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Their teaching must be stopped because they are weakening entire churches. They were teaching things that weren’t true for dishonest financial gain. One of the Cretan prophets, called all the Cretans “liars, wicked animals and lazy gluttons.” It was a very prejudicial statement, even if everyone felt that way about the, but Paul, who had spent time on Crete, tells Titus, “This is a true observation; therefore, you need to reprimand them harshly, so that they stand true to the faith. “

Since apparently this was their culture, it was very important that Titus appoint leaders there to help lead the people in the right direction. Paul didn’t tell Titus to cast them off because of their ways, but to help transform them with the truth of God’s Word for His glory.

Paul reminds Titus they aren’t to pay attention to Jewish legends and commandments of men that twist the truth. To people who are pure (Christians) all things are clean, but to people who are corrupt unbelievers, nothing is wholesome. Even these people’s mind and conscience is tarnished. They confess that they know God, but by their actions, they contradict their claims. Paul declares they are repulsive and rebellious troublemakers to every good effort. Do you know people like this?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Titus 1: 10-16

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

 

Things to think about:

  • Do you know anybody like Paul is talking about in this lesson?
  • What can we do to be on guard so people like this don’t deceive us?
  • Does anything Paul talks about in this lesson describe you?
  • If so, what do you need to do about it?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Titus. Paul warns Titus about people who are disobedient and cause trouble. Help us not to be those kinds of people. Help us to be obedient to Your Word. Help us to study the Bible so we will know the truth and will not be deceived by people like the ones Paul is talking about in this lesson. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

– Titus 1:15

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Titus: Paul’s Letter to Titus is a Daily Bible Reading study by Deborah H. Bateman. Titus is considered to be one of the Pastoral Epistles. Paul wrote these letters to help instruct the leaders of the churches how to handle certain situations and how to properly establish the churches of his day. The book of Titus is found in the New Testament of the Bible right after 2 Timothy.

The Book of Titus: Paul’s Letter to Titus contains six Daily Bible Reading lessons. Included in each lesson is a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion which Deborah calls: “Things to think about,” and a prayer to go along with the study. This Bible study is great for personal or group studies.

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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Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “For This Cause” (Titus 1:1-9)

For This Cause

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Titus 1:1-9. Paul’s epistle (short letter) to Titus starts with a greeting from Paul, who calls himself a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. It is almost like an introduction of himself and his belief. Why do you think Paul has such a long introduction when Titus knows who Paul is? Maybe so we can know who Paul was and what his beliefs were.

Paul talks about his faith as one of God’s chosen servants, his acknowledgment of the truth which is following godliness. He also speaks of his hope in eternal life, because he knows God can’t lie and God promised it before the beginning of the world. Paul continues by saying, God has in the appropriate time made clear His Word through preaching, which Paul is dedicated to by the instruction of God our Savior.

Paul then says that the letter is to Titus, who he considers to be his son in faith. He sends a greeting of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Paul reminds Titus he was left in Crete to put things in order and to ordain elders in all the cities, as he was instructed.

He then jogs Titus’ memory to the qualifications of the elders. They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not disobedient. Paul goes into the qualifications for the bishop next. A bishop must be blameless; he can’t be stubborn or easily angered, not a drunkard, or a fighter, and not unclean. He must be hospitable, sober, just, self-controlled, and a follower of good men. He must hold true to the Word of God he was taught so he will be able to encourage and persuade unbelievers.

The people who hold these positions are the leaders of the church and they are held to high standards. As members of the body of the church, we should look up to them. We should also model our behaviors after them. If God requires this type of behavior of them, they can be examples to the believers in the church. These are great guidelines for everyone.
Daily Bible Reading:

Titus: 1:1-9

1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Things to think about:

  • Do you have faith in God?
  • Is your hope in eternal life through Christ?
  • How many of the qualifications that Paul mentions describe you?
  • What are some areas in your life you need to improve?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Titus. Paul talks to Titus about his faith and hope in You and Your Son. Help us to hold onto our faith and have hope in You and in Jesus Christ. Paul talks about the qualifications of a bishop. Help us to look at these qualifications and see where we need to improve our own lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

– Titus 1:5-6

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Titus: Paul’s Letter to Titus is a Daily Bible Reading study by Deborah H. Bateman. Titus is considered to be one of the Pastoral Epistles. Paul wrote these letters to help instruct the leaders of the churches how to handle certain situations and how to properly establish the churches of his day. The book of Titus is found in the New Testament of the Bible right after 2 Timothy.

The Book of Titus: Paul’s Letter to Titus contains six Daily Bible Reading lessons. Included in each lesson is a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion which Deborah calls: “Things to think about,” and a prayer to go along with the study. This Bible study is great for personal or group studies.

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.

 

Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends and family members to join us.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Love Your Enemies” (Luke 6:27-38)

Love Your Enemies

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 6:27-38. In this Scripture, Jesus is talking to His disciples, and is telling them to love their enemies. It is much easier to love the people who love you, such as your family and your friends. It is another thing to love the people who curse you, spitefully use you, hit you, or steal from you. But Jesus says, as Christians, we should love those people as well. How are we supposed to love our enemies?

Loving our enemies isn’t something we can do on our own. It is only something we can do with the Lord’s help and with the Holy Spirit living in us. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. He says everybody loves the people who love them, but He expects us to go beyond that, and show a Christ-like love to everybody. He even wants us to love those who don’t love us or mistreat us.

In Luke 6:35, Jesus says, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Jesus says to be merciful, as their Father is merciful. He is talking about their Heavenly Father, not their earthly father.

Jesus tells them not to judge or condemn, but to forgive and they shall be forgiven.  Then in verse thirty-eight He says to, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” If we are generous and giving with people, they will be generous and giving with us. If we are stingy and selfish with people then they will most likely treat us the same way.

This is a lesson we can all take today. Because it is easy to love the people who love us and do good to the people who do good to us. But, with God’s help, we can learn to love the people who don’t love us. We can learn to do good to the people who don’t do good to us. We can learn to be loving and generous by giving to those who never can repay us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 6:27-38

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

Things to think about:

  • How can we love our enemies?
  • How can we do good to those who don’t do good to us?
  • Do you give to those who can never repay you?
  • Do you pray for those who spitefully use you?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

Please help us to do what Jesus talked about in this Scripture. Help us to love our enemies, and do good to those who don’t do good to us. Help us to be generous and give to those who can never repay us. Help us not to judge or condemn others. God, this is a big task for us, and if we tried to do it in our own power, we would fail. The only way we can do these things is with Your help. We acknowledge that we need Your help. Help us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

– Luke 6:35

Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

 

Christian Music Video: Love Your Enemies

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.

 

Featured Book:

godislove25

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

Daily Bible Reading “The Love of God” (Romans 5:1-9)

The Love of God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Romans 5:1-9. In this Scripture, we are told if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we are justified by faith and have peace with God through Jesus. Do you have peace with God?

Some of you may not know you didn’t have peace with God. Through Adam’s disobedience to God back in the Garden of Eden sin entered into the world, so we were all born into sin. There is nothing we can do to rationalize our sin. But we don’t have to remain in sin, because God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins on the cross.

God, through His grace, gave us the free gift of salvation. All we have to do is believe and receive it. The Scripture says because of this we can glory in our tribulations. Tribulations (trials) bring patience, patience brings experience, and through experience we find hope in the Lord. Do you find it hard to find joy in your tribulations?

Tribulations=Patience=Experience=Hope

The love of God is then in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that God gives to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. God showed His great love for us by having His Son, Jesus; shed His blood on the cross to cover our sins. Do you know the love of God?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Romans 5:1-9

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

Things to think about:

  • Have you been justified by faith to God through His Son, Jesus?
  • Did you realize you could glory in your tribulations?
  • What are the results of tribulations?
  • How do we get the love of God in our hearts?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear God,

We thank You for Your love for us. We thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who died on the cross to cover our sins. We thank You that we can be justified though our faith in Him. We thank You that we can have peace with You, through Jesus. Help us to accept Your gracious gift. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Excerpt from God Is Love ~ Deborah H. Bateman

 

Christian Music Video: The Love of God

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.

 

Featured Book:

godislove25

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

Daily Bible Reading “Give Thanks to God for Your Faith and Love” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-13)

Give Thanks to God for Your Faith and Love

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13. This is part of the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, which today is the second-largest city in Greece. In this chapter, Paul talks about the faith of the people. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been driven out of Thessalonica and when they could no longer stand not knowing how the people were doing; they sent Timothy back to check on the people there.

Paul had ministered to these people and he had great concern for them that they would continue in the faith and not be tempted by the devil to give up on their beliefs. Paul didn’t want the people to be discouraged because of all the trials they had been through.

Trials in our life help us see what is going on in our hearts. When we are going through trying times, it is a time when we can grow even closer to God, if we allow it. We can learn to depend on God and trust Him to see us through the tough times in life. We can’t comfort others unless we have been through some tough times ourselves.

Paul felt comforted when Timothy came back with a good report from the Thessalonians. Timothy let him know they had kept the faith. Paul said he prayed for them day and night. Paul gives thanks to God for them and the joy he had in knowing they were strong in their faith.  They were staying true to the things of God that Paul had taught them.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.


Things to think about:

  • What would it be like to be persecuted because of your faith?
  • How can we make our faith known to others?
  • In what ways can we show charity (love) to other people?


Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the comfort You give us, especially when we are going through tough times.  Help us to keep the faith and know You work all things out for our good and Your glory. Help us to increase in our love for one another, and toward all people. Establish our hearts to be blameless in holiness before You. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

 

This is an excerpt from Give Thanks by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video: Give Me Faith – Elevation Worship

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:

Give Thanks - 25Give 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 Reading lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude and to be thankful and grateful for everything.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, Daily Bible Reading 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.

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.

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.

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Get your copy now!

 

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life