Joni and Friends is Celebrating their 35th Anniversary

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Joni and Friends is Celebrating their 35th Anniversary

Joni and Friends was established in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada, who at 17 was injured in a diving accident, leaving her a quadriplegic. Joni and Friends is dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend. Their objective is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways.

Joni and Friends is committed to recruiting, training, and motivating new generations of people with disabilities to become leaders in their churches and communities.

From local neighborhoods to the far reaches of the world, Joni and Friends strives to demonstrate to people affected by disability, in tangible ways, that God has not abandoned them – He is with them – providing love, hope, and eternal salvation.

As a person in ministry and my own set of challenges to the every day life of being in ministry, I can’t imagine being in a wheel chair and doing what I do, much less all that Joni does.

Joni is an inspiration to those she comes in contact with, whether through her books, radio, TV, or in person. Her courageous spirit is contagious. She inspires others, both those with and without disabilities, to live a full life with her can do attitude. I have seen Joni on several TV interviews and am always inspired and blessed by her testimony.

Joni has a radio program, a TV show, and other programs to help train those in ministry to minister to people with disabilities. They help provide wheel chairs for disabled children in need. She is an inspiration to us all. To learn more about Joni and Friends check out the website at Joni and Friends.

Join me in wishing Joni and Friends a Happy 35th Anniversary.

Blessings,

Deborah H. Bateman

Daily Bible Reading “Saul and His Son’s Fate” (1 Samuel 31:7-13)

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Saul and His Son’s Fate

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 31:7-13. When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those from the other side of Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they left the cities, and fled. Then the Philistines came and took over their cities.

When the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons among the fallen soldiers at mount Gilboa.

They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent it all around the land of the Philistines, to announce Saul’s death in the house of their idols, and among their people.

They put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth: and they hung his body to the wall of Bethshan.

When the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul; all the strong men took action. They traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and his son’s bodies from the wall of Bethshan. They took their bodies to Jabesh, and burned them. Then, they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

The men of Israel honored God in the midst of their suffering. They were mourning the loss of their leader and many others who had been lost in the war. They had also lost some of their cities to their enemy. Their hearts were broken. They fasted and turned to the one who could comfort their hearts and souls at this time of trouble.

It is hard sometimes to praise God in the midst of our trials. There will be a day when we no longer have to face the trouble of this world. God will wipe away all of our tears. We will live in peace forever.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 31:7-13

7 And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

Things to think about:

What happened when the men of Israel found out about Saul and his son’s death?

What did the Philistines do when they found Saul and his son’s bodies among the dead soldiers?

What did the men of Israel do when they found out what the Philistines had done with Saul and his son’s bodies?

Prayer of the Day:

As we study this Scripture we can see that the people of Israel were in much distress. Their leader was dead. Many of their men had been killed. Some of their cities had been overtaken. Surely they were in a state of mourning. They fasted for seven days. That was their way of honoring You in spite of their troubles. Help us to remember that we need to honor You even when life is not going good. Help us to not let the troubled times in our lives turn us away from you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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About the book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “David Escapes the Wrath of Saul” (1 Samuel 23:14-29)

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Escapes the Wrath of Saul

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 23:14-29. David remained in the wilderness of Ziph hiding out in the mountains. Saul searched for David ever day. But God didn’t deliver David into the hands of Saul.

David knew that Saul was looking for him. David was held up in the wilderness. Jonathan, Saul’s son, went to be with David and strengthened him in LORD.

Jonathan comforted David reassuring him that Saul wasn’t going to kill him. Jonathan assured David that he would be king over Israel and Jonathan would be by his side to support him.

Jonathan and David made a covenant declaring these things before the LORD. Jonathan returned to his house and David remained in hiding in the wilderness.

The Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah and inquired of Saul saying, “Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?”

The Ziphites beckoned Saul to come and they would deliver David into his hands. Saul blessed the LORD saying the LORD had compassion on him.

Saul told them to go seek David and inquire who had seen him and where they saw him. Saul sent them to find all of David’s hiding places so he could go to Judah and conquer him.

When David heard that Saul was on his trail he went down from the mountain to hide in the wilderness of Maon, a plain south of Jeshimon.

Saul and his men were on one side of the mountain and David on the other side. Saul’s men surrounded David and were ready to take him, when Saul got word that the Philistines were attacking.

Saul and his men had to leave their quest of hunting David and went to fight the Philistines. Once again David escaped the wrath of Saul. Because of this they called that place Selahammahlekoth, the cliff of escapes.

Isn’t it amazing how quickly circumstances can change. The enemy was closing in on David and then their attention was diverted to the attacks of the Philistines. How many times in life have you narrowly escaped the attacks of the enemy? David took this opportunity to leave and go to dwell in strongholds in Engedi.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 23:14-29

14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
16 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

Things to think about:

Where was David held up at the beginning of this Scripture?

Who came to visit David and what pact did they make?

What happened when Saul found out where David was?

Who joined Saul in his endeavor to find David?

What happened to save David from the wrath of Saul?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that Saul was hot on David’s trail again. David was able to escape the wrath of Saul because the Philistines invaded the land. Help us to escape the wrath of the enemy as You did David in this Scripture. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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The Book of 2 Thessalonians

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of 2 Thessalonians: Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of 2 Thessalonians is one of the Apostle Paul’s Epistles (letters). It’s part of the New Testament of the Bible.

In the book of 2 Thessalonians, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to glorify the Lord, to stand fast, and to not grow weary in well doing. He also talks about the Second Coming of the Lord.

The Book of 2 Thessalonians: Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians contains four Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. This is a great study for an individual or group Bible study.
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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99 Cent Book Launch

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Deborah H. Bateman

99 Cent Book Launch

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

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

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 it to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he had 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 lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the daily Bible Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is good for personal daily Bible study and would be great to use for group Bible studies as well.

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