Tag Archives: Disciples

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Curses the Fig Tree” (Matthew 21:18-27)

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Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 21:18-27. In this Scripture, Jesus came into the city, and was hungry. He saw a fig tree, but there was no fruit, so Jesus cursed the tree by saying there would be no fruit growing on it forever. Then the fig tree withered away. Why do you think Jesus caused the fig tree to wither? It reminds me of when Jesus is talking about the vine and the branches and He says, if the branch isn’t bearing fruit, cut it off.

The disciples saw it and were amazed. Jesus tells them, “If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”

Let’s take a look at Mark 11:23: “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

This Scripture basically says the same thing. Then Jesus tells them that whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. After reading this Scripture, do you wonder what our problem is; that we don’t ask or we don’t believe?

This reminds me of one of my favorite Scriptures on this matter of asking God and praying to our Heavenly Father for our needs: Matthew 7:7-11

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye Then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

When Jesus went to the temple the chief priests and elders asked Him by what authority He did these things. Jesus responded to them with a question instead of answering them directly, Is the baptism of John from heaven or man?” They said they couldn’t say, and Jesus told them neither could He tell them by whose authority He did these things.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 21:18-27

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

 

Things to think about:

  • Do you believe you will receive whatever you ask of God?
  • Do you ask God to meet your needs?
  • Can you think of a time in your life when you asked, believed, and received what you asked?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture that shows us you gave Your Son, Jesus, the authority to perform miracles on earth. Help us to have the faith we need to ask anything we need of You and believe we’ll receive it. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. We love You, LORD.  Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing …

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thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

– Matthew 21:19

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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Christian Video: Hosanna – Hillsong


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:

Matthew

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Instructs His Disciples” (Matthew 10:21-42)

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Jesus Instructs His Disciples

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 10:21-42. This Scripture is a continuation of the previous lesson where Jesus called His disciples. Jesus gave them a commandment before He sent them out to let them know what to expect and what He expected of them.

Jesus lets them know it wouldn’t be easy. He says some of the people who will give them the hardest time will be members of their own families. He tells them they don’t need to fear man, who can only kill the body, but they need to fear the one who can kill the body and soul in hell.

Jesus then compares them to the sparrows by letting them know if God takes care of the sparrows, how much more valuable the disciples are to Him. He tells them every hair on their head is numbered. Jesus tells them he who doesn’t take up his cross and follow Him isn’t worthy of Him. Jesus then says whoever receives the disciples, receives Him.

As we read this Scripture we realize that Jesus and God don’t want us to put anything or anybody ahead of them in our lives.

Everything and everybody God has given us in our lives is temporary. – Deborah H. Bateman

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Only God is eternal. This is something I feel God has been trying to teach me in the past several years.

When I lost my Mama a few years ago it was really hard on me. I was used to seeing her several times a week. Even though I had to visit her at the nursing home or in the hospital the last few years of her life, I still missed her.

As we get older, I think we realize more and more our loved ones are just loaned to us for a season. Jesus was explaining to the disciples we shouldn’t value our loved ones more than Him.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 10:21-42

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

Things to think about:

  • Would you have been willing to follow Jesus after you heard Him talk about the things He talked about in this Scripture?
  • Have you ever had to deny someone else in order to do something you felt the Lord wanted you to do?
  • Would you be willing to deny yourself of some of the creature comforts you are used to in order to do God’s will?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture of the commandments Jesus gave to His disciples, we see life with You isn’t always going to be easy. Help us know You are in control and You are watching over us. Help us to realize the difference between things that are temporary and things that are eternal. Give us strength as we take up our cross and follow You. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, …

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that preach ye upon the housetops.

– Matthew 10:27

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ Get your copy now!

 

 

Christian Music Video:


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:

Matthew

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Calls His Disciples” (Matthew 10:1-20)

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Jesus Calls His Disciples

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 10:1-20. This chapter talks about Jesus calling His twelve disciples. The Scriptures inform us He gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal people of sicknesses and diseases.

He lists the twelve disciples by name. Jesus tells them to gather the lost sheep of Israel.

He gives them some guidelines to go by. Jesus basically tells them to go with nothing and to stay at whoever’s house is worthy, and if the people in the house don’t receive them and their message, the disciples should dust off their feet when they leave.

Jesus tells the disciples He is sending them out as sheep among wolves. He advises them that they need to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.

Jesus warns them that they’ll be persecuted for His sake. He tells them not to worry about what they’ll say; the Holy Spirit will lead them at the time of judgment.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 10:1-20

1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do you think your life would have been like if you would have been one of the ones called as Jesus’ disciples?
  • How would you have responded to His guidelines?
  • Would you have been willing to go?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture telling us about Jesus calling the disciples and the guidelines that He gave them when they went about teaching the gospel. Help us to use these examples as we serve You. In this day and time it is hard for us to think of going in this manner, but help us to have faith that You will provide for us. In Jesus name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

 

**Please remember me in prayer. I will be having reverse shoulder replacement on my left shoulder tomorrow morning. I will be recouperating for a while, but I have scheduled the messages to go out to you in advance. I hope you are enjoying this study of The Book of Matthew. Thanks for your support and prayers.❤️🙏🏻

 

Daily Bible Verse:

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power …

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against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

– Matthew 10:1

– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ Get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:


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:

Matthew

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

 

Daily Bible Reading “Jesus Calls Disciples to Follow Him” (Matthew 4:12-25)

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Jesus Calls Disciples to Follow Him

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 4:12-25. In this Scripture, Jesus heard that John was put in prison, so He left Nazareth and went to Capernaum. It had been spoken by Esaias the prophet that these people would see great light. (Isaiah 9) Jesus preached to the people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This was the same message that John the Baptist preached to the people.

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He called four fishermen: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Notice that the Scripture says they stopped what they were doing and followed Him immediately. How do you respond when Jesus asks you to do something? Are you like the disciples who obeyed Him immediately, or do you put it off as long as you possibly can?

Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing people from all types of diseases and great multitudes of people followed him.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 4:12-25

12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

 

Things to think about:

  • Can you imagine being put in prison for preaching the gospel?
  • When Jesus asks you to do something, do you obey Him immediately?
  • Is your faith strong enough to believe that God can heal the sick?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture from the book of Matthew that tells us how You went about teaching, preaching and healing people. Help us to be fishers of men. Use us to tell others about You. From this Scripture we learn that You are able to heal all kinds of diseases. Give us faith in You for such things as this. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. – Matthew 4:19

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– This is an excerpt from The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

 

Christian Music Video: I will make you fishers of men

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:

Matthew

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Click Here to Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook