Daily Bible Reading “What is the Condition of Your Heart?” (Matthew 15:1-20)

What is the Condition of Your Heart?

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 15:1-20. In this Scripture, the scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus asking Him why the disciples didn’t wash their hands when they ate. Have you ever noticed how people love to condemn others when they have faults themselves?

Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees they disobey the commands of God by their traditions. He talks to them about one of the Ten Commandments: Honor your father and mother. He tells them they make the commandment of God to honor your parents of no effect by their traditions.

Jesus reminds them that people honor Him with their mouths, but their hearts are far from Him. The disciples ask Jesus if He offended the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus says that the scribes and Pharisees are like the blind leading the blind. Jesus tells them every plant that His Father has not planted will be rooted up.

He tells them it isn’t what goes in the mouth, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man. Jesus explains to the disciples that whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. He says the evil that is in your heart comes out of your mouth and that shows the condition of your heart.

We should all use this Scripture from Psalm 19:14, as a prayer to God concerning the words we speak, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Make it a point to guard the words you speak and see how it changes your life.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 15:1-20

1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

 

Things to think about:

  • What is the condition of your heart?
  • Have you ever considered that the words you speak come from your heart?
  • Do you honor God with your heart and life?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture. Help us to obey Your Word and to speak words of life. Give us the strength we need to live in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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Matthew

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

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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.

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Daily Bible Reading “A Merry Heart” (Proverbs 17:22-28)

A Merry Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 17:22-28. We are reminded in this Scripture that a merry heart does good like medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

A wicked person takes a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Wisdom is before those who have understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

A foolish child is a grief to their father, and bitterness to their mother

To punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Those who have knowledge spare their words: and a person of understanding has an excellent spirit.

Even a fool, when they hold their peace, is counted wise: and those who shut their mouth are esteemed as people of understanding.

“Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).

Do you find it hard sometimes to have a merry heart? When we get our minds on our circumstances it can be difficult at times to be joyful and to have peace in our hearts. If we can focus on the LORD and His goodness to us, instead of our circumstances, we are more likely to be able to have a merry heart.

We are reminded in Nehemiah 8:10 that “The joy of the LORD is our strength.” Even if you don’t have joy and happiness in this life, you can have a merry heart by focusing on the LORD and His goodness to you.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 17:22-28

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

 

Things to think about:

  • What is a merry heart compared to in this Scripture?
  • What does this Scripture say about a foolish child?
  • What is one of the attributes of a person of knowledge which is shown in this Scripture?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture and reminded that a merry heart does good like medicine, help us to have a cheerful heart. Help us to live in the joy of the Lord. Give us the peace and joy that we need in our lives in order for our hearts to be merry. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

 

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Jesus asks his disciples the question, “Who do men say that I am?” Then, through different metaphors, He describes who He is.

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I AM: Jesus, the Son of God is the thirty-third book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for consideration or discussion, a prayer, and a Bible Verse to journal or memorize. This book is great as a personal devotional or a group Bible Study. Get your copy today. You will be glad you did.

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Daily Bible Reading “A Merry Heart” (Proverbs 15:12-22)

A Merry Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 15:12-22. As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that a scoffer hates those who reprimand them: so they won’t seek counsel from those who are wise. We are also reminded that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but the spirit is broken when there is sorrow in the heart.

The heart of those who have understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

All the days of the afflicted are evil: but those who have a merry heart have a continual feast.

It is better to have little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

It is better to have a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

A wrathful person stirs up strife: but those who are slow to anger settle strife.

The way of the slothful person is like a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous person is made plain.

A wise person makes a glad father: but a foolish person despises their mother.

Foolishness is pleasure to those who are deprived of wisdom: but a person of understanding walks uprightly.

Without counsel commitments are dissatisfied: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

Sometimes we have to work at making our heart merry with all the circumstances of life. Pain, sorrow, and turmoil in our lives will cause our heart to be heavy and weighed down with the cares of this world.

We need to spend time with the Lord and and His Word in order to refill our spirits. Life has a way of draining our energy sometimes. The only way for us to thrive is to continually fill our spirit with God’s love, joy, and peace. When our hearts are full of His love our face will reflect His love to those around us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 15:12-22

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

 

Things to think about:

  •  What does a scorner hate?
  • What does a merry heart do?
  • Have you ever noticed how joy or pain shows on someone’s face?
  • How can we refill our spirit with God’s love?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read the book of Proverbs there are so many lessons to learn. We thank You for Your love that fills our hearts with joy. If it weren’t for You in our lives, we would be empty. Fill us with Your love, Your joy, and Your peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

 

Christian Music Video: “Heart of Worship” –

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The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

Daily Bible Reading Series Book 2

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The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible.

In the book of Esther, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. In a series of events and through fasting, prayer and God’s favor Esther was placed in a position to save the Jewish people. Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who told her maybe she was born for such a time as this.

God puts us all in circumstances where He can use us to further His kingdom and give Him glory, if we are willing and obedient. Esther found her purpose for life. Like Esther you were born for such a time as this.

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Daily Bible Reading “Heart Check-up” (Proverbs 10:27-32)

 A Clean Heart Heart Check-up

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 10:27-32. We are told in this Scripture that the fear of the LORD increases our days: but the years of the wicked will be shortened. The fear of the LORD begins in our heart. Many times people shorten their lives by the way they choose to live.

The hope of the righteous is gladness: but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

The way of the LORD is strength to those of integrity: but destruction will come to those who cause trouble.

The righteous will never be removed: but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

The mouth of the just speaks wisdom: but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks forwardness.

The Bible says those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, and blasphemy (See Matthew 15:18-20).

Have you ever noticed how some people’s mouth sounds like a garbage can and other people seem to exude honey? Most of us probably are somewhere between the two of them, but we can learn a lot about what’s going on with a person by how they speak.

As believers, we need to put a guard on our lips. The enemy would like nothing better than for us to speak in ways that are not pleasing to God. We may cause others to stumble if our speech is not pleasing to God.

If we have trouble in this area we need to do a heart check-up to see if something is going on in our heart that we need to ask God to forgive us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 10:27-32

27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why are the lives of those who are evil shortened?
  • Why can the righteous be glad?
  • In what ways does the LORD give us strength?
  • Have you done a heart check-up lately?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in Proverbs we are reminded of the difference between those who fear the LORD and those who choose a life of sin. Help us to keep a guard over our mouths that we may glorify You in all that we say and do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Christian Music Video: “Whom Shall I Fear” – Chris Tomlin

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godislove25God Is Love

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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

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Daily Bible Reading “Guard Your Heart” (Proverbs 4:20-27)

Guard Your Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 4:20-27. Solomon says to his son, “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the middle of your heart.”

These words are life to those who find them, and healing to their body. Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it is the source of life.

Put a deceitful mouth, and perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look right on, and your eyelids look straight in front of you.

Consider the pathway that your feet trod, and be sure all your ways are reputable. Don’t turn to the right or to the left: keep your feet from evil.

The heart is an organ in the center of the circulation system in our bodies and is regarded as the center of all physical and spiritual life.

Solomon warns his son to guard his heart. We have to be careful what we allow into our bodies through our eyes and our ears. These are gateways to our heart. What goes in our bodies will come out of our bodies eventually in one form or another.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 tells us, “ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Have you ever noticed what comes out of your mouth when you stump your toe? How about when someone pulls out in front of you in traffic? Are they blessings or cursing? Usually the worst will come out of us when we least expect it or put our guard down.

In Matthew 15:18-20a Jesus says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.”

Guard your heart. Be careful what you watch on TV or read in books. Be careful what you listen to. Be careful who you hang around with. You may think these things don’t affect you, but what we let into our lives, both the good and bad resides in our heart, the center or our being.

Solomon not only says to guard your heart he also says to guard your mouth. Be careful about the language you use when speaking to yourself, about yourself, to others, or about others. Speak the truth in love. Don’t let perverse words flow from your mouth.

Solomon says to guard your steps, as well. Don’t turn to the right or left but keep on the straight and narrow path that leads to life everlasting. Stay away from evil or the appearance of evil.

By guarding our hearts, our mouths, and our steps we can keep our bodies pure and away from evil.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

 

Things to think about:

  • What is the importance of guarding our hearts?
  • Why should we guard our mouth?
  • In what ways should we guard our steps?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this Scripture in the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns his son to guard his heart, his mouth, and his steps. Help us to guard our hearts, our mouth, and our steps as well. Help us to stay away from evil and keep our hearts, mouth and the path of our lives pure. Keep us on the straight and narrow path to righteousness. Protect us from evil. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse for Journaling and Memorization:

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:23

 

 

Christian Music Videos: “Guard your Heart” – Steve Green

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haggai(1)-25The Book of Haggai: Consider Your Ways
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The Book of Haggai: Consider Your Ways is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Haggai by Deborah H. Bateman. It is the twenty-fifth book in the Daily Bible Reading Series by the author. Haggai was one of the prophets from the Old Testament of the Bible.

In the book of Haggai, the LORD reveals a message to Haggai for the people asking them to consider your ways. The LORD also reminded the people through Haggai that He was with them, among other things. These are lessons that we can still use today in our lives.

The Book of Haggai: Consider Your Ways contains four Daily Bible Reading lessons consisting of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions to consider called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individual or group study.

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