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Daily Bible Reading “Spirit of Wisdom” (Ephesians 1:15-23)

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Spirit of Wisdom

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 1:15-23. We will continue looking at Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. In lesson one, we saw that as believers in Christ we are blessed with spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We are chosen by God to be adopted into the family of God as His children and to be made holy in Christ, as Paul explained in Ephesians 1:4.

We are redeemed through the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). How does that make you feel? If you are a Christian, God has you in the palm of His hand and He is not going to let you go.

In lesson two, Paul says he heard of the faith of the Ephesians in the Lord Jesus and their love to all the saints. He tells them that he thanks God and prays for them continually. Do you make a habit of praying for other Christians? I would love to have you pray for me.

Let’s take a look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:17-23.

Paul prays that God would give them wisdom and knowledge in Him. His desire is that they would understand and know the hope of His calling and the majesty of the inheritance God has for His children. He also prays that they would know the incredible greatness of God’s power to those who believe, by the working of His mighty strength, which He demonstrated when He raised Christ from the dead and set Jesus Christ at His right hand in heaven.

God gave Christ a position which is far above all principality or power or might or dominion (which means governing body) rule over every name that is named in this world and the world to come. God put everything under the authority of Christ and made Him the head of the church. The church is His body, the fullness of Christ, who fills everything everywhere with His presence.

I would love to have someone pray this prayer for me, wouldn’t you? In order for us to understand the things of God it will take the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us. When you hear God’s Word, put your trust and faith in Him, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as your Savior, you inherit all the benefits of being a Christian. The most important benefit is the forgiveness of your sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

It’s not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Not everybody who hears the gospel will trust and believe. That part of the equation is up to you. God is not going to force you to become a believer; He gave you a free will. Have you put your faith and trust in Him?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

 

Things to think about:

  • Why should we thank God for other believers?
  • What are some prayers we can pray for other believers?
  • How should we pray for those who are not yet believers?
  • Have you asked God to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so you might know and understand the things of Christ?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians. We pray today that You would give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so we might know the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your inheritance to Your children. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, whom You raised from the dead and who sits at Your right hand in heaven. Help us to understand the authority You gave Him over the church and to submit to His authority so we may be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give …

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unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

– Ephesians 1:17

 

-This is an excerpt from The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus by Deborah H. Bateman

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

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 Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.

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.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “We are Chosen” (Ephesians 1:1-14)

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We are Chosen

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 1:1-14. The book of Ephesians is one of many books in the Bible that are letters written by the Apostle Paul to the churches of his day. Paul’s letters were meant to encourage the churches and help them to follow the ways of God. Some of the churches Paul founded. We know from reading Acts 19 that Paul lived in Ephesus for two years. Paul refers to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. By addressing the letter this way he is telling that he wrote the letter.

You may be a mom, dad, grandparent, pastor, teacher, etc. by the will of God. You are where God has placed you for a reason. He has a plan for your life.

Paul addresses the letter to the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ, which includes those of us who are saved. He greets them by wishing them grace and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul gives glory to God saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.” Paul is talking to Christians and he wants them to understand all the blessings they have in Jesus Christ.

He reminds them that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and we should be holy and blameless before Him in love. We were created to become God’s children and to have an personal relationship and fellowship with God.

Paul says God predestined us to become His children by adoption through Jesus Christ, by His will and for His pleasure. We praise God that because of the glory of His grace, we were made acceptable in the “beloved,” (verse 6) which is Jesus Christ. We have been redeemed.

Jesus paid for our sins through His blood and forgave us because of the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. God’s secret plan, which He designed long ago according to His purpose, is centered on Christ and He has revealed it to us.

God’s plan is that at the right time He will bring everything in heaven and earth together in Christ. In Him we were chosen to receive an inheritance, because He predestined it according to His will. We who first trusted in Christ were chosen to live for the praise of His glory.

When you heard the truth of the gospel of your salvation and believed in Christ, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, whom God promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us all He has promised us and that He purchased us to be His children, to the praise of His glory.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

Things to think about:

  • Have you ever thought that becoming a Christian was similar to adoption?
  • Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If yes, when did you come to know Him? If no, have you considered accepting Jesus as your Savior?
  • What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You that in this Scripture we are reminded how much you love us and that You chose us to be Your children before the foundation of the world.  We pray that You would help us to be obedient and to show Your love to the world so they might come to know You as their Heavenly Father, as well.  We thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross so we might be redeemed and forgiven of our sins.  We see in this Scripture that everything is for the praise of Your glory.  We love You, LORD and thank You for all the promises You have given us.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 1:2

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-This is an excerpt from The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus by Deborah H. Bateman

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

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 Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.

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.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

 

Daily Bible Reading “Do Good to All Men” (Galatians 6:10-18)

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Do Good to All Men

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 6:10-18. In this portion of the letter Paul says we are to do good to all men–meaning all people, especially those who are of the household of faith. Why do you think Paul gives this advice?

Paul tells them, “You see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand?” Paul’s love and concern for the Galatians is shown throughout this letter. His main concern is that the people of Galatia had been influenced to return to following the Law of Moses in order to be Christians. Paul knew that Jesus died on the cross so they could be free from the law. He wanted the Galatians to live in the freedom Christ died to give them.

Paul says there are many who desire to make a show in the flesh by compelling them to be circumcised, one of the Jewish laws. Remember, those other teachers were only trying to persuade them to do this so they can glory in their flesh, bragging that they had persuaded more people to follow the Jewish traditions. Paul says, God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ, by who the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. Paul didn’t want any glory for what he did. His ministry was for Christ and any good that came of it the glory went to Christ.

Paul says, “In Christ neither circumcision (following Jewish laws) nor un-circumcision (boasting in freedom from Jewish laws) gains anything, but we are made new creatures in Christ. As many of you as walk according to this rule, may God’s peace and mercy be on you and on the Israel of God.” Paul says from now on do not let anybody bother me, because I have in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Perhaps Paul thought, if you want to be circumcised, go ahead and do that, but do it for the right reasons. If you follow the other laws make sure you do it as a sign of your faith, not as a sign of your own righteousness. Sure I was circumcised, but that was before I became a Christian, while I called myself a Jew. Maybe Paul wouldn’t have chosen to be circumcised if he’d become a Christian first (even though in today’s world many baby boys are circumcised before they leave the hospital to come home).

Paul had suffered much persecution over the years for his stand for Christ. It had taken its toll on his body. The burden that pastors, teachers, and leaders have on their hearts for the people is heavy. Paul loved the Galatians and wanted God’s best for them. Paul closes the letter saying, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Perhaps, a common benediction used in many churches today.

Paul had served the Galatians and he had a heart for them. His desire for them was that they continue in the work of the Lord which he had taught them. He wanted them to have the joy and peace of salvation through Jesus Christ. He didn’t want them to go back to being a slave to the law and being in bondage. Christ died for our sins so we could have grace, peace, and forgiveness and be free from the bondage of the law. Why would we want to be entrapped in that bondage if we don’t have to be?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 6:10-18

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. [[[The following was added by editors of the KJV: To [the] Galatians written from Rome.]]]

 

Things to think about:

  • Why did Paul exhort the Galatians to do good to those who were of the household of faith?
  • What did Paul glory in?
  • Have you been set free through Jesus Christ?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we’ve studied Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We thank You that Paul has repeatedly explained how we can have the freedom of Christ in our lives. Thank You that we don’t have to live under the bondage of the law anymore. Thank You for the precious gift You gave us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to treasure Him and the gift of salvation. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, …

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especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

– Galatians 6:10

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

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 Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

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 this letter to the churches of Galatia.

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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Bear One Another’s Burdens” (Galatians 6:1-9)

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Bear One Another’s Burdens

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 6:1-9. As we continue in the book of Galatians with Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul exhorts the brethren who are spiritual to restore anyone who is overtaken in a fault, with meekness; for fear that they may also be tempted. What do you think Paul means by this?

Paul tells them to bear one another’s burdens so that they may fulfill the law of Christ. Paul may be saying to them, “Instead of imposing the law as a burden upon your fellow Christians, you should lift their burdens by restoring them to fellowship with Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling Christ’s law.”

As Christians we aren’t to judge one another, but we are to support, encourage, and uplift one another. Paul warns the Galatians about being judgmental and tells them to treat each other with gentleness. Today, we can’t be prideful, because we too could be tempted. Everybody makes mistakes from time to time. Paul is not talking about someone who habitually chooses to sin. He is talking about someone who is overtaken by sin, and repents sincerely desiring not to commit the sin again.

Rather than criticizing someone and tearing them down even further with gossip, Paul says we’re to restore them. We don’t need to ignore sin and act like it didn’t happen, but we need to help them to recover from their sin. We need to pray for them and lift them up to God rather than gossiping about their faults.

Paul says that if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself. The Bible says that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that none of us are righteous (Romans 3:10).

Let every man prove his own work, and then he can celebrate in himself alone and not in another. Every man has to bear his own burden. In this life we all have burdens to bear. Some of them other people can help us with, and some of them we have to work through ourselves, with the help of God.

Those who are trained in the Word are to communicate with those who teach in all good things. Paul warns the Galatians not to be deceived, because God is not mocked, whatever we sow we will reap. If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption, but if you sow to the Spirit you will reap life everlasting. Paul says to not get weary in doing well, we will reap in due season if we don’t faint.

If we do things that are wrong we will suffer the consequences. There are always consequences for the decisions we make. If we make right choices there will be rewards for them as well.

I exhort you to do as this Scripture says and fight the good fight of faith: 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 6:1-9

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

Things to think about:

  • How does Paul advise us to handle a brother who is overtaken by sin?
  • What does Paul say about sowing and reaping?
  • What is the difference in sowing to the flesh or to the Spirit?


Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul says to restore those who have fallen. Help us to be humble when dealing with such a situation. Give us wisdom in knowing how to handle these kinds of things. Help us to sow to the Spirit so we can reap life everlasting. Give us strength to fight the good fight of faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:2

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

Christian Music Video:

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 Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

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 this letter to the churches of Galatia.

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

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26)

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Walk in the Spirit

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:16-26. Paul continues with his letter to the churches at Galatia instructing them to walk in the Spirit so they won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Do you know what Paul means by telling them to walk in the Spirit?

When Paul speaks of the Spirit, he is talking about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. God is made up of three parts – God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. When a person gets saved, or accepts Jesus as their Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the new believer. He helps to lead, guide, and direct him to do the right thing in his life. He also comforts the believer.

The flesh (our earthly body) lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit oppose one another, which causes us not to be able to do the things that we know are right sometimes. It is like a war is going on inside of us. It is the war against good and evil. If you are led of the Spirit, you aren’t under the law.

Paul includes a long list of sins that are manifest in the body, in Galatians 5:19-21, when you turn your will over to the desires of the flesh, by listening to and giving into the temptation to do wrong. Paul says those who practice these things won’t inherit the kingdom of God.

In Romans 7 Paul talks about the “inward man,” which is the “Spiritual man” and the “outward man,” which is the “flesh” and how there is a battle that goes on between the two of them. He talks about how sometimes we know that we should do good, but we don’t do it.

In this Scripture in John, Jesus Himself is talking to Nicodemus and tells him “You must be born again.” John 3:5-7:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When we are born into this world of our mother we are born of water and of the flesh. Since the fall of Adam every person who is born of the flesh is born in sin. To be born of the Spirit you have to accept Jesus as your Savior, and then the Spirit comes and abides with you.

In this Scripture, Paul talks next about the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are the characteristics that a Christian living in the Spirit should have. Paul says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, including its affections and the lusts of the flesh. Look at these two sets of characteristics and see where they fit into your life.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Once you become a Christian all the sins you have committed are covered by Jesus’ blood through His death on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins.

If you are a Christian, does that mean you will always do the right thing or act the right way? No, it doesn’t, because we still have the flesh – our earthly desires and temptations – to deal with in this life. The more you study God’s Word and develop a closer relationship with Him the more you will see the Spirit at work in your life. Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Not desiring vain glory, provoking one another or being envious of one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:16-26

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

Things to think about:

  • What are considered to be the works of the flesh?
  • What are the fruits of the Spirit?
  • In what ways are you walking in the Spirit?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks about the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Help us to always follow the Spirit in our lives. Forgive us of the times we have let the flesh rule in our lives. Give us strength day to day to do Your will. Help us to have the fruit of the Spirit alive and working in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

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– This is an excerpt from my book:

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

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 Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

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 this letter to the churches of Galatia.

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

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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