Daily Bible Reading “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” Matthew 2:11

Posted on December 17, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 2:11. It’s that time of year again, the time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about you, but as for me, by this time of the holiday season I have about worn myself out. How did we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all?

We spend weeks or even months getting ready for the big day. We decorate our houses with Christmas trees, nativity scenes, wreaths, garlands, angels, and other Christmas decorations.

We go all over town looking for the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Then, we wrap all the gifts and place them under the tree and wait for the day when we get to open all the gifts we have purchased and prepared for our loved ones.

We spend hours planning, shopping, and cooking our family’s favorite Christmas goodies and meals.

We do all this and wear ourselves out to the point of exhaustion.

During the holiday season, do we really take the time that we should to reflect on the real reason for the Christmas season?

It is Jesus’ birth we are celebrating. How do you suppose He would like us to celebrate His birthday?

Do you think He would enjoy us spending time with Him?

I know on my birthday I enjoy my friends and family spending time with me acknowledging the celebration of my birthday, don’t you?

In Matthew 2:11 we learn that the wise men traveled to see baby Jesus. When they found Jesus, we are told that they bowed down and worshiped Him. They brought gifts to Him of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The celebration wasn’t about the wise men, or Joseph and Mary. It was focused solely on Jesus.

What are some ways that we can worship Jesus during the Christmas holiday season? We might attend church worship services, Christian Christmas programs, listen to Christian Christmas songs, or read the Christmas story from the Bible and reflect on the glory, majesty, and precious gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How do you plan to worship Jesus during the Christmas holiday season?

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 2:11

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Things to think about:

In what ways do you worship Jesus during the Christmas holidays?
What are some ways that we can teach our children and grandchildren the true meaning of Christmas?
How can we focus more on Him and not as much on the other things that we have made Christmas about?
What are some ways we can share the love of Jesus with others during the Christmas season?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for sending Him to this world to be born of a virgin and to die on the cross for our sins. Help us during this Christmas season to focus more on celebrating His birth and less on all the other traditions that we have during this holiday season. Forgive us of the ways that we have made this time of year more about us and what we want and less about Him. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Featured Book:

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.

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Daily Bible Reading “Blessings of Giving Thanks” (Psalm 100:1-5)

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Blessings of Giving Thanks

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 100. This post was written by my friend, Janet Harllee.

I can already smell Mamma’s Russian tea, and taste her pumpkin pie and persimmon pudding. You cannot have Thanksgiving without them.

Thanksgiving always brings a flood of great memories to me. My parents would rent tables and set them up in our basement. Then neighbors, family, and friends were invited to bring a dish of their favorite food and join us for a Thanksgiving meal. There were friends and family we had not seen since the last Thanksgiving Day. It was a time to catch up on each other, to share hugs, laughter, and music. Psalm 100 is one of my favorite Psalms!

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 100:1-5

1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands. (Acknowledge Him.)

2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. (Praise Him; be joyful.)

3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Know that God is our creator. He is the good Shepherd who loves and cares for His people.)

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. (We are all invited to praise the Lord. We are dependent on Him.)

5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (He is faithful to all generations.)

The Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their bountiful harvest. Giving thanks to God is pleasing to Him. In praising Him, you will experience great joy!

Things to think about:

Are you truly giving Him thanks for blessing you?
Do you acknowledge God and give Him praise?
For what are you thankful?
Do we have to wait for Thanksgiving to give thanks to God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that You will open our hearts to be truly thankful for all your blessings. Thank You, most of all, for Your grace. Teach us Lord to be more like You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. – Psalm 100:4

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Give Thanks

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

About the book:

Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.

Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Hope in God” (Psalm 43:1-5)

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Hope in God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 43:1-5. The Psalmist begs God to judge him, to plead his case against the enemy and deliver him. He says, God is his strength or refuge and asks why God has rejected him. Have you ever felt like God has deserted you? Have you ever wondered if He heard your prayers?

The Psalmist asks God to shine His light and truth on him and to lead him to God’s dwelling place. He says God is his joy. He declares he will praise God with his harp. Have you ever felt discouraged or depressed due to your circumstances? The Psalmist reminds himself and us to have hope in God and praise Him. He proclaims that God is his helper.

I can tell you from personal experience that if somehow you can stop focusing on your situations and put your focus on God and praise Him, He will encourage you and help you get through your situation. As long as you focus on your circumstances you will be defeated, but when you switch your focus to God your circumstances have to take a back seat. God is bigger than all of our circumstances.

In the book of Esther, the circumstances of the Jewish people were devastating. They were in sackcloth and ashes worrying about their future. Esther asked them to spend three days with her fasting and praying and God turned their situation around. They took their focus off of their circumstances and put their focus, trust, and faith in God and He saw them through their situation. Have you put your hope in God?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 43:1-5

1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Things to think about:

Have you ever been distressed because of your circumstances?
Did you refocus and put your eyes on God?
Has God helped you to get through a difficult situation?
If you are going through a difficult time now put your focus on God and He will help you get through it.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. We thank You that no matter what we are going through with Your help we can make it. Help us to put our faith, trust, and hope in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Excerpt from: PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

If you haven’t read the story of Esther and learned what she had to do with Purim check out my book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

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PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

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Go to: http://bookShow.me/B00B8X1SAE

Get your copy now!

Featured Book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals is a Daily Bible Reading Study Book by Deborah H. Bateman and friends. It is a compilation of 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah and fourteen of her author and writer friends.

Purim is a holiday that was started back in the days of Queen Esther and is still celebrated today. Deborah took the letters of PURIM and created categories for the contributors to write about:

• P=Praise
• U=Un-forgiveness or Forgiveness
• R=Relationships
• I=Inspirational
• M=Marriage

One of the traditions of Purim is giving gifts to the poor. In light of that tradition we have decided that a portion of the proceeds of this book will go to charity.

PURIM Celebration was created as part of Deborah’s Book Launch for her book: The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor which was published in 2012.

PURIM Celebration includes devotionals from: Mary Pacheco, Penny Zeller, Katherine Harms, Dave Moore, Marlo Schalesky, Judith Robl, Lynn Dove, Buffy Crabtree, Deborah McCarragher, Shawn Lamb, Serge Roux-Levrat, Lily Brenner, Heidi Faith, and Lisa Buffaloe. The book is edited by Lisa Lickel, one of my friends in the John 3:16 Networking Group.

Some of the contributors are from the John 3:16 Network Marketing group Deborah belongs to. Some of the writers are from a coaching program that Deborah participates in. One of the authors is from the Palmetto Christian Writer’s Network Deborah is a member of. The rest of the writers and authors are friends Deborah has made over the past few years online.

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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.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Go Work in my Vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-16)

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Go Work in my Vineyard

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 20:1-16. In this Scripture, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like this story about a man who went out to hire people to work in his vineyard. He made an agreement with the laborers to work for a penny a day (which was considered a day’s wages during that time). Can you imagine working for a penny a day?

The man went out again at the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours (9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.) and found others standing in the marketplace and told them to go work in his vineyard and he would pay them whatever was right.

At the end of the day, the vineyard owner calls to his steward and tells him to call the laborers and give them their hire, beginning with the last ones he hired to the first ones he hired. All of the men received a penny.

When the steward got to the first man, he complained because he thought he should receive more, but the owner of the vineyard told him that he received what they agreed upon. The owner tells him he has done him no wrong: “Is your eye evil, because I am good? The last shall be first and the first shall be last; many are called, few are chosen.”

Every soul is precious to God, whether they have been saved for twenty years or two days. Everyone who is saved will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What if God gave us what we deserved?

The Bible says the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Has God called you to work in His vineyard? What can you do? What can you contribute? If you are not sure, ask God to show you how He can use you to further His kingdom.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 20:1-16

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Things to think about:

How is Jesus pictured in this Scripture?

Do you find it strange that those who were hired last were paid the same as those who were hired first?

Of what is this Scripture representative?

What does the Scripture mean when it says, “The last will be first and the first will be last?”

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture which lets us know that every soul is precious to You. We thank You that You are not a respecter of persons, but You love us all equally. Help us to be more like You and not be looking at what everybody else is doing, but only be concerned with our relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. – Matthew 20:1

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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Christian Video: The Parable of the Laborers

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:

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

About the book:

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

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Daily Bible Reading “I Must Be About My Father’s Business” (Luke 2:42-52)

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

I Must Be About My

Father’s Business

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Luke 2:42-52. In this Scripture we have a record of a time when Jesus was twelve years old He went to Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary, which was their yearly custom. But, this time was different because when Joseph and Mary left to go back home Jesus failed to come with them. He stayed behind at the temple without His parent’s knowledge.

Mary and Joseph were about a day’s journey away when they looked for Him and He was nowhere to be found. You know they must have been frightened when they couldn’t find Him. Have you ever taken your children shopping or somewhere and looked around and couldn’t find them? If so, you know the fright Jesus’ parents must have felt in their hearts and the pain that must have been in the pit of their stomachs.

They turned around and went back to Jerusalem to search for Him and found Him at the temple. When they found him at the temple they asked Him why he stayed behind and told Him they had been looking for Him and were worried about Him and His safety. Jesus answered them, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” His parents didn’t understand what He was talking about, so they took Him back with them to Nazareth.

Even Jesus knew it was not about Him, but about obeying His Heavenly Father. It was about serving God and obeying His will. We were all created by God for a purpose. Jesus’ purpose was to be the Savior of the world. Jesus knew He needed to be near the Father to learn more and draw strength from the Heavenly Father to fulfill His destiny.

In the book of Esther, Esther was in the king’s palace. She could have wondered why she was there. Was it her beauty that landed her in the king’s palace? Maybe so, but she realized she may have been there for a higher purpose when her relative Mordecai asked her to plead for the life of her people before the king.

She could have ignored Mordecai’s request. She could have been concerned only about her own wellbeing, but she loved Mordecai and cared about the Jewish people.

God had her in the palace for a purpose. He used Esther’s influence with the king to save the Jewish people. Esther realized she had a greater purpose. She was about the Father’s business. God used Esther in a mighty way to save the Jewish people. Esther knew she needed God’s strength and favor to fulfill her destiny.

Are you about the Father’s business? Have you asked Him if there was something He wants you to do? Maybe God has you where you are for a reason, as Esther was in the king’s palace at the appointed time. Maybe there is someone where you work God wants you to witness to.

Pray and ask God to show you His purpose for you and what He wants you to do. Then, when He shows you, obey Him. He may have a greater purpose for you than you can imagine. Follow God’s will and see where He leads you.

Daily Bible Reading:

Luke 2:42-52

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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Things to think about:

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they couldn’t find Jesus?
Why was Jesus surprised they were looking for Him?
Where was Jesus when they found Him?
Why was He there?
What did He tell them?
Are you about your heavenly Father’s business?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture, where we see Jesus saying He was about His Father’s business. We realize He was committed to doing Your will. Help us to be committed to doing Your will, as Jesus was. Show us Your will for our lives and help us to obey and walk in Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Excerpt from: PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

If you haven’t read the story of Esther and learned what she had to do with Purim check out my book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

The Jewish people will be celebrating Purim this week. Purim 2020 starts Monday evening March 9 and ends on Tuesday evening March 10.

Christian Music Video:

Featured Book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals is a Daily Bible Reading Study Book by Deborah H. Bateman and friends. It is a compilation of 28 Daily Devotionals by Deborah and fourteen of her author and writer friends.

Purim is a holiday that was started back in the days of Queen Esther and is still celebrated today. Deborah took the letters of PURIM and created categories for the contributors to write about:

• P=Praise
• U=Un-forgiveness or Forgiveness
• R=Relationships
• I=Inspirational
• M=Marriage

One of the traditions of Purim is giving gifts to the poor. In light of that tradition we have decided that a portion of the proceeds of this book will go to charity.

PURIM Celebration was created as part of Deborah’s Book Launch for her book: The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor which was published in 2012.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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.

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive the Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

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 the Bible along with us.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life