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.

Christmas 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 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 “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

Click To Tweet

“Give Thanks” by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Invite your friends to join us in our Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

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

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

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

FREE EBOOK Giveaway

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends

FREE Friday 2/26 – Tuesday 3/02

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.

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.

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.

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

Get your copy now!

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

Recipe for Life

Like Deborah H. Bateman on Facebook

Daily Bible Reading “God Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Timothy 1:7. Second Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Have you ever experienced the spirit of fear? Is there something you are afraid of doing? Do you have a fear of heights? Or, is there something else you are afraid of? The Bible tells us the spirit of fear does not come from God. It is a tactic of the devil to hold us back, to keep us from reaching our God given destiny. You must guard your hearts against the attacks of the enemy.

If you let the spirit of fear overtake you it can cripple you. It can cause you not to perform in the way God wants you to. It can hold you back from accomplishing all God wants you to. Don’t let the spirit of fear keep you from doing what God has for you to do.

In 2 Timothy 1: 7 we are reminded that God gives us a spirit of power, and love and a sound mind. We need to continuously remind ourselves of this. If you come into a time in your life when you feel overwhelmed by the spirit of fear, quote this Scripture to yourself over and over until you overcome the spirit of fear.

In the book of Esther, Esther was put in a position to stand up for the Jews. She must have been afraid to approach the king, knowing it could cost her life, if he wasn’t accepting of her. Esther was wise because she realized she needed God to be on her side, so she spent three days fasting and praying to be sure she was in line with God’s will and had God’s favor on the situation. She also asked others to fast and pray along with her and to come into agreement with her that God’s will would be done.

When Esther went before the king, God gave her courage. It wasn’t an easy thing for her to do, not knowing what the outcome would be. Esther put her life on the line for her people. Who does this remind you of?

Jesus put His life on the cross for us, so we could be saved. Both, Esther and Jesus were used by God to do His will. They both had to surrender their lives to God. Is there something God has asked you to do that you have let fear keep you from doing? Be like Esther and ask God to give you courage and strength to do His will.

Things to think about:

Is there anything you are afraid of?
Have you turned that fear over to God?
How can we remind ourselves that God is not the author of fear?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture where we are reminded that You don’t give us the spirit of fear. You give us the spirit of love, power and a sound mind. Help us to remember this. Help us to surrender our lives to Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

Another book by Deborah concerning Purim

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

This year the Jewish people will celebrate Purim beginning at sunset on Wednesday, the 23rd of March, and the celebration will last through Friday, March 25.

Featured Book:

PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

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 originally 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: http://amazon.com/dp/B00B8X1SAE

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Monday – Friday.

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.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Christian Daily Resources

Bible Verse Tweet

Recipe for Life