Daily Bible Reading “Humble Yourselves as Little Children” (Matthew 18:1-20)

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Humble Yourselves as Little Children

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 18:1-20.
In this Scripture, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child to Him, and tells them, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus says we need to humble ourselves as little children, and come to Him.

Second Corinthians 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Jesus tells them if you offend one of these children, you have offended me. Jesus goes so far as to say if a part of our bodies offend us, it is better to cut it off than to let it cause us to be cast into hell. Jesus tells the story of a shepherd and his lost sheep and how He, who was the good Shepherd, would leave the flock to search for one lost sheep.

John 10:11 says, “I am the the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.”
John 10:14 says, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

Jesus talks to them about how to handle a brother who offends you in Matthew 18:15-17. Then in Matthew 18:18-20 he explains the power of two or three coming together in His name.

Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” This shows us we don’t have to have a big crowd of people to share Jesus, if a few of us gather in Jesus’ name, He’ll meet us there.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 18:1-20

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Things to think about:

Have you humbled yourself to become a child of God?

If we offend someone, how does this Scripture say we should handle it?

What does this Scripture say about when two or more gather together in Jesus’ name?

Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ you can join with to declare the works of the Lord?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

This Scripture tells us we need to humble ourselves as little children and come to You. Lord, help us to set aside our pride, humble ourselves, and turn our lives over to You. Thank You that the Scripture reminds us You are the good shepherd, You know Your sheep and they know You. Help us not let anything or anybody keep us from coming to You. Help us not to offend others. We thank You that where two or three gather in Your name, You will be in the midst of them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as …

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little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

– Matthew 18:3

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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 “Jesus Says, Have Faith” (Matthew 17:14-27)

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus Says, Have Faith

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 17:14-27. In this Scripture, when Jesus came to the multitude, there was a man there whose son was a lunatic. He brought him to the disciples, but they couldn’t heal him. Jesus rebuked the devil, and the child was healed. Why was Jesus able to heal the boy, but the disciples weren’t?

The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to heal the child and Jesus told them that it was because of their lack of faith. He tells them if they have faith as small as the grain of a mustard seed then they could say to the mountain, “be moved” and it would be so. Jesus says that kind of faith only comes with prayer and fasting.

While they were in Galilee, Jesus tells them that He is going to be betrayed, killed, and on the third day will be raised again. The disciples were very sad.

When they came to Capernaum, the tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid taxes. Peter just says yes. Jesus asks Peter what he was thinking. Then Jesus tells him that, to keep from offending them, he could go fishing and the first fish he caught would have the money in his mouth to pay the taxes for Him and for Peter. I need to catch a few fish like that one. How about you?

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 17:14-27

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Things to think about:

Why were the disciples not able to heal the boy?

How much faith did Jesus tell them they needed?

What did Jesus say they could do if they had faith?

How is your faith in Jesus and God?

In what ways do you exercise your faith?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture that tells us if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can say to the mountain, move from here to there; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible. Help us Lord, to have enough faith in You that we would be able to pray and see You work in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you,…

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If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

– Matthew 17:20

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Jesus is the Christ” (Matthew 16:13-28)

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Jesus is the Christ

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 16:13-28. In this Scripture, we’ll see how Peter goes from being blessed by Jesus to being rebuked by Him. Jesus and His disciples came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked them, “Who do men say that I the Son of man am?” The disciples tell Jesus “Some say He is John the Baptist, some say Elias, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus asks them, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Look at Matthew 16:17-19 and see Jesus’ response to Peter. Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone He was Jesus the Christ.

Jesus starts to explain to them what is going to happen to Him. Just a few minutes later, Peter is rebuked by Jesus after previously being blessed by Him. This shows us we are all human. One instant we can have moments of revelation and the next, be totally in the flesh. That is why we have to stay in the Word of God. We are sinful beings by nature who have to constantly take up the cross and follow Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 16:13-28

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Things to think about:

Why was Jesus concerned about who they thought He was?

How could Peter one moment be blessed by Jesus and the next moment be rebuked by Him?

Why did Jesus not want the disciples to tell anyone who He was?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Jesus, He truly is the Son of God. Help us to take up our cross and follow Him. This is something we have to do constantly. Help us, LORD; this isn’t something we can do on our own, but only with Your help. You are our Rock and our Redeemer. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. – Matthew 16:16

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14)

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Deborah H. Bateman

Immanuel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from a variety of Scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The writers of the Old Testament prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before it took place. How could they have known all of this information about the birth of Jesus Christ?

Isaiah told about a virgin who would conceive and have a son who would be called Immanuel, which means, “God with us.”

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

This prophecy is referred to in the New Testament during Joseph’s dream in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

In Isaiah 9:6 we are told that Jesus would come as a baby born into this world, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” We are also told of some of the names that He would be called.

In Genesis 22:18 the angel of the LORD told Abraham, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Isaiah 11:1-10 tells us that He would be a descendent of Jesse, the father of King David.

Jeremiah 23:5 refers to Him being from the line of David, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Genesis 49:10 indicates that He will come from the tribe of Judah, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Numbers 24:17 says that He will be a descendant of Jacob, “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

You can find the genealogy of Jesus listed in the New Testament in Matthew chapter 1, which clearly shows that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, Jesse, and King David and follows the blood line all the way through to Joseph, his earthly father, the husband of Mary.

The prophet Micah informs us that He would be born in Bethlehem. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). This prophecy is referred to in Matthew 2:1-6.

Hosea 11:1 tells us that He was called out of Egypt, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” This prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 2:13-15, And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Jesus was born into this world for a very specific reason, to be the Savior of the world. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, He is still with us today, living in our hearts.

Things to think about:

How could these writers of the Old Testament have known all of this information about the birth of Jesus unless the LORD told them?

What ways do you celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas?

Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If so, write about your salvation experience. If not, why not consider doing so today?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read all these Scriptures from the Old and New Testament we learn about the prophesies surrounding Jesus’ birth. Thank You for sending Your only Son into this wicked world to be the sacrifice of our sins. As we celebrate Christmas let us all remember what we are truly celebrating, the birth of Jesus Christ. Help us also to be thankful to You for Your many blessings. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

To learn more about the life of Jesus Christ check out my book: The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ by Deborah H. Bateman.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. We will continue to share Scriptures in honor of the celebration of Jesus’ birth for Christmas.

Featured Book:

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

About the book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00C1JGJMQ
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Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox Monday – Friday.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Birthday Bash

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Birthday Bash
We’re celebrating the birthday of
The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ and
several other books.
All of the books will be 99 Cents
From Wednesday 4/9 – Friday 4/11/2014. These are the books that are available for only 99 Cents during these dates: