Your Scripture for Today
For All Who Are Blessed to Be a Blessing!
by
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INTRODUCTION
When I think about my journey and the fact that I am writing this introduction to a book that I know has totally been inspired by God, I am in awe of His majesty. You hear others say do what you love and it will not feel like work. Well the compilation of writings in the next pages was done because of my love for God’s word and my love for sharing His word with others. I believe we are all called according to His purpose and I believe my purpose is to give bite sized pieces of the word of God so that it’s easy to digest, but sticks with you throughout the day.
God gave me the desire to send out a Scripture each day initially in 1997 in Detroit, MI at my place of employment. I wanted to give everyone the gift of the word every morning, so I would write the book, chapter, and verse on a sticking note and place it on the computers in the morning because I arrived earlier than most. My hope was that they would take that sticky note home with the scripture on it, look it up and study it. Upon relocating to Houston, Texas in 1998 and starting my new job there I created an email list and began to send a Scripture each day in the same format as the sticky note, just online. Until one of my co-workers came to me and stated that it would be better if I typed the scripture out because it’s hard to bring the bible into work and look it up. So, with that observation I began to type the scripture out and thus Your Scripture for today was born. I never thought in my wildest dreams that writing a scripture on a sticky note would be such an inspiration to so many people. Because within no time I began to receive requests to add more and more people on my list. After about a year, God led me to add a small commentary i.e. observation to the emails and that is when I added my motto “You are Blessed to be a Blessing!”
If anyone would ask what qualifies me to write a book about God’s word, I would have to answer by saying, we are all called to be ministers of reconciliation and to share the good news of His word. I wish I could tell you that my years of schooling, even getting a graduate degree, gave me the qualifications to write about the goodness of God. But I can’t take the credit for the all the words of healing, encouragement, inspiration, enlightenment, and thanksgiving, because they are all inspired by God. I can only take the credit for being a willing vessel and being obedient to what He has called me to do! When the words of encouragement come back to me saying “How did you know I needed to hear that today”, my response is always, “I didn’t, but He did!”
This led me to be sitting in front of my computer typing this introduction to the book, Your Scripture for Today. It’s such a blessing to be in God’s mighty flow and to be in the place that God has destined me to be. I am confident that as you read the scriptures and observations each day, you will get closer to God and you will be inspired, encouraged, enlightened, thankful, and in total peace with God and with yourself! Therefore you will be open to receive all the blessings that God has for you. Just remember that as God begins to bless you turn around and bless someone else! You are blessed to be a Blessing!
DEDICATIONS
This book is dedicated to my Mom Kathlyn Pore’ she was and still is my inspiration. I do miss talking with her every day but I know she is smiling down from heaven on me. Of course I also want to dedicate this book to my daughters Andrea and Brittany, Grandson Aiden and my husband Phillip for your love and support during this process.
I also want to acknowledge and thank all those who have received the “Daily Word” via email for more than 16 years. Thank you to all my family and friends who encouraged me to put them into a book. I appreciate every email you sent with encouraging words! Special thanks to Dawn, Chantele, Byron and Consuella for staying on me to get this book done!
In addition thanks to Deonte Scott for contributing the quote below to this book. As well as my Brother Pastor Daniel Pore’ for the artwork on the awesome cover!
There are many people wasting the gift that God has given
them instead of making a useful purpose out it!
Deonte Scott
January 1
Your scripture for today:
Ephesians 3:19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Observation:Can you imagine being filled up with God's love?
What an experience that would be! To understand how our Father operates with total compassion for others and ourselves. I believe we would truly understand what this life is about and walk in the power that God has for us. Love is the one emotion that can rule over so many things. When you show your love for another it can give them hope. When you say I love you to that special someone it can brighten their day! The more love you give out the more you will receive. God’s love for you is over the top. His love is unconditional. You are His child no matter what you do he will always Love You!
You are blessed to be a Blessing!
My prayer for you is that you feel the presence and the love of God today and every day!January 2
Your scripture for today:
Isaiah 43:18-19Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Observation:Welcome to a new day! It’s a brand new year and you have the opportunity to start fresh. However, this all begins within you first. The situations or circumstances may still be the same but it's all about how we decide to see it. By changing the way you look at a situation it can totally change. By changing how you speak about your circumstances they can change. Instead of murmuring and complaining about how things are, take some time and visualize how you want them to be, then speak about that. When negative thoughts come to your mind, don’t speak them out. Change it to a positive. When those negative, drama seekers come around, politely dismiss yourself from that environment. Seek after and surround yourself with those with positive energy. Make a decision not to sweat the small stuff and make this your best day ever.
You are blessed to be a Blessing!
My prayer for you today is that you will have the best day ever because this is the day the Lord has made. It’s new just for you!January 3
Your scripture for today:Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Observation:
Hope is the key ingredient to having faith. If you don’t have anything you are hoping for then there is no need for faith. Remember faith is the evidence of things hoped for. When you don’t have hope you can think that life is no worth living. You may have stepped out and tried to do something that was not different then the norm and it didn’t work out. Don’t be afraid to take that step and try something new. You have to be like that little child just learning how to walk. They get up and their legs are shaking, they try to take one step and might fall, but they get back up again and again until they get it! God put that same ability in you, to take that step, fall and get back up until you get it. You were created to be a goal-oriented visionary, so continue to hope for new things in your life, have faith and trust that God will bring it to pass!
My prayer for you today is that whatever you desire will come to pass because you continue to hope for it and believe that it is already done!
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About the Book
What do you do when you want to improve your relationship with God by spending time with Scripture every day but aren’t sure how to begin? How do you select verses that open you to receiving all God promises in the Word? Sadly, some people decide the task is too daunting and give up. But it doesn’t have to be.
What started as sticky notes on coworkers’ computers and then became an e-mail list is now Your Scripture for Today: For All Who Are Blessed to Be a Blessing! In this devotional, author Kim Batchelder helps you find the way to a closer relationship with God. These bite-sized daily pieces of God’s Word are easy to digest but stick with you throughout the day. Batchelder offers Scriptures and observations that inspire, encourage, and enlighten you every day. You’ll find yourself thankful and at total peace with God—and yourself. You’ll feel blessed.
Spending just a few minutes a day with Your Scripture for Today: For All Who Are Blessed to Be a Blessing! will find you in the blessing of God’s mighty flow. You’ll be open to receive all the blessings God has for you. And you’ll become a blessing for God to use to reach others.
About the Author
Kim Batchelder grew up in Detroit, Michigan, but currently resides in the Houston, Texas, area. She’s a devoted member of her church, where she is a team leader on the Prayer Partner volunteer ministry team. She and her husband, Phillip, have two daughters, Andrea and Brittany, and a grandson, Aiden.