DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 18:
WORD OF WISDOM
We're living in a time when Satan doesn't even try to hide anymore and most
of the world can't even see him.
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DAILY DEVOTION
The Prince of Peace
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. Of
the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the
LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Our world is certainly in need of peace. There are wars and conflicts and
battles constantly raging. One of the attributes of Christ and one of the
promises He brings is peace. Because He is the Prince of Peace, He provides
us with what we have no other means of obtaining.
Jesus offers us "peace from God" (Romans 1:7). This is a peace unlike
anything known by the world. Such peace is a gift bestowed upon us through
His grace. Jesus offers us "peace with God" (Romans 5:1). This is the peace
that comes from having our sins covered in His blood and His wrath and
condemnation turned away from our lives forever. Jesus offers us "the peace
of God" (Philippians 4:7). This is the peace that calms our fears and allows
us to trust and obey even during the storms of life.
Of course, the entire world will never know peace until Jesus returns. But
we who are His children and are already part of His Kingdom can enjoy peace
in our daily lives. Because of the coming of Jesus into the world, and His
promises to us, we can have peace regardless of our circumstances. Is the
peace of God ruling your heart today? If not, spend time with your Prince of
Peace and allow Him to comfort your heart in a way only He can.
Rejoice today in the wonderful peace that only comes when we know and walk
with the Prince of Peace.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
1 Timothy 1-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and
the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Other Doctrine
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-remain in Ephesus that you may
[a]charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables
and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification
which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure
heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some,
having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of
the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they
affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this:
that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and
insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane,
for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for
fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if
there is any other thing that is [c]contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according
to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
Glory to God for His Grace
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted
me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a
blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [d]insolent man; but I obtained mercy
because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was
exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This
is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this
reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all
longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for
everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to [e]God
who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18 This [f]charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies
previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected,
concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and
Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Pray for All Men
2 Therefore I [g]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all
who are in [h]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and [i]reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight
of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God
and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be
testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an
apostle-I am speaking the truth [j]in Christ and not lying-a teacher of the
Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and Women in the Church
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn
themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and [k]moderation, not with
braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper
for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in
silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to
have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed
first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived,
fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing
if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Qualifications of Overseers
3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [l]bishop,
he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to
teach; 3 not [m]given to wine, not violent, [n]not greedy for money, but
gentle, not quarrelsome, not [o]covetous; 4 one who rules his own house
well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man
does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church
of God?); 6 not a [p]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into
the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony
among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the
devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the [q]mystery of the faith with a
pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve
as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be
reverent, not [r]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let
deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own
houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for
themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
The Great Mystery
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but
if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct
yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the
pillar and [s]ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the
[t]mystery of godliness:
God[u] was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
The Great Apostasy
4 Now the Spirit [v]expressly says that in latter times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2
speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot
iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God
created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the
truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if
it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is [w]sanctified by the word of
God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister
of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine
which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives'
fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise
profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise
of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful
saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end [x]we both labor and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of
all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Take Heed to Your Ministry
12 Let no one [y]despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in
word, in conduct, in love, [z]in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I
come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [aa]doctrine. 14 Do not
neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the
laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give
yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take
heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this
you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Treatment of Church Members
5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as
brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all
purity.
Honor True Widows
3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or
grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their
parents; for this is [ab]good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is
really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications
and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in [ac]pleasure is dead while
she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if
anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his
household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not
unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if
she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed
the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently
followed every good work.
11 But [ad]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow
wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because
they have cast off their first [ae]faith. 13 And besides they learn to be
idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also
gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I
desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give
no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have
already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing [af]man or woman has
widows, let them [ag]relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened,
that it may relieve those who are really widows.
Honor the Elders
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor,
especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture
says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The
laborer is worthy of his wages." 19 Do not receive an accusation against an
elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in
the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the [ah]elect
angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with
partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other
people's sins; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake
and your frequent [ai]infirmities.
24 Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but
those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are
clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
Honor Masters
6 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters
worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be
blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise
them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are
benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Error and Greed
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even
the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the [aj]doctrine which accords
with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with
disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling,
evil suspicions, 5 [ak]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and
destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
[al]From such withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing
into this world, [am]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And
having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who
desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the
love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed
from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
The Good Confession
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have
confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge
you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ
Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you
keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's
appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed
and only [an]Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone
has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or
can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
Instructions to the Rich
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to
trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all
things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready
to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation
for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Guard the Faith
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane
and [ao]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called
knowledge- 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.
