Hey Victoria, I did receive your message this morning and I am getting ready
to post the "Daily Bible Reading" plan for the entire group. I hope you had
a Merry Christmas and will have a Blessed and Prosperous new year.
-----Original Message-----
From: donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Victoria Gilkerson
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2021 8:54 AM
To: donniedailygems@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [donniedailygems] Re: DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
What is the best way to reach him directly? All of my attempts have been
wrought with failure, as I would get error messages stating that they
couldn't be delivered.
V. E. Gilkerson
-----Original Message-----
From: donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Globe
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2021 5:28 AM
To: donniedailygems@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [donniedailygems] Re: DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
Hello Victoria
As pastor Donnie is not on this list, I just pass along his messages, I have
taken the liberty of passing your message to him. I'll be more than happy
to let you know what his response is.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Victoria
Gilkerson
Sent: December 31, 2021 5:22 AM
To: donniedailygems@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [donniedailygems] Re: DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
Donnie, I have really enjoyed this journey.
Could you please send me the schedule for 2022?
Thanks.
V. E. Gilkerson
-----Original Message-----
From: donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:donniedailygems-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Donnie Parrett
("deparrett")
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2021 11:09 PM
To: donniedailygems@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [donniedailygems] DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY December 31
WORD OF WISDOM
Celebrate endings because they precede new beginnings.
___
DAILY DEVOTION
Daily Direction
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I
will advise you and watch over you."
(Psalm 32:8, NLT)
The Scripture says that when we acknowledge God in all our ways, He
will direct our path. God has the wisdom, the guidance, and the direction we
need, but it doesn't happen automatically. Every morning you have to go to
Him and say, "God, I'm ready for my assignment. Show me what to do and where
to go, give me the words to speak, and make the path clear." This is a daily
act of surrender.
Too often we make our plans without consulting God, and then we ask Him to
bless them. We wonder why it's a struggle. The right way is to ask God
first. "God, is this what You want me to do? Should I start this project,
should I take this trip, should I make this purchase?" If you feel peace
about it, go forward. If not, hold off. God knows what's best for you. He
will not only keep you on the right path today, but He will keep you from
making major mistakes.
A Prayer for Today
"Father, thank You for the promise that You will guide me along the best
pathways for my life when I acknowledge You in all my ways. Thank You that
You haven't left me on my own to work out my destiny. I choose to consult
You for guidance in my decisions. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
___
DAILY BIBLE READING
NOTE: CONGRATULATIONS! Today, we are completing our reading through the
Bible plan for 2021.
Although this one has been a little different than the one's we've done in
the past, it was still very good.
Starting tomorrow, January 1, we will begin a brand new adventure through
God's Word for 2022.
If any of you would like for me to go ahead and send the entire schedule for
the year, please let me know.
Paul
Acts 28:1-31
Easy-to-Read Version
Paul on the Island of Malta
1 When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2
The people who lived there were very good to us. It was raining and very
cold, so they built a fire and welcomed all of us. 3 Paul gathered a pile of
sticks for the fire. He was putting the sticks on the fire, and a poisonous
snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand. 4 When the
people living on the island saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said,
"This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice[a] does
not want him to live."
5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt. 6 The people
thought he would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for
a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their opinion.
They said, "He is a god!"
7 There were some fields around that same area. They were owned by a man
named Publius, the most important Roman official on the island. He welcomed
us into his home and was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three
days. 8 Publius' father was very sick. He had a fever and dysentery, but
Paul went to him and prayed for him. He laid his hands on the man and healed
him. 9 After this happened, all the other sick people on the island came to
Paul, and he healed them too.
10-11 The people on the island gave us many honors. And after we had been
there three months and were ready to leave, they provided us everything we
needed for our trip.
Paul Goes to Rome
We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island of Malta
during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign for the twin
gods.[b] 12 We stopped at the city of Syracuse. We stayed there three days
and then left. 13 We came to the city of Rhegium. The next day a wind began
to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to
the city of Puteoli. 14 We found some believers there, who asked us to stay
with them a week. Finally, we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters in
Rome heard about us and came out to meet us at the Market of Appius[c] and
at the Three Inns.[d] When Paul saw these believers, he thanked God and felt
encouraged.
Paul in Rome
16 When we came to Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier
stayed with him to guard him.
17 Three days later Paul sent for some of the most important Jews. When they
came together, he said, "My brothers, I have done nothing against our people
or against the customs of our fathers. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and
handed over to the Romans. 18 They asked me many questions, but they could
not find any reason why I should be put to death. So they wanted to let me
go free. 19 But the Jews there did not want that. So I had to ask to come to
Rome to have my trial before Caesar. That doesn't mean I am accusing my
people of doing anything wrong. 20 That is why I wanted to see you and talk
with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of
Israel."
21 The Jews answered Paul, "We have received no letters from Judea about
you. None of our Jewish brothers who have traveled from there brought news
about you or told us anything bad about you. 22 We want to hear your ideas.
We know that people everywhere are speaking against this new group."
23 Paul and the Jews chose a day for a meeting. On that day many more of
these Jews met with Paul at his house. He spoke to them all day long,
explaining God's kingdom to them. He used the Law of Moses and the writings
of the prophets to persuade them to believe in Jesus. 24 Some of the Jews
believed what he said, but others did not believe. 25 They had an argument
among themselves and were ready to leave. But Paul said one more thing to
them: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through Isaiah the
prophet. He said,
26 'Go to this people and tell them:
You will listen and you will hear,
but you will not understand.
You will look and you will see,
but you will not understand what you see.
27 Yes, the minds of these people are now closed.
They have ears, but they don't listen.
They have eyes, but they refuse to see.
If their minds were not closed,
they might see with their eyes;
they might hear with their ears;
they might understand with their minds.
Then they might turn back to me and be healed.'
28 "I want you Jews to know that God has sent his salvation to the
non-Jewish people. They will listen!" 29 [e]
30 Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house. He welcomed all the
people who came and visited him. 31 He told them about God's kingdom and
taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold, and no one tried
to stop him from speaking.
Footnotes
Acts 28:4 Justice The people thought there was a goddess named Justice who
would punish bad people.
Acts 28:10 twin gods Statues of Castor and Pollux, Greek gods.
Acts 28:15 Market of Appius A town about 43 miles (69 km) from Rome.
Acts 28:15 Three Inns A town about 30 miles (48 km) from Rome.
Acts 28:29 Some late copies of Acts add verse 29: "After Paul said this, the
Jews left, still having a big argument with each other."
