DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 10:
DAILY BIBLE READING
1 Timothy 4-6New King James Version (NKJV)
The Great Apostasy
4 Now the Spirit 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 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 we both labor and
suffer reproach,[a] 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 despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,[b] in faith, in purity. 13 Till I
come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to 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 good and[c] 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 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 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 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 man or[d] woman has
widows, let them 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,"[e] and,
"The laborer is worthy of his wages."[f] 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 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 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 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 useless wranglings[g] of men of corrupt minds and destitute
of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such
withdraw yourself.[h]
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain[i] 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 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 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.
Footnotes:
a.1 Timothy 4:10 NU-Text reads we labor and strive.
b.1 Timothy 4:12 NU-Text omits in spirit.
c.1 Timothy 5:4 NU-Text and M-Text omit good and.
d.1 Timothy 5:16 NU-Text omits man or.
e.1 Timothy 5:18 Deuteronomy 25:4
f.1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
g.1 Timothy 6:5 NU-Text and M-Text read constant friction.
h.1 Timothy 6:5 NU-Text omits this sentence.
i.1 Timothy 6:7 NU-Text omits and it is certain.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James VersionR. Copyright C 1982 by Thomas
Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
