DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 27:
WORD OF WISDOM
And just like that, Santa is gone until next year. But Jesus is still here
with gifts that keep on giving.
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DAILY DEVOTION
Make Room
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:4-7
Because of the census that had been decreed by Caesar Augustus, when Joseph
and Mary reached Bethlehem, after a long and difficult journey of some
eighty miles, they could not find anywhere to stay. Travel was quite
demanding in Bible times, and there was nothing like the widespread system
of accommodations for travelers that we take for granted today. There would
have been only a few places for visitors to stay, and there was no room in
the inn.
Of course, this initial rejection was symbolic of the reaction of the world
to Jesus. They did not receive Him or His message. His brothers did not
believe Him until after the resurrection. The people of His hometown tried
to kill Him after His first sermon in Nazareth. The Jewish leaders rejected
His message and conspired to put Him to death.
But the tragedy of the full inn can easily be repeated in our own lives as
well. While we would never knowingly turn Jesus away from staying in our
homes, we can allow ourselves to become so busy-often with things that are
right and good-that we simply have no room in our thoughts or schedules for
spending time with Him. Make time during this Christmas individually and
with your family to focus on Jesus and thank Him for coming to save you.
Make room in your heart and life for Jesus, not just at Christmas but
throughout the year.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
2 John 1 & 3 John 1
2 John New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting the Elect Lady
1 The Elder,
To the [a]elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I,
but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which
abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with [b]you from God the Father and from
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Walk in Christ's Commandments
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in
truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with
you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we
have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that
we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you
have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus
Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look
to yourselves, that [c]we do not lose those things we worked for, but that
we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever [d]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does
not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father
and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him
shares in his evil deeds.
John's Farewell Greeting
12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper
and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may
be full.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.
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3 John New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting to Gaius
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just
as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and
testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in [a]truth.
Gaius Commended for Generosity
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for
strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you
send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do
well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the
Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive[c] such, that we may become fellow
workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence
among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to
mind his deeds which he does, prating[d] against us with malicious words.
And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and
forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good
is of God, [e]but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And
we also [f]bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
Farewell Greeting
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen
and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
