DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 12:
WORD OF WISDOM
There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord
Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all
that any one name could express.
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Overcoming Love
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child
of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not
willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take
unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Ghost."
Matthew 1:18-20
Everything we know about Joseph is drawn from the Bible accounts of his
actions. Not a single word of his is recorded in Scripture. But we do know
for certain that he was a man of great love and great faith. He knew that he
was not the father of Mary's baby, but undoubtedly some people would assume
that he was. Others would think that she had found someone else behind his
back. Yet even in that difficult situation, Joseph loved Mary and did not
want to publicly humiliate her.
Even more importantly, Joseph loved God. And when he received a message from
an angel, he believed it and acted on it. Despite the fact that what he was
told was unprecedented in all of history-and in fact impossible. Joseph
believed that it was true and obeyed. Fear can easily keep us from
obedience, and the solution to that is to love God more fully and deeply.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).
Most of us will not be challenged with something as staggering as Joseph
faced, but all of us are tempted and tested in different ways. Our response
is determined in large measure by our love for God.
When we love God as we should, we do not let fear keep us from doing what He
says.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Titus 1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to
the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords
with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie,
promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word
through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of
God our Savior;
4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and [a]the Lord Jesus Christ our
Savior.
Qualified Elders
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the
things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded
you- 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful
children not accused of [b]dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a
[c]bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not
quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but
hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,
self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught,
that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who
contradict.
The Elders' Task
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers,
especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who
subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake
of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans
are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true.
Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not
giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the
truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and
unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being
[d]abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
Qualities of a Sound Church
2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love,
in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- 4 that
they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their
children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own
husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things
showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing
integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[e] 8 sound speech that cannot be
condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil
to say of [f]you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well
pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not [g]pilfering, but
showing all good [h]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our
Savior in all things.
Trained by Saving Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one
despise you.
Graces of the Heirs of Grace
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready
for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle,
showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish,
disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the
love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured
out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been
justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm
constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Avoid Dissension
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about
the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man
after the first and second [i]admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is
warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Final Messages
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at
Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the
lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.
14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent
needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Farewell
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
