DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16:
WORD OF WISDOM
Once you leap, the only choice you have is how you're going to land.
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DAILY DEVOTION
The Problem Lies Within
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when
he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
James 1:13-15
In 1958, a high school guidance counselor wrote a recommendation to Harvard
University, urging them to admit one of her students. She said, "I believe Ted
has one of the greatest contributions to make to society. He is reflective,
sensitive, and deeply conscious of his responsibilities to society." The
student she was recommending had an IQ of 167 and was graduating from high
school at just sixteen years of age. The young man, who so many expected to do
great things was Ted Kaczynski, who became the terrorist murderer known as the
"Unabomber."
Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, "Behind every tragedy in human character lies a
long process of wicked thinking." We do not accomplish good things because we
are good. Every human born into this world starts out with a sinful nature that
is opposed to God. The most brilliant minds and the best education money can
buy cannot change the inherent nature of man. Only God can do that through the
power of salvation that provides a new nature. The only hope, the only cure,
for sin is found in turning to Christ. The Bible tells us, "Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Once we are saved, we still wrestle with fleshly desires that lead us into
temptation. Only by recognizing that we have been delivered from sin and
relying on the power of God to resist temptation will we be able to experience
victory.
Rather than blaming our circumstances for temptation, we should look to God for
His help in overcoming it.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Acts 25-28New King James Version (NKJV)
Paul Appeals to Caesar
25 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from
Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest[a] and the chief men of the Jews
informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, 3 asking a favor against
him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the
road to kill him. 4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea,
and that he himself was going there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let
those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see
if there is any fault in him.”
6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to
Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to
be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem
stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not
prove, 8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews,
nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”
9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you
willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these
things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be
judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I
am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object
to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me,
no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have
appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
Paul Before Agrippa
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet
Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before
the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 about
whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in
Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 To them I answered, ‘It is
not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction[b] before the
accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for
himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come
together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and
commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they
brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, 19 but had
some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus,
who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain
of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there
be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved
for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him
to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had
entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city,
at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and
all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole
assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that
he was not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed
nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I
decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning
him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you,
King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have
something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and
not to specify the charges against him.”
Paul’s Early Life
26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself
happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you
concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially
because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the
Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my
own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if
they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our
religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of
the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes,
earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King
Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by
you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus
of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up
in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were
put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in
every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged
against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Recounts His Conversion
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and
commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw
a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who
journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a
voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are
you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I
said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this
purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have
seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you
from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now[c] send
you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and
an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Paul’s Post-Conversion Life
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all
the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to
God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized
me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from
God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other
things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the
Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and
would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Agrippa Parries Paul’s Challenge
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you
are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth
and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these
things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention,
since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the
prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me
today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these
chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor
and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they
talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death
or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had
not appealed to Caesar.”
The Voyage to Rome Begins
27 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul
and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan
Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail
along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with
us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and
gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to
sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were
contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and
Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an
Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus,
the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off
Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens,
near the city of Lasea.
Paul’s Warning Ignored
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the
Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that
this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and
ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by
the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12
And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to
set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of
Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
In the Tempest
13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their
desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after,
a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.[d] 15 So when the ship was
caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running
under the shelter of an island called Clauda,[e] we secured the skiff with
difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird
the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis[f] Sands, they
struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly
tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we
threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun
nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope
that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them
and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete
and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for
there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there
stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and
indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take
heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26
However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the
Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near
some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and
when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to
be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks,
they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 And
as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the
skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the
ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the
skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying,
“Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and
eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for
your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And
when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the
presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they
were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two
hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough,
they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
Shipwrecked on Malta
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay
with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they
let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder
ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But
striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow
stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the
violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should
swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them
from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump
overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on
parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
Paul’s Ministry on Malta
28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called
Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire
and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of
the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the
fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So
when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one
another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea,
yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the
fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell
up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and
saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island,
whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for
three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever
and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and
healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had
diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and
when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the
Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 12 And landing at Syracuse,
we stayed three days. 13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And
after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14
where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so
we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they
came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he
thanked God and took courage.
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the
captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the
soldier who guarded him.
Paul’s Ministry at Rome
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the
Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and
brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our
fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there
was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews[g] spoke against
it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to
accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see
you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this
chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning
you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we
know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to
whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till
evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some
disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed
after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the
prophet to our[h] fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’[i]
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to
the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the
Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.[j]
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all
who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Footnotes:
a.Acts 25:2 NU-Text reads chief priests.
b.Acts 25:16 NU-Text omits to destruction, although it is implied.
c.Acts 26:17 NU-Text and M-Text omit now.
d.Acts 27:14 NU-Text reads Euraquilon.
e.Acts 27:16 NU-Text reads Cauda.
f.Acts 27:17 M-Text reads Syrtes.
g.Acts 28:19 That is, the ruling authorities
h.Acts 28:25 NU-Text reads your.
i.Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9, 10
j.Acts 28:29 NU-Text omits this verse.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
