DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 5:
WORD OF WISDOM
Don't make your journey an escape from the past, make it a bridge to the
future.
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DAILY DEVOTION
The Substance of Faith
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things
which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Hebrews 11:1-3
I came across a beautiful story of a little three-year-old boy named Todd
who lived in Rhode Island. His father decided to take him to the beach to
fly a kite. Never having flown a kite before, Todd had obvious doubts. His
father assured him that all was well, and the kite would go up as planned.
As Todd unraveled the string, and watched the kite go up into the sky, he
was heard to say, "I knew it would fly, Daddy. You said it would."
So many times we fail to trust God because we do not see Him working. Like
Peter walking on the water, we make progress for a time, but then the
circumstances catch our attention and lead us to doubt-and sink. The
tendency of human nature is to want evidence before we believe. But God's
plan is for us to not only trust Him, but to regard our faith as the
evidence itself. Faith is not imaginary, just because it is not seen. It is
real and it has substance, and when we act in faith, we see God work.
Our faith in action brings honor and glory to God. Writing about the life of
Abraham, Paul reminds us that even though he was almost one hundred years
old, Abraham still believed God would give him a son. "He staggered not at
the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory
to God" (Romans 4:20). The lack of faith is what causes us to stagger and
fail rather than the circumstances that we face.
It is impossible for God's promises to fail, but it is possible for us to
miss them because of a lack of faith.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Philippians 1-4New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[a]
and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thankfulness and Prayer
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of
mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the
gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of
Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all,
because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the
defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of
grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the
affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in
knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are
excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of
Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus
Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Christ Is Preached
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me
have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it
has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my
chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having
become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without
fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from
goodwill: 16 The former[b] preach Christ from selfish ambition, not
sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out
of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What
then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer
and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest
expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is
gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor;
yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For[c] I am hard-pressed between
the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And
being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you
all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may
be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Striving and Suffering for Christ
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether
I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand
fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to
them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation,[d] and that from God.
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe
in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which
you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Unity Through Humility
2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my
joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of
you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in
the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming
in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of
the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the
name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under
the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Light Bearers
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for
His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become
blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day
of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice
and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the
same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy Commended
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also
may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded,
who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the
things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character,
that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore
I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I
trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who
ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was
distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was
sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on
me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the
more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less
sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold
such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to
death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service
toward me.
All for Christ
3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things
to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For
we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,[e] rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have
confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the
flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a
Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him,
not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of
His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may
attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press
on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of
me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those
things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in
anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16
Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by
the same rule,[f] let us be of the same mind.
Our Citizenship in Heaven
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as
you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of
Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose
glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our
citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be
conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able
even to subdue all things to Himself.
4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand
fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the
Lord. 3 And[g] I urge you also, true companion, help these women who
labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow
workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if
there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. 9 The things which
you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of
peace will be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has
flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state
I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through
Christ[h] who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now
you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and
receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and
again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit
that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full,
having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling
aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall
supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20
Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet
you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's
household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[i] Amen.
Footnotes:
a.Philippians 1:1 Literally overseers
b.Philippians 1:16 NU-Text reverses the contents of verses 16 and 17.
c.Philippians 1:23 NU-Text and M-Text read But.
d.Philippians 1:28 NU-Text reads of your salvation.
e.Philippians 3:3 NU-Text and M-Text read who worship in the Spirit of God.
f.Philippians 3:16 NU-Text omits rule and the rest of the verse.
g.Philippians 4:3 NU-Text and M-Text read Yes.
h.Philippians 4:13 NU-Text reads Him who.
i.Philippians 4:23 NU-Text reads your spirit.
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.
