DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14:
WORD OF WISDOM
Without great mountains we cannot reach great heights.
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DAILY DEVOTION
The Importance of Gratitude
"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a
loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him
thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten
cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give
glory to God, save this stranger."
Luke 17:15-18
No matter how much or how little we may have as the world measures
resources, all of us have a great deal more than we deserve. The good things
we enjoy are gifts from God, not the product of our ability. "Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James
1:17). Yet all too often our mouths and our hearts are filled with
discontent rather than gratitude.
Rather than praising God for His goodness and mercy, we often take for
granted the blessings we receive, even thinking that we deserve them.
Evangelist D. L. Moody said, "We have in our churches a great deal of
prayer, but I think it would be a good thing if we had a praise meeting
occasionally. If we could only get people to praise God for what He has
done, it would be a good deal better than asking Him continually for
something."
Moses warned the Children of Israel of the dangers of taking blessings for
granted when they were preparing to enter the Promised Land: "Then beware
lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of
Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 6:12). The more God does for
us, the more risk we face of assuming His bountiful blessings are because of
us rather than an expression of His grace and love. Let us never fail to be
thankful for all we have received.
In light of all the benefits we receive from God, it is a great sin not to
be grateful.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Acts 19-21New King James Version (NKJV)
Paul at Ephesus
19 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed
through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he
said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy
Spirit."
3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?"
So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying
to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that
is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and
they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in
all.
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months,
reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But
when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way
before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples,
reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two
years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
Jews and Greeks.
Miracles Glorify Christ
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even
handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the
diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of
the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of
the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We[a] exorcise you
by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a
Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are you?"
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered[b]
them, and prevailed against them,[c] so that they fled out of that house
naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks
dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord
Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and
telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought
their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted
up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So
the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
The Riot at Ephesus
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he
had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After
I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22 So he sent into Macedonia two
of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed
in Asia for a time.
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For
a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of
Diana,[d] brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them
together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know
that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear
that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has
persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which
are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of
falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may
be despised and her magnificence destroyed,[e] whom all Asia and the world
worship."
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying,
"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29 So the whole city was filled with
confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius
and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. 30 And when Paul
wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then
some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading
that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one
thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did
not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the
multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his
hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found
out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours,
"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus,
what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple
guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from
Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be
quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are
neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your[f] goddess. 38
Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone,
the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against
one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be
determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called
in question for today's uproar, there being no reason which we may give to
account for this disorderly gathering." 41 And when he had said these
things, he dismissed the assembly.
Journeys in Greece
20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself,
embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over
that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and
stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about
to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of
Berea accompanied him to Asia-also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus
of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed
away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days
joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Ministering at Troas
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued
his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where
they[g] were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man
named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep;
and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was
taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said,
"Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." 11 Now when he had
come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till
daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they
were not a little comforted.
From Troas to Miletus
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to
take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on
foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to
Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios.
The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day
we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that
he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at
Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
The Ephesian Elders Exhorted
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first
day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19
serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which
happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that
was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from
house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go
bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to
me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying
that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me;
nor do I count my life dear to myself,[h] so that I may finish my race with
joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to
the gospel of the grace of God.
25 "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching
the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you
this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not
shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed
to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to shepherd the church of God[i] which He purchased with His own
blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come
in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will
rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after
themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not
cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace,
which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those
who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes,[j] you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my
necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every
way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to
receive.'"
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them
all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see
his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem
21 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail,
running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and
from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we
went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the
left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload
her cargo. 4 And finding disciples,[k] we stayed there seven days. They
told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 When we had come
to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all
accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And
we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one
another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais,
greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8 On the next day we
who were Paul's companions[l] departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the
house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with
him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we
stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11
When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet,
and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind
the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the
Gentiles.'"
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded
with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What do you
mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound,
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the
Lord be done."
Paul Urged to Make Peace
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Also some of
the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain
Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18
On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were
present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which
God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they
heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother,
how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all
zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you
teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that
they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the
customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will[m]
hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men
who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their
expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that
those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but
that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the
Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe
no such thing,[n] except that they should keep themselves from things
offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual
immorality."
Arrested in the Temple
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them,
entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification,
at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him
in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying
out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere
against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought
Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." 29 (For they had
previously[o] seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul,
and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. 31
Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the
garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He immediately took
soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the
commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the
commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two
chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 And some among the
multitude cried one thing and some another.
So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded
him to be taken into the barracks. 35 When he reached the stairs, he had to
be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 For the
multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!"
Addressing the Jerusalem Mob
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the
commander, "May I speak to you?"
He replied, "Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time
ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the
wilderness?"
39 But Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean
city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people."
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and
motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he
spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Footnotes:
a.Acts 19:13 NU-Text reads I.
b.Acts 19:16 M-Text reads and they overpowered.
c.Acts 19:16 NU-Text reads both of them.
d.Acts 19:24 Greek Artemis
e.Acts 19:27 NU-Text reads she be deposed from her magnificence.
f.Acts 19:37 NU-Text reads our.
g.Acts 20:8 NU-Text and M-Text read we.
h.Acts 20:24 NU-Text reads But I do not count my life of any value or dear
to myself.
i.Acts 20:28 M-Text reads of the Lord and God.
j.Acts 20:34 NU-Text and M-Text omit Yes.
k.Acts 21:4 NU-Text reads the disciples.
l.Acts 21:8 NU-Text omits who were Paul's companions.
m.Acts 21:22 NU-Text reads What then is to be done? They will certainly.
n.Acts 21:25 NU-Text omits that they should observe no such thing, except.
o.Acts 21:29 M-Text omits previously.
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.
