DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11:
WORD OF WISDOM
The first Christmas was very simple. It's OK if yours is too.
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DAILY DEVOTION
It Would Take a Miracle
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey
shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For
before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the
land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings."
Isaiah 7:14-16
When we speak about something that is rare or difficult, we often use the
expression, "It would take a miracle." Usually that is not meant to be a
literal statement, but rather an indication of how hard or unlikely it is
that something will happen. However, in the case of God's promise of the
Messiah that a child would be born of a virgin, it indeed required a
miracle. The virgin-birth of Christ was necessary so that Jesus would not
have the same sin nature that everyone has had since Adam.
Through the centuries people have mocked and denied the virgin birth of
Christ. They offer ludicrous theories rather than accepting the truth of the
Bible. Many refuse to believe that God could have done something so far
outside the normal laws of the universe, yet God did the impossible because
that was what His plan for the redemption of mankind required.
There is never an obstacle that we face that is an obstacle to God. He has
unlimited power and is willing to use it to fulfill the promises He has
made. A number of things had to happen in order for the birth of Christ to
take place as the prophets had foretold. The might of the Roman Empire was
enlisted in the project to make sure Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, and
a girl who was still a virgin had a baby, the Saviour. When your faith is
challenged, the Christmas story is a great reminder of what God can and will
do for us.
You can fully trust God even when the circumstances seem to be impossible.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
2 Timothy 1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of [a]Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Timothy's Faith and Heritage
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did,
as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly
desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with
joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the [b]genuine faith that is in you,
which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am
persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of
God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not
given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His
prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to
the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was
given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed
by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was
appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher [c]of the Gentiles. 12 For
this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I
know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I
have committed to Him until that Day.
Be Loyal to the Faith
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was
committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among
whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household
of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found
me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that
Day-and you know very well how many ways he ministered [d]to me at Ephesus.
Be Strong in Grace
2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit
these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You
therefore must endure[e] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No
one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that
he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone
competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the
rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7
Consider what I say, and [f]may the Lord give you understanding in all
things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead
according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even
to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I
endure all things for the sake of the [g]elect, that they also may obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to
[h]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and
[i]idle babblings, for they will [j]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And
their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this
sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the
resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord
knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of [k]Christ
depart from iniquity."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but
also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore
if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,
[l]sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with
those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and
ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of
the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they
may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been
taken captive by him to do his will.
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
3 But know this, that in the last days [m]perilous times will come: 2 For
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving,
[n]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such
people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households
and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by
various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of
the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also
resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9
but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all,
as theirs also was.
The Man of God and the Word of God
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions,
which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I
endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who
desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil
men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been
assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [o]instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work.
Preach the Word
4 I charge you [p]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
judge the living and the dead [q]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach
the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort,
with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because
they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and
they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to
fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul's Valedictory
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on
that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The Abandoned Apostle
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having
loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica-Crescens for
Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring
him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have
sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when
you come-and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him
according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly
resisted our words.
16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not
be charged against them.
The Lord Is Faithful
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might
be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I
was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me
from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be
glory forever and ever. Amen!
Come Before Winter
19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus
stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
Farewell
22 The Lord [r]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
