Friday, December 17

4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

5for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

7But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

8For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

11These things command and teach.

12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

33The Way of Discipleship Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?'

34But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.

35And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.'

36Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,

37'Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.'

38Now John answered Him, saying, 'Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.'

39But Jesus said, 'Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.

40For he who is not against us is on our side.

41For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.