Sunday, January 24 They collected the fine ones into containers, but the unsuitable they threw away.—Matt. 13:48. Understanding the lesson of this illustration helps us to avoid being overly distraught or disappointed if a Bible student or one of our children does not make the truth his own. This may happen despite all our best efforts. Agreeing to have a Bible study or being raised around the [...]
Friday, January 22 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers . . . , “my covenant that they broke.”—Jer. 31:32. How do the Law covenant and the new covenant compare? The Law covenant was between Jehovah and natural Israel; the new covenant is between Jehovah and spiritual Israel. Moses was the mediator of the former covenant; Jesus is the Mediator of the new one. The [...]
Monday, January 18 Love is patient and kind.—1 Cor. 13:4. Putting into practice what Paul wrote concerning love can prevent many problems, can result in happiness, and can bring us God’s blessing. Just as God has shown patience and kindness in dealing with imperfect humans, we need to be patient and kind when others make mistakes and are thoughtless, or even rude. “Love is not jealous,” so true love [...]
QUESTION: At Mark 13:32 Jesus said: "Concerning that day or hour nobody knows, neither the angels nor the Son…” Is Jesus talking about his presence, which Jehovah’s Witnesses believe began in 1914, or is he talking about Armageddon? ANSWER: The simple answer is, Jesus was referring to the day and hour for the beginning of the conclusion and ultimately his presence among the chosen ones [...]
Saturday, January 16 If you warn someone wicked and he does not turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked course, he will die for his error, but you will certainly save your own life.—Ezek. 3:19. True Christians already enjoy a friendship with Jehovah and the hope of eternal life. Yet, we recognize that it is our responsibility to “warn the wicked one to [...]
Friday, January 15 He gave five talents to one, two to another, and one to still another.—Matt. 25:15. In the parable of the talents, Jesus clearly reveals an obligation resting on his anointed followers. We need to understand the meaning of this parable, for it affects all true Christians, whether they have the hope of a heavenly reward or of an earthly one. Jesus gave the parable [...]
Allegations of abuse involving two members of the Jehovah's Witness religious movement in Newfoundland have emerged, though details of the charges are protected by a court-ordered publication ban. CBC News has learned that a former volunteer church elder and his son are facing charges. The former elder is charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation relating to allegations dating from 2009 to 2012 in central Newfoundland. According to [...]
Thursday, January 14 Solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.—Heb. 5:14. Discernment is good judgment—the ability to tell right from wrong and then choose the wise course. It has been defined as “the ability to make sound judgements in spiritual matters.” A discerning worshipper speaks and acts in ways that please [...]
Wednesday, January 13 Everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.—Matt. 5:28. The disastrous path of immorality often starts with the eyes. Many Christians who have fallen into wrongdoing have weakened their moral defenses by viewing pornography, reading erotic literature, or watching lurid material on the Internet. Others have allowed [...]
Tuesday, January 12 Listen to me, all of you, and understand the meaning.—Mark 7:14. A person may hear the sounds of someone speaking to him. He may even note the tone of voice. But of what use would that be to him if he did not understand the meaning of the words being spoken? In a similar way, thousands heard what Jesus was saying. He even spoke [...]
