Friday, July 8 They strengthened the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith and saying: “We must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.”—Acts 14:22. At first, that statement might seem strange. After all, the prospect of going through “many tribulations” would seem distressing, not encouraging. How is it, then, that Paul and Barnabas “strengthened the disciples” with a message that pointed to more [...]
Thursday, July 7 I will pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.—Joel 2:28. Jesus was very kind to women. For example, consider a woman who had a flow of blood for 12 years. From behind, she approached Jesus in a crowd and touched his garment. Instead of rebuking her, Jesus kindly said: “Daughter, your faith has made you [...]
Wednesday, July 6 Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.—Rom. 14:10. It would be wrong to entertain baseless suspicions about our brothers and sisters. What is more, having a tendency to distrust the integrity of others in the congregation would be harmful to our own spirituality. Each [...]
This article appears in BELIEFS of Jehovah's Witnesses category. Although it is utterly beyond the capacity of humans to comprehend, there is a Being who has always existed. He had no beginning. He is the only person who was never born. He is not a creature. He will never have an end either. He simply exists. For good reason he is called the King of [...]
Monday, July 4 I will open my mouth with illustrations.—Matt. 13:35. Some believe that Satan is “in charge” of hellfire. We could ask them: “Imagine that your child has become very rebellious and is doing many bad things. How would you react?” Likely, the parent would say that he would correct his child. But what would he do if the child rejected all efforts to help him? Most [...]
Sunday, July 3 If we hope for what we do not see, we keep eagerly waiting for it with endurance.—Rom. 8:25. We do not view any years in Jehovah’s service as wasted time. Rather, we are convinced that “the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.” Faith allows us to discern “the convincing evidence of realities that are not seen.” A physical [...]
Saturday, July 2 Five were discreet.—Matt. 25:2. The five discreet virgins truly prepared themselves, bringing extra oil in their flasks along with their lamps. Have faithful anointed ones likewise proved to be prepared? They have indeed! Throughout the last days, anointed Christians have acted like those discreet virgins, prepared to carry out their assignment faithfully until the end. They count the cost of faithful service, realizing from [...]
Friday, July 1 No crushed reed will he break, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish.—Isa. 42:3. The apostle Matthew applied those words of Isaiah to Jesus. Jesus’ tender heart moved him to speak tenderly to others, especially to the downtrodden. He spoke in a way that lifted the spirits of those who were figuratively like a bruised reed or the wick of an oil lamp about [...]
COMMENTARY: The police say they have no evidence that Gorski abused anyone "in the church." And that is to be expected, given the fact that the Watchtower has a long-standing policy of suppressing the reporting of crimes committed against the children of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even if a JW child had been abused the authorities may not have been notified. Since the elder was removed obviously the [...]
COMMENTARY: File this one under "crazy." Stories like this add credibility to the Watchtower's claim that the media are bias and negative stories involving the Watchtower or Jehovah's Witnesses are either outright falsehoods or distortions. Would the story even have been published had the vandals claimed to be Catholic? Maybe the vandals were studying with JW's. That is possible. Or perhaps they were mentally unbalanced individuals, like [...]
