Saturday, February 6 The solid foundation of God remains standing, having this seal, “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” and, “Let everyone calling on the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness.”—2 Tim. 2:19. In the apostle Paul’s day, certain professed Christians adopted false teachings; yet, they continued to associate with the congregation. To the casual observer, these apostates might not have been different from others in the congregation. [...]
Friday, February 5 God . . . does not dwell in handmade temples.—Acts 17:24. Is it futile to search for God? No, for he wants us to find him. The apostle Paul made that clear when he gave a witness to a group assembled on the Areopagus. That took place within sight of the Parthenon—a temple dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of ancient Athens. Imagine that you are [...]
Thursday, February 4 When anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, it is foolish and humiliating.—Prov. 18:13. Before delving into a discussion of the Bible’s viewpoint on a certain topic, we do well to try to determine what our listener really believes. Otherwise, we might spend a lot of time refuting an idea that he never believed in the first place! Tactful questions can help [...]
Tuesday, February 2 Moses . . . [chose] to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin.—Heb. 11:24, 25. With eyes of faith, Moses recognized that the “enjoyment of sin” was temporary. Others might have reasoned that even though Egypt was steeped in idolatry and spiritism, it had risen to become a world power, while Jehovah’s people suffered as slaves! Yet, [...]
Sunday, January 31 Just as the Father taught me, I speak these things.—John 8:28. Noah’s sons helped their father build the ark, and then they went into it. Because they valued what they had received through him, they had the privilege of helping to preserve the human race and reestablish true worship on a cleansed earth. Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Daniel were taken to Babylon in 617 B.C.E. They [...]
Friday, January 29 Pay attention to what you are hearing.—Mark 4:24. The world is so saturated with conflicting religious teachings and doctrines that many people feel that searching for the true religion is futile. However, Jehovah has made his guidance abundantly clear for those who are willing to take advantage of it. We have to decide whom we will listen to. Since it is practically impossible [...]
Thursday, January 28 I was a herdsman, and I took care of sycamore fig trees.—Amos 7:14. We see in the case of the prophet Amos that Jehovah noticed the potential of one of his servants, even though he might have appeared to many to be rather insignificant or unassuming. Amos’ bold response to the corrupt priest Amaziah confirmed that Jehovah had chosen the right person and [...]
Wednesday, January 27 There will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.—Matt. 24:21. Regarding his invisible presence and the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus said the above. This unparalleled tribulation will start when Jehovah brings destruction on “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, by using the political powers. What will come [...]
Tuesday, January 26 If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to doing good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you.—Gen. 4:7. All of Jehovah’s warnings are really evidence of his loving, watchful care for us as individuals. True, the words of the Bible have been there for centuries, the [...]
Monday, January 25 To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.—Matt. 25:40. Early in his discourse found in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus indicated that the sign of his presence would include a remarkable feature—the good news of the Kingdom would “be preached in all the inhabited earth.” And just prior to talking about [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.