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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Monday, January 11 Look! The people of Israel are more numerous and mightier than we are.—Ex. 1:9. “Consequently, the Egyptians forced the Israelites into harsh slavery. They made their life bitter with hard labor, as they worked with clay mortar and bricks and in every form of slavery in the field.” Pharaoh even decreed that all Hebrew male babies should be put to death at their birth. [...]
Tuesday, January 5 Let your words always be gracious, . . . so that you will know how you should answer each person.—Col. 4:6. A number of years ago, a Christian sister was discussing the Bible with her unbelieving husband. During their discussion, her husband said that he believed in the Trinity. Discerning that he might not have realized what the Trinity teaching is all about, she tactfully asked, [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.