Wednesday, December 23 The twelve were with him.—Luke 8:1. Taking the lead in field service is an area in which overseers set a fine example for their fellow Christians. In this regard, Jesus set the example for overseers. Preaching the good news of the Kingdom was an important part of Jesus’ earthly activity. He showed his disciples how this work was to be done. In our day, [...]
Tuesday, December 22 He is guarding all the bones of that one; not one of them has been broken.—Ps. 34:20. When the lamb was slaughtered for the Passover meal, the Israelites were not to break any of its bones. What of “the Lamb of God” who came to provide the ransom? He was impaled with a criminal on each side. The Jews asked Pilate that the bones [...]
Sunday, December 20 You are my refuge and my stronghold.—Ps. 91:2. Think of the many occasions when God has safeguarded our brothers who were maintaining their Christian neutrality. For example, this was the case during the Nazi era in Germany and other countries in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. Reading and reflecting on life stories and Yearbook accounts of God’s protection during times of persecution will strengthen [...]
Friday, December 18 Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.—Eph. 5:10. Because of our imperfect flesh and the efforts of Satan and this wicked world, we are constantly battling negative influences in our lives. Some of you dear brothers and sisters have a hard fight every day to maintain your relationship with Jehovah. That endears you greatly to him. Do not give up! [...]
Thursday, December 17 Every man must be swift about hearing.—Jas. 1:19. To keep the lines of communication open, family members must listen—really listen—to one another. Parents, do you really listen to your children? This may be difficult when you are tired or when the conversation seems somewhat trivial. But what appears to be trivial to you may be very important to your child. To be “swift about [...]
Wednesday, December 16 Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?—Matt. 24:45. The faithful slave must be made up of anointed Christians on earth. Such ones are called “a royal priesthood” and have been commissioned to “‘declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called them out of darkness into his wonderful light.” That slave is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who are [...]
Tuesday, December 15 Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls.—Heb. 13:17. In giving direction to fellow believers, elders provide encouragement and counsel based either on the Scriptures themselves or on Scriptural principles. Their objective in providing such guidance is not to dictate how their brothers should live their lives. Rather, it is to [...]
Sunday, December 13 The king will long for your beauty, for he is your lord, so bow down to him.—Ps. 45:11. Over the centuries, Christ has been preparing his future bride for their heavenly wedding. The apostle Paul explained that Christ “loved the congregation and gave himself up for it, in order that he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the bath of water by means of [...]
Friday, December 11 Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together.—Heb. 10:24, 25. For what reasons does our God place such importance on our regularly gathering together? Our meetings, assemblies, and conventions help us to have courage to speak with boldness and to deal with opposition or apathy in our territories. We are strengthened and made firm in [...]
Thursday, December 10 There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be.—Matt. 13:42. Is that happening right now? No. Today, Christendom, as part of the harlot, still says about herself: “I sit a queen, and I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning.” Indeed, Christendom feels very much in charge, even presuming to ‘sit as a queen’ atop the class of political [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.