Friday, August 28 The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. You, though, are not to be that way.—Luke 22:25, 26. Because of human imperfection, some of God’s sheep may be slow to understand what Jehovah expects of them. They may fail to take action that is in harmony with Scriptural counsel, or they may act in a [...]
Thursday, August 27 Two days from now the passover occurs, and the Son of man is to be delivered up to be impaled.—Matt. 26:2. On Nisan 13, 33 C.E., as the day drew near ‘on which the passover victim was to be sacrificed,’ Christ told Peter and John: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” “At length . . . the hour came” for the Passover meal, after [...]
Wednesday, August 26 Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse.—2 Tim. 3:13. Think about the contrast between what was found shocking in the 1940’s or 1950’s and what is taking place today in the workplace, in the field of entertainment, in sports, and in fashion. Extreme violence and immorality are now commonplace. People compete to be seen as more fierce, lewd, or ruthless than anyone [...]
Monday, August 24 Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it.—Prov. 3:27. Confusion, depression, incontinence, and loss of hearing, sight, and memory may be a result of aging; yet, if some of such health problems appear, they may well be effectively treated. At the onset of any such issues, seek medical attention. Children may need to take the initiative in this regard. At a [...]
Sunday, August 23 We shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.—Acts 6:4. Like those who took the lead in the first century, Christian elders who oversee the preaching work today are devoted “to the ministry of the word.” As these brothers make decisions, they seek direction from God’s Word, making it ‘a lamp to their foot and a light to their roadway,’ [...]
Friday, August 21 You, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive.—Ps. 86:5. How do we know that Jehovah’s forgiveness is permanent? Consider Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the new covenant, made with anointed Christians, which makes true forgiveness possible for those who exercise faith in the ransom. Jehovah says: “I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more.” So Jehovah assures us that once he [...]
Thursday, August 20 You have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to babes.—Matt. 11:25. In the 1870’s, a small group of sincere truth-seekers got together and formed Bible classes. With humble hearts and open minds, those sincere Bible Students, as they called themselves, made a careful and prayerful search of the Scriptures. The Bible Students’ diligent study of the Scriptures [...]
Wednesday, August 19 There exists the one speaking thoughtlessly as with the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise ones is a healing.—Prov. 12:18. We need to ‘encourage one another all the more as we behold the day drawing near.’ Encouraging others involves motivating them to continue moving forward in their service to God. Just as inciting to love and fine works can be likened [...]
Thursday, December 31 It is not a desirable thing with my Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.—Matt. 18:14. Jehovah cares deeply about all those who have expressed love for his name, even if they are not actively serving him at present. Are you among those who are not now actively serving God? Perhaps someone in the congregation hurt you and [...]
Thursday, October 16 Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.—Ps. 34:18. David faced many distressing circumstances in his life. (1 Sam. 30:3-6) His inspired words reveal that Jehovah knew his feelings. (Ps. 56:8) God knows our feelings as well. When we are “broken at heart” or “crushed in spirit,” he draws near to us. This in itself [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.