Wednesday, April 7 All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. —2 Tim. 3:12. In 2018, more than 223,000 publishers of the good news lived in lands where our spiritual activities were banned or severely restricted. This is not surprising. True Christians expect to be persecuted. No matter where we live, secular authorities may suddenly and unexpectedly ban us [...]
Wednesday, March 24 Who really is the faithful and discreet slave? —Matt. 24:45. In 1919, Jesus appointed a small group of anointed brothers as “the faithful and discreet slave.” That slave takes the lead in the preaching work and gives Christ’s followers “food at the proper time.” Satan and his world have done much to make the work of that faithful slave challenging, even impossible, to carry [...]
Tuesday, March 16 In the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule. —2 Pet. 3:3. As Satan’s system nears its end, we can expect to face ever more difficult tests of loyalty to God and his Kingdom. We will likely continue to be the target of ridicule. This may especially happen as our neutrality is tested more and more. We must strengthen our loyalty now so that [...]
Sunday, February 21 The plans of the diligent surely lead to success. —Prov. 21:5. Jesus likened our time to “the days of Noah,” and there is no doubt that we are living in “critical times hard to deal with.” (Matt. 24:37; 2 Tim. 3:1) With that reality in mind, some couples have concluded that they would like to postpone having children so that they can devote more time [...]
Friday, February 19 Come . . . into an isolated place and rest up a little. —Mark 6:31. Jesus knew that at times he and the apostles needed some rest. However, many people back then and many today can be likened to the rich man in Jesus’ illustration. That man convinced himself: “Take it easy, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.” (Luke 12:19; 2 Tim. 3:4) He set his heart on rest and [...]
Friday, February 5 We are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God. —2 Cor. 10:5. Satan is determined to change our thinking. He uses every type of reasoning to counteract the influence of the truth of God’s Word. Satan continues to ask the same question he asked Eve in the garden of Eden: “Did God really say that . . . ?” (Gen. 3:1) In the [...]
Wednesday, February 3 On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. —Matt. 18:16. Before the elders take judicial action, why are at least two witnesses required? This requirement is part of the Bible’s high standard of justice. When there is no confession of wrongdoing, two witnesses are required to establish the accusation and authorize the elders to take judicial action. (Deut. 19:15; 1 Tim. [...]
Sunday, January 31 Truth is not in him. —John 8:44. Satan’s lies add grief and suffering to mankind. Parents who are grieving the death of a child may be told that God has taken the child, perhaps to be an angel in heaven. Does this satanic lie lessen their pain or add to it? The false teaching of hellfire has been used to justify torture, including [...]
Monday, January 25 They all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages. —Acts 2:4. If you were one of the disciples gathered in the upper room at Pentecost 33 C.E., there would be no question in your mind that you were anointed by holy spirit. (Acts 2:5-12) But do all those who are anointed by holy spirit receive their anointing in some spectacular [...]
Saturday, January 16 I saw . . . a great crowd . . . standing before the throne and before the Lamb. —Rev. 7:9. In 1935, Jehovah’s Witnesses came to realize that the great crowd do not literally have to be in heaven to stand “before the throne and before the Lamb.” Rather, their position is figurative. Even though they would live on earth, the great crowd could stand “before [...]
Daily commentary on examining the Scriptures.