Anniebea

Monday, January 5 Become doers of the word and not hearers only.—Jas. 1:22. Jehovah and his dear Son want us to be happy. Psalm 119:2 says: “Happy are those who observe his reminders, who search for him with all their heart.” Jesus gave further assurance, saying: “Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!” (Luke 11:28) As Jehovah’s worshippers, we are a happy people when we regularly read God’s Word and endeavor to apply what we learn. (Jas. 1:22-25) This is a key step in our pleasing Jehovah. (Eccl. 12:13) As we put into practice what we read in God’s inspired Word, we improve our family life and build strong friendships with fellow believers. Moreover, we avoid many of the problems that come to those who do not follow Jehovah’s ways. Indeed, we agree with King David. After mentioning in song the law, orders, and judgments of Jehovah, he concluded: “In keeping them, there is a large reward.”—Ps. 19:7-11. w24.09 2 ¶1-3

Sunday, January 4 Adam’s life amounted to 930 years, and then he died.—Gen. 5:5. When Jehovah created the first man and woman, he wanted them to be happy. He gave them a beautiful home, the gift of marriage, and a fascinating assignment. They were to fill the earth with their descendants, making the whole planet a paradise like the garden of Eden. He gave them only one simple restriction. And he warned them that if they broke that command by deliberately rebelling against him, their sin would lead to death. We know what happened. An invisible spirit, one who had no love for God or for them, entered the picture and tempted them to commit that sin. Adam and Eve gave in to that bad influence. Failing to trust their loving Father, they sinned. As we know, Jehovah’s words proved true. From that day onward, they had to face the consequences: they began to grow old, and finally they died.—Gen. 1:28, 29; 2:8, 9, 16-18; 3:1-6, 17-19, 24. w24.08 3 ¶3

Saturday, January 3 Zadok [was] a mighty and courageous young man.—1 Chron. 12:28. Picture the scene. A crowd of over 340,000 men had gathered to make David king over all of Israel. For three days, the sounds of animated conversation and joyful songs of praise echoed throughout the rocky hills near Hebron. (1 Chron. 12:39) A young man named Zadok would not likely have stood out in that large crowd. However, Jehovah made sure that we would know that Zadok was there. (1 Chron. 12:22, 26-28) Zadok was a priest who worked closely with High Priest Abiathar. Zadok was also a seer who was able to discern the divine will and who was granted extraordinary insight. (2 Sam. 15:27) He was a man of courage. During these last days, Satan is intensifying his attacks on God’s people. (1 Pet. 5:8) We need to be courageous as we wait on Jehovah to put an end to Satan and his wicked system. (Ps. 31:24) In doing so, we can imitate Zadok’s courage. w24.072 ¶1-3

Friday, January 2 My tent will be with them, and I will be their God.—Ezek. 37:27. What role does Jehovah play in your life? You may answer, ‘Jehovah is my Father, my God, and my Friend.’ There are also other titles, or designations, that you may apply to Jehovah. However, do you also view him as your Host? King David compared Jehovah’s friendship with His loyal worshippers to the relationship between a host and his guests. He asked: “O Jehovah, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may reside in your holy mountain?” (Ps. 15:1) From these inspired words, we learn that we can become Jehovah’s guests—his friends. Before creation, Jehovah was alone. But at one point, he welcomed his firstborn Son into his figurative tent. Jehovah took great pleasure in his new role as Host. The Bible reveals that Jehovah was “especially fond of” his Son. His first guest, in turn, “rejoiced before [Jehovah] all the time.”—Prov. 8:30. w24.06 2 ¶1-3

Thursday, January 1 Become full-grown in your understanding.—1 Cor. 14:20. Few events bring more joy to a married couple than the birth of a healthy baby. Yet, even though parents love their precious newborn, they do not want him to remain an infant permanently. In fact, they would be seriously concerned if he did not grow. Similarly, Jehovah is happy when we take our first steps as followers of Jesus, but He does not want us to remain spiritual toddlers. (1 Cor. 3:1) Instead, he asks us to “become full-grown” Christians. In the Bible, the Greek word translated “full-grown” can also mean “mature,” “perfect,” and “complete.” (1 Cor. 2:6) We become full-grown, or mature, as Christians when we grow out of spiritual infancy and become spiritual men or women. Of course, even when we have reached that goal, we should never stop advancing spiritually.—1 Tim. 4:15. w24.04 2 ¶1, 3

Wednesday, December 31 In God I put my trust; I am not afraid.—Ps. 56:4. When you feel afraid, ask yourself, ‘What has Jehovah already done?’ Reflect on what he has created. For example, when we “observe intently” how Jehovah cares for the birds and the flowers—which were not created in his image and are not capable of worshipping him—we will build up our trust that he will care for us too. (Matt. 6:25-32) Consider also what Jehovah has done for his worshippers. You might study a Bible character who showed outstanding faith, or you might read the experience of a modern-day servant of Jehovah. Additionally, meditate on how Jehovah has already cared for you. How did he draw you to the truth? (John 6:44) How has he answered your prayers? (1 John 5:14) How are you benefiting every day from the sacrifice of his beloved Son?—Eph. 1:7; Heb. 4:14-16. w24.01 4 ¶6; 7 ¶17

Every single news outlet is biased, no matter who they are… and it’s good to keep that in mind 😆

Tuesday, December 30 [Jehovah] is the stability of your times.—Isa. 33:6. When we go through a difficult trial, our feelings, thoughts, and reactions may not be as balanced as they normally are. We could feel as if we were being tossed from one strong emotion to the next. How does Jehovah help us when such emotions begin flooding over us? He assures us that he will stabilize us. When a ship encounters a storm, it may begin to rock dangerously from side to side. To counteract this movement, many ships have stabilizers that extend from each side of the ship under the water. These stabilizers can significantly reduce the rocking of the ship, making the situation safer and more bearable for passengers. However, many stabilization systems work best when the ship is moving forward. Similarly, Jehovah will stabilize us as we move forward faithfully in times of trial. w24.0122 ¶7-8

Monday, December 29 The hope does not lead to disappointment.—Rom. 5:5. After your dedication and baptism, your hope of living forever on a paradise earth continued to grow as you learned more and matured spiritually. (Heb. 5:13–6:1) You have likely experienced what is mentioned at Romans 5:2-4. You had various tribulations, but you endured them and sensed God’s approval. Confident of God’s favor, you now have even greater reason to expect to receive the things he has promised. Your hope has become stronger than what you had initially. It is more real to you, more personal. It affects you more intensely, influencing every aspect of your life and changing how you treat your family, how you make decisions, and even how you use your time. The apostle Paul adds a very important point regarding the hope that you possess after receiving God’s approval. He assures you that your hope will be fulfilled.—Rom. 15:13. w23.1212-13 ¶16-19

Sunday, December 28 Each one of you must love his wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband.—Eph. 5:33. All marriages have difficulties. The Bible frankly acknowledges that married people will have “tribulation in their flesh.” (1 Cor. 7:28) Why? Because marriage brings two imperfect people together, each with different characteristics, likes, and dislikes. Mates may come from different cultures or backgrounds. They may, in time, display traits that were not noticeable before the wedding. Any of those things can cause friction. Instead of recognizing that each has a part in the problem and therefore should work to resolve it, they may blame their mate. They may even come to see separation or divorce as the solution. But is giving up on the marriage the answer? No. Jehovah directs that married people respect the marriage arrangement even if their mate is difficult to live with. w24.03 16 ¶8; 17 ¶11

Saturday, December 27 Better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay.—Eccl. 5:5. If you are a Bible student or if you are being raised by parents who are Witnesses, are you thinking about getting baptized? That is a commendable goal! Before getting baptized, though, you will need to dedicate yourself to Jehovah. How do you dedicate yourself to Jehovah? You promise him in prayer that you will worship only him and that you will put his will first in your life. Really, you are promising Jehovah that you will continue to love him “with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.” (Mark 12:30) Your dedication is made in private, between you and Jehovah. In contrast, baptism is public; it shows onlookers that you have made a dedication. Your dedication is a sacred vow, and Jehovah expects you to live up to it, just as you expect that of yourself.—Eccl. 5:4. w24.03 2 ¶2; 3 ¶5

Friday, December 26 We are God’s fellow workers.—1 Cor. 3:9. The truths of God’s Word have enormous power. By teaching people about Jehovah and what he is truly like, we get to see something wonderful. The blindfold of satanic lies gradually comes off, and these individuals begin to see our beloved Father as we do. They are filled with awe at his limitless power. (Isa. 40:26) They are assured by his perfect justice. (Deut. 32:4) They are enlightened by his profound wisdom. (Isa. 55:9;Rom. 11:33) And they are comforted to learn that he is the personification of love. (1 John 4:8) As they draw close to Jehovah, their hope of living forever as his children becomes sure. What a marvelous privilege we have to help people draw close to their Father! When we do so, Jehovah considers us his “fellow workers.”—1 Cor. 3:5. w24.02 12 ¶15

Thursday, December 25 Clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.—Col. 3:14. How do we express our love for fellow believers? One way we do so is by giving them comfort. We will be able to “keep comforting one another” if we are moved by compassion. (1 Thess. 4:18) How can we keep our love for one another strong? By doing our utmost to forgive the mistakes of others. Why is it especially important today to show our love for one another? Note the reason that Peter gives: “The end of all things has drawn close. Therefore, . . . have intense love for one another.” (1 Pet. 4:7, 8) As the end of this wicked world draws ever closer, what can we expect? Speaking about his followers, Jesus foretold: “You will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.” (Matt. 24:9) To withstand such hatred, we need to remain united. As we do that, Satan’s efforts to divide us will fail, for we are held close together by love.—Phil. 2:1, 2. w23.11 13 ¶18-19

Wednesday, December 24 “Be strong, . . . for I am with you,” declares Jehovah of armies.—Hag. 2:4. When the Jews who left Babylon arrived in Jerusalem, it was not long before they were affected by unstable economic and political conditions as well as opposition. Some therefore found it hard to focus on rebuilding Jehovah’s temple. Thus, Jehovah commissioned two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to rekindle the people’s zeal, which proved to be effective. (Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1) Nearly 50 years later, however, the Jews again reached a low point. Ezra, a skilled copyist of the Law, then came from Babylon to Jerusalem to encourage God’s people to give priority to true worship. (Ezra 7:1, 6) Just as the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah helped God’s people in the past to continue to trust in Jehovah during opposition, they can help us today to remain confident in Jehovah’s support despite life’s uncertainties.—Prov. 22:19. w23.1114-15 ¶2-3

Tuesday, December 23 I have purposed it, and I will also carry it out.—Isa. 46:11. Jehovah lovingly sent his firstborn Son to the earth to teach people about the Kingdom and to give his life to ransom us from sin and death. Then Jesus was resurrected back to heaven to rule as King of God’s Kingdom. The main theme of the Bible is that Jehovah’s name will be vindicated as he fulfills his purpose for the earth by means of his Kingdom under Christ. Jehovah’s purpose cannot be changed. He has guaranteed that he will carry it out with success. (Isa. 46:10, ftn.; Heb. 6:17, 18) In time, the earth will be transformed into a paradise where perfect, righteous descendants of Adam and Eve will “enjoy life forever.” (Ps. 22:26) More than that, Jehovah has an even broader purpose in mind. His ultimate purpose is to unite all his intelligent creatures in heaven and on earth. Then all those living will loyally submit to him as their Sovereign. (Eph. 1:8-11) Are you not amazed at the beautiful way that Jehovah accomplishes his purpose? w23.10 20 ¶7-8