Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2015

[trottigy]

You find out how much you believe the Bible is the word of God when something in it touches you. An example: a relative gets DF - do you believe the Bible is God's word and follow its counsel OR do you show by your action that you do not?

Recently we have been discussing child abuse issues and the "2 witness rule" when there is no proof or confession. Do we believe the Bible is the word of God and so trust that Jehovah knows best OR do we think it isn't and therefore needs changing?

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, August 7

 

Your right hand will accomplish awe-inspiring things.—Ps. 45:4.

 

As he rides forth, the King Jesus Christ has a sword strapped on his side. (Ps. 45:3) But the time comes for him to take the sword and wield it with his right hand. When Jesus rides forth to execute Jehovah’s judgments at Armageddon, he will accomplish “awe-inspiring things” against his enemies. Just what means he will use to destroy Satan’s system, we do not know. But that action will strike terror in the heart of the inhabitants of the earth who have not heeded the divine warning to submit to the King’s rule. (Ps. 2:11, 12) In his prophecy regarding the time of the end, Jesus said that people would become “faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” He added: “And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”—Luke 21:26, 27. w14 2/15 1:14

Edited August 7, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, August 8

 

Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.—Ps. 110:1.

 

On the evening before his death, Jesus concluded ‘a covenant for a kingdom’ with his followers. He thereby gave some of his faithful disciples the prospect of joining him as kings in God’s Kingdom. (Luke 22:28-30) When would Jesus begin to rule as King of God’s Kingdom? He could not do so immediately. The very next afternoon, Jesus was executed and his followers scattered. (John 16:32) However, as in times past, Jehovah remained in control. On the third day, he resurrected his Son, and on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., Jesus established a spiritual kingdom over the Christian congregation of his anointed brothers. (Col. 1:13) Still, Jesus would have to wait to take up full kingly power over the earth as the promised “offspring.”—2 Sam. 7:12, 13. w14 1/15 1:14, 16, 17

Edited August 8, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Miss Bea]

King installed. Hallelujah!

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, August 9

 

It is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer

than at the time when we became believers.—Rom. 13:11.

 

God’s promised new world is near, and our salvation is nearer than we may think. We must not fall asleep spiritually, and we should never allow the world’s distractions to crowd out our time to be alone with Jehovah in prayer. Instead, let us “be vigilant with a view to prayers.” (1 Pet. 4:7) Doing so will help us to engage in “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion” as we await the day of Jehovah. (2 Pet. 3:11, 12) Our way of life will thus reveal that we are staying awake spiritually and that we really believe that the end of this wicked system of things is imminent. May we therefore “pray incessantly.” (1 Thess. 5:17) Let us also imitate Jesus by seeking solitude for private prayer. If we linger in our personal prayers to Jehovah, we will draw ever closer to him. (Jas. 4:7, 8) And what a blessing that will prove to be! w13 11/15 1:17

Edited August 8, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, August 10

 

We request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason.—2 Thess. 2:1, 2.

 

When we reflect on the way Jehovah has blessed his people over the years with increased understanding of Bible prophecy, we can appreciate what a wonderful reward lies ahead. The anointed have the prospect of joining Christ in heaven. What an incentive for them to maintain their power of reason! We can certainly apply to them Paul’s words written to the Thessalonians: “We are obligated to thank God always for you, brothers loved by Jehovah, because God selected you . . . by sanctifying you with spirit and by your faith in the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13) And those who look forward to everlasting life on earth should likewise strive to avoid being quickly shaken from their reason. They can take to heart the loving encouragement that Paul wrote to fellow anointed ones in Thessalonica, as recorded at2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. Each of us should deeply appreciate those loving sentiments. w13 12/15 1:16, 17

Edited August 10, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[ReadYourBible]

I needed to see this today.

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, August 11

 

Slave for Jehovah.—Rom. 12:11.

 

Christian slavery differs greatly from what many people think about the subject of slavery. In their minds, being a slave conjures up thoughts of being cruelly dominated, oppressed, and unjustly treated. But God’s inspired Word speaks of slavery that involves willing service to a loving Master. In fact, when the apostle Paul admonished first-century Christians to “slave for Jehovah,” he was encouraging sacred service prompted by love of God. When we presented ourselves for Christian baptism, we had already decided to serve Jehovah, to be his slave. Our dedication sprang from our desire to obey Jehovah and to do his will. Nobody forced us to do this. Indeed, even young ones who get baptized do so only after they make their own personal dedication to Jehovah, not simply to please their parents. The basis for Christian dedication is love of our heavenly Master, Jehovah.—1 John 5:3.w13 10/15 2:1, 3

Edited August 10, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Miss Bea]

Jehovah, loving Slavemaster!

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, August 12

 

God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.—Jas. 4:6.

 

Good communication within marriage is like a stream that flows gently and peacefully through a garden. Being “humble in mind” plays a key role in keeping that stream flowing. (1 Pet. 3:8) “Humility is the quickest route to resolve a difference because it moves you to say, ‘I’m sorry,’” noted a brother who has been married for 11 years. Pride, however, is anything but conciliatory. It stifles communication because it takes away both the desire and the courage to apologize. Instead of humbly saying, “I’m sorry; please forgive me,” the proud person makes excuses. Rather than courageously acknowledging a weakness, he points to faults in the other person. When hurt, instead of pursuing peace, he takes offense, perhaps retaliating with harsh words or icy silence. (Eccl. 7:9) Yes, pride can be lethal to a marriage. w13 5/15 3:13, 14

Edited August 11, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Miss Bea]

Prideful? Not good!

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, August 13

 

Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.—Matt. 28:19.

 

Jesus showed personal interest in people. We see his loving concern when he healed the sick and infirm and when he resurrected the dead. However, Jesus’ primary mission was not that of healing people physically. His preaching and teaching had a far more enduring impact on people’s lives. How so? We know that those whom Jesus healed and resurrected in the first century, for example, eventually grew old and died, whereas those who responded favorably to the message he preached put themselves in line for everlasting life. (John 11:25, 26) The preaching work that Jesus started in the first century is being done on an even grander scale today. More than seven million active Witnesses of Jehovah are zealously proclaiming God’s Kingdom in more than 230 lands, and the Witnesses regularly study the Bible with millions. This preaching gives evidence that we are living in the last days. w13 9/15 1:15, 16

Edited August 12, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Miss Bea]

Prophecy involving us!

[LeslieDean]

It is exciting to know we are apart of it!  I am going to see how many times I can work my Fathers acts of mercy and kindness in my conversation at work today!  I at least have somewhat of a captive audience today!  What are they going to do?  Hide under their bedsheets?

[GrumpysWife]

"To the work, to the work."

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, August 14

 

Do not cast me off in my old age; do not abandon me when my strength fails.—Ps. 71:9.

 

David likely made this request. He served God from his youth to his advanced years, and Jehovah used him in mighty ways. (1 Sam. 17:33-37, 50; 1 Ki. 2:1-3, 10) Even so, David felt the need to ask Jehovah to continue to show him favor. (Ps. 71:17, 18) Many today are like David. Despite advancing years and “days of distress,” they continue to praise God to the best of their ability. (Eccl. 12:1-7) Many of them may not be able to do all that they once did in various aspects of life, including the ministry. But they too can implore Jehovah to continue to take care of them. Such faithful older ones can be sure that God will answer their prayers. The Scriptures make it plain that Jehovah highly values faithful older ones and that he expects his servants to honor such ones.—Ps. 22:24-26; Prov. 16:31; 20:29. w143/15 3:3-5

Edited August 13, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Miss Bea]

Jehovah values age!

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, August 15

 

With you is the source of life.—Ps. 36:9.

 

Life is a wonderful gift from Jehovah. By using our lives to do the divine will, we experience abundant blessings now and have the prospect of eternal life in the new world. (Prov. 10:22; 2 Pet. 3:13) But how is this possible in view of the tragic consequences of Adam’s disobedience? Jehovah is indeed the Grand Provider in ways without number. For instance, his undeserved kindness comes to our rescue. Yes, all of us are sinful and have inherited imperfection. (Rom. 3:23) Nevertheless, because of Jehovah’s love, he took the initiative to open the way for us to have a close relationship with him. “By this the love of God was revealed in our case,” wrote the apostle John, “that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.”—1 John 4:9, 10. w14 2/15 3:6, 7

Edited August 14, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Tortuga]

The work crew for the assembly hall landscaping project considered the text this morning before started the landscaping project. Since about half of the group are in their not-so-prime and we were going to be doing a lot of strenuous work, there were a lot of funny comments during the text.

[Luezette]

A very encouraging text as I too am living in the "calamitous" times.

[Luezette]

What a wonderful heritage Jehovah has blessed us with!

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, August 16

 

A man of understanding acquires skillful direction.—Prov. 1:5.

 

Those who really know you well can give you advice with discernment. For example, suppose you want to drop out of high school and start pioneering mainly because you do not like the hard work that school requires. A person who loves you may discern your motives and help you to realize that school can help you to learn not to give up easily, a vital quality if you want to serve Jehovah fully. (Ps. 141:5; Prov. 6:6-10) Everyone who serves Jehovah will face spiritual dangers—influences that may draw him away from Jehovah. (1 Cor. 15:33; Col. 2:8) But some types of employment may present more spiritual dangers than others. Have some in your area experienced “shipwreck of their faith” after choosing a particular type of employment? (1 Tim. 1:19) It would certainly be wise to avoid making decisions that endanger your relationship with God.—Prov. 22:3. w14 1/15 3:15-17

Edited August 15, 2015 by GrumpysWife

[Sunnyside]

This was a lovely reminder

[Miss Bea]

Think before act!

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, August 17

 

[Hezekiah] allures you, saying, “Jehovah himself will deliver us.”—2 Ki. 18:32.

 

Wisely, the people of Jerusalem did not try to respond to that slanderous propaganda, a course often followed by Jehovah’s servants in our day. (2 Ki. 18:35, 36) Hezekiah was understandably upset, but instead of turning to a foreign power for help, he sent for Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah told Hezekiah: “He [sennacherib] will not come into this city nor will he shoot an arrow there.” (2 Ki. 19:32) All that was required of the inhabitants of Jerusalem was that they stand their ground. Jehovah would fight for Judah. And fight he did! “It came about on that night that the angel of Jehovah proceeded to go out and strike down a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians.” (2 Ki. 19:35) Judah’s salvation came, not by Hezekiah’s stopping up the fountains of waters of the city nor by his building up its walls, but by divine intervention. w13 11/15 3:14, 15

Edited August 16, 2015 by GrumpysWife