Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2016

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, December 23

With the burial of a donkey he will be buried.—Jer. 22:19.

We can find Bible accounts of some who received a rich spiritual heritage but failed to appreciate it. That was true in the family of one prophet, Samuel, who served Jehovah from a young age and had a fine record with God. (1 Sam. 12:1-5) Samuel set an example that his sons, Joel and Abijah, would have done well to imitate. However, they did not appreciate this, and they turned out to be bad. The Bible record tells us that unlike their father, they “perverted justice.” (1 Sam. 8:1-5) It was similar with King Josiah’s sons. Josiah set a superb example in worshipping Jehovah. (2 Ki. 22:8; 23:2, 3, 12-15,24, 25) Yet, when three of his sons and one grandson in time became kings, not one of them showed appreciation for what had been passed on to him. (2 Ki. 23:31-34; 24:8, 9, 18, 19) How sad to see that these men who had such a promising background and the opportunity to do what was right let it go to waste! w14 12/15 4:4-6, 8

[Miss Bea]

Don't abandon heritage 

[Alexa]

Idolatry ruins spirituality  

[katielou]

Appreciate spiritual heritage

[GrumpysWife]

Parents set example!

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, December 24

Unless Jehovah guards the city, it is in vain that the guard stays awake.—Ps. 127:1.

Shortly before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, tens of thousands of men committed “sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab.” As a result, 24,000 perished at Jehovah’s hand. Imagine—the Israelites were so close to the realization of their long-awaited inheritance, yet they lost out on wonderful blessings because of succumbing to temptation. (Num. 25:1-5, 9) That disastrous example was recorded “for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.” (1 Cor. 10:6-11) Now in the final part of “the last days,” God’s servants are on the threshold of a righteous new world. (2 Tim. 3:1; 2 Pet. 3:13) Sadly, though, some of Jehovah’s worshippers have let down their guard. They have been ensnared by immorality and have reaped the bitter consequences of immoral conduct. Such ones run the risk of losing out on eternal blessings. w15 1/15 4:1, 2

[Alexa]

They lost hope  

[Miss Bea]

Warned. Take heed!

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, December 25

True knowledge will become abundant.—Dan. 12:4.

For centuries, the clergy of Christendom discouraged and opposed the reading of the Bible, even being responsible for the death of some who translated it. During the 19th century, however, Bible societies made the Bible available, in whole or in part, in some 400 languages. By the end of that century, many people owned a Bible but lacked accurate knowledge of Scriptural teachings. The Bible Students knew that they had to preach, and they tirelessly explained what the Bible taught. In addition, Jehovah’s people have used and distributed various versions of the Bible. Since 1950, they have published the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, in whole or in part, in over 120 languages. The 2013 English edition of the New World Translation will make the rendering of it into other languages less challenging. In turn, using a clear, easy-to-read Bible helps us to carry out our preaching work. w15 2/15 4:3-5

[katielou]

Guard against overconfidence 

[katielou]

Bible contains Truth

[Alexa]

New world translation  

[Miss Bea]

Jehovah reveals truth

[GrumpysWife]

Read God's word! 

[Alexa]

33 minutes ago, GrumpysWife said:

Read God's word! 

Aye aye captain vernalee  

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, December 26

He will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.—Matt. 25:32.

In the illustration of the sheep and the goats, Jesus does not directly mention the preaching work. Why, then, can it be said that it emphasizes the importance of preaching? Note that Jesus is teaching by means of an illustration. Obviously, he is not talking about separating literal sheep from literal goats. Likewise, he is not saying that each individual judged to be a sheep must literally feed, clothe, nurse, or visit one of his brothers in prison. Rather, he is illustrating the attitude that the figurative sheep display toward his brothers. He describes the sheep as “righteous” because they recognize that Christ has a group of anointed brothers still on earth, and the sheep loyally support the anointed during these critical last days. With them, the sheep zealously proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.—Matt. 10:40-42; 25:40, 46; 2 Tim. 3:1-5. w15 3/15 4:6, 8, 9

[Miss Bea]

Sheep recognize anointed 

[Alexa]

Sheep for domestics  

[katielou]

Attitude determines outcome

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[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, December 27

Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death?—Rom. 7:24.

Jehovah could rescue Paul from death. Isaiah wrote: “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isa. 25:8) Like a father who removes the cause of his children’s suffering and dries their eyes, Jehovah takes great joy in bringing Adamic death to nothing! In this he has a collaborator. First Corinthians 15:22 reads: “Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.” Similarly, after Paul asked “Who will rescue me?” he continued: “Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25) Plainly, the love that moved Jehovah to create mankind did not grow cold with the rebellion of Adam and Eve. And the one who shared with Jehovah in the work of bringing the first couple into existence did not lose his special fondness for their offspring.—Prov. 8:30, 31. w14 9/15 4:9, 10

[Miss Bea]

Jehovah, Jesus, collaborators!

[Alexa]

The Messiah's fondness  

[katielou]

Jehovah rescues from death 

[Skye]

Today's thought has really gone deep into my fibers! That Jesus' fondness for humans never got lost or waned. I thought to myself that it may have even grown, so much so, that he was willing to give his life as a ransom for mankind! And that Jehovah's love never grew cold. And will never grow cold for us.  Makes my heart swell with gratitude for Jehovah and Jesus!

 

I have lost 4 immediate family members in death (both parents and 2 siblings) and many more (trust me!) extended family and friends. I am comforted knowing that Jehovah will bring them back to life, not out of compulsion, but out of love for them. The works of his own hands. The objects of Jesus' fondness!

[Skye]

Miserable? Not  Anymore!