Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2016

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, March 16

I will come against those living in security.—Ezek. 38:11.

Soon, our lives will seem to be in peril. By the climax of the great tribulation, the governments of this world will have devastated and completely destroyed religious organizations that were larger and more numerous than ours. (Rev. 17:16) Jehovah prophetically describes our vulnerable condition as “the land of unprotected settlements . . . , unprotected by walls, bars, or gates.” (Ezek. 38:10-12, 14-16) With our physical eyes, it will appear that we have no chance of survival. How will you react? We need not waver in fear. Why not? Because Jehovah has foretold that attack on God’s people. He has also foretold the outcome. “‘On that day, the day when Gog invades the land of Israel,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘my great rage will flare up. In my zeal, in the fire of my fury, I will speak.’” (Ezek. 38:18-23) God will then destroy all those who want to harm Jehovah’s people. w14 4/15 2:17, 18

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, March 17

With humility consider others superior to you.—Phil. 2:3.

We appreciate it when people are straightforward yet tactful when approaching us. How can we extend the same courtesy to those we meet in our ministry? In many territories, we need to make the purpose of our visit clear to the householder. True, we have valuable information the householder does not have, but suppose we did not really introduce ourselves and merely began our presentation abruptly with a question like this: “If you could solve any problem in the world, what would it be?” We know that the purpose behind such a question is to find out what is on the person’s mind and then direct the conversation to the Bible. However, the householder might wonder: ‘Who is this stranger, and why is he asking me this question? What is this all about?’ So we should try to put the householder at ease. How can we do so? The key is to adjust our presentation to the way that people in our area likely want to be approached. w14 5/15 2:14-16

[Stormswift]

Nice one this - Satan cannot use a humble person, so if we feel superior to even one person, either in the cong or in the territory we are putting ourselves out there to be used by Satan. Loved the application of this scripture.

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, March 18

See, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!—John 1:29.

Jesus explained that he came, “not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matt. 20:28) The “many” who would benefit from Jesus’ ransom were not to be limited to repentant Jews. Rather, it is God’s will that “all sorts of people should be saved,” since the ransom “takes away the sin of the world!” (1 Tim. 2:4-6) Did those early disciples of Jesus have the needed courage to keep on witnessing about him? Indeed they did. (Acts 5:30-32) Some 27 years after Pentecost 33 C.E., it could be said that “the message of truth of the good news” had reached Jews and Gentiles “in all creation under heaven.”—Col. 1:5, 23. w14 7/15 4:7, 8

Memorial Bible reading: (Events after sunset: Nisan 9) Mark 14:3-9

[boodles]

I liked the comment about not just jumping right in with a question, but talking to people how they like to be approached.

[Tortuga]

From today's Memorial reading;

*** it-1 p. 614 Denarius ***
A Roman silver coin that weighed about 3.85 g (0.124 oz t) and hence would have a modern value of 74 cents. It bore a likeness of the head of Caesar and was “the head tax coin” exacted by the Romans from the Jews. (Mt 22:19-21) In the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, agricultural laborers commonly received a denarius for a 12-hour workday. (Mt 20:2) Hence, Revelation 6:6 depicts an extreme condition in stating that a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley would cost a denarius (a full day’s wage).
If the costly nard that Mary, Lazarus’ sister, used in greasing Jesus Christ had been sold for 300 denarii (nearly a year’s wages), likely this would have meant that a sizable amount of money would have gone into the money box kept by Judas Iscariot. Little wonder that dishonest Judas Iscariot raised strong objections, since he would be unable to embezzle even a fraction of this large sum.—Joh 12:3-6; 13:29; Mr 14:3-11.
 

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, March 19

Learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart.—Matt. 11:29.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke and acted in ways that revealed genuine humility. He never called undue attention to himself. Instead, he directed all glory to his Father. (Mark 10:17, 18; John 7:16) He never talked down to his disciples or made them feel inferior. Rather, he dignified them, praising them for the good he saw in them and expressing his confidence in them. (Luke 22:31, 32; John 1:47) Jesus outstandingly showed humility by his obedience. (Phil. 2:5-8) Unlike arrogant individuals who disdain obedience, Jesus humbly submitted to God’s will for him, becoming “obedient to the point of death.” Is it not clear that Jesus, the Son of man, was “lowly in heart”? w15 2/15 1:7

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, March 20

The Son of man came . . . to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.—Matt. 20:28.

How would this ransom satisfy justice? (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) As a perfect man, Jesus had prospects similar to those of Adam before he sinned. Jehovah’s purpose was to fill the earth with Adam’s perfect offspring. Hence, with deep love for his Father and for Adam’s descendants, Jesus gave up his human life in sacrifice. Yes, Jesus gave up a perfect human life that corresponded to what Adam had lost. Thereafter, Jehovah restored his Son to life as a spirit. (1 Pet. 3:18) Jehovah could justly accept the sacrifice of that one perfect man, Jesus, as a ransom, or purchase price, to buy back Adam’s family and give them the life prospects that Adam had forfeited. In a sense, Jesus took the place of Adam.—1 Cor. 15:45. w14 9/15 4:11, 12

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, March 20

The Son of man came . . . to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many.—Matt. 20:28.

How would this ransom satisfy justice? (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) As a perfect man, Jesus had prospects similar to those of Adam before he sinned. Jehovah’s purpose was to fill the earth with Adam’s perfect offspring. Hence, with deep love for his Father and for Adam’s descendants, Jesus gave up his human life in sacrifice. Yes, Jesus gave up a perfect human life that corresponded to what Adam had lost. Thereafter, Jehovah restored his Son to life as a spirit. (1 Pet. 3:18) Jehovah could justly accept the sacrifice of that one perfect man, Jesus, as a ransom, or purchase price, to buy back Adam’s family and give them the life prospects that Adam had forfeited. In a sense, Jesus took the place of Adam.—1 Cor. 15:45. w14 9/15 4:11, 12

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, March 21

This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood.—1 Cor. 11:25.

Those who rightly partake of the Memorial emblems are absolutely sure that they are parties to the new covenant. God has made the new covenant with the spiritual Israelites. (Gal. 6:15, 16) This covenant has been validated by Christ’s sacrifice and has been made operative by his shed blood. (Luke 22:20) Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant, and loyal anointed ones taken into it receive a heavenly inheritance. (Heb. 8:6; 9:15) Individuals entitled to partake of the Memorial emblems know that they have also been taken into the Kingdom covenant. (Luke 12:32) Because they are in the Kingdom covenant, faithful anointed ones will reign with Christ as heavenly kings forever.—Rev. 22:5. w15 1/15 2:14, 15

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, March 22

I make a covenant with you.—Luke 22:29.

Unlike other covenants, in which Jehovah is one of the parties to the covenant, the Kingdom covenant is a personal covenant between Jesus and his anointed followers. The 11 faithful apostles had ‘stuck with Jesus in his trials.’ This covenant assured them that they would be with him in heaven and sit on thrones to rule as kings and serve as priests. (Luke 22:28, 30) However, those 11 would not be the only ones to have that privilege. The glorified Jesus appeared to the apostle John in a vision and said: “To the one who conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne.” (Rev. 3:21) Thus, the Kingdom covenant is made with the 144,000 anointed Christians.—Rev. 5:9, 10; 7:4. w14 10/15 2:15, 16

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 12) Mark 14:1, 2, 10, 11; Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16

[GrumpysWife]

Memorial Date
After Sundown
Wednesday, March 23

You have an anointing from the holy one.—1 John 2:20.

Only those who have the witness of the spirit that they are God’s children should partake of the Memorial emblems. Those who have received “a spirit of adoption as sons” are God’s spirit-begotten children. His spirit bears witness with their spirit, giving them the realization that they are Jehovah’s anointed sons. (Rom. 8:16, 17) Today, there is only a remnant of the 144,000 footstep followers of Christ, who “have an anointing from the holy one,” Jehovah. It is by means of his spirit that they cry out, “Abba, Father!” (Rom. 8:15) What a blessed relationship they have with God!w15 1/15 2:16

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 13) Mark 14:12-16; Matthew 26:17-19 (Events after sunset: Nisan 14) Mark 14:17-72

[Stormswift]

Six hours to go for mine. Hubby and I did the LONG bible reading in bed this morning.

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, March 24

He is not here, for he was raised up.—Matt. 28:6.

Jesus was alive! Events of the next 40 days left no doubt that Jesus had been resurrected. Summarizing the evidence, the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Among the first things I handed on to you was what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still with us, though some have fallen asleep in death. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. But last of all he appeared also to me as if to one born prematurely.”—1 Cor. 15:3-8. w14 11/15 1:9, 10

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 14) Mark 15:1-47

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, March 25

The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.—1 Cor. 15:45.

How would mankind be freed from their struggle with inherited imperfection? Jehovah provided for a Kingdom government made up of “the last Adam” and chosen associates from among mankind. (Rev. 5:9, 10) Those associated with Jesus in heaven will have experienced what it means to be imperfect. For a full thousand years, their joint rulership will provide assistance to those on earth, helping them to overcome the imperfection that they could not conquer on their own. (Rev. 20:6) By the end of the thousand years of Kingdom rule, obedient mankind will have been liberated from all enemies introduced by Adam’s disobedience. w14 9/15 4:12-15

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 15) Matthew 27:62-66 (Events after sunset: Nisan 16) Mark 16:1

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, March 26

Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.—1 Pet. 2:21.

Of all the humans who have walked the earth, no one is more worthy of imitation than Jesus Christ. Why is that? Jesus himself once said: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also.” (John 14:9) Jesus reflects his Father’s personality so perfectly that observing the Son is like seeing the Father. Therefore, as we imitate Jesus, we draw closer to Jehovah, the greatest Personage in the universe. How, though, can we know what Jesus is like? Thankfully, we have an inspired written portrait of Jesus. Jehovah provided that record, as found in the Christian Greek Scriptures, because he wants us to become acquainted with his Son so that we can imitate him. w15 2/15 1:1, 2

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 16) Mark 16:2-8

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, March 27

You must love your neighbor as yourself.—Matt. 22:39.

The command to love our neighbor as ourself is called “the royal law.” (Jas. 2:8) After referring to some commandments of the Mosaic Law, Paul stated: “Whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this saying: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore, love is the law’s fulfillment.” (Rom. 13:8-10) So we need to keep on showing neighbor love. As we meditate on why we should show love for our neighbor, it is good to reflect on Jesus’ statement that his Father “makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:43-45) We need to display love toward our neighbor, whether he is righteous or unrighteous. An important way to show such love is to share the Kingdom message with him. What blessings are in store for our neighbor if he responds to the good news with genuine appreciation! w14 6/15 2:19-21

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, March 28

“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah.—Isa. 43:10.

Sadly, the world’s news media has largely ignored or even distorted the most important facts of human history. This is certainly the case with what the almighty God stated by means of his ancient prophet Ezekiel: “The nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezek. 39:7) But the Sovereign Ruler of the universe does not depend on this world’s media. He has some eight million Witnesses who tell people of all nations about him and his past and present dealings with mankind. This army of Witnesses also announces what God promises to do for the future blessing of mankind. By giving this witness work our priority, we prove true to our God-given name. What a privilege it is to bear the name Jehovah, for he is “the King of eternity,” who says: “This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation”!—1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 3:15. w14 7/15 3:2, 3

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, March 29

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.—Jas. 4:8.

Jehovah urges us in his Word to “draw close” to him, and he promises us that if we do, “he will draw close” to us. What an uplifting thought that is! Yet, many people think that it is unrealistic to believe that God wants to be close to them; they feel that they are unworthy to approach him or that he is too remote to be approached. Is closeness with Jehovah really possible? The fact is that Jehovah “is not far off from each one” who wants to find him; it is possible to get to know him. (Acts 17:26, 27; Ps. 145:18) Our God purposed that even imperfect humans should be close to him, and he is ready and willing to receive them into his favor as close friends. (Isa. 41:8; 55:6) From personal experience, the psalmist could write about Jehovah: “O Hearer of prayer, to you people of all sorts will come. Happy is the one whom you choose and bring near.”—Ps. 65:2, 4. w14 8/15 3:2, 3

[Mamba]

I want to subscribe to the daily email, please.

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, March 30

The last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing.—1 Cor. 15:26.

What about Satan, the one who initially caused all the misery that mankind has experienced? Revelation 20:7-15 provides the answer. In a final test of all perfect humans, Satan will be permitted to try to mislead them. The Devil and those who follow his lead will be eliminated everlastingly in “the second death.” (Rev. 21:8) Because those within its grasp will be forever out of existence, this death will never be brought to nothing. “The second death” is, however, no enemy of humans who love and serve their Creator. Perfected mankind will then stand before Jehovah as fully approved for everlasting life, with no enemies anywhere. The commission given to Adam will have been accomplished without him. The earth will abound with his offspring, who will delight to oversee it and enjoy its many life forms. May we never lose appreciation for the way in which Jehovah lovingly brings the last enemy, death, to nothing! w14 9/15 4:17, 18

[GrumpysWife]

Musky said to just follow this forum to get it. 

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, April 1

He was raised up.—Matt. 28:6.

Not many days after Jesus died, the apostle Peter faced a formidable and hostile group of men. They were powerful Jewish religious leaders—the very ones who had orchestrated Jesus’ death. The men demanded an explanation. Peter had healed a man who had been lame from birth, and they wanted to know by what power or in whose name Peter had done this. The apostle courageously answered: “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you executed on a stake but whom God raised up from the dead, by means of him this man stands here healthy in front of you.” (Acts 4:5-10) Earlier, Peter had fearfully denied Jesus three times. (Mark 14:66-72) What accounted for his courage now that he was before the religious leaders? Holy spirit played a vital role, but so did Peter’s certainty that Jesus had been resurrected. w14 11/15 1:1, 2

[GrumpysWife]

 

 

Saturday, April 2

The little one will become a thousand.—Isa. 60:22.

Perhaps we live in an area where there are few Witnesses or where we do not see a lot of immediate results in our preaching work. Yet, remembering that the Kingdom arrangement can overcome all obstacles will strengthen us to endure. For example, when Brother Edwin Skinner arrived in India in 1926, there were only a handful of Witnesses in that country. Initially, there was little progress, and the work was described as “hard going.” But he kept on preaching and saw how the Kingdom message overcame great obstacles. In 2013 there were over 37,000 active Witnesses in India, with over 108,000 attending the Memorial. In the same year that Brother Skinner arrived in India, the work had just started in Zambia. Now over 170,000 publishers preach there, and 763,915 attended the Memorial in 2013. This means that 1 in every 18 persons in Zambia attended. What amazing growth! w1412/15 1:8, 9

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, April 3

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

As Jesus’ followers did that work, eventually the “good news of the Kingdom [would] be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matt. 24:14) The disciples loved both Jesus and the good news. Yet, they might well have wondered just how they could possibly carry out their commission. After all, they were few in number. Jesus, whom they proclaimed to be the Son of God, had been put to death. His disciples were viewed as “uneducated and ordinary.” (Acts 4:13) And their message ran counter to the teachings of the prestigious religious leaders. Whatever concerns they may have had, the disciples got busy preaching the good news not only in Jerusalem and Samaria but throughout the then-known world. Although the disciples experienced difficulties, within 30 years the good news was being “preached in all creation under heaven” and was “bearing fruit and increasing in all the world.”—Col. 1:6, 23. w15 2/15 3:1, 2, 4