Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2014

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, December 26

 

[bath-sheba] sent and told David and said: “I am pregnant.”—2 Sam. 11:5.

 

Rather than have the adulterers condemned to death by human judges according to the Mosaic Law, Jehovah mercifully intervened, dealing with David and Bath-sheba himself. (Lev. 20:10) Perhaps a factor in Jehovah’s forgiveness is the way David himself had shown mercy to Saul. (1 Sam. 24:4-7; 2 Sam. 12:13) As Jesus explained, Jehovah treats us the way we treat others. “Stop judging that you may not be judged,” said Jesus, “for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged; and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you.” (Matt. 7:1, 2) What a relief it is to know that Jehovah will forgive our sins—even sins as serious as adultery or murder! He will do so if we have a forgiving spirit, if we confess our sins before him, and if we manifest a changed attitude toward our bad actions. “Seasons of refreshing” come from Jehovah when sinners sincerely repent.—Acts 3:19. w12 11/15 4:9, 10

 

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, December 27

 

[Abraham] came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.”—Jas. 2:23.

 

God promised that through Abraham and his descendants, all families of the earth—not just one nation—were to be blessed. (Gen. 22:15-18) Although the fulfillment of this God-given promise lay in the distant future, Abraham maintained his confidence in that fulfillment. For over half of his life, he and his family wandered from place to place. All the while, Abraham maintained his friendship with Jehovah. Despite not knowing how long he would have to wait to see his hope realized, Abraham’s love for and devotion to Jehovah never wavered. He kept his eyes focused, not settling down to become a permanent resident in some nation. (Heb. 11:14, 15) How wise it is for us to follow Abraham’s example by living a simple life and not letting ourselves become overly concerned about material possessions, social positions, or career goals! As was true of Abraham, we are headed for something far better. w12 12/15 4:7-9

 

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, December 28

 

I will glorify your name to time indefinite.—Ps. 86:12.

 

By and large, Christendom’s churches have distanced themselves from God’s name. For example, the Revised Standard Version states in its preface: “The use of any proper name for the one and only God . . . is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.” Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, are proud to bear God’s name and to glorify it. (Isa. 43:10) Furthermore, we count it a privilege to understand the meaning of that name and the universal issue involving its sanctification. (Matt. 6:9) To know God’s name involves much more than merely being acquainted with the word “Jehovah.” It includes knowing Jehovah’s reputation, as well as his qualities, purpose, and activities as revealed in the Bible, such as his dealings with his servants. Of course, Jehovah grants this insight progressively, according to the outworking of his purpose.—Prov. 4:18. w13 3/15 5:1-3

 

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, December 29

 

Not that we are the masters over your faith, . . . for it is by your faith that you are standing.—2 Cor. 1:24.

 

With these words, Paul acknowledged that the brothers in Corinth stood firm, not because of him or any other human, but because of their own faith in God. Hence, Paul saw no need to control the faith of his brothers, and he had no desire to do so. He was confident that they were faithful Christians who wanted to do what was right. (2 Cor. 2:3) Today, elders follow Paul’s example by expressing confidence in their brothers’ faith and motives for serving God. (2 Thess. 3:4) Rather than making rigid rules for the congregation, elders rely on Scriptural principles and direction from Jehovah’s organization. After all, present-day elders are not the masters over their brothers’ faith.—1 Pet. 5:2, 3. w13 1/15 5:3

 

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, December 30

 

They loved the glory of men more than even the glory of God.—John 12:43.

 

How human glory can obscure divine glory can be illustrated by comparing glory to light. Our brilliant universe is abundantly glorious. Do you remember when you last looked into the sky on a clear night and found yourself encompassed by thousands of stars? “The glory of the stars” is awe-inspiring. (1 Cor. 15:40, 41) When viewed from the street of a well-lit city, though, how does the same sky appear? Why, city lights make it almost impossible for us to see the light emanating from distant stars! Is this so because the lights from roads, stadiums, and buildings are stronger or more beautiful than starlight? No! This happens because city lights are closer to us and they interfere with what we can perceive of Jehovah’s creation. Similarly, if the wrong kind of glory were too close to our hearts, it could prevent us from appreciating and seeking the enduring glory that Jehovah is willing to bestow. w13 2/15 4:6, 8, 9

 

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, December 31

 

Out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thieveries, false testimonies, blasphemies.—Matt. 15:19.

 

If a brother’s insensitive heart moved him to commit adultery or fornication and he remained unrepentant, he could lose God’s favor permanently. Yet, even a person who has not committed such a wrong might be allowing an improper desire to grow in his heart. (Matt. 5:27, 28) This is where making a personal examination of the heart may help. If you scrutinized your heart, would you find an improper feeling toward someone of the opposite sex, secret longings that God would not condone and that need to be removed? Or a brother who has not actually committed “murders” might let rancor fester in his heart to the point of hating a fellow Christian. (Lev. 19:17) Will he put forth effort to rid himself of such emotions that could make his heart unresponsive?—Matt. 5:21, 22. w13 3/15 2:13, 14

 

[happysheep49]

I so appreciate what Jehovah brings to the table each morning as food for thought and direction and especially so as I went on to read the remaining Paragraphs 16-19 of that same Watchtower which diagnoses the problem stating "Yes, the Examiner of hearts might diagnose it as ‘uncircumcision of the heart.’ (Jer. 9:25, 26) Remember those whom Jehovah urged: “Take away the foreskins of your hearts.”—Jer. 4:4. GAINING AND MAINTAINING “A HEART TO KNOW” GOD 17 What if you examined your figurative heart and found that it was not as sensitive to Jehovah’s counsel as it could be and that it was to some extent “uncircumcised”? Then we are immediately presented with the solution.