Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[katielou]

Appropriate in Russia

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[katielou]

Language of heart

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[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, March 23

If the trumpet sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle?—1 Cor. 14:8.

An indistinct trumpet call could be disastrous for an advancing army. In the same way, if our speech is unduly vague or indirect, it may well be confusing or misleading. (1 Cor. 14:9) Of course, in our effort to keep our words crisp and clear, we would not want to be blunt or tactless. Jesus set the finest example of appropriate word selection. Consider his short yet powerful discourse recorded in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Jesus did not use flowery or ambiguous speech; nor did he employ harsh or hurtful language. Instead, he chose clear, simple expressions to reach the hearts of his listeners. For example, to allay the people’s anxieties over their daily need for food, he referred to how Jehovah provides for the birds of heaven. Then, comparing his hearers to birds, he asked: “Are you not worth more than they are?” (Matt. 6:26) What a loving appeal in simple, understandable words that touch the heart! w15 12/15 3:13, 14

[Tortuga]

Sounds like a great day to write some letters to Russia...

[Ahuvah]

Well you are good at sounding your own trumpet. *chuckles.

[Alexa]

Avoid confusion, misleading  

[katielou]

Communication reaches hearts

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[GrumpysWife]

Friday, March 24

Let your brotherly love continue.—Heb. 13:1.

What does it mean for us to show brotherly love? The Greek term used by Paul, phi·la·del·phiʹa, literally means “affection for a brother.” Brotherly love is the type of affection that involves a strong, warm, personal attachment, such as to a family member or a close friend. (John 11:36) We do not pretend to be brothers and sisters—we are brothers and sisters. (Matt. 23:8) Our strong feeling of attachment to one another is summed up nicely in these words: “In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another, take the lead.” (Rom. 12:10) Combined with principled love, a·gaʹpe, this type of love promotes close companionship among God’s people. Christianity embraces all believers, no matter what their nationality. (Rom. 10:12) As brothers, we have been taught by Jehovah to have brotherly affection for one another.—1 Thess. 4:9. w16.01 1:5, 6

[Tortuga]

Another great text for the Russian letter campaign...

[ReadYourBible]

4 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Another great text for the Russian letter campaign...

I didn't go heavy on the scriptures in my letter, but I did mention that one of the main reasons I was writing was out of love for brothers and sisters I hadn't even met.

[Alexa]

Agape differ philadelphia  

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, March 25

The love the Christ has compels us.—2 Cor. 5:14.

Our love for Jesus moves us to work whole-souled in the preaching and disciple-making work. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Luke 4:43) During the Memorial season, we will have the opportunity to serve as an auxiliary pioneer and spend 30 or 50 hours in the preaching work. Could you arrange your circumstances to do so? One 84-year-old widower did not feel that he could auxiliary pioneer because of his age and poor health. Nonetheless, the pioneers in his area rallied to his aid. They provided transportation and carefully chose territory that he could work, so that he could meet his 30-hour goal. Could you reach out and help someone share in the joy of auxiliary pioneering during the Memorial season? Of course, not all of us may be able to auxiliary pioneer. Even so, we can use whatever time and energy we have to increase our sacrifice of praise to Jehovah. w16.01 2:7, 11

[Miss Bea]

Pioneering spirit, priceless! 

[Alexa]

I love Jesus  

[Tbs77]

I love Jesus  

Yes we do!

 

[Tbs77]

Letter write zealously

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, March 26

We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.—Zech. 8:23.

If it is not possible to know with certainty the names of all spiritual Israelites on earth today, how can members of the other sheep “go with” them? Notice what the prophecy in Zechariah states concerning the figurative ten men. These ones would “take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: ‘We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.’” Although only one Jew is mentioned here, in both instances the pronoun “you” refers to more than one person. This spiritual Jew must, then, be a composite person, not just one individual! So it is not necessary to identify every spiritual Jew and then go with him or her. Rather, we need to identify these ones as a group and then support them as such. In no way do the Scriptures encourage us to follow an individual. Jesus is our Leader.—Matt. 23:10. w16.01 4:4

[Alexa]

Whose 144,000 each?  

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, March 27

You, O Israel, are my servant, you, O Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend.—Isa. 41:8.

From the cradle to the grave, our greatest need is love. Humans do need and crave love—and not just the romantic kind. We hunger for friendship and connection with others. But there is one kind of love that we need more than any other—Jehovah’s love. Many find it hard to imagine that humans could acquire a close, loving friendship with Almighty God. Do we share such skepticism? Far from it! The Bible shows that imperfect humans have become friends with God. Their examples are worth contemplating, for building such a friendship is the most worthwhile goal we could pursue in life. An outstanding example of a man who cultivated such a friendship was Abraham. (Jas. 2:23) How did Abraham draw so close to Jehovah? A key ingredient in that friendship was faith. In fact, the Bible calls Abraham “the father of all those having faith.”—Rom. 4:11. w16.02 1:1, 2

[katielou]

Jehovah our friend

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[Alexa]

Jehovah's love stays  

[Miss Bea]

Faith, everlasting investment.

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, March 28

There was no one like him.—2 Ki. 18:5.

Although Hezekiah was the son of one of Judah’s worst kings, he grew up to be one of the very best. (2 Ki. 18:6) Hezekiah set about righting the terrible wrongs that his father had committed. He did so by cleansing the temple, atoning for the people’s sins, and destroying pagan idols in a vigorous and far-reaching campaign. (2 Chron. 29:1-11, 18-24; 31:1) When he faced daunting challenges, such as the threat of attack on Jerusalem by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, Hezekiah showed profound courage and faith. He relied on God for salvation and strengthened his people by word and example. (2 Chron. 32:7, 8) Later, when Hezekiah needed correction for showing a haughty attitude, he humbled himself and repented. (2 Chron. 32:24-26) Clearly, Hezekiah did not let his past ruin his present or deprive him of a future. Rather, he showed that he was Jehovah’s friend and a fine example to imitate. w16.02 2:11

[Miss Bea]

Hezekiah, fine example! 

[Loopy]

Humility is a quality we all need to have to accept counsel/discipline as it's from Jehovah. Hezekiah showed this quality very well.