Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[Vinnie]

in the last days, the ridiculer will come with his ridicule proceeding according to his own desires

[katielou]

Persecution is expected

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[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, April 23

When each respective member functions properly, this contributes to the growth of the body as it builds itself up in love.—Eph. 4:16.

A mature servant of Jehovah promotes unity within the congregation. (Eph. 4:1-6, 15) It is our goal that God’s people be “harmoniously joined together” and that all members cooperate with one another. According to Jehovah’s Word, to achieve this unity, we need humility. A mature brother or sister has the humility to work for unity, even when facing the imperfections of others. How do you react when confronted with the imperfection of a brother or sister in the congregation? Or what if you personally are wronged by someone in the congregation? Is it your inclination, or even your pattern, to build a wall, so to speak, that separates you from the offender? Or do you try to construct a bridge across the gap between the two of you? A mature Christian wants to—yes, strives to—build bridges, not walls. Do you have the goal of promoting unity in the congregation? w15 9/15 1:12, 13

[Skyler]

None of the brothers could have predicted that this text would fall two days after our Russian brothers were liquidated. It never fails to astonish me of how appropriate the daily text can be for our current situation, personal or otherwise! Food at the proper time, indeed!

[Alexa]

Make bridge always

[katielou]

Connect don't separate

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[Miss Bea]

Bridges, not walls"

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, April 24

Your word is truth.—John 17:17.

Jesus was convinced that the Bible is God’s Word, which provides the best guidance in life. Following Jesus’ example, we must read the Bible daily, study it, and meditate on what we learn. Along with general Bible study, dig into topics about which you may have questions. To illustrate, you might increase your conviction that the end of this system of things really is near by studying in detail the Scriptural proof that we live in the last days. Strengthen your trust in the Bible’s promises for the future by investigating its many prophecies that have already come true. Develop your confidence in the practical value of the Bible by considering examples of how the Bible improves people’s lives. (1 Thess. 2:13) You can also imitate Jesus by meditating on the wonderful promises Jehovah has made to you. (Heb. 12:2) See these as God’s promises not just to mankind in general but to you personally. w15 9/15 3:16, 17

[Miss Bea]

Take truth personal!

[Alexa]

Bible's convincing impact  

[katielou]

Read, study, meditate

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[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, April 25

Honor Jehovah with your valuable things.—Prov. 3:9.

What are some ways that we can show our love for God? Obviously, we can use our material things to support the Kingdom work locally and worldwide. This is certainly a fine way to express love for Jehovah, whether we have much or little materially. (2 Cor. 8:12) There are, however, other ways to show Jehovah that we love him. Recall Jesus’ reminder to his followers not to be anxious about food and clothing but to keep on seeking first the Kingdom. He said that the Father knows what we really need. (Matt. 6:31-33) The degree to which we trust that promise is an indication of the depth of our love for Jehovah because love and trust go hand in hand. We cannot truly love someone whom we do not trust. (Ps. 143:8) So we might ask ourselves: ‘Do the goals I pursue and my way of life reflect that I truly love Jehovah? Do my actions day in and day out show that I trust his ability to care for my needs?’ w15 9/15 5:7, 8

[Alexa]

Love and trust  

[katielou]

Don't be anxious

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[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, April 26

Without faith it is impossible to please God well.—Heb. 11:6.

Have you ever thought, ‘Am I the kind of person Jehovah will want to save during the great tribulation and bring into the new world?’ One very important requirement is that we cultivate strong faith. The apostle Peter drew special attention to the importance of faith when he spoke of its “tested quality” that “may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:7) Since the great tribulation is fast approaching, do we not want to make sure that we have the type of faith that puts us among those whose faith will be praised by our glorious King when he is revealed? Most certainly, we want to be “the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.” (Heb. 10:39) With this goal in mind, we may plead like the man who said: “Help me out where I need faith!” (Mark 9:24) Or we may be moved to say, as did Jesus’ apostles: “Give us more faith.”—Luke 17:5. w15 10/15 2:1, 2

[Miss Bea]

I need faith! 

[Alexa]

Peter's tested faith 

[katielou]

Faith essential salvation

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[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, April 27

Let us also throw off every weight.—Heb. 12:1.

Paul focused on “the more important things” and slaved in God’s service, traveling back and forth between Syria, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Judea. “Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pressing on toward the goal for the prize,” wrote Paul. (Phil. 1:10; 3:8, 13, 14) Taking full advantage of his singleness, Paul succeeded in being in “constant devotion to the Lord without distraction.” (1 Cor. 7:32-35) Like Paul, some servants of God choose to remain single so that they have fewer family responsibilities and can devote themselves to Kingdom service. (Matt. 19:11, 12) Married servants of God often have more extensive family responsibilities. But whether single or married, all can “throw off every weight” and serve God with as few distractions as possible. This may require cutting down on time-wasting habits and setting goals to increase the time spent in the service of God. w15 10/15 3:15, 16

[Alexa]

Throw weighty activities  

[Miss Bea]

Scrutinize activities, disgard?

[katielou]

Focus on priorities

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[GrumpysWife]

Friday, April 28

Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse.—2 Tim. 3:13.

History has demonstrated beyond any doubt the truthfulness of what the Bible says: “I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jer. 10:23) No, Jehovah did not create humans with the ability or the right to direct their affairs independent of him. In addition to showing how futile human rule is, God’s temporary permission of wickedness serves another long-range purpose. It provides permanent testimony that only God’s rule can be successful. After Jehovah destroys wickedness and those who cause it, if anyone ever again would challenge Jehovah’s way of ruling in love, there would be no need for God to permit the challenge to stand. He could use what has happened in mankind’s history as the just reason to remove such rebels quickly, not allowing them to establish wickedness once again. w15 11/15 3:5, 6

[Alexa]

Jehovah's rightful rulership  

[katielou]

Settled for eternity

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