Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, June 10

Praise Jehovah, all you his angels, mighty in power, who carry out his word, obeying his voice.—Ps. 103:20.

Spirit creatures called angels are “mighty in power.” They are superior to humans and thus have greater intellect and strength. Of course, faithful angels use their power for good. For example, on one occasion an angel of Jehovah struck down 185,000 enemy Assyrian soldiers—a feat that would have been impossible for one human and difficult even for an entire army. (2 Ki. 19:35) On another occasion an angel used his superhuman power and ingenuity to release Jesus’ apostles from jail. That spirit creature eluded security measures, unlocked the doors, let out the apostles, and then locked the doors behind them—all of that while guards were stationed nearby! (Acts 5:18-23) Whereas faithful spirit creatures use their power for good, Satan uses his power for evil. And what power and influence he has! The Scriptures refer to him as “the ruler of this world.”—John 12:31. w15 5/15 1:5, 6

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, June 11

None of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.—Heb. 3:13.

Whether married or single, we must strenuously resist all forms of sexual immorality. Is the fight easy? By no means! If you are a young person, for instance, you might hear your schoolmates boast about having casual sex or about sexting, a practice that in some places is viewed as being tantamount to distributing child pornography. The Bible says: “Whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body.” (1 Cor. 6:18) Both suffering and death have resulted from the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. And the majority of unmarried youths who lose their virginity say that they regret what they did. The reality of immoral sex is far different from what is portrayed by the entertainment media, which would have us believe that breaking God’s laws has no consequences. Such thinking makes people fall victim to “the deceptive power of sin.” w15 5/15 2:14

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, June 12

The Most High . . . is kind toward the unthankful and wicked.—Luke 6:35.

Jesus imitated God’s kindness. What helped Jesus to do so? He treated people in a kind manner by anticipating how his words and actions might affect another individual’s feelings. For example, a woman known to be a sinner approached him, weeping and wetting his feet with her tears. Jesus discerned that she was repentant, and he knew how heartbroken she would be if he dismissed her unkindly. Instead, he commended and forgave her. When a Pharisee disapproved of what had happened, Jesus spoke to him kindly too. (Luke 7:36-48) How can we imitate God’s kindness? The apostle Paul wrote: “A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle [or, “tactful,” ftn.] toward all.” (2 Tim. 2:24) By putting ourselves in the place of others and trying to anticipate how our words might affect them, we can discern how to speak and act in ways that imitate Jehovah’s kindness.—Prov. 15:28. w15 5/15 4:8, 9

[katielou]

Faithful angels obey

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[katielou]

Imitate Jehovah's kindness

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[Miss Bea]

First, be kind! 

[Dustparticle]

 

 Like the last part being a friend. Only if sisters were elder too, then probalby I would been an elder.

[Exxile]

Hello

Does somebody know which publication I can use to find an illustration of Abraham welcoming the 3 angles or does any of you have it?

Thanks

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, June 13

Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it if it is within your power to help.—Prov. 3:27.

When our brothers suffer hardships, we can comfort and support them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. (Prov. 17:17) For example, we may help them recover from a natural disaster. Listen to one widow’s heartfelt expression of thanks after a hurricane badly damaged her home: “I am so deeply grateful to be in Jehovah’s organization, not only for the physical help but also for the spiritual help.” And note the comments of one single sister who felt hopeless and perplexed after seeing the damage done to her home by a storm. Upon receiving help, she said: “It is indescribable! I am unable to express totally how I feel . . . Thank you, Jehovah!” We rejoice that we are part of a brotherhood that genuinely cares about the needs of others. A greater cause for gladness is that Jehovah and Jesus Christ really care for God’s people. w15 6/15 1:17

[Miss Bea]

Continue to contribute! 

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, June 14

[Treat] older women as mothers, . . . younger women as sisters, with all chasteness.—1 Tim. 5:2.

The Bible helps us to avoid improper desires by giving counsel on how to treat those of the opposite sex. Such counsel clearly rules out flirting. Some may view the use of body language, gestures, and glances that have romantic overtones as harmless in that these do not involve any physical contact. But flirting, or responding to it, may arouse unclean thoughts that can lead to serious sexual wrongdoing. It has happened before—it can happen again. Joseph acted wisely in this regard. When the wife of his master, Potiphar, tried to seduce him, Joseph rejected her efforts. But she did not give up. Day after day she invited him to remain with her. (Gen. 39:7, 8, 10) However, Joseph was determined never to encourage, or even tolerate, her seductive overtures, thus preventing any wrong desire from taking root in his heart. w15 6/15 3:10, 11

[katielou]

Fill their needs

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[DavidMc]

20 hours ago, GrumpysWife said:

[Treat] older women as mothers

Last Saturday afternoon I was doing an hours kiosk witnessing in the local market with a sister.  Apart from my wife, it's rare for me to work with a sister. This was the second time in six months. Her usual partner had to cancel and I stood in. Reading today's text made me think about Saturday. This sister is nearing seventy years old and though classed as an older woman, I find I can't view her has a mother due to my own old age; though I do indeed see her has a sister. Never though of having to take a fresh look at this scripture until today. My own mother died a few years ago having lived to a good age. I guess she was the last sister I'll ever view as a mother.

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, June 15

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.—Matt. 6:12.

Jehovah wants us to be concerned not only about our own spiritual welfare but also about that of others, including those who might have sinned against us. Usually, such sins are minor and give us an opportunity to show that we truly love our brothers and are willing to forgive, as God has mercifully forgiven us. (Col. 3:13) Sadly, as imperfect humans, we may sometimes harbor a grudge against another. (Lev. 19:18) If we talk about the matter, others may side with us, causing a division in the congregation. If we allow such a situation to continue, it would show a lack of appreciation for God’s mercy and the ransom. Our Father will cease to apply to us the value of his Son’s sacrifice if we display an unforgiving spirit. (Matt. 18:35) Jesus elaborated on this immediately after giving the model prayer. (Matt. 6:14, 15) Finally, to benefit from God’s forgiveness, we must strive to avoid making a practice of serious sin.—1 John 3:4, 6. w15 6/15 5:9-11

[katielou]

No grudges, forgive

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[GrumpysWife]

Friday, June 16

The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight.—Prov. 14:35.

It is an honor to be allowed by Jehovah to contribute to the beauty of our spiritual paradise. We do that by zealously preaching the Kingdom good news and making more disciples. Each time we help a person progress to Christian dedication, we have worked to extend the borders of the spiritual paradise. (Isa. 26:15; 54:2) We can also enhance the beauty of our spiritual paradise by steadily improving our own Christian personality. In that way, we make this paradise more appealing to onlookers. More than even Bible knowledge, it is often our chaste, peaceful conduct that initially draws people to the organization and in turn to God and to Christ. How pleased Jehovah and Jesus must be when they observe our beautiful spiritual paradise today! The enjoyment we have now in working to enhance its beauty is but a foretaste of the joy we will have later in working to make the earth a physical paradise. w15 7/15 1:18-20

[Canticles]

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[Canticles]

We can also enhance the beauty of our spiritual paradise by steadily improving our own Christian personality.

Very interesting, am touched by that Proverb 14:35. Who is the King in this context ? Jehovah , while Servant refers to " Myself " as a person . As explained Good conducts is like acting with insight, it draws people to our bible trained Personality and in turn Can make them want to serve the God we serve.* Many lessons

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[Tia]

This is so piercing to me - I took joy in reading this daily text twice...this scripture I want to recall and

ponder over and over and....

[katielou]

Expand and beautify

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[Tia]

yes!

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, June 17

You will be like God, knowing good and bad.—Gen. 3:5.

Today, all must decide whether they believe that God’s way of doing things is superior to Satan’s or vice versa. In all sincerity, do you take Jehovah’s side by choosing to obey his laws and standards instead of doing things your own way? Do you see his Kingdom as the only answer to mankind’s woes? Or do you believe that man is capable of governing himself? Your answers to these questions will determine how you respond when people ask your opinion on controversial matters. Politicians, activists, and reformers have long struggled to find solutions to divisive issues. Their efforts may be sincere and well-motivated. Yet, Christians recognize that only God’s Kingdom can solve mankind’s problems and guarantee true justice. We must leave the matter in Jehovah’s hands. After all, if each Christian advocated the solution he thought best, would not our congregations soon become divided? w15 7/15 3:7, 8

[katielou]

Chose which side

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Chose Jehovah's side

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[dove]

My answer to all those questions except the last one. is....YES! .

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, June 18

I will meditate on all your activity.—Ps. 77:12.

Can we see Jehovah’s enduring love for us in what he has created? Yes, we can because the very act of creation was a manifestation of God’s love. (Rom. 1:20) He designed the earth with an ecosystem in which we can safely exist and thrive. However, he wants us to do more than merely exist. We need to eat to keep on living. Jehovah made sure that the earth could produce a seemingly endless variety of plants that can be prepared as wholesome food. Why, he even made eating a delightful and satisfying experience! (Eccl. 9:7) Jehovah created us with the ability to perform productive and meaningful work that adds to our enjoyment of life. (Eccl. 2:24) He purposed that humans fill the earth, subdue it, and have in subjection the fish, the birds, and other living creatures. (Gen. 1:26-28) And how loving of Jehovah to endow us with qualities that enable us to imitate him!—Eph. 5:1. w15 8/15 1:4, 5