Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, July 23

Give us more faith.—Luke 17:5.

What can you do to build and maintain strong faith? Do not be satisfied with only what you learned up to the point of your baptism. (Heb. 6:1, 2) Take note of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible because these can provide you with powerful reasons for having faith. You can also use God’s Word as a measuring rod to see if your faith matches the description of what is expected of those who have strong faith. (Jas. 1:25; 2:24, 26) The apostle Paul told fellow Christians that they could “have an interchange of encouragement by one another’s faith.” (Rom. 1:12) As we associate with fellow worshippers, we can build up one another’s faith, especially when we are with those who have already demonstrated the “tested quality” of their faith. (Jas. 1:3) Bad associations destroy faith, but good associations build it. (1 Cor. 15:33) That is one reason why we are counseled not to forsake “our meeting together.”—Heb. 10:24, 25. w15 10/15 2:2, 8, 9

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, July 24

Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them.—1 Tim. 4:15.

We need time to meditate as we prepare to conduct a Bible study. With each student in mind, we might think of a viewpoint question or an illustration to help the student make progress. Time spent in this way can be most refreshing, as pondering over these things strengthens our own faith and helps us to conduct our Bible studies with greater effectiveness and enthusiasm. The same is true when we prepare our heart to go out in the field service. (Ezra 7:10) Reading a chapter from the Bible book of Acts will “stir up like a fire” our enthusiasm for the ministry. Meditating on Bible verses we intend to use that day and the publications we plan to offer will help us carry out our privilege of service. (2 Tim. 1:6) Think about the people in the territory and what may arouse their interest. All such preparation will move us to witness effectively “with a demonstration of spirit and power” from the Word of God.—1 Cor. 2:4. w15 10/15 4:9

[LeslieDean]

Revisiting this in preparation for first time Bible astudy this week.  Really want to instill how to LOVE Jehovah!  Concentrate on love first, then the rest will follow.

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, July 25

If . . . your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out.—Matt. 5:29.

Ask yourself: ‘What may tempt my child to look at pornography? Does he know why it is so dangerous? Am I approachable so that he will come to me for help if he is ever tempted to look at pornography?’ Even while your children are quite young, you could say to them: “If you ever come across an immoral website and you feel tempted to look at it, please come and talk to me. You don’t have to be ashamed. I want to help you.” Insight will also help you to choose your own entertainment prudently. “What we as parents approve of in the way of music, movies, or books sets the tone for the family,” says a father named Pranas. “You can say a lot about a lot of things, but your children will watch what you do and imitate you.” If your children see you carefully choosing clean entertainment, they will probably be moved to make similar choices.—Rom. 2:21-24. w15 11/15 1:12-14

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, July 26

I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.—Ps. 32:8.

Increased emphasis is now being placed on public witnessing: at bus stops, train stations, parking lots, in public squares, and markets. If engaging in some of these features of service makes you nervous, why not give prayerful thought to this comment of longtime traveling overseer Angelo Manera, Jr.: “We looked at each new feature of service as another way to serve Jehovah, as another way to prove our loyalty to him, as another test of our integrity, and we were eager to prove ourselves willing to serve him in any way he asked.” Engaging in a new feature of the work, perhaps one outside our comfort zone, helps us to build trust and faith in Jehovah, leading to greater spirituality. (2 Cor. 12:9, 10) Many publishers have enjoyed directing people to our website, jw.org. It is reaching people with the good news, even in remote areas. w15 11/15 5:12, 13, 15

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, July 27

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens his friend.—Prov. 27:17.

In the past, the English New World Translation followed the pattern of some other English Bibles that use the Hebrew expression “Sheol” in verses such as Ecclesiastes 9:10. That verse used to read: “There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheʹol, the place to which you are going.” Translators of many non-English editions faced this problem: The term “Sheol” is unknown to most of their readers, it is not found in their dictionaries, and it sounds like some geographic location. Accordingly, for the 2013 revision, approval was given to make the meaning of “Sheol” and the corresponding Greek term “Hades” clear by translating them accurately as “the Grave.” Obsolete English expressions were also replaced, and a concerted effort was put forth to make the text clear and easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy. Applying what had been done in other languages sharpened the English text. w15 12/15 2:10, 12

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, July 28

Happy is anyone who shows consideration to the lowly one; Jehovah will rescue him in the day of calamity. Jehovah will guard him and keep him alive.—Ps. 41:1, 2.

If we are ill, we can look to God for comfort, wisdom, and support, as did true worshippers in the past. Still, we know that an individual living in David’s day who showed consideration to a lowly one did not keep living without end. Hence, when David wrote the above, he could not have meant that such a considerate individual would be kept alive miraculously, thus gaining everlasting life. We can take those inspired words to mean that God would help the loyal considerate one. How? David explained: “Jehovah will sustain him on his sickbed; during his sickness you will completely change his bed.” (Ps. 41:3) Yes, an individual who showed consideration to a lowly one could be certain that God was aware of him and his faithful course. And the recuperative power of his God-given body might help him to get better, to recover from his sickness. w15 12/15 4:7

[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

Our new and improved, easier to read and understand New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is a loving gift from Jehovah. I also appreciate the regular updates on our new songs as well as many other of our publications, keeping things as fresh, real and useable as humanly possible, thereby bringing us closer to Jehovah day by day.


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[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

A few of us sisters in Kemptville East Congregation have recently started public cart witnessing in the town of Winchester, with great success. Having done it twice there and once in Kemptville with equal success in both locations, we are prayerfully hopeful that others in our congregation will want to try it as well. We see Jehovah's blessing on the effort in these communities.


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[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

I really love this text showing that when we assist someone in need, Jehovah pays attention and promises reciprocal action to the proper degree. When we consider that we are all 'sick' in this system in one way or another, while we're unable to help every one, we know the load of responsibility is shared, thereby proving this scripture true. Praise Jah, for his great training program!


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[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, July 29

Keep in mind those in prison.—Heb. 13:3.

Paul was not here referring to just any type of prisoner. He was speaking about those brothers who were imprisoned for their faith. Paul himself had been in prison bonds for some four years by the time he penned those words to the Hebrew Christians. (Phil. 1:12-14) He commended the brothers for having “expressed sympathy for those in prison.” (Heb. 10:34) Those Hebrew Christians were physically separated from Paul. So how could they keep him in mind? They could do so by their fervent prayers in his behalf. (Heb. 13:18, 19) Today, we may likewise be separated physically from our brothers who have been thrown into prison. We may not be able to give them the practical help that is provided by the Witnesses who live near the prison. But we can show our sympathy and brotherly affection by constantly remembering these faithful ones and mentioning them in our prayers, pleading to Jehovah in their behalf. w16.01 1:13, 14

[Tia]

Diligent in our prayers for our dear brothers and sisters, families in those countries...Our dear

Bro. Dennis Christensen and those ones in  Russia, Eritrea, and abroad many countless countries, Venezuela...etc...

and those who receive many injustices - persecutions right here at home!  Especially ones that are affected

with the new immigration laws in the U.S. as well.

[Woodland]

Today's text just reminds us that the greatest gift we can give our brothers in prison is to pray for Jehovah's spirit to strengthen them to endure.   It must also help them knowing that they are in the thoughts of us all.

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, July 30

The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children.—Rom. 8:16.

God’s original purpose was for mankind to live forever here on earth. (Gen. 1:28; Ps. 37:29) The selection of some to go to heaven to rule as kings and priests is not the norm. It is an exceptional arrangement. This calling causes a profound change in the thinking, outlook, and hope of a person when he is anointed. (Eph. 1:18) But how does a person know that he has the heavenly calling, that he has, in fact, received this special token? The answer is clearly seen in Paul’s words to the anointed brothers in Rome, who were “called to be holy ones.” He told them: “You did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: ‘Abba, Father!’” (Rom. 1:7; 8:15) Simply put, by means of his holy spirit, God makes it clear to that person that he is invited to become a future heir in the Kingdom arrangement.—1 Thess. 2:12. w16.01 3:8, 9

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, July 31

Mind your own business.—1 Thess. 4:11.

How can we show appropriate respect for those whom Jehovah chooses to anoint? We would not ask them personal questions about their anointing. We thus avoid meddling with what does not concern us. (2 Thess. 3:11) We should not assume that the parents, spouse, or other relatives of one of the anointed would also be anointed. Genetics or marriage play no part in the process. (1 Thess. 2:12) We should also resist the urge to quiz spouses of anointed ones about how they feel knowing that they will live without their mate in the future earthly Paradise. Rather than raise questions that may cause pain, all of us can have full confidence that Jehovah will open his hand and “satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:16) Those who treat anointed Christians in a proper manner protect themselves from an insidious danger—“false brothers” who claim to be anointed.—Gal. 2:4, 5; 1 John 2:19. w16.01 4:10, 11

[1gemstone]

Amen.

[Omoyeme]

Today's text an appropriate reminder.

 

Of the few GB members I've personally met (in the past), it never dawned on me to ask about their annointing...never!  What I've noticed once when I took a photo with Brother Sydlik (in the mid-90's) was how humble and witty he was--and how much he loved to brag about his then-young wife.  (A cherished memory.) 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Omo_Yeme

[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

How interesting that yesterday's text and WT comments clearly explain how one knows and is plainly assured of their heavenly calling. Today's text and WT comments clearly explain that it's not our concern to 'but in' where we don't belong, especially when it comes to the mate of an anointed. Tender affection should always be our aim.


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[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

It makes one wonder how one could be mistaken.


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[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, August 1

Will the Judge of all the earth not do what is right?—Gen. 18:25.

Because he made it a practice to obey Jehovah even in seemingly minor matters, Abraham kept his friendship with God healthy and flourishing. He felt free to open his heart to Jehovah, asking for help as he struggled with hard questions. For example, when he learned that God was going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was concerned that righteous people might be swept away along with the wicked. Perhaps Abraham was worried about his nephew Lot and his family, who were then living in Sodom. Abraham asked his questions with great humility and trust in God, “the Judge of all the earth.” Jehovah patiently taught Abraham how merciful He is, reading every heart and looking for righteous ones to preserve, even in times of judgment. (Gen. 18:22-33) No doubt, every bit of knowledge and experience helped Abraham maintain his close friendship with Jehovah. w16.02 1:11, 12

[moosic]

Technically I'm half an hour early for this here in the UK, but shh... 

Very interesting one for today (tomorrow!), Abraham could have easily lost faith in Jehovah and concluded that he didn't care about those with a good heart or had forgotten them, instead he still relied on Jehovah and trusted him. 

1 hour ago, GrumpysWife said:

For example, when he learned that God was going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was concerned that righteous people might be swept away along with the wicked. Perhaps Abraham was worried about his nephew Lot and his family, who were then living in Sodom. 

 

[katielou]

Ask no questions

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[katielou]

Pray for prisoners

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[katielou]

Friendship needs trust

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[Woodland]

We are faced with many hard questions on a daily basis.  I found Abrahams example encouraging.