Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, August 16

The eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.—2 Chron. 16:9.

Note the case of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. On one occasion, Jehoshaphat unwisely agreed to accompany King Ahab of Israel in a military venture. Although 400 false prophets assured wicked Ahab of success, Jehovah’s true prophet Micaiah foretold certain defeat. Ahab died in battle, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life. Upon returning to Jerusalem, he was reproved for allying himself with Ahab. Even so, Jehu, the son of Hanani the visionary, told Jehoshaphat: “There are good things that have been found in you.” (2 Chron. 18:4, 5, 18-22, 33, 34; 19:1-3) Yes, Jehoshaphat committed a foolish act, but Jehovah was not blind to the good things he had done. (2 Chron. 17:3-10) This Bible account provides a reminder that despite our human imperfection, Jehovah will have enduring love for us if we wholeheartedly seek to please him. w15 8/15 1:8, 9

[Vinnie]

yes we may have flaws, are imperfect, make poor judgements decisions at times, sin, err, make mistakes, yet Jehovah will still find the good in us and help us to focus on the good in us for our benefit. He loves us for the beautiful things he sees inside of us.

[Sophy]

Very good reminder at this time of the end. Anxieties of life can blind us of this truth at times. 

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, August 17

Tell them to work at good, . . . so that they may get a firm hold on the real life.—1 Tim. 6:18, 19.

How might we prepare now for life in God’s new world? Well, suppose we were planning to move to another country. How could we prepare for that change? We might start learning the language of the people who live there. Learning about their customs would be beneficial. We might sample some of their foods. To a certain extent, we would begin to live as if we were already residents of that land. After all, that is the way we expect to live once we arrive there. Similarly, we can prepare for life in the new world by living now, to the extent possible, as we expect to live then. Independence and an unreasonable insistence on personal preference may be highly regarded by some, but what has been the result? Failure to accept God’s direction has led to suffering, misery, even tragedy. (Jer. 10:23) How we look forward to the time when all mankind will submit to Jehovah’s loving sovereignty! w15 8/15 3:4, 5

[GrumpysWife]

Friday, August 18

Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.—2 Cor. 6:14.

Watching their associations is particularly important for single Christians who want to get married. The Bible counsels God’s servants who are seeking a marriage mate to marry “only in the Lord,” that is, to marry only a dedicated, baptized worshipper of Jehovah who lives according to Scriptural teachings. (1 Cor. 7:39) By marrying fellow believers, Christians gain companions who are dedicated to Jehovah and will help them maintain their integrity to him. Jehovah knows what is best for his servants, and he has been consistent in stating his viewpoint regarding marriage. Note his easily understood command to Israel through Moses. With reference to the inhabitants of surrounding nations—people who did not serve Jehovah—the Israelites were instructed: “You must not form any marriage alliances with them. . . . For they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods.”—Deut. 7:3, 4. w15 8/15 4:12, 13

[Antz12]

After marrying "only on the Lord" continue to pray for your spouse that they may love Jehovah more than they love you. So that they stay strong & close to Jehovah.


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[Sophy]

Perfect reminder for we singles. What a challenge. 

[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, August 19

Make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others.—Phil. 1:10.

How can we train our conscience? Key ways are by regularly and prayerfully studying the Bible, meditating on what we read, and then putting into practice what we have learned. Obviously, this involves more than accumulating facts and learning rules. Our study of the Bible should gradually give us an ever more precise picture of Jehovah, his personality, his qualities, and what he likes or dislikes. Our conscience becomes attuned to the ways of Jehovah God. This should stir our heart, moving us to want to become more and more like him. However, if we cannot understand the conscientious decision of a fellow believer on some personal matter, we should not quickly judge him or feel that we ought to pressure him to change his mind. Perhaps his conscience is still “weak” and in need of more training or is too sensitive on certain issues.—1 Cor. 8:11, 12. w15 9/15 2:4, 8, 10

[Raven]

I noted that it says "prayerfully studying the Bible" is a key way to conscience training. It's more than just reading alone, even regularly (altho regularly reading the Bible is essential too), but we must include prayer in this, such as asking Jehovah to help us to understand His Word, and to allow it to mold us.

This is part of persevering in prayer ~ Col 4:2.

[Tortuga]

15 hours ago, GrumpysWife said:

However, if we cannot understand the conscientious decision of a fellow believer on some personal matter, we should not quickly judge him or feel that we ought to pressure him to change his mind. Perhaps his conscience is still “weak” and in need of more training or is too sensitive on certain issues

This goes both ways, perhaps the other person needs more training or perhaps we are the ones that need more training.

Either way, it's important to remember that we don't judge others on personal matters and that we use discernment to understand what that means.

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, August 20

The earth he has given to the sons of men.—Ps. 115:16.

The earth appears to be unique among all of God’s creation. Just imagine, out of the unknown number of planets that exist in the Milky Way and beyond, Jehovah created the earth to be not merely a habitable place but a comfortable, beautiful, and safe home for his human creation! (Isa. 45:18) This reflects how Jehovah must love us. (Job 38:4, 7; Ps. 8:3-5) Though Jehovah created a wonderful home for us, he knows that for us to be happy and content, we need more than material provisions. A child feels truly secure when he senses his parents’ love and attention. Jehovah created humans in his image, giving them the spiritual capacity to sense and to respond to his love and care. (Gen. 1:27) Furthermore, Jesus said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.” (Matt. 5:3) As a loving Father, Jehovah “richly provides us with all the things we enjoy,” both physically and spiritually.—1 Tim. 6:17; Ps. 145:16. w15 9/15 4:6, 7

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, August 21

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.—Prov. 14:12.

The psalmist showed the right heart attitude when he wrote: “Wait for God, for I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior. My God, I am in despair. That is why I remember you.” (Ps. 42:5, 6) What deep feeling and love for Jehovah! Have you developed such love for and reliance on our heavenly Father? Even if you are inclined to answer yes, you may be able to increase your reliance on him in line with what the Bible tells us: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5, 6) By loving us first, Jehovah has shown us how to love him. (1 John 4:19) Let us always keep in mind his surpassing example. And let us increasingly demonstrate our love for him ‘with our whole heart and with our whole soul and with our whole mind and with our whole strength.’—Mark 12:30. w15 9/15 5:17-19

[Life4u]

Encouraging text indeed. Daily rely on Jehovah and not ourselves and our own understanding. Following Jehovah's example of love we cannot go wrong. Loving Jehovah with our whole heart, mind, souls, and strength is a daily endeavor we strive to do more and more each day.

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, August 22

As for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.—Josh. 24:15.

When we share in the field ministry, not only do we build faith in others but our own faith grows. Like the early Christians, we learn to put full faith in Jehovah and speak boldly in any situation. (Acts 4:17-20; 13:46) As we sense how Jehovah helps us in life and how he answers our prayers, our faith grows. This was true of Caleb and Joshua. They showed faith in Jehovah when they spied out the Promised Land. However, as they saw Jehovah’s direction at each turn in their life thereafter, their faith grew even more. No wonder Joshua spoke so strongly to the Israelites, saying: “Not one word out of all the good promises that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed.” He later added: “Therefore, fear Jehovah and serve him with integrity and faithfulness.” (Josh. 23:14;24:14) As we taste Jehovah’s goodness, we too can develop such conviction.—Ps. 34:8. w15 10/15 2:10, 11

[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

I must attest personally to the words of today's text. It's true that the more we try avenues of service both inside and outside our 'comfort zone', the more Jehovah has something to bless, and certainly will. We just returned from a wonderful week in Canada's Nova Scotia and I made opportunity to witness several times with wonderful results! We also visited two different congregations during the week (Sunday in Digby and Tuesday in Annapolis Royal); what joy to acquaint with new and old spiritual family! Praise Jah for everything!!!


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[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, August 23

Ezra had prepared his heart.—Ezra 7:10.

Do you at times take notes during public talks, assemblies, and conventions? Reviewing these notes provides excellent opportunities for meditation as you think about what you have learned from God’s Word and from his organization. Also, each month’s issues of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines and the latest convention releases give us fresh information that we can read and digest. When you read the Yearbook, you may find it helpful to pause and reflect on what you read and let the experiences touch your heart. You may want to underline key thoughts or to make notes in the margin, which you might find helpful when preparing for a return visit, a shepherding call, or a future talk. Most important, pausing and meditating every now and then while reading Bible-based publications will give you the opportunity to absorb the material and to say a prayer of thanks to Jehovah for the good things you are learning. w15 10/15 4:9, 10

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, August 24

Jesus went on progressing in wisdom and in physical growth and in favor with God and men.—Luke 2:52.

Christian parents have few joys like that of watching their child get baptized. “It was a highly emotional experience for us. We were, of course, grateful that our children wanted to serve Jehovah,” says Berenice, whose four children were baptized before they turned 14. “But,” she adds, “we also knew that as teenagers our children would face many challenges.” One expert on child development states: “Adolescence is not a period of being ‘crazy’ or ‘immature.’ It is an essential time of emotional intensity, social engagement, and creativity.” While they are teenagers, your children can develop a more meaningful friendship with Jehovah, set and pursue goals in the ministry, and use more initiative as they make their dedication and live up to it. They may find adolescence to be a rewarding time of spiritual growth, even as Jesus did when he was young. w15 11/15 2:1, 2

[katielou]

Meditate to absorb

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[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

Though not having children of our own, I personally highly value children's friendships. When raised in the way of truth, we adults can learn so much from childish expressions which often come out 'uncensored'...and often delightful to the heart! As children grow in spiritual maturity, even through teenaged years, if they've made the truth their own, expressions of their faith continue to benefit adults who have really come to know them, and they continue to bring delight to Jehovah! "Out of the mouth of babes"...


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[GrumpysWife]

Friday, August 25

Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.—Matt. 6:10.

God’s love for mankind is evident in the arrangement he has made for the Messianic Kingdom. Jehovah has already placed this government in the hands of his Son, who loves mankind and is superbly qualified to rule. (Prov. 8:31) At their resurrection, Jesus’ 144,000 heavenly joint heirs take with them the experience of human life. (Rev. 14:1) The Kingdom was the main theme of Jesus’ teaching, and he taught his disciples to pray for it and the blessings it will bring. Bible prophecy shows that God’s heavenly Kingdom was established when Christ’s presence began in 1914. Since then, there has been a gathering of the remaining ones who will rule with Jesus in heaven as well as of “a great crowd” of people who will survive this system’s end and be ushered into the new world.—Rev. 7:9, 13, 14. w15 11/15 3:16, 18

[Colleen Mansfield-Joiner]

What an amazing arrangement Jehovah has made for those who will live on earth. We already know that human governments will be replaced by the Kingdom, but to think that in Jehovah's eternal wisdom, has selected those with vast experience as humans (including Jesus) to serve as co-kings of His Kingdom will only serve to benefit us in returning to eventual relative perfection. The individual experiences of those who were men and women on earth along with their new experience and training as heavenly sons and kings will serve to display an array of emotions and other feelings when both judging and training those on earth. No one here or in heaven will ever again be able to challenge heavenly direction as our kings have "been there, done that".


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[GrumpysWife]

Saturday, August 26

Please listen, and I will speak.—Job 42:4.

The apostle John referred to God’s first companion as “the Word” and “the beginning of the creation by God.” (John 1:1; Rev. 3:14) Jehovah God communicated his thoughts and feelings to this firstborn Son. (John 1:14,17; Col. 1:15) The apostle Paul speaks of ‘the tongues of angels,’ a heavenly form of communication superior to human language. (1 Cor. 13:1) Jehovah has intimate knowledge of billions of intelligent creatures, earthly and heavenly. At any given moment, countless individuals may be praying to him in many languages. Not only does he listen to those prayers but he simultaneously gives direction to and communicates with heavenly beings. To accomplish this, his thoughts, language, and communication must be vastly superior to those of humans. (Isa. 55:8, 9) Clearly, when Jehovah communicates with humans, he simplifies how he expresses his thoughts so that man can understand them. w15 12/15 1:1, 2

[GrumpysWife]

Sunday, August 27

The earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.—Isa. 11:9.

In many lands, Bibles are expensive and not readily available, so just receiving a Bible is a great blessing. A report from Rwanda stated: “For a long time, many people with whom the brothers were studying had not progressed because they had no Bibles. They could not afford to purchase the local church edition. And they often could not clearly understand the meaning of certain verses, which hindered their progress.” Things changed when the New World Translation in their language became available. A Rwandan family with four teenagers said: “We really thank Jehovah and the faithful and discreet slave for giving us this Bible. We are very poor and had no money to purchase Bibles for every member of the family. But now each of us has his own Bible. To show our gratitude to Jehovah, we read the Bible as a family every day.” w15 12/15 2:15, 16

[Antz12]

Jehovah has great love for us that he gave us his word free....in all ways ...for all mankind


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[Kunlesky]

On 8/18/2017 at 3:17 PM, Sophy said:

Perfect reminder for we singles. What a challenge. 

 

I like the way my most recent CO spin this: " But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin married, such a person would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh"(1Cor.7:28). "Better tribulation in the flesh than tribulation in the bone". Tribulation in the flesh are bruises, it heals and grows; but in bone, you might have to cut it out completely and irreparably!