Examining the Scriptures Daily - 2017

[GrumpysWife]

Monday, January 23

Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword.—Prov. 12:18.

Words have the power to hurt as well as to heal. Using words to inflict pain is common in Satan’s world. The field of entertainment incites many to “sharpen their tongue just like a sword” and to “aim their cruel words like arrows.” (Ps. 64:3) A Christian needs to avoid this harmful practice. One example of “cruel words” is sarcasm, stinging remarks intended to belittle or rebuke others. Sarcasm is often meant to be humorous, but it can quickly deteriorate into disrespectful, insulting speech. Cruel sarcasm is one form of abusive speech that Christians should “put away.” Humor can add spice to our speech, but we need to avoid the trap of trying to evoke a laugh by resorting to cutting, sarcastic quips that hurt or humiliate others. The Bible admonishes us: “Let a rotten word not come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up as the need may be, to impart what is beneficial to the hearers.”—Eph. 4:29, 31. w15 12/15 3:10

[Eddytex]

9 hours ago, GrumpysWife said:

Monday, January 23

Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword.—Prov. 12:18.

Words have the power to hurt as well as to heal. Using words to inflict pain is common in Satan’s world. The field of entertainment incites many to “sharpen their tongue just like a sword” and to “aim their cruel words like arrows.” (Ps. 64:3) A Christian needs to avoid this harmful practice. One example of “cruel words” is sarcasm, stinging remarks intended to belittle or rebuke others. Sarcasm is often meant to be humorous, but it can quickly deteriorate into disrespectful, insulting speech. Cruel sarcasm is one form of abusive speech that Christians should “put away.” Humor can add spice to our speech, but we need to avoid the trap of trying to evoke a laugh by resorting to cutting, sarcastic quips that hurt or humiliate others. The Bible admonishes us: “Let a rotten word not come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up as the need may be, to impart what is beneficial to the hearers.”—Eph. 4:29, 31. w15 12/15 3:10

 

[Vido]

It's interesting that a dictionary definition of sarcasm is;   the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. It's route meaning is derived from French sarcasme, or via late Latin from late Greek sarkasmos, from Greek sarkazein ‘tear flesh’, in late Greek ‘gnash the teeth, speak bitterly’ (from sarx, sark- ‘flesh’) ( Wikipedia definition):

 

So Eph 4:29-31 is in point when it admonishes to abstain from reverting to sarcasm.

[Alexa]

Sarcasm opposites encouragement

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[katielou]

Sarcasm isn't humorous

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[PhorosM]

"Quickly deteriorates..."
Better not to start.

[GrumpysWife]

Tuesday, January 24

If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!—Acts 15:29.

These final words of the letter that the first-century governing body sent to the congregations can also be rendered “be strong.” We definitely want to prosper in “good health” and be strong as we serve our great God. As long as the present system of things remains and we are imperfect, sickness is a fact that we must face. We cannot expect now to be cured miraculously. However, Revelation 22:1, 2 points to the time when we will be healed completely. The apostle John saw in vision “a river of water of life” and “trees of life” with leaves “for the healing of the nations.” This does not refer to any herbal remedy now or in the future. Rather, it points to Jehovah’s provision through Jesus for giving everlasting life to obedient mankind—truly something we can look forward to.—Isa. 35:5, 6. w15 12/15 4:17, 18

[Alexa]

Healthy unspecifically herbs  

[Vido]

Be strong+be healthy= prosper

Healthful, medicinal words for us who need them most, especially in these sick last days

[Miss Bea]

 

Anticipate real health!

[GrumpysWife]

Wednesday, January 25

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

Speaking of the time in which we are living, Jehovah foretold: “In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will 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.’” (Zech. 8:23) Like the figurative ten men, those who have an earthly hope have taken “firm hold of the robe of a Jew.” They are proud to associate with the spirit-anointed “Israel of God,” knowing that Jehovah is blessing his anointed ones. (Gal. 6:16) As did the prophet Zechariah, Jesus highlighted the refreshing unity that is experienced by God’s people. He spoke of his followers as two groups, a “little flock” and “other sheep,” but he said that they would be “one flock” with “one shepherd.”—Luke 12:32; John 10:16. w16.01 4:1, 2

[timpin]

grab robe now

[Miss Bea]

Take hold, firmly!

[katielou]

Very appropriate today

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[katielou]

Go with unity

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[Vido]

When I read today's text, somehow this picture keeps consuming my mind

[Eddytex]

  

[Alexa]

I hear 'God'  

[GrumpysWife]

Thursday, January 26

Continue considering these things.—Phil. 4:8.

We need to safeguard our spirituality. Because we live in a world that is dominated by Satan the Devil and because we are imperfect, it is easy for us to adopt the wrong thinking and conduct of the world. The world’s spirit might be compared to a river current that is pulling us in a direction we do not want to go. To avoid being swept downstream, we must vigorously swim in the other direction. Similarly, effort is required to keep from being swept away by the spirit of Satan’s world. When we are preaching to others, we focus on important and beneficial spiritual matters, not on thoughts that will erode our faith. Preaching strengthens our convictions, reminding us of God’s promises and loving standards. It also helps keep our spiritual armor intact. (Eph. 6:14-17) If we keep busy in our spiritual activities, we simply do not have time to become overly concerned with our own problems, and that helps to protect us. w16.01 5:12, 13

[timpin]

just keep swimming 

Edited January 25, 2017 by timpin

[Alexa]

Spiritual armor required  

[rbrown1205]

Meditate on truth

[katielou]

Keep busy spiritually

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[GrumpysWife]

Friday, January 27

Your people will be my people, and your God my God.—Ruth 1:16.

Note Ruth’s love for Jehovah. The landowner Boaz later praised Ruth for seeking refuge under Jehovah’s wings. (Ruth 2:12) That may remind us of a baby bird taking refuge under the wings of a powerful, protective parent. (Ps. 36:7; 91:1-4) Jehovah became such a parent to Ruth. He rewarded her for her faith, and she never had any reason to regret her decision. Today, many learn about Jehovah but hesitate to take refuge in him. They hold back from becoming his dedicated, baptized servants. If you hesitate to make a dedication to Jehovah, have you stopped to ask yourself why? Everyone alive serves some god or other. (Josh. 24:15) Why not take refuge in the only God worth serving? Making a dedication to Jehovah is an excellent way to demonstrate faith in him. He will help you live up to that decision and face whatever challenges may arise. That is what God did for Ruth. w16.02 2:6, 7

[timpin]

seek refuge now