Sunday, December 16, 2007

Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.—Matt. 24:37.

By means of the Flood, Jehovah took action against a world “full of violence.” (Gen. 6:13) That Noah and his family refrained from taking part in such violence and instead peacefully went about the work of building an ark was obvious to all who saw them. Here we see a parallel to our day. Sincere people can now “see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him.” (Mal. 3:18) The honesty, kindness, peacefulness, and diligence displayed by Jehovah’s Witnesses are admired by unprejudiced onlookers, and these qualities distinguish God’s people from the world in general. The Witnesses reject violence in all its forms and let themselves be motivated by Jehovah’s spirit. That is why they are blessed with peace and why they pursue a righteous course.—Isa. 60:17. w 5/15/06 4, 5

Saturday, December 15, 2007

[Christ cleansed] for himself a people peculiarly his own, zealous for fine works.—Titus 2:14.

Who today make up “the righteous nation that is keeping faithful conduct,” acting as faithful Witnesses for Jehovah, and proclaiming his Kingdom as the only hope for humanity? (Isa. 26:2-4) Look at the churches of Christendom and other religions, and compare their conduct with what the Bible requires of God’s true servants. Millions of people throughout the world, including many young ones, have become convinced that the anointed remnant of Jehovah’s Witnesses constitute that “righteous nation.” They say to these spiritual Israelites: “We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.” (Zech. 8:23) We truly hope and pray that you young ones will decide to take your place among God’s people and thus “choose life”—life everlasting in Jehovah’s new world.—Deut. 30:15-20; 2 Pet. 3:11-13. w 7/1/06 18, 19a

Friday, December 14, 2007

Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.—Matt. 5:12.

As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we have faced vicious persecution in many parts of the earth. We are aware that Jehovah long ago foretold that hatred, or enmity, would develop between those who serve God and those who serve Satan the Devil. (Gen. 3:15) We also know that by maintaining integrity under trial, we testify to the rightfulness of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty. Knowing this can make us strong even under the most extreme circumstances. No persecution will ever permanently silence us if we remain determined to reflect the glory of God. Do you resist the allure of the world and prove faithful despite ridicule and opposition? Your endurance gives evidence that Jehovah’s powerful holy spirit is upon you, empowering you to reflect his glory.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Happy is the one you choose and cause to approach, that he may reside in your courtyards.—Ps. 65:4.

Soon this wicked system of things will end, and the Messianic Kingdom will take full control of mankind’s affairs. Until then, how important it is that each of us maintain a positive spirit! This will help us to recognize the virtues of our fellow believers, instead of focusing on their faults. Rather than being emotionally drained by murmuring, we will thus be encouraged and built up spiritually. A positive spirit will also enable us to bear in mind the many blessings we enjoy because of being associated with the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization. This is the only organization in the world that is loyal to the Sovereign of the universe. How do you feel about that reality and the privilege of engaging in the worship of the only true God, Jehovah? May your attitude be like that of David, as expressed in today’s text. w 7/15/06 19, 20a

Monday, December 10, 2007

You cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons.—1 Cor. 10:21.

True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religious teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word. (Ps. 119:37) We also wisely refrain from sharing in social functions and recreational activities sponsored by any organization associated with false religion. Additionally, we do not support false worship in any way. What if a person who wishes to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is currently a registered member of a false religion? In most cases, a letter of resignation serves as evidence that a person no longer wants to be viewed as a member of a false religion. The actions of a prospective Witness should make it clear that he has ended that religious affiliation. w 3/15/06 11, 12a

Sunday, December 9, 2007

You must keep and do them, because this is wisdom on your part and understanding on your part before the eyes of the peoples who will hear of all these regulations.—Deut. 4:6.

We choose to serve Jehovah because we love him. Heeding the warning examples from Israel’s day, we resist all temptations to commit immorality and we shun lifestyles that may cause us to sink into the world’s morass of materialism. (1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Tim. 6:6-10) We cleave to Jehovah and keep his regulations. (Josh. 23:8; Ps. 119:5, 8) Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses exhorted them: “See, I have taught you regulations and judicial decisions, just as Jehovah my God has commanded me, for you to do that way in the midst of the land to which you are going to take possession of it.” (Deut. 4:5) Now is the time to demonstrate our love for Jehovah by putting Jehovah’s will first in our life. We will surely be blessed if we choose to do so.—Matt. 6:33. w 6/1/06 9a

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.—Gal. 6:10.

We certainly need to be concerned that fellow Christians receive spiritual help whenever they face tests of their faith. But might they also need practical help, for example, in getting to the Kingdom Hall or in doing their grocery shopping? Are there any elderly, sick, or housebound ones in your congregation who would appreciate an encouraging visit or a helping hand? If we make an effort to be sensitive to such needs, then Jehovah might be able to use us to answer the prayers of a needy one. Another way in which Christians show an unselfish attitude is by using their time and energy to speak about God’s purposes. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Anyone who has had the joy of helping another person to arrive at the point of dedicating his life to Jehovah knows the truth of Jesus’ words: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35. w 6/15/06 14, 15

Friday, December 7, 2007

He makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.—Matt. 5:45.

Concerning his heavenly Father, Jesus Christ said the above. If Jehovah God bestows blessings upon even the unrighteous and the wicked, how much more so upon those who walk in the way of integrity! Experiencing spiritual prosperity always involves drawing close to God. When we develop an intimate relationship with him, we ‘safely treasure up for ourselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that we may get a firm hold on the real life’—everlasting life. (1 Tim. 6:12, 17-19) In the future new world of God’s making, our spiritual riches will be coupled with physical blessings. The real life will then be the lot of all those who “keep listening to the voice of Jehovah.” (Deut. 28:2) With strengthened determination, let us joyfully continue walking in integrity. w 5/15/06 17, 19a

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The time has not come.—Hag. 1:2.

When the restored Jews began the temple-building work, laying the foundation in 536 B.C.E., they were not saying that “the time has not come.” But they soon allowed opposition from neighbors and interference from the government to affect them. The Jews began putting more emphasis on their own houses and their own comforts. Jehovah asked: “Is it the time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house is waste?” (Hag. 1:4) Yes, the priorities of the Jews had shifted. Instead of keeping in first place Jehovah’s purpose to have the temple rebuilt, God’s people became focused on themselves and their dwellings. Jehovah’s word recorded at Haggai 1:5 encouraged the Jews to ‘set their heart upon their ways.’ Jehovah was telling them to stop and meditate on what they were doing and to consider how they were being affected by not keeping the temple-building work in first place in their lives. w 4/15/06 10, 11

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Through love slave for one another.—Gal. 5:13.

Jehovah manifests his love for the flock as a whole when he provides it with an abundance of spiritual food. (Isa. 65:13, 14; Matt. 24:45-47) Yet, he does more than just feed the flock. He feels a personal attachment to each individual sheep. (1 Pet. 5:6, 7) Spiritual shepherds imitate Jehovah and Jesus. They display love for God’s flock as a whole by “applying [themselves] to teaching” the congregation. Their Bible-based talks help feed and protect the flock, and their hard work in this regard is visible to all. (1 Tim. 4:13, 16) Less visible is the time they spend maintaining records, processing correspondence, making schedules, and caring for numerous other details in order to ensure that congregation meetings and other activities take place “decently and by arrangement.” (1 Cor. 14:40) Much of this work is done out of public view and may receive little recognition. It is truly a labor of love. w 5/1/06 4, 5

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter.—Ps. 55:22.

You can take practical steps to cope with despondency. For instance, follow a healthy program of Christian activity. Meditate on God’s Word, especially when discouragement seems overwhelming. The psalmist sang: “When I said: ‘My foot will certainly move unsteadily,’ your own loving-kindness, O Jehovah, kept sustaining me. When my disquieting thoughts became many inside of me, your own consolations began to fondle my soul.” (Ps. 94:18, 19) Regular Bible reading will help to fill your mind with consoling words and sustaining thoughts. Prayer too is vital. Even if you cannot fully express the depth of your feelings in words, Jehovah knows what you are trying to say. (Rom. 8:26, 27) The psalmist gave the assurance found in our text for today. w 7/15/06 16, 17b

Monday, December 3, 2007

In case you should sacrifice a communion sacrifice to Jehovah, you should sacrifice it to gain approval for yourselves.—Lev. 19:5.

Jehovah provided his people with opportunities to live up to the national dedication. For instance, his Law provided for a system of sacrifices, or offerings, some of which were compulsory, while others were voluntary. (Heb. 8:3) Such sacrifices included burnt offerings, grain offerings, and communion offerings that were voluntary—gifts presented to Jehovah to gain his favor and express thanksgiving. (Lev. 7:11-13) Those voluntary sacrifices pleased Jehovah. It was said of the burnt offering and of the grain offering that they were “a restful odor to Jehovah.” (Lev. 1:9; 2:2) While all Israelites were dedicated to Jehovah by reason of birth, those who made their dedication meaningful by making voluntary offerings ‘gained approval for themselves’ and were richly blessed.—Mal. 3:10. w 7/1/06 8, 9

2 December 2007:
May you pardon error; and accept what is good, and we will offer in return the young bulls of our lips.—Hos. 14:2.

The expression “the young bulls of our lips” refers to sacrifices of sincere praise. Paul alluded to this prophecy when he urged Christians to “offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” (Heb. 13:15) Israelites who abandoned their wayward course and turned back to God offered him ‘the young bulls of their lips.’ They thus experienced spiritual restoration, even as God had promised. (Hos. 14:4-7) Repentant Israelites would again enjoy God’s love. Jehovah would become like refreshing dew to them in that he would bless them abundantly. His restored people would have dignity “like that of the olive tree,” and they would walk in God’s ways. What a privilege it is to walk with God and offer such sacrifices today! w 11/15/05 19-22b

Saturday, December 1, 2007

God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son.—John 3:16.

When you are suffering with no relief in sight, you may wonder: ‘Does God really love me? Does he notice what I am going through?’ Consider what happened to the apostle Paul. “There was given me a thorn in the flesh,” he wrote, adding: “I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me.” Jehovah indicated to Paul that he would not intervene by means of a miraculous solution. Instead, Paul would have to rely on God’s power to help him cope with his “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Cor. 12:7-9) Like Paul, you may be experiencing a certain ongoing trial. Perhaps you wonder, ‘Does the fact that Jehovah appears not to have done anything about my trial mean that he is unaware of my situation or that he does not care about me?’ The answer is a resounding no! Jehovah is deeply concerned about each of his faithful servants. w 8/1/05 3, 4