Wednesday Jan 6 You must love Jehovah your God. Matt. 22:37. God's Son, Jesus Christ, declared: “I love the Father.” (John 14:31) Jesus also said: “The Father has affection for the Son.” (John 5:20) That should not surprise us. After all, for ages during Jesus’ prehuman existence, he was God’s “master worker.” (Prov. 8:30) As God and Jesus worked together, the Son learned much about his Father’s qualities and had innumerable reasons to love him. Love involves a feeling of deep affection for someone. The psalmist David sang: “I have affection for you, O God, my strength.” (Ps. 18:1) That is how we should feel about God. But can we really love God, since we cannot see him? (John 4:24) Yes, love for God is possible, and we are commanded in the Scriptures to express that love. For example, Moses told the Israelites: “You must love your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength.” Deut. 6:5.
Thursday Jan 7 Present yourself with all your supporters before God tomorrow, you and they and Aaron. Num. 16:16. At first glance, all the men standing before High Priest Aaron seemed to be loyal worshippers of God. Unlike Aaron, however, the others were arrogant renegades attempting to usurp the priesthood. (Num. 16:1-11) They had deluded themselves into thinking that God would accept their worship. But such an expectation was insulting to God, who can read hearts and could see their hypocrisy. (Jer. 17:10) Appropriately, the day before, Moses had predicted: “In the morning God will make known who belongs to him.” (Num. 16:5) Sure enough, God differentiated between genuine worshippers and counterfeit ones when “a fire came out from God and consumed [Korah and] the 250 men offering the incense.” (Num. 16:35; 26:10) At the same time, God spared the life of Aaron, signaling approval of the real priest and genuine worshipper of God. 1 Cor. 8:3.
Friday Jan 8 It is not good for the man to continue to be alone. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him. Gen. 2:18. God’s gift of a woman was unique in that she was to be the man’s perfect helper. She would also have the special privilege of bearing children. In fact, “Adam named his wife Eve, because she was to become the mother of everyone living.” (Gen. 3:20; ftn.) What an amazing gift God gave that first human couple! They had the ability to produce other perfect humans. By this means, the earth would eventually become a paradise populated by perfect people who would have other living things in subjection. (Gen. 1:27, 28) To receive the blessings set before them, Adam and Eve would have to obey God and acknowledge his rulership. (Gen. 2:15-17) Only under those circumstances could they fulfill God’s purpose for them. Sadly, though, they were influenced by “the original serpent,” Satan, and sinned against God.—Rev. 12:9; Gen. 3:1-6.
It does stink that Adam and Eve fell to temptation. But I am glad God had another plan, a plan that will cover all our sins and that all people can become forgivin an become saved. And that is through Jesus Christ!
Saturday Jan 9 The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly.—2 Cor. 10:4. Is it the will of God that true Christians go to war and kill people of a different nationality? During the last 100 years, that has often been done by many who called themselves Christians. Catholic army chaplains have blessed troops and their weapons in wars against Catholics of an opposing nation. The same has been true of Protestant chaplains. World War II is a prime example of the resulting slaughter. What did true Christians do in that time of war? The historical record shows that many maintained a position of Christian neutrality. What was the basis for their stand? It was primarily the example and teachings of Jesus. He said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) They also took to heart the extended application of the reasoning that the apostle Paul presented in writing to Christians in Corinth.—2 Cor. 10:3.
Sunday Jan 10 Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for. Heb. 11:1. We often say that God’s Kingdom is the only solution to all our problems. What basis is there for us to have unshakable faith in the Kingdom? The Messianic Kingdom is an arrangement established by the Almighty himself to accomplish his purpose regarding his creation. The Kingdom is based on an unshakable foundation, God's absolute right to rule. Important aspects of the Kingdom—its king, his corulers, the domain of their rule—have all been legally established by means of covenants, that is, by legal contracts or arrangements in which one of the binding parties is either God or his Son, Jesus Christ. Reflecting on these covenants will enhance our understanding of how God’s purpose is sure to become a reality and will help us to see how stable this arrangement is. Eph. 2:12.
Monday Jan 11 Look! The people of Israel are more numerous and mightier than we are. Ex. 1:9. “Consequently, the Egyptians forced the Israelites into harsh slavery. They made their life bitter with hard labor, as they worked with clay mortar and bricks and in every form of slavery in the field.” (Ex. 1:13, 14) Pharaoh even decreed that all Hebrew male babies should be put to death at their birth. (Ex. 1:15, 16) It was at that time that Moses was born. When he was three months old, he was hidden by his mother in the reeds of the Nile, where Pharaoh’s daughter found him. She later adopted him. Providentially, during his early years, Moses was brought up by his faithful mother, Jochebed, and he became a loyal servant of God. (Ex. 2:1-10; Heb. 11:23-25) God “took notice” of the sufferings of his people and decided to deliver them from their oppressors, under the leadership of Moses. (Ex. 2:24, 25; 3:9, 10) They would thus become a people “redeemed” by God. Ex. 15:13; Deut. 15:15.
Tuesday Jan 12 Listen to me, all of you, and understand the meaning. Mark 7:14. A person may hear the sounds of someone speaking to him. He may even note the tone of voice. But of what use would that be to him if he did not understand the meaning of the words being spoken? (1 Cor. 14:9) In a similar way, thousands heard what Jesus was saying. He even spoke to them in a language that they could understand. However, not all of them understood the meaning of his words. For this reason, Jesus told them the above. Why did many fail to understand the meaning of what Jesus said? Some had preconceived opinions and wrong motives. Jesus said of such ones: “You skillfully disregard the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.” (Mark 7:9) These people did not really try to get the meaning of his words. They did not want to change their ways and views. Their ears may have been open, but their hearts were tightly shut! Matt. 13:13-15.
Wednesday Jan 13 Everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. —Matt. 5:28. The disastrous path of immorality often starts with the eyes. (2 Pet. 2:14) Many Christians who have fallen into wrongdoing have weakened their moral defenses by viewing pornography, reading erotic literature, or watching lurid material on the Internet. Others have allowed themselves to be entertained by sexually explicit movies, stage shows, or television programs. Some have visited nightclubs and strip shows or have gone to massage parlors for sensual massages. In a world that lacks restraint and that thrives on every sort of immorality, it is all too easy for a deceitful and desperate heart to spawn romantic feelings for someone other than a marriage mate. (Jer. 17:9, 10) Jesus said: “Out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality.” —Matt. 15:19.
thank you guys for posting these each day. I look forward every night to reading them. you and these postings are truly a blessing to me!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Thursday Jan 14 Solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong. —Heb. 5:14. Discernment is good judgment—the ability to tell right from wrong and then choose the wise course. It has been defined as “the ability to make sound judgements in spiritual matters.” A discerning worshipper speaks and acts in ways that please God. Such a person chooses words that help others rather than hurt them. (Prov. 11:12, 13) He is “slow to anger.” (Prov. 14:29) He “walks straight ahead,” sticking to the right course on his journey through life. (Prov. 15:21) How can we acquire discernment? We must study God’s Word and apply what we learn. (Prov. 2:1-5, 10, 11) It is especially helpful to consider the example of Jesus, the most discerning man who ever lived.
Friday Jan 15 He gave five talents to one, two to another, and one to still another. —Matt. 25:15. In the parable of the talents, Jesus clearly reveals an obligation resting on his anointed followers. We need to understand the meaning of this parable, for it affects all true Christians, whether they have the hope of a heavenly reward or of an earthly one. Jesus gave the parable of the talents as part of the answer to his disciples’ question about “the sign of [his] presence and of the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 24:3) Thus, the parable finds its fulfillment in our time and is part of the sign that Jesus is present and ruling as King. The parable of the talents is one of four related illustrations recorded at Matthew 24:45 to 25:46. The other three—about the faithful and discreet slave, the ten virgins, and the sheep and the goats—are also part of Jesus’ answer to the question about the sign of his presence.
Saturday Jan 16 If you warn someone wicked and he does not turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked course, he will die for his error, but you will certainly save your own life. —Ezek. 3:19. True Christians enjoy a friendship with God and the hope of eternal life. Yet, we recognize that it is our responsibility to “warn the wicked one to turn from his wicked course so that he may stay alive.” (Ezek. 3:17,*18) Of course, we do not preach merely to avoid bloodguilt. We love our God, and we love our neighbor. Jesus illustrated what love and mercy really mean in his parable of the neighborly Samaritan. We might ask ourselves, ‘Am I, like the Samaritan, “moved with pity” to give a witness?’ After all, we would never want to be like the priest and the Levite in the parable, excusing ourselves and going by “on the opposite side.” (Luke 10:25-37) Faith in God’s promises and love for neighbor will motivate us to teach others.
Sunday Jan 17 Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.— 1 Cor. 10:24. As Christians, most of us lead busy lives. We set priorities and plan our schedule carefully. (Eph. 5:16; Phil. 1:10) If something interrupts our schedule, we may feel frustrated. We therefore appreciate it when others respect our time, showing reasonableness when they approach us and in the amount of our time that they take. Bearing in mind the Golden Rule, how can we show that we respect the time of others that we encounter? (Matt. 7:12)
Monday Jan 18 Love is patient and kind.— 1 Cor. 13:4. Putting into practice what Paul wrote concerning love can prevent many problems, can result in happiness, and can bring us God’s blessing. (1 Cor. 13:4-8) Just as God has shown patience and kindness in dealing with imperfect humans, we need to be patient and kind when others make mistakes and are thoughtless, or even rude. “Love is not jealous,” so true love will not allow us to covet another person’s possessions or abilities. Moreover, if we have love, we will not brag or get puffed up with pride. After all, “haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—the lamp that guides the wicked is sin.” (Prov. 21:4) Love will cause us to behave in a decent way toward our neighbor. We will not lie to him, steal from him, or do anything else that would violate God's laws and principles. Love will also prevent us from looking out only for our own interests instead of showing concern for those of others. —Phil. 2:4.
Tuesday Jan 19 Flee from youthful desires.— 2 Tim. 2:22. When it comes to protecting our friendship with God, we must act swiftly and decisively. This is the spirit behind Paul’s words above. At the time, Timothy was already a grown man, possibly in his 30’s. Still, foolish “youthful desires” are not always restricted by age. When confronted with such desires, Timothy was to “flee” from them. In other words, Timothy was to “renounce unrighteousness.” (2 Tim. 2:19) Jesus conveyed a similar message when he said: “If your eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you.” (Matt. 18:9) Today, Christians who take this counsel to heart deal decisively with spiritual threats, without hesitation or procrastination. Some who had problems with alcohol before becoming Christians have made the personal choice to abstain from alcoholic beverages altogether. Others avoid certain types of entertainment that are not in themselves wrong but that can fuel personal moral weaknesses. Ps 101:3
Wednesday Jan 20 I do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others.— 1 Cor. 9:23. Paul had an earnest desire to relate to “as many people as possible” in his ministry. (1 Cor. 9:19-22) Notice that it was Paul’s hope “to gain Jews..., to gain those under law...,to gain those without law..., to gain the weak.” Yes, he wanted to reach “people of all sorts, so that [he] might by all possible means save some.” (Acts 20:21) How can we imitate Paul’s attitude? (1 Tim. 2:3, 4). Think about the environment in which you live, about the other people who live there, and about what concerns them the most. Then, think of a scripture that addresses their needs.
Thursday Jan 21 I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me. —Gal. 2:20. How can we counteract feelings of discouragement? One of the most powerful ways to do so is to meditate on the ransom. That is what the apostle Paul did. He knew how he felt at times—miserable. (Rom. 7:24) But he also knew that Christ died, not for perfect people, but for sinners. Paul recognized that the ransom applied to him personally. That same viewpoint—seeing the ransom as a personal gift from God—can help you tremendously. This does not mean that discouragement will instantly vanish. To an extent, some of us may have to battle this subtle attack indefinitely. But remember: The prize will go to those who do not give up. We are ever closer to the glorious day when God’s Kingdom will establish peace and restore all faithful humans to perfection. Be determined to enter into that Kingdom—even if through many tribulations.
Friday Jan 22 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers..., “my covenant that they broke.” —Jer. 31:32. How do the Law covenant and the new covenant compare? The Law covenant was between God and natural Israel; the new covenant is between God and spiritual Israel. Moses was the mediator of the former covenant; Jesus is the Mediator of the new one. The Law covenant was validated by means of animal blood; the new covenant was validated by the shed blood of Jesus. And the nation of Israel was organized through the Law covenant under Moses; those in the new covenant are organized under Jesus—the Head of the congregation. (Eph. 1:22) The new covenant relates to the Kingdom in that it produces a holy nation that has the privilege of becoming kings and priests in that heavenly Kingdom. That nation constitutes the secondary part of Abraham’s offspring. (Gal. 3:29) The new covenant thus reinforces the Abrahamic covenant.
