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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on November 3, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Sunday, November 3 

  

  November

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Sunday, November 3

  What prevents me from getting baptized?​—Acts 8:36.

  Consider the example of a Jewish man who was persecuting Christians. He was born in a nation that was dedicated to God. However, the Jews had lost their special relationship with Jehovah. That man was zealous for the traditions of Judaism, but he learned a better way. He received a personal witness from the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ. What was the man’s response? He welcomed assistance from the Christian disciple Ananias. Regarding that man the Bible tells us: “He then got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17, 18; Gal. 1:14) You certainly recognize that Jewish man as the one who came to be known as the apostle Paul. But reflect on the fact that once he gained appreciation for the truth about Jesus’ role in the outworking of God’s purpose, Paul acted. He got baptized without delay. (Acts 22:12-16) It is much the same with Bible students today, whether young or old. w18.03 5-6 ¶9-11
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on November 3, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Thursday, October 3 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Thursday, October 3

  Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.​—Matt. 5:3.

  The Bible speaks highly of spiritually-minded people. Romans 8:6 shows the advantage of being spiritually-minded, saying: “Setting the mind on the flesh means death, but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace.” By focusing on spiritual things, we gain peace with God and with ourselves now and the prospect of everlasting life in the future. However, we live in a dangerous environment. Since fleshly attitudes are all around us, we need to put forth real effort to develop spirituality and to guard it once we have it. If a person loses his spirituality, he creates a moral vacuum and the polluted “air” of this world will rush in. Jude spoke of those who would deteriorate even to the point of “not having spirituality.”​—Jude 18, 19. w18.02 19 ¶5, 7; 20 ¶8
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on November 2, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Saturday, November 2 

  

  November

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Saturday, November 2

  Follow the course of hospitality.​—Rom. 12:13.

  We welcome all who attend our Christian meetings as fellow guests at a spiritual meal. Jehovah and his organization are our hosts. (Rom. 15:7) When new ones attend, we become cohosts, as it were. Why not take the initiative to welcome these new ones, no matter how they may be dressed or groomed? (Jas. 2:1-4) If a visitor is not already being cared for, could you invite him to sit with you? He might appreciate help to follow the program and perhaps to find scriptures being read. This would be a fine way to “follow the course of hospitality.” Visits of public speakers from other congregations, as well as visits of circuit overseers and, at times, representatives from the local branch office, provide opportunities for us to extend hospitality. (3 John 5-8) Providing refreshments or a meal is one fine way of doing this. Could you assist? w18.03 15 ¶5, 7
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on November 1, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Friday, November 1 

  

  November

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Friday, November 1

  Reject ungodliness and worldly desires and . . . live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion.​—Titus 2:12.

  Self-discipline includes exercising control over ourselves in order to improve in our behavior and thinking. We are not born with an inclination toward self-discipline. We have to learn it. When parents consistently and patiently train their little ones “in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah,” they are also helping their children to develop self-discipline and wisdom. (Eph. 6:4) The same principles apply to those who come to know Jehovah as adults. True, they may already have developed a measure of self-discipline. Spiritually speaking, however, a new disciple starts off being immature. But he or she can steadily grow toward maturity as part of learning to put on the Christlike “new personality.” (Eph. 4:23, 24) Self-discipline is an important part of that growth. w18.03 29 ¶3-4
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 31, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Thursday, October 31 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Thursday, October 31

  Know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.​—2 Tim. 3:1.

  After foretelling that this present era would involve “critical times hard to deal with,” the apostle Paul was inspired to write: “Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse.” (2 Tim. 3:2-5, 13) Have you seen those prophetic words come true? Many of us have been victims of wicked people, such as violent bullies, hateful bigots, and vicious criminals. Some of those are openly wicked; others are impostors, hiding what they do under an appearance of righteousness. Even if we ourselves have not been victims, such wicked people still affect us. We are sickened at heart when we learn of their horrible acts. The way the wicked brutalize children, the elderly, and other defenseless ones fills us with horror. Wicked people exhibit a spirit that seems subhuman, animalistic, even demonic. (Jas. 3:15) Happily, Jehovah’s Word counters such bad news with good news. w17.04 10 ¶4
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 30, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Wednesday, October 30 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Wednesday, October 30

  If you . . . give to your servant a male child, I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life.​—1 Sam. 1:11.

  Hannah did exactly as she had vowed to God. She did not even think of doing otherwise. She took Samuel to High Priest Eli at the tabernacle in Shiloh and said: “It was for this boy that I prayed, and Jehovah granted my petition that I asked of him. I, in turn, now lend him to Jehovah. For all his days, he is lent to Jehovah.” (1 Sam. 1:24-28) There, “the boy Samuel continued growing up before Jehovah.” (1 Sam. 2:21) But what did that mean for Hannah? She dearly loved her little boy, but now she would not be able to have everyday contact with him during his boyhood. Think of how she longed to cuddle him, to play with him, to nurture him​—to share in all the endearing memories that a loving mother cherishes as she watches her little one grow up. Even so, Hannah had no regrets about keeping her vow to God. Her heart rejoiced in Jehovah.​—1 Sam. 2:1, 2; Ps. 61:1, 5, 8. w17.04 5 ¶7-8
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 29, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Tuesday, October 29 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Tuesday, October 29

  I have not done anything here for which they should put me in prison.​—Gen. 40:15.

  Although Joseph did not forget the wrongs he suffered throughout his 13-year ordeal, he did not become embittered by them. (Gen. 45:5-8) Most important, he did not allow the imperfections and wrong actions of others to separate him from Jehovah. Joseph’s loyalty gave him the opportunity to see Jehovah’s hand in correcting the injustices and in blessing him and his family. In a similar way, we must cherish and guard our relationship with Jehovah. Never should we allow the imperfections of our brothers to separate us from the God we love and worship. (Rom. 8:38, 39) Instead, if we experience injustice at the hands of a fellow worshipper, let us be like Joseph and draw even closer to Jehovah, striving to have his view of matters. When we have done all that we Scripturally can to remedy the situation, we need to leave the matter in Jehovah’s hands, confident that he will correct it in his own time and way. w17.04 20 ¶12; 22 ¶15-16
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 28, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Monday, October 28 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Monday, October 28

  Praise Jehovah!​—Judg. 5:2.

  Soon the earth will be filled with those who prefer Jehovah’s sovereignty over any other. How we long for that day! With Deborah and Barak, we sing: “Let all your enemies perish, O Jehovah, but let those who love you be like the sun rising in its glory.” (Judg. 5:31) This petition will be answered when Jehovah brings an end to Satan’s wicked world! When the battle of Armageddon begins, there will be no need for human volunteers to rout the enemy. That will be the time for us to “stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah.” (2 Chron. 20:17) But in the meantime, there are many opportunities for us to support Jehovah’s cause with courage and zeal. “Because of the people’s volunteering, praise Jehovah!” Thus, Deborah and Barak began their victory song with praise, not to creatures, but to the Most High. (Judg. 5:1, 2) Likewise today, may your volunteer spirit move all those who benefit from it to “praise Jehovah!” w17.04 32 ¶17-18
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 27, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Sunday, October 27 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Sunday, October 27

  If I do not understand . . . the one speaking, . . . the one speaking will be a foreigner to me.​—1 Cor. 14:11.

  If children do not identify with their parents’ culture, they may resist learning their parents’ language​—and their faith. Christian parents put their children’s spiritual well-being ahead of personal preferences. (1 Cor. 10:24) A brother named Samuel relates: “My wife and I observed our children to see in which language they thrived spiritually, and we prayed for wisdom. . . . When we saw that they were getting little benefit from the meetings in our language, we decided to move to the local-language congregation. Together, we regularly attended meetings and shared in the ministry. We also invited local friends to join us for meals and excursions. All of this helped our children to get to know the brothers and to get to know Jehovah, not only as their God but also as their Father and Friend. We considered this to be much more important than their mastering our language.” w17.05 10 ¶11-13
   
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  MeekSpaceNG 4:00 am on October 26, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Daily Text Illustrated ( 156 ), Examining the Scriptures Daily, Featured ( 4,355 ), Publications ( 2,024 )   

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019 Saturday, October 26 

  

  October

  Examining the Scriptures Daily—2019

  Saturday, October 26

  Listen to your father who caused your birth, and do not despise your mother just because she has grown old.​—Prov. 23:22.

  On occasion, new ones ask mature publishers to help them teach their children the truth. If a parent decides to have someone study with the children, the one who does so should not try to take over the role of the parents. (Eph. 6:1-4) There have been instances when a Witness was asked to study with children whose parents were not interested in the truth. The Witness needs to bear in mind, though, that in providing spiritual help, he or she does not become the children’s parent. And if such a study is conducted, it would be wise to do so either in the children’s home with the parents or another mature Witness around or in a suitable public area. Thus no one would have a basis to misconstrue what is occurring. It is to be hoped that the parents will, in time, fulfill their God-given responsibility to care spiritually for their children. w17.06 8 ¶15-16