17 March 2013

17 March 2013 - Hebrews 12: 1

Sunday, March 17
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. — Heb. 12:1

Paul was making reference to features of athletic games or races. He not only called attention to the reason for engaging in the race but also pointed out what one must do to win. The first-century Christians, especially those living in Jerusalem and Judea, were facing many trials and hardships. They were under great pressure from the Jewish religious leaders, who still wielded powerful influence over the people. Earlier, these leaders had succeeded in having Jesus Christ condemned as a seditionist and killed as a criminal. And they were not about to stop their opposition. In the book of Acts, we read one account after another of their threats and attacks against Christians, starting almost immediately after the miraculous events at Pentecost 33 C.E. This certainly made life difficult for the faithful ones. — Acts 4:1-3; 5:17, 18; 6:8-12; 7:59; 8:1, 3 w11 9/15 3:5, 6

16 March 2013 - Romans 5: 12

Saturday, March 16
Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin. — Rom. 5:12

As descendants of Adam, all of us are subject to the law of sin and of death. Our sinful flesh constantly urges us to do things that are displeasing to God, with only death in view. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul called such acts and traits “the works of the flesh.” Then he added: “Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Gal. 5:19-21) People of this kind are the same as those who walk in accord with the flesh. (Rom. 8:4) Their inward principle of action and their standard for life are totally fleshly. But are those who commit fornication, engage in idolatry, practice spiritism, or get involved in other gross sins the only ones who walk in accord with the flesh? No, for the works of the flesh also include what some might consider mere personality flaws, such as jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, and envies. Who can say that he has totally freed himself from walking in accord with the flesh? w11 11/15 2:9, 10

15 March 2013

15 March 2013 - 1 Timothy 5: 15

Friday, March 15

Some have been turned aside to follow Satan. — 1 Tim. 5:15

Heeding the Bible’s advice can help us to avoid being “turned aside to follow Satan.” Consider some of Paul’s wise counsel. Have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.”(1 Cor. 15:58) Keeping busy in Kingdom activities will protect us from the dangers of idleness and time-wasting pursuits. (Matt. 6:33) Speak what is “good for building up.” (Eph. 4:29) Be determined not to listen to harmful gossip and not to spread it. Cultivate trust in and respect for fellow believers. We will thus be inclined to speak words that build up rather than tear down. “Make it your aim . . . to mind your own business.” (1 Thess. 4:11) Show personal interest in others, but do so in ways that respect their privacy and that do not take away their dignity. Remember, too, that we should not impose our own views on others regarding matters that they need to decide for themselves. — Gal. 6:5 w11 7/15 2:14, 16

14 March 2013 - Acts 15: 39

Thursday, March 14

There occurred a sharp burst of anger . — Acts 15:39

In the congregation, mildness and long-suffering work hand in hand to promote peace. Both of these aspects of the spirit’s fruitage help us to deal graciously with others, to remain calm under provocation, and to avoid retaliating when others say or do unkind things. If we have a difference with a fellow Christian, long-suffering, or patience, will help us not to give up on our brother or sister but to do what we can to heal the breach. (Col. 3:12, 13) Are mildness and long-suffering really needed in the congregation? Yes, because all of us are imperfect. Consider what took place between Paul and Barnabas. They had worked side by side for years. Each had commendable qualities. Yet, on one occasion, there occurred between them “a sharp burst of anger, so that they separated from each other.” (Acts 15:36-39) This incident underscores that even among devoted servants of God, disagreements will at times arise. w11 4/15 4:4, 5

12 March 2013

13 March 2013 - Romans 10: 13

Wednesday, March 13

Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. — Rom. 10:13

Perhaps the first time you saw Jehovah’s name was when it was shown to you at Psalm 83:18. You may have been surprised to read those words: “That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Since then, you no doubt have used this same scripture to help others come to know our loving God, Jehovah. Although it is important for people to know Jehovah’s name, such knowledge in itself is not enough. Notice how the psalmist highlights yet another truth essential to our salvation when he says: “You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Yes, Jehovah is the most important Person in the whole universe. As the Creator of all things, he has the right to expect full submission from all his creatures. (Rev. 4:11) For good reason, then, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Who is the most important person in mylife?’ It is vital that we carefully analyze our answer to that question! w11 5/15 3:1, 2

12 March 2013 - Proverbs 11: 2

Tuesday, March 12

Wisdom is with the modest ones. — Prov. 11:2

Before choosing a course of action, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Is this my decision to make?’ Parents may grant their children the opportunity to make some decisions, but children should not just assume such authority. (Col. 3:20) Wives and mothers have a measure of authority within the family but do well to recognize the headship of their husbands. (Prov. 1:8; 31:10-18; Eph. 5:23) Likewise, husbands need to recognize that their authority is limited and that they are subject to Christ. (1 Cor. 11:3) Elders make decisions that affect the congregation. However, they make sure that they “do not go beyond the things that are written” in God’s Word. (1 Cor. 4:6) They also follow closely the direction they receive from the faithful slave. (Matt. 24:45-47) We can save ourselves and others much anxiety and grief if we modestly make decisions only when we have been granted the authority to do so. w11 4/15 2:10, 11

11 March 2013

11 March 2013 - Psalms 17: 5

Monday, March 11

Let my steps take hold on your tracks, in which my footsteps will certainly not be made to totter.—Ps. 17:5

If we are humble and willing to depend on Jehovah, he will impart to us his holy spirit as a sure guide for our steps. How will that active force help us? Jesus explained to his disciples: “The helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you.” (John 14:26) As we regularly and prayerfully study God’s Word, including all the sayings of Christ, holy spirit will increase our comprehension of Jehovah’s deep wisdom, so that we can follow his will closely. (1 Cor. 2:10) Additionally, at any unexpected turn in the road to life, the spirit will show us the way to go. It will bring to mind Bible principles that we have already learned and help us to grasp how they apply in directing our next step. w11 12/15 2:8, 9

10 March 2013 - Galatians 6: 16

Sunday, March 10

All those who will walk orderly by this rule of conduct, upon them be peace and mercy, even upon the Israel of God. — Gal. 6:16

Jehovah’s purpose with regard to “the Israel of God” is being fulfilled in a marvelous way. As Paul said, “all Israel will be saved.” (Rom. 11:26) In Jehovah’s due time, “all Israel”—that is, the complete number of spiritual Israelites—will serve as kings and priests in heaven. Nothing can cause Jehovah’s purpose to fail! As foretold, Abraham’s seed—Jesus Christ along with the 144,000—will bring blessings to “people of the nations.” (Rom. 11:12; Gen. 22:18) In this way, all of God’s people benefit from this arrangement. Truly, as we contemplate the outworking of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, we cannot help but be amazed at “the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge.” — Rom. 11:33 w11 5/15 4:19, 20

9 March 2013 - Deuteronomy 14: 29

Saturday, March 9

The Levite . . . has no share or inheritance with you.—Deut. 14:29

You might wonder, ‘If the Levites had no land assigned to them, where would they reside?’ God provided for them. He gave them 48 cities along with the surrounding pasture grounds. These included the six cities of refuge. (Num. 35:6-8) Thus, the Levites had a place to live when they were not serving at the sanctuary of God. Jehovah provided abundantly for those who gave themselves to his service. The Law did not include any penalty for an Israelite who failed to tithe. When the people became negligent as to tithing, the priests and Levites were affected. That happened in the days of Nehemiah. As a result, the Levites had to work in their fields, neglecting their ministry. (Neh. 13:10) Clearly, the sustenance of the Levitical tribe hinged on the spirituality of the nation. Furthermore, the priests and Levites themselves needed faith in Jehovah and in his means of providing for them. w11 9/15 1:5-7

08 March 2013

8 March 2013 - 1 Corinthians 7: 5

Friday, March 8

Do not be depriving each other of it. — 1 Cor. 7:5

Marriage does not furnish automatic protection against sexual uncleanness. Married people find protection from immorality only if they stay within the sexual bounds that the Originator of marriage has established for them. (1 Cor. 7:2-4) Sexual relations with her husband become the exclusive privilege of the wife; he likewise has the same privilege with her alone. Each is expected to provide the other with the marital “due,” or sexual relations that a married person has the right to receive. However, some husbands and wives spend long periods of time apart—taking separate vacations or being away from each other because of secular work, thus depriving each other of the “due.” Imagine the tragedy if because of the “lack of self-regulation,” a person yields to satanic pressure and commits adultery. Jehovah blesses family heads who provide for their families without risking their marriages. — Ps. 37:25 w11 10/15 2:19, 20

06 March 2013

7 March 2013 - 1 Timothy 6: 20

Thursday, March 7

Guard what is laid up in trust with you.—1 Tim. 6:20

Jehovah has never taken true worship lightly. As an example, under the Mosaic Law, the Israelites experienced severe consequences when they veered from their worship of Jehovah. (Josh. 23:12, 13) In the first century C.E., Christ’s followers needed to put up a vigorous fight to keep true worship free of corrupt teachings and attitudes. (2 John 7-11; Rev. 2:14-16) Today, true Christians continue to take their worship seriously. Being serious does not mean that we cannot have a relaxing and enjoyable time with people. Jesus set the perfect example of taking time not only to teach but also to relax and develop meaningful relationships with others. (Luke 5:27-29; John 12:1, 2) Being serious also does not mean that we should always have an appearance of severity. Had Jesus had a stern, overly serious nature, people certainly would not have been drawn to him. w11 4/15 1:6, 9

6 March 2013 - Romans 3: 23

Wednesday, March 6

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.—Rom. 3:23

Before a person can develop lifesaving faith, he must acknowledge that he is a sinner. The idea of being such would not be strange for those who grow up believing in God and having some familiarity with the Bible. (Eccl. 7:20) In some lands, however, the average person is not raised thinking that he (or she) was born a sinner, that he inherited sin. Granted, he probably realizes that he makes mistakes, has undesirable traits, and may have done some bad things. And he observes that others are in a similar situation. Still, given his background, he does not really understand why he and others are like that. In fact, in some languages, if you say that a person is a sinner, others may think that you are saying that he is a criminal or at least a person who broke some rules. Obviously, a person growing up in such an environment may not readily think of himself as a sinner in the sense that Paul meant. w11 6/15 1:10, 11