4 January 2013 - Acts 5: 42

Friday, January 4

From house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news. — Acts 5:42

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, certain Bible Students felt that they fulfilled their ministry by giving talks. However, it later became evident that Jehovah desires his people to get busy in a variety of forms of preaching, including the house-to-house work. Some accomplished public speakers flatly refused to try anything new. Outwardly, they appeared to be spiritual men, fully devoted to the Lord. However, when faced with clear evidence of God’s purpose regarding the preaching work, their real thoughts, intentions, and motives became manifest. How did Jehovah feel about them? He did not bless them. They left the organization. (Matt. 10:1-6; Acts 20:20) That is not to say that it was easy for all who remained loyal to the organization to preach publicly. Many found the work challenging, especially at first. But they were obedient, and Jehovah richly blessed them. w11 7/15 4:10, 11

3 January 2013 - Acts 17: 11

Thursday, January 3

The [Beroeans] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, . . . carefully examining the Scriptures daily.—Acts 17:11

‘Did the Thessalonian Christians have appreciation for God’s Word?’ you may wonder. The comparison made above, however, was with the Thessalonian Jews in general, not with the Christians. Those who became believers ‘accepted God’s word, not as the word of men, but as the word of God.’ (1 Thess. 2:13) The older men must have worked hard to feed such ones spiritually. Today, the faithful and discreet slave class is providing God’s flock with “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) Under the slave’s direction, the local elders work hard to feed their brothers spiritually. To satisfy the congregation’s spiritual needs, the elders spend hours preparing meeting parts so that they can present the assigned information in a meaningful way. Have you thought about how much time the elders spend preparing their parts for meetings, assemblies, and conventions? w11 6/15 4:4, 5

2 January 2013 - Romans 11: 16

Wednesday, January 2

If the root is holy, the branches are also. — Rom. 11:16

The apostle Paul compared those who become part of Abraham’s seed to branches on a symbolic olive tree. (Rom. 11:21) This cultivated olive tree represents the fulfillment of God’s purpose with regard to the Abrahamic covenant. The root of the tree is holy and represents Jehovah as the one who gives life to spiritual Israel. (Isa. 10:20) The trunk represents Jesus as the primary part of Abraham’s seed. The branches collectively represent “the full number” of those included in the secondary part of Abraham’s seed. (Rom. 11:25) In the illustration of the olive tree, the natural Jews who rejected Jesus are likened to olive branches that were “broken off.” (Rom. 11:17) They thereby lost the opportunity to become part of Abraham’s seed. But John the Baptizer had already forewarned them that if Jehovah wished to do so, he could raise up children to Abraham from the very stones. — Luke 3:8. w11 5/15 4:13, 14

1 January 2012 - Romans 15:7

Tuesday, January 1

Welcome one another, just as the Christ also welcomed us.—Rom. 15:7

Millions of people “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues” have adjusted their thinking to conform to “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rev. 7:9; Rom. 12:2) Many of these at one time were steeped in the hatreds, enmities, and divisiveness of Satan’s world. But through a study of God’s Word and with the help of holy spirit, they have learned to “pursue the things making for peace.” (Rom. 14:19) The resulting unity brings praise to God. How can each of us contribute to the peace and unity found among God’s people? Many congregations include those who have moved from a foreign land. Some may have different customs or may not speak our language well. Do we reach out to them? This is the course God’s Word recommends. Is there someone in your congregation whom you could get to know better? w11 4/15 3:17, 18

VIRUS COMING! READ!!!!!!DO NOT DELETE!!!!!!-Important

It does not hurt to be aware…Better to be safe than sorry

Dave' s brother is a very advanced programmer who does computer work for a living and has a high up status with Microsoft.

He doesn't send these if they aren't real. If He says this is for real, it for sure is. Be aware.

VIRUS COMING!

Hi All,

I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus! I checked Snopes, and it is for real. Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP. PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS! You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK, regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer.

This virus will be received from someone who has your e -mail address in his/her contact list.This is the reason you need to send this e -mail to all your contacts. It i s better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it. If you receive an email entitled"POSTCARD,"even though it was sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately. This is the worst virus a nnounced by CNN. It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.

This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of Virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

COPY THIS E-MAIL/POST  AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.

REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US
-- Robin C. Venters