Become an example to the faithful ones.—1 Tim. 4:12.

Become

an example to the faithful ones.—1 Tim. 4:12.

Paul was urging Timothy to keep applying himself in order to make progress in speech, conduct, love, faith, and chasteness, as well as in the way he fulfilled his ministry. He was to strive to make his manner of life exemplary. (1 Tim. 4:13-15) When Paul penned this counsel sometime between 61 and 64 C.E., Timothy was already an experienced elder. In 49 or 50 C.E. when Timothy was likely in his late teens or early 20’s, he was “well reported on by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium,” who had observed his spiritual progress. (Acts 16:1-5) At that time, Paul took Timothy with him on his missionary journey. After observing Timothy’s further progress for some months, Paul dispatched him to Thessalonica in order to comfort and make firm the Christians in that city. (1 Thess. 3:1-3, 6) Clearly, Timothy began to make his advancement manifest to others when he was a young person.

Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls.—Matt. 11:28, 29.

Come

to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls.—Matt. 11:28, 29.

Jesus, the perfect Son of God, willingly came to earth to serve among imperfect and sinful people. Some of those would later kill him. Yet, Jesus always maintained his joy and self-control. (1 Pet. 2:21-23) ‘Looking intently’ at Jesus’ example can help us to do the same when others’ faults and imperfections affect us. (Heb. 12:2) Jesus invited his disciples to ‘get under his yoke with him’ and thus to learn from him. (Matt. 11:29, ftn.) What could they learn? For one thing, Jesus was mild-tempered, and he was patient with his disciples despite their faults. On the night before he died, Jesus washed their feet, thereby teaching them a lesson in being “lowly in heart” that they would never forget.—John 13:14-17.

The advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners.—Eccl. 7:12.

The

advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners.—Eccl. 7:12.

If parents strive to apply Bible principles in everyday matters, this will not escape their children’s notice. The parents’ words and teachings will carry weight. However, if children perceive a double standard, they might draw the conclusion that Bible principles are not really important or practical. As a result, the children may be more inclined to weaken in the face of worldly pressure. Christian parents realize that a child’s upbringing entails more than providing for his material needs. Therefore, it would be extremely shortsighted to teach a child to pursue goals that would serve only for his material advantage. Jesus taught his disciples to make spiritual values and pursuits their priority. (Matt. 6:33) Therefore, in imitation of Jesus, Christian parents should also strive to cultivate in their children a desire to pursue spiritual goals.

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I behold in my members another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my members.—Rom. 7:23.

I

behold in my members another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my members.—Rom. 7:23.

God created Adam and Eve as intelligent creatures and free moral agents. As their descendants, we too are free moral agents. What does that mean? It means that we can decide to do good or to do bad. In other words, God has given us the freedom to choose to obey him or to disobey. Along with such great freedom comes responsibility, accountability. Our moral decisions mean life or death for us. They also impact on those around us. Because of our inherited imperfection, obedience does not come naturally. It is not always easy to obey God’s laws. Of course, when no sacrifice, pain, or inconvenience is involved, obedience is easier. But how do we respond when there is a conflict between our desire to be obedient and “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes”?—1 John 2:16.

I

am no part of the world.—John 17:16.

Surrounded as we are by this world’s attitudes and conduct, we need courage to resist contamination. Christians deal with moral, social, financial, and religious pressures that could cause them to deviate from Jehovah’s righteous ways. Many face family opposition. In some countries, educational institutions promote the theory of evolution ever more aggressively, and atheism is gaining more attention. In the face of such pressures, we cannot merely hunker down and do nothing. We must take action in order to resist and thus protect ourselves. Jesus’ example shows us how we can succeed. He never yielded to the world’s influence. He never allowed the world to stop him from carrying out his preaching commission or to cause him to lower his standards for true worship and proper conduct; nor should we. Studying Christ’s courageous example and reflecting on it can give us the necessary courage to remain separate from the world.

These words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart.—Deut. 6:6.

Jesus is an excellent model for Christian parents. How so? He lovingly and patiently taught his disciples by word and example. He showed them how to carry out the commission that he gave them. (Luke 8:1) Jesus’ disposition and conduct toward his disciples taught them how they were to treat one another. (John 13:14-17) Children tend to imitate their parents, either for good or for bad. So, parents, ask yourselves: ‘What message are we sending to our children when it comes to the amount of time that we dedicate to TV and entertainment on the one hand and Bible study and participation in the field service on the other? What really are our family’s priorities? Are we setting a good example by centering our lives and our decisions on true worship?’ God’s law must first be in the parents’ own hearts if they are to rear God-fearing children.

Abhor

what is wicked, cling to what is good.—Rom. 12:9.

The unwholesome influences that are prevalent in Satan’s world could cause us to lose our grip on godly principles. For instance, association with those who do not adhere to God’s laws—whether at school or at work or through some form of ungodly entertainment—might affect our determination to do what is right. Do not let that happen to you! God’s Word warns: “Do not become wise in your own eyes.” (Prov. 3:7) Instead, follow the wise counsel that Moses gave to God’s people in ancient times: “Jehovah your God you should fear. Him you should serve, and to him you should cling.” (Deut. 10:20) By clinging to Jehovah, we will be imitating Jesus, of whom it was said: “You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness.” (Heb. 1:9) Paying attention to godly wisdom will deepen our happiness now and safeguard us in times to come.—Eccl. 7:12.

Keep

your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.—2 Tim. 4:5.

‘Doing the work of an evangelizer’ means making your ministry more effective and helping others to gain salvation. This requires developing the “art of teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2) By arranging to share in the ministry with those who are experienced in this work, you will be able to learn from their teaching methods, as Timothy learned from working with Paul. (1 Cor. 4:17) Referring to those he had helped, Paul said that he not only shared the good news with them but also gave of his ‘own soul,’ or used his very life in helping them, because they became beloved to him. (1 Thess. 2:8) To follow Paul’s example in the ministry, you must have the same disposition as Timothy, who genuinely cared about others and ‘slaved in furtherance of the good news.’ (Phil. 2:19-23) Do you show this self-sacrificing spirit in your ministry?

Monday, January 17

Abhor

what is wicked, cling to what is good.—Rom. 12:9.

The unwholesome influences that are prevalent in Satan’s world could cause us to lose our grip on godly principles. For instance, association with those who do not adhere to God’s laws—whether at school or at work or through some form of ungodly entertainment—might affect our determination to do what is right. Do not let that happen to you! God’s Word warns: “Do not become wise in your own eyes.” (Prov. 3:7) Instead, follow the wise counsel that Moses gave to God’s people in ancient times: “Jehovah your God you should fear. Him you should serve, and to him you should cling.” (Deut. 10:20) By clinging to Jehovah, we will be imitating Jesus, of whom it was said: “You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness.” (Heb. 1:9) Paying attention to godly wisdom will deepen our happiness now and safeguard us in times to come.—Eccl. 7:12.

I

am the way and the truth and the life.—John 14:6.

Jesus’ words have meaning for those who hope to gain everlasting life on earth. (Rev. 7:9, 10; 21:1-4) How so? Jesus Christ is “the way.” That is, he is the only one through whom it is possible for us to approach God. This is true in the matter of prayer, for only by praying through Jesus do we have the assurance that the Father will give us whatever we may request in harmony with His will. (John 15:16) However, Jesus is “the way” also in a further sense. Sin has alienated mankind from God. (Isa. 59:2) Jesus gave “his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matt. 20:28) As a result, the Bible explains: “The blood of Jesus . . . cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) The Son has thus opened up the way of reconciliation with God. (Rom. 5:8-10) It is by putting faith in Jesus and obeying him that we can have an approved relationship with God.

He

went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.—Luke 8:1.

A good teacher makes his students feel comfortable so that they are eager to involve themselves in what they are learning and are happy to express themselves. A loving teacher imparts knowledge because he genuinely cares for his students. He adapts his teaching to their needs and their level of understanding. He is sensitive to the abilities and circumstances of his students. When teachers have such love, students will discern it, and teaching and learning are enjoyable. Jesus showed that kind of love. His greatest expression of love was to surrender his perfect human life so that others might be saved. (John 15:13) During his ministry, Jesus tirelessly cared for people physically and especially spiritually. Rather than expecting people to come to him, he traveled hundreds of miles on foot to share the good news with them.—Matt. 4:23-25.

The

Devil has been sinning from the beginning.—1 John 3:8.

“At the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels,” all “who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus” will be destroyed. (2 Thess. 1:6-10) When John saw that same event in vision, he described Jesus and the angelic heavenly armies as going forth on white horses in order to carry on war in righteousness. (Rev. 19:11-14) John also “saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.” This is none other than the archangel Michael, who will bind the Devil and hurl him—and evidently the demons—into the abyss. They will be released briefly at the end of Christ’s Millennial Reign when perfect mankind will experience a final test. Thereafter, Satan and all other rebels will suffer destruction. (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10) All rebellion against God will have been removed.

Keep yourselves clean.—Isa. 52:11.

Many years before Isaiah wrote the above words, good King Asa vigorously pursued a campaign to root out immorality in Judah. (1 Ki. 15:11-13) And centuries later, the apostle Paul told Titus that Jesus gave himself to cleanse his followers to make them “a people peculiarly his own, zealous for fine works.” (Titus 2:14) In today’s vice-ridden society, it is not easy—especially for youths—to keep morally clean. For instance, all of God’s servants, young and old alike, must battle to keep free from the contamination of pornography that is displayed on billboards, on the TV screen, in films, and particularly on the Internet. Our zeal in heeding God’s warnings can help us to develop a hatred for what is bad. (Ps. 97:10; Rom. 12:9) We need to abhor pornography in order to “break free from its powerful, magnetic pull,” as one Christian expressed it.

The

kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits.—Matt. 21:43.

Jehovah spoke of his people, the ancient nation of Israel, as a collective servant. “‘You [plural] are my witnesses [plural],’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘even my servant [singular] whom I have chosen.’” (Isa. 43:10) All members of the nation were included in that one servant class. However, it is important to note that only the priests together with the nonpriestly Levites were responsible for teaching the nation. (2 Chron. 35:3; Mal. 2:7) Was the nation of Israel the slave about whom Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:45? No. We know that from the words of today’s text, which Jesus said to the Jews of his day. Clearly, a change was to occur. Jehovah would use a new nation. Nevertheless, when it comes to spiritual instruction, the work of the slave in Jesus’ illustration does follow a pattern similar to that of God’s “servant” in ancient Israel

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The

fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever.—Ps. 19:9.

Discoveries of hidden treasures have often made headline news. Some finds may have historical or artistic value, but they usually have little or no effect on our day-to-day life. However, God’s Word invites us to search for treasures that truly affect us. The invitation is open to everyone, and the reward is worth far more than any material treasure. (Prov. 2:1-6) Consider the value of the treasures that Jehovah urges his worshippers to seek. Among such treasures is “the fear of Jehovah,” which can be a protection and a safeguard for us in these perilous times. Finding “the very knowledge of God” can lead to the greatest honor any human can have—a close personal relationship with the Most High. And with the treasures of God-given wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, we will be able to deal successfully with problems and issues in our daily life.—Prov. 9:10, 11.

Tuesday, January 4

Safeguard

your heart.—Prov. 4:23.

In the complex world in which we live, many decisions need to be made that involve our obedience to God. How can we be sure that these decisions are in harmony with God’s will? Jehovah has given us a gift that can help us greatly in this matter of obedience. It is the conscience. What is the conscience? It is a special kind of self-awareness. It acts like an internal judge, enabling us to look at the choices we face in life or to reflect on the actions we have already taken and to evaluate them as to good or bad, right or wrong. (Rom. 2:14, 15) The conscience, however, has its limitations. For example, if we were to give the desires of our heart too much prominence, our selfish tendencies might well distort the conscience. (Jer. 17:9) If we do not rely on the sure, unchanging guidance of God’s Word, the Bible, our conscience might be nearly useless.—Ps. 119:105.

17

18

Who are “they” in this prophecy? They are political leaders who claim that they can build a united new order out of the fragmented elements of this violent world. Their grandiose products, the League of Nations and the United Nations, have failed in this. As Jehovah’s prophet foretold, they are even now “saying, ‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace.”—Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; 14:13-16. Just when will that fear-inspiring day break upon us? The apostle Paul answers: “Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying [perhaps in a unique way]: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.”—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3.

1

What Will End?

The Bible does not teach that the literal earth will be destroyed. “[God] has founded the earth upon its established places,” wrote the psalmist. “It will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.” (Psalm 104:5) Nor does the Bible teach that all life will be annihilated in a global conflagration. (Isaiah 45:18) Jesus himself indicated that some people will survive the end. (Matthew 24:21, 22) What, then, does the Bible say will end?

Failing

War

Crime

and injustice will end. God’s Word promises: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”—Proverbs 2:21, 22. and pollution will end. Describing what God will do, Psalm 46:9 states: “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” The Bible also teaches that God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”—Revelation 11:18. human governments will end. God inspired the prophet Daniel to write: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Daniel 2:44.

The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever.—Ps. 19:9.
Discoveries of hidden treasures have often made headline news. Some finds may have historical or artistic value, but they usually have little or no effect on our day-to-day life. However, God’s Word invites us to search for treasures that truly affect us. The invitation is open to everyone, and the reward is worth far more than any material treasure. (Prov. 2:1-6) Consider the value of the treasures that Jehovah urges his worshippers to seek. Among such treasures is “the fear of Jehovah,” which can be a protection and a safeguard for us in these perilous times. Finding “the very knowledge of God” can lead to the greatest honor any human can have—a close personal relationship with the Most High. And with the treasures of God-given wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, we will be able to deal successfully with problems and issues in our daily life.—Prov. 9:10, 11.

John Moore on Freedomlink Radio 1/2/2011

　

Sunday, January 2

We

became gentle in the midst of you.—1 Thess. 2:7.

Jesus was patient and understanding. When his disciples needed correction, he offered it with love. (Mark 9:33-37) He encouraged them by expressing confidence that they would be effective preachers of the good news. No man has ever been a more loving teacher than Jesus. The love he showed to his disciples impelled them to love him in return and to keep his commandments. (John 14:15) Like Jesus, his disciples displayed deep love and affection for those to whom they preached. Enduring persecution and risking death, they ministered to others and succeeded in preaching the good news. What affection they felt for those whom they helped spiritually! Touching indeed are the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote: “Having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us.”—1 Thess. 2:8.

Sunday, January 2

We

became gentle in the midst of you.—1 Thess. 2:7.

Jesus was patient and understanding. When his disciples needed correction, he offered it with love. (Mark 9:33-37) He encouraged them by expressing confidence that they would be effective preachers of the good news. No man has ever been a more loving teacher than Jesus. The love he showed to his disciples impelled them to love him in return and to keep his commandments. (John 14:15) Like Jesus, his disciples displayed deep love and affection for those to whom they preached. Enduring persecution and risking death, they ministered to others and succeeded in preaching the good news. What affection they felt for those whom they helped spiritually! Touching indeed are the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote: “Having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us.”—1 Thess. 2:8

Saturday, January 1

All

those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.—2 Tim. 3:12.

What precious knowledge we as Jehovah’s servants have! Yes, we understand who is to blame for deteriorating world conditions. Do we not, then, feel impelled to share in the field ministry so as to inform people of the identity of the chief troublemaker? And are we not happy to stand up for the true God, Jehovah, and to explain to others how he will put an end to Satan and to mankind’s woes? Satan is responsible not only for many of the world’s sorrows but also for the opposition that God’s people experience. He is determined to put us to the test. Jesus Christ told the apostle Peter: “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have you men to sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31) Similarly, each of us who follows in Jesus’ footsteps will experience trials in some way or other. Peter compared the Devil to “a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.”—1 Pet. 5:8.