Scripture of the Day:

[iris89]

In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin.—Daniel 2:44.

When that happens, both satanic rule and rule by imperfect humans will disappear. There is no doubt that Jehovah’s organization will be preserved and will prosper spiritually. (Ps. 125:1, 2) How about us? The Bible tells us that we can succeed in opposing the Devil, even as Jesus did. Indeed, the prophecy that Christ gave through the apostle John shows that despite satanic opposition, “a great crowd” of those having an earthly hope will survive this system’s end. According to the Scriptures, they cry out: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [Jesus Christ].” (Rev. 7:9-14) Anointed ones are spoken of as conquering Satan, and their companions, the “other sheep,” also successfully oppose him. (John 10:16; Rev. 12:10, 11) But this requires diligent effort and earnest prayer for ‘deliverance from the wicked one.’—Matt. 6:13.

[iris89]

They hauled [the dragnet full of fish] up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away.—Matthew 13:48.

As with the unsuitable fish, many who once studied the Bible with Jehovah’s people have stopped studying. Some born to Christian parents have never really wanted to become footstep followers of Jesus. They have been unwilling to make the decision to serve Jehovah or after serving him for a while have ceased doing so. (Ezek. 33:32, 33) It is imperative, though, that all honesthearted ones allow themselves to be gathered into the vessellike congregations before the final day of judgment and to remain in a place of safety. How encouraging, though, it is to see so many suitable ones being drawn by Jehovah! (John 6:44) This has resulted in spectacular increases in country after country. All glory for this growth goes to Jehovah God.

[iris89]

Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them.—1 Timothy 4:15.

The foremost source of divine guidance is the Bible, God’s inspired Word. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) To make the most of that Word, we are wise not to wait for a challenging situation to arise before seeking helpful words in the Scriptures. Rather, we will make Bible reading a daily habit. (Ps. 1:1-3) In that way, the inspired words become familiar. God’s thoughts become our thoughts, and we are ready to face even unexpected problems. In addition, it is important to meditate on what we read in the Scriptures and pray in connection with it. When we ponder on Bible verses, we consider how they might apply in specific situations. When we face serious problems, we pray to Jehovah, asking for help to find the guidance we need. Jehovah’s spirit will help us to recall helpful Scriptural principles that we have read in the Bible itself or in Bible-based publications.—Ps. 25:4, 5.

[iris89]

BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF WHOM AND WHAT?
“Go therefore and make disciples…,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.”--MATTHEW 28:19

(Acts 2:41) Therefore those who embraced his word heartily were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.

(Acts 2:1-4, 36-38) Now while the day of the [festival of] Pentecost was in progress they were all together at the same place, 2 and suddenly there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. 3 And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed about, and one sat upon each one of them, 4 and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom YOU impaled.” 37 Now when they heard this they were stabbed to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Men, brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit.

(Genesis 1:2) Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.

(Judges 14:5-6) Accordingly Samson went on down with his father and his mother to Tim?nah. When he got as far as the vineyards of Tim?nah, why, look! a maned young lion roaring upon meeting him. 6 Then Jehovah’s spirit became operative upon him, so that he tore it in two, just as someone tears a male kid in two, and there was nothing at all in his hand. And he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

(1 Samuel 10:6) And the spirit of Jehovah will certainly become operative upon you, and you will certainly speak as a prophet along with them and be changed into another man.

(Psalm 33:6) By the word of Jehovah the heavens themselves were made, And by the spirit of his mouth all their army.

In the Name of the Father
(Acts 2:5-11) As it was, there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, reverent men, from every nation of those under heaven. 6 So, when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Indeed, they were astonished and began to wonder and say: “See here, all these who are speaking are Gal•i•le?ans, are they not? 8 And yet how is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born? 9 Par?thi•ans and Medes and E?lam•ites, and the inhabitants of Mes•o•po•ta?mi•a, and Ju•de?a and Cap•pa•do?ci•a, Pon?tus and the [district of] Asia, 10 and Phryg?i•a and Pam•phyl?i•a, Egypt and the parts of Lib?y•a, which is toward Cy•re?ne, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cre?tans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues about the magnificent things of God.”

(Matthew 21:43) This is why I say to YOU, The kingdom of God will be taken from YOU and be given to a nation producing its fruits.

(Colossians 2:14) and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.

(Acts 4:24) Upon hearing this they with one accord raised their voices to God and said: “Sovereign Lord, you are the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them,

(Acts 2:30-36) Therefore, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one from the fruitage of his loins upon his throne, 31 he saw beforehand and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he forsaken in Ha?des nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God resurrected, of which fact we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore because he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promised holy spirit from the Father, he has poured out this which YOU see and hear. 34 Actually David did not ascend to the heavens, but he himself says, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”’ 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom YOU impaled.”

(Hebrews 4:16) Let us, therefore, approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness, that we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time.

(Isaiah 2:2-3) And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. 3 And many peoples will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.

(Romans 5:12) That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned—.

(1 Corinthians 4:4) For I am not conscious of anything against myself. Yet by this I am not proved righteous, but he that examines me is Jehovah.

(Ephesians 4:17-19) This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in [the] Lord, that YOU no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, 18 while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts. 19 Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness.

(Romans 5:8) But God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

In the Name of the Son
(Galatians 3:13) Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: “Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake.”

(Ephesians 2:15-16) By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, that he might create the two peoples in union with himself into one new man and make peace; 16 and that he might fully reconcile both peoples in one body to God through the torture stake, because he had killed off the enmity by means of himself.

(Colossians 1:20) and through him to reconcile again to himself all [other] things by making peace through the blood [he shed] on the torture stake, no matter whether they are the things upon the earth or the things in the heavens.

(1 John 2:1-2) My little children, I am writing YOU these things that YOU may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one. 2 And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.

(2 Corinthians 5:14-15) For the love the Christ has compels us, because this is what we have judged, that one man died for all; so, then, all had died; 15 and he died for all that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up.

(Acts 3:15) whereas YOU killed the Chief Agent of life. But God raised him up from the dead, of which fact we are witnesses.

(Acts 5:31) God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

(Ephesians 2:12-13) that YOU were at that particular time without Christ, alienated from the state of Israel and strangers to the covenants of the promise, and YOU had no hope and were without God in the world. 13 But now in union with Christ Jesus YOU who were once far off have come to be near by the blood of the Christ.

(Mark 11:25) And when YOU stand praying, forgive whatever YOU have against anyone; in order that YOUR Father who is in the heavens may also forgive YOU YOUR trespasses.”

(Matthew 18:23-35) “That is why the kingdom of the heavens has become like a man, a king, that wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he started to settle them, there was brought in a man who owed him ten thousand talents [=60,000,000 de•nar?i•i]. 25 But because he did not have the means to pay [it] back, his master ordered him and his wife and his children and all the things he had to be sold and payment to be made. 26 Therefore the slave fell down and began to do obeisance to him, saying, ‘Be patient with me and I will pay back everything to you.’ 27 Moved to pity at this, the master of that slave let him off and canceled his debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves that was owing him a hundred de•nar?i•i; and, grabbing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back whatever you owe.’ 29 Therefore his fellow slave fell down and began to entreat him, saying, ‘Be patient with me and I will pay you back.’ 30 However, he was not willing, but went off and had him thrown into prison until he should pay back what was owing. 31 When, therefore, his fellow slaves saw the things that had happened, they became very much grieved, and they went and made clear to their master all the things that had happened. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘Wicked slave, I canceled all that debt for you, when you entreated me. 33 Ought you not, in turn, to have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I also had mercy on you?’ 34 With that his master, provoked to wrath, delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay back all that was owing. 35 In like manner my heavenly Father will also deal with YOU if YOU do not forgive each one his brother from YOUR hearts.”

(1 Peter 2:21) In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely.

(1 John 2:6) He that says he remains in union with him is under obligation himself also to go on walking just as that one walked.

(Ephesians 4:20-24) But YOU did not learn the Christ to be so, 21 provided, indeed, that YOU heard him and were taught by means of him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that YOU should put away the old personality which conforms to YOUR former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his deceptive desires; 23 but that YOU should be made new in the force actuating YOUR mind, 24 and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.

(Ephesians 4:11-12) And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers, 12 with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ,

(John 10:9-11) I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and he will go in and out and find pasturage. 10 The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they might have life and might have it in abundance. 11 I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep.

In the Name of the Holy Spirit
(Acts 2:4, 8) and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.
8 And yet how is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born?

(2 Timothy 3:16) All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness,

(Luke 11:13) Therefore, if YOU, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to YOUR children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”

[iris89]

[Jehovah’s] eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.—2 Chron. 16:9.

Jehovah is the perfect Father. He knows us so well that he is aware even of the “inclination of [our] thoughts.” (1 Chron. 28:9) However, he does not examine us merely in order to find fault. (Ps. 11:4; 130:3) Rather, he lovingly wants to protect us from anything that might damage our relationship with him or harm our prospects for gaining everlasting life. (Ps. 25:8-10, 12, 13) Jehovah is matchless in power and sees all. For that reason, he can come to the aid of his loyal ones whenever they call on him, and he can support them during their trials. Note that Jehovah uses his strength in behalf of those who serve him with a complete heart, a heart that is pure and sincere in motive. He shows no such concern for those who are deceitful or hypocritical.—Josh. 7:1, 20, 21, 25; Prov. 1:23-33.

[iris89]

A threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.—Ecclesiastes 4:12.


“Threefold cord” is a figurative expression. When this illustration is applied to marriage, it includes the husband and wife, the first two strands, who are intertwined with the central strand, Jehovah God. Being united with God gives a couple the spiritual strength to cope with problems, and it is the key to achieving the greatest happiness in marriage. But what can a married couple do to ensure that their marriage is like such a threefold cord? The psalmist David sang: “To do your will, O my God, I have delighted, and your law is within my inward parts.” (Ps. 40:8) Our love for God likewise moves us to serve him with a complete heart. Thus, both mates should cultivate a warm personal relationship with Jehovah and find delight in doing his will. Marriage mates should also strive to strengthen their partner’s love for God.—Prov. 27:17.

[iris89]

A threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.—Ecclesiastes 4:12.


“Threefold cord” is a figurative expression. When this illustration is applied to marriage, it includes the husband and wife, the first two strands, who are intertwined with the central strand, Jehovah God. Being united with God gives a couple the spiritual strength to cope with problems, and it is the key to achieving the greatest happiness in marriage. But what can a married couple do to ensure that their marriage is like such a threefold cord? The psalmist David sang: “To do your will, O my God, I have delighted, and your law is within my inward parts.” (Ps. 40:8) Our love for God likewise moves us to serve him with a complete heart. Thus, both mates should cultivate a warm personal relationship with Jehovah and find delight in doing his will. Marriage mates should also strive to strengthen their partner’s love for God.—Prov. 27:17.

[iris89]

Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the Provider of escape for me.—Psalms. 18:2.

When the women of Israel began praising David for his military prowess, King Saul became so consumed with jealousy that on two occasions he hurled his spear at David. (1 Sam. 18:6-9) Both times David escaped the sharp tip of the spear. Was this simply because of David’s skill and agility as an experienced warrior? No. The Bible record explains that “Jehovah was with him.” (1 Sam. 18:11-14) Later, when Saul’s scheme to have David killed by the Philistines failed, “Saul got to see and know that Jehovah was with David.” (1 Sam. 18:17-28) To whom did David give credit for his deliverance? The superscription to Psalm 18 says that David “spoke to Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah had delivered him . . . out of the hand of Saul.” Is it not faith-strengthening to know that Jehovah is capable of delivering his people?—Ps. 35:10.

[iris89]

Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called “sons of God.”—Matt. 5:9.
The Greek word here rendered “peaceable” literally means “peacemakers.” If we are peacemakers, we will not condone or participate in anything, such as slanderous talk, that could ‘separate those familiar with one another.’ (Prov. 16:28) By word and deed, we will pursue peace with people inside and outside the Christian congregation. (Heb. 12:14) Especially will we do our utmost to be found at peace with Jehovah God. (1 Pet. 3:10-12) Jesus said that “the peaceable” are happy, “since they will be called ‘sons of God.’” Because of exercising faith in Jesus as the Messiah, anointed Christians receive “authority to become God’s children.” (John 1:12; 1 Pet. 2:24) What about Jesus’ peaceable “other sheep”? They will have him as their “Eternal Father” during his Thousand Year Reign with his heavenly joint heirs.—John 10:14, 16; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 20:6.

[iris89]

Put a mark on the foreheads of the men that are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done.—Ezekiel 9:4.

Following that marking work, six men with slaughtering weapons are commanded to execute all those who do not have the mark. (Ezek. 9:1-6) Ezekiel’s vision highlights one reason why our ongoing search for people who are “sighing and groaning” is so urgent. It involves lives. Soon, Jehovah’s heavenly executional forces, represented by the six men with weapons, will destroy those who do not have the symbolic mark. Concerning that coming judgment, the apostle Paul wrote that the Lord Jesus, accompanied by “his powerful angels,” will bring “vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:7, 8) Notice that people will be judged on the basis of their response to the good news. Hence, the proclamation of God’s message must continue unabated right to the end.—Rev. 14:6, 7.

[iris89]

The sower sows the word.—Mark 4:14.

Who is represented by the sower? He represents God’s fellow workers, those who proclaim the Kingdom good news. Like Paul and Apollos, they plant and water. But even though they work hard, the results differ. Why? Because of the different heart conditions of those who hear the message. In the illustration, the sower has no control over these results. How comforting this is, especially to those of our faithful brothers and sisters who have worked for many years with seemingly few tangible results! Faithfulness on the part of the sower is not measured by the results of his work. Paul alluded to that when he said: “Each person will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1 Cor. 3:8) The reward is according to the labor, not according to the results of that labor. To a large extent, results depend on the heart condition of the hearer. But ultimately, it is God who makes it grow!

[iris89]

These are the things that the Amen says.—Revelation 3:14.

Why is Jesus called “the Amen”? The word rendered “amen” is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “so be it,” or “surely.” The Hebrew root word from which it is drawn means to “be faithful” or “trustworthy.” This same word is used to describe Jehovah’s faithfulness. (Deut. 7:9; Isa. 49:7) So in what way is Jesus unique when he is referred to as “the Amen”? Notice how 2 Corinthians 1:19, 20 answers: “The Son of God, Christ Jesus, . . . did not become Yes and yet No, but Yes has become Yes in his case. For no matter how many the promises of God are, they have become Yes by means of him. Therefore also through him is the ‘Amen’ said to God for glory.” Jesus is “the Amen” to all the divine promises. His flawless life course on earth, including his sacrificial death, confirmed and made possible the fulfillment of all the promises of Jehovah God.

[iris89]

In the multitude of counselors there is accomplishment.—Proverbs 15:22.

Many individuals find themselves in a situation similar to that of a sick woman in Jesus’ day. At Mark 5:25, 26, we read: “There was a woman subject to a flow of blood twelve years, and she had been put to many pains by many physicians and had spent all her resources and had not been benefited but, rather, had got worse.” Jesus healed that woman and dealt with her compassionately. (Mark 5:27-34) When we are sick, however, we cannot expect Jehovah to heal us miraculously, but we can pray for wisdom in choosing treatment. We should seek to be guided in our choice by Scriptural principles and good sense. When the case is serious, it may be wise to consult more than one specialist if that is possible, in line with the thought expressed in today’s text. The apostle Paul urged fellow believers to “live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things.”—Titus 2:12.

[iris89]

Let the sayings of my mouth and the meditation of my heart become pleasurable before you, O Jehovah my Rock and my Redeemer.—Psalms 19:14.

Jehovah’s primary interest is in the inner person—who we really are at heart. (Ps. 26:2) Lovingly, he does not dwell on minor failings. For example, when Sarah, the wife of Abraham, spoke less than truthfully to a materialized angel, the angel evidently saw that she was afraid and embarrassed, so he simply gave her a mild reproof. (Gen. 18:12-15) When the patriarch Job declared “his own soul righteous rather than God,” Jehovah did not withhold a blessing from him, aware that Job had suffered intensely at Satan’s hand. (Job 32:2; 42:12) Likewise, Jehovah did not take offense at the frank words of the widow of Zarephath to the prophet Elijah. God understood that she was grief-stricken at the loss of her only child.—1 Ki. 17:8-24.

[iris89]

Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life.—Luke 21:34.

How can we be sure that the world’s spirit has not poisoned our senses as to the dangers of overeating or heavy drinking? We might ask ourselves: ‘How do I react upon reading counsel in the Bible or in our publications about gluttony? Am I inclined to dismiss this admonition as irrelevant or extreme, perhaps offering excuses or justification for my ways? What is my view of the advice about alcohol, using it—if at all—in moderation and definitely avoiding “drunken bouts”? Do I minimize such advice, feeling that it for some reason does not apply to me? If others express concern about my drinking, do I become defensive or angry? Do I encourage others to downplay such Bible counsel?’ Yes, a person’s attitude is a gauge as to whether he is succumbing to the world’s spirit.—Compare Romans 13:11-14.