November

Sunday, November 1

I will not stay resentful forever.​—Jer. 3:12.

The elders strive to reflect Jehovah’s compassion as they deal with someone who has been removed from the congregation. For example, Jehovah did not wait for his wayward people in ancient Israel to take the first step. Rather, he took the initiative to reach out to them even before they showed any signs of repentance. Jehovah illustrated his compassion by telling the prophet Hosea to offer reconciliation to his wife, who was still sinning. (Hos. 3:1; Mal. 3:7) In imitation of Jehovah, Christian elders genuinely want the wrongdoer to return, and they do not make it difficult for him to do so. In Jesus’ parable of the lost son, the father “ran and embraced [his son] and tenderly kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Notice that the father did not wait for his son to beg for forgiveness. Rather, he took the initiative, as any loving father would. w24.08 35:7-8

Monday, November 2

If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without finding fault.​—Jas. 1:5; ftn.

As the words in today’s text indicate, Jehovah does not hoard his wisdom. He generously shares it with others. Notice, too, that when Jehovah gives wisdom, he does so “without reproaching,” or “without finding fault.” He never makes us feel bad for admitting that we need his guidance. Actually, he urges us to seek it. (Prov. 2:1-6) What about us? Can we imitate Jehovah by sharing our wisdom? (Ps. 32:8) Jehovah’s people have many opportunities to share what they have learned. For instance, we often train new ones in the ministry. Elders patiently help ministerial servants and baptized brothers to learn how to handle their assignments in the congregation. And those with experience in construction and maintenance help train less experienced ones to do work on theocratic facilities. w24.09 39:11-12

Tuesday, November 3

You became so beloved to us.​—1 Thess. 2:8.

Brothers, to qualify as an elder, you must “be irreprehensible,” that is, have a good reputation in the congregation because your conduct is above reproach. (1 Tim. 3:2) In addition, you should have a fine testimony from outsiders. Unbelievers may criticize your Christian beliefs, but they should have no valid reason to question your honesty or conduct. (Dan. 6:4, 5) Ask yourself, ‘Do I have a good reputation both inside and outside the congregation?’ If you are “a lover of goodness,” you look for the good in others and commend them for their fine qualities. (Titus 1:8) You are also happy to do good for others, even going beyond what is required. Why is this quality so important for elders? Because they use much of their valuable time to shepherd the congregation and care for assignments. (1 Pet. 5:1-3) Even so, the joy that comes from serving others far outweighs any sacrifice.​—Acts 20:35. w24.11 47:3-5

Wednesday, November 4

There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.​—Acts 20:35.

Ministerial servants perform vital work in the congregations. The apostle Paul obviously appreciated these loyal men. For instance, when writing to Christians in Philippi, he specifically greeted the ministerial servants along with the elders. (Phil. 1:1) Whether young or old, many baptized brothers find great joy in being ministerial servants. For example, Devan was 18 when he was appointed. On the other hand, a brother named Luis was appointed in his early 50’s. He summed up the feeling of many when he said, “I feel so privileged to do the work of a ministerial servant, especially when I think of all the love the congregation has shown me!” If you are a baptized brother and you are not yet a ministerial servant, could you make that your goal? w24.11 46:1-3

Thursday, November 5

I beg you, O Jehovah, remember . . . how . . . I have done what was good in your eyes.​—2 Ki. 20:3.

At the age of 39, King Hezekiah of Judah learned that he had a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah delivered Jehovah’s message that Hezekiah would die from his sickness. (2 Ki. 20:1) There seemed to be no hope for Hezekiah. Devastated by the news, Hezekiah wept profusely. He prayed to Jehovah fervently. Jehovah was touched by Hezekiah’s tearful plea and kindly said to him: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here I am healing you.” Through Isaiah, Jehovah mercifully promised to extend his life and to rescue Jerusalem out of the hands of the Assyrians. (2 Ki. 20:4-6) Are you facing a health situation that appears to be hopeless? Turn to Jehovah in prayer, even in tears. The Bible assures us that “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort” will comfort us in all our trials.​—2 Cor. 1:3, 4. w24.12 51:15-17

Friday, November 6

I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.​—Acts 24:15.

What a joy it will be to welcome resurrected ones back to life! Imagine, too, how you will enjoy learning more about Jehovah by examining his numerous works of creation. (Ps. 104:24; Isa. 11:9) Best of all, how thrilling it will be to worship Jehovah without the slightest feeling of guilt! Would you trade these future blessings for “the temporary enjoyment of sin”? (Heb. 11:25) Certainly not! These blessings are worth any sacrifice we must make now. Remember, the Paradise earth will not always be a future hope. It will eventually become the present reality. None of this would be possible if Jehovah had not loved us enough to provide the gift of his Son! w25.01 5:12

Saturday, November 7

Is the hand of Jehovah too short?​—Num. 11:23.

Among those mentioned in the book of Hebrews as examples of faith, Moses is noteworthy. (Heb. 3:2-5; 11:23-25) Moses’ faith was not misplaced, for God miraculously provided food and water to sustain the people in the barren wilderness. (Ex. 15:22-25; Ps. 78:23-25) Despite Moses’ strong faith, however, about a year after Israel’s miraculous deliverance, he questioned Jehovah’s ability to give meat to His people. Moses could not imagine how Jehovah could provide enough meat to satisfy the millions who were camping in the desolate wilderness. In answer, Jehovah asked Moses: “Is the hand of Jehovah too short?” (Num. 11:21-23) In effect, Jehovah was asking Moses, ‘Do you really think that I cannot do what I say I will?’ w25.03 13:1-2

Sunday, November 8

[God] did not refrain from punishing an ancient world.​—2 Pet. 2:5.

Should we view the account of the Flood as a prophetic type? The answer is no. Why? Because there is no direct Scriptural support for doing so. Jesus did compare the days of Noah to the time of his presence, but he did not imply that the Flood was a prophetic type, with each person and each event having a corresponding antitype; nor did he say that the closing of the door of the ark had any prophetic significance. (Matt. 24:37-39) What was Noah’s reaction when he heard Jehovah’s warning message? He proved that he had faith by building the ark. (Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20) Similarly, people who hear the good news about God’s Kingdom must act on what they hear. (Acts 3:17-20) Peter called Noah “a preacher of righteousness.” Today we are involved in a global preaching work, and we endeavor to have a zealous share in it. Still, try as we might, we cannot possibly reach everyone on earth with the good news before the end comes. w24.05 19:3-5

Monday, November 9

He honors those fearing Jehovah.​—Ps. 15:4.

We should look for ways to show kindness and respect to Jehovah’s friends. (Rom. 12:10) How? One way, based on Psalm 15:4, is that a guest in Jehovah’s tent “does not go back on his promise, even when it is bad for him.” Breaking our promises could surely hurt others. (Matt. 5:37) For example, Jehovah expects his guests to live up to their marriage vow. He is also pleased when parents make earnest efforts to fulfill promises they make to their children. Our love for God and for neighbor will compel us to keep our word to the best of our ability. Another way to honor God’s friends is by being hospitable and generous. (Rom. 12:13) Leisure time spent with our brothers and sisters helps us to strengthen bonds of friendship with them and with Jehovah. Moreover, by showing hospitality, we imitate Jehovah. w24.06 24:15-16

Tuesday, November 10

What is mortal man that you keep him in mind?​—Ps. 8:4.

Jehovah reveals the truth to those who are humble. (Matt. 11:25) We humbly accepted help to learn the truth. (Acts 8:30, 31) Still, we must be careful not to become proud. Being prideful could lead us to consider our personal opinions to be just as valid as Scriptural principles and direction from Jehovah’s organization. To maintain our humility, we need to remember our littleness when compared to Jehovah’s greatness. (Ps. 8:3, 4) We can also pray to develop a humble, teachable spirit. Jehovah will help us put his thoughts, which he provides through his Word and his organization, ahead of our own. In your Bible reading, look for points about how Jehovah loves humility and hates pride, arrogance, and haughtiness. And take extra care to remain humble if you receive a privilege of service that gives you a measure of prominence. w24.07 28:8-9

Wednesday, November 11

The little one will become a thousand and the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah, will speed it up in its own time.​—Isa. 60:22.

Since 1919, Jesus has used a small group of anointed men to organize the preaching work and supply spiritual food to his followers. (Luke 12:42) Jehovah is obviously blessing the work of that group. (Isa. 65:13, 14) If we were not organized, we would not be able to accomplish the work Jesus has assigned us to do. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Suppose, for example, that there were no territory assignments; everyone could preach wherever he wanted. Some territories might be worked over and over by a number of different publishers, while other territories might be neglected entirely. Can you think of other ways we benefit by being organized? What Jesus did on earth set the pattern for how he keeps us organized today. w24.04 15:2-4

Thursday, November 12

If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to doing good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you.​—Gen. 4:7.

Cain was Adam and Eve’s first son. He inherited sinful tendencies from his parents. Additionally, the Bible says of him: “His own works were wicked.” (1 John 3:12) Perhaps that explains why Jehovah “did not look with any favor on Cain and on his offering” when he offered up a sacrifice. Instead of changing his ways, “Cain grew hot with anger and was dejected.” What did Jehovah do next? He spoke to Cain. (Gen. 4:3-7) Note that Jehovah reasoned kindly with Cain, offering him hope and warning him against the danger of sin. Sadly, Cain refused to listen. He did not let Jehovah lead him to repentance. After that negative response, did Jehovah stop trying to lead other sinners to repentance? Far from it! w24.08 32:8

Friday, November 13

Choose life so that you may live.​—Deut. 30:19.

The nation of Israel had prospects for a wonderful future. With Jehovah’s blessing, the Israelites could live for a long time in the land that he had promised them. And what a beautiful, fruitful land it was! Moses described it for them: “Great and fine cities that you did not build, houses full of all sorts of good things that you did not work for, hewn cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant.” (Deut. 6:10, 11) Moses also gave the Israelites a warning. In order to continue living in their bountiful land, they had to obey Jehovah’s commandments. Moses urged them to “choose life” by listening to Jehovah and by “sticking to him.” (Deut. 30:20) However, the Israelites rejected Jehovah. So in time God allowed the Assyrians and later the Babylonians to conquer them and take them into exile.​—2 Ki. 17:6-8, 13, 14; 2 Chron. 36:15-17, 20. w24.11 45:5-6

Saturday, November 14

No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.​—John 6:44.

Many nominal Christians feel that they will be saved if they merely “believe on [Jesus]” and view him as their personal savior. (John 6:29, King James Version) Yet, some in a crowd who initially believed in Jesus abandoned him. Why? Most in the crowd whom Jesus fed were happy to follow him as long as he provided what they wanted. They were interested in miraculous cures, free food, or teachings that matched their expectations. However, Jesus showed that more would be required of his true disciples. He did not come to earth simply to satisfy people’s fleshly desires. They had to respond to his invitation to “come to” him by accepting and obeying everything he taught.​—John 5:40. w24.12 49:12-13

Sunday, November 15

Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation.​—Eph. 5:25.

What can help a husband to overcome abusive and demeaning behavior? He can strive to imitate Jesus. The way he treated his disciples is a model for how a husband should treat his wife. Consider what husbands can learn from the way Jesus treated his apostles and from the way he spoke to them. Jesus treated his apostles in a kind and dignified way. He was never harsh or domineering. Jesus did not feel the need to prove his authority over them through displays of power. Instead, he humbly served them. (John 13:12-17) He told his disciples: “Learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves.” (Matt. 11:28-30) Note that Jesus was mild-tempered. A mild person is not weak. Rather, he has the inner strength to show restraint. When provoked, he remains calm and in control of his emotions. w25.01 2:10-11

Monday, November 16

Commit to Jehovah whatever you do.​—Prov. 16:3.

As the present system of things draws closer to its end, we can expect economic conditions to worsen. Political turmoil, armed conflicts, natural disasters, or new pandemics might lead to unexpected expenses or to the loss of our job, our possessions, or our home. What can help us to make decisions that show our trust in Jehovah’s hand? A primary and effective step is to take your concerns to Jehovah. Ask him for the wisdom you need to make good decisions and for a calm heart to avoid “being in anxious suspense” about your situation. (Luke 12:29-31) Petition him to help you cultivate contentment with life’s necessities. (1 Tim. 6:7, 8) Do research in our publications on how to deal successfully with financial problems. Many have benefited from material available on jw.org that deals with economic problems. w25.03 13:10-11

Tuesday, November 17

God has shown me that I should call no man defiled or unclean.​—Acts 10:28.

The time had arrived for uncircumcised Gentiles to become part of God’s people. The apostle Peter was assigned to preach to the Gentile Cornelius, who would be among the first of this new group of worshippers. Jews had very little to do with Gentiles, so it is not surprising that Peter needed help to prepare for his assignment. When Peter discerned God’s will in this matter, he adjusted his viewpoint. As a result, when he was sent for, he went “without objection.” (Acts 10:28, 29) He preached to Cornelius and his household, and they got baptized. (Acts 10:21-23, 34, 35, 44-48) Years later, Peter encouraged fellow Christians to “think in agreement.” (1 Pet. 3:8, ftn.) As Jehovah’s people, we can think in agreement by reflecting Jehovah’s thinking as it is expressed in his Word. w25.03 10:7-8

Wednesday, November 18

Do not be led astray by various and strange teachings.​—Heb. 13:9.

The attitudes and opinions of the world are becoming ever more distant from God’s perfect view of matters. (Prov. 17:15) We, therefore, must strengthen our ability to identify and reject ideas that opposers use in an attempt to discourage us or even to lead us astray. We do well to take to heart the counsel that the apostle Paul gave the Hebrew Christians, to press on to spiritual maturity. That includes acquiring a deep knowledge of the truth and adopting Jehovah’s way of thinking. This process continues even after dedication and baptism. No matter how long we have been in the truth, all of us must regularly read and study God’s Word. (Ps. 1:2) A good routine of personal study will help us to strengthen a quality that Paul emphasized in his letter to the Hebrews: faith.​—Heb. 11:1, 6. w24.09 37:7-8

Thursday, November 19

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.​—Jas. 4:8.

If Jehovah is real to us, we will find it easier to stay faithful to him. That was true of Joseph. He firmly refused to commit immorality. God was real to him, and he didn’t want to displease Him. (Gen. 39:9) For Jehovah to be real to us, we need to make time to pray to him and to study his Word. Our friendship with him will thus grow. When, like Joseph, we have a close friendship with Jehovah, we will not want to do anything that displeases Him. Those who forget that Jehovah is the living God can easily draw away from him. Consider what happened to the Israelites when they were in the wilderness. They were aware that Jehovah existed, but they began to doubt that he would provide for them. (Ex. 17:2, 7) Thereafter, they rebelled against God. Surely, we want to avoid following their disobedient course, which stands as a warning example for us.​—Heb. 3:12. w24.06 25:14-15

Friday, November 20

The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their cry for help.​—Ps. 34:15.

We are living deep in the last days, and we expect that causes of tears will only increase. Jehovah sees the tears we shed and is deeply moved by them. Our tears are truly precious to him. So when we face distressing situations, we certainly want to pour out our heart to Jehovah in prayer. May we never isolate ourselves from our loving brothers and sisters in the congregation. And may we continue to find comfort in the soothing words recorded in the Bible. We can be sure that if we keep enduring faithfully, Jehovah will reward us. That includes the wonderful promise that in time he will wipe out every tear of sorrow, betrayal, and despair from our eyes. (Rev. 21:4) Then we will shed only tears of joy. w24.12 51:3, 19

Saturday, November 21

“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah.​—Isa. 43:12.

Jehovah has appointed us to be his Witnesses, and he promises to help us be courageous. (Isa. 43:10, 11) Consider just four of the ways he does that. First, Jesus is with us whenever we preach the good news. (Matt. 28:18-20) Second, Jehovah has appointed angels to help us. (Rev. 14:6) Third, Jehovah has given us his holy spirit as a helper to bring back to our minds the things we have learned. (John 14:25, 26) Fourth, Jehovah has provided brothers and sisters to accompany us. With Jehovah’s backing and the support of our loving brotherhood, we have everything we need to be successful. But if you feel discouraged when you find few people at home, ask yourself: ‘Where are the people from my territory right now?’ (Acts 16:13) ‘Are they at work or out shopping?’ If that is the case, could you find more people by doing street witnessing? w24.04 16:10-11

Sunday, November 22

If any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?​—1 Tim. 3:5.

If you are a husband and want to qualify as an elder, the reputation of your family will affect your qualifications. Thus, you need to be “presiding over [your] own household in a fine manner.” You need to have a reputation for being a loving and responsible family head. This includes taking the lead in all aspects of our worship. If you are a father, you must have your minor “children in subjection with all seriousness.” (1 Tim. 3:4) You need to teach and train them lovingly. Of course, like all children, they will enjoy laughing and playing. But because of your good training, they will be obedient, respectful, and well-behaved. Also, you must do your best to help your children to develop a good relationship with Jehovah, to live by Bible principles, and to progress to baptism. w24.11 47:10-11

Monday, November 23

No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends.​—John 15:13.

The more we engage in Jehovah’s service, the more we will experience his support and, as a result, our confidence in him will grow stronger. (1 Cor. 3:9) Remember, though, Jehovah does not look at how much you give in comparison with what others give; he sees what is in your heart. He is pleased when he observes your heartfelt gratitude for his precious gift, the ransom. (1 Sam. 16:7; Mark 12:41-44) It is only because of the ransom that we have forgiveness of our sins, a friendship with Jehovah, and the prospect of everlasting life. May we always show our gratitude for Jehovah’s love, which moved him to make these blessings available to us. (1 John 4:19) May we also demonstrate our appreciation for Jesus, who loved us so much that he gave his human life in our behalf! w25.01 5:16-18

Tuesday, November 24

I was troubled all day long.​—Ps. 73:14.

Consider how the writer of Psalm 73 felt. He saw others enjoying what looked like a healthy, prosperous, and stress-free life. (Ps. 73:3-5, 12) As he observed them and their apparent success, he felt that his efforts to serve Jehovah were pointless. He was “troubled all day long” by this discouraging thought. (Ps. 73:13, 14) How did he deal with his troubled feelings? The psalmist went to the peaceful setting of Jehovah’s sanctuary. (Ps. 73:16-18) There, he was able to think clearly. He discerned that even though the life of some might seem easy, their long-term future was precarious. With this insight, he found peace of mind, knowing that pursuing spiritual things was the very best decision. As a result, he renewed his determination to continue serving Jehovah.​—Ps. 73:23-28. w24.10 43:11-12

Wednesday, November 25

May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.​—Ps. 83:18.

Jehovah has called us to be his “witnesses.” (Isa. 43:10-12) Some years ago, a letter from the Governing Body stated: “The greatest honor that any of us could enjoy is that of being called one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Why is that so? Consider an illustration. If you needed someone to be a character witness for you in a court case, you would choose someone you know and trust, someone whose reputation would make his testimony trustworthy. By choosing us to be his Witnesses, Jehovah shows that he knows us well and that he trusts us to testify that he is the only true God. We feel so honored to be his Witnesses that we seize every opportunity to make his name known and to combat the many lies that have been told about him. By doing so, we live up to the name that we are so proud to bear, Jehovah’s Witnesses!​—Rom. 10:13-15. w24.05 20:13

Thursday, November 26

He cured all who were suffering.​—Matt. 8:16.

Serving others brought Jesus great joy. On one occasion when Jesus ministered to a crowd, he did more than teach them. He also cared for their physical needs. He miraculously provided food and then had his disciples distribute it. (Mark 6:41) By doing so, he taught his disciples how to serve others. He also showed them that practical services are important. Imagine the joy the apostles had in sharing with Jesus in this miraculous distribution of food until “all ate and were satisfied”! (Mark 6:42) Of course, this was not the only time that Jesus put the welfare of others ahead of his own. He used his entire earthly life to serve people. (Matt. 4:23) Jesus found joy and satisfaction in teaching others and in humbly caring for their needs. w24.11 46:10-11

Friday, November 27

In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.​—2 Tim. 3:1.

As conditions in “the last days” get worse, we will no doubt have more opportunities to render aid to one another. We can also provide an emotional and spiritual haven for our brothers. One way we can do that is by making them feel welcome at the Kingdom Hall. So when our brothers and sisters attend meetings, we want to do all we can to make them feel loved, refreshed, and secure. Elders can become a refuge to those in the congregation who endure literal or figurative storms. During disasters and medical emergencies, elders take the initiative to arrange practical assistance. They also offer spiritual help. Brothers and sisters will be inclined to approach an elder if he is known to be gentle, empathetic, and willing to listen. Such qualities help others feel cared for; thus, it is easier for them to apply any Bible-based guidance an elder may provide.​—1 Thess. 2:7, 8, 11. w24.06 26:12-13

Saturday, November 28

He did not even spare his own Son.​—Rom. 8:32.

Let us not think that because God is almighty, he does not have feelings! We are made in his image, created with the ability to feel, so it stands to reason that Jehovah has feelings. The Bible describes him as feeling “hurt” and “grieved.” (Ps. 78:40, 41) Jehovah must have felt grieved as he observed his Son being cruelly tortured to death by ungodly men! The ransom teaches us that no one loves us as much as Jehovah does​—not even our dearest relative or best friend. (Rom. 8:32, 38, 39) No doubt Jehovah loves us more than we love ourselves. Do you want to live forever? Not as much as Jehovah wants you to. Do you want to have your sins forgiven? Not as much as Jehovah wants to forgive them. All he asks is that we accept his gracious gift by exercising faith and being obedient. The ransom is truly a profound expression of God’s love.​—Eccl. 3:11. w25.01 4:8-9

Sunday, November 29

Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.​—Eph. 5:10.

We all make some decisions based on what we perceive with our physical senses. But our physical senses can sometimes deceive us. Even when they do not, if we walk only by sight, we may end up ignoring God’s will or counsel. (Eccl. 11:9; Matt. 24:37-39) When we walk by faith, however, we will more likely make decisions that are “acceptable to the Lord.” Following God’s advice will give us inner peace and make us truly happy. (Ps. 16:8, 9; Isa. 48:17, 18) And if we continue walking by faith, we will have an everlasting future. (2 Cor. 4:18) How can we tell if we are walking by faith or by sight? Basically, it comes down to this: What factors guide our decisions? Are we guided only by the things we can see? Or are we guided by our trust in and advice from Jehovah? w25.03 12:3-4

Monday, November 30

Be peaceable with one another.​—1 Thess. 5:13.

Each of us has an important role to play in making the spiritual paradise attractive to others. We can fulfill this role if we imitate Jehovah. He does not drag people into his organization against their will. Instead, he gently “draws” people to himself. (John 6:44; Jer. 31:3) Good-hearted people who learn about Jehovah’s loving qualities and appealing personality are irresistibly drawn to him. How can we, by our good qualities and fine conduct, attract people to the spiritual paradise? One way is by treating our fellow worshippers with love and kindness. When new ones attend our congregation meetings, we want them to come to the same conclusion as did the unbelievers who likely attended the meetings in ancient Corinth. They declared: “God is really among you.” (1 Cor. 14:24, 25; Zech. 8:23) Thus, we must continue to heed the counsel in today’s text. w24.04 17:16-17