December
Tuesday, December 1
He opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures.—Luke 24:45.
Jesus’ disciples accepted God’s Word and tried hard to apply it in their life. (John 17:6) Still, Jesus’ dying as a criminal on a torture stake confused them. Jesus realized that their doubts stemmed, not from a bad heart, but from a lack of understanding. (Luke 9:44, 45; John 20:9) So he taught them to reason on the Scriptures. Consider how he did that when he appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus did not immediately tell the men who he was. Instead, he asked questions. Why? Perhaps he wanted them to express what was on their mind and in their heart. And they did. They told him that they had expected Jesus to deliver Israel from Roman oppression. (Luke 24:18-27) Jesus used the Scriptures to help the men to understand what had happened. Later that evening, Jesus spent time assuring the other disciples of these truths.—Luke 24:33-48. w24.10 41:9-10
Wednesday, December 2
I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things.—John 8:28.
Jesus learned from his heavenly Father what to do and what to say. Following the example of Jesus, Jehovah’s organization bases its moral teachings and its direction on God’s Word. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) We regularly receive reminders to read and apply God’s Word. We benefit greatly when we study the Bible with the help of our Christian publications. For instance, we are able to compare Bible teachings with the direction we receive from the organization. When we see that the guidance we receive is based on the Scriptures, our confidence in Jehovah’s organization grows. (Rom. 12:2) Jesus preached “the good news of the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 4:43, 44) Also, Jesus commanded his disciples to preach about the Kingdom. (Luke 9:1, 2; 10:8, 9) Today all who are associated with Jehovah’s organization preach the Kingdom message no matter where they live. w24.04 15:5-7
Thursday, December 3
We will do all that you have commanded, and we will go wherever you send us.—Josh. 1:16.
Maintain confidence in theocratic direction. In ancient Israel, Jehovah used Moses and then Joshua to convey instructions to His people. (Josh. 1:17) The Israelites were blessed when they viewed these men as representatives of Jehovah God. Centuries later when the Christian congregation was first formed, the 12 apostles gave direction. (Acts 8:14, 15) Then that group was expanded to include other elders in Jerusalem. By following the guidance received from those faithful men, “the congregations continued to be made firm in the faith and to increase in number day by day.” (Acts 16:4, 5) In modern times, we too are blessed when we follow theocratic direction from Jehovah’s organization. w24.07 28:10
Friday, December 4
I have found David the son of Jesse a man agreeable to my heart.—Acts 13:22.
Jehovah dearly loved King David. He even called him “a man agreeable to my heart.” But David became involved in gross sins, including adultery and murder. According to the Mosaic Law, David deserved to die. (Lev. 20:10; Num. 35:31) Yet, Jehovah kindly stepped in. He sent his prophet Nathan to visit the king, even though David had not yet shown any sign of repentance. Nathan used an illustration designed to touch David’s heart. Deeply moved, David repented. (2 Sam. 12:1-14) He wrote a heartfelt psalm that reveals his repentant spirit. (Ps. 51, superscription) That psalm has comforted countless sinners and motivated them to repent. Are we not glad that Jehovah lovingly led his beloved servant David to repentance? w24.08 32:9
Saturday, December 5
Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.—Rom. 12:2.
Many would agree that being a parent is a full-time job. If you are a parent with a young child, we commend you for working hard to build strong faith in him. (Deut. 6:6, 7) As your child grows up, he may begin asking serious questions about our Bible-based beliefs, including the Bible’s moral standards. At first, you may be worried about your child’s questions. You might even view such questions as a step backward regarding his faith. In reality, however, growing children need to ask questions in order to form their own convictions. (1 Cor. 13:11) So there is no reason to be fearful. You may view all sincere questions your child raises about our beliefs as opportunities to help him to develop his thinking ability. w24.12 50:1-2
Sunday, December 6
We are . . . the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.—Heb. 10:39.
The Hebrew Christians would need strong faith to survive the approaching tribulation in Judea. (Heb. 10:37, 38) Jesus had warned his followers that when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, they should flee to the mountains. His counsel applied to all Christians, whether they lived in that city or in the open countryside. (Luke 21:20-24) People back then who were threatened by an invading army would normally seek protection in a walled city like Jerusalem. Fleeing to the mountains would have seemed illogical and would have taken great faith. The Hebrew Christians would also need to trust those whom Jesus was using to direct the congregation. Those taking the lead likely gave specific instructions to help all in the congregation to follow Jesus’ direction at the right time and in an orderly manner.—Heb. 13:17. w24.09 37:9-10
Monday, December 7
He gave gifts in men.—Eph. 4:8.
While on earth, Jesus perfectly cared for the work his Father had given him to do. (John 17:4) But Jesus did not have the attitude, ‘If you want something done right, you must do it yourself.’ He trained others to do the work. Jesus entrusted his disciples with the responsibility of caring for Jehovah’s precious sheep and taking the lead in the preaching and teaching work. Jesus gave his disciples frank but loving counsel. Some of them had the tendency to doubt, so he counseled them. (Luke 24:25-27; John 20:27) He drove home the need for them to put greater emphasis on the shepherding work than on their secular careers. (John 21:15) He reminded them not to become unduly concerned about what privileges others might receive. (John 21:20-22) And he corrected some wrong ideas they had about the Kingdom and helped them focus on getting the good news preached.—Acts 1:6-8. w24.10 41:13-14
Tuesday, December 8
The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.—Ps. 37:29.
Obedience leads to life. Like the Israelites who were on the threshold of the Promised Land, we are on the verge of entering God’s promised new world, where we will see the earth transformed into a paradise. (Isa. 35:1; Luke 23:43) The Devil and his demons will be gone. (Rev. 20:2, 3) No longer will false religion lead people away from Jehovah. (Rev. 17:16) No longer will human governments oppress those under their care. (Rev. 19:19, 20) Paradise will have no place for rebels. (Ps. 37:10, 11) People everywhere will obey Jehovah’s righteous laws, which promote unity and peace. Thus, they will love and trust one another. (Isa. 11:9) What a wonderful prospect! What is more, if we obey Jehovah, we can continue to live on a paradise earth not just for hundreds of years but for all eternity.—John 3:16. w24.11 45:7
Wednesday, December 9
This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.—Matt. 24:14.
The prophecy in today’s text is being fulfilled in our day as never before. The Kingdom message is published in more than 1,000 languages, and by means of the jw.org website, it is available to the majority of the world’s population. However, Jesus also told his disciples that they would not “complete the circuit of the cities,” or preach to everyone, before he would come. (Matt. 10:23; 25:31-33) Jesus’ words will prove to be true in our day as well. Millions of people today live in areas where the preaching work is severely restricted. In addition, hundreds of babies are born every minute. We do our best to reach people from “every nation and tribe and tongue” with the good news. (Rev. 14:6) But the fact is that we will not be able to share the good news with each individual on earth before the end comes. w24.05 19:6-7
Thursday, December 10
They are no longer two, but one flesh.—Matt. 19:6.
Jesus used his words to comfort and refresh others. He did not speak harshly to his followers. (Luke 8:47, 48) What an excellent example for Christian husbands! Jesus instructed husbands to remain loyal to their wife. He quoted his Father, who said that a husband should “stick to his wife.” (Matt. 19:4-6) The Greek verb used in that passage for “stick to” literally means “to glue.” Therefore, the marital bond between a husband and a wife should be so strong that it is as if they were glued together. Their bond cannot be broken without damaging both of them. A husband who develops such a bond with his wife will reject all forms of pornography. He will immediately turn away from “looking at what is worthless.” (Ps. 119:37) In effect, he makes a contract with his eyes not to look passionately at any woman other than his wife.—Job 31:1. w25.01 2:12-13
Friday, December 11
Our God . . . will forgive in a large way.—Isa. 55:7.
The forgiveness humans extend can be complicated. The way Jehovah forgives us imperfect humans is very different from the way we forgive one another. The forgiveness Jehovah extends is unique. The psalmist said of Jehovah: “With you there is true forgiveness, so that you may be held in awe.” (Ps. 130:4) Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness is “true forgiveness.” He sets the ultimate standard of what forgiveness really means. In some cases, Bible writers used a Hebrew word for forgiveness that is never used to describe human forgiveness. When Jehovah forgives someone, that person’s sin is wiped out. The damaged relationship is entirely restored. Jehovah’s forgiveness is amazingly complete and generous. w25.02 7:1-3
Saturday, December 12
He ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness.—Acts 10:42.
Our success in the ministry does not depend on the results we obtain. Why? Because we have done what Jehovah and his Son want us to do—we have given a witness. Even when we do not find anyone to speak with or when our message is rejected, we can have joy because we know that we are pleasing our heavenly Father. (Prov. 27:11) We can also rejoice when another publisher finds an interested person in the territory. The Watchtower has likened our work to searching for a lost child. Many are involved in looking for him, covering one area after another. When the child is found, everyone—not just the individual who found him—has reason to rejoice. Similarly, the disciple-making work is a team effort. All are needed to cover the territory, and all rejoice when a new one starts attending meetings. w24.04 16:13-14
Sunday, December 13
All those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers.—Acts 13:48.
What exciting prospects lie ahead of us! With Jehovah’s blessing, we hope to see many more accept the truth before the great tribulation begins. Also, we are thrilled at the possibility that even during the great tribulation, we may see still more people turn away from Satan’s dying world and join us in praising Jehovah! Meanwhile, we have work to do. We have the privilege of sharing in a never-to-be-repeated proclamation—the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom throughout the earth. At the same time, we must keep sounding the warning. People need to know that the end of this wicked system of things is rapidly approaching. Motivated by love—love for the good news, love for people and, above all, love for Jehovah God and his name—we will keep preaching with eagerness, urgency, and zeal until Jehovah says, “It is enough!” w24.05 20:14-16
Monday, December 14
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.—1 Pet. 5:5.
On the night before he was put to death, Jesus taught Peter and the other apostles an important lesson in humility. Much to the astonishment of his apostles, he did something that a servant would normally do. Jesus took off his outer garments, wrapped a towel around his waist, put water into the basin, and started washing their feet. (John 13:4, 5) It may have taken some time to wash the feet of all 12 apostles—including Judas, who was going to betray him. Yet, Jesus humbly completed the task. Then Jesus patiently explained: “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are correct, for I am such. Therefore, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another.”—John 13:12-14. w25.03 10:9-11
Tuesday, December 15
You guide me with your advice, and afterward you will lead me to glory.—Ps. 73:24.
The world makes it challenging for us to remain close to Jehovah. Many reject the idea that God exists. Often, those who ignore what God requires seem to prosper. When we see that happen, our faith can be tested. While we would not deny that God exists, we could begin to wonder whether he will act in our behalf. The writer of Psalm 73 found himself wondering about this. He saw those around him ignoring God’s laws and still enjoying life. As a result, he began to question whether it was worth serving God. (Ps. 73:11-13) What eventually helped the psalmist to correct his view? He meditated on what would happen to those who forget Jehovah. (Ps. 73:18, 19, 27) He also considered the benefits that come from serving God. We too can reflect on the blessings that Jehovah has given us. w24.06 25:16-17
Wednesday, December 16
Let your way of life be free of the love of money.—Heb. 13:5.
In Bible times, some took advantage of their poor brothers by charging them interest on the money lent to them. Also, some judges accepted bribes and then judged innocent victims unfairly. Such practices are detestable to Jehovah. (Ezek. 22:12) It is good for us to evaluate our personal attitude toward money. Ask yourself: ‘Do I often find myself thinking about money and what it can buy? If I borrow money, am I slow to repay it, concluding that the person who lent it to me does not need it? Does having money make me feel important but make it hard to be generous? Do I judge my brothers and sisters as materialistic simply because they have money? Do I cultivate friendship with the rich and show little interest in the poor?’ We can protect our friendship with God by keeping our life free of the love of money. If we do so, Jehovah will never leave us! w24.06 24:17-18
Thursday, December 17
I refuse to walk on any evil path, so that I may keep your word.—Ps. 119:101.
To guard ourselves against temptation, we need to cultivate right desires. If we learn to “hate what is bad and love what is good,” we will strengthen our resolve to do what is right. (Amos 5:15) Proper desires will also fortify us to remain firm if we find ourselves in a tempting situation. We should be absorbed as much as possible in spiritual activities. When we are at Christian meetings or in the ministry, we build our desire to please Jehovah. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Heb. 10:24, 25) By reading and studying God’s Word and meditating on it, we strengthen our love for what is good and our hatred for what is bad. (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2, 3; 119:97) Remember, Jesus told his disciples: “Pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41) Thus, we take advantage of Jehovah’s help and strengthen our determination to please him.—Jas. 4:8. w24.07 29:14-16
Friday, December 18
I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give you advice with my eye upon you.—Ps. 32:8.
Those who provide training do well to imitate the manner in which Jehovah shares his wisdom. Recall that Jehovah gives wisdom generously. Likewise, we freely share our knowledge and experience with those who are learning. We do not withhold some of our knowledge out of fear that the learner may eventually replace us. Nor do we take the view: ‘No one trained me! Let him learn on his own.’ Such an attitude has no place among Jehovah’s people. Rather, we gladly impart not only our knowledge “but also our very selves” to those we train. (1 Thess. 2:8) We hope that they, “in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim. 2:1, 2) In that sense, we can be part of an ongoing cycle of generosity that results in a cycle of happiness. w24.09 39:12-13
Saturday, December 19
Individually we are members belonging to one another.—Rom. 12:5.
If you feel that you do not have any outstanding ability, do not be discouraged. No doubt you have qualities that can make you useful in the congregation. You might benefit from prayerfully reading Paul’s reasoning found at 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. Paul’s words make it clear that you, like every other servant of Jehovah, have a necessary and valuable role to play in the congregation. Do whatever you can to be useful to Jehovah and to your brothers. Be assured that the elders will take your abilities into consideration with regard to any assignments they may give you. (Rom. 12:4-8) All Christians should draw close to Jehovah, experience the joy of giving, and set a good example in Christian living. w24.11 46:12-13
Sunday, December 20
She began to pray to Jehovah and to weep uncontrollably.—1 Sam. 1:10.
Hannah faced several problems that caused her to shed tears of sorrow. One of these difficulties was that she was in a bigamous marriage, and her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, despised her. As if that were not bad enough, Hannah was childless, while Peninnah had several children. (1 Sam. 1:1, 2) Peninnah relentlessly taunted Hannah about her barrenness. Hannah was so upset that “she would weep and not eat,” and she became “extremely bitter” at heart. (1 Sam. 1:6, 7, 10) How did Hannah find comfort? One thing that helped her was that she went to the center of true worship, the tabernacle. There, she begged Jehovah: “Look upon the affliction of your servant and remember me.” (1 Sam. 1:11) Jehovah saw her distress, heard her cry, and later blessed her by allowing her to conceive.—1 Sam. 1:19, 20; 2:21. w24.12 51:5-7
Monday, December 21
I was especially fond of the sons of men.—Prov. 8:31.
The ransom teaches us that Jesus cares deeply for people, especially for his disciples. (John 13:1) For example, Jesus knew that some aspects of his earthly ministry would be very challenging, in particular his painful death. Yet, in carrying out his assignment on earth, he did not simply go through the motions. Instead, Jesus put his whole heart into preaching, teaching, and ministering to others. Even on the day of his death, Jesus took time to wash the feet of his apostles and give them many parting words of comfort and instruction. (John 13:12-15) Then while he was on the stake, Jesus took a few moments to give hope to a dying criminal and to arrange for his own mother’s care. (Luke 23:42, 43; John 19:26, 27) Thus Jesus’ deep love was expressed not only through his death but also through his entire life course on earth. w25.01 4:11
Tuesday, December 22
He bore the punishment for our peace, and because of his wounds we were healed.—Isa. 53:5.
The Bible uses a word picture to help us understand the freedom that comes from true forgiveness. Because of our sinful nature and inclination, we are likened to “slaves of sin.” But thanks to Jehovah’s forgiveness, we are like slaves who have been “set free from sin.” (Rom. 6:17, 18; Rev. 1:5) Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness gives us the exhilarating feeling of being set free from slavery. Because of the ransom sacrifice that Jehovah provided through his Son, we are figuratively spoken of as being healed. (1 Pet. 2:24) The ransom makes possible the full repair of our relationship with Jehovah, which has been damaged by spiritual sickness. Just as a person who has been healed of a serious illness feels intense joy, we too rejoice when we are healed spiritually and regain Jehovah’s favor as a result of his forgiveness. w25.02 7:16-17
Wednesday, December 23
If you keep on doing these things, you will by no means ever fail.—2 Pet. 1:10.
In the parable of the talents, Jesus spoke of two slaves who were faithful to their master and one who was not. (Matt. 25:14-30) The two faithful slaves represent faithful anointed Christians. The Master, Jesus, invites them to “enter into the joy of [their] master.” They receive their heavenly reward, the first resurrection. (Matt. 25:21, 23; Rev. 20:5b) On the other hand, the bad example of the sluggish slave provides a warning for anointed ones. How so? They must prove to be industrious and diligent. In the parable of the talents, as in the parable of the virgins, Jesus was not predicting that the anointed would become sluggish. Rather, he was explaining what would happen if ever they did lose their zeal. They would fail to make their “calling and choosing sure for [themselves],” and they would not be permitted to enter into the heavenly Kingdom. w24.09 38:10, 12-13
Thursday, December 24
Make sure of the more important things.—Phil. 1:10.
All of us want to be able to provide for our own needs and for those of our family. (Eccl. 7:12; 1 Tim. 5:8) When deciding whether to accept a job, we understandably will consider how much money we will earn. However, a person might be walking primarily by sight if that is the only factor he takes into account. If we are walking by faith, we will also consider how the job could affect our friendship with Jehovah. We could ask ourselves: ‘Would the job require me to engage in practices that Jehovah hates?’ (Prov. 6:16-19) ‘Would it interfere with my worship and perhaps keep me away from my family for long periods of time?’ If the answer to such questions is yes, it would be wise not to accept the job, even if work is hard to find. Because we walk by faith, we make decisions that show our conviction that Jehovah will somehow care for our needs.—Matt. 6:33; Heb. 13:5. w25.03 12:5-6
Friday, December 25
[Be] kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another.—Eph. 4:32.
We should always try to see our Christian brothers and sisters as Jehovah sees them. We do so by focusing on their positive qualities and not on their imperfections, which will eventually disappear. We can resolve any differences between us in a spirit of love. Then the spiritual paradise will attract people who want to be treated in a similar way. May we be forever grateful for the paradise that Jehovah has created for us. Anyone who wants to be refreshed, content, calm, and safe must come into the spiritual paradise and never leave it! Beware, though, because Satan is trying his best to lure us away from it. (1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:9) We must not allow him to succeed. Let us vigorously protect the beauty, purity, and peace of the spiritual paradise. w24.04 17:18-19
Saturday, December 26
[Seek] first the Kingdom.—Matt. 6:33.
Parents, you can instill in your children zeal for Jehovah’s worship. Teach your children by word and example that spiritual matters—such as studying the Bible, attending meetings, and participating in the field ministry—take priority over all other activities. Otherwise your children might conclude that being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is nothing more than belonging to the “family religion.” As a result, they might put true worship in second place or even leave it entirely. Is someone who has stopped serving Jehovah beyond hope? No, because he can repent and resume true worship. To do so, he may need to swallow his pride and accept help from congregation elders. (Jas. 5:14) No effort he makes is too great if it results in his being restored to Jehovah’s favor! w24.07 30:18-19
Sunday, December 27
Flee from sexual immorality!—1 Cor. 6:18.
How can you keep your courtship honorable? As your feelings grow, you will naturally feel more attracted to each other. What can help you to keep yourselves morally clean? Avoid immoral conversations, being alone together, and heavy drinking. (Eph. 5:3) These things can arouse passion and weaken your resolve to do what is right. Why not regularly discuss together what measures you can take to keep your courtship honorable? (Prov. 22:3) Some displays of affection may be appropriate as your relationship progresses. However, if your passions are aroused, you will likely find it hard to think objectively about the other person. (Song of Sol. 1:2; 2:6) Displays of affection can also easily escalate and lead to misconduct. (Prov. 6:27) Therefore, early in your relationship, discuss what limits you will set, in harmony with Bible principles.—1 Thess. 4:3-7. w24.05 22:10-11
Monday, December 28
Let your word “Yes” mean yes, your “No,” no.—Matt. 5:37.
We want others to be able to count on us, especially during difficult times. (Prov. 17:17) How can we develop a reputation for being reliable? We can strive to display godly qualities consistently, such as by keeping our promises and by doing our best to be punctual. Reliable elders are a benefit to the congregation. How? Publishers feel supported when they can readily contact elders, such as their field service group overseer. Publishers also feel well cared for when they know that the elders are willing to help them. And as elders base their counsel on the Bible and the publications of the faithful slave rather than on their own opinions, fellow worshippers trust them. Brothers and sisters have further reason to have confidence in an elder who keeps private matters confidential and who follows through by doing what he says he will do. w24.06 26:14-15
Tuesday, December 29
You will give them continuous peace, because it is in you that they trust.—Isa. 26:3.
Today we cannot expect Jehovah to remove all our problems, but we can count on him to sustain us. (Ps. 41:3) By means of his holy spirit, Jehovah gives us strength, wisdom, and inner peace to cope. (Prov. 18:14; Phil. 4:13) He also sustains us through our Bible-based hope of seeing all forms of illness eliminated. (Isa. 33:24) Jehovah has preserved soothing words that can lift our spirits when we face distressing situations. (Rom. 15:4) When a sister in West Africa was diagnosed with cancer, she often wept. She relates: “One scripture that I particularly find comforting is Isaiah 26:3. . . . That verse reassures me that Jehovah can give us the kind of inner peace that helps us control how we react to the trials.” Is there a scripture that you have found especially soothing when you are facing situations that seem extremely trying, maybe even hopeless? w24.12 51:17-18
Wednesday, December 30
While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was moved with pity, and he ran and embraced him and tenderly kissed him.—Luke 15:20.
The elders strive to show a forgiving attitude toward those who have strayed. They want these lost sheep to “come back home.” (Luke 15:22-24, 32) There is joy in heaven when a sinner returns, and there is joy on earth as well! (Luke 15:7) It is clear that Jehovah does not condone unrepentant wrongdoing. However, he does not turn his back on wrongdoers. He wants them to return. Jehovah’s feelings toward repentant wrongdoers are expressed at Hosea 14:4: “I will heal their unfaithfulness. I will love them of my own free will, because my anger has turned away.” What a strong incentive for elders to respond to any signs of repentance. And what a strong incentive for those who have left Jehovah to return without delay. w24.08 35:8-9
Thursday, December 31
Show yourselves thankful.—Col. 3:15.
Realistically, some may not always show or express appreciation. On occasion, we may give of our time, energy, or resources but thereafter wonder if the recipient even cared about what we did. If that happens, how can we avoid losing our joy or becoming bitter? Remember, our happiness in giving does not depend on the response. (Acts 20:35) We can choose to enjoy giving even if others do not seem appreciative. How? Focus on imitating Jehovah. He gives good things to people whether they appreciate it or not. (Matt. 5:43-48) Jehovah promises that when we likewise give “without hoping for anything back,” our “reward will be great.” (Luke 6:35) “Anything” might include an expression of appreciation. Whether we receive it or not, Jehovah will repay us for the good we do to help others, for our being ‘cheerful givers.’—Prov. 19:17; 2 Cor. 9:7. w24.09 39:14-16