Showing posts with label 1 Samuel. Show all posts

Thursday, May 12, 2022

May 9-May 15 Our Christian Life And Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems

When you're distressed, whom do you look to for strength? Yes, we all feel bitter sometimes. But our God, Jehovah, strengthens us in all circumstances. Just like David! David’s fear of Jehovah did more than just restrain him from doing wrong. It strengthened him to act decisively and wisely under difficult circumstances. Though distressed, David did not despair. Likewise, we need to rely on Jehovah God for the courage to go on.

For this week, here are the spiritual gems that I have meditated.

1 Samuel 30:7. This indicates that David approached God through the priestly organization represented by Abiathar, who had the ephod. Today as servant of Jehovah, we must likewise look to God’s visible organization for spiritual food that is timely and for directions in Kingdom service. We should show readiness to submit and conform to the leadings of the holy spirit.
1 Samuel 31:4. This clearly shows that this Biblical event, then, in no way justifies a Christian’s having any part in euthanasia. David, the anointed of Jehovah, ordered that this Amalekite who complied with Saul's request that he be put to death be slain for his bloodguilt. So we must show respect for life.
1 Samuel 31:12, 13. This verses teaches us that David did not consider their burning of the corpses as shameful. It was part of a respectful disposing of the dead. Since Jehovah does not express disapproval of cremation in the Bible, it remains a matter of personal decision. Accordingly, God will provide suitable bodies for those to be raised from death to earthly life. So whether a body returns to the elements by decaying in the ground or is burned to ashes does not in any way affect Jehovah's ability to resurrect the person, if that is His desire.

May we always be strengthened by our God and continue to do His will no matter hard our life would be.

May 2-May 8 Our Christian Life And Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems

When talking to someone, do you always reveal everything without hesitation? Do you tell every detail of all things? Well, David is not that kind of person. While escaping from Saul, he did not reveal complete details to Achish. This is his war strategy.

What can we learn from that? In case the time comes and we are being persecuted and pressured to tell all details regarding the whereabouts and what about of our organization, we need to remain silent so as not to put our brothers at risk.

Here are the spiritual gems that I've loved.

1 Samuel 28:6. This is a warning example for us. When men turn away from Jehovah and become alienated from the only One who knows the end from the beginning, they easily fall victim to spiritistic demon influence. Saul is such a striking example, one who at first looked to Jehovah for knowledge of future events but who, after being cut off from all contact with God because of his unfaithfulness, turned to the demons as a substitute for divine guidance. We must not do the same. We should always seek Jehovah's guidance and patiently wait for His answers.
1 Samuel 28:12. This teaches us to avoid spiritistic activities. A seeming case in point is the record of unfaithful King Saul when having a witch call forth the deceased prophet Samuel. True, the witch of Endor claimed to get in touch with the dead prophet Samuel, but did she actually do so? She could not have, for the dead are unconscious, asleep in the grave. (Ps. 146:3, 4; Eccl. 9:5, 10) Then whom did the witch see? She saw a demon impersonating the prophet Samuel. We never get involved in any forms of witchcraft for it is abominable to Jehovah's eyes.

We must remain loyal to Jehovah God at all times.

April 25-May 1 Our Christian Life And Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems

It's been a week. We have our different battles in life but with God Jehovah's help, we succeed.

Have you acted or blurt out some words that you regret later? This is the focus of this week's meeting. Impulse! Proverbs 15:28 encourages us to take time to meditate before doing or speaking anything. It is not always easy. Yes, sometimes due to the heat of a certain situation, we may forget to respond calmly.

So, whatever we do, in case we are shopping, or dealing with miscommunication, we must not act in impulse! We should collect our thoughts first and ask Jehovah for wisdom.

For this week's Bible reading, here are some good points that I've found:

1 Samuel 25:3. This verse teaches us how to live by our name. Nabal's parents give him such a name at birth, or was it an epithet that stuck to him later? In either case, he lived up to his name. Nabal was “harsh and bad in his practices.” We want to have a good reputation so we need to be wise about how we live and act.
1 Samuel 25:17. Do we listen? In a way, we have already seen Abigail take the first step toward righting this terrible wrong. Unlike her husband, Nabal, she proved willing to listen. Tragically, Nabal’s view of his own importance rendered him unwilling to listen. Such arrogance is all too common even to this day. But the young man knew Abigail to be different, which is no doubt why he approached her with this problem. So we should listen especially to Jehovah!
1 Samuel 26:23. Sometimes, even when we put forth an earnest effort to express loving-kindness to others, we meet with an unappreciative response. But we ought to realize that there is someone who sees and appreciates what we do, and that is Jehovah. David, the son of Jesse, was one who realized this. Life was made hard for him by King Saul of Israel, who, though he was David’s father-in-law, sought to break up David’s home, finally married off David’s wife Michal to another man, and repeatedly tried to kill David himself. How many people have undergone experiences that are that severe? Yet David repeatedly acted with loving-kindness toward the king. And, though David expected no appreciation from the king, he said: “Jehovah it is who will repay to each one his own righteousness and his own faithfulness.” (1 Sam. 26:23) Yes, Jehovah sees to it that the kindnesses of his servants do not go unrewarded.

There are still many good points in this week's reading. May we put those words in heart! Stay safe everyone!

April 4-10 Our Christian Life And Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems

Being a good friend is the focus of the April 4 to 10-midweek meeting. Have you found your true friend in the congregation? Or we may analyze ourselves, am I a true and reliable friend to others? The workbook discussed three ways how we can show that we are good friends. First, comfort and encourage your friend when he is distressed. Second, warn your friend when there is danger. Third, defend your friend when he is slandered. Practical points, right?

For spiritual gems, here's what I've found.

1 Samuel 20:2. Jonathan's expression in this verse shows that he and his father, Saul, are very close. Jonathan believes that his father will not do anything without disclosing it to him. Yet, this closeness did not waver Jonathan's zeal to support Jehovah's will. May we put our relationship to Jehovah first than our family bond.
1 Samuel 21:6. In this account, David stopped at the tabernacle and ate the loaves of presentation. Even though the loaves had already been removed from before Jehovah and replaced by fresh ones, they were ordinarily reserved for the priests to eat. Yet, under the circumstances, David was not condemned for eating them. I have learned that God’s law cannot be violated when circumstances become difficult. A violation is a violation. We must obey God's law at all times.
1 Samuel 21:10-15. David faced distress when he faced the King of Gath. David thought out a strategy by which he escaped. Jehovah blessed his efforts. Likewise, when we are confronted with knotty problems, Jehovah expects us to use our mental faculties and not simply to expect him to work them out for us. He has given us His inspired Word, which will “give to the inexperienced one's shrewdness, . . . knowledge and thinking ability.” God has also provided congregation elders, who can help us to know how to maintain God’s standards. Let us use these loving provisions to overcome distress.
1 Samuel 22:3. Even though David is fleeing and in distressful times, he did not forget to care for his parents. He asked them to please take care of them while he was away. May our burdens and hardships did not hinder us to show love and care to our families or friends in the congregation. Like David, let us show loving support.

We are full again with lessons that we can use in our everyday dealings. Stay alert spiritually and physically. Be safe.

March 28—April 3 Our Christian Life and Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems

This week, the Midweek Meeting will focus on remaining humble. Being humble when praised or when we do things successfully is a challenge. But like David, we too can be humble. Here are some spiritual gems you can add to your lists:

1 Samuel 18:1-3. These verses describe the friendship between Jonathan and David. Although Jonathan was some 30 years older than David, he became united with this young warrior in a lasting bond. Jonathan’s principled love for David and submission to Jehovah’s arrangement was a good example to us. Be a loyal friend to others too.
1 Samuel 18:8. This is a warning example for us! Saul became heated with anger and jealousy towards David. According to studies, anger and jealousy have an adverse effect on our physical health. One cannot form logical conclusions or pass sound judgment. Best to have a calm heart rather than harbor jealousy to someone.
1 Samuel 18:5. The scripture says that “wherever Saul would send David, he will be successful”. Why? Is it because of David’s own strength and insight? A big no! David’s expeditions met with success because of Jehovah. May we have the same humble attitude by having complete reliance on Jehovah and give Him the credits.
1 Samuel 19:23. I have learned the operation of God’s spirit in this event. That night David made his escape through a window of his house and ran to Ramah. He might possibly die on Saul’s hand. But the sufficient time for David to flee is evident that Jehovah helped him. We too can be successful in our symbolic escape. Jehovah God will also grant us His spirit so we can successfully escape to His new world.

May these scriptures strengthen our faith. How about you brothers? You can share your gems too.

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Spiritual Gems, Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry Discussions, Congregation Bible Study, Watchtower Study—Midweek and Weekend Meeting Answers

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Thursday, May 12, 2022

May 9-May 15 Our Christian Life And Ministry (Midweek) Meeting Answers: Spiritual Gems