Proverbs Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.) Pr 15:15 How can we find greater joy in life?

Transcription

1 Proverbs Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.) Pr 15:15 How can we find greater joy in life? (g 11/13 16) Do You Have a Feast Constantly? All the days of the afflicted one are bad; but the one that is good at heart has a feast constantly. Proverbs 15:15. WHAT do those words mean? They refer to one s mental and emotional state. The afflicted one dwells on the negative an outlook that makes his days bad, or dismal. By contrast, the one who is good at heart tries to focus on the positive an attitude that fosters inner joy, giving him a feast constantly. We all have problems that can rob us of a measure of happiness. Yet, we may be able to do certain things that help us to retain our joy through difficult times. Consider what the Bible says. Do not let anxieties over tomorrow weigh you down today. Jesus Christ said: Do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings. Matthew 6:34, Good News Translation. Try to focus on the good things that have happened to you. In fact, when you feel down, why not make a list of those good things and reflect on them? Also, do not dwell on past mistakes or bad deeds. Learn from them, and move on. Be like a driver who glances into his rearview mirror but does not focus on it. Keep in mind, too, that there is the true forgiveness with [God]. Psalm 130:4. When anxieties weigh you down, confide in someone who may be able to cheer you up. Anxious care causes our heart to bow down, but the good word is what makes it rejoice, says Proverbs 12:25. That good word may come from a family member or a trusted friend someone who is not cynical or pessimistic but is loving all the time. Proverbs 17:17. The wise sayings found in the Bible have helped many to find more joy in life, even through trying times. May those precious sayings help you too.

2 Pr 16:4 In what sense has Jehovah made the wicked work for his purpose? (w07 5/ ) What else will result from our rolling our works upon Jehovah? Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose, says the wise king. (Proverbs 16:4a) The Creator of the universe is a God of purpose. When we roll our works upon him, our life becomes filled with purposeful and meaningful activity, void of futility or vanity. And Jehovah s purpose for the earth and man upon it is eternal. (Ephesians 3:11) He formed the earth and created it to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18) Moreover, what he originally purposed for mankind on earth is bound to become a reality. (Genesis 1:28) A life devoted to the true God will be unending and have meaning forever. Jehovah has made even the wicked one for the evil day. (Proverbs 16:4b) He did not create the wicked, for perfect is his activity. (Deuteronomy 32:4) However, he has allowed them to come into existence and continue living until he sees fit to execute his adverse judgment. For example, Jehovah said to Pharaoh of Egypt: For this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16) The Ten Plagues and the destruction of Pharaoh and his forces in the Red Sea were indeed memorable demonstrations of God s matchless power. Jehovah can also make circumstances work out in such a way that the wicked unknowingly serve his purpose. The psalmist said: The very rage of man will laud you; the remainder of raging you [Jehovah] will gird upon yourself. (Psalm 76:10) Jehovah may allow his enemies to express their rage toward his servants but only to the extent necessary to discipline his people and thus train them. What is in excess of this, God takes upon himself.

3 What does this week s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah? *** w15 10/1 p. 4 Is Anyone Listening? *** Yet, the Bible assures us that there is a personal God and that he does hear prayers. The Bible records this statement to a people long ago: He [God] will surely show you favor at the sound of your cry for help; he will answer you as soon as he hears it. (Isaiah 30:19) Another Bible verse says: The prayer of the upright is a pleasure to Him. Proverbs 15:8. *** w14 4/1 p. 6 Should You Pray? *** Instead of removing a personal problem, God often gives his people the strength needed to cope with it. (2 Corinthians 4:7) For example, when Jesus begged his Father to remove an ordeal, fearing that it would bring reproach on God s name, Jehovah dispatched an angel to strengthen his Son. (Luke 22:42, 43) Similarly, God may use a close friend to give us a word of encouragement when we need it most. (Proverbs 12:25) Because this kind of answer is subtle, we may have to be more alert to the way God responds to our prayers. *** w14 4/15 p. 27 par. 2 Do You Appreciate Jehovah s Watchful Care? *** 2 However, should the widespread use of surveillance cameras in any way remind us of our loving Father, Jehovah? The Bible does say that his eyes are everywhere. (Prov. 15:3) But does this mean that he is constantly scrutinizing what we are doing? Does God watch over us merely to enforce his laws, with punishment in mind? (Jer. 16:17; Heb. 4:13) Not at all! Jehovah observes us primarily because he loves each one of us and is interested in our welfare. 1 Pet. 3:12. *** w13 6/15 p. 18 par. 8 Appreciate Jehovah s Loyalty and Forgiveness *** 8 We can also imitate Jehovah s loyalty by remaining true to those whom we love. For example, if we are married, we know that we must stay faithful to our marriage mate. (Prov. 5:15-18) So we do not take even the first step down a path that could lead to adultery. (Matt. 5:28) In addition, we show loyalty to our fellow believers by shunning hurtful gossip or slander, refusing to spread such negative talk or even to listen to it. Prov. 12:18. *** w12 7/1 pp. 5-6 Who Is the Hearer of Prayer? *** The Bible reveals the Hearer of prayer to be a person one whom you can know. Surely only a person can listen with understanding. It is reassuring to read: O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come. (Psalm 65:2) He hears those who pray to him in faith. And he has a name. The Bible says: Jehovah is far away from the wicked ones, but the prayer of the righteous ones he hears. Proverbs 15:29.

4 *** w11 4/15 p. 6 How to Remain Honest in a Dishonest World *** Recognizing Jehovah s position of authority results in godly fear a driving force behind our determination to resist the spirit of dishonesty. Proverbs 16:6 states: In the fear of Jehovah one turns away from bad. Such fear is, not morbid dread of a vindictive God, but healthy concern over displeasing our heavenly Father, who is deeply interested in our welfare. 1 Pet. 3:12. *** w10 3/15 p. 16 par. 8 Walk by Spirit and Live Up to Your Dedication *** Well, for one thing, by praying for holy spirit, you acknowledge your reliance on Jehovah. For example, if someone came to you for aid, you would do whatever you could to help him, one reason being that he asked you to assist him, showing trust in you. (Compare Proverbs 3:27.) Likewise, Jehovah finds pleasure in your asking him for his spirit, and he will give it to you. Prov. 15:8. *** w09 8/15 pp par. 11 Keep Yourselves in God s Love *** 11 First, we must love those whom Jehovah loves. When it comes to associations, people are like sponges. We tend to absorb whatever is around us. Our Creator well knows how dangerous and how helpful associations can be for imperfect humans. Therefore, he gives us this wise counsel: He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly. (Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33) None of us want to fare badly. Each of us wants to become wise. Jehovah cannot be made any wiser than he is, nor can he ever be corrupted by anyone. Yet, he sets a beautiful example for us when it comes to associations. Think of it which imperfect humans does Jehovah choose as his friends? 12 Jehovah referred to the patriarch Abraham as my friend. (Isa. 41:8) This man was outstandingly faithful, righteous, and obedient a man of faith. (Jas. 2:21-23) That is the kind of friend Jehovah chooses. He befriends such people today. If Jehovah chooses such friends, is it not vital that we likewise choose well, that we walk with wise ones and become wise? *** w07 2/1 p. 6 Why Be Truthful? *** Since Jehovah is the God of truth, anyone wishing to have a close relationship with him must put away falsehood and speak truth. A servant of God ought to love truth. A faithful witness is one that will not lie, wrote the wise man. What, though, is a lie? Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 14:5.

5 *** w07 2/1 p. 19 par. 8 Jehovah Is an Appreciative God *** 8 Another evidence that Jehovah appreciates and values our expressions of godly devotion can be seen in what the Bible says about prayer. The prayer of the upright ones is a pleasure to [God], noted the wise man. (Proverbs 15:8) *** w07 4/15 p. 5 Will Cruelty Ever End? *** A study of God s way of handling things will convince you that Jehovah has never shown a lack of interest in others. He has never treated unjustly any human or for that matter any animal. (Deuteronomy 22:10; Psalm 36:7; Proverbs 12:10) *** w07 11/1 p. 5 Clothe Yourselves With Lowliness of Mind *** Regarding God s view of pride, a Bible writer observed: Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah. (Proverbs 16:5)

6 What points from this week s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry? *** w15 2/15 pp par. 10 Imitate Jesus Courage and Discernment *** 10 Discernment is good judgment the ability to tell right from wrong and then choose the wise course. (Heb. 5:14) It has been defined as the ability to make sound judgements in spiritual matters. A discerning worshipper speaks and acts in ways that please God. Such a person chooses words that help others rather than hurt them. (Prov. 11:12, 13) He is slow to anger. (Prov. 14:29) He walks straight ahead, sticking to the right course on his journey through life. (Prov. 15:21) How can we acquire discernment? We must study God s Word and apply what we learn. (Prov. 2:1-5, 10, 11) It is especially helpful to consider the example of Jesus, the most discerning man who ever lived. *** w15 5/15 p. 26 par. 9 Imitate the One Who Promises Everlasting Life *** Think about how we can be kind in the following situations: In the ministry, a householder says, I m too busy to talk right now. Will we be considerate? By putting ourselves in the place of others and trying to anticipate how our words might affect them, we can discern how to speak and act in ways that imitate Jehovah s kindness. Read Proverbs 15:28. *** w15 12/15 p. 19 par. 7 Use the Power of Your Tongue for Good *** 7 Our words may be just what our hearer truly needs, but unless we discern the best time to speak, their meaning could be lost. (Read Proverbs 15:23.) For example, in March 2011 an earthquake and tsunami devastated parts of eastern Japan, wiping out entire cities. More than 15,000 lost their lives. Although Jehovah s Witnesses in the area suffered along with their neighbors, they took advantage of every opportunity to use the Bible to comfort those who were mourning. However, many of the local people have deeprooted Buddhist beliefs and little or no knowledge of Bible teachings. Our brothers discerned that immediately following the tsunami was not necessarily the best time to tell the grief-stricken victims about the resurrection hope. Instead, they used their gift of speech to focus on giving emotional support and explaining from the Bible why such terrible things happen to innocent people.

7 *** w14 3/15 p. 5 Reaching the Heart of Unbelieving Relatives *** The Bible says that the heart of the righteous one meditates before answering and that the heart of the wise one gives his mouth insight and adds persuasiveness to his speech. How can we apply this counsel? Prov. 15:28; 16:23. A wife may wish to explain her faith to her husband. If she meditates before answering, she will carefully choose her words and not speak hastily. She should not give the impression of feeling self-righteous or superior. Her well-thought-out speech can be refreshing and promote peace. When is her husband relaxed and easily approachable? What sort of topics does he enjoy talking or reading about? Is he interested in science, politics, or sports? How can she arouse his curiosity about the Bible while at the same time respect his feelings and opinions? Thinking along those lines will help her to speak and act with insight. Reaching the heart of family members who are not yet Witnesses is not simply a matter of explaining our faith in measured doses. What we say ought to be supported by a record of fine conduct. *** w14 5/15 p. 12 par. 7 Follow the Golden Rule in Your Ministry *** 7 If someone you meet in the ministry seems to be belligerent, would it not be good to give him the benefit of the doubt? Could it be that he is under pressure at work or at school? Is he dealing with a serious health problem? In many cases, householders who initially were upset have responded favorably when Jehovah s people treated them with mildness and respect. Prov. 15:1; 1 Pet. 3:15. *** w14 10/1 p. 8 God s Kingdom What Will It Mean for You? *** You are wise to be cautious instead of believing everything you hear. (Proverbs 14:15) In some ways, your caution could be compared to that of the ancient Beroeans. When they were first told about the good news of the Kingdom, the Beroeans accepted what they heard, but not simply because they wanted it to be true. Rather, they carefully examined the Scriptures to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11) In other words, the Beroeans compared the good news that they heard with what the Scriptures say. In time, they became convinced that the good news was in fact solidly based on God s Word. *** w13 1/15 pp par. 12 Let Nothing Distance You From Jehovah *** 12 First, consider the type. Be assured that you can find healthy forms of recreation and good entertainment. Admittedly, though, much of what is available glorifies things that God hates, including violence, spiritism, and illicit sex. Therefore, you need to scrutinize the type of recreation and entertainment that you engage in. What effect does it have on you? Does it encourage in you a spirit of violence, fierce competition, or nationalism? (Prov. 3:31) Does it drain your financial resources? Could it stumble others? (Rom. 14:21) What type of associates does your choice of recreation and entertainment bring you into contact with? (Prov. 13:20) Does it stimulate in you a desire to commit wrong acts? Jas. 1:14, 15.

8 *** w13 4/15 pp par. 13 Help Yourself and Others by Using God s Word *** 13 Jesus example teaches us how we should help others. Someone who is upset might say in an abrupt tone, I want to set something straight with you. But such an approach is not the intent of what is stated at 2 Timothy 3:16. All Scripture does not authorize us to tell others off. Like the stabs of a sword, sharp criticism often causes much pain and seldom brings any benefits. Prov. 12:18. *** w13 9/15 p. 23 par. 5 Make Personal Decisions Wisely *** 5 We must admit that none of us are born with a perfectly sound mind. Why is that so? Because all of us are born in sin and imperfection and thus are far from being completely sound in body or mind. (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23) In addition, many of us were once among those whose minds were blinded by Satan; we were once ignorant of Jehovah and his righteous standards. (2 Cor. 4:4; Titus 3:3) Hence, were we to base our decisions solely on what we feel is good and reasonable, we might be deceiving ourselves, no matter how much we ponder the decision before us. Prov. 14:12. *** w12 2/15 pp. 6-7 par. 14 Imitate Jesus Example of Watchfulness *** 14 As we have seen, some of Jesus most urgent exhortations to keep watchful came when he was under severe trial. (Read Mark 14:37.) When we face hardships, we need his example more than ever. Under trial, many tend to forget a vital truth, one so important that the book of Proverbs says it twice: There exists a way that is upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward. (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25) If we rely on our own thinking, especially when we face serious problems, we are likely to endanger ourselves and those we love. *** w12 2/15 p. 21 par. 12 Preserve the Positive Spirit of the Congregation *** 12 We must guard against developing a spirit of murmuring. While cultivating humility and respect for authority will help us, we need to be concerned about those with whom we associate. A poor choice of entertainment or spending too much time with workmates or school associates who have no regard for righteous principles takes its toll. We are wise to limit our association with people who are negative or who are promoting an independent attitude. Prov. 13:20. *** w12 3/15 pp par. 14 Help People to Awake From Sleep *** 14 We can likely learn much about the art of initiating conversations by observing how experienced publishers do it. Notice how they avoid the appearance of interrogating or prying. How do their tone of voice and facial expression communicate their interest in understanding the householder s views? Prov. 15:13.

9 *** w12 3/15 p. 13 par. 15 Help People to Awake From Sleep *** 15 Do you like to be awakened from a deep sleep? Many do not react well when awakened suddenly. A gentle approach is usually preferred. The same is true regarding efforts to awaken people spiritually. For example, if someone reacts angrily to your visit, what is usually the best response? Kindly acknowledge his feelings, thank him for being frank, and calmly take your leave. (Prov. 15:1; 17:14; 2 Tim. 2:24) Your kindness may move such a person to react more positively the next time a Witness calls. *** w12 6/1 p. 8 Practical Today *** AN EXAMPLE: Though not a medical guide, the Bible contains practical suggestions on good emotional and physical health. For example, it states that a calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism. (Proverbs 14:30) The Bible also warns: One isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth. (Proverbs 18:1) On the other hand, it states that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving. Acts 20:35. *** w07 11/15 p. 24 par. 16 Cultivate Qualities That Can Help You Make Disciples *** 16 Careful preparation is the key to simplicity and clarity. An unprepared minister tends to talk too much. He may virtually drown the main points in an excessive flow of words, saying everything he knows on a subject. In contrast, the well-prepared minister thinks about the person he is instructing, meditates on the topic, and presents clearly just what is needed. (Proverbs 15:28; 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2) He considers how much the student already knows and what points should be emphasized during the study. The minister may know many interesting details about the subject, but clarity comes from pruning away unnecessary information. *** w07 12/1 p. 5 People Worldwide Are Being United How? *** Human efforts at unity no matter how sincere have proved futile. This comes as no surprise to Bible students, for God s Word says: It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. (Jeremiah 10:23) The Bible also candidly states: There exists a way that is upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward. (Proverbs 16:25) Human governments can go only so far in achieving unity. Still, we are not left without hope. *** w06 9/15 p. 19 pars. 3-9 Highlights From the Book of Proverbs *** 11:1; 16:11; 20:10, 23. Jehovah wants us to be honest in our business dealings.

10 13:4. To be desirous of a position of responsibility in the congregation or of life in the new world is in itself not enough. We must also be industrious and put forth diligent effort to meet the requirements. 15:7. We should not pour out everything we know to a person all at once, just as a farmer does not pour out all his seeds in one location. The wise one scatters his knowledge a little at a time as the need may be. 15:15; 18:14. Maintaining a positive mental outlook will help us to find joy, even under distressing circumstances.