Theocratic Ministry School Review Week of June 27th

1. Before Job was restored to a healthy state, Jehovah required that he pray in behalf of those who had transgressed against him. This shows that Jehovah requires that we forgive those who sin against us before we can have our sins forgiven. (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32)5/1, page 31. (Matthew 6:12) and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Ephesians 4:32) But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave YOU.

2. Our spiritual sacrifices are sacrifices of righteousness only if they stem from right motives and our conduct measures up to Jehovahs requirements.

3. David pleaded that his kidneys and his heart be refined. How does Jehovah refine what we are on the inside? David sang: I shall bless Jehovah, who has given me advice. Really, during the nights my kidneys have corrected me. (Psalm 16:7) What does that mean? It means that divine counsel reached the deepest parts of Davids being and settled there, correcting his innermost thoughts and emotions. So it can be with us if we appreciatively reflect on the counsel that we receive through Gods Word, his representatives, and his organization and allow it to settle deep within us. Regularly praying to Jehovah to refine us in this way will help us walk in integrity.

4. Whether you look at the heavens above or gaze at creation right here on earth, the evidence of a Creator is clear. (Jeremiah 10:12) We should heartily agree with the heavenly creatures who cry out: You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things. (Revelation 4:11) Yet, many scientists fail to see the evidence with the eyes of their heart, even though they may marvel at the design in things they see with the eyes of their body. (Ephesians 1:18) We can illustrate it this way: To admire the beauty and design in nature and deny the existence of a Great Designer is as illogical as admiring a magnificent painting and at the same time denying the existence of the artist who transformed a blank canvas into a masterpiece. Little wonder that those who refuse to believe in God are pronounced inexcusable!

Theocratic Ministry School Review Week of June 27th

5. King David points to the connection between hope and courage, saying: Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Yes, hope in Jehovah. (Psalm 27:14) If we want our heart to be strong, we must never let our hope become vague but always keep it clearly in mind and close at heart. Doing so will help us to imitate Jesus in manifesting courage and zeal as we share in the work he commissioned his disciples to do. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) Indeed, hope is placed alongside faith and love as a vital, enduring quality that characterizes the life of servants of God. 1 Corinthians 13:13. Jesus, our Exemplar, thrived on Gods Word. By considering him closely, we avoid getting tired and giving out in our souls. (Hebrews 12:3) It stands to reason that if our God-given hope grows dim in our mind and heart or if our focus shifts elsewhereperhaps to material things or to secular goals spiritual weariness may soon overtake us, eventually leading to loss of moral strength and courage. In that frame of mind, we may even experience shipwreck concerning [our] faith. (1 Timothy 1:19) On the other hand, true hope strengthens our faith. (Psalm 27:14) Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Yes, hope in Jehovah. (Matthew 24:14) And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. (Matthew 28:19-20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things. (1 Corinthians 13:13) Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

6. But what about our dealings with fellow Christians? Suppose, for example, that you owe a brother

money. Might you needlessly delay paying him, reasoning that because the brother seems well-off, you need it more than he does? The wicked one is borrowing and does not pay back, says Psalm 37:21. Or if you are an employer, do you apply the principle The workman is worthy of his wages when it comes to paying Witness employees? (1 Timothy 5:18) Paul was able to say of his own dealings: With holiness and godly sincerity . . . we have conducted ourselves in the world, but more especially toward you.2 Corinthians 1:12.

7. As a hind, or female deer, in a dry region longs for water, the Levite longed for Jehovah. So intense was the mans sadness over not being able to worship Jehovah at His sanctuary that his tears became his food day and nighthe lost his appetite. Should we not cultivate deep appreciation for worshipping Jehovah in association with fellow believers?

Theocratic Ministry School Review Week of June 27th

8. Love for Jehovah also involves hatred for what Jehovah hates. Note, for example, this prophecy addressed to the Messianic King: You have loved righteousness and you hate wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your partners. (Psalm 45:7) Jesus partners were the other kings in the family line of King David. More than any of them, Jesus has cause for exultation, or intense joy, at his anointing. Why? His reward is far greater than theirs, his kingship infinitely more beneficial. He is rewarded because his love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness moved him to obey God in all things. How did Jesus make his feelings regarding righteousness and wickedness evident? For instance, when his followers obeyed his direction in the preaching work and were blessed as a result, how did Jesus react? He was overjoyed. (Luke 10:1, 17, 21) And when the people of Jerusalem repeatedly showed a disobedient spirit, rejecting his loving efforts to help them, how did Jesus feel? He wept because of that citys rebellious course. (Luke 19:41, 42) Jesus felt very deeply about conduct both good and bad. Meditating on Jesus feelings helps us to examine our own motives for obeying Jehovah. Imperfect though we are, we can cultivate a heartfelt love of good deeds and an earnest hatred of wrong conduct. We need to pray to Jehovah, asking him to help us to cultivate feelings that are like his and like those of his Son. (Psalm 51:10) At the same time, we need to avoid influences that will erode such feelings. Careful choices of entertainment and associations are essential. (Proverbs 13:20; Philippians 4:8) If we cultivate Christlike motives, our obedience will not be a mere formality. We will do what is right because we love to do it. We will avoid wrong deeds, not because we fear getting caught, but because we hate such conduct. (Psalm 45:7) You have loved righteousness and you hate wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your partners. (Luke 10:1) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. (Luke 10:17) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are made subject to us by the use of your name. (Luke 10:21) In that very hour he became overjoyed in the holy spirit and said: I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones, and have revealed them to babes. Yes, O Father, because to do thus came to be the way approved by you. (Luke 19:41-42) And when he got nearby, he viewed the city and wept over it, 42 saying: If you, even you, had discerned in this day the things having to do with peacebut now they have been hid from your eyes. (Psalm 51:10) Create in me even a pure heart, O God, And put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one. (Proverbs 13:20) He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly. (Philippians 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.

9. This refers, neither to Gods willingness to help David nor to Jehovahs holy spirit, but to Davids own
spiritto his mental inclination. He is asking God to impart to him the desire to do what is right.

Theocratic Ministry School Review Week of June 27th

10. To become a luxuriant olive tree in Gods house, we must obey Jehovah and be willing to accept the discipline by which he prunes us so that we can bear more Christian fruitage. (Hebrews 12:5, 6) Moreover, just as a natural olive tree needs extensive roots to survive a period of drought, we need to fortify our spiritual roots in order to endure trials and persecution.Matthew 13:21; Colossians 2:6, 7. (Hebrews 12:5-6) but YOU have entirely forgotten the exhortation which addresses YOU as sons: My son, do not belittle [the] discipline from Jehovah, neither give out when you are corrected by him; 6 for whom Jehovah loves he disciplines; in fact, he scourges every one whom he receives as a son. (Matthew 13:21) Yet he has no root in himself but continues for a time, and after tribulation or persecution has arisen on account of the word he is at once stumbled. (Colossians 2:6-7) Therefore, as YOU have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union with him, 7 rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith, just as YOU were taught, overflowing with [faith] in thanksgiving.