References for Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook

© 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

NOVEMBER 18-24

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 107-108

“Give Thanks to Jehovah, for He Is Good”

w07 4/15 20 ¶2

Let the Congregation Praise Jehovah

² The congregation is no mere social group. It is not a community association or a club where people with a similar background or similar interests in a sport or a hobby come together. Rather, the congregation arrangement is primarily for the praise of Jehovah God. That has long been so, as the book of Psalms emphasizes. At Psalm 35:18, we read: “I will laud you in the big congregation; among a numerous people I shall praise you.” Similarly, Psalm 107:31, 32 encourages us: “O let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loving-kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men. And let them extol him in the congregation of the people.”

w15 1/15 9 ¶4

Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed

⁴ If we are to cultivate a grateful heart and maintain it, we must acknowledge and meditate appreciatively on our blessings from Jehovah and carefully consider his acts of loyal love. When the psalmist did so, he was awed by the many wonderful things that Jehovah had done.​—Read Psalm 40:5; 107:43.

NOVEMBER 25–DECEMBER 1

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 109-112

Support Jesus, the King!

w06 9/1 13 ¶6

Highlights From Book Five of Psalms

110:1, 2​—What did “[David’s] Lord,” Jesus Christ, do while sitting at God’s right hand? Following his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and waited at God’s right hand until 1914 to begin ruling as King. During that time, Jesus ruled over his anointed followers, guiding them in their preaching and disciple-making work as well as preparing them to rule with him in his Kingdom.​—Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 22:28-30.

w00 4/1 18 ¶3

Fighters Against God Will Not Prevail!

³ Jehovah’s people have been under attack since early in the 20th century. In many lands, men of wicked intent have sought to hinder​—yes, silence—​the proclamation of the good news of God’s Kingdom. They have been goaded on by our chief Adversary, the Devil, who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Peter 5:8) After “the appointed times of the nations” ended in 1914, God installed his Son as earth’s new King, with the command: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” (Luke 21:24; Psalm 110:2) Exercising his power, Christ ousted Satan from heaven and confined him to the vicinity of the earth. Knowing that his time is short, the Devil vents his wrath upon anointed Christians and their companions. (Revelation 12:9, 17) What have been the results of the repeated attacks by these fighters against God?

DECEMBER 2-8

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 113-118

With What Will We Repay Jehovah?

w01 1/1 11 ¶13

Be Built Up by Love

¹³ From Jesus’ words, it is clear that first and foremost we should love Jehovah. However, we are not born with a fully developed love of Jehovah. That is something we must cultivate. When we first heard about him, we were attracted to him by what we heard. Little by little, we learned how he prepared the earth for mankind. (Genesis 2:5-23) We learned how he has dealt with mankind, not casting us off when sin first invaded the human family, but taking steps to redeem us. (Genesis 3:1-5, 15) He dealt kindly with those who were faithful, and eventually he provided his only-begotten Son for the forgiveness of our sins. (John 3:16, 36) This increasing knowledge made our appreciation for Jehovah grow. (Isaiah 25:1) King David said that he loved Jehovah because of His loving care. (Psalm 116:1-9) Today, Jehovah cares for us, guides us, strengthens us, and encourages us. The more we learn about him, the deeper our love becomes.​—Psalm 31:23; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:28.

DECEMBER 9-15

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:1-56

“How Can a Young Man Keep His Path Clean?”

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Are You Remaining Clean in Every Respect?

¹⁰ At Ephesians 5:5 Paul warned: “For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person​—which means being an idolater—​has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God.” Yet, thousands each year are reproved or disfellowshipped because of sexual immorality​—‘sinning against the body.’ (1 Corinthians 6:18) Often, it is simply a result of not “keeping on guard according to [God’s] word.” (Psalm 119:9) Many brothers, for example, drop their moral guard during vacation periods. Neglecting theocratic association, they strike up friendships with worldly vacationers. Reasoning that these are ‘really nice people,’ some Christians have joined them in questionable activities. Similarly, others have become overly friendly with their workmates. One Christian elder became so involved with a female employee that he abandoned his family and took up living with her! Disfellowshipping resulted. How true the Bible’s words, “Bad associations spoil useful habits”!​—1 Corinthians 15:33.

DECEMBER 16-22

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:57-120

How to Endure Affliction

w06 6/15 20 ¶2

“How I Do Love Your Law!”

² You would do well to ask, “How could God’s law be a source of solace and comfort to the psalmist?” What sustained him was his confidence that Jehovah was interested in him. Being acquainted with the loving provisions of that law made the psalmist happy, despite the hardships brought upon him by his opposers. He recognized that Jehovah had dealt well with him. Moreover, applying the guidance from God’s law made the psalmist wiser than his enemies and had even preserved him alive. Obeying the law gave him peace and a good conscience.​—Psalm 119:1, 9, 65, 93, 98, 165.

w00 12/1 14 ¶3

Do You Love Jehovah’s Reminders Exceedingly?

³ God’s reminders were dear to the psalmist who sang: “I hurried up, and I did not delay to keep your commandments. The very ropes of the wicked ones surrounded me. Your law I did not forget.” (Psalm 119:60, 61) Jehovah’s reminders help us to endure persecution because we are confident that our heavenly Father can cut the ropes of restraint that enemies tie about us. In due time, he frees us from such obstacles so that we can carry out the Kingdom-preaching work.​—Mark 13:10.

w06 9/1 14 ¶4

Highlights From Book Five of Psalms

119:71​—What could be good about suffering affliction? Hardship can teach us to rely more fully on Jehovah, to pray to him more earnestly, and to be more diligent in studying the Bible and applying what it says. Moreover, our response to affliction can reveal personality flaws that can be corrected. Suffering will not make us bitter if we allow it to refine us.

DECEMBER 23-29

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:121-176

How to Avoid Unnecessary Heartache

w93 4/15 17 ¶12

Youths​—What Are You Pursuing?

¹² Above all, you must learn to hate, abhor, and detest what is bad. (Psalm 97:10) How do you hate what may at first be fun or pleasurable? By thinking about the consequences! “Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh.” (Galatians 6:7, 8) When tempted to give in to passion, think of what is of greater consequence​—how this would hurt Jehovah God. (Compare Psalm 78:41.) Think, too, about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy or of contracting a disease, such as AIDS. Consider the emotional devastation and loss of self-respect you would suffer. There may also be long-term consequences. One Christian woman admits: “My husband and I had sex relations before we met each other. Although we are both Christians today, our past sex life is a source of contention and jealousy in our marriage.” Not to be overlooked, either, is the loss of your theocratic privileges or the possibility of being expelled from the Christian congregation! (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) Is any momentary pleasure worth so high a price?

DECEMBER 30–JANUARY 5

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 120-126

They Sowed With Tears, but Reaped With Joy

w04 6/1 16 ¶10

Blessed Are Those Who Give Glory to God

¹⁰ When we take on the yoke of discipleship, we are fighting against Satan. “Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you,” promises James 4:7. This is not to say that doing so is easy. Serving God entails considerable effort. (Luke 13:24) But the Bible makes this promise at Psalm 126:5: “Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry.” Yes, we do not worship an ungrateful God. He is “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him,” and he blesses those who give him glory.​—Hebrews 11:6.

w01 7/15 18-19 ¶13-14

Press On in the Harvest Work!

¹³ Of great comfort to God’s harvest workers, and especially to those who suffer persecution, are the words of Psalm 126:5, 6: “Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry. The one that without fail goes forth, even weeping, carrying along a bagful of seed, will without fail come in with a joyful cry, carrying along his sheaves.” The psalmist’s words about sowing and reaping illustrate Jehovah’s care for and blessing on the remnant that returned from captivity in ancient Babylon. They were very happy at their release, but they may have wept when sowing seed in the desolate ground that had not been worked during their 70-year exile. However, those who went ahead with their sowing and construction activities enjoyed fruitage and satisfaction from their labor.

¹⁴ We may shed tears when under trial or when we or our fellow believers are suffering for righteousness’ sake. (1 Peter 3:14) In our harvest work, we may at first have a hard time because we seemingly have nothing to show for our efforts in the ministry. But if we continue to sow and water, God will make things grow, often beyond our expectations. (1 Corinthians 3:6) This is well illustrated by the results of our distribution of Bibles and Scriptural publications.