Saturday, July 26
Become imitators of God, as beloved children.—Eph. 5:1.
Today we can please Jehovah by speaking about him with warmth, gratitude, and love. When we are in the ministry, we keep in mind that our main objective is to draw people to Jehovah, to help them to see our beloved Father as we do. (Jas. 4:8) We are delighted to show people how the Bible describes Jehovah, revealing his love, justice, wisdom, power, and other appealing qualities. We also praise Jehovah and please him by striving to imitate him. When we do so, we stand out in this wicked world. People may notice that we are different and may wonder why. (Matt. 5:14-16) As we interact with them in our day-to-day life, we may be able to explain why we act as we do. As a result, sincere ones feel drawn to our God. When we praise Jehovah in these ways, we bring delight to his heart.—1 Tim. 2:3, 4. w24.02 6:7
Sunday, July 27
Be able both to encourage . . . and to reprove.—Titus 1:9.
To become a mature Christian man, you will need to develop practical skills. These will help you to shoulder responsibilities in the congregation, to hold a secular job to support yourself or a family, and to have healthy relationships with others. For example, learn to read and write well. The Bible says that a happy and successful man spends time each day reading God’s Word and meditating on it. (Ps. 1:1-3) By reading the Bible daily, he will get to know Jehovah’s way of thinking, which will help him to think clearly and to reason well. (Prov. 1:3, 4) Our brothers and sisters look to capable men for Bible-based instruction and advice. If you can read and write well, you will be able to prepare informative, faith-strengthening talks and comments. You will also be able to take meaningful notes that will help you to build your own faith and to encourage others. w23.12 53:9-11
Monday, July 28
The one who is in union with you is greater than the one who is in union with the world.—1 John 4:4.
When you feel afraid, meditate on what Jehovah will do in the future when Satan is gone. A demonstration on the 2014 regional convention program depicted a father discussing with his family how 2 Timothy 3:1-5 might be worded if those verses foretold what it would be like in Paradise: “In the new world the happiest of times will be here. For men will be lovers of others, lovers of spiritual treasures, modest, humble, praisers of God, obedient to parents, thankful, loyal, having great affection for their families, open to agreement, always speaking well of others, self-controlled, mild, lovers of goodness, trustworthy, yielding, lowly in mind, lovers of God rather than lovers of pleasures, motivated by genuine godly devotion; and to these people stick closely.” Do you discuss with your family or fellow believers what life will be like in the new world? w24.01 1:13-14