Thursday, August 7
We love, because he first loved us.—1 John 4:19.
The decision to dedicate yourself to Jehovah is only natural when you think of all that he has done for you. (Ps. 116:12-14) The Bible rightly calls Jehovah the Giver of “every good gift and every perfect present.” (Jas. 1:17) The greatest of those gifts is the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. Just think! The ransom has made it possible for you to have a close relationship with Jehovah. And he has given you the prospect of living forever. (1 John 4:9, 10) Dedicating yourself to Jehovah is a way to show your appreciation for that greatest expression of love ever made, along with all the other blessings Jehovah has given you.—Deut. 16:17; 2 Cor. 5:15. w24.03 5 ¶8
Friday, August 8
The one walking in his uprightness fears Jehovah.—Prov. 14:2.
Regarding the moral standards promoted by this world, we feel as did righteous Lot. He “was greatly distressed by the brazen conduct of the lawless people,” knowing that our heavenly Father hates bad conduct. (2 Pet. 2:7, 8) Fear of God and love for him moved Lot to reject the low moral standards of the people around him. We too are surrounded by people who have little or no respect for Jehovah’s moral standards. Despite that, we can remain morally clean if we maintain our love for God and cultivate a healthy fear of him. To that end, Jehovah provides loving encouragement and motivation by means of the book of Proverbs. All Christians, men and women, young and old, can truly benefit from considering the wise counsel found there. When we fear Jehovah, we are careful not to excuse bad behavior. w23.06 20 ¶1-2; 21 ¶5
Saturday, August 9
If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake day after day and keep following me.—Luke 9:23.
Perhaps you have faced opposition from family members, or perhaps you have sacrificed certain material pursuits to put Kingdom interests first. (Matt. 6:33) If so, you can be certain that Jehovah has noticed your faithful works. (Heb. 6:10) Likely, you have experienced the truthfulness of Jesus’ words: “No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.” (Mark 10:29, 30) The blessings that you have received are truly greater than any sacrifices that you have made.—Ps. 37:4. w24.03 9 ¶5