Wednesday, July 8
The men who minister in a fine manner are acquiring for themselves a fine standing and great freeness of speech in the faith.—1 Tim. 3:13.
A ministerial servant is a baptized brother who is appointed by holy spirit to help the elders care for many practical matters in the congregation. Ministerial servants are first and foremost spiritual men; they love Jehovah and live by his righteous standards. And they feel a deep love for their Christian brothers and sisters. (Matt. 22:37-39) How can a baptized brother reach out to be a ministerial servant? The Bible outlines the qualifications for those who may be appointed as ministerial servants. (1 Tim. 3:8-10, 12) You can reach out for this privilege by studying these Scriptural qualifications and then working hard to meet them. But first, you need to give careful attention to your motives for reaching out. w24.11 15 ¶4-5
Thursday, July 9
You accepted it not as the word of men but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God.—1 Thess. 2:13.
Some people claim to have read the Bible dozens of times. But do they truly believe in the Bible? Have they applied it or allowed it to affect the course of their life? Sadly, often the answer is no. What a contrast with Jehovah’s people! We strive to demonstrate that it is at work in our life. Still, it is not always easy to read and apply God’s Word. We may struggle to find time to read. Or we may tend to read at a very rapid pace and not absorb much of what we read. Or we may feel overwhelmed by all the improvements we need to make. Whatever your challenge may be, it is not insurmountable. With Jehovah’s help, you can overcome it. May we be determined to become doers of the Word. Without a doubt, the more we read God’s Word and apply it in our life, the happier we will be.—Jas. 1:25. w24.09 7 ¶15-16
Friday, July 10
Keep on asking, and it will be given you.—Luke 11:9.
By means of his holy spirit, Jehovah comforts us when we suffer trauma or loss. If you are coping with a heartbreaking trial, you can pour out your heart to Jehovah in prayer as often and for as long as you want. (Ps. 86:3; 88:1) Ask Jehovah repeatedly for his holy spirit. He will never ignore your requests. Has a distressing ordeal left you weak? Holy spirit can empower you to continue worshipping Jehovah faithfully. (Eph. 3:16) How can you work in harmony with your requests for holy spirit? Share in activities that will allow God’s spirit to operate on you. These include attending meetings and witnessing to others. Fill your mind with Jehovah’s thoughts by reading his Word every day. (Phil. 4:8, 9) As you read, take note of Bible characters who experienced trials and meditate on how Jehovah helped them to endure. w24.10 9 ¶12-14