Wednesday, September 9
All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial.—2 Tim. 3:16.
All of God’s people receive the spiritual nourishment, direction, and protection they need. An example of Jehovah’s impartiality is that he makes the Bible accessible to people around the globe today. The Holy Scriptures were originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Do those who can read the original Bible languages have a closer relationship with Jehovah than those who cannot? No, they do not. (Matt. 11:25) Jehovah’s approval of us is not dependent on our secular education or on our ability with languages. Rather than offer his wisdom only to the highly educated, Jehovah makes it accessible to people around the earth, whether they are highly educated or not. His inspired Word, the Bible, has been translated into thousands of languages; thus, people the world over can benefit from its teachings and learn how they can become his friends.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17. w24.06 6-7 ¶13-15
Thursday, September 10
The desolating of [Jerusalem] has drawn near.—Luke 21:20.
The destruction of the Jewish system of things, which Jesus had foretold, was approaching. Christians needed to use the time remaining to prepare themselves by building up such qualities as faith and endurance. (Heb. 10:25; 12:1, 2) We are about to face a tribulation far greater than the one experienced by the Hebrew Christians. (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 16:14, 16) Consider some of the practical counsel that Jehovah provided for those Christians that can benefit us too. The apostle Paul encouraged his fellow believers to dig deeper into God’s Word. (Heb. 5:14–6:1) Using the Hebrew Scriptures, Paul reasoned with his brothers on the superiority of the Christian way of worship over Judaism. Paul knew that increased knowledge and a deeper understanding of the truth would equip those Christians to identify and reject false reasonings so that they would not be led astray. w24.09 8-9 ¶2-3; 10 ¶6
Friday, September 11
For a fact the Lord was raised up.—Luke 24:34.
Jesus’ disciples needed encouragement. Why? Some had left homes, families, and businesses to follow Jesus full-time. (Matt. 19:27) Others were treated as social outcasts because they had become his disciples. (John 9:22) They made these sacrifices because they believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. (Matt. 16:16) But when Jesus was executed, their hopes were dashed and they became downhearted. No doubt Jesus saw his disciples’ grief, not as a sign of spiritual weakness, but as an understandable response to a terrible loss. So on the very day that he was resurrected, he began encouraging his friends. For instance, he appeared to Mary Magdalene while she wept at his tomb. (John 20:11, 16) He also appeared to the two disciples who had left for the village of Emmaus. And he appeared to the apostle Peter. w24.10 13 ¶5-6