DAILY TEXT, From today Monday February 13, 2023, He makes his sun rise on bad and good (Mat. 5:45).

DAILY TEXT, From today Monday February 13, He makes his sun rise on bad and good (Mat. 5:45).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Monday February 13

He makes his sun rise on the bad and the good (Matt. 5:45).

If we want to show concern and compassion to our brothers, we must think about the problems they are facing. For example, a sister may have a serious health problem. She never complains, but she might appreciate a little help. Would you appreciate us helping you prepare meals or clean the house? Or suppose a brother has lost his job. We could give her a little financial help, perhaps anonymously, to help him until she finds a job. If we want to be compassionate, we shouldn't wait for our brothers to ask us for help. We can take the initiative, just as Jehovah does. Every day, he makes the sun rise without our asking, and his warmth benefits everyone, not just the grateful. Doesn't Jehovah show us that he loves us by giving us what we need? How good and generous he is, and how much we love him for it! w21.09 22, 23 pars. 12, 13.

In harmony with Luke 6:36, what should we do if we want to imitate our heavenly Father?

Jehovah is merciful and forgives us (read Luke 6:36). Every day, our heavenly Father shows us mercy (Ps. 103:10-14). Similarly, although Jesus' disciples were imperfect, he showed them mercy and forgave them. He went so far as to lay down his life so that our sins could be forgiven (1 John 2:1, 2). Isn't it true that the mercy and forgiveness of Jehovah and Jesus bring us closer to them?

When we forgive generously, we strengthen the love in our spiritual family (Eph. 4:32). Sure, sometimes it's not easy to forgive, but we have to make an effort to do so. One sister reports that she found the Watchtower article “Forgive One Another Liberally” helpful.b She writes: “Studying this article has helped me see the matter in a different, more positive light. He explained that being willing to forgive someone does not mean condoning her bad behavior or downplaying the harm it causes. But it does mean banishing resentment for that person's wrongdoing and not losing peace." When we generously forgive our brothers, we show that we love them and that we imitate our Father, Jehovah.

As Matthew 5:16 shows, how can we honor our heavenly Father?

It is a great honor to belong to an international family that loves each other. And we want as many people as possible to also worship Jehovah with us. Therefore, we do not want to do anything that stains the name of our heavenly Father or his people. We always try to behave in a way that people are drawn to the message of the good news (read Matthew 5:16).

What will help us to preach with courage?

Sometimes some will look down on us or even persecute us because we are obedient to our heavenly Father. What can we do if we are afraid to talk to others about our beliefs? Let us remember that Jehovah and his Son will help us. Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what they were going to say or how they were going to say it. He himself explained to them: “When the time comes, they will be told what to say. And it is that it will not be only you who speak: the spirit of the Father of him will speak for you ”(Matt. 10:19, 20).

How did a Bible student courageously witness?

Let's look at the case of a brother named Robert. When he was just beginning to study the Bible and had very little knowledge, he had to appear before a military court in South Africa. Boldly, he explained that out of love for his Christian brothers he would not serve in the army. It is obvious that he valued his place in our spiritual family. Suddenly, one of the judges asked him: "Who are your brothers?" Robert did not expect that question, but he immediately remembered the text of that day. It was Matthew 12:50: "Everyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother." Although Robert had only been studying the Bible for a short time, Jehovah's spirit helped him answer these and other unexpected questions. How proud Jehovah must have been of him!

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