Proverbs 27-31Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)http://infoglobal.altervista.org/blog/Pr 27:12—How may we show

ourselves to be shrewd regarding entertainment? (w15 7/1 8 _3)

Knowing that bad things happen, “the shrewd person sees the danger and conceals himself.” (Proverbs 27:12) And just as we try to protect our physical well-being, we can take steps to shield our mental and emotional health. Violent entertainment and even news reports filled with horrific images add to our own and our children’s anxiety. To avoid unnecessary exposure to these things is not hiding our head in the sand. God did not design our minds to dwell on evil. Instead, we should fill them with “whatever things are true, . . . righteous, . . . chaste, . . .

lovable.” If we do, “the God of peace” will give us peace of mind and heart.—Philippians 4:8, 9.

Pr 27:21—How is a person “tested by the praise he receives”? (w11 8/1 29 _2; w06 9/15 19 _12)

*** w11 8/1 p. 29 A Day of High Hopes and Happy Expectations ***Second, Brother Morris read

Proverbs 27:21: “The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace is for gold; and an individual is according to his praise.” He explained that as gold and silver need to be refined, or purified, we may be refined by praise. How so? Praise can be a test of character. It may lead to pride and a spiritual downfall, or it may move us to acknowledge that we are indebted to Jehovah and to become more determined never to fall short of his standards. Thus, Brother Morris urged the students to take any praise they might receive in the right way—as an opportunity to prove that they have the proper “dread of Jehovah.”

*** w06 9/15 p. 19 par. 12 Highlights From the Book of Proverbs ***27:21. Praise can show us up for who we are. Humility is revealed if the praise moves

us to acknowledge our indebtedness to Jehovah and encourages us to continue to serve him. A lack of humility is disclosed when praise fosters a feeling of superiority.

What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?*** w15 3/15 p. 32 Marry “Only in the Lord”—Still Realistic? ***

What can you do while you leave things in Jehovah’s caring hands? One thing is to think about why you are not married. If you feel that the main reason is based on the Bible directive to marry “only in the Lord,” you are to be commended for respecting that divine command. Be assured that Jehovah is pleased with your firm resolve to obey his Word. (1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 27:11) You can continue to ‘pour out your heart’ to God in prayer. (Ps. 62:8) Your prayers can become even more meaningful as you

petition him earnestly and incessantly. Your relationship with God will be strengthened day by day as you stand firm despite the internal and external pressures you face. Rest assured that the Most High takes an interest in all his faithful servants and that you are precious in his eyes. He cares about your needs and your yearnings. He does not promise anyone a mate. Yet, if you really need a marriage mate, God knows the best way to satisfy your legitimate desires.—Ps. 145:16; Matt. 6:32.

*** w15 5/15 p. 28 par. 15 Imitate the One Who Promises Everlasting Life ***15 Another dangerous fantasy is to imagine oneself becoming very wealthy while

paying little attention to God. Actually, the wealth of a rich person “is like a protective wall in his imagination.” (Prov. 18:11) Jesus related a story to illustrate the sad state of a person “who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21) Jehovah rejoices when we do things that please him. (Prov. 27:11) How happy we are when we have his approval because we have stored up “treasures in heaven”! (Matt. 6:20) And a good relationship with Jehovah is unquestionably the most valuable treasure we can have.

*** w15 7/1 p. 16 Bible Questions Answered ***Will we always have evil?God wants us to resist our bad tendencies. (Proverbs 27:11) So

he teaches us how to avoid doing wrong and how to find real happiness. At present, though, we cannot imitate God’s love perfectly.—Read Psalm 32:8.

Although evil abounds now, God is permitting it for a limited time to allow all to see its sad consequences. (2 Peter 3:7-9) Soon, however, the earth will be filled with happy people who obey God.—Read Psalm 37:9-11.

*** w14 1/15 p. 19 par. 10 Making Wise Choices During Youth ***

Perhaps you have already experienced the happiness that results from helping others. If you base your major choices in life on the principles Jesus taught, you will surely bring happiness to yourself as well as to Jehovah.—Prov. 27:11.

*** w14 2/15 p. 18 par. 13 Jehovah—Our Provider and Protector ***13 In view of all that God has provided,

we do well to ask ourselves: ‘Am I doing all I can in my ministry to show Jehovah the depth of my appreciation for his provisions? In what ways can I improve and become a more effective preacher of the good news?’ We can demonstrate our gratitude for God’s wonderful provisions by keeping Kingdom interests first in our lives. If we do

so, Jehovah will see to it that our needs are cared for. (Matt. 6:25-33) Because of God’s love, we surely want to do as much as we can to please him and make his heart rejoice.—Prov. 27:11.

*** w14 4/1 p. 5 Should You Pray? ***Clearly, those who show contempt for God’s laws or pray with improper motives

cannot expect to be heard by God.—Proverbs 28:9; James 4:3.

*** w14 7/15 p. 10 par. 14 “Jehovah Knows Those Who Belong to Him” ***Although a devious person may skillfully deceive other humans for a while,

Jehovah’s almightiness and righteousness guarantee that “the one covering over his transgressions will not succeed.”—Prov. 28:13; read 1 Timothy 5:24; Hebrews 4:13.

*** w14 12/1 p. 6 Do You Do What God Asks? ***Since Jehovah delights in doing what brings pleasure to others, it is

only reasonable to expect that those who want to be God’s friends would do the things that make his “heart rejoice.” (Proverbs 27:11)

*** w13 1/15 p. 25 par. 11 Serving Without Regrets ***We all must follow the divine formula for acquiring peace of mind: “He that is covering

over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.” (Prov. 28:13; Jas. 5:14-16) Thus, we can confess to God, pray for his forgiveness, and take steps to right the wrong. (2 Cor. 7:10, 11) If we have done these things, then we can enjoy the mercy of the One who ‘forgives in a large way.’—Isa. 55:7.

*** w13 11/15 p. 27 par. 6 Shepherds, Imitate the Greatest Shepherds ***6 What a wonderful lesson a spiritual shepherd can learn from

our heavenly Father! Like Jehovah, he must be attentive to the needs of the sheep. By knowing what challenges they are facing and what specific needs require immediate attention, an elder will be in a position to offer the necessary encouragement and support. (Prov. 27:23) Clearly, an elder must have good

communication with his fellow believers. While respecting their right to privacy, he takes an interest in what he sees and hears in the congregation and lovingly makes himself available to “assist those who are weak.”—Acts 20:35; 1 Thess. 4:11.

*** w12 5/15 pp. 24-25 par. 7 Are You Reflecting the Glory of Jehovah? ***As worshippers of Jehovah, we must continually make a self-examination to determine

whether we are measuring up to his righteous standards. (Prov. 28:18; 1 Cor. 10:12)

*** w12 9/1 pp. 5-6 Does God Really Care About Women? ***1. Individual freedom. Unlike women in many other

nations in ancient times, the Israelite woman enjoyed a great measure of freedom. Though the husband was given the role of the head of the family, the wife, with her husband’s full trust, could ‘consider a field and obtain it’ and ‘plant a vineyard.’ If she had skills in spinning and weaving, she could even run her own business. (Proverbs 31:11, 16-19) Women under the Mosaic Law were seen as individuals in their own right

and not as just an appendage to man.

*** w12 9/1 p. 6 Does God Really Care About Women? ***Many women had the knowledge and skill needed to run a profitable business.

(Proverbs 31:24) Contrary to the culture in other nations at that time—in which the father alone taught his sons—the Israelite mother was to share in educating her male children until adulthood. (Proverbs 31:1) Obviously, women in ancient Israel were far from being uneducated.

*** w12 9/15 p. 24 par. 6 “You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour” ***6 A second benefit of our not knowing the day or the hour is

that we thus have the opportunity to make Jehovah’s heart glad. When we serve him out of love—not because of a date or solely because of a reward—we contribute to Jehovah’s answer to the baseless taunts of his adversary, Satan. (Job 2:4, 5; read Proverbs 27:11.) Considering all the pain and sorrow that the Devil has caused, we gladly stand up for Jehovah’s sovereignty and reject Satan’s wicked rule.

*** w12 10/15 p. 6 They Offered Themselves Willingly—In Brazil ***How happy Jehovah must be to

observe an ever-growing number of young brothers and sisters all around the world who “offer themselves willingly” to preach the good news of his Kingdom in remote areas! (Ps. 110:3; Prov. 27:11) All such willing workers, in turn, experience Jehovah’s rich blessing.—Prov. 10:22.

*** w12 12/15 p. 8 par. 18 Find Real Success in Life ***

That is true today too. All of us have the same opportunity and the same responsibility: We must remain faithful and be “rich in fine works.” If we are, we will be successful in the eyes of our Creator and have the joy of knowing that we are pleasing him.—Prov. 27:11.

*** w11 5/1 p. 17 Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? *** 4. What opportunity does God’s patience provide?Satan claimed that Jehovah cannot win the loyal obedience of

anyone. God’s patience allows all of us opportunity to show whether we favor rule by God or rule by man. We indicate our choice by the way we live.—Read Job 1:8-11; Proverbs 27:11.

*** w11 7/1 p. 10 Does Jehovah Have Feelings? ***Rather than pursue a sinful course and bring pain to Jehovah’s

heart, we can choose to follow an upright course and make his heart glad. And that is exactly what he asks of his worshippers: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice.” (Proverbs 27:11) There is nothing more precious that we could give to Jehovah than to live in a way that brings joy to his heart.

*** w11 10/1 p. 4 1 God Is a Mystery—Is It True? ***He tells us his name, Jehovah. (Isaiah 42:8) He has recorded his deeds toward

mankind so that we can know the Person behind the name. More than that, God reveals his emotions to us. He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) Our actions can affect his feelings. For example, the ancient nation of Israel made him “feel hurt” when they rebelled against him, while those who wisely obey him bring him joy.—Psalm 78:40; Proverbs 27:11.

*** w10 9/15 p. 8 par. 5 Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing ***Hardly! God took note of the heart condition of the truly generous

person and promised to bless him in his every deed and every undertaking. (Deut. 15:10) Faith in that promise would give rise to action and would result in many rich blessings.—Prov. 28:20.

*** w09 1/1 p. 30 Why Do Some Prayers Go Unanswered? ***The Bible says: “He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer

is something detestable.”—Proverbs 28:9.

On the other hand, Jehovah will always listen to the sincere prayers of worshippers who are doing their best to serve him according to his will.

*** w09 3/1 p. 13 Five Reasons to Fear God and Not Man *** 2 God will help and protect us. “Trembling at men is

what lays a snare, but he that is trusting in Jehovah will be protected,” says the Bible at Proverbs 29:25. The fear of

man is a snare because it can cause us to shrink back from professing faith in God. God assures us of his saving power: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.”—Isaiah 41:10.

*** w09 4/15 p. 16 par. 6 Jehovah’s Wisdom Observed in Creation ***6 Thus, the physical

creation reveals the wisdom both of Jehovah and of his Master Worker, Jesus. It contains valuable lessons for us. Let us consider four examples of created things that are described at Proverbs 30:24-28 as “instinctively wise.”

*** w09 7/15 p. 29 Accept Gratefully—Give Wholeheartedly ***You can do the same. How? By following a life course that

at all times conforms to God’s laws and principles. Hence, make sure that your worship of Jehovah remains the most important thing in your life and that you let God’s spirit guide you in everything you do. (Eccl. 12:13; Gal. 5:16-18) In reality, of course, you can never fully repay Jehovah for all he has done for you. Still, it does ‘make Jehovah’s heart rejoice’ to see that you are wholeheartedly giving of yourself in his service. (Prov. 27:11) What a wonderful privilege it is to give Jehovah pleasure in this way!

*** w08 10/15 pp. 6-7 par. 17 Jehovah’s “Beaming Eyes” Examine All ***Jehovah’s primary motive in bringing bad deeds into the light is love. He

loves the congregation and wants to protect its purity. Moreover, he shows mercy to those who were overtaken by sin but who are now truly repentant. (Prov. 28:13) So let us strive to maintain a complete heart toward God and reject all corrupting influences.

What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

*** w15 1/15 p. 20 par. 8 Build a Strong and Happy Marriage ***In public and in private, husbands show by their respectful

words and compassionate actions that their wives are precious to them. (Prov. 31:28) Such loving headship wins a wife’s love and respect and brings God’s blessing on the marriage.

*** w15 2/15 p. 7 par. 10 Imitate Jesus’ Humility and Tenderness ***In conversations with others, we will avoid focusing

on our own achievements and privileges. (Prov. 27:2) Instead, we will look for the good in our brothers and sisters and commend them for their positive qualities, abilities, and accomplishments.

*** w15 4/15 p. 12 par. 11 How Elders Train Others to Become Qualified ***11 Take time to develop a friendly relationship with the

brother. Let him know that he is needed in the congregation. Then, over the course of time, sit down with him to reason on specific scriptures and help him think about his dedication to Jehovah. (Eccl. 5:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 6:24, 33; Luke 9:57-62; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 5:15; 13:5) You might ask him, ‘What did you promise Jehovah when you dedicated yourself to him?’ Try to stir his heart by asking, ‘How do you think Jehovah must have felt when

you got baptized?’ (Prov. 27:11) ‘What were Satan’s feelings?’ (1 Pet. 5:8) Never underestimate how deeply a brother can be affected by the reading of carefully selected Bible passages.—Read Hebrews 4:12.

*** w15 5/15 pp. 11-12 par. 10 Be Watchful—Satan Wants to Devour You! ***10 Satan had special reason to focus his

attention on ancient Israel. After all, that nation was to produce the Messiah—the very one who would crush Satan and vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Gen. 3:15) Satan did not want the Israelites to thrive, and he was vicious in his efforts to contaminate them with sin. Do not imagine that Satan felt sorry for David when he committed

adultery or had any sympathy for Moses when that prophet was no longer qualified to enter the Promised Land. On the contrary, Satan no doubt rejoices when one of God’s servants becomes stained with serious sin. In fact, such victories may be among the things the Devil uses to taunt Jehovah.—Prov. 27:11.

*** w15 9/15 p. 17 par. 19 “Stand Firm in the Faith” ***19 Associate with people of faith. Jesus chose his

friends carefully, especially those whom he welcomed into his inner circle. His closest companions, the apostles, had proved their faith and loyalty by obeying his commands. (Read John 15:14, 15.) So when choosing your friends, look for people who show their faith by their obedience to

Jesus. And remember that one sign of a good friendship is open communication, even when this calls for giving or accepting counsel.—Prov. 27:9.

*** w14 5/1 p. 6 Can Anyone See the Future? ***Human predictions are often based on such factors as scientific research, analysis of

available facts and trends, or even bogus spiritual insight. After making their forecasts, humans typically sit back passively and wait to see what will happen.—Proverbs 27:1.

In contrast to humans, God knows all the facts. He thoroughly understands the nature and inclination of humans; therefore, when he chooses to do so, God can foresee exactly how individuals and entire nations will act. But God can do more than that. He can even control and change factors and trends to ensure the outcome.

*** w14 8/15 p. 15 par. 20 Use the Word of God—It Is Alive! ***20 You might start a conversation with a young

person by saying: “I would like to read a scripture that asks a very important question. (Read Proverbs 30:4.) There is no human who fits this description, so it must be describing our Creator. How can we find out what his name is? I would be happy to show it to you in the Bible.”

*** w13 2/15 p. 23 Beware of the Intentions of the Heart ***Be attentive during Christian meetings. Our being attentive to what is presented at

Christian meetings can help us to take an honest look at our inner person—our heart. Although we may not receive new information at every meeting, by being present we get a better understanding of Bible principles as well as valuable reminders that help us to analyze the intentions of the heart. In refining our inner person, the comments of our brothers and sisters are also valuable. (Prov. 27:17)

*** w13 5/15 p. 18 par. 16 Strengthen Your Marriage Through Good Communication ***

16 Humility and modesty help a married person focus on the strengths of his or her mate. To illustrate: A wife might have special talents that she uses for the benefit of the family. If her husband is humble and modest, he will not feel challenged by her but will encourage her to use her gifts,

thus showing that he values and cherishes her. (Prov. 31:10, 28; Eph. 5:28, 29) At the same time, a humble and modest wife will not flaunt her abilities or belittle her husband. After all, the two of them are “one flesh,” and what hurts one hurts the other.—Matt. 19:4, 5.

*** w13 5/15 p. 23 par. 17 Parents, Children—Communicate With Love ***17 Children too need to stay calm. Especially when they

reach their teenage years may they feel that direction from their parents suggests a lack of trust. While it may at times seem that way, recognize that your parents’ concern is an expression of their love for you. By calmly listening to them and being cooperative, you will earn their respect and will establish a reputation as a responsible person. Such behavior may well win you more freedom in certain areas of life. Exercising self-control is the course of wisdom. “All his spirit is what a stupid one lets out,” states a wise proverb, “but he that is wise keeps it calm to the last.”—Prov. 29:11.

*** w13 8/1 p. 16 Bible Questions Answered ***Does God listen to all prayers?

God listens to people from all nations. (Psalm 145:18, 19) His Word, the Bible, encourages us to speak to him about any matter that concerns us. (Philippians 4:6, 7) Yet, some prayers displease God. For example, repeating memorized prayers does not please him.—Read Matthew 6:7.

Also, Jehovah dislikes the prayers of people who willfully disregard his law. (Proverbs 28:9) For example, in Bible times, God refused to listen to Israelites who were guilty of murder. Clearly, we must meet certain requirements to be heard by God.—Read Isaiah 1:15.

*** w13 9/1 p. 4 Why All the Suffering? ***▪ EFFECTS OF BAD GOVERNMENT“When anyone wicked bears rule, the people sigh,” says the

Bible.—Proverbs 29:2.

History is filled with dictators who ruled with an iron fist, bringing untold suffering to their subjects. Of course, that is not true of all rulers. Some may have the best of intentions for their fellowmen. However, once they are in power, they often find that their efforts are frustrated by infighting and power struggles. Or they may abuse their power for personal gain, to the detriment of the people. “History is a tale of efforts that failed, of aspirations that weren’t realized,” said former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

The Bible also points out: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Imperfect humans lack the necessary wisdom and foresight to manage all their own affairs successfully. If people cannot direct their own steps, how can they direct the steps of a nation? Can you see why human rulers do not have the ability to eliminate suffering? In fact, more often than not, bad government, or rulership, is the cause of suffering!

*** w12 3/15 p. 8 How Do You Give Advice? ***With good intentions, we may respond quickly. But would that usually

be wise, especially if we are discussing a topic we have not thoroughly researched? Proverbs 29:20 says: “Have you beheld a man hasty with his words? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.”

Take the time to make sure that your approach is in full harmony with godly wisdom.

*** w12 8/15 p. 27 par. 10 Stand Firm and Avoid Satan’s Traps! ***10 Rather than fall victim to the deceptive power

of riches, strive to adopt the viewpoint of the Bible writer Agur, who stated: “Don’t let me be too poor or too rich. Give me just what I need.” (Prov. 30:8, Contemporary English Version) Clearly, Agur understood the protective value of money as well as the deceptive power of riches. Realize that the anxieties of this system and the deceptive power of riches can result in spiritual ruin. Undue worry about material things can consume your time, sap your energy, and leave you with little or no motivation to pursue Kingdom interests. Therefore, make it your resolve not to be caught in Satan’s trap of materialism!—Read Hebrews 13:5.

*** w12 11/1 p. 16 Will God Provide a World Government? ***2. Who could be trusted with a world government?

The idea of a world ruler is unpopular because no man or woman could do the job well. No human could gain the acceptance of everyone. Also, who is above being corrupted by power? The thought of a single tyrant ruling all mankind is terrifying.—Read Proverbs 29:2; Jeremiah 10:23.

Jehovah God has chosen his Son, Jesus, to rule mankind forever. (Luke 1:32, 33) Jesus has experience in living on earth. While here, he cured the sick, taught the meek, and spent time with children. (Mark 1:40-42; 6:34; 10:13-16) So Jesus is the ideal Ruler.—Read John 1:14.

*** w11 7/1 p. 9 A Meaningful Life—Now and Forever ***We may have to

endure challenges if we want to pursue an upright course. Will those challenges rob us of a meaningful life? Well, imagine that a vicious enemy is slandering our beloved friend or family member. If defending that dear person’s name caused us some hardship at the hands of our enemy, would that rob us of a meaningful life? Of course not! We would gladly endure hardship for such a cause. It is the same with remaining loyal to God. Our loyalty under current evil conditions actually makes God’s heart rejoice.—Proverbs 27:11.

*** w11 8/15 p. 31 par. 15 Pursue Peace ***If a Christian becomes aware of a serious sin on the part of a fellow believer, he

should encourage that one to confess the sin to the elders. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Jas. 5:14-16) If the wrongdoer does not do so, the Christian who has come to know about the sin should report it. Failure to do this in a mistaken effort to maintain peace with the sinner makes one a party to the wrongdoing.—Lev. 5:1; read Proverbs 29:24.

*** w10 6/15 p. 20 par. 5 Gracious Speech Promotes Good Relations ***5 Good communication does not mean saying everything you

are thinking and feeling at any given moment, especially if you are upset. The Scriptures show that uncontrolled expression of anger is a mark of weakness, not of strength. (Read Proverbs 25:28; 29:11.)

*** w10 9/1 p. 24 Is Confession of Sins Required by God? ***The foremost reason to confess a sin—committed either against a

fellow human or against God—is to gain an approved standing with God. Jesus Christ indicated that we must first resolve any difficulty with our fellow men and make peace with them before we can worship God with a good conscience. (Matthew 5:23, 24) Proverbs 28:13

*** w10 9/15 p. 20 par. 14 Christian Unity Glorifies God ***14 Closely related to abusive speech is failure to control anger. This too can separate

people who belong to one another. Anger is like a fire. It can easily get out of control and

cause disaster. (Prov. 29:22) One who is justified in expressing his displeasure must carefully control his anger to avoid damaging valuable relationships. Christians should work at being forgiving, not holding a grudge and not talking about the matter again.

*** w10 11/15 p. 31 par. 17 We Shall Walk in Our Integrity! ***If we were to sin gravely, let us not try to hide such wrongdoing to save face. How can

we show that we are trying to maintain integrity? By acknowledging our error, repenting, seeking spiritual help, and doing all we can to make amends.—Prov. 28:13; Jas. 5:13-15.

*** w08 10/1 p. 3 Who Can Know the Future? ***Compared with God, man is powerless to peer into the

future. “Do not make your boast about the next day,” wrote wise King Solomon, “for you do not know what a day will give birth to.” (Proverbs 27:1) That observation is still true. No human can foresee even his own future. What makes God different? He completely understands everything he has created, including the nature and inclination of man. When he chooses to do so, God can foresee exactly how individuals and entire nations will act. Further, he has unlimited ability to control the outcome of events. When he foretells through his prophets that something will occur, he becomes “the One

making the word of his servant come true, and the One that carries out completely the counsel of his own messengers.” (Isaiah 44:26) Only Jehovah God can truthfully make that statement.

*** w06 9/15 p. 19 pars. 6-14 Highlights From the Book of Proverbs ***13:24; 29:15, 21. A loving parent does not pamper his child or overlook his faults.

Rather, a father or a mother takes corrective measures to root out such faults before they become deeply ingrained.

27:23-27. Using a pastoral setting, these proverbs emphasize the value of finding contentment in a simple life resulting from diligent work. They should especially impress on us the need to depend on God.

28:5. If we ‘seek Jehovah’ through prayer and a study of his Word, we “can understand everything” needed to serve him acceptably.