"FOOD AT THE PROPER TIME"

Jesus said: "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth." (Matthew 4:4) Sadly, though, the vast majority of people are not paying attention to God's utterances.  As foretold by Jehovah's prophet Amos, there is "a famine, not for bread, and a thirst, not for water,but for hearing the words of Jehovah." (Amos 8:11) Even very religious  people are spiritually famished.  Nevertheless, Jehovah's will is that "all sorts of men should be saved and come to  an accurate  knowledge of truth."  (1 Timothy 2:3, 4)  Accordingly, he is providing spiritual food in abundance. But where can it be obtained?

 Throughout history, Jehovah has dispensed spiritual food to his people as a group. (Isaiah 65:13) For instance, the Israelite priests gathered men,women, and children for group instruction in God's Law.  (Deuteronomy 31:9, 12)  Under the direction of the governing body, first-century Christians organized congregations and held meetings for the instruction and encouragement of all.  (Romans 16:5; Philemon 1, 2) Jehovah's Witnesses follow this pattern.  You are cordially to attend all their meetings.

Of course, you may already have learned much in your personal study of the Bible.  Perhaps someone has assisted you.  (Acts 8:30-35) But your faith might be likened to a  plant that will wither and die if it is not given suitable care.  Hence, you must receive proper spiritual nourishment. ( 1 Timothy 4:6) Christian meetings provide a continuous  program of instruction designed to nourish you spiritually and help you to keep on growing in faith as you increase in the knowledge of God. - Colossians 1:9, 10.

Meetings serve another vital purpose.  Paul wrote: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together."  (Hebrews 10:24 25) The Greek word translated "to incite" can also mean "to sharpen ."  A Bible proverb states:  "By iron, iron itself is sharpened.  So one man sharpens the face of another." (Proverbs 27:17) All of us need continual 'sharpening."  Daily pressures from the world can dull our faith.  When we attend Christian meetings, there is an interchange of encouragement.  (Romans 1:11, 12) Members of the congregation follow the apostle Paul's admonition to "keep comforting one another an building one another up," and such things sharpen our faith. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Regular presence at Christian meetings also indicates that we love God and affords us opportunities to praise him. -Psalm 35:18.

Next time: "CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH LOVE"

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995