... the text for June 21, 2020

Never let anyone look down on your youth. Instead, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness. - 1 Tim. 4:12

When people treat you with contempt, what do you do? Get anry and harbor resentment or bitterness? While Paul was talking to Timothy, who likely was an elder in his congregation and a young man, his exortation and encouragement applies to all of us.

by our actions, we can show that we have the confidence in Jehovah. By the way we talk to each other shows the good qualities we have. By making wise decisions and maintaining good conduct, we show others that we do our best to imitate Jesus and Jehovah.

I know of one brother who became an elder at the age of 22. That seemed young, but you can watch how he acts and how he talks and know that he really cares about the congregation and wrks hard to shepherd it in love. He took this scripture to heart and  displays the qualities Paul recommended to Paul.

We have many young ones that help lead the congregation and they should be valued and recognized for thir love of Jehovah's name. As us older ones step aside, or limit our activities, the young will take it up and move the organization forward.

Such a wonderful thing to see and we can trust it, because Jesus is in full control of the congregations and he will assure that everything works smoothly.

but let all ov us continue to be a good example, encouraging others by our faith and determination to serve Jehovah, even in this crumbling system of things.

Stay safe!

... the text for June 7, 2020

Let, not my will, but yours take place. - Luke 22:42

The comment made this statement:

He [Jesus]  was fully awre that his enemies would soon humiliate, beat, and execute him.

Yes, Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to him. Can you imagine that? How would you feel that soon you would die in a car accident, caused by a drunk driver, on a particular night. If you knew before hand, would you change your route to avoid it? MJost people would.

That makes Jesus' sacrifice so special, in that he didn't try to alter the course of things, but humbly submitted to his Father's will. And it brings untold blessings upon all of us.

Today, we have many brothers and sisters in Russia, who are under ban. Many have been sent to prison, or on trial. Some have been beaten and tortured. Yet, knonwing all these things would happen, did they change their course to avoid it? No, and it's a testament to our Father, Jehovah, who provides holy spirit to keep them calm under persecution.

We, who live in countries where religion is practiced freely, should heed these faithful examples. On a future date, things will change. We may come under ban, it may be vicious or it may be restrictive, but, it's a ban. How will we react? We should expect persection. We should not be surprised or dismayed that it happened or is happening. "Oh, no! It's starting already?" Yes, and it will spread all over the earth, as Jehovah's prophecies continue to be fulfilled.

If you read you Bible everyday, continue doing so. It's important to meditate on it, for you may end up with no Bible or Watchtower or videos to watch and songs to listen to. Maintain vigilant and frequent prayer to Jehovah, for that will the lifeline you will need. Keep thinking of the future where all with serve Jehovah happily forever in true peace and security under His heavenly Kingdom.

Stay safe!

... the text for June 1, 2020

No matter what you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. - John 15:16

We truly can't ask Jehovah for anything. How do we know? The comments have this to say:

Jehovah was ready to answer their prayers for any help they needed to carry out the command to preach the Kingdom message.

So, today, we ask Jehovah for help in doing his will, not ask for our own desires, such as preyers for a good paying job, financial security and other things of that nature.

We can see Jehovah's answers to our prayers when we read the Bible and receive needed counsel. We humbly ask for guidance and direction on  making wise decisions so that we can be in a position to serve him more fully. We can pray for our brothers and sisters and He will respond with holy spirit and support for them.

When I get irritated or frustrated by something, I pray to Jehovah to help me to contain my  anger, help in not being bitter or to hold grudges, to consign my propblems to God for Him to take care of. He answers by calming me down, helping me to reflect on what He promises through his Word, the Bible.

Jesus, quoted above, was talking about the preaching work. He was going to die soon, so he wanted to comfort his disciples by letting them know they were not left in the lurch, to figure things out for themselves, but Jehovah would provide what is necessary to assist them in accomplishign His will.

We have the same assurance today, even when our preaching is limited by the pandemic, and many have found ways to still preach, with letter writing and focusing on their Bible studies. That is wonderful to see and hear.

... cruelty

"With your past, no one will ever love you." Could you imagine Jehovah or Jesus uttering those words? Thankfully, you couldn't. They would never say that in a million years.

Huymans, on the other hand, have demonstrated an amazing capacity to be cruel to one another, with they way they talked to those they're supposed to love; to think of and create fiendish means of torture; to develop and maintain weapons of mass destruction. We this profound ability to do the worst things.

We create gods to worship that are like us, cruel, vindictive, heartless, angry, demanding, control freaks, and dictators.

How does Jehovah feel about that? In Genesis 6, he said that the earth was ruined because of the way people were. (Gen. 6:11) That's why he brought the flood. He promised he won't use water to kill the wicked (Gen. 9:11), but He has other things at his disposal. The world today is even worse than in Noah's ;time. As a whole, the wicked today have made up for the lack of the Nephilim. Jehovah will definitely clean his once again ruined earth.

Many paint Jehovah as a heartless God, ready to punish and destory. They imagine that He created Hell for us to fear Him and bow to his control. That's exactly how some treat others, they create fear in order to dominate. They try to create a sense of inferiority in others in order to dominate and to treat with disdain and cruelty, as if they're more important.

In ages long ago, there were those who sacrificed their firstborn children by fire. How did Jehovah feel about that? Did he accept such sacrifices? He says in Jer. 7:31: "...something that I had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart" So, how could Jehovah even dream of an eternal place of torment for sinners on earth? Impossible. So, it's obvious man dreamt it up.

We must endure the cruelty and dominance of others. But, the day will come when such diabolical actions and thoughts will be done away with, when Jehovah gives Jesus the signal. I look forward to that day!