... the text for June 15, 2020

Buy truth and never sell it. - Prov. 23:23

Yesterday, it was "walking in truth". Today is the step in starting the walk in truth.

The comments say:

Our most precious possession is our relationship with Jehovah, and we would not trade it for anything.

How do you start this relationship? Treasuring Bible truths. It's how we develop that bond with our God

If we sacrifice our time and personal preferences to absorb bible truths, through reading the Bible itself daily or studying through one of the publications available to help us, we can "buy" this truth, and "keep on" maintaining this truth.

jw.org has "Online Bible sessions" available free of charge. There is also many videos, talks, and even music that help us to treasure Jehovah and Bible truths. If you "buy" it with your time and energy and self-sacrifice, you will never have buyer's remorse.

Stay safe!

... the text for June 14, 2020

Go on walking in the truth. - 3 John 3

The truth is what we have learned from the Bible, that keeps us on this path through life. How do we keep walking in truth? The comments state this:

Continue to study the precious truths of God's Word and meditate on them.

Isn't that true? Those who are doctors will consider medical journals to keep up to date on new medicines, procedures, etc. That's how they stay good doctors. Same with any other profession.

I have worked in the mortgage industry for nearly 20 years. When I changed careers to work on computers, I still knew a lot. Over time, though, what I knew slipped away. Now, I don't know anything new.

It is the same when you learn the truths from the Bible.

Now, many say, "Jesus saved me, so I'm always saved." Well, there are scriptures, such as the one aboe, that indicate otherwise. It says, "keep on...", meaning it's maintaining a forward momentum, not a signal to stop. Many who go to church stop "keeping on", and we see the result in all the hatred and anger, prejudice, lies, and everything else.

We need to continue to study and meditate. As we do our weekly Bible reading, we have been given only two chapters to read. Reading them doesn't take much time, but sitting bacck and reflecting on what you read is what's vital to "keep on walking in truth".

If you use audio and listen to it, still pause it when you hear something that impresses you about Jehovah and think about it, then resume listening to it.

I've been trying to get into the mode of reading those two chapters every day for a week, in both English and ASL. I have the best intentions, but imperfection ruins the best of intentions. I tend to meditate too much, which is good, but I need to continually feed the meditation.

So, this text is a good reminder to me to "keep on".

Stay safe!

... the text for June 10, 2020

A voice came out of the heavens: "You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you." - Mark 1:11

With these words, three statements were made:

1. Jehovah called Jesus his Son.
2. Jehovah loves his Son.
3. Jehovah approved of his Son.

The King James Vesion says this:

Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased

Here, God is clearing saying Jesus is His Son. It's apparent they are two separate individuals. So, why is there a common belief that they are equal?

I had a woman at the door tell me that Jesus was not created, but was a Divine Being. There are scriptures in both the Old Testament and New Testament that clearly define Jesus as an "only begotten", marking that he was created by God.

Paul wrote this: "Who [Jesus], although existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal with God." (Phil. 5:16)

It's interesting that other Bibles translate this verse differently. King James says, "thought it not robbery to be equal with God." The American Standard Version notes: "counted not the being onan equality with God a thing to be grasped." The Byington Bible renders this verse as, "did not regard equality with God as a prize". 

This is an important truth to know about the Almighty God and Jesus. it's life or death. So, it's crucial to have the Bible available in a language that is current and easily understood.

You can use whatever Bible you feel comfortable with. That's not the issue of which Bible. The important thing ias that if you honestly want to serve God, accurate knowledge is key. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures has been updated since it's inception in the early 60s. Why is it revised? To be clearer and more readily understood.

After all, Jesus prayed in John 17:3 that "This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ."

Other Bibles:
King James: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  "
American Standard Version: "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ."
Byington Bible: "and this is what the eternal life is, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ."

jw.og has the Bible Online. They also have many different Bible translations on the scriptures you're reading, showing you how that verse reads in other versions. Why do they do this? Because they understand that you may have grown up with a certain Bible, and comparing Bibles is great, as it helps to get a clearer picture of what it reveals about Jehovah and his Son.

Stay safe!