... the text for May 8, 2020

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32

The comments today made this point:

...having unbounded freedom is a two-edged sword.

If we were free to do whatever we want with no restrictions, the world would be much worse than it is right now. Here's an ultimate truth: Nothing is truly free. I'll explain in a moment.

The only Being who has absolute freedom is Jehovah Himself, the Almighty God and Creator of all things. He can do whatever he chooses. In creating humans, he allows a relative freedom to make choices.

In an earlier post, I stated that there are 2,500 varieties of apples in the world. Jehovah provided those apples. We have the freedom to choose which of those 2,500 apples breeds to eat, cook with and grow. That's our relative freedom. If we demanded absolute freedom and ate as many apples as we liked, we would get sick. So, we limit how much we eat, right?

Jehovah designed gravity. We are bound to gravity. Gravity benefits us by keeping us firmly planted on the ground; it governs the tides of the oceans; it helps shape and form us. To demand absolute freedom from gravity comes with a cost. A very high cost. We've seen it before with the Challenger disaster; the fall of Skylab and other accidents in man's attempt to explore space. So, we obey gravity and enjoy the relative freedom it provides us.

But, the truth will set us free. The truth of what?

• There is no life after death. There are no ghosts or spirits to affect the living. When Adam and Eve rebelled, God simply said, "...until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken." (Gen. 3:19) There was no talk of being taken to heaven or anywhere else. If Adam had not rebelled, there would have been no need for heaven at all!
• There is no hellfire. Jehovah didn't tell Adam that he was going to punish him forever for what he did. Being in a non-existent state (dead) was enough. Later, the apostle Paul wrote this simple statement: "...
  the wages sin pays is death,,," (Rom. 6:23) Pretty easy to see that we live if we obey, we die if we don't. That's Jehovah giving us relative freedom.

 In Rom. 6:23, Paul added this: "...but the gift God gives is everlasting life". Have you seen an advertisement that promised a free gift if you spend a certain sum or money or bought that particular product? Therefore, nothing is truly free. We pay a price for it, either in a bad way (consequences and punishment) or a good way (contentment and happiness). We don't earn everlasting life. There is nothing we can do, that will create a debt that Jehovah has to pay us. It's impossible! But, receiving the gift of life from God is easy. (John 17:3)

As we follow the counsel in John 17:3, and accept what Jesus taught and become Jesus' disciples, we can line up to receive the free gift of life from the One with absolute freeom to give it.. The two truths I cited above is just part of the learning process. 

Would you like to live forever enjoying relative freedom? JW.org has online bible study sessions where you can learn other truths that will set you free.

... Matt. 7:12

All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them.

Notice that this scripture is proactive, not reactive. People know this scripture as the Golden Rule. But, they apply it incorrectly. The common thought is that, "Well, they hurt me first, so I hurt them back." Or "They were kind to me, therefore I'll be kind to them."

That's not what Jesus said. So, to properly apply this verse, you need to tell yourself: If I want a person to respect me or to be kind to me, I need to first be kind and respectful to them. Likewise, if I want people to treat me with disrespect and contempt, then I can treat them that way, and not get angry when I get that response, as it's  a consequence of what I have done.

Most people correctly apply this scripture and it's wonderful to see. In my life, I have discovered that in some cases when I try to apply this scripture properly, I do not get the expected reaction. If I am kind  and giving to someone, or I act amiable and easy-going, they don't treat me the same. They think they can be manipulative and controlling, benefiting themselves at my expense, to "walk all over me" because it's expedient. They believe they can treat me however they like without reprisals or retaliation.

If I, being imperfect, am sarcastic or sharp with others, then they say to themselves, "Man, he acted like that? Well, I am better at it than him!" And they retaliate by being extra-sarcastic or overly mean, as if to prove just how cruel they can really be. They will continue in this fashion until I say, "Hey! I'm sorry!" I guess doing it that way makes them feel special and self-important.

When it's reversed, I do what I can to reciprocate. If they're kind to me, then I will be the kind, knowing that's how they want to be treated. If, through imperfection, they make a mistake or treat me harshly by accident, then I take that into consideration and work to be forgiving and patient with them. When they do it on purpose, they expect me to be kind  and forgiving and patient with them, yet, get angry with me when I respond accordingly myself. I guess that's self-importance again and it's most expedient to treat me however they like with no reprisals or consequences.

I've had cases where I was friends with someone for a number of years, and they know me enough to understand what kind of person I am. When I make one mistake, they, instead of being kind and forgiving and patient, they drop me like the proverbial hot potato and refuse to deal with me any longer. When that happens, and it's clear that they no longer want to deal with me, I respect their decision and limit my own contact with them. I'm not retaliating, however, I'm just being amiable and flexible. If they do something to hut me, and I drop them like it's hot, then I'm the bad guy, a cruel, vindictive person.

I guess I have trouble understand that "it applies to me and not to you", or "it applies to you and not to me." Is that pride talking?

If I state an actual experience, I'd have to provide details that will make it clean who I'm talking about, so I'll keep silent. Jehovah knows who they are and will deal with it in His own time and manner.

Meanwhile, I am still doing my best to apply this scripture, correctly.

... the text for May 7, 2020

Judas and Silas ... encouraged the brothers with many talks and strengthened them. - Acts 15:32

This scripture points to actions of a governing body that was instituted by Christ via his 11 disciples. It has been this way since. The April 2018 Watchtower Study Edition, lesson #19 paragraphs 18-20 makes this comment:

Today, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses gives encouragement to Bethel family members, to special full-time firld workers, and indeed, to the entire international brotherhood of true Christians.

This is clearly evident today, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Talks are being developed for the 3-day regional conventions, which were cancelled. These talks will be on JW.org and will indeed encourage and strengthen us, as we deal with being in isolation, quarantine, loss of income, the death of family members and friends due to COVID-19, social distancing and mask wearing.

I am happy to be a part of this organization. If I had known nothing about Jehovah, I would have died a long time ago, either through self-destructive behavior or suicide. The hope for the future is strong with me, because I think about what I would become: a man with full hearing, full sight and capable of whatever my mind can imagine.

To those reading this, click this link: JW.org. This webiste is availalbe in your native language, and has online Bible study sessions available, so that you too can learn to live peacefully and become truly happy.

... the text for May 6, 2020

Hold fast to what you have until I come. And to the one that conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations., - Rev. 2:25, 26

In this scripture, Jesus was talking to the congregation in Thyratira in Asia Minor. Does he have the authority to give others authority? Yes, he does. He is ruling now as King of God's Kingdom, established in heaven in 1914.

The comments highlighted this:

Think of the authority Jesus has as head of all the congregations. He does not have to thank us for the work we do for him.

The fact that he does thank us and expresses appreciation is heartwarming. His example is an excellent one for parents, husbands and elders to imitate. I need to work on this as well, and I try to give commendation whenever possible, so  that in times I need to say something, it will be accepted.

We are encouraged to hold fast to what we've learned from examining Jehovah and Jesus, and to improve ourselves in an effort to do more than we did before.

Let us do our best to do something meaningful to benefit ourself and not do what's expedient (lie, cheat, steal, manipulate others for our gain) . While the things Jesus said to that congregation apply to those of the 144,000 who go to heaven to rule with Jesus "over the nations", we are encouraged to do what we can for Jehovah's Kingdom.

Stay safe!

... the text for May 5, 2020

Whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap. - Gal. 6:7

I liked the question at the end of the comments:

Are you humble enough to accept sound advice?

Italics are mine. But, it stresses the point. We pay consequences for everything we do, good or bad. God deeds reap blessings, from others (praise, acknowledgment, more responsibility, more trust, life); bad deeds reap anxiety (loss of friends, alienation, lack of trust, unwanted pregnancy, disease, death).

While the comments in today's text were directed at children, it applies as much to adults. Don't fool yourself thinking that nothing will happen to you. It will catch up with you later. So, it's important to be humble enough to accept counsel and advice. The ones giving you advice care about you and want what's best for you. Those are your true fiends; the ones who keep silent while they watch you stumble around making mistakes are not your friends.

Being humble enough also includes feeling bad enough to change. If you make the excuse, "Well, I'm trying" or "I try not to" when you're confronted with something, you need to back it up with an effort in trying or trying not to. others will see your effort, and will cut you some slack and will help you, if you let them.

But, you must feel bad enough to change and be humble enough to know you need help. It will benefit you in the long run, and the prospect of living forever is the long run.

,,, the Bible reading for week of May 4-10, 2020: Gen. 36-37

These were the scriptures I liked from this week's Bible reading:

Gen. 37:3 -

Now, Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons because he was the son of his old age, and he had a special robe made for him.

Did Jacob (Israel) elevate Joseph over the other sons? Did this cause jealousy? Yes. Jealous people do dumb things in their jealousy, in fact, verse 4 says "they could not speak peaceably to him."  If we examine Joseph himself, we find that he was a humble person, diligent and hard-working, honest  and, most important, feared Jehovah. He did not allow his father's special attention to cause him to be proud, arrogant and selfish.

Sadly today, some do become self-important when they're given special treatment over their siblings by their parents. It causes that one to be overly haughty, bossy and selfish, believing their desires and needs should be satisfied first before all else. Some have used their special relationship with their parents to benefit themselves at the siblings' expense, such as when discipline is needed (the blame game), or gaining a material advantage (more toys). Jehovah does not like this attitude and continually counsels on the need to examine ourselves and develop humility to please Him, the "examiner of hearts." (Prov. 17:3)
 
Gen. 37:10 -

Then he related it [the second dream] to his father as well as his brothers, and his father rebuked him and said to him: "What is the meaning of this dream of yours? Am I as well as your nother and your brothers really going to come and bow down to the earth to you?"

In verse 11, Joseph's "brothers grew jealous, but his father kept the saying in mind."

Sometimes when people tell us something, that, to us, sounds outrageous and unbelievable, we may think in our head, "Man, he is so egotistical and big-headed!" But, Jacob is a good example: He asked questions. He did not allow anger or jealously to block his thinking, but he kept it in his head. As it turned out, Jehovah cleared up the matter later.

For us today, it's important to be humble when listening to others, not quick to get offended or angry and stop listening to that person. We should think about it and keep it in mind, as Jehovah may provide understanding at a later date. We must remain open-minded about things. We should not adopt the tactic of hearing one thing we don't like and focus so much on it, that we miss the rest of the counsel or discipline we are receiving that will benefit us if we apply it.

I enjoyed the reading this week. In chapter 36, it was a lot of names, but I did see that Esau had three wives, one of which was his cousin, Basemath, the daughter of his uncle, Ishmael. (Gen. 36:3)

Addition made 5/7/20:

Gen. 37:24, 25:

...and they took him and threw him into the waterpit...Then they sat down to eat.

A sister commented on these version, pointing out the brothers' sense of right and wrong were blurred; their conscience was murky. They nonchalantly did wrong, shrugged their shoulders and had their meal. The world today is the same. People do bad, yawn as if it's just another thing to do and carry on with their lives. We cannot be that way. Jehovah teaches us what's right and wrong. When we make a mistake, we feel bad and ask for forgiveness and keep training.

She made a good point. I've had people tell me, "Oh, I feel bad," with a shrug, but they won't do anything to atone for it or to make it right. We need to continue to resist the world's tendency to do wrong like it's just another day at the office. We need to work hard at making Jehovah look upon us with favor and appreciation and to continue to show love for our brothers despite their imperfections.

Enjoy your week's activity and be safe!

... the text for May 4, 2020

Keep bearing much fruit. - John 15:8

I appreciate this in the comments on the text today:

As we endure, we experience in our heart a lasting feeling of peace that results from knowing that we have Jehovah's and Jesus;' approval.

Then it references Rom. 5:3, which point out that we "rejoice while in tribulations since we know that tribulation produces endurance". This in turn creates an "approved condtion" which becomes "hope".

What was the "fruit" Jesus referred to? It was the preaching work. The message was simple, "The Kingdom of the heaves has drawn near." Today, that message is, "The Kingdom of the heavens is here!"

By reaching this message to those humble ones that desire to learn about Jehovah, it produces hope, the hope of everlasting life.

If we endure in doing this, we will be placed in an approved condition by Jehovah and Jesus, and gain the precious gift we have been promised. (Matt. 24:13)

Stay safe!