... the Bible reading for week of May 25 - 31, 2020 (Gen. 42-43)

Genesis 42-43

Gen. 42:21

...We are surely bering punished on account of our brother, because we saw his distress when he begged us to show compassion...

If you have a right to be angry, or think you have a right to be angy, it is beneficial to show mercy. Refusal to extend mercy, will cause mercy to not be extended to you. And who can you blame? Yourself.

Gen. 42:25

......and to return each man's money to his own sack...

 Gifts are better when they are given in secret. It is wise to not broadcast that you hve done so. Your Father, who is looking on, will repay.

Gen. 43:10

...if we had not delayed, we could have been there and back twice by now...

Journeys back in that time took months, so a bit of time elapsed. Also, procrastination is not new. Jacob considered Simeon as good as lost, but with Judah's reassurance, he allowed Benjamin his youngest to go, to the bless ing of his family.

These two chapters are good in that it shows Joseph's btoehrs had shown a repentant attitude and were truly sorry for what they had done. Joseph tested them in this way to see how they felt. He did not harbor any grudges againt them, but he declared that Jehovah had allowed all this to happen for the preservation of Israel and the line leading to Jesus Christ. Joseph displayed abundant mercy, even though he was wronged. It's a wonderful lesson for us today as we deal with our imperfect family members and our fellow worshippers of Jehovah.

Another thing to learn from this week's reading is that punishment comes eventually. It can take years before something we've done wrong in the past to catch up to us, and when it does, it can be humiliating. But, it will come, do not doubt it. That's why we're encouraged to "lay it out on the table" as it were, to get the forgiveness and correction we need now, before it is to late.

... the text for May 27, 2020

You have found favor with God. - Luke 1:30

Why did Mary find favor with God? He had been observing her and her faithfulness in regards to His worship. She was a humble woman who feared Jehovah.

Therfore, she was chosen to give birth to Jesus.

A question: How would Mary feel to be so venerated by many today? The Immaculate Virgin, the Mother of God are titles given to her. But, you read the Bible account about her life, do you see her praising herself, or praising Jehovah?

Luke 1:46-53 highlights some of her expressions:

• ...my soul magnifies Jehovah...
• ...holy is his [Jehovah's] name...
• ...his mercy is upon those who fear him...

In vs 50, she said:

... he has scattered those who are haughty in the intention of their hearts

Does this sound like a person who should be revered? No. Did she brag about having God's Son? No, she acknowledge that Jehovah was the one who provided this in Luke 1: 49, "... because the powerful One has done great things for me, and holy is his name." She would be truly offended if she saw what the world thinks of her.

Notice, too, when Jesus was born,  lowly shepherds were notified of his birth, not the prominent or wealthy ones.

The key point is this: Humility finds favor with Jehovah God. You may be a spiritual person, doing the things you should be doing, but if you have any superior or proud attitudes, even feeling contempt for others, even feeling entitled to things, that will not work with Jehovah. Those who are truly humble in heart and deeds will be noticed by God.

Time is running out. We are so close to the end, so please, endeavor to root out incorrect feelings and thinking, and replace them with true humility. It takes effort, but it can be done.

Be safe!

... the text for May 26, 2020

The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd one ponders each step. - Prov. 14:15

 The comments bring out an accurat point:

We are bombarded with information.

Propaganda is meant to distort and blur correct information. It was used successfully in wartime as a way to disorient the enemy. If the enemy heard reports of its own government failing to do its job, it can destroy morale and people would not fight.

Satan uses sucn propaganda against us. Same-sex marriages are okay; Jehovah doesn't love you; we are such sinners, we cannot be forgiven; there is life after death, and a host of other untruths.

In this current pandemic, we receive information about those saying how deadly the coronavirus is, to those who say it's not dangerous. What to believe? That's why we need to develop the ability to evaluate information, and the best way is to compare it with the principles the Bible lays out.

The Governing Body is indeed providing the voice of wisdom, giving talks on trusting Jehovah and the channel he uses to give us the information. We can always trust such sources. Being shrewd will help us against Satan's attacks, as these attacks will escalate.

... the text for May 25, 2020

Do not severely criticize an older man. On the contrary, appeal to him as a father. - 1 Tim. 5:1

We all need counsel, not matter our age. So, if an older one needs counsel, we should give it in respectful love. This in turn, shows respect for Jehovah and his righteous standards.

We all sin. Willful sin is a different matter, entirely. If we truly did not want to sin, and we made a mistake, then proper feelings should play a factor.

somtimes, "I feel bad," is not enough. Do we feel bad enough to change? If we don't, could thiat be classified as willful sin? Proper meditation on this matter is important, because it is Jehovah's determination of willful sin or not, as he reads the heart. We need to be careful. Regardless of our age, Jehovah will still judge us justly.

... the Bible reading for week of May 18 - 24 : Gen. 40-41

Genesis 40-41

More about Joseph.

Gen. 40:8 says in part:

...Do not interpretations belong to God? Relate them to me, please.

Joseph recognized Jehovah as the One giving dreams and the One interpreting them. It wasn't Joseph's own power and knowledge, but all glory belongs to Jehovah God. Also, he was confident that Jehovah could give him the interpretation of the dreams.

Gem/ 40:15:

I was, in fact, kidnapped....

why didn't he complain about being sold in slavery? For a couple of reasons. One, he did not want to shame his family, and two, he did not harbor any ill resentment toward his brothers. Why? Likely because he realized the Jehovah had given him the dream he had told his brothers before. He saw the hand of God working toward some purpose.

Gen. 41:14:

...He [Joseph] shaved and changed his clothes and went in to Pharaoh.

This demonstrated a proper respect for authority. Even today, those who come before judges or governments dress appripriately for the occasion.

Gen 41:16 -

..."I need not be considered! God will speak concerning Pharaoh's welfare."

The event sin this chapter occurred two years after chapter 41. Even after that time, Joseph maintained a humble attitude. Even though the chief cupbearer kept forgetting him, he did not dwell on this but maintained his ralationship with Jehovah.

Sometimes, it takes time for justice to be done. If you find yourself in an unfar position or condition, complaining about it does not help matters. True, we should throw out burdens on Jehovah, and give entreties. But, we know we can be patient, because at the right time, Jehovah will act on our behalf. (Ps. 55:22, Phil. 4:6-7, Ps. 37:5)

Gen 41:33

...let Phaeaoh look for a man who is discreet and wise...

Joseph did not demand to put in the position of oversight, however, Jehovah's spirit moved him to make the suggestion, which found favor with Pharoah, who praised Joseph and hired him, as it were, on the spot. The lesson is if we trust and rely on Jehovah, he will give us what we need to fulfill our duties. We do not need to "toot our own horn".

gen. 41:51

...God had made me forget all my trouble and all the house of my father.

Joseph continued to focus on Jehovah and serving him, and did not focus on himself, or allow himself to think about what happened in the past. This is a good lesson for me, as I have suffered much in the past. But, if I continue to look forward, all of that will be, not completely forgotten, but a mere whisper.

..;. the text for May 24, 2020

We are God's fellow workers. - 1 Cor. 3:9

The thought comes to my mind when I read this is how amazing Jehovah is. The Supreme Being in the universe certainly does not need help with anything. For Him to delegate work to us that promotes his will and purpose is a huge display of his love for us.

Have you heard the term "If it's going to be done right, I better do it"? Jehovah doesn't say that, nor his Son, Jesus. In Matthew 28:19, 20, he commissioned all his disciples to "Go...and make disciples". What a wonderful assignment!

Friends, whether you are pioneers or publishers, we can do what we can to improve our preaching and teaching. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses tirelessly provide such training and instruction. May we take the time to carefully study these materials, so that we can fulfill what Paul wrote long ago, that we are God's fellow workers.

... 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!