Shine

daily text 11/25

2010-11-25T09:55:00.006-07:00

Thursday, November 25th, 2010
"The love the Christ has compels us"
(2 Corinthians 5:14)

How did Jesus show love for others? His willingness to surrender his soul in mankind's behalf was the ultimate expression of his love. (John 15:13) However, during his ministry, Jesus also showed love in other ways. For instance, he had fellow feeling for those who were suffering. When he saw Mary and those with her weeping over the death of Lazarus, he was greatly touched by their sorrow. Although he was about to resurrect Lazarus, Jesus was so moved that he "gave way to tears." (John 11:32-35) Early in Jesus' ministry, a leper approached Jesus and said: "If you just want to, you can make me clean." Under the Mosaic Law, lepers were unclean, and Jesus could certainly have healed the man without physical contact. Yet, as Jesus healed the leper, he allowed him to feel the touch of another human, perhaps for the first time in years. What a tender act of compassion!—Mark 1:40-42.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 1:15-17)

extra reference material:
Empathy--Key to Kindness and Compassion
(a really good article about learning how to cultivate empathy and compassion for others)

Have Consideration For the Feelings of Others
(previous post about how Jesus' demonstrated compassion for the leper he healed)

A Sure Hope For the Dead
(excerpt from an article about how Jesus felt prior to resurrecting Lazarus at John 11:32-38):

'God Will Have a Yearning'
"Jesus' heartfelt compassion is indicated by three expressions: "groaned," "became troubled," and "gave way to tears." The original-language words used in recording this touching scene indicate that Jesus was so deeply moved by the death of his dear friend Lazarus and the sight of Lazarus' sister weeping that His eyes brimmed over with tears...Restoring humans to life, then, is not a mere procedure for Jesus. His tender and deep feelings as manifested on this occasion clearly indicate his intense desire to undo the ravages of death.
Since Jesus is 'the exact representation of Jehovah God's very being,' we rightly expect no less of our heavenly Father..."

daily text 11/24

2010-11-24T23:58:00.003-07:00

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
"All hearts Jehovah is searching" (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Imagine Jehovah God searching the billions of hearts of mankind today. How often does he find someone keeping Christian integrity? It is relatively rare indeed! However, we should not assume that we are too flawed to maintain integrity. On the contrary, we have good reason to trust, as did David and Job, that Jehovah will find us maintaining integrity, imperfect though we may be. Because integrity is at the core of Jehovah's judgement of us, it is essential to our hope for the future. David knew this to be true. (Psalm 41:12) He cherished the hope of receiving God's favorable attention forever. Like true Christians today, David hoped to live forever, continuing to draw ever closer to Jehovah God while serving him. David saw the role that his maintaining integrity would play if he was to see the fulfillment of that hope. Similarly, Jehovah upholds us, teaches us, guides us, and blesses us as we keep our integrity.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 1:14, 15)

Here's an additional scripture that ties in well, because it shows that Jehovah is actually searching for individuals with upright hearts, in order to demonstrate his power and strength in their behalf, by helping them to succeed in maintaining their integrity to Him:

(2 Chronicles 16:9)
"For, as regards Jehovah, his eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him..."

daily text 11/23

2010-11-23T05:10:00.002-07:00

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
"When praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words" (Matthew 6:7)

Jesus did not mean that we should never repeat heartfelt pleas and expressions of thanksgiving in prayer. In the garden of Gethsemane on the night before he died, Jesus repeatedly used "the same word" in prayer. (Mark 14:32-39) It would be wrong for us to mimic the repetitious prayers of "people of the nations." "Over and over again," they repeat memorized phrases that include many unnecessary words. It did worshippers of Baal no good to call upon the name of that false god "from morning till noon, saying: "O Baal, answer us!'" (1 Kings 18:26) Millions today offer wordy, repetitious prayers, thinking in vain that they "will get a hearing." But Jesus helps us to realize that the "use of many words" in long and repetitious prayers is of no value from Jehovah's standpoint.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 3:8, 9)

daily text 11/22

2010-11-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Monday, November 22nd, 2010
"You had no hope" (Ephesians 2:12)

Jehovah's Witnesses accept medical help and various forms of treatment. Our journal Awake! often contains articles on health matters. And although we do not endorse any particular treatment, we appreciate the help and cooperation of health-care professionals. Of course, we are aware that perfect health is not yet attainable. Therefore, we know that it is wise to avoid letting our health become an obsession or a constant concern. Our attitude should differ from that of those who have "no hope," who think that this life is all there is and who will resort to any therapy in an attempt to cure their ailments. We are determined not to forfeit Jehovah's approval in an effort to save our present life, for we are convinced that if we remain faithful to God, we will "get a firm hold on the real life," everlasting life in his promised new system of things.—1 Timothy 6:12, 19; 2 Peter 3:13.
(Watchtower 11/15/08, 3:6)

daily text 11/21

2010-11-21T06:33:00.004-07:00

Sunday, November 21st, 2010
"Go therefore and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19)

Conducting Bible studies is the foremost way to make disciples. Some publishers, though, have not yet had the pleasure of conducting a Bible study. Others may not have conducted one in recent years. Then there are those faithful publishers who, although they were at one time very active in the disciple-making work, are now hampered by ill health or the limitations of old age. Some even impose limitations upon themselves. For example, do you feel unqualified to conduct a Bible study? You may feel as Moses did when Jehovah commissioned him to talk to Pharaoh. Moses said: "Excuse me, Jehovah, but I am not a fluent speaker, neither since yesterday nor since before that." (Exodus 4:10) Closely related to feelings of inadequacy is a fear of failure. We might worry that a person will not become a disciple because we are not the perfect teacher. Rather than risking that outcome, we might forgo the opportunity to conduct a study.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 2:3, 6)

PopQuiz Bible Trivia: Who Was the 12th Apostle? Paul or Matthias?

2010-11-20T23:59:00.002-07:00

While I was looking for this previous entry:
Apostle Paul's Missionary Travels
(containing additional reference material in relation to today's text discussion), I was reminded of a thought-provoking question that a new Bible student quizzed me on regarding Paul's "apostleship"...wanting further clarification on the subject. (Which led to some very interesting research since I hadn't even thought of this until I was inquired about it).

So,...now it's time to test your "advanced" Bible knowledge, with the same trivia question:

Q:Who did Jesus choose to replace Judas Iscariot as the 12th Apostle?
-Paul or Matthias?

(some facts to ponder):
-In the account at (Acts 1:15-26), Peter addresses the other apostles & disciples among the newly established Christian congregation on the matter, in order to come to a decision regarding who would replace the apostleship of Judas Iscariot. So they "cast lots" between 2 disciples, Justus and Matthias, and the lot fell to Matthias.
-However, at (Romans 1:1), Paul refers to himself as being called by holy spirit and Christ to be an "apostle to the nations," and at (Acts 9:15), Jesus declares that Saul is his "chosen vessel" to bear witness to the nations.

So, was Matthias really Jesus' choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle?...or did the other apostles & disciples "jump the gun" and appoint the wrong person? Was Matthias just a temporary replacement to fill the vacancy until Paul came on the scene?
~or~
Was Matthias the permanent choice to be the 12 apostle, while Paul's apostleship was additional and distinct from the other 12 apostles?

*Good question eh? I'll give the answer in an upcoming post*

daily text 11/20

2010-11-20T23:50:00.002-07:00

Saturday, November 20th, 2010
"I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20)

In our time, some people have claimed that Paul was here refering merely to making shepherding calls on believers. But, no. The description 'teaching publicly and from house to house' mainly applied to evangelizing among unbelievers. That is plain from his next words. Paul said that he had been witnessing "both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus." Clearly, Paul had been bearing witness to unbelievers, who needed to repent and put faith in Jesus. (Acts 20:21) Paul did not want the Ephesian elders to forget how he had borne witness and with what result. Luke reported: "All those inhabiting the district of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."—Acts 19:10.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 4:5, 6)

daily text 11/19

2010-11-19T05:14:00.002-07:00

Friday, November 19th, 2010
"Of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul? What, really, would a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37)

We know that Jesus did not come to earth to give us health, wealth, and a long life in this world. He came to open up the opportunity of living forever in the new world, and the prospect of that life is what we value highly. (John 3:16) A Christian would understand Jesus' first question to mean, "Of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his hope of everlasting life?" The answer is, Of no benefit at all. (1 John 2:15-17) To help us answer Jesus' second question, we might well ask ourselves, 'How much am I willing to sacrifice now to make my hope of life in the new world sure?' Our answer to that question, as seen in our life course, reveals the strength of that hope in our hearts.—Compare John 12:25.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 5:3, 4)

A sister in my congregation made a really good comment in this regard, about how much time, energy, and money some people will expend pursuing endeavors that are actually futile or "fruitless" in the long run.

She said, "How many people are willing to rearrange their circumstances in life, even uprooting themselves and their families by moving to another state or country, in order to work with "an expert" in their particular field? But we have the opportunity to be "fellow workers" with Jehovah, the greatest expert and teacher."

What she said was so true...the world is filled with all kinds of "experts" in the field of medicine and economics, who are highly sought-after by individuals all the time, wanting to improve their health, careers, or financial situation.
So if people are willing to go to such lengths to seek out "human" wisdom & advice for improving their life, health, and future financial prospects, (which is temporary & short-term, at best), how much more should we be putting forth the effort to continue training & progressing spiritually, by making whatever adjustments are necessary in order to secure our "spiritual prospects" for the future?...(which is a far more valuable, long-term investment for life).

Life Story: Francesco Abbatemarco

2010-11-18T23:59:00.001-07:00

This experience is an excellent example of why we don't need to feel overly anxious about our circumstances in life,...even if we become "trapped" in a hopeless situation, (like Jeremiah was, mentioned in today's text). No matter what health or economic hardships come our way, God will always make sure we get what we need, both physically and spiritually, if we rely on him.
This brother is a *living example* of how Jehovah can sustain us through difficult circumstances in life, and help us to reach our spiritual goals with the support of our brothers & sisters in the congregation.

Life Story of Francesco Abbatemarco
(pgs 20-22 of the 8/06 Awake!)

“Why did God let this happen? Why me?” How many times I asked those questions! I couldn’t bear the idea of spending my life in a wheelchair, unable to use my arms and legs.

In 1962, in a small town in the region of Basilicata, Italy, my life almost ended the day it began. My mother had a difficult delivery, and the doctor injected medications that had serious side effects. Three days later, convulsions shook my tiny body. My arms and legs were paralyzed, and my vocal cords damaged.
As I grew to adulthood, frustration with my physical condition overwhelmed me. I became irritable and often lashed out at the people around me. I felt excluded from the whole world, and nothing gave my life meaning. By the time I was 25, I was an emotional wreck. Not understanding why God allowed me to suffer so much, I came to a conclusion that seemed plausible—that there is no God.

A Different Outlook
One morning late in 1987, while I was sitting in my wheelchair outside, two well-dressed young men approached me. I assumed that they wanted to speak to my brother and told them, with much difficulty, that my brother was not at home. “But we want to speak with you,” they replied. That was a surprise because few people were interested in speaking with me.
“Do you believe in God?” they asked. I answered brusquely, “In my condition, how can I?” We started a conversation, and I found out that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. They offered me a book entitled Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? which I accepted with reluctance. They said that they would return. I hoped that they would not.

The two Witnesses returned as they had promised, and we resumed our conversation. I remember the Bible verses they read to me, Isaiah 35:5, 6: “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.” Those words were beautiful but so different from the reality of my life. I couldn’t even stand up, let alone climb up like a stag. In any event, I agreed to study the Bible with them, but I did not believe that the Bible would help me with my problems now. As far as being free of my infirmities one day, that hope seemed unrealistic.

After a while, the Witnesses invited me to a meeting at their local Kingdom Hall. I do not remember what the Bible talk was about, but I will never forget the warmth and love that the Witnesses showed me. Instead of drenching me with pity, they made me feel truly welcome. That Sunday I knew that my place was at the Kingdom Hall, and I started to attend meetings regularly.

A Mountain to Climb
The study of God’s Word had an amazing effect on my heart. It was as if sap had started flowing again through a withered tree. I experienced feelings that I had thought were dead and buried. How wonderful to feel alive again! I felt the desire to tell others about the marvelous hope I was making my own. (Matthew 24:14) How, though, could I begin preaching? I made this desire a matter of intense prayer, asking Jehovah to show me a way.

In September 1991, a pioneer (a full-time evangelizer) was assigned to the congregation. One day at his house, I confided to him my desire to preach. I could not speak well, so we discussed my using a typewriter to write letters. My paralyzed arms were an obstacle. With the pioneer’s help, I tried many methods. I tried holding a pencil with my teeth and hitting the keys with it. Then, I tried using a helmet with a stick attached and moved my head to strike the keys. Nothing seemed to work.

Later, as we were discussing the problem, that same pioneer jokingly said: “You have a very nice nose.” I immediately tried hitting the keys with my nose and found that it worked. Finally, I was able to write. Imagine the effort it took to correct spelling errors with my nose! Soon we realized that using a computer would be much easier. But how could I get the money to buy one? I waited for the right moment and then spoke to my parents. Shortly thereafter, I was using a computer to write letters.

(Francesco, preparing for a congregation meeting by using his nose to type)

My Desire Fulfilled
I first wrote to friends and relatives, then to people who lived in my town and in surrounding towns. Soon I was corresponding with people all over Italy. It is difficult to describe the joy I felt every time I received a reply to a letter. In December 1991, I was approved as an unbaptized publisher of the good news. I also enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School, a school held weekly in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. When I received an assignment to give a talk, I carefully prepared it at home using my computer. At the meeting, a friend would go to the platform and read what I had prepared.

Ever grateful for the love that Jehovah was showing me, I knew my next steps of spiritual progress would be to dedicate my life to God and get baptized. I mustered up courage and spoke to my parents about my decision. They were not happy, but my desire to get baptized was stronger than my fear. With the support of Jehovah and my fellow Witnesses, I was baptized in August 1992. How happy I was to have my brother and my sister-in-law attend my baptism!

Changes in My Thinking
As the principles contained in God’s Word gradually became clearer to me, I saw a need to change negative personality traits. I realized that as a result of my physical condition, I had become possessive and selfish. I had to struggle to get rid of those flaws. I needed to be humbler and to fight my constant frustration over having to depend on others.

I also worked to stop feeling sorry for myself and considering myself a victim. I began enjoying the funny side of certain situations. One day as I was preaching from house to house, a little girl opened the door. One of the Witnesses with me asked her if her parents were at home. The little girl shouted, “Mommy, there are two men and a sick man at the door.” On seeing me, the mother was so embarrassed that she didn’t know what to say. One of my friends said: “Actually, we are two sick men and a healthy one.” We all smiled, and a good conversation ensued.

The Desire to Serve More Fully
After my baptism I served as an auxiliary pioneer for nine months, spending 60 hours monthly in the preaching work. Yet, I wanted to do more. Soon I began service as a regular pioneer, dedicating even more time to the preaching work. The first few months of pioneer service were hard. Many people thought I was at their door asking for money, and this embarrassed me and the Witnesses who accompanied me.
In addition, many in the congregation had difficulty understanding my speech and were not sure how best to help me. But with Jehovah’s help and the unselfish assistance of my spiritual brothers and sisters, in time the situation improved. People now think of me not just as a man in a wheelchair but as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who tries to help others learn of God’s purposes.

In July 1994, I was able to attend a special two-week training course for pioneer ministers. There, we studied the Scriptural principles that guide the preaching and disciple-making work. We also received practical training in the ministry. I had to overcome obstacles in order to attend, since the school was held about 40 miles [60 km] away from where I live. It was impossible for me to spend the night away from home, so the Witnesses took turns taking me to the school in the morning and home in the evening. At lunchtime one of them carried me up to the second floor, where we all ate together.

A Big Responsibility
In March 2003, I was appointed as a congregation elder. That assignment has required that I work hard in behalf of others. Now I more fully understand what Jesus meant when he said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) I work along with a marvelous body of elders, and they have helped me settle into my role. I feel appreciated by the whole congregation—especially the young ones—and they include me in their activities. They see how I have overcome obstacles to serve Jehovah, and many ask me for help in facing their own problems.

I have learned that a person’s physical condition is not the crucial factor in happiness. Rather, what matters is having Jehovah’s approval and doing his will. I am particularly grateful to him for the wonderful hope of soon being rid of my wheelchair. Yes, I look forward to ‘climbing up just as a stag does’ and to serving the true God for all eternity.—Isaiah 35:5, 6.

daily text 11/18

2010-11-18T04:30:00.001-07:00

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
"The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication" (1 Peter 3:12)

During the latter part of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was imprisoned in the Courtyard of the Guard. How would he obtain food? He was totally dependent on those around him, most of whom hated him! Still, Jeremiah trusted not in men but in God, who promised to care for him. Did Jehovah live up to his word? Absolutely! He saw to it that Jeremiah daily received “a round loaf of bread . . . until all the bread was exhausted from the city.” (Jeremiah 37:21) Jeremiah, as well as Baruch, Ebed-melech, and others, survived that time of famine, disease, and death. (Jeremiah 38:2; 39:15-18) Do you feel safe and secure in knowing that Jehovah's eyes are upon you for your good? Then, continue walking with God—no matter what the future may hold. We can be sure that Jehovah will always keep a close, fatherly eye upon all his loyal ones.—Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 41:13.
(Watchtower 10/15/08, 2:18, 19)

daily text 11/17

2010-11-17T05:40:00.003-07:00

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
"Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure" (Luke 6:38)

'Pouring into the lap' refers to a custom of some vendors to fill the fold of a purchaser's wide upper garment, which was bound with a girdle and made into a pouch for carrying items. Our own spontaneous generosity may result in our receiving a fine measure in return, perhaps when we are in need. (Ecclesiastes 11:2) Jehovah loves and rewards those who give cheerfully. He himself set the prime example, giving his only-begotten Son "in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Paul wrote: "He that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7) Giving of our time, energy, and material resources to promote true worship is sure to bring us joy and rich rewards.—Proverbs 19:17; Luke 16:9.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 2:16, 17)

daily text 11/16

2010-11-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
"Time and unforeseen occurence befall them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

The three faithful Hebrews who refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold did not presume that Jehovah would miraculously protect them from physical harm. (Daniel 3:17, 18) As matters turned out, Jehovah did deliver them from the flames of the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:21-27) Even in Bible times, however, miraculous deliverance was the exception rather than the rule. Many faithful servants of Jehovah died at the hands of opposers. (Hebrews 11:35-37) Can we definitely say whether Jehovah did or did not intervene in specific cases today? No. Still, an individual who has escaped a dangerous situation may feel that Jehovah intervened. It would be presumptuous for others to take issue with his feeling. At the same time, we must realistically acknowledge that many faithful Christians have died as a result of persecution or other tragic circumstances.
(Watchtower issue: 9/15/08, 2:8, 9)

daily text 11/15

2010-11-15T22:49:00.003-07:00

Monday, November 15th, 2010
"Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15)

Our employer may offer us a promotion with better pay and other benefits. Or perhaps we realize that we can obtain greater financial rewards if we move to another country or region to find employment. At first, such opportunities might seem to be a blessing from Jehovah. But before we act on them, should we not examine our motives? Our primary concern should be, "How will my decision affect my relationship with Jehovah?" Satan's system relentlessly promotes materialism. (1 John 2:15, 16) The Devil's objective is to corrupt our hearts. Therefore, we need to be vigilant to identify and root out materialistic desires in our heart. (Revelation 3:15-17) Loyalty will help us to rely on Jehovah instead of ourselves.
(Watchtower issue: 8/15/08, 2:6, 7)

This can be tricky. Sometimes people want to believe that God has answered their prayer regarding employment even when it's pretty obvious that the type of employment they've been offered would interfere with spiritual pursuits and doesn't fit the pattern of what God has actually promised to provide in this regard.
An obvious *red flag* is when the job offers a high-paying salary & benefits which are much larger than what's actually needed for them and their family, and has alot of strings attached...such as frequent, *mandatory* business travel and overtime.

Jehovah doesn't work against Himself and His own interests. He wouldn't answer a prayer by providing employment that increases "material riches" at the expense of spiritual activity, or He would actually be robbing Himself! If God's purpose is to have the "good news" preached world-wide like never before, than a person is only deceiving themselves if they believe they are being favored with abundant material riches & possessions & vacations that crowd out time spent in the preaching work or other spiritual activities.
The ministry is a Christian's MAIN vocation, while secular employment should be our "secondary" job used to support the ministry. Too many people have it backwards.

daily text 11/12

2010-11-12T14:58:00.003-07:00

Friday, November 12th, 2010
"Look! My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, but you yourselves will make outcries because of the pain of heart" (Isaiah 65:14)

Are you a youth in Jehovah's organization? If so, you may be a special target of Satan's attempts to undermine Jehovah's authority. "The desires incidental to youth" coupled with pressure from your peers may incline you to conclude that God's laws are burdensome. (2 Timothy 2:22) Do not let that happen. Strive to see the wisdom of God's standards. For example, the Bible tells you to "flee from fornication." (1 Corinthians 6:18) Ask yourself: 'Why is that command wise? How will obedience in this matter benefit me?' You may know some who ignored God's counsel and then paid a heavy price for that error. Are they really happy now? Do they have a better life than the one they enjoyed in association with Jehovah's organization? Have they really found some secret to happiness that the rest of God's servants have missed?
(Watchtower issue: 6/15/08, 3:11)

I've finally lived long enough to have actually seen for myself the truth of this Scripture. Every person I've ever known throughout my life whose left Jehovah has gone downhill and regressed in many ways. (even if "on the surface" they appear to be successful or having fun). Because it always seems like a facade...like they're not happy unless they're continually surrounded by some sort of external stimuli or pleasure pursuit. They seem to have a void they can't fill, so they start becoming more and more unbalanced and self-absorbed when it comes to recreation, entertainment, alcohol, material possessions, their relationships, their careers, etc. On the other hand, those who've left the congregation and come back are *noticeably* happier and seem to have alot more joy & inner peace. (even when they don't have "ideal" circumstances in their life).

daily text 11/11

2010-11-11T05:07:00.002-07:00

Thursday, November 11th, 2010
"Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God" (Matthew 5:8)

If we are "pure in heart," purity will be evident in our affections, desires, and motives. We will display "love out of a clean heart." (1 Timothy 1:5) Being inwardly clean, we will "see God." This does not necessarily mean seeing Jehovah literally, for "no man may see [God] and yet live." (Exodus 33:20) Since he perfectly reflected God's personality, however, Jesus could say: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." (John 14:7-9) As Jehovah's worshippers on earth, we can "see God" by observing him act in our behalf. (Job 42:5) Because a pure heart is morally and spiritually clean, it does not dwell on things that are unclean in Jehovah's eyes. (1 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 52:11) If we are pure in heart, what we say and do will have the mark of purity, and there will be nothing hypocritical about our service to Jehovah.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 1:16, 17)

when you first read this verse it almost sounds like being "pure in heart" is something a person is either born with, or they're not,..but fortunately that's not the case.
According to (Psalm 51:10), it can be cultivated in us:

"Create in me even a pure heart, O God,
And put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one."

and this cross-reference verse at (Isaiah 33:15), gives a more detailed description of what God considers being "pure in heart" (which includes the moral content of a person's speech, and what they allow themselves to listen to and look at):

"There is one who is walking in continual righteousness and speaking what is upright, who is rejecting the unjust gain from frauds, who is shaking his hands clear from taking hold on a bribe, who is stopping up his ear from listening to bloodshed, and who is closing his eyes so as not to see what is bad."

daily text 11/10

2010-11-10T02:58:00.002-07:00

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12)

Of course, this does not refer to forgiving financial debts. Luke's Gospel shows that the "debts" Jesus had in mind are sins, for it says: "Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us." (Luke 11:4) We need to imitate God, who freely forgives repentant sinners. People can receive God's forgiveness only if they have already forgiven those who have sinned against them. (Mark 11:25) Stressing this point, Jesus added: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14, 15) Yes, God grants forgiveness only to those who freely forgive others. And one way to keep on doing good is to comply with Paul's counsel: "Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also."—Colossians 3:13.
(Watchtower issue: 5/15/08, 2:9-11)

daily text 11/3

2010-11-03T07:15:00.003-07:00

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
"Those who [marry] will have tribulation in their flesh" (1 Corinthians 7:28)

The "tribulation" may involve health problems for the couple, their children, or their aging parents. It may also involve difficulties and heartaches connected with the rearing of their children. The Bible foretold that "the last days" would bring "critical times hard to deal with." Among the things hard to deal with would be children who are "disobedient to parents." (2 Timothy 3:1-3) Rearing children is a serious challenge for Christian parents. We are not shielded from the adverse effects of the current "critical times." Hence, Christian parents have to wage an ongoing fight against the pernicious influence that "the system of things of this world" can have on their children. (Ephesians 2:2, 3) And the battle is not always won! In case a son or a daughter of a Christian family stops serving Jehovah, it is, indeed, "tribulation" for parents who have tried to raise him or her in God's truth.—Proverbs 17:25.
(Watchtower issue: 4/15/08, 4:14, 15)

daily text 11/2

2010-11-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
"Before gray hair you should rise up [in respect], and you must show consideration for the person of an old man" (Leviticus 19:32)

In some parts of the world, it is the custom for young children to honor adults by kneeling respectfully when in their company. In this way, they do not stand taller than those who are older. In these communities, it is also viewed as an act of disrespect for a child to turn his or her back to an adult. Although respect is shown in different ways in various cultures, such displays of respect remind us of the Mosaic Law and the command stated in today's text. Sadly, in many places it is no longer common to show honor to others. In fact, disrespect is the order of the day. God's Word puts a high value on showing honor. It tells us to honor Jehovah and Jesus. (John 5:23) We are also commanded to show honor to family members and fellow believers as well as to some outside the congregation.—Romans 12:10; Ephesians 6:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:17.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 4:1, 2)

daily text 11/1

2010-11-01T23:58:00.001-07:00

Monday, November 1st, 2010
"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves" (John 13:35)

When Bible students attend meetings, they are often impressed with the loving atmosphere of our gatherings. One Bible student wrote: "I do so enjoy attending the meetings. The people are so welcoming!" Jesus said that those who become his followers may be opposed by their literal family. (Matthew 10:35-37) However, he promised that in the congregation, they would gain numerous spiritual "brothers and sisters and mothers and children." (Mark 10:30) Our elderly brothers and sisters especially play a vital role in helping Bible students to progress. In what way? Their upbuilding comments at congregation meetings strengthen the faith of all who hear them. Their record of walking "in the way of righteousness" adds beauty to the congregation and attracts honesthearted people to God's organization.—Proverbs 16:31.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 2:15, 16)

daily text 10/21

2010-10-21T18:09:00.001-07:00

Thursday, October 21st, 2010
"Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you"
(James 4:7)

Jesus assured his followers of the availability of God's spirit by saying: "If you, although being [imperfect and thus comparatively] wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!" (Luke 11:13) Let us continue praying to Jehovah for his holy spirit. With this most powerful force backing us up in our determination to oppose the Devil, we will be able to come off victorious. Also, we need to put on the complete suit of spiritual armor from God. (Ephesians 6:11-18, ftn.) Something else helped Jesus to oppose the Devil, and it can help us too. The Bible states: "For the joy that was set before [Jesus] he endured a torture stake." (Hebrews 12:2) We can have similar joy by upholding Jehovah's sovereignty, honoring his holy name, and keeping the reward of everlasting life before us.
(Watchtower issue: 11/15/08, 4:16, 17)

daily text 10/20

2010-10-20T08:41:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
"Speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak" (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Many brothers spend hours each month preparing meeting parts. Their insightful words motivate all in the congregation to endure. (1 Timothy 5:17) Numerous brothers and sisters are known for their warmth and compassion toward fellow believers. (Romans 12:15) Some regularly visit those who are depressed and pray with them. Others thoughtfully write some heartfelt words of enouragement to fellow Christians who are coping with a trial. Still others kindly help those with physical limitations to attend the congregation meetings. Thousands of Witnesses share in relief work, helping fellow believers rebuild homes that have been struck by disasters. The tender affection and practical assistance rendered by such caring brothers and sisters are all manifestations of "God's undeserved kindness expressed in various ways."—1 Peter 4:10, 11.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 3:9)

I haven't seen all the notes from the annual meeting yet, but from what I have read, there were a few important points, (related to today's text), that stood out to me. What some of the Governing Body members expressed is exactly how I've been feeling lately, just from watching the news and seeing whats going on in the world. This definitely isn't the time to be complacent or 'doing our own thing' because there's alot of work to be done. And there's going to be alot more work ahead...especially in view of the fact that earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters aren't going away, but increasing. Chronic health problems and depression also seems to be increasing. So if we're not keeping up with Jehovah's organization, than we're not going to be prepared, and in a position to provide assistance & support to others in a practical and efficient manner.

Points from the 2010 Annual Meeting:
-They mentioned that the brothers and sisters in Haiti are being cared for, and that other relief organizations were amazed at how organized JW's were in caring for the needs of our brothers, while they were still trying to figure out how to get things done.

-Br Splane talked about "entering into God's rest." He explained that Israel as a nation was interested in doing their own works, which prevented them from entering into God's rest. So likewise, today, we need to do God's will and works if we want to enter into his "rest."

FYI- The passages at Hebrews 4:1-10 and Isaiah 58:6-14 are really good references on this point, if you have extra time to read them. Here's some excerpts:

(Hebrews 4:10) "For the man that has entered into [God’s] rest has also himself rested from his own works, just as God did from his own."

(Isaiah 58:13, 14) “If in view of the sabbath you will turn back your foot as regards doing your own delights...rather than doing your own ways, rather than finding what delights you...you will in that case find your exquisite delight in Jehovah, and I will make you ride upon the high places of the earth."

-Br Morris talked on the subject "What Are We Waiting For?"...He talked about not getting caught up in trying to figure out when the end will come, or speculating and reading too much into current world events. He said we need to "close ranks" and avoid all "gaps" with our brothers. We especially need to draw close to the Governing Body and carefully follow its instructions.

daily text 10/19

2010-10-19T05:39:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
"The man is good who is gracious and is lending. He sustains his affairs with justice" (Psalm 112:5)

You have no doubt observed that people who give help to others are not always gracious. Some give in a patronizing or begrudging way. It is not pleasant to receive help from one who makes you feel inferior or who makes you feel that you are a nuisance or a burden. By contrast, how refreshing it is to receive help from someone who is gracious. Jehovah is the outstanding example of a gracious, happy Giver. (1 Timothy 1:11; James 1:5, 17) Jesus Christ perfectly reflected his Father's gracious example. (Mark 1:40-42) Thus, to be viewed by God as righteous, we give cheerfully and graciously, especially in field service when offering spiritual help to our neighbors. Additionally, to please God justice is required of all Christians in their dealings with one another and with unbelievers, including in business matters.—Micah 6:8, 11
(Watchtower issue: 3/15/09, 4:13, 14)

I was looking at the definitions of "graciousness" and it's interesting that the word "gracious" used to be synonymous with the word "godly"...showing how closely related that quality is associated with God. But here are some of the current definitions:

Gracious: kind, courteous, polite, merciful, compassionate, accomodating, amiable, pleasing
Graciousness: Courteous, kind, and pleasant, especially toward someone of lower social status

daily text 10/18

2010-10-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

Monday, October 18th, 2010
"He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy" (Proverbs 28:13)

Even as occurred when the apostles were still present, some fall into a practice of serious sin. If that happened with you, is the situation hopeless? Not necessarily. What can be done? Let us first consider what not to do. The human tendency is to conceal a wrong from the view of parents, fellow Christians, or elders. Those who seek to cover over sins make a tragic mistake, for there can be no concealing of anything from God. (Hebrews 4:13) Some even try to lead a double life, pretending to serve Jehovah while carrying on a course of sin. Such a life is devoid of integrity—it is, in fact, the very opposite of integrity. Jehovah is not pleased with acts of worship carried out by individuals who are concealing serious sins. On the contrary, such hypocrisy angers him.—Proverbs 21:27; Isaiah 1:11-16.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 2:16)

There's also an additional aspect to this...
Covering up serious sin isn't just a *personal* matter, (even though some people like to think it's no ones business but their own), because when a person refuses to repent or admit to their sin by covering it up, they're putting themselves on trial against the value of Jesus' ransom itself, and they would actually "outrage" God's holy spirit, by treating Jesus' sacrifice with contempt.

(Hebrews 10:26-31)
"For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left,...Any man that has disregarded the law of Moses dies without compassion, upon the testimony of two or three. Of how much more severe a punishment, do YOU think, will the man be counted worthy who has trampled upon the Son of God and who has esteemed as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt? For we know him that said: “Vengeance is mine; I will recompense”; and again: “Jehovah will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of [the] living God."

(1 John 1:8-10)
"If we make the statement: “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we make the statement: “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Shining As Illuminators in the City of Light

2010-10-17T23:59:00.001-07:00

The following info and photos from (pgs 9-13 of the 8/15/01 Watchtower), are about our brothers & sisters in Paris, including some of their experiences as spiritual "light bearers," preaching to the local people.

Fluctuat nec mergitur, or “She is buffeted by the waves but she does not sink,” is the motto of the city of Paris.

Like a ship, over the past 2,000 years, Paris has braved countless foreign storms and internal mutinies to stay afloat. Now one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Paris is loved for its grandiose architecture, leafy boulevards, and world-famous museums. Some think of it as the haunt of poets, painters, and philosophers. Others savor its gastronomic delights and admire its haute couture.

Historically, Paris has been a bastion of Catholicism. Two hundred years ago, because of its crucial role in a European intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment, Paris came to be called the City of Light. Today, knowingly or not, most Parisians are more influenced by philosophy dating back to that period than by religion.
Man’s wisdom, however, has not illuminated people’s lives as expected. Many today are seeking enlightenment from a different source. For some 90 years now, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been “shining as illuminators” in Paris. (Philippians 2:15) Like deft mariners, they have had to adjust constantly to changing currents or events in order to take aboard “the desirable things of all the nations.”—Haggai 2:7.

(City Hall, Opera Garnier, and the Louvre)

A Challenging City
Back in 1850, Paris was a city of 600,000 inhabitants. The present-day population, including the suburbs, is well over nine million. Such growth has resulted in Paris becoming France’s most diversified city. It is a world center of higher education, has one of the world’s oldest universities, and is home to some 250,000 students. Some Parisian suburbs, having many high-rise housing blocks marked by delinquency and unemployment, represent Paris’ darker side. Undoubtedly, it takes skill and adaptability for Jehovah’s Witnesses to present the good news in an appealing manner to all sorts of people.—1 Timothy 4:10.

Over 20 million tourists visit Paris each year. They may excitedly go up the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the river Seine, or linger in sidewalk cafés and bistros, absorbing the ambience. Yet, the daily pace of life for Parisians can be quite hectic. “People are always rushing,” explains Christian, a full-time minister. “When they get back from work, they’re exhausted.” Talking to these busy people is not easy.

One of the biggest problems faced by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Paris, though, is contacting people in their homes. Some buildings are equipped with an intercom. With crime rising, however, apartment buildings often have coded entrances, and access is impossible. This no doubt contributes to the fact that in some areas, there is a ratio of only 1 Witness to 1,400 persons. Telephone witnessing and informal witnessing, therefore, are increasingly used. Have Jehovah’s Witnesses been able to let their “light shine” in other ways?—Matthew 5:16.

Opportunities and places for informal witnessing are abundant. Martine saw a woman who seemed distressed standing at a bus stop. The woman had just lost her only daughter. Martine gave her a brochure containing the Bible’s comforting resurrection hope. Then she had no contact with her for a few months. When Martine saw the lady again, she was able to start a Bible study with her. Despite opposition from her husband, the woman became a Witness.

Fruitful Informal Witnessing
Paris’ public transport system is one of the most efficient in the world. The celebrated Metro carries 5,000,000 passengers daily. Paris’ central underground station, Châtelet-Les-Halles, is said to be the world’s largest and busiest. Opportunities for meeting people there are numerous. Alexandra takes the Metro to work daily. One day she chatted with a young man who was terminally ill with leukemia. Alexandra gave him a tract about the Paradise hope. A Bible discussion was held at the same time and place each day for six weeks. Then one day the man stopped coming. Shortly thereafter, his wife telephoned Alexandra and told her to come to the hospital, as her husband was in a critical state. Sadly, Alexandra arrived too late. Following his death, the man’s wife moved to Bordeaux, in southwest France, where she was visited by local Witnesses. What wonderful news it was for Alexandra to hear one year later that the widow had become a baptized Christian Witness of Jehovah, with the hope of seeing her husband resurrected!—John 5:28, 29.

An elderly Christian woman spoke to Renata on a train traveling from Paris to Limoges, in the center of France. In her native Poland, Renata had studied theology, Hebrew, and Greek for five years, but she had lost faith. Three months before, she had prayed to God. Although not really interested in what the elderly sister had to say and not thinking she would hear from her again, Renata gave her her telephone number. The sister, however, was persistent and made sure that shortly afterward Renata received a visit. When a Witness couple came to see her, Renata thought, ‘What are they going to teach me?’ Despite her seminary training, Renata was humbly drawn by Bible truth. “I understood it was the truth straightaway,” she explains. Now she is happy to share the Bible’s message with others.

Michèle was taking driving lessons. Other students in her driving theory class started talking about sex before marriage. Michèle voiced her disapproval. One week later, the driving instructor, Sylvie, asked her: “Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” Sylvie was impressed by Michèle’s Bible-based viewpoint. A Bible study was started, and one year later Sylvie was baptized.

The numerous parks and gardens in Paris provide a beautiful backdrop for conversing with people. Taking advantage of a break, Josette went to the park, where an elderly lady, Aline, was taking a walk. Josette explained the marvelous promises to be found in the Bible. A Bible study was arranged, and Aline soon progressed to the point of baptism. Now, at the age of 74, Aline is a very productive regular pioneer minister, happy to share Christian truth with others.

Light for All the Nations
Witnesses in Paris do not need to sail to far-off lands to enjoy rich cultural diversity. Almost 20 percent of the population are foreign. There are Christian congregations and groups in some 25 different languages.
Flair and imagination often contribute to good results in this special evangelizing assignment. One Filipino Witness created her own special territory. While shopping, she has been able to start numerous Bible studies by striking up conversations with other Filipinos in stores.

It pays to take the initiative in preaching. In December 1996, upon learning that a world-famous circus was coming to town, Witnesses in one foreign-language congregation decided to try to contact the performers. One evening after the show, they were able to speak to the artists who were returning to their hotel. This initiative resulted in the placing of 28 Bibles, 59 Christian books, 131 brochures, and 290 magazines. At the end of the three-week stay, one of the acrobats asked: “How can I become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” Another declared: “I’ll preach in my country!”

Hidden Treasures to Be Found
Wherever they look, visitors to Paris discover delightful architectural treasures from bygone eras. More precious things, however, are still waiting to be found. Aniza came to France along with her uncle, who is a diplomat. She regularly read the Bible at home. One day as she was leaving the house hurriedly, a pioneer gave her the tract Why You Can Trust the Bible. An appointment was made for the following week, and a Bible study was started. Aniza received a lot of family opposition. She progressed in her study to the point of baptism. How does she view the privilege she has to share the truth with others? “At first the preaching work was hard because I’m shy. Still, when I read the Bible, it galvanizes me. I can’t rest, doing nothing.” That attitude characterizes many Witnesses in Paris, who have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 15:58.

Bible truth also shines into the housing projects on Paris’ outskirts, revealing other “gems.” With a view to borrowing some recordings, Bruce went to visit his friend, who had just become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Finding his friend discussing the Bible with some of Bruce’s acquaintances, Bruce listened to the conversation. He accepted the offer of a Bible study but had some problems. “I was very well-known in the area. My oldest brother was always fighting, and I organized loud dance parties. How would others accept the fact that I was becoming a Witness?” Despite persistent requests to organize parties, Bruce stopped that activity. One month later he started preaching: “Everyone in the area wanted to know why I had become a Witness.” Soon afterward he got baptized. In time, he had the privilege of attending the Ministerial Training School.

Searching for treasures can take great effort. What joy, though, when the work pays off! Jacky, Bruno, and Damien were bakers in Paris. “It was impossible to contact us because we worked all the time and were never in,” explains Jacky. Patrick, a regular pioneer, saw that there were some small rooms at the top of a building, and he figured that at least one was occupied. His persistent efforts to reach the occupants reaped dividends when one afternoon he finally contacted Jacky, who was staying there temporarily. The result? The three friends became Witnesses and were able to find other work that allowed them to have a fuller share in theocratic activity.

Calming the Storm
Recently, some of the media in France have portrayed Jehovah’s Witnesses as a dangerous religious cult. In 1996, Witnesses wholeheartedly shared in the distribution of more than nine million copies of a special information tract entitled Jehovah’s Witnesses—What You Need to Know. Results were most positive.

A special effort was made to reach everyone. Many officials expressed their appreciation for the Witnesses. One municipal counselor wrote: “Jehovah’s Witnesses have done well to distribute this tract. It sets the record straight.” A doctor commented: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time!” One man from the Paris area wrote: “I read Jehovah’s Witnesses—What You Need to Know by chance. I’d like to know more and take advantage of the offer of a free home Bible study.” Another wrote: “Thank you for your honesty.” One Catholic lady told the Witnesses: “Ah! You’ve finally responded to these lies!”

A special joy for many young Witnesses in the Paris area was the preaching campaign organized for the Catholic World Youth Days in 1997. Although the temperature was over 95 degrees Fahrenheit [35° C], about 2,500 Witnesses took part. In the space of just a few days, they left 18,000 copies of the brochure A Book for All People with youngsters from all parts of the globe. In addition to giving a fine witness to Jehovah’s name and sowing seeds of truth, the campaign galvanized the young Witnesses. One young sister, who cut short her vacation so as to have a full share in this special effort, wrote: “Jehovah has a happy people on earth who use their strength to praise his name. These two days, so full and rich, were truly worth all the vacations of a lifetime! (Psalm 84:10)”

February 28, 1998, marked the 65th anniversary of a decree issued by Hitler that resulted in the banning of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany. Witnesses in France used that date for public presentations in rented halls of the video Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault, which details the persecution Jehovah’s people suffered. Over seven million invitations were distributed. Historians and former camp inmates gave moving testimonies. In the Paris area, almost 5,000 attended, including a significant number of non-Witnesses.

Many in Paris greatly appreciate spiritual light, and they are glad that Kingdom publishers are shining brightly as illuminators. It is as Jesus declared: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) The determined spirit of Jehovah’s Witnesses in overcoming the challenges of preaching in the city has made Paris a City of Light in a special sense, to Jehovah’s praise.

daily text 10/17

2010-10-17T07:21:00.004-07:00

Sunday, October 17th, 2010
"I shall . . . give you . . . as a light of the nations" (Isaiah 42:6)

During his earthly ministry, Jesus brought spiritual light primarily to the Jews. (Matthew 15:24; Acts 3:26) But Jesus stated: "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12) He became a light both to the Jews and to the nations not only by bringing spiritual enlightenment but also by offering his perfect human life as a ransom for all mankind. (Matthew 20:28) After his resurrection, he commissioned his disciples to be witnesses of him "to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) During their ministry, Paul and Barnabas quoted the expression "light of the nations" and applied it to the preaching work they were accomplishing among non-Jews. (Acts 13:46-48; compare Isaiah 49:6) That work is still being pursued as Jesus' anointed brothers on earth and their companions spread spiritual light and help people to put faith in Jesus, the "light of the nations."
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 4:11)

daily text 10/16

2010-10-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 16th, 2010
"Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth" (Matthew 6:10)

In connection with this request in the model prayer, we should remember that the "kingdom" is the heavenly Messianic government in the hands of Christ and the resurrected "holy ones" associated with him. (Daniel 7:13, 14, 18; Isaiah 9:6, 7) Praying for it to "come" is a request that God's Kingdom come against all earthly opposers of divine rulership. That will soon occur, paving the way for a global paradise of righteousness, peace, and prosperity. (Psalm 72:1-15; Daniel 2:44; 2 Peter 3:13) Jehovah's will is being done in heaven, and asking that it take place on earth is a plea that God carry out his purposes toward our planet, including the removal of his opposers today as he did in ancient times.—Psalm 83:1, 2, 13-18.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 3:13)

Martin Luther King Jr. made a profound statement related to nationalism and God's Messianic Kingdom, which is very different from what most religious leaders teach, and shows he understood what a terrible folly it is for men to believe that God favors one nation above another, or approves of men *taking it upon themselves* to dictate political policy or wage warfare against other nations in His name. He said:

"Don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as His divine, Messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with judgement, and it seems that I can hear God saying to America: 'You're too arrogant. If you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power'..."

daily text 10/15

2010-10-15T06:44:00.003-07:00

Friday, October 15th, 2010
"See life with the wife whom you love all the days of your . . . life" (Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Marriage partners need to have realistic expectations. One mate might note certain idiosyncrasies in the other and think, 'I can change him (or her).' With love and patience, you may be able to help your mate to make gradual improvement. Do not forget, though, that Jesus likened one who picks at another's minor failings to someone who sees a "straw" in his brother's eye but fails to notice a "rafter" in his own eye. Jesus urged us: "Stop judging that you may not be judged." (Matthew 7:1-5) This does not mean that serious flaws should be ignored. Robert, married nearly 40 years, said: "Being open and frank with each other and then being willing to accept valid observations may require marriage partners to make changes in their life." So, rather than fretting over the attributes you would like to see in your mate, learn to appreciate and enjoy the positive qualities that he or she has now.
(Watchtower issue: 9/15/08, 3:16)

FYI - the latest study edition of the Watchtower (which was just uploaded to the website), has a good article on this topic: "Respect Marriage As a Gift From God" ...
I was pretty shocked to hear a comment on CNN awhile back, that said Facebook alone has contributed to about 1-in-5 marriages ending! (as a result of people having extra-marital affairs with someone they met online, or leaving their current marriage mate to be with someone they dated in the past). And that's just ONE social network!

daily text 10/14

2010-10-14T05:45:00.001-07:00

Thursday, October 14th, 2010
"God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering" (Hebrews 6:10)

In some parts of the world, numerous couples have decided to remain childless. Some do so for economic reasons; others do it because they want to be free to pursue a lucrative career. Among Christians, there are also couples who refrain from having children. However, they often do so to be freer to serve Jehovah. That does not mean that such couples do not enjoy a normal married life. They do. Still, they are willing to place Kingdom interests above some of the privileges that go with marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5) Some of those couples serve Jehovah and their brothers in the circuit and district work or at Bethel. Others serve as pioneers or as missionaries. Jehovah will not forget their work and the love they show for his name.
(Watchtower issue: 4/15/08, 4:13)

From Catholic to Black Panther to Black Muslim: Life Story of Virgil Dugué

2010-10-13T22:37:00.016-07:00

This experience gives a first-hand account of a man who was told to "hate" his enemies, based on race and religion, but later learned to "love" ALL men without discrimination, after learning the truth about God and applying Jesus' words mentioned in today's text.

I Tried to Change the World
Life Story of Virgil Dugué
(pgs 21-24, of the 3/22/90 Awake!)

I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in June 1954. I was the 5th child of 11. My parents were devout Catholics and as such sent us to parochial school. I was an altar boy in church, got up early many mornings to go to Mass, and from a very early age aspired to become a Catholic priest and to serve God and man. So when I graduated from the eighth grade, I entered St. Augustine’s Divine Word Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Once there, I discovered that the priests were not as holy as I had thought. I saw lying, profanity, and drunkenness. One priest had homosexual interests. Another was visited frequently by the niece of another priest, and she later became pregnant with his baby. The solution to that was his transfer to another religious institution. Disillusionment set in, and my ambition to become a priest died, but my desire to serve God survived.

I lived in the seminary and worshiped there, but I attended a predominantly white high school. There I experienced racism. Not that I hadn’t been victimized before by discrimination in its many guises, especially those ever-present reminders of my “inferior status,” the signs by water fountains and rest rooms saying “White Only” and “Colored Only” and the racial slurs scrawled on buildings, such as “No niggers allowed.”

But in high school, it was on a more personal level. The derogatory name-calling, the endless stream of racial jokes, the favoritism shown white students, the discrimination against blacks—it left me bitter. Some of the outnumbered black students felt it necessary to carry knives or razors, just in case. I became involved in activist issues, such as leading boycotts.

‘How Can People Do This to People?’
In my 11th year in high school, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I became totally absorbed in that book. At night, after lights were to be turned off, I took the book to bed and with a flashlight read it under the blankets. I also read books about the African slave trade. I had books with diagrams describing the slave ships, showing how blacks were packed in like sardines; when one of them would die, he would just be thrown overboard to be eaten by the sharks that followed those ships. Such things were burned into my memory. Asleep at night, I’d see those things happening to people and wonder, ‘How can people do this to people?’ I built up a hatred for white people.

By the time I was in college and the Black Panthers came on campus, I was ripe for them. They believed that power came from the barrel of a gun and that there had to be bloodshed in America between the races. I shared their view. They wanted me to join their ranks, but I didn’t. I sold their Black Panther newspaper, I did drugs with them, but I could not share their atheism. I still believed in God, though disillusioned with Catholicism because of the immorality and hypocrisy of the priests in the seminary. It was at this time that I seriously considered committing suicide by jumping off the Mississippi River bridge.

Shortly after that, a Black Muslim came on campus, selling the newspaper Muhammad Speaks. We talked about the plight of the black man, and I began going to Black Muslim meetings. They hated white people—they were the ones that introduced me to the idea that the white man was the Devil. No, not that he is just devilish, or diabolic, but that he is, in fact, the Devil—which explained why the whites committed such atrocities against the black people. What did they do to the American Indian and to blacks in the slave trade? Killed millions, that’s what!

Surely Not All Could Be Devils
So I became a Black Muslim. I renounced my last name, Dugué being French, and I substituted an X. I became Virgil X. As a Black Muslim, I was very zealous in selling their newspaper and in other activities. I felt that this was the right way to serve God. But after a period of time with the Black Muslims, I started to question some of their teachings, some of their practices—even the idea that the white man was the Devil.

True, I had had bad experiences with whites in my life, but were all of them categorically devils? I thought about the white basketball coach who was sympathetic toward blacks. Then there was a young white lawyer who represented me in a discrimination case against the New Orleans School Board. There were other decent whites I had known in my lifetime—surely not all could be devils.

Also, I reflected on the resurrection. The Black Muslims taught that when you die, you’re finished—that was it! But I reasoned, ‘If God could create man from dust, surely he can resurrect him from the grave.’ Then there is the financial aspect of the Black Muslims. I was selling 300 Muhammad Speaks newspapers a week, 1,200 a month, bringing the money to them. The dues we had to pay. So much of the preaching revolved around money. I was getting about four hours of sleep a night. I was devoting my entire life to the Black Muslims. And now doubts were growing in my mind about some of their teachings. All of that was going around in my head, was weighing on my mind.

One day in December 1974 at my secular job at a community center, all these thoughts began racing back and forth through my mind. It was a feeling I’d never had before. I thought I was going out of my mind. I had to get out fast before something bad happened. I had to have some breathing room, some time to reflect on where my life was taking me. I told those at the center that I had to leave for the day. I gave them no explanation.

I Begged God to Show Me the Truth
I left work and hurried home. I got down on my knees and prayed to God. I prayed for the truth. For the first time, I begged God to show me the truth, show me the organization that had it. Previously I had prayed for a way to help black people, for the right racist organization that hated whites. But now I just prayed for the truth, whatever it was, wherever it was. “If you are Allah, help me. If you are not Allah, whoever you are, please help me. Help me find the truth.”

By this time I was again using my proper name, Virgil Dugué. I was still living with my mother and father in New Orleans. When I awakened the next day after my fervently praying to God, I found a Watchtower magazine in the house. I don’t know how it got there. It was unusual because I had never seen any literature from Jehovah’s Witnesses in the house before. I asked if any in the family knew where it came from. Nobody did. It must have been slipped under the door.

It was the December 15, 1974, issue. On the cover there was a picture of Mary and Joseph and of Jesus in the manger—white people! And the question: “Is This the Way to Honor Jesus Christ?” I thought, ‘They are going to answer yes and say you should worship Jesus.’ If it had been any other issue of the magazine, I would probably have tossed it aside. But I opened it up and scanned the first article and realized that they were saying that Jesus is not God and that you should not worship Jesus. To me that was a revelation! I had thought that all the sects of Christendom worshiped Jesus and that all of them thought that Jesus was God.

But I knew from being a Black Muslim that Jesus was not God. They read many scriptures showing that Jesus was not God, including the one at John 14:28: “The Father is greater than I am.” They taught that Jesus was a prophet, and Elijah Muhammad, a leader of the Black Muslims, was supposed to be the last prophet. So I knew Jesus was not God, and when I read that in this article, it was as if I had thrown off weights. By the time I got to the end of the article, I sat there speechless. I did not know what to think. I wasn’t convinced that this was the truth. But for the first time, I realized that not all so-called Christian religions celebrated Christmas or other pagan holidays. And since I had prayed for the truth, I thought, ‘Could this be it? Is this the answer to my prayer?’

In the phone book, I looked up all the so-called Christian churches. I called them and simply asked, “Do you celebrate Christmas?” They would say yes, and I would hang up. Finally I was left with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Could this be an answer to my prayer? I had never listened to them. Perhaps it was time I did. I telephoned their Kingdom Hall. It was a white man who answered. He wanted to come to my home to study the Bible with me. But I was cautious. I said no. He was white; he could still be the devil.

I Asked Questions, I Got Answers
So we talked over the telephone. For the first time in my life, I felt satisfied. I called him daily, asked more questions, got more answers. He gave me proof. He backed up what he said with scriptures from the Bible. I was impressed. It was the first time anyone had used the Bible to answer my questions. A ray of hope began to dawn inside me. I got a New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures that had a small concordance in the back. I pored over it and learned many more truths.

A month later, I moved to Dallas, Texas. After I got settled, I called the local Kingdom Hall. The one who answered picked me up and took me to a meeting at the hall. There I was introduced to a Witness who agreed to study with me. I went to his home for the study. I felt spiritually starved, so we studied three times a week, several hours each study. His name was Curtis. I would be waiting on his doorstep when he came home from work. He was so patient with me. I did not realize that the home Bible studies were usually conducted once a week and for only one hour, and Curtis never told me. He started studying with me in January or February of 1975; we finished The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life book in May of that year.

Soon after, I returned to New Orleans, associated with the Witnesses at the Kingdom Hall, and began going from house to house, publishing the good news of the Kingdom. I felt that since I had been so zealous as a Black Muslim, spending 100 or 150 hours a month selling Muhammad Speaks newspapers and getting only four hours sleep, I had to be zealous as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. So besides my studying, I preached and conducted many Bible studies in the homes of others. In fact, I recall that on one Service Meeting program, the chairman asked me:
“How much time did you put in field service last month?”
“About a hundred hours.”
“How many Bible studies are you conducting?”
“Ten.”
There were whispers throughout the audience at these high figures, but I wondered, ‘Did I say something wrong? Am I not doing enough?’

My Aspirations Fulfilled
I progressed to the point of dedication and got baptized on December 21, 1975. The following year Jehovah blessed me with a wonderful wife, Brenda. In fact, I first met Brenda the day I got baptized. She was a full-time publisher of the Kingdom then and continued to be one after we were married. Two years later, in 1978, I started full-time publishing with her. Two years after that, in 1980, Brenda and I were invited to become members of the Bethel Family in Brooklyn, New York, the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. We are still serving Jehovah there.

When I look back on my life, I think of my young years when I aspired to be a Catholic priest and serve God and man. I reflect on my search for purpose, first with the Black Panthers and then with the Black Muslims, and I remember the days of disillusionment with these movements, just as disillusionment had come earlier with the priesthood. But through it all, my faith in God never faltered. I thank Jehovah that he rescued me from false religious and political starts and put me on the road to truth and life.

Finally, my youthful aspirations to serve God and man have been fulfilled!—As told by Virgil Dugué.

daily text 10/13

2010-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
"Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you" (Luke 6:27, 28)

The common Jewish greeting included the word "peace." (Judges 19:20; John 20:19) This was an implied wish for the health, welfare, and prosperity of the person greeted. It would not be an "extraordinary thing" if we were to greet only those whom we consider to be our "brothers." As Jesus pointed out, something similar was done by "people of the nations." (Matthew 5:46, 47) Inherited sin made it impossible for Christ's disciples to be flawless, perfect. (Romans 5:12) Yet, Jesus said: "You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) He was thereby encouraging his listeners to imitate their "heavenly Father," Jehovah, by perfecting their love—making it complete by loving their enemies. The same thing is expected of us.
(Watchtower issue: 5/15/08, 2:4, 7, 8)

Trapped Miners in Chile Getting Rescued After 69 Days...

2010-10-13T06:10:00.001-07:00

Here's the latest info on the Chile mine rescue efforts, which started last night, and is currently still in progress...
CNN: Chile Mine Rescue

One of the miners, Samuel Avalos, is a Witness, and thanked Jehovah for being alive in a letter written to his family at the beginning of the ordeal. Here's a blog entry with a photo of him, posted by another JW back in August.

Trapped Chilean Miner Grateful To Jehovah

On CNN they gave a collective quote in behalf of the 33 miners, who said, that there were really 34 people down in the mine, (not 33), because they felt God never left them. And now that I know more about the religious backrounds of the men trapped for 69 days together, I bet there were some very *lively* discussions that took place! One of the miners actually requested to have crucifixes and statues of Mary & other saints sent down so he could make a shrine!
(I hate to burst his spiritual bubble, but when you're praying for God to rescue you out of a life or death situation, that's definitely not the best time to be violating his clear prohibition on idolatry!) lol.

Speaking of other religions...apparently a few different religious groups or leaders, are *angling* for the media spotlight already, and claiming credit for the miraculous rescue:

Chilean Miners: Rival Churches Claim Credit for the Miracle

Did anyone else have a "deja-vu" moment while watching the rescue efforts, after reading the new Jeremiah book? (which was just released at our last district convention). I wonder if the brother trapped in the mine had gotten the opportunity to read it,...because I bet he can *really* relate to what Jeremiah went through when he was trapped in the miry cistern, and about to die, but was saved by Ebed-melech and his 'rescue team' just in the nick of time.

Look at this illustration from pg 63 of the new book...even the size of the cistern that Jeremiah is being rescued out of looks like the size of the opening in the ground that the miners are being rescued out of. They should have named the rescue capsules "Ebed-melech" or "Jeremiah" instead of "Phoenix"! =) lol

daily text 10/12

2010-10-12T05:49:00.004-07:00

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
"I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow" (1 Corinthians 9:27)

In order to preserve his life, a person is likely to be willing to have a limb surgically amputated. The figurative 'throwing away' of the eye and the hand is vital for us to avoid immoral thinking and actions that can cost us our spiritual life. (Matthew 5:29, 30) Keeping mentally, morally, and spiritually clean is the only way to escape the everlasting destruction symbolized by Gehenna. Because of inherited sin and imperfection, maintaining moral cleanness requires effort. Let us therefore be determined to apply Jesus' counsel on morality, never allowing ourselves to act in ways that show a lack of gratitude for his ransom sacrifice.—Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 6:4-6.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 2:13, 14)

Joyous & Thankful Despite Heartbreaking Loss: Life Story of Nancy E. Porter

2010-10-11T23:59:00.006-07:00

Joyous and Thankful Despite Heartbreaking Loss
Life Story of Nancy E. Porter
(pgs 23-27 of the 6/1/01 WA)

It was June 5, 1947, a warm evening in the Bahamas, islands off the southeast coast of the United States. An immigration officer paid me and my husband, George, an unexpected visit. He handed us a letter that said that our presence in the islands was no longer welcome and that we were “to leave the colony forthwith!”

George and I were the first missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses to come to Nassau, the largest city in the Bahamas. Upon graduating from the eighth class of Gilead, a missionary school in upstate New York, we were assigned here. What had we done to bring about such a strong reaction after only a three-month stay? And how is it that well over 50 years later, I am still here?

Training for the Ministry
My father, Harry Kilner, was a strong influence on the way my life has turned out. He set an excellent example for me, making many sacrifices to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though his health was not the best, he went preaching nearly every weekend, zealously putting Kingdom interests first. (Matthew 6:33) We were very limited financially, but his shoe shop was a center of spiritual activity in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, in the 1930’s. My earliest memories are of full-time ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses, called pioneers, visiting our home and sharing experiences.

(Nancy in street work, in Victoria, B.C., 1944)

In 1943, I began my pioneer service near Fort Macleod and Claresholm, Alberta. By then our preaching work was banned in Canada as a result of misrepresentation by opposers during World War II. Our territory stretched 30 miles [50 km] in opposite directions, but being young and energetic, we thought nothing of riding bicycles or walking to reach the small communities and farms in the area. During this time, I had the opportunity to visit with some graduates of Gilead, and their experiences stirred within me the desire to become a missionary.

In 1945, I married George Porter, who was from Saskatchewan, Canada. His parents had been zealous Witnesses since 1916, and he too had chosen the full-time ministry as his career. Our first assignment was beautiful Lynn Valley in North Vancouver, Canada. Not long afterward we were invited to Gilead.

I have spoken with graduates of various theological seminaries over the years and have seen how their theological training eroded their faith in God and in his Word, the Bible. In contrast, what we learned at Gilead sharpened our ability to think and above all strengthened our faith in Jehovah God and his Word. Our classmates were assigned to China, Singapore, India, countries in Africa, South America, and elsewhere. I can still remember the excitement when we learned that our assignment was the tropical islands of the Bahamas.

How We Were Able to Stay
Compared with trips taken by fellow classmates, our journey to the Bahamas was short. Before long we were enjoying the warm weather, the blue skies, the turquoise water, the pastel buildings, and the countless bicycles. My deepest early impressions, however, are of the small band of five Witnesses who awaited us when our boat arrived. We soon learned that the culture here was vastly different from what we were used to. My husband, for example, was asked to desist from calling me sweetheart in public, since that expression is usually reserved for an extramarital relationship.

Shortly the clergy, apparently feeling threatened by our moving freely among the people, falsely accused us of being Communists. As a result, we received the order to leave the country. But the Witnesses—there were fewer than 20 in the islands in those days—immediately obtained thousands of signatures on a petition that we be permitted to stay. Thus, the expulsion order was overturned.

To a New Territory
Bible truth sprouted rapidly in hearts that loved God, so more Gilead missionaries were sent to the Bahamas. Then, in 1950, a branch office was established. Ten years later, Milton Henschel, a member of the headquarters staff in Brooklyn, New York, visited the Bahamas and asked the missionaries if anyone was willing to go and open up the preaching work on another island of the Bahamas. George and I volunteered, and thus began what turned out to be an 11-year stay on Long Island.

This island, one of the many that make up the Bahamas, is 90 miles [140 km] long and 4 miles [6 km] wide, and back then, it had no real towns. The capital, Clarence Town, had about 50 homes. Life was quite primitive—no electricity, running water, or indoor cooking or plumbing. So we had to adjust to so-called out-island life. Here people’s health was a favorite topic of conversation. We learned not to include in our greeting the question, “How are you doing today?” since the answer would often be a lengthy account of a person’s complete medical history.

Most of our witnessing was done from kitchen to kitchen because people could usually be found in their outdoor kitchen with its thatched roof and wood-burning hearth. The communities were mainly made up of poor but very kind farmers or fishermen. Most of them were not only religious but also very superstitious. Unusual occurrences were commonly interpreted as signs.

The clergy thought nothing of walking into people’s homes uninvited and tearing up the Bible literature that we had left there. They would thus frighten timid ones, but not everyone cowered before them. For example, a spunky 70-year-old woman refused to be bullied. She wanted to understand the Bible for herself, and eventually she became a Witness along with a number of others. As we found more interest among the people, George had to drive 200 miles [300 km] some Sundays, helping such ones to attend our meetings.

During the early months when there were no other Witnesses, George and I maintained our spirituality by holding all the regular Christian meetings. In addition, we followed a diligent program every Monday night of studying the lesson in the Watchtower magazine and doing our Bible reading. We also read all issues of The Watchtower and Awake! as soon as we received them.

My father died while we were on Long Island. The following summer, 1963, we arranged for Mother to come and live adjacent to us. Though she was advanced in years, she adjusted reasonably well and lived on Long Island until her death in 1971. Today, Long Island has a congregation with a brand-new Kingdom Hall.

A Heartbreaking Challenge
In 1980, George discerned that his health was beginning to deteriorate. Thus began one of the most painful experiences of my life—watching my beloved husband, coworker, and companion succumb to Alzheimer’s disease. His whole personality changed. The final and most devastating part lasted for about four years prior to his death in 1987. He accompanied me in the ministry and to the meetings as long as he could, although many days the effort left me in tears. The outpouring of love from our Christian brothers has been genuinely comforting, but I still miss him very much.

One of the most precious aspects of my marriage to George was our frequent and pleasant communication. Now that George is gone, I am more grateful than ever that Jehovah invites his servants to “pray incessantly,” to “persevere in prayer,” and to make use of “every form of prayer.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18) It is so comforting to know that Jehovah is concerned about our welfare. I truly feel like the psalmist who sang: “Blessed be Jehovah, who daily carries the load for us.” (Psalm 68:19) Taking one day at a time, accepting my limitations, and being thankful for the blessings each day brings, just as Jesus advised, is indeed the best way to live.—Matthew 6:34.

Joyous Rewards of the Ministry
Keeping busy in the Christian ministry has helped me not to dwell excessively on the past. Thus I am able to overcome the kind of emotions that can lead to depression. Teaching others Bible truth has been a special source of joy. It provides an orderly spiritual routine that has given structure and stability to my life.—Philippians 3:16.

Once, I received a call from a lady with whom I shared the Kingdom message some 47 years earlier. She was the daughter of one of the first Bible students we had when we arrived in the Bahamas in 1947. Her mother, father, and all of her brothers and sisters became Jehovah’s Witnesses as did most of their children and grandchildren. In fact, more than 60 members of this woman’s family are Witnesses. But she never accepted Bible truth herself. Now, though, she was finally ready to become a servant of Jehovah God. What a joy it has been to observe the handful of Witnesses who were in the Bahamas when George and I arrived increasing to over 1,400!

Sometimes people ask me if I miss not having had children of my own. Of course, having children can be a blessing. Yet, the love that is constantly shown to me by my spiritual children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is something probably not experienced by all biological parents. Truly, those who “work at good” and are “rich in fine works” are the happiest people. (1 Timothy 6:18) That is why I keep as busy in the ministry as my health permits.

One day at the dentist’s office, a young woman approached me and said, “You don’t know me, but I know you, and I just want to let you know that I love you.” She then went on to relate how she had come to know the truth from the Bible and how grateful she was that we missionaries had come to the Bahamas.

On another occasion when I returned from vacation, I found a single rose in the door where I now live at the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nassau. It had a note, “It’s good to have you home.” My heart overflows with thankfulness, and it makes me love Jehovah so much when I see the kind of people his Word, organization, and spirit have produced! Truly, Jehovah’s sustaining hand is often expressed through those around us.

Overflowing With Thankfulness
My life has not always been easy, nor are aspects of it easy now. But I have so much for which to be thankful—the joys of the ministry, the love and affection of so many Christian brothers and sisters, the loving care of Jehovah’s organization, the beautiful truths from the Bible, the hope of being with loved ones when they are resurrected, and the memories of 42 years of marriage to a faithful servant of Jehovah. Before we were married, I had prayed that I might always be a help to my husband to remain in the full-time ministry, which he loved so much. Jehovah graciously answered that prayer. So I want to express my thankfulness to Jehovah by always being faithful to him.

The Bahamas are a popular destination for tourists, who spend thousands of dollars to come and enjoy the tropical delights. Having made the choice to serve Jehovah wherever his organization directs, I have had the joyful experience of traveling from one end of these islands to the other, proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom. But more important, I have come to know and to treasure the love of the finest of the friendly Bahamians.

I am so thankful to those who brought the truth to my parents, who in turn implanted in my young mind and heart a keen desire to seek first God’s Kingdom. Young servants of Jehovah today can likewise receive many blessings if they enter the “large door” that leads to grand opportunities of an expanded ministry. (1 Corinthians 16:9) You too will overflow with thankfulness if you use your life to honor “the God of gods,” Jehovah.—Deuteronomy 10:17; Daniel 2:47.

daily text 10/11

2010-10-11T23:50:00.001-07:00

Monday, October 11th, 2010
"[Jehovah] is healing the brokenhearted ones, and is binding up their painful spots" (Psalm 147:3)

God's Word repeatedly assures us that Jehovah will come to our aid when we are discouraged or brokenhearted. Note, for instance, these comforting words: "Jehovah is giving support to all who are falling, and is raising up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14) Moreover, our heavenly Father himself states: "I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, 'Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.' " (Isaiah 41:13) How, though, does Jehovah, who dwells in the invisible heavens, 'grasp our hand'? How does he 'raise us up when we are bowed down' by heartache? Jehovah God provides such support in various ways. For example, he gives his people "power beyond what is normal" by means of his holy spirit. (2 Corinthians 4:7; John 14:16, 17) God's servants also feel the uplifting power that is exerted by the message found in God's inspired Word, the Bible.—Hebrews 4:12.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 3:1, 2)

daily text 10/10

2010-10-10T16:53:00.005-07:00

Sunday, October 10th, 2010
"In the morning sow your seed and until the evening do not let your hand rest; for you are not knowing where this will have success" (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

A farmer needs to be patient. (James 5:7) After sowing the seed, he needs to wait for it to sprout and grow. Gradually, when conditions are favorable, shoots begin to appear, breaking through the surface of the ground. Then they develop into plants that sprout heads of grain. Eventually, the farmer has a field ready to be harvested. How amazing it is to witness the miracle of growth! How humbling, too, to realize who is the Source of this growth. We can nurture the seed. We can assist with the watering process. But only God can make it grow. (Compare 1 Corinthians 3:6) Jesus likened the Kingdom-preaching work to a farmer's sowing of seed. In the illustration found at Mark 4:3-9, Jesus emphasized that even though the farmer sows good seed, the heart condition of an individual determines whether the seed grows to maturity or not.
(Watchtower issue: 7/15/08, 4:1, 2)

A very encouraging "real-life" example of this scenario happened to a sister in my congregation recently. She's been married to an unbelieving husband for over 30 years now, who at the beginning of their marriage was extremely opposed and did everything possible to prevent her from attending congregation meetings. He even threatened to take his shotgun to the Kingdom Hall and start shooting people if she didn't stop going to meetings. Well after about 10 years his attitude softened, and although he stopped opposing her from being a Witness, he had no interest in learning about the Bible himself.

Well just a few years ago he began coming to the Memorial, and would occasionally attend parts of the District Convention. Then, he started to attend the Sunday meeting whenever he could. Well about 2 or 3 months ago, he surprised everyone and said he was ready to start studying the Bible!
Which just goes to show why we need to be patient and remember that we have no control over the spiritual growth of someone else.

But at the same time, we can help the process along by doing a good job as "spiritual farmers" and "cultivators." Because I noticed that this sister's husband didn't seem to feel comfortable studying the Bible with just a random brother in the congregation, but said he wanted to study with the elder who had previously been taking an interest in him, and trying to reach out and get to know him. So developing a personal rapport with a potential Bible student can be an important part of aiding the spiritual growth process, since plants don't sprout or blossom when it's dark, rainy, and cold in the winter, but they wait for more favorable conditions, when it's warm and sunny in the spring.

Rescued From Prostitution & Religious Hypocrisy

2010-10-09T23:59:00.001-07:00

I came across the following experience about a woman in India who was sold into prostitution by a relative, in one of our older magazine issues (pgs 24-27 of the 6/22/83 Awake!) and I thought it was an excellent example of today's text about Jesus feeling pity and compassion for people who are spiritually neglected and being "skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd."
This woman's experience is unique because she was able to see first-hand the level of corruption and hypocrisy engaged in by a variety of religious leaders and church members who belonged to Hindu, Muslim, and Christian religions.

My Rescue From Prostitution
It was the beginning of another day. I lay in my bed, perspiring. I tried to sit up, but a spell of dizziness threw me down. I knew I was sick. But suddenly there came a loud knock at the door and a middle-aged woman, one of my employers, walked in.

“What’s the matter with you, girl? Still not up?”
“Madam, I’m very sick,” I pleaded. “Can’t I rest just for today? I assure you I’ll be all right tomorrow.”
“Listen. I well know this trick of feigning illness. Come on, now, it looks like we’re going to have good business this evening.”

You have just received a glimpse of my life in the inner chambers of a brothel. Yes, I was a prostitute—certainly not a profession to be proud of. For nine long years I flashed false and vacant smiles and conducted shameless bargains. Then in rare moments of solitude I shed many a tear of remorse, feeling helpless. Oh, I wanted desperately to escape. But it seemed as if I was bound fast and would never be free. You may wonder how I came to be a prostitute.

Well, 29 years ago I was born in a little mountainous village cradled in the mid-Himalayan range. When I was but three years old my father died. Soon after, my mother began living with another man, and I was taken in and cared for by my eldest sister and her husband.

When I was 14 years of age they arranged for me to marry a man 25 years my senior. I was taken to my husband’s home where his parents treated me with contempt because I had no dowry to offer them—except my poverty-stricken self. Although this phase of my life was short—lasting only two years—it was long enough to cast long-lasting shadows of serious doubts and questions in my mind.
My husband had begun having relations with another woman in our neighborhood. Yet, in spite of his misconduct, he would go to religious shrines every week, and at his invitation, Brahmin priests would visit our home. But never a word of rebuke!

Sold Into Prostitution
Then one evening the man with whom my mother was living came around to see me to make a proposition. He said he felt that life for me was becoming unbearably difficult and that he wanted to help me out. He could get me a very good job that involved little work yet lots of money. But, I, with a group of several other village “belles,” would have to travel with him to a distant city. At home there were no emotional ties or material attractions to hold me back, so I agreed to make the trip. Thus, within a few days, this journey to a city I’d never heard of, and to a life I’d never, never dreamed of, began.

On arriving at Bombay he took us to a home full of many young girls like us—except they were much better dressed and flaunted heavily made-up faces. Inside, we were introduced to two women who looked us up and down with gloating eyes. Then the man who brought us left, promising to return later in the day.

We had been sold! He had sold us girls for 500 rupees (about $56, U.S.) apiece! No sooner had he made his departure than we were told we would have to pay back what he had taken—no, not 500 rupees, but 5,000 rupees ($560, U.S.)!
“Why?” we asked.
“That is the rule!” they announced with finality.
Then threats were resorted to just in case we tried to escape. But I couldn’t run away. I had nowhere to go! So I accepted that initial debt of 5,000 rupees, which soon acquired interest. There was only one recourse left to become free from it, and that was to do the “work” they had for me to do—to be a prostitute!

Religious Hypocrisy
But, surprisingly, it was those nine years as a prostitute that gave me clear, closeup views of the fruitage of the religious “tree” of my birth. Immorality and hypocrisy went hand in hand! For example, one of my employers was a devout Muslim, and maintained the long fast of Ramadan every year. She piously gave alms to the beggars at the mosque. Fellow Islamic believers freely associated with her, and in spite of her utterly corrupt practices she was an accepted member of her religious community.

And it was no different with my other employers. One frequented the Hindu temple, while another attended one of Christendom’s churches. Their private lives were not unknown to their respective religious leaders and friends, and yet they also were respected members of their religious communities. In short, they all had the silent consent to practice what their religions openly condemned—prostitution. Is that not hypocrisy?

It did not take long for me to become infected with such hypocrisy. Thus, every Saturday morning I bathed, and with my friends, visited the temple of the goddess Mahalaxmi to offer sweetmeats and money and then return to our brothel with salved consciences! Upon our request, Brahmin priests would visit us to perform religious rituals, and then they would accept whatever we paid them and vanish. There was never any counsel to uplift us from our degradation, nor any fatherly rebuke that we longed to hear.

Imprisoned
Then, in the beginning of my ninth year in the brothel, my employers quarreled among themselves. One of them slyly reported matters to the police and our brothel was raided. All of us were taken to the police station—all, that is, except our employers. They were hidden away within their large and “respectable” homes.

For the next two weeks, the cold prison floor was our bed, while our food, which really was unfit for human consumption, consisted of dry, half-cooked bread served with an occasional assortment of greens.
The only visitors we had were a group of well-meaning women who wanted to help by teaching us Hindu hymns. But they failed pathetically! What we really needed was to know the truth about life’s purpose, and the truth about God, whether or not there is a Creator. And if there is, does he care for us? If so, why had he permitted unclean practices like ours to exist? But those women, however good were their intentions, did not have the answers.

The 14 nights in prison took their toll on me and I fell seriously ill. I was taken to the hospital where I was on a sickbed for the next 17 days. I was reduced to half my size! When I left the hospital, my employers gave me some time off to recuperate. So I decided to make a journey back home, spend some time with my people, recuperate in the mountain air and finally return to where I thought I belonged—the brothel!

A Turning Point
Back home in the village nothing much had changed, except that my husband’s lover was now his wife and mother of his children. My sisters, as usual, worked in the fields from sunup to sundown. The first few days were spent making social calls and distributing the little gifts I had remembered to pack. But the novelty of those days soon wore off and I was left wondering. What did I really want out of life? Did I want the life my people were living in the village or the life back in the city? The two life-styles were different and yet both lacked meaning and true purpose.

About that time two women stopped by our door. We invited them to sit and offered them some tobacco (as is our custom). But they refused the tobacco, and we asked them why. They said they had just returned from the city after hearing something wonderful. So my sister and I asked them to tell us all about it.
They said the gods we had been worshiping were entirely different from the true God, our Maker. His name is Jehovah and he loves us all. Jehovah is soon going to eliminate all forms of wickedness, they explained, and bring in a New Order of righteousness, peace and security on this very earth. We were also told that the invitation to live in that New Order was open to all. But accepting that invitation meant making necessary adjustments in our lives now.

“How do we know what you’re saying is the truth?” we interrupted. “And what are these changes we have to make?”
“You must study the Bible, which is God’s only book of truth,” they continued. “In its pages you’ll learn all you need to know. As for the changes, this is one we’ve already made—we’ve stopped smoking cigarettes!”
“But what does smoking a cigarette have to do with God?” I questioned.
“In the Bible,” they answered immediately, “we are told, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ But how can we say we love ourselves when we fill our lungs with harmful tobacco smoke? It is an unclean thing to do and Jehovah God wants us to be clean.”—Matthew 22:39; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

I was taken aback! Somewhere in the depths of my unhappy mind an undefinable feeling of joy was coming to life. I threw my cigarettes outside and never touched one again. A very significant change after having smoked 20 cigarettes a day, every day!

My Questions Answered
Immediately my sisters and I began making plans to go down to the city and find out more about this God, Jehovah, and his purposes. The family we were introduced to were Jehovah’s Witnesses. I had never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses before. I now decided to work and live in that city so that I could study the Bible with the family, who gladly took me into their home. Every morning we had a Bible discussion for at least an hour. Gradually, the questions and long-lasting shadows of doubt cast in my short-lived married life and years in brothel slavery began disappearing.

For the first time I learned that there is a purpose to life. I discovered that the Bible teaches that man was created by God to live forever on earth in permanent peace and happiness; also, that death was no part of God’s original purpose for humans. Instead, the marvelous prospect set before our first human parents and their potential offspring was to fill their days by gaining knowledge of their Grand Creator and to enjoy the work of their hands.—Genesis 1:28; 2:16, 17; Psalm 37:29.

I also learned why God has permitted wickedness and unclean practices until now. Our first human parents chose to rebel against God and instead be guided by his adversary, Satan the Devil. (Genesis, chapter 3) So Jehovah, the Great Judge, allowed the passage of time to prove beyond doubt that man-rule apart from God-rule cannot possibly succeed. My joy knew no bounds when I learned that God’s time limit for man-rule under Satan’s domination is fast running out. But what about me, a former prostitute?

I related my entire background to the family with whom I was studying, and they explained to me from the Bible about the gracious benefits of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As I listened tears of sheer joy rolled down my cheeks. My past could be forgiven and erased! I was welcome to embrace the hope of living forever under righteous conditions. And until the realization of that grand hope, I could live among clean, honest people who do their best to practice what the Bible teaches, a people who tolerate no corruption in their midst.

As I studied the Bible the months raced by and I lost no time in symbolizing my dedication to Jehovah God by water baptism in 1979. Since then I have rejoiced in the privilege of Christian preaching, sharing with others the comforting truths I have learned from the Scriptures.
My gratitude to our heavenly Father, Jehovah, and to his Son, Christ Jesus, knows no bounds. For, thanks to them, I have indeed been rescued from prostitution!—Contributed.

daily text 10/9

2010-10-09T14:36:00.003-07:00

Saturday, October 9th, 2010
"On seeing the crowds [Jesus] felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36)

In certain parts of the world, people eagerly accept our literature and are keen to study the Bible with us. In one recent year, the brothers and sisters in Zambia conducted over 200,000 Bible studies—that is, on average, more than one Bible study per publisher. In other places, however, publishers may find it difficult to place literature and to conduct Bible studies regularly. Why? Often, people are not at home when a publisher knocks on their door, while those who are at home might be apathetic about religion. They may have been raised in a nonreligious household or may be repulsed by the hypocrisy evident in false religion. Many people have been spiritually injured—skinned and thrown about by false shepherds. Such ones may be wary of becoming involved in discussions about the Bible.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 2:4, 5)

While we were in Denver there was a Women of Faith 2-day convention going on over the weekend, and a bunch of women who were attending it were staying at our hotel. I'm not sure what the program was about, (the only doctrinal info I saw was that they believe in the Trinity), but other than that, it looked like more of a non-denominational Christian conference that featured entertainment, self-help advice, and inspirational life stories.
So obviously, even in America (where some territories seem more apathetic towards religion), there are still many people who have a strong spiritual yearning and are looking to satisfy it in places *other* than the traditional churches. But if a person isn't being taught the truth about God and the Bible, and being presented with a self-help "social" gospel that's tailored around *personal salvation* rather than "the good news about God's Kingdom" and the vital issue of Universal Sovereignty and what God requires of each one of us in order to gain salvation, then they're really being short-changed in the long run, because they aren't getting their *true* spiritual needs met, or learning what they need to know.

-On a side note- Although the registration for the conference wasn't terribly expensive, ($99), when I added up how much $$$ each event must make, it really made me appreciate how loving and self-sacrificing our brotherhood is by providing conventions and assemblies 3 times a year, all over the world, free of cost -both to us, and to the public in general. It really contrasts the difference between "the world's" view of Christianity, and "genuine" Christianity.

"Hail went striking at all the land..." (Exodus 9:25)

2010-10-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

FYI - Sorry about the delay...I've gotta separate my Denver photos and Ancient Egypt post into a few entries, because it was just too big with too many photos.

We had some weird weather on Wednesday—these are photo's and news clips from the Arizona Republic...

(See! The hail really was the size of golf balls!)

(Hail damage to vehicles)

(there were also tornados in Northern AZ)

daily text 10/8

2010-10-08T07:33:00.001-07:00

Friday, October 8th, 2010
"You would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me" (Galatians 4:15)

Some of Jehovah's servants find themselves faced with the problems of ill health and aging that are common to sinful mankind. Reasonable concern about our health under such circumstances is natural and even beneficial. Do we not want to serve Jehovah 'with our whole strength'? (Mark 12:30) While seeking to remain reasonably healthy, however, we should be realistic and recognize that there is very little that we can do to slow down the aging process or avoid all diseases. Many faithful servants of Jehovah have had to contend with health problems. Epaphroditus was one of these. (Philippians 2:25-27) The apostle Paul's loyal companion Timothy had frequent bouts of stomach trouble for which Paul recommended the use of "a little wine." (1 Timothy 5:23) Paul himself had to deal with "a thorn in the flesh," perhaps for which there was no medical cure at that time.—2 Corinthians 12:7, Galatians 6:11.
(Watchtower issue: 11/15/08, 3:4, 5)

daily text 10/7

2010-10-07T23:59:00.001-07:00

Thursday, October 7th, 2010
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31)

Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, were members of the early Christian congregation in Jerusalem. They sold a field and donated part of the money to a common fund that had been set up to care for new believers who had come to Jerusalem from distant lands. However, Ananias and Sapphira pretended that they had donated the entire proceeds. No doubt, this couple wanted to gain special honor within the congregation. But their act was deceitful. In a miraculous way, Jehovah revealed the fraud to the apostle Peter, who confronted Ananias with his error. At that, Ananias fell down and expired. Shortly thereafter, Sapphira also died. (Acts 5:1-11) Ananias and Sapphira did not fall prey to a momentary weakness. They schemed and lied in an attempt to deceive the apostles. Worse still, they 'played false to the holy spirit and to God.'
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 1:14, 15)

daily text 10/6

2010-10-06T07:38:00.001-07:00

FYI - check back later for my King Tut/Ancient Egypt post & photos. I didn't get to finish working on it yesterday because we had a huge thunderstorm that lasted pretty much the whole day and night, so I didn't spend much time online. (I don't like being on the computer during a lightning storm because I have a cheap surge protector).
But speaking of thunderstorms and Ancient Egypt...yesterday felt like the "7th Plague" around here, because it rained and hailed so hard, that it sounded like golf balls hitting the roof! lol.

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
"If . . . you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift" (Matthew 5:23, 24)

The "gift" that Jesus mentioned was any offering presented at the temple in Jerusalem. For example, animal sacrifices were important because they were then part of the worship rendered to Jehovah by his people. However, Jesus stressed something of greater importance—making peace with an offended brother before offering a gift to God. "Make your peace" means 'to bring about a reconciliation.' From this saying of Jesus, we learn that our way of dealing with others has a direct bearing on our relationship with Jehovah. (1 John 4:20) Indeed, offerings made to God in ancient times were meaningless if the one making them did not treat fellow humans properly.—Micah 6:6-8.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 2:3-5)

I just realized how this Scripture could even be used to demonstrate how offensive and wrong "nationalism" is to God, since Christians have "brothers" all over the world. And the nations of the world are in a perpetual state of "offense" on account of people not being willing to reconcile and make peace with one another

Here's the extra Scriptural reference:

(Micah 6:6-8)
"With what shall I confront Jehovah? [With what] shall I bow myself to God on high? Shall I confront him with whole burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of torrents of oil? Shall I give my firstborn son for my revolt, the fruitage of my belly for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?"

You can see what a serious matter this is in God's eyes when you consider how difficult and problematic this might be for an Israelite coming to worship at the temple with a calf or ram. They might also be traveling with their wife and young children (as well as the "live" animal for sacrifice). So they would need to readjust their plans and make arrangements for someone to watch their sacrificial animal while they took the time to go and look for their offended brother to "make peace" with him. That could be quite an ordeal...showing why it's not a matter to be taken lightly.

daily text 10/5

2010-10-05T06:59:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
"[Jehovah's] righteousness is standing forever" (Psalm 111:3)

The works of sinful mankind are seldom based on righteousness. Often they are an expression of greed, envy, and haughtiness. That is evident from the fiendish weapons men produce for the wars they foment and for economic gain. These bring untold misery and horror to millions of innocent victims. Also, many human works have been accomplished at the expense of the oppressed poor. An example is the use of slaves to build the pyramids. Those mainly served as burial places for the proud Pharaohs. Moreover, many of mankind's present-day works not only are oppresive but are "ruining the earth." (Revelation 11:18) How different it is with Jehovah's works, which are always based on what is right! His works include the merciful provision for the salvation of sinful mankind. In providing the ransom, God was 'exhibiting his own righteousness.' (Romans 3:25, 26) Indeed, "his righteousness is standing forever"!
(Watchtower issue: 3/15/09, 3:7-9)

The theme of today's text is perfect for doing a post later about the King Tut exhibit I went to with my mom while we were in Denver. (they wouldn't let us take pictures in the actual exhibit itself, but I have a few photos I wanna post from it...plus a bunch of others from the aquarium and the botanical gardens, etc).
When I was younger I remember feeling such a profound sense of awe when I learned about the Egyptians and saw their remarkable building accomplishments. But now that I'm older and know what really took place "behind the scenes" in order to achieve such extraordinary monuments, I have a completely different outlook of "the treasures of Egypt" ... they are "monumental shams", built upon a foundation of religious lies and counterfeit "rewritten" history, by "the lash" of heavy slave labor.

Life Story: Ricardo Malicsi

2010-10-04T23:59:00.006-07:00

This experience from (pgs 21-25 of the 3/1/05 Watchtower) is a great example of putting the ministry first, instead of allowing the pursuit of materialism, a lucrative career, or personal interests, to crowd out theocratic goals.

We Used Our Changing Circumstances to Witness Far and Wide
As Told By Ricardo Malicsi

When I lost my job because of my stand on Christian neutrality, my family and I asked Jehovah to help us chart our future. In our prayer, we expressed our desire to expand our ministry. Soon thereafter, we embarked on a nomadic journey that took us to eight foreign countries on two continents. As a result, we were able to carry out our ministry in faraway places.

I was born in the Philippines in 1933 to a family affiliated with the Philippine Independent Church. All 14 members of our family belonged to that church. When I was about 12 years of age, I asked God in prayer to direct me to the true faith. One of my teachers enrolled me in a religion class, and I became a devout Catholic. I never missed Saturday confession or Sunday Mass. However, skepticism and dissatisfaction set in. Questions about what happens to people when they die and about hellfire and the Trinity bothered me. Answers given by religious leaders were hollow and unsatisfactory.

Getting Satisfying Answers
While studying in college, I joined a fraternity that got me involved in fighting, gambling, smoking, and other unsavory activities. One evening, I met the mother of one of my classmates. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I posed to her the same questions that I had asked my religion teachers. She answered all my questions from the Bible, and I was convinced that what she said was the truth.
I bought a Bible and started to study it with the Witnesses. Soon I was attending all the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Following the wise Bible observation that “bad associations spoil useful habits,” I parted company with my immoral friends. (1 Corinthians 15:33) This helped me to make progress in my Bible study and eventually to dedicate myself to Jehovah. After my baptism in 1951, I served as a full-time minister (pioneer) for a while. Then in December 1953, I married Aurea Mendoza Cruz, who became my lifetime partner and faithful coworker in the ministry.

An Answer to Our Prayers
We were really wanting to serve as pioneers. However, our desire to serve Jehovah more fully did not materialize immediately. Even so, we did not stop asking Jehovah to open up opportunities in his service. Yet, our life was hard. Still, we kept our spiritual goals in mind, and at the age of 25, I was appointed congregation servant, the presiding overseer in a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As I progressed in Bible knowledge and got a better understanding of Jehovah’s principles, I realized that my job violated my conscientious position as a neutral Christian. (Isaiah 2:2-4) I decided to quit. This proved to be a test of our faith. How would I care for the needs of my family? Again we approached Jehovah God in prayer. (Psalm 65:2) We told him of our concerns and fears, but we also expressed to him our desire to serve where the need for Kingdom preachers was greater. (Philippians 4:6, 7) Little did we know what a variety of opportunities would open up to us!

(photo of Ricardo and his wife, Aurea)

Starting Out on Our Journey
In April 1965, I accepted a job as crash fire and rescue supervisor at Vientiane International Airport, in Laos, and we moved there. In the city of Vientiane, there were 24 Witnesses, and we enjoyed the preaching work with the missionaries and the few local brothers. Later, I was transferred to Udon Thani Airport, Thailand. There were no other Witnesses in Udon Thani. As a family, we conducted all the weekly meetings by ourselves. We preached from house to house, made return visits, and started Bible studies.

We remembered Jesus’ admonition to his disciples that they should “keep bearing much fruit.” (John 15:8) So we determined to follow their example and continued proclaiming the good news. Soon we enjoyed results. A Thai girl accepted the truth and became our spiritual sister. Two North Americans accepted the truth and in time became Christian elders. We continued preaching the good news for more than ten years in northern Thailand. How happy we are to know that there is now a congregation in Udon Thani! Some of the seeds of truth we planted are still yielding results.
Sadly, though, we had to move again, and we prayed that “the Master of the harvest” would help us to continue to have a share in the preaching work. (Matthew 9:38) We were transferred to Tehran, the capital of Iran. This was during the time of the Shah’s rule.

Preaching in Challenging Territories
Upon arrival in Tehran, we found our spiritual brothers right away. We associated with a small group of Witnesses made up of 13 different nationalities. We had to make adjustments in order to preach the good news in Iran. Although we experienced no outright opposition, we had to be careful. Because of the work schedule of interested ones, we sometimes had to conduct Bible studies at midnight or later—into the early morning. Yet, how happy we were to see the fruitage of that hard work! A number of Filipino and Korean families accepted Christian truth and dedicated themselves to Jehovah.

My next work assignment was in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We arrived there in December 1977. This was another country where our preaching activity was not easy to accomplish. However, we always had in mind that we must keep active. With the guidance of Jehovah’s spirit, we were able to find many families of professed Christians. Some of them were thirsting for the refreshing waters of truth found in the Holy Scriptures. (Isaiah 55:1) As a result, we started many Bible studies.
We kept in mind that God’s will is that “all sorts of men should be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:4) Happily, no one tried to cause problems for us. To overcome any prejudice, we made sure that we used a very friendly approach. Like the apostle Paul, we tried to “become all things to people of all sorts.” (1 Corinthians 9:22) When we were asked the reason for our visit, we would kindly explain, and we found that most were quite friendly.

In Dhaka we found a local Witness and encouraged her to join us in our Christian meetings and later in the preaching work. Then, my wife studied the Bible with a family and invited them to our meetings. By Jehovah’s loving-kindness, the whole family came into the truth. Later, their two daughters helped with translating Bible literature into Bengali, and many of their relatives also came to know Jehovah. Many other Bible students accepted the truth. Most of them are now serving as elders or pioneers.
Since Dhaka is a very populous city, we invited some of our family members to help us in the preaching work. Several responded and joined us in Bangladesh. How joyful and how thankful to Jehovah we are for the opportunity we had to share in preaching the good news in that country! From the very small beginnings of only one person, there are now two congregations in Bangladesh.
In July 1982, we had to pull up stakes and leave Bangladesh. We left the brothers with tears in our eyes. Not long thereafter, I received employment at Entebbe International Airport, in Uganda, where we would stay for four years and seven months. What would we be able to do in honoring Jehovah’s great name in this land?

(Map of locations they served in the ministry: Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Iran, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines)

Serving Jehovah in East Africa
Upon our arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a driver picked up my wife and me to take us to our accommodations. As we were leaving the airport, I started preaching to the driver about God’s Kingdom. He asked me: “Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” When I answered in the affirmative, the driver said: “One of your brothers works at the control tower.” Right away, I asked him to take me there. We met the brother, who was very happy to see us, and arrangements were made for meetings and field service.

There were only 228 Kingdom publishers in Uganda at that time. Along with a couple of brothers in Entebbe, we spent our first year planting seeds of truth. Since people there are fond of reading, we were able to place much literature, including hundreds of magazines. We invited brothers from Kampala, the capital, to help us preach in Entebbe’s territory on weekends. At my first public talk, the attendance was five—including me.

Over the next three years, we experienced some of the happiest moments of our life, seeing those whom we taught respond and make rapid progress. (3 John 4) At one circuit assembly, six of our Bible students were baptized. Many of them said that they were encouraged to pursue the full-time service because they saw us serving as pioneers, even though we had full-time jobs.
We realized that our workplace could also be fruitful territory. On one occasion, I approached an airport fire officer and shared with him the Bible-based hope of life on a paradise earth. I showed him from his own Bible that obedient humankind will live in peace and unity, suffering no more from poverty, lack of housing, war, sickness, or death. (Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 33:24; 65:21, 22; Revelation 21:3, 4) Reading this in his own Bible sparked his interest. A Bible study was started right away. He attended all meetings. Soon he dedicated himself to Jehovah and was baptized. Later he joined us in the full-time ministry.

Civil unrest broke out twice in Uganda while we were there, but that did not bring our spiritual activities to a halt. The dependents of those working for international agencies were transferred to Nairobi, Kenya, for six months. Those of us left in Uganda kept on with our Christian meetings and the preaching work, although we had to be prudent and cautious.
In April 1988, my job assignment was completed and we moved again. We left the Entebbe Congregation with a feeling of deep satisfaction over the spiritual developments there. In July 1997, we had an opportunity to visit Entebbe again. By then, some of our former Bible students were serving as elders. How thrilled we were to see 106 in attendance at the Public Meeting!

Moving On to Untouched Territory
Would we be able to enter new doors of opportunity? Yes, my next work assignment was at Mogadishu International Airport, in Somalia. We were determined to make good use of this new opportunity to serve in untouched territory.
Our preaching activity was confined mostly to embassy staff, Filipino workers, and other foreigners. Often we met them in the marketplace. We also made friendly visits to their homes. By combining ingenuity, resourcefulness, prudence, and complete reliance on Jehovah, we were able to share Bible truths with others, and this bore fruit among those from different nationalities. After two years, we left Mogadishu—just before war broke out there.

The International Civil Aviation Organization next assigned me to Yangon, Myanmar. Again, fine opportunities opened up for us to help honesthearted ones learn about God’s purposes. After Myanmar, we were assigned to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Preaching the good news from house to house in Dar es Salaam was much easier because there was an English-speaking community.
In all the countries we worked in, we had very few problems in carrying out our ministry, although in many cases, there were restrictions on the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Because of the status of my work, which was usually connected with government or international agencies, people did not question our activities.
My secular employment required that my wife and I live as nomads for three decades. However, we viewed my job as only a means to an end. Our first goal was always to promote the interests of God’s Kingdom. We thank Jehovah for helping us to make good use of our changing circumstances and to enjoy the wonderful privilege of spreading the good news far and wide.

Back Where It All Started
At the age of 58, I decided to take early retirement and return to the Philippines. When we got back, we prayed to Jehovah to direct our steps. We started serving in a congregation in Trece Martires City, in the province of Cavite. When we first arrived, there were only 19 proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. Daily preaching activities were organized, and many Bible studies were started. The congregation began to grow. At one time, my wife had as many as 19 home Bible studies, and I had 14.
Soon the Kingdom Hall became too small. We prayed to Jehovah about this. A spiritual brother and his wife decided to donate a piece of land, and the branch office approved a loan for building a new Kingdom Hall. The new building has had a big impact on the preaching work, and the attendance increased week by week. At present, we travel over one hour each way to assist another congregation, of 17 publishers.
My wife and I cherish the privilege we have enjoyed serving in so many different countries. Looking back at our nomadic life, we feel deeply satisfied to know that it was used in the best way possible—to help others to learn about Jehovah!

daily text 10/4

2010-10-04T00:34:00.002-07:00

Monday, October 4th, 2010
"More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart" (Proverbs 4:23)

Materialism may not seem to be an issue of loyalty, but it is. Do we trust in Jehovah's promise to provide what we really need? (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:5) Rather than striving to obtain at any cost some of the "better" things in life that are presently beyond our reach, can we do without them? (Philippians 4:11-13) Are we tempted to forgo theocratic privileges in order to get what we want now? Does loyal service to Jehovah have first place in our life? Our answers will largely depend on whether we are wholehearted in our service to God or not. "It is a means of great gain," wrote the apostle Paul, "this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency. For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things."—1 Timothy 6:6-8.
(Watchtower issue: 8/15/08, 2:2, 5)

I heard a funny comment about maintaining the right attitude when it comes to what we expect from God in a material way...
(I think it was Br Morris who said this at a recent assembly):

"God provides for our NEEDS, not our GREEDS"

There's also a discussion in one of the latest Watchtower issues on this topic, which gives really good advice and practical pointers to keep in mind when it comes to being materially satisfied & content. Here's an overview of the main points from: ("5 Secrets of Contentment" - 11/1/10 WA)

Is It Possible to Be Content?
SECRET 1. Love People, Not Money and Possessions
SECRET 2. Resist the Urge to Compare Yourself With Others
SECRET 3. Maintain an Appreciative Attitude
SECRET 4. Choose Your Friends Wisely
SECRET 5. Satisfy Your Spiritual Need

Long Distance Bible Study in Cape Horn

2010-10-03T12:33:00.004-07:00

This is a good example from (pg 48 of the 2008 Yearbook) of the "good news" reaching people in remote locations...

(click on the picture for a closer view)

daily text 10/3

2010-10-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
"I know my sheep" (John 10:14)

Jehovah, often by using angelic direction, can guide his servants to sheeplike ones—even if these live in areas not yet reached by the good news. (Revelation 14:6, 7) For example, by means of an angel, God directed Philip, an evangelizer of the first century, to intercept an Ethiopian official and open up the Scriptures to him. The result? The man accepted the good news and became a baptized follower of Jesus. (Acts 8:26-39) As the present system of things moves toward its end, the foretold "pangs of distress" will continue. (Matthew 24:8) For example, food prices may rise considerably, employment may become harder to find, and employees may come under increased pressure to work longer hours. Whatever happens, all who keep spiritual interests in first place and maintain a 'simple eye' need not be overly anxious. They know that God loves them and will care for them.—Matthew 6:22-34.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 2:16, 17)

And speaking of finding ways to reach people with the good news who live in remote or distant areas,...I checked my "blog stats" for the first time, (which I didn't even realize I could do), and I was so surprised to find that people from all these different countries have been reading or accessing my blog.
I was *especially* excited to see that some were from Russia! (since the people are having more difficulty obtaining "spiritual food" now, on account of the Russian government banning our literature and blocking access to the Watchtower's official website).

The United States & the UK make up the highest percentage of readers, but I noticed there were also people from: Poland, Hungary, Romania, Latvia, Germany, France, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Jamaica, South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India, and the United Arab Emirates!
Woohoo! How awesome is that??!! =)

Funeral Customs & Beliefs About Death

2010-10-02T23:59:00.001-07:00

FYI- the latest audio download and PDF version of the 12/1/10 Watchtower, features this subject in the cover series.

the following info is from (pgs 4-5, of the 7/22/92 Awake!)

Easing the Burdens of Death
Funeral customs and burial practices vary greatly from country to country and from culture to culture. Governmental regulations may stipulate some procedures that must be followed. The most decisive factor, however, is usually the religious beliefs of the family and the community. “The study of death rites and customs illustrates impressively the relation between religious belief and popular practice in the presence of the dead,” states The New Encyclopædia Britannica.

Consider a Hindu funeral in India. The body is prepared for cremation according to the rites of the particular sect. “Holy water,” preferably from the Ganges River, is sprinkled on the floor. A white sheet is then placed over this area, and the body is laid upon it. Sweet-smelling incense is burned in the belief that it will bring clean spirits to the area. Sandalwood paste and a red powder are applied to the face. The body is bathed and then covered with a white cloth over which flowers are strewed. The body is then carried with head forward on a bamboo stretcher to the burning ghat (place for cremation). There the stretcher is reversed to position the body with feet forward, toward the burning ghat, to indicate that it is looking ahead to future life. The funeral pyre is lit by the eldest son, for it is believed that only in this way will the “soul” of the deceased find peace. Afterward, the ashes are collected and consigned to one of India’s “holy” rivers.

In Papua New Guinea, it is customary for relatives to keep in close contact with the dead body, kissing it, crying over it, making it promises, and asking forgiveness for sins committed against the dead person. Mourning is intense, and the crooning of dirges adds to the sadness. It is the custom to have at least two lavish feasts sometime after the death to honor the “spirit” of the dead person and ward off any retribution it may bring.

In Africa, funeral practices and traditions lay emphasis on belief in the immortality of the soul. A need to appease the dead is felt, lest they wreak havoc on their relatives. A lot of money is spent and many sacrifices offered in hopes that the dead will show the living favor. Many believe in reincarnation, that the dead one will return either as an animal to be honored worshipfully or as another family member through a woman then pregnant. “Thus,” a report from Nigeria says, “special care is taken while dressing a corpse to ensure that everything is in shape. For instance, it is believed that if the hand of the dead person is not straight in the coffin, it will show up as a birth defect when the person reincarnates. Or a dead man who is not properly dressed will reincarnate as a madman.” Fear of the dead and their presumed control over the living are often factors in the conduct at African funerals.

In many parts of rural Greece, long and elaborate ceremonies also take place after a death. “During the five years that follow, female relatives of the deceased prepare and direct many memorial services,” notes Science magazine. “For the wives, mothers, and daughters, mourning becomes a defining role. They will visit the grave each night to light candles, clean the headstone, talk to the dead, sing lamentations, and weep. The perfect performance of these rituals, they believe, will help the soul of the loved one into heaven.” Eventually, the bones of the deceased are dug up and deposited in a common village vault.

Most funerals in Japan conform to Buddhist rites. After the body is washed and dressed, it is covered with a white sheet, and a knife is placed on the chest to ward off evil spirits. As candles and incense burn, a priest will recite sutras (passages from Buddhist canonical literature) at the bedside and give the deceased a posthumous Buddhist name for which, depending on the number of characters used, a large sum of money must be paid. The body is then placed in an unpainted wooden coffin. An all-night wake or a shorter half wake is held to mourn the dead and pray for the repose of the soul. As the priest recites sutras, mourners take turns burning a pinch of incense. Similar rites take place the following day during the funeral service before an altar upon which the coffin, a picture of the deceased, and other Buddhist ritual implements are placed. Cremation, required by law, then takes place. For some time thereafter, incense will be burned at intervals and a priest will recite sutras until it is believed that the soul has lost its influence over human affairs and melts into the ancestral soul of the universal nature.

This is a more humorous example on (pg 226 of the 1997 Yearbook) about some very unusual religious beliefs about death and "the afterlife" found in the Marshall Islands.

Where Are the Dead—Really?
Marshallese churches foster some very unusual beliefs. One day William Maddison, a Protestant deacon, tested Julian Aki: “In Philippians, Paul wrote that ‘every knee would bend to Christ, those in heaven, on the earth, and under the ground.’ My question is, ‘Who are those under the ground?’” (Philippians 2:10) When Brother Aki explained that they were the dead who would be resurrected, William was elated. He had been bothered by his church’s teaching that those “under the ground” were the ri menanui, “little people” who, according to Marshallese legend, came above ground only in the dead of night.
William immediately arranged for his family to study the Bible with Brother Aki, and he and his wife, Almina, were baptized together in 1966. He has served as an elder since 1983, and she has been a regular pioneer for 28 years, longer than anyone else in Micronesia.
Marshallese churches also teach that hell is a large iron pot in heaven where sinners are scalded in boiling water. Sailass Andrike, like many, believed this “death in heaven” doctrine. When he was shown from the Bible, however, that the dead return to dust, Sailass accepted the truth and was baptized in 1969. (Genesis 3:19) He was instrumental in obtaining land for a new Kingdom Hall, and he also became the first Marshallese translator. A congregation was formed in Majuro in 1967.

daily text 10/2

2010-10-02T16:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
"[Jesus] went around throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23)

Love for God motivated Jesus to preach and to teach. But Jesus also loved the truths he taught. To him, those truths were priceless treasures, and he was eager to share them with others. We as teachers, or 'public instructors,' feel the same way. Just think of some of the precious truths we have learned from God's Word! We know of the issue of universal sovereignty and how it will be settled. We well understand what the Scriptures teach about the condition of the dead and the blessings to come in God's new world. Whether we learned such truths in recent times or long ago, they never fade in value. Old or new, such truths are, indeed, priceless treasures. (Matthew 13:52) By preaching with heartfelt enthusiasm, we convey to others our love for what Jehovah has taught us.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 1:12, 13)

If you were "raised" knowing the truth about the Bible, it can be easy to take that knowledge for granted and forget that there are still so many people "in the dark" spiritually, because they've been misled by religious falsehoods their whole lives.
For some people, the religious falsehoods they've been taught aren't merely an "ideological dilemma" or obstruction to their knowledge about God, but their beliefs actually play a huge role in their society, and can literally encompass every facet of their culture and daily life. For instance, in some places, the people are so afraid of the demons and the spirits of their dead ancestors, that they live in constant dread of being harmed or cursed. So everything they do revolves around appeasing the spirits in order to protect themselves and their family members from harm.

Unscrupulous religious leaders have used this as a way to keep the people in subjection and to prevent them from hearing the truth even when they're finally presented with the opportunity to learn it. In many places the village priests will tell the people that if they speak to Jehovah's Witnesses they will be harassed by the demons or their children will be hurt or killed.
I heard an experience from an overseer who served in Papua New Guinea who said that the missionaries and clergy from other religious groups on the island would not even speak to the JW missionaries when they came into town, and they told everyone in the village not to speak to them either. They warned the people that if they disobeyed and talked to the Witnesses (who they claimed were "false prophets" of the Devil) they would burn in hell, or their firstborn child would be killed by the demons...so naturally, anytime the JW missionaries tried to engage in the ministry and approach a village, everyone would disappear by running away and hiding in their homes, and they wouldn't come out until the Witnesses were gone because they were so scared of the repercussions.

The natives in Papua New Guinea have many strange traditions (based on their fear of the demons) which consumes their way of life. They will place pointed spikes on the rooftops of their homes, because they believe that will prevent the demons from sitting on their roof. And after a mother gives birth, she will give her baby a "secret" name (which she won't even disclose to the baby's father...she will give him a "false" name instead), so that the only 2 people who know the baby's "real" name, are the mother and the child. And as the child grows up he will continue to change his name over and over again, even into adulthood, throughout his lifetime. The reason is because the people are so afraid of the demons, that they believe they can protect themselves and their children from harm by repeatedly changing their name in order to confuse the demons (by concealing their true identity), so that the spirits won't be able to locate them.
They also have a similar tradition of never telling anyone their "real plans" or the "real" time and place they will show up somewhere, because they don't want the demons to know what they're thinking or where they will be at a certain time. For instance, if they say they will be someplace at noon, they will purposely show up at a different time or go to a different location in order to "trick the demons."

So you can see how much spiritism and false religious beliefs (especially regarding demons, immortality of the soul, and hellfire), have kept some people in such deep mental darkness and in so much fear, that it actually controls them, and influences their daily activities and entire way of life.

Highlights From the Book of Second Kings

2010-10-01T13:05:00.001-07:00

Since we're finishing up 2 Kings this week, I thought I'd post this as a review, since I forgot to post it when we started Kings in our Bible reading...the following info and illustrations are from (pgs 8-12 of the 8/1/05 Watchtower issue)

Highlights From the Book of Second Kings
The Bible book of Second Kings takes up where the book of First Kings leaves off. It is an account of 29 kings—12 from the northern kingdom of Israel and 17 from the southern kingdom of Judah. Second Kings also relates activities of the prophets Elijah, Elisha, and Isaiah. Though not strictly in chronological order, the record reaches down to the time of the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem. Altogether, Second Kings covers a period of 340 years—from 920 B.C.E. to 580 B.C.E. when the prophet Jeremiah completed the writing of this book.

Of what value is Second Kings to us? What does it teach us about Jehovah and his dealings? What lessons can we draw from the actions of the kings, the prophets, and others mentioned in the book? Let us see what we can learn from Second Kings.

Elisha Succeeds Elijah
(2 Kings 1:1–8:29)
King Ahaziah of Israel suffers a fall in his home and is sick. He receives a notice of death from the prophet Elijah. Ahaziah dies, and his brother Jehoram ascends to the throne. Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat is king over Judah. Elijah is taken up in a windstorm, and his assistant, Elisha, succeeds him as a prophet. During some 60 years of his ministry that follows, Elisha performs many miracles.—See the box “Elisha’s Miracles.” (below)

When a Moabite king rebels against Israel, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom go out to meet him in battle. They are given victory because of the faithfulness of Jehoshaphat. Later, the king of Syria plans a surprise attack against Israel. However, Elisha foils the plan. The Syrian king is enraged and sends “horses and war chariots and a heavy military force” to capture Elisha. (2 Kings 6:14) Elisha performs two miracles and turns back the Syrians in peace. In time, Syrian King Ben-hadad lays siege against Samaria. This results in a severe famine, but Elisha foretells that the famine will end.

Some time later, Elisha goes to Damascus. King Ben-hadad, now sick, sends Hazael to inquire if he will recover from his sickness. Elisha foretells that the king will die and that Hazael will rule in his place. The very next day, Hazael suffocates the king under a wet “netted cloth” and assumes the kingship. (2 Kings 8:15, footnote) In Judah, Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram becomes king, and he is succeeded by his son Ahaziah.—See the box “Kings of Judah and of Israel.” (above)

Scriptural Questions Answered:

2:9—Why did Elisha ask for ‘two parts in Elijah’s spirit’? To carry out the responsibility as a prophet to Israel, Elisha would need the same spirit that Elijah had shown, that of courage and fearlessness. Realizing this, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha was appointed by Elijah as his successor and had been his attendant for six years, so Elisha viewed Elijah as his spiritual father; Elisha was like the firstborn spiritual son of Elijah. (1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12) Hence, just as the literal firstborn received two parts of his father’s inheritance, Elisha asked for and received two parts of spiritual inheritance from Elijah.

2:11—What were “the heavens” to which “Elijah went ascending in the windstorm”? These were neither the distant parts of the physical universe nor the spiritual place where God and his angelic sons dwell. (Deuteronomy 4:19; Psalm 11:4; Matthew 6:9; 18:10) “The heavens” to which Elijah ascended were the atmospheric heavens. (Psalm 78:26; Matthew 6:26) Racing through earth’s atmosphere, the fiery chariot evidently transferred Elijah to another part of the earth, where he continued living for a time. Years later, in fact, Elijah wrote a letter to Jehoram, the king of Judah.—2 Chronicles 21:1, 12-15.

5:15, 16—Why did Elisha not accept Naaman’s gift? Elisha refused the gift because he recognized that the miracle of healing Naaman was performed by Jehovah’s power, not his own. It would have been unthinkable on his part to profit from his God-appointed office. True worshippers today do not reach out for personal gain from Jehovah’s service. They take to heart Jesus’ admonition: “You received free, give free.”—Matthew 10:8.

5:18, 19—Was Naaman requesting forgiveness for having to participate in a religious act? The Syrian king evidently was old and weak and had to lean upon Naaman for support. When the king bowed down in worship to Rimmon, Naaman did also. For Naaman, though, it was a purely mechanical act, strictly for the purpose of supporting the body of the king and not for rendering worship. Naaman was asking Jehovah to forgive him for performing this civil duty. Believing Naaman, Elisha said to him: “Go in peace.”

Lessons for Us:

1:13, 14. Learning from observation and acting with humility can save lives.

2:2, 4, 6. Even though Elisha had been Elijah’s attendant for perhaps six years, he insisted on not leaving him. What a fine example of loyalty and friendship!—Proverbs 18:24.

2:23, 24. The main reason for this mocking of Elisha appears to be that a bald man was wearing Elijah’s official garment. The children recognized Elisha as Jehovah’s representative and simply did not want him around. They told him to “go up,” that is, keep going up to Bethel or be taken up as Elijah had been. The children evidently reflected the antagonistic attitude of their parents. How vital that parents teach their children to respect God’s representatives!

3:14, 18, 24. Jehovah’s word always comes true.

3:22. The reflection of the early morning light created the illusion that the water was blood, perhaps because the soil in the freshly made ditches contained red clay. Jehovah may choose to use natural phenomena to accomplish his purposes.

4:8-11. Recognizing Elisha to be “a holy man of God,” a woman in Shunem extended hospitality to him. Should we not do the same to faithful worshippers of Jehovah?

5:3. The little Israelite girl had faith in God’s ability to perform miracles. She also had the courage to speak about her faith. Do you young ones strive to fortify your faith in God’s promises and muster up courage to share the truth with your teachers and fellow students?

5:9-19. Does not Naaman’s example show that a proud person can learn humility?—1 Peter 5:5.

5:20-27. What a price to pay for trying to live a lie! Giving thought to the personal heartache and tragedy that living a double life can bring will help us avoid such a course.

Israel and Judah Go Into Exile
(2 Kings 9:1–25:30)
Jehu is anointed king over Israel. He loses no time in carrying out the campaign to strike down the house of Ahab. Jehu skillfully ‘annihilates Baal worship out of Israel.’ (2 Kings 10:28) Upon learning that her son has been killed by Jehu, Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, ‘rises up to destroy all the offspring of the kingdom of Judah’ and usurps the throne. (2 Kings 11:1) Only Ahaziah’s baby son, Jehoash, is rescued and after six years in hiding is appointed king over Judah. Instructed by Jehoiada the priest, Jehoash continues to do what is right in Jehovah’s eyes.

After Jehu, all the kings who rule Israel do what is bad in Jehovah’s eyes. Elisha dies a natural death in the time of Jehu’s grandson. The fourth Judean king following Jehoash is Ahaz, and he ‘does not do what is right in the eyes of Jehovah.’ (2 Kings 16:1, 2) His son Hezekiah, however, proves to be a king who ‘keeps sticking to Jehovah.’ (2 Kings 17:20; 18:6) In 740 B.C.E., when Hezekiah is king over Judah and Hoshea rules over Israel, Assyrian King Shalmaneser ‘captures Samaria and leads Israel into exile in Assyria.’ (2 Kings 17:6) Subsequently, foreigners are brought into the territory of Israel, and the Samaritan religion is born.

Of the seven kings who follow Hezekiah in Judah, only Josiah takes steps to rid the land of false worship. Finally, in 607 B.C.E., the Babylonians capture Jerusalem and ‘Judah goes into exile from its soil.’—2 Kings 25:21.

Scriptural Questions Answered:

13:20, 21—Does this miracle support the veneration of religious relics? No, it does not. The Bible does not show that the bones of Elisha were ever venerated. It was God’s power that made this miracle possible, as was the case with all the miracles Elisha performed when he was still alive.

15:1-6—Why did Jehovah plague Azariah (Uzziah, 15:6, footnote) with leprosy? “As soon as [Uzziah] was strong, his heart became haughty . . . , so that he acted unfaithfully against Jehovah his God and came into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” When the priests “stood up against Uzziah” and told him to “go out from the sanctuary,” he became enraged against the priests and was struck with leprosy.—2 Chronicles 26:16-20.

18:19-21, 25—Had Hezekiah made an alliance with Egypt? No. Rabshakeh’s accusation was false, as was his claim to have come with “authorization from Jehovah.” Faithful King Hezekiah relied solely on Jehovah.

Lessons for Us:

9:7, 26. The heavy judgment against the house of Ahab shows that false worship and the shedding of innocent blood are detestable to Jehovah.

9:20. Jehu’s reputation as a furious chariot driver gave evidence of his zeal in carrying out his commission. Are you personally known as a zealous Kingdom proclaimer?—2 Timothy 4:2.

9:36, 37; 10:17; 13:18, 19, 25; 14:25; 19:20, 32-36; 20:16, 17; 24:13. We can be confident that ‘the word that goes forth from Jehovah’s mouth always has certain success.’—Isaiah 55:10, 11.

10:15. Just as Jehonadab wholeheartedly accepted Jehu’s invitation to get up into the chariot with him, the “great crowd” willingly support Jesus Christ, the modern-day Jehu, and his anointed followers.—Revelation 7:9.

10:30, 31. Though Jehu’s record was not flawless, Jehovah showed appreciation for all that he did. Indeed, ‘God is not unrighteous so as to forget our work.’—Hebrews 6:10.

13:14-19. Since Jehu’s grandson Jehoash did not exert himself but struck the earth with arrows only three times, he had limited success in defeating the Syrians. Jehovah expects us to do his assigned work wholeheartedly and with zeal.

20:2-6. Jehovah is the “Hearer of prayer.”—Psalm 65:2.

24:3, 4. On account of Manasseh’s bloodguilt, Jehovah “did not consent to grant forgiveness” to Judah. God respects the blood of the innocent. We can be confident that Jehovah will avenge innocent blood by destroying those responsible for shedding it.—Psalm 37:9-11; 145:20.

Valuable to Us
The book of Second Kings portrays Jehovah as the Fulfiller of promises. The exile of residents of the two kingdoms, first of Israel and then of Judah, forcefully brings to our attention how the prophetic judgment recorded at Deuteronomy 28:15–29:28 came true. Second Kings describes Elisha as a prophet with great zeal for Jehovah’s name and for true worship. Hezekiah and Josiah are depicted as humble kings who respect God’s Law.
As we reflect on the attitude and actions of the kings, prophets, and others referred to in Second Kings, do we not learn valuable lessons in what to strive for and what to avoid? (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11) Yes, “the word of God is alive and exerts power.”—Hebrews 4:12.

Highlights From the Book of First Kings

2010-10-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

the following info is on (pgs 28-31 of the 7/1/05 Watchtower), I don't have the illustrations for this particular article, but here are 2 previous posts with additional info and illustrations related to King Solomon:

The Reign of King Solomon pt 1
The Reign of King Solomon pt 2

Highlights From the Book of First Kings
“When the righteous become many, the people rejoice; but when anyone wicked bears rule, the people sigh.” (Proverbs 29:2) The Bible book of First Kings vividly demonstrates the truth of this proverb. It relates the life story of Solomon, during whose kingship ancient Israel enjoys a time of security and great prosperity. First Kings also includes an account of the dividing of the nation after Solomon’s death and of 14 kings who followed him, some in Israel and some in Judah. Only two of these kings were consistently faithful to Jehovah. In addition, the book recounts the activities of six prophets, including Elijah.

Written in Jerusalem and Judah by the prophet Jeremiah, the narrative covers a period of some 129 years—from 1040 B.C.E. to 911 B.C.E. While compiling the book, Jeremiah evidently consulted such ancient records as “the book of the affairs of Solomon.” Those separate records are no longer extant.—1 Kings 11:41; 14:19; 15:7.

A Wise King Promotes Peace and Prosperity
(1 Kings 1:1–11:43)
First Kings begins with an intriguing account of an attempt by King David’s son Adonijah to usurp his father’s kingship. The prophet Nathan’s prompt action foils the plan, and David’s son Solomon is made king. Jehovah is pleased with the request of the newly enthroned king and gives him “a wise and understanding heart” along with “riches and glory.” (1 Kings 3:12, 13) The king’s wisdom is without equal, his wealth beyond compare. Israel enjoys a period of peace and prosperity.
Among the building projects Solomon completes are Jehovah’s temple and various government buildings. Jehovah assures Solomon: “I [will] establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel to time indefinite,” provided the king remains obedient. (1 Kings 9:4, 5) The true God also warns him of the consequences of disobedience. Solomon, though, comes to have many foreign wives. Under their influence, he turns to false worship in his old age. Jehovah foretells that his kingdom will be divided. In 997 B.C.E., Solomon dies, bringing an end to his 40-year reign. His son Rehoboam ascends the throne.

Scriptural Questions Answered:

1:5—Why did Adonijah try to seize the throne while David was still alive? The Bible does not say. However, it is reasonable to conclude that since Adonijah’s older brothers Amnon and Absalom were already dead, as was probably David’s son Chileab, Adonijah thought that he had the right to the throne as the eldest of David’s remaining sons. (2 Samuel 3:2-4; 13:28, 29; 18:14-17) Having elicited the support of the powerful army chief Joab and the influential high priest Abiathar, Adonijah likely felt confident that his attempt would succeed. The Bible does not say whether he knew of David’s intent to have Solomon inherit the throne. However, Adonijah did not invite Solomon and others loyal to David to “a sacrifice.” (1 Kings 1:9, 10) This suggests that he viewed Solomon as a rival.

1:49-53; 2:13-25—Why did Solomon put Adonijah to death after granting him a pardon? Even though Bath-sheba had failed to recognize it, Solomon discerned the true intention behind Adonijah’s request that she ask the king to give him Abishag as a wife. Though David had not had relations with her, beautiful Abishag was considered David’s concubine. According to the custom of the times, she would become the property only of David’s legal heir. Adonijah might have thought that by taking Abishag as his wife, he could again make a bid for the throne. Interpreting Adonijah’s request as a manifestation of ambition for the kingship, Solomon revoked the pardon.

6:37–8:2—When was the temple inaugurated? The temple was completed in the eighth month of 1027 B.C.E., the 11th year of Solomon’s reign. It seems that bringing in the furnishings and making other preparations took 11 months. The inauguration must have taken place in the seventh month of the year 1026 B.C.E. The narrative describes other construction projects after the temple’s completion and before mentioning its inauguration, evidently to round out the discussion about the building operations.—2 Chronicles 5:1-3.

9:10-13—Was Solomon’s gift of 20 cities in the land of Galilee to King Hiram of Tyre in harmony with the Mosaic Law? The Law as stated at Leviticus 25:23, 24 could have been regarded as applying only to an area occupied by the Israelites. It is possible that the cities Solomon gave to Hiram were inhabited by non-Israelites, although lying within the boundary of the Promised Land. (Exodus 23:31) Solomon’s action could also have been an indication of his failure to comply completely with the Law, as when he ‘increased horses for himself’ and took many wives. (Deuteronomy 17:16, 17) Whatever the case, Hiram was dissatisfied with the gift. Perhaps the cities were not well-kept by their pagan inhabitants, or it may be that they were not ideally located.

11:4—Did senility cause Solomon to become unfaithful in his old age? This does not seem to be the case. Solomon was quite young when he began ruling, and although he reigned for 40 years, he did not reach an advanced old age. Moreover, he did not completely leave off following Jehovah. He apparently tried to practice some form of interfaith.

Lessons for Us:

2:26, 27, 35. What Jehovah foretells always comes true. The removal of Abiathar, a descendant of Eli, fulfilled “Jehovah’s word that he had spoken against the house of Eli.” Replacing Abiathar with Zadok from the line of Phinehas was in fulfillment of Numbers 25:10-13.—Exodus 6:25; 1 Samuel 2:31; 3:12; 1 Chronicles 24:3.

2:37, 41-46. How dangerous it is to think that one can step out of bounds with impunity! Those who deliberately deviate from following ‘the cramped road leading off into life’ will suffer the consequences of that unwise decision.—Matthew 7:14.

3:9, 12-14. Jehovah answers his servants’ sincere prayers for wisdom, understanding, and guidance in carrying out his service.—James 1:5.

8:22-53. What heartfelt appreciation Solomon expressed for Jehovah—a God of loving-kindness, the Fulfiller of promises, and the Hearer of prayer! Meditating on the words of Solomon’s inauguration prayer will enhance our appreciation for these and other aspects of God’s personality.

11:9-14, 23, 26. When Solomon became disobedient in his later years, Jehovah raised up resisters. “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones,” says the apostle Peter.—1 Peter 5:5.

11:30-40. King Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam because of what Ahijah had prophesied concerning Jeroboam. How different the king’s response was some 40 years earlier when he refused to seek revenge against Adonijah and other conspirators! (1 Kings 1:50-53) This change of attitude was a result of his drawing away from Jehovah.

A United Kingdom Is Ripped Apart
(1 Kings 12:1–22:53)
Jeroboam and the people come to King Rehoboam and ask him to lighten the burden imposed by his father, Solomon. Instead of granting their request, Rehoboam threatens to place an even heavier load on them. Ten tribes revolt and make Jeroboam king over them. The kingdom stands divided. Rehoboam rules over the southern kingdom, made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and Jeroboam reigns over the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel.

To discourage the people from going to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam sets up two golden calves—one at Dan and the other at Bethel. Among the kings who rule in Israel after Jeroboam are Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, Ahab, and Ahaziah. Abijam, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram succeed Rehoboam in Judah. Prophets active in the days of these kings include Ahijah, Shemaiah, and an unnamed man of God, as well as Jehu, Elijah, and Micaiah.

Scriptural Questions Answered:

18:21—Why were the people silent when Elijah asked them to follow either Jehovah or Baal? It could be that they recognized their failure to give Jehovah the exclusive devotion that he exacts and therefore felt guilty. Or perhaps their consciences were hardened to the extent that they saw nothing wrong with worshipping Baal while claiming to be worshippers of Jehovah. It was only after Jehovah demonstrated his power that they said: “Jehovah is the true God! Jehovah is the true God!”—1 Kings 18:39.

20:34—After Jehovah gave Ahab victory over the Syrians, why did Ahab spare their king, Ben-hadad? Instead of striking Ben-hadad down, Ahab concluded a covenant with him by which streets in the Syrian capital, Damascus, would be assigned to Ahab, evidently for the establishment of bazaars, or markets. Earlier, Ben-hadad’s father had similarly assigned himself streets in Samaria for commercial purposes. Hence, Ben-hadad was released so that Ahab could establish commercial interests in Damascus.

Lessons for Us:

12:13, 14. When making vital decisions in life, we should seek the advice of wise and mature individuals who are knowledgeable in the Scriptures and have high regard for godly principles.

13:11-24. Advice or a suggestion that seems questionable, even if it comes from a well-meaning fellow believer, should be measured against the sound guidance of God’s Word.—1 John 4:1.

14:13. Jehovah searches through us to look for the good in us. Regardless of how insignificant that good may be, he can make it grow as we do our best to serve him.

15:10-13. We must courageously reject apostasy and instead promote true worship.

17:10-16. The widow of Zarephath recognized Elijah as a prophet and received him as such, and Jehovah blessed her acts of faith. Today, Jehovah also notices our acts of faith, and he rewards those who support the Kingdom work in various ways.—Matthew 6:33; 10:41, 42; Hebrews 6:10.

19:1-8. When facing intense opposition, we can be confident of Jehovah’s support.—2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

19:10, 14, 18. True worshippers are never alone. They have Jehovah and their worldwide brotherhood.

19:11-13. Jehovah is not a nature god or a mere personification of natural forces.

20:11. When Ben-hadad bragged about destroying Samaria, Israel’s king answered: “Do not let one girding on [his armor in preparation for battle] boast about himself like one unfastening” his armor after returning victorious from battle. When faced with a new task, we must avoid the overconfidence of a braggart.—Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-16.

Of Great Value to Us
When recounting the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, Moses told the sons of Israel: “See, I am putting before you today blessing and malediction: the blessing, provided you will obey the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you today; and the malediction, if you will not obey the commandments of Jehovah your God and you do turn aside from the way about which I am commanding you today.”—Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

How clearly this vital truth is brought to our attention in the book of First Kings! As we have seen, this book also teaches other valuable lessons. Its message is indeed alive and exerts power.—Hebrews 4:12.

daily text 10/1

2010-10-01T08:44:00.004-07:00

Friday, October 1st, 2010
"He should not increase horses for himself . . . He should also not multiply wives for himself" (Deuteronomy 17:16, 17)

Increasing his horses would show that the king depended upon military might to protect the nation instead of depending on Jehovah, the Protector. And multiplying wives would be dangerous because some of them could be from surrounding pagan nations that engaged in false worship, and those wives could turn the king aside from the true worship of Jehovah. Solomon did not heed those warnings. Rather, he did what Jehovah specifically said kings should not do. He accumulated thousands of horses and horsemen. (1 Kings 4:26) He also came to have 700 wives and 300 concubines, many from the pagan nations nearby. These "inclined his heart to follow other gods; and his heart did not prove to be complete with Jehovah." As a result, Jehovah said that he would "without fail rip the kingdom away" from Solomon.—1 Kings 11:1-6, 11.
(Watchtower issue: 3/15/09, 1:12, 13)

daily text 9/30

2010-09-30T07:01:00.003-07:00

FYI- sorry for the post interuption...I was out of town visiting my sister (who recently moved to Colorado) and had scheduled the daily text to post automatically while I was gone...but I missed the past two days. (which I will backdate)

Thursday, September 30th, 2010
"Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me" (Proverbs 27:11)

What a privilege we have in making God's heart rejoice! Is it not well worth our every effort to keep our integrity? Integrity enables us to take our stand for Jehovah's sovereignty. It is thus the basis on which God can judge us. Job well understood this truth. (Job 31:6) Job knew that God weighs all mankind in "accurate scales," using His perfect standard of justice to gauge our integrity. David similarly said: "Jehovah himself will pass sentence on the peoples. Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness and according to my integrity in me . . . And God as righteous is testing out heart and kidneys." (Psalm 7:8, 9) We know that God can look into the very depths of the inner person, the figurative "heart and kidneys." We need to remember, though, what he is looking for. As David said, Jehovah judges us according to our integrity.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 1:12, 13)

daily text 9/29

2010-09-29T23:59:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
"Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7)

Mercy is manifested in a judicial sense when people forgive those who transgress against them, just as Jehovah mercifully forgives repentant ones. (Exodus 34:6, 7; Psalm 103:10) We can show mercy in that way and by our kind words and deeds that bring relief to disadvantaged individuals. A fine way to show mercy is to share Bible truths with others. Moved with pity for a crowd, Jesus "started to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) We have reason to agree with Jesus' statement: "Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy." If we treat others mercifully, they are likely to respond in kind. We may find that the mercy we have shown to others will triumph over any adverse judgement that God might otherwise bring to bear against us when we are brought into judgement. (James 2:13) Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are only for the merciful.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 1:14, 15)

daily text 9/28

2010-09-28T23:59:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves" (John 13:35)

Love is an identifying mark of true Christians. Should not that love be expressed for baptized Christians who may have become inactive? It certainly should! But providing needed help may call for the exercise of various godly qualities. Besides love, you may need to show compassion, kindness, mildness, and long-suffering. Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to be forgiving. Paul wrote: "Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also." (Colossians 3:13) Be assured that any effort you make with the hope of helping sheeplike ones return to the Christian fold is worthwhile. Just one life is worth much more than all the money in the world. Jesus emphasized this in his illustration of the lost sheep.—Matthew 18:12-14.
(Watchtower issue: 11/15/08, 1:17-19)

daily text 9/27

2010-09-27T00:00:00.003-07:00

Monday, September 27th, 2010
"The people started to have immoral relations with the daughters of Moab" (Numbers 25:1)

Satan uses sexual immorality to corrupt God's people. Today, moral standards in the world have fallen so low that fornication is considered normal and homosexuality is viewed simply as a matter of personal choice. Young people who remember their Grand Creator know that sexual intimacy is a sacred gift that has to do with life and procreation. Hence, they recognize that sexual relations should be enjoyed in the way that God directed—within the marriage arrangement. (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Hebrews 13:4) However, during "the bloom of youth"—the period when sexual feelings become strong and can distort one's judgment—it can be a struggle to remain chaste. (1 Corinthians 7:36) What can you do when improper thoughts enter your mind? Pray earnestly to Jehovah for help to focus on wholesome things. (Luke 11:9-13) Upbuilding conversation can also help to refocus the mind.
(Watchtower issue: 4/15/08, 3:7-9)

daily text 9/26

2010-09-26T00:00:00.001-07:00

Sunday, September 26th, 2010
"Go therefore and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19)

"I have been studying with a family from Pakistan for the past 11 weeks," wrote a sister who is serving with a Hindi-speaking group in the United States. "Needless to say," she continues, "we have become friends. Tears well up in my eyes as I think about this family going back to Pakistan soon. My tears are prompted not only by the sorrow I feel at the loss of their company but also by the joy I've experienced while teaching them about Jehovah." Have you, like this sister, ever experienced the joy that comes from studying the Bible with someone? Jesus and his first-century disciples found great joy in the disciple-making work. When the 70 disciples whom Jesus had trained returned with a joyful report, Jesus himself became "overjoyed in the holy spirit." (Luke 10:17-21) Similarly, many today find great joy in making disciples.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 2:1, 2)

daily text 9/25

2010-09-25T00:00:00.002-07:00

Saturday, September 25th, 2010
"This good news of the kingdom will be preached" (Matthew 24:14)

Throughout these "last days," Jehovah has thwarted all efforts to eliminate his people. (2 Timothy 3:1) As a result, opposers have been shamed. Psalm 83:16 foreshadowed this when it said "Fill their faces with dishonor, that people may search for your name, O Jehovah." In country after country, opponents have failed miserably in their effort to silence Jehovah's Witnesses. In those lands, the steadfastness and endurance of worshippers of the one true God have served as a witness the righthearted ones, and many have 'searched for Jehovah's name.' In a number of lands where Jehovah's Witnesses were once viciously persecuted, there are now tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of happy praisers of Jehovah. What a triumph for Jehovah! And how embarrassing for his enemies! (Jeremiah 1:19) We know, of course, that the battle is not over. And we continue to preach the good news—even to opposers.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 3:16, 17)

daily text 9/24

2010-09-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

Friday, September 24th, 2010
"I am with you to deliver you" (Jeremiah 1:8)

When he destroyed the ancient wicked world in the Flood, Jehovah "kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others." (2 Peter 2:5) Jehovah will again deliver the upright when he destroys the present wicked world. His Word thus states: "Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth . . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zephaniah 2:3) As a result of that worldwide destruction, 'the upright will reside in the earth, but the wicked will be cut off from it.' (Proverbs 2:21, 22) However, many of God's servants have already died because of illness, persecution, and other factors. (Matthew 24:9) How, then, will all of these be delivered? The Bible states that "there is going to be a resurrection of . . . the righteous." (Acts 24:15) What comfort there is in knowing that nothing can prevent Jehovah from delivering his servants!
(Watchtower issue: 5/15/08, 3:11-13)

You know what's weird? Even if a person didn't believe the Flood really occured, and didn't believe that Armageddon was coming, it *still* wouldn't change the fact that everything God has commanded for his people during this time period in human history, would automatically protect their health and safety "as a group," (even without any sort of divine intervention involved).
If you take this scenario and look at it strictly from the secular viewpoint of a scientist, historian, or anthropologist, (who was interested in "forecasting" the longevity of a particular culture or civilization)...simple logic would lead you to the conclusion that "as a group" a society of people who lived according to God's requirements and standards would naturally have a much higher rate of survival in comparison with their surrounding peers.

They would have:

-Stronger families & less family breakups due to adultery, divorce, domestic violence, verbal & mental abuse, child abuse, lack of communication, jealousy, dishonesty, and a lack of trust.

-Better physical health & longer life spans due to abstaining from tobacco, fornication, the misuse of blood, alcoholism, drugs, extreme/violent sports, uncontrolled rage & aggression, fighting, filthy/unsanitary practices, etc.

-Better social relationships & better mental/emotional health due to abstaining from corrupting practices and criminal activity such as extortion, fraud, blackmail & bribery, robbery, cheating, lying, gambling, coveting, hatred, nationalism, terrorism, and racial & social prejudices, etc.

God hasn't asked us to build a *literal* ark...But his instructions have the same protective value, and are completely reasonable when you stop and consider the damaging, (and often fatal), consequences that result from *failing* to obey those instructions. It's obvious that they serve as a long-term benefit and protection for ourselves, our families, our friends, and for the welfare of society as a whole.

daily text 9/23

2010-09-23T00:00:00.001-07:00

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
"Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death" (James 1:14, 15)

To avoid sexual immorality, we might do well to ask ourselves, 'Do I allow my eyes to arouse in me an appetite for immoral material readily found in books, on television, or on the Internet?' In fact, if any individual dedicated to God "keeps on looking" with immoral motives at someone of the opposite sex, he needs to make drastic changes comparable to tearing out the eye and throwing it away. (Matthew 5:27-29) We should heed Paul's counsel: "Deaden . . . your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) The word "deaded" stresses the strong measures that must be taken to fight against immoral fleshly desires.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 2:11, 12)

daily text 9/22

2010-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
"All things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting" (Hebrews 4:13)

Some may feel that if no one sees them do wrong, they will get away with it. (Psalm 19:12) In a sense, there is no such thing as a secret sin. Jehovah is a Judge who examines our deepest motives, and he responds to wrongdoing in a way that reflects perfect justice. In direct violation of God's command, Achan took spoil from the city of Jericho and hid it in his tent, likely with the complicity of his family. When his sin was exposed, Achan showed that he realized the seriousness of what he had done, for he said: "I have sinned against Jehovah." (Joshua 7:20) Like Cain, Achan had developed a bad heart. In Achan's case, greed was a major factor, and it contributed to his becoming deceitful. Since the spoil from Jericho belonged to Jehovah, Achan in effect stole from God, and this cost him and his family dearly.— Joshua 7:25.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 1:12, 13)

There's something about greed and deceitfulness that always seems to go hand-in-hand. And it's one of the most insidious traits, because it can go undetected for so long, and it can encompass so many areas of life (not just material things). It's like an entire attitude and frame of mind that develops.
That's why this account is so strange,...because prior to this, Achan had been used to living in the desert with almost no material possessions while the Israelites wandered the wilderness for 40 years. I was trying to figure out how his greedy attitude developed so quickly, since he wasn't surrounded by riches or by a society of people who were materially prosperous. So when you first read this account it almost seems like he acted on "impulse" in a moment of weakness...since this was really the first occasion where he'd ever come in close contact with a "real city" and people who owned many luxurious items that he'd never seen before.

But the fact that Achan was keeping the stolen goods hidden & buried under his tent, (where not even he, or his family could use or enjoy them), shows there was something deeper going on with him,...this wasn't just "a mistake" made in a moment of weakness. -Especially because he didn't come forward himself, even after he saw that the Israelites were losing the battle, and dozens of men had died on account of him. He waited until he was officially caught before he admitted to it.

For a person to behave that way (right from the get-go), when the Israelites had just *barely* entered the Promised Land,...shows a serious flaw in his character and heart condition. He broke one of the very first commands that God had given to the Israelites upon entering their new homeland...so it doesn't take a genius to figure out what would have happened if Jehovah hadn't nipped this situation in the bud.

Expelled for Refusing Martial-Arts Training

2010-09-21T23:55:00.002-07:00

This is a rather unusual experience (on pgs 137-138 of the 1998 Yearbook), involving 5 Jehovah's Witness "boys" in Japan, whose spiritual training led them to act in the exact opposite manner then what's mentioned in today's text, (regarding immaturity and "foolishness being tied up with the heart of a boy")...since their maturity and firm determination not to compromise their religious beliefs, got them expelled from school and their case ended up going all the way to the Supreme Court.

(photo of Kunihito Kobayashi)

Religious Conscience Brought to Court
A noteworthy case brought before the courts involved 16-year-old Kunihito Kobayashi, enrolled in the Kobe Municipal Industrial Technical College. (In Japan, technical colleges offer a five-year noncompulsory course that includes the three years of high school.) Certain schools had made it a practice to fail or expel students who did not take part in martial-arts drills. They were thus denied the right to an education. At the time of Lloyd Barry’s zone visit to the branch in December 1986, it was recommended that an exemplary brother who was facing this problem, preferably the son of an elder, be selected and that a petition against his expulsion be filed in the courts.

In 1990, Kunihito Kobayashi together with four other students had refused kendo (Japanese swordsmanship) drills in keeping with the injunction of Isaiah 2:4 to ‘beat swords into plowshares and not learn war anymore.’ As a result, they were denied promotion to the next grade. Kunihito, although being at the very top of his class scholastically, was subsequently expelled from the school for failing the physical education class two years in a row. Kunihito and four others filed a petition against the school’s actions, claiming that their constitutional rights to freedom of worship and to an education had been infringed upon. After various appeals, it was the case of Kunihito that finally reached the Supreme Court. On March 8, 1996, the judges of the Second Petit Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in his favor, declaring that the college had erred by forcing him to choose between his religion and an education. This was the first time that the court had ruled on a case in which freedom of religion was weighed against the authority of a school over its curriculum. The new principal called together the entire student body, admitted the school’s lack of good judgment in the case, and asked them to “warmly welcome Mr. Kobayashi back as a fellow student.” In April 1996, four years after being expelled, Brother Kobayashi, now 21 years old, started back to school.
The decision was extensively reported on throughout the country, and Jehovah’s Witnesses rejoiced that Jehovah’s name and righteous ways were again brought to the public’s attention and that a favorable witness was given.—Matthew 10:18.

With the almost non-existent moral standards and resistance to violence & aggressive competition nowadays, (especially among males in our society), this story is *extra* impressive to me. The bar has dropped so low in recent years, that a man with principles has become one of the rarest commodities you can find...like a precious gemstone buried beneath heaps of dirty, jagged rocks! =)

Retroactive Application of "Extremist" Law Charges...

2010-09-21T06:28:00.002-07:00

Well not only are the Russian authorities REFUSING to back down... now they're actually going so far as to accumulate RETROACTIVE charges!

Retroactive Application of Law Results in Criminal Case

For Immediate Release
September 20, 2010

GORNO-ALTAYSK, Russia—On September 9, 2010, Aleksandr Kalistratov, chairman of the Local Religious Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Gorno-Altaysk, was formally served with an indictment for inciting religious hatred because he gave two internationally distributed religious magazines to a person who asked for them.

On January 12, 2009, an employee of a transport company delivering the latest editions of the Watchtower, and Awake! magazines asked Kalistratov for a copy of each issue, which the employee turned over to Assistant Prosecutor Vladimir Bedarev. Bedarev then initiated a criminal case against Kalistratov under Article 282 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code (for incitement to hatred). A conviction carries a potential sentence of imprisonment for two years.

This action was taken although those issues of the magazines were not labeled as “extremist” at the time. It was not until two weeks later, on January 27, 2009, that those two issues, along with 16 other religious publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses, were declared “extremist materials” by the Supreme Court of the Altay Republic. There is no evidence that, since the January 27 decision, Kalistratov has distributed any publications that have been deemed by a court to be extremist.

An application to overturn the decision of the republic’s Supreme Court has been filed with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

This is absolutely hilarious coming from the country whose government has systematically destroyed the lives of thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses for the past century, and has gone to every "extremist" method possible to spy on them, obstruct their worship, break up their families, confiscate their belongings, deny them suitable healthcare and employment, and incite hatred against them and their religion throughout the entire country of Russia by producing massive propaganda campaigns, full of complete lies and slander against them.
So where are all the RETROACTIVE damage charges against the government in behalf of the people who they persecuted and imprisoned for so long?

Discriminatory Action By Russia's Supreme Court

2010-09-21T06:08:00.004-07:00

For Immediate Release
September 20, 2010

Russian Supreme Court Sanctions Discriminatory Action

MOSCOW—On September 7, 2010, the Russian Supreme Court ruled that a publisher does not have the right to defend itself against claims that its literature is extremist. In dismissing the appeal of Wachtturm Bibel- und Traktat-Gesellschaft der Zeugen Jehovas, the German publisher of religious literature, the Judicial Chamber under Presiding Judge V.V. Gorshkov upheld the decision of Russia’s Rostov Regional Court, which had labeled 34 pieces of Christian literature published by Wachtturm as extremist. The Regional Court’s decision was rendered although Wachtturm had not been allowed to participate in the case and had not even been notified of the hearing.

The dismissal by the Russian Supreme Court exhausted all options within Russia to restore justice to publishers of literature. Armin Pikl, an attorney representing Wachtturm, noted:

“The banning of the distribution of the literature in question significantly affects the interests and rights of the publisher, which should have been able to defend itself in the face of the accusations made and to refute them. . . . This is in harmony with international provisions on the right to fair trial guaranteed by Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.”

Along with the Local Religious Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Taganrog and others, on June 1, 2010, Wachtturm filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights requesting that the decision of Russia’s Supreme Court be overturned.

daily text 9/21

2010-09-21T05:47:00.003-07:00

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
"Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy" (Proverbs 22:15)

The foolishness in the heart of a youth can easily lead him or her astray. Something that can help to counter this is Bible-based discipline. Many Christian youths whose parents do not share their faith seek to find and apply principles set out in the Bible. Others benefit from the wise advice of spiritually mature ones in the congregation. Regardless of who gives Bible-based counsel, submitting to it can lead to happiness both now and in the future. (Hebrews 12:8-11) Many a youthful heart lacking beneficial discipline has fallen prey to foolish ways, such as a competitive spirit, covetousness, fornication, the love of money, and the pursuit of pleasure. These reflect "desires incidental to youth," from which the Bible urges us to flee. (2 Timothy 2:20-22) Fleeing requires that a Christian youth guard against unwholesome influences, wherever they might surface.
(Watchtower issue: 6/15/08, 1:19, 20)

daily text 9/20

2010-09-20T12:11:00.001-07:00

Monday, September 20th, 2010
"Abundant peace belongs to those loving your law, and for them there is no stumbling block" (Psalm 119:165)

The conduct of others never creates an excuse for our becoming bitter toward God or for abandoning a faithful course. Enduring even in the face of trials will help us to maintain our integrity. We can also maintain integrity by avoiding a faultfinding, critical spirit. That means, of course, being loyal to Jehovah. He is blessing his people now more than ever. Pure worship has never in all of history been so exalted on earth. (Isaiah 2:2-4) When adjustments are made in explanation of Bible texts or in how things are done, we want to accept them. We are delighted to see evidence that the spiritual light is still increasing. (Proverbs 4:18) If we find it hard to understand a change, we ask Jehovah to help us to comprehend the point. Meanwhile, we endure in an obedient course, keeping our integrity.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 2:13, 14)

daily text 9/19

2010-09-19T09:22:00.005-07:00

Sunday, September 19th, 2010
"He ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness" (Acts 10:42)

The Italian army officer assembled his relatives and friends for what became a turning point in God's dealings with humans. That God-fearing man was Cornelius, and it was to him that the apostle Peter spoke the above words. Peter's witness about Jesus bore abundant fruit. Uncircumcised Gentiles received God's spirit, were baptized, and came in line to be kings in heaven with Jesus. What an outcome of Peter's bearing thorough witness! (Acts 10:22, 34-48) That was in 36 C.E. About two years earlier, a fervent opposer of Christianity had a life-changing experience. Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him and said: "Enter into the city, and what you must do will be told you." (Acts 9:3-6) When with Saul, Ananias said: "The God of our forefathers has chosen you . . . because you are to be a witness for him to all men."—Acts 22:12-16. (Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 4:1, 2)

I did some extra research regarding the three "Keys of the Kingdom" which were entrusted to the apostle Peter to use in connection with this time period, and here's a basic summary taken from: (pg 30 of the 5/15/08 WA) - "Highlights from the Book of Acts"

PETER USES THE "KEYS OF THE KINGDOM"

First Key: (Repentant Jews) - On Pentecost 33 C.E., after receiving the holy spirit, the apostles give a bold witness. Peter uses the first of “the keys of the kingdom of the heavens” to open the door of knowledge and opportunity for Jews and proselytes who “embraced his word” to enter the Kingdom. (Matthew 16:19; Acts 2:5, 41)

Second Key: (Samaritans) - Upon hearing that Samaria has accepted the word of God, the apostles in Jerusalem dispatch Peter and John to them. By opening up the Kingdom opportunity to the Samaritans, Peter uses the second key. (Acts 8:14-17) Perhaps within a year of Jesus’ resurrection, an amazing transformation takes place in Saul of Tarsus.

Third Key: (Gentiles) - In 36 C.E., Peter uses the third key, and the free gift of the holy spirit is poured out upon uncircumcised people of the nations (Acts 10:45)...with Cornelius and his household being the first Gentiles to receive this opportunity.

daily text 9/18

2010-09-18T02:27:00.003-07:00

Saturday, September 18th, 2010
"Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19, 20)

Jesus Christ considers the loyal support given to his brothers as being given to him. (Matthew 25:40) In what way, then, can those who have the earthly hope support Christ's spirit-anointed brothers? Principally by helping them with the Kingdom-preaching work. (Matthew 24:14; John 14:12) While the number of anointed ones on the earth has decreased over the decades, the number of the other sheep has increased. When those who have an earthly hope share in the witness work, perhaps as full-time evangelizers, they support the spirit-anointed ones in fulfilling the disciple-making assignment. Not to be overlooked are the opportunities to support this work by making financial contributions in various ways.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 4:14)

Wow, I just realized how much the Trinity doctrine confuses the meaning of the Christian baptismal vow itself. For instance, when a police officer says: "Stop, in the name of the law"...what he's basically saying is: "I want you to stop [in recognition] of the law." and "in recognition of my authority and appointment as a law enforcement officer" ... and if a person respects and complies with the laws of the land, than they will respect and comply with the direction given by appointed officers who represent and enforce the law.

Well the same thing applies when it comes to baptism.

But if a person believes that the holy spirit is *a person* or
*a ghost* (rather than God's *active force* which He uses to accomplish His will), then they won't fully understand the meaning and responsibility involved in their baptismal vow.
Because being baptized "in the name of the holy spirit" or
"[in recognition] of the holy spirit" would require understanding the important role that holy spirit plays in connection with the preaching work, and in directing & empowering Christ's spirit-anointed brothers to accomplish it...which Jesus makes clear in the following verse:

"YOU will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon YOU, and YOU will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

So fully living up to our baptismal vow would *require* that we assist and comply with Christ's spirit-anointed brothers in their witnessing and disciple-making commission, which God's holy spirit is directing and helping them to accomplish.

JW's Held Hostage During a Prison Uprising

2010-09-17T23:59:00.001-07:00

well this was an interesting story about a prison uprising that happened in Argentina awhile back, (on pgs 18-21 of the 11/08/96 Awake!)

We Were Hostages During a Prison Uprising
At about three o’clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, March 30, 1996, Edgardo Torres, Rubén Ceibel, and I arrived at the Sierra Chica Maximum Security Prison, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Designed to hold some 800 prisoners, this overpopulated fortress held 1,052 convicted criminals. Their crimes ranged from robbery to serial murder. We were there as visitors.

For Edgardo and Rubén, this was one of many Saturday trips to this famous prison. As elders in a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they regularly visited there to deliver weekly Bible lectures to some 15 inmates. For me, a traveling overseer, this was a rare opportunity, as I had never presided over a meeting in a prison.
The prison has 12 cellblocks laid out in the shape of a fan. As we entered the facilities, we saw at a distance four prisoners waving at us enthusiastically. These inmates had progressed in their Bible studies to the point of becoming unbaptized preachers of the good news of God’s Kingdom. We were quickly escorted to cellblock 9, where we were to hold the meeting. There, a room had been painted and decorated with curtains, giving it a dignified appearance.

The Uprising Begins
Something was not right, though. There were only 12 prisoners in attendance instead of the usual 15. We all wondered why. The meeting started as usual, with song and prayer. After a few minutes, we were jolted by the sound of loud gunshots followed by bursts of machine-gun fire. Then we heard shouts and screams. A prison uprising had just begun!

Several hooded prisoners armed with makeshift knives stormed into our meeting room. They were surprised to find us—three visitors! We were quickly escorted down a smoke-filled hallway. There were mattresses burning, prisoners running in disarray, and a wounded guard lying on the floor. The guard tower located at the center of the prison grounds was engulfed in fire from a homemade bomb. We were taken outside and forced to stand about 150 feet [50 m] from the main fence. Looking straight ahead, we could see policemen and prison guards outside the fence, pointing their guns at us. A group of prisoners were hiding behind us, holding their knives to our throats. They were using us as human shields.

More Hostages
Five hours later, after sunset, the ringleaders allowed a medical doctor to enter the prison to treat the wounded. The doctor too became a hostage. Finally, about nine o’clock in the evening, we were taken to the prison hospital. There we joined a group of guards who were also held as hostages. Now the rioters forced all of the hostages to serve in shifts as human shields.
After a short while, a judge and her secretary were permitted to meet the rioters, in an attempt to settle matters peacefully. But the crisis escalated when the prisoners brazenly detained both of them as hostages.
There was sporadic fighting all night long. We tried to sleep, but it seemed that every time we dozed off, a loud scream would jolt us out of our slumber. Then, in the very early hours of the morning, our turn to pose as living shields came up again.

The Violence Escalates
On Sunday, March 31, the second day of the uprising, the situation got worse. The ringleaders could not agree on their demands. This created an atmosphere of anger and violence. Bands of rioters went on a rampage, destroying and burning everything in their paths. Old disputes were settled by violence and murder. A number of prisoners who refused to join the riot were executed. Some bodies were burned in the bakery oven.
All sorts of rumors and conflicting reports about our release circulated inside the prison. It was an emotional roller coaster for us hostages. Sometimes we were allowed to watch the news on television. We were amazed to see how far from reality the television accounts were. It was discouraging.

How did we cope? We focused on praying, reading the Bible, and speaking to others about Bible promises of a happy future. That was the key to our emotional strength during the ordeal.
On Monday, the ringleaders agreed to begin negotiations with the authorities. It seemed as if an end to the uprising was near. The rioters were using Edgardo and several prison guards as shields when a gunfight erupted among some prisoners. In the ensuing confusion, the police, under the assumption that hostages were being shot, fired their weapons. Edgardo survived the barrage of bullets, but some of the captive guards were shot.

Death Seemed Imminent
They took us hostages up to a roof to show the authorities that we were still alive. But the police kept shooting. This enraged the rioters. Everyone started to shout at the same time. Some yelled: “Slaughter the hostages! Slaughter them!” Others pleaded: “Not yet! Let’s wait!” Death seemed imminent. Rubén and I looked at each other as if to say, ‘Until the new world.’ Then we both offered a silent prayer. Immediately, we felt an inner calm and peace of mind, which, under the circumstances, could only have come from Jehovah.—Philippians 4:7.

Suddenly, the police stopped shooting, and one of the ringleaders called off our execution. The young prisoner who was holding me was ordered to walk me to and fro on the roof, as a warning to the police. He was extremely nervous. Right there and then, I was able to start a conversation that calmed us both. I explained that human suffering was instigated by Satan and his demons and that soon Jehovah God would put an end to all such suffering.—Revelation 12:12.

When we were taken back to the prison hospital, we found that many of the hostages were panic-stricken. We tried to share our faith in Jehovah’s promises with our fellow hostages. We talked to them about our Bible-based hope of a future in Paradise on earth. Some of the hostages began to call on Jehovah by name. The doctor manifested special interest and asked a number of specific questions. This led to a lengthy Bible discussion with the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life.

Celebrating the Memorial
Tuesday, our fourth day in captivity, was the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ. On that day millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses and interested persons worldwide would meet to commemorate this event in obedience to Jesus’ command. (Luke 22:19) We too made arrangements to celebrate the Memorial.
One corner of the room was selected for privacy. There was no unleavened bread or red wine to use as emblems. But the three of us enjoyed singing praises to Jehovah, praying, and reviewing the Bible’s account about Jesus’ final night and other events surrounding his death. We felt very close to our families and our spiritual brothers and sisters as they celebrated the Memorial simultaneously throughout the entire country.

The Ordeal Ends
An atmosphere of tension, fear, and suspense prevailed during the following four days. Yet, we were comforted by numerous letters from relatives and friends, which the prisoners allowed us to receive. On one occasion we were even permitted to contact our families by phone. How refreshing it was to hear their voices and to read their expressions of love and concern!

On Saturday, our eighth day in captivity, the rioters reached an agreement with the authorities. We were told that the following day we would be released. Sunday, April 7, at 2:30 in the afternoon, we received the news: “Get ready to leave!” The prisoners organized a ‘guard of honor’ to escort us to freedom! As we were leaving the hospital, the spokesman for the ringleaders approached Edgardo and said: “Brother, I am so impressed by your conduct. I promise that from now on I will attend your Saturday meetings in prison. You will still hold the meetings even after what happened here, right?” Edgardo smiled and answered: “Of course!”

A surprise awaited us outdoors. As soon as we exited the building, the entire inmate population burst into applause in our honor. This was their way of showing that they were sorry for what had taken place. It was an emotional moment. No doubt our Christian conduct during the preceding nine days had impressed them all, to Jehovah’s credit.

Outside the prison fence, we met our families and about 200 of our spiritual brothers and sisters. We embraced one another with a great sense of relief. We had survived! One of the hostages approached my wife and told her: “I think Jehovah has reached my heart and wants me to serve him.”

Edgardo, Rubén, and I learned in a very special way that Jehovah can sustain his servants, even during the most terrible adversities. We experienced how marvelous it is to pray to Jehovah and to be heard by him. Like the psalmist, we can say: “I shall exalt you, O Jehovah, for you have drawn me up and you have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Jehovah my God, I cried to you for help, and you proceeded to heal me. O Jehovah, you have brought up my soul from Sheol itself; you have kept me alive, that I should not go down into the pit.” (Psalm 30:1-3)—As told by Darío Martín.

daily text 9/17

2010-09-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 17th, 2010
"O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come" (Psalm 65:2)

Three prison inmates came to a knowledge of Bible truth while incarcerated and became unbaptized publishers. Because of a violent incident, a number of privileges were taken away from all the prisoners in the facility. That sparked a protest. The prisoners decided that after breakfast the next morning, as an act of defiance, they would refuse to return their plates. The three unbaptized publishers were now in a dilemma. If they joined in the revolt, they would be violating Jehovah's counsel found at Romans 13:1. If they did not join in, they could expect reprisals from angry inmates. Unable to communicate with one another, the three men prayed for wisdom. The following morning, all three found that they had decided on exactly the same solution—they simply would decline breakfast. When the guards came to collect the plates, the three men had none to return. How glad they were that the "Hearer of prayer" was near!
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 2:14, 15)

That's awesome—but on a side note—what kind of dumb "revolt" was that anyway? lol. Instead of having "leverage" for getting their privileges back, the inmates probably just made it worse on themselves,...since I bet the prison guards refused to serve their next meal until they returned the plates. lol.

Russian Authorities Block Website Access

2010-09-16T11:42:00.003-07:00

I must have missed this article...

Public Access to Religious Web Site Blocked in Eastern Russia

KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, Russia—One of the largest Internet service providers in eastern Russia, Technodesign, was compelled by court order to block access to several popular Web sites, including http://www.watchtower.org, the official Web site of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The ruling was made by the Tsentralniy District Court of Komsomolsk-on-Amur on June 4, 2010, and came into force on June 16, 2010. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (owner of the copyrighted materials on the Web site) and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. (owner of the Internet site itself) were not called to participate in the case, nor did they receive a copy of the decision. Both corporations first learned of the decision on August 4, 2010, after Technodesign had already blocked access to the Internet site on July 30, 2010, in implementation of the court decision.

Once the decision was implemented, users in the area were unable to access watchtower.org. It appears that local officials want to prevent interested individuals from reading online any of the publications that the courts in Rostov and Gorno-Altaysk had pronounced extremist.

Theocratic Study Schedule (Sept 13th - 19th)

2010-09-16T11:32:00.003-07:00

Sorry for posting the schedule so late this week:
Week of September 13th - 19th

daily text 9/16

2010-09-16T07:54:00.004-07:00

Thursday, September 16th, 2010
"When making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you" (Matthew 6:3, 4)

Our hands usually work together. Therefore, not letting the left hand know what the right is doing means that we do not advertise our charitable deeds, even to those as close to us as our left hand is to our right hand. If we do not boast about our charity, our "gifts of mercy" will be in secret. Then our Father, "who is looking on in secret," will repay us. Residing in the heavens and invisible to human eyes, our heavenly Father remains "in secret" as far as mankind is concerned. (John 1:18) Repayment from the one "looking on in secret" includes Jehovah's bringing us into an intimate relationship with him, forgiving our sins, and granting us eternal life. (Proverbs 3:32; John 17:3; Ephesians 1:7) That is so much better than receiving praise from humans!
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 2:20, 21)

I'll probably need to post an off-topic experience, because if a person was truly applying the words of today's text (and not "advertising" their gifts of mercy), than there wont be any experience written about it. lol.

Criminal Prosecution for Faith - A New Reality in Russia

2010-09-15T09:53:00.004-07:00

this is totally outrageous...

“My wife and I were shocked to learn that hidden video surveillance has been set up in our apartment, telephones have been tapped and we are being followed.”

Criminal Prosecution for Faith - A New Reality in Russia

For Immediate Release
September 14, 2010

YOSHKAR-OLA, Russia—“My wife and I were shocked to learn that hidden video surveillance has been set up in our apartment, telephones have been tapped, and we are being followed,” says Maksim Kalinin, who was named as a suspect in a criminal case initiated against Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area. He was being investigated under Article 282 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code, for “inciting hatred or enmity.”

Seven homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses were searched in the republic of Mariy El on August 10, 2010. Some of the searches lasted until 4:00 a.m. The home of Mr. Kalinin was among those searched. The FSB and the Department for Fighting Extremism obtained warrants in early 2010 authorizing them to break into Mr. Kalinin’s apartment and install secret surveillance equipment for 180 days, to monitor his postal and electronic mail, and to tap his telephone. The telephones of eight other Witness ministers were also tapped during this period. The alleged evidence obtained by these means was used to initiate the criminal case against Mr. Kalinin. Criminal charges against other Witnesses are likely to follow.

Earlier that same day, approximately 30 officers from the police, FSB, and Special Police Forces (OMON) raided a religious meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The police stopped the meeting, searched all 90 men, women, and children in attendance, and seized personal items, including telephones. No one was allowed to leave the building until late in the evening. Children were questioned outside the presence of their parents.

A female Witness in attendance said: “During the questioning, the police officers told me that I should just thank them for not making me undress completely.” Attorney Victor Shipilov commented: “Similar raids have already been evaluated by the European Court of Human Rights. In the Kuznetsov and Others v. Russia decision, the ECHR declared such actions by law-enforcement authorities to be unlawful. We will lodge a complaint against the law-enforcement authorities for their actions in this case.”

“The rough treatment by law-enforcement authorities and the resulting negative image of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the local press indicate bias toward people of another faith and demonstrate the intent of law-enforcement agencies to demean the dignity of Witnesses,” said Sergey Tarasov, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Instead of setting an example of mutual respect for people of another faith, such actions by law-enforcement authorities incite others to religious intolerance.”

daily text 9/15

2010-09-15T09:38:00.004-07:00

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
"The Devil, having concluded all the temptation, retired from him until another convenient time" (Luke 4:13)

After the Devil's third unsuccessful attempt to get Jesus to compromise His integrity to God, "the Devil left him." (Matthew 4:11) However, Satan did not intend to stop tempting Jesus, as we are told in today's text. When we succeed in opposing the Devil, we should thank Jehovah. But we should also seek God's continued help, for the Devil will return to tempt us at another time convenient for him—and not necessarily when we may be expecting a temptation. Hence, we must remain alert at all times, ready to persevere in rendering sacred service to Jehovah regardless of the tests we must face. To help us in our efforts to oppose the Devil, we should pray for and will receive the most powerful force in the universe—God's holy spirit. It will enable us to do things that would be impossible for us to do in our own strength.
(Watchtower issue: 11/15/08, 4:15, 16)

daily text 9/14

2010-09-14T09:28:00.004-07:00

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
"In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God's undeserved kindness expressed in various ways"
(1 Peter 4:10)

The qualifying term "in proportion" indicates that qualities and abilities may vary not only in nature but also in extent. Even so, each one is urged to "use it [that is, any particular gift he has received] in ministering to one another." Moreoever, the expression "use it . . . as fine stewards" is a command. Hence, we should ask ourselves: 'Do I, indeed, use the gifts with which I am entrusted to fortify my fellow believers?' (Compare 1 Timothy 5:9, 10) 'Or do I use the abilities that I receive from Jehovah mainly to benefit myself—perhaps to acquire riches or to attain social status?' (1 Corinthians 4:7) If we use our gifts "in ministering to one another," we will be pleasing Jehovah.—Proverbs 19:17; Hebrews 13:16.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 3:4, 7)

daily text 9/13

2010-09-13T10:30:00.004-07:00

Never trust a narcoleptic. (lol)
...Sorry I fell asleep last night before I could finish the post I was working on (which I'll backdate today as soon as I'm done with it). But I'm partially blaming my mom this time, since I was waiting for her to forward me a few emails that have the photographs I needed...which she just did this morning. Because you gotta have photographs! =)

Monday, September 13th, 2010
"Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way. I shall walk in your truth. Unify my heart to fear your name" (Psalm 86:11)

Why do some Christians who remain faithful for years despite imprisonment or persecution latter succumb to materialism? The answer has to do with our figurative heart—what we really are inside. The 86th Psalm connects loyalty to a unified heart; that is, a complete heart, one that is not divided. "O do guard my soul, for I am loyal," prayed the psalmist David. "Save your servant—you are my God—that is trusting in you." (Psalm 86:2) Unless we trust in Jehovah with all our heart, other concerns and affections will undermine our loyalty to the true God. Selfish desires are like land mines hidden under the road we walk on. Even though we may have remained faithful to Jehovah under trying circumstances, we can fall victim to satanic traps or snares. How vital it is that we cultivate heartfelt loyalty to Jehovah now, before tests or temptations come upon us!
(Watchtower issue: 8/15/08, 2:1, 2)

"Group" Avenues of Witnessing

2010-09-12T23:59:00.001-07:00

I decided to divide this into 2 categories: "individual" witnessing experiences, and "group" experiences. So this post will show examples of congregation "group effort" when it comes to different avenues of witnessing...

Stockholm, Sweden:
Example of "street witnessing," using a literature display

Georgia, United States:
The Dacula Congregation in Georgia, arranged to have a literature booth setup at the local "Gwinnett County Fair" with both English and Spanish publications available. They came in contact with individuals who were curious about our beliefs and wanted to learn more, as well as individuals who had previously been contacted or studied with Jehovah's Witnesses in the past, and were surprised to see them "on exhibition" at the fair!
There were about 30 or more individuals who requested a personal visit at their homes or by correspondence. In addition, the literature which was placed amounted to: 350 magazines, 96 Books, 15 Bibles, and 10 CDs.

the following experience from Bolivia (on pg 49 of the 2009 Yearbook), is an example of pioneers conducting a "group" Bible study in a rather unusual setting...

Bolivia, South America:

Preaching in the Amazon region of Bolivia is both challenging and rewarding. A group of ten pioneer brothers and sisters—squeezed into a small outboard motorboat packed with tents, cooking pots, and many boxes of Bible literature—traveled about 500 miles on the Beni River from Rurrenabaque to Riberalta. They visited more than 70 isolated communities and placed over 800 books as well as brochures and tracts. They demonstrated about 700 Bible studies to interested people and returned to conduct studies with more than 200 of them. When the Witnesses were leaving the villages, a comment they often heard from people was, "Can you stay and study with us just a little more?" In one small town, a man was very insistent and was upset that the Witnesses were leaving, because he wanted to keep studying with them. He said: "You have cut down the tree. Now you need to carve and polish it."

daily text 9/12

2010-09-12T17:03:00.004-07:00

Sunday, September 12th, 2010
"You will save both yourself and those who listen to you" (1 Timothy 4:16)

If you are not conducting a Bible study, does it mean that your service is of no value to God? Of course not! Jehovah deeply appreciates our efforts to praise him. All who engage in the preaching work are "God's fellow workers." However, conducting a Bible study brings added joy as we see how God makes the seed that we planted grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6, 9) "As you see a Bible student progress," says a pioneer named Amy, "you feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to Jehovah for allowing you to be used to give that person a wonderful gift—the opportunity of knowing Jehovah and of receiving everlasting life." Doing our best to start and conduct Bible studies will help us to keep focused on serving God now and will strengthen our hope of surviving into the new world. With Jehovah's backing, we may also help to save those who listen to us. What a cause for joy that would be!
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 2:20, 21)

I'm gonna post the entry I mentioned earlier this week, which relates to the different avenues of the preaching work (including "informal" witnessing) which many JW's have tried and have had good success with. Because when you look at the tremendous growth in the organization and the increase in Bible studies, you can see that 'lack of interest' isn't really an issue...the main issue is finding ways to make ourselves more available to interested ones who haven't been contacted in the door-to-door ministry.
Which quite often, involves adjusting our own outlook and schedule when it comes to locating people in our territory. Or, if possible, branching out into foreign language fields and seldom worked territories that need help...since there are many areas where the local Witnesses have so many people wanting to study the Bible, that they actually have to put them on a wait list because they just can't keep up with all of them!

Con Artists Capitalize on 9/11...While Poor African Nomads Give their Best to Help

2010-09-11T12:54:00.008-07:00

I was looking for more experiences related to 9/11, and I found 2 stories which show a complete contrast in human behavior. The first one (from the 1/22/03 Awake!-"Watching the World") is a total disgrace, but the second one (from the 7/08/03 Awake!-"Watching the World") is a beautiful example of heartfelt generosity...

Con Artists Capitalize on 9/11
Less than a day after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, thieves and con artists began to take advantage of the grief and generosity that followed. Some posed as rescue workers and stole from the site. Even a three-ton earth mover was stolen one night. Swindles were rampant. Some people sold bogus bioterrorism-protection equipment and anthrax cures. Others sold fake Ground Zero dirt as souvenirs. A number submitted phony life insurance and property damage claims. One couple tried to collect money, saying that their apartment, actually located four miles away [6 km] from the site, was damaged by the disaster. Many received payments for “dead” relatives who were still alive or never existed. Peddlers sold items such as flags and buttons, saying that profits would go to relief agencies, but never turned over any of the proceeds. A number of con artists used Web sites to solicit money that they claimed would go to victims. Some took the names of the missing from posters and called up their families to get personal information that they then used to steal the victims’ identities. Investigations are continuing.

Late News, Prompt Reaction
“Skyscrapers are a foreign concept to the Masai who live in this corner [Enoosaen] of Kenya, where the tallest things on the vast horizon are the acacia trees and giraffes that feed on them,” notes The New York Times. “So when Kimeli Naiyomah returned recently to this tiny village from his studies in the United States, he found only the vaguest understanding among his fellow Masai of what had happened in that far-away place called New York on Sept. 11. Some in this nomadic community of cattle raisers had missed the story entirely.” When Naiyomah, who was visiting Manhattan on September 11, told villagers what he had witnessed firsthand some eight months earlier, sadness enveloped them, and they wanted to do something to help. The result was that 14 cows, one of the most cherished things a Masai could offer, were donated to aid the victims of the disaster. But with transportation a problem, the U.S. embassy official who accepted them said that he would “probably sell the cows and buy Masai jewelry to give to America,” the Times reported.

Also, here's some good articles on the website related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and one specifically for helping young people to cope with 9/11 and fear of terrorist attacks):

Coping With Post-Traumatic Stress - When Terror Strikes

PTSD-A Normal Reaction, to an Abnormal Experience

Young People Ask: How Can I Cope When Tragedy Strikes?

daily text 9/11

2010-09-11T05:59:00.003-07:00

(FYI -here's an entry I posted last year on 9/11)
9/11 Anniversary Experiences

Saturday, September 11th, 2010
"The sower and the reaper . . . rejoice together"
(John 4:36)

The two illustrations regarding sowing seed recorded in Mark chapter 4 emphasize that we have a work to do—sowing. We should never allow excuses and potential problems and difficulties to stop us from doing this work. (Ecclesiastes 11:4) At the same time, though, we are aware of our wonderful privilege to be counted as fellow workers with God. Jehovah is the one who causes spiritual growth, blessing our efforts and the efforts of those who receive the message. We realize that we cannot force spiritual growth in anyone. We likewise need not feel discouraged or disheartened if growth is slow or lacking. How comforting it is to know that our success is measured by our faithfulness to Jehovah and to the privilege that he has granted us to preach the "good news of the kingdom . . . for a witness to all the nations."—Matthew 24:14.
(Watchtower issue: 7/15/08, 3:17, 18)

Showing "Honor To Men of All Sorts"

2010-09-10T23:57:00.001-07:00

The following experience from Samoa, (on pgs 74-77 of the 2009 Yearbook) is a very good example of showing honor when defending your beliefs to opposers, (which this newly baptized brother did in front of an entire assembly of hostile villagers!), since every aspect of Samoan culture & tradition revolves around displaying an extremely high degree of honor and respect to others...especially to the chiefs and elders of the village.

(1952) Pele and his wife, Ailua, became the first Samoans to dedicate their lives to Jehovah and get baptized. Pele knew that he would be called to account for leaving the religion of his ancestors. So he studied hard and prayed earnestly for Jehovah's help. When summoned by the high chief of the family to a meeting at Pele's home village of Faleasiu, a large coastal village 12 miles west of Apia, Pele and another relative interested in the truth faced a hostile assembly of six chiefs, three orators, ten pastors, two theological teachers, the high chief who was presiding, and the older men and women of the family.

"They cursed and condemned us for disgracing the name of the family and the church of our forefathers," recalls Pele. The high chief then proposed a debate, which ended up lasting until four in the morning.

"Even though some yelled, 'Take that Bible away! Leave off that Bible!' I answered all their questions from the Bible and disproved their arguments," states Pele. "Finally, neither word nor sound was forthcoming from them. Their heads were bent down. Then the high chief said in a weak voice: 'You won, Pele.' "

"Pardon me, Sir," Pele recalls saying to the high chief, "I did not win. This night you heard the message of the Kingdom. It is my sincere hope you will heed it."

With Pele's humble reliance on Jehovah and His Word, the Bible, the seed of Kingdom truth was taking root in Upolu.

(and here's some info regarding the structure and tradition of Samoan culture, which really shows what a difficult situation this brother was up against)

Traditional Samoan Culture:
In 1847, a missionary of the London Missionary Society, George Pratt, described Samoans as "the greatest observers of etiquette in Polynesia, if not the world." This traditional Samoan culture—called faa Samoa (the Samoan way)—is a highly structured code that pervades every aspect of Samoan life.
Paramount in this code is "the respect, even veneration, shown for those 'higher' than oneself," says the book Samoan Islands. This respect is reflected in good manners, proper speech, and allegiance to one's family and village. Most consider it unthinkable to reject the customs and religion of their forefathers.
Family chiefs (matai), the guardians of this tradition, direct the daily affairs of one or more related family groups and represent them on the village council. They command strict obedience and enforce their authority through fines, beatings, or even expulsion from the village. For example, the matai of one village fined a clergyman when he made young boys throw stones at Jehovah's Witnesses.
Villages may have from 10 to 50 matai. Most are elected by extended family (aiga), but some inherit the office automatically. Titles are organized according to a strict hierarchy. Each village has a head chief (alii), who presides over the village council. A talking chief (tulafale) cares for ceremonial matters. However, not all matai have political or religious duties. Some may restrict themselves simply to caring for family matters, such as serving as trustees of family land with the authority to decide how such property is used.

daily text 9/10

2010-09-10T06:28:00.003-07:00

Friday, September 10th, 2010
"Honor men of all sorts" (1 Peter 2:17)

Of course, we do not limit our respect to those who are part of the Christian congregation. Paul wrote to Christians in his day: "As long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all." (Galatians 6:10) Granted, applying that principle can be a challenge if a workmate or a schoolmate treats us unkindly. At such moments, we need to remember the words: "Do not show yourself heated up because of the evildoers." (Psalm 37:1) Applying that counsel will help us to respond respectfully even to opposers. Similarly, while we engage in the public ministry, a humble view of ourselves can help us to respond to all with "a mild temper and deep respect." (1 Peter 3:15) Even our appearance and dress can indicate that we respect those to whom we preach. Indeed, whether we are dealing with our fellow believers or with those outside the congregation, we want to strive to apply the admonition of today's text.
(Watchtower issue: 10/15/08, 4:16, 17)

Elijah Persisted In Prayer ... Do You?

2010-09-09T12:57:00.008-07:00

FYI-I backdated a post that I hadn't finished working on which tied in with the theme of yesterday's text (about hardships and turmoil within marriage), but make sure to read it, because it's such a good example of real love, devotion, and loyalty, enduring in the face of extreme trials and disappointments.

The following article on (pgs 17-20 of the 4/1/08 Watchtower) is a perfect example of why perseverance in prayer is so important,...because at times, even prophets like Elijah, (who was used by God to perform many powerful miracles), didn't always get a response to his prayers immediately, but had to be persistent.

He Watched, and He Waited
Elijah longed to be alone with his heavenly Father. But the throngs of people around him had just seen this true prophet call down fire from heaven, and many of them were no doubt eager to curry favor with him. Before Elijah could ascend to the windswept heights of Mount Carmel and approach Jehovah God in private prayer, he faced an unpleasant task. He had to speak to King Ahab.
The two men could hardly have been more different. Ahab, bedecked in royal finery, was a greedy, weak-willed apostate. Elijah wore the official garb of a prophet—a simple, rustic robe possibly of animal skin or of woven camel or goat hair. He was a man of great courage, integrity, and faith. The day that was now drawing to a close had revealed much about the character of both men.

It had been a bad day for Ahab and other Baal worshippers. The pagan religion that Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel, championed in the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel had been dealt a terrible blow. Baal had been exposed as a fraud. That lifeless god had failed to light a simple fire in response to the frantic pleas, dances, and ritual bloodletting of his prophets. Baal had failed to protect those 450 men from their well-deserved execution. But the false god had failed in something else, and that failure was about to be made complete. For over three years, the Baal prophets had implored their god to end the drought afflicting the land, but Baal had proved unable to do so. Soon, Jehovah himself would demonstrate his supremacy by ending the drought.—1 Kings 16:30–17:1; 18:1-40.

When, though, would Jehovah act? How would Elijah conduct himself until then? And what can we learn from this man of faith?
Let us see as we examine the account recorded at 1 Kings 18:41-46.

A Prayerful Attitude
Elijah approached Ahab and said: “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the turmoil of a downpour.” (Verse 41) Had this wicked king learned anything from the day’s events? The account does not say specifically, but we find here no words of repentance, no request that the prophet help him approach Jehovah and seek forgiveness. No, Ahab simply “proceeded to go up to eat and drink.” (Verse 42) What about Elijah?

“As for Elijah, he went up to the top of Carmel and began crouching to the earth and keeping his face put between his knees.” While Ahab went off to fill his stomach, Elijah had an opportunity to pray to his Father. Note the humble posture described here—Elijah on the ground with his head bowed so low that his face was near his knees. What was Elijah doing? We need not guess. The Bible, at James 5:18, tells us that Elijah prayed for the drought to end. No doubt he was offering such a prayer on top of Carmel.
Earlier, Jehovah said: “I am determined to give rain upon the surface of the ground.” (1 Kings 18:1) So Elijah prayed that his Father’s stated will be accomplished, much as Jesus taught his followers to pray some one thousand years later.—Matthew 6:9, 10.

Elijah’s example teaches us much about prayer. Foremost in Elijah’s thoughts was the accomplishment of his Father’s will.

When we pray, it is good to remember: “No matter what it is that we ask according to [God’s] will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Clearly, then, we need to know what God’s will is in order to pray acceptably—a good reason to make Bible study a part of our daily life. Surely Elijah also wanted to see an end to the drought because of all the suffering among the people of his homeland. His heart was likely full of thanksgiving after the miracle he had seen Jehovah perform that day. Concern for the welfare of others and heartfelt thanksgiving should mark our prayers as well.—2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 4:6.

Confident and Watchful
Elijah was sure that Jehovah would act to end the drought, but he was not sure when Jehovah would act. So, what did the prophet do in the meantime? Note what verse 43 says: “He said to his attendant: ‘Go up, please. Look in the direction of the sea.’ So he went up and looked and then said: ‘There is nothing at all.’ And he went on to say, ‘Go back,’ for seven times.”

Elijah’s example teaches us at least two lessons. First, note the prophet’s confidence. Then, consider his watchfulness.

Elijah eagerly sought evidence that Jehovah was about to act, so he sent his attendant up to a high vantage point to scan the horizon for any signs of impending rain. Upon his return, the attendant delivered this unenthusiastic report: “There is nothing at all.” The horizon was clear, and the sky, evidently cloudless. Now, did you notice something unusual? Remember, Elijah had just told King Ahab: “There is the sound of the turmoil of a downpour.” How could the prophet say such a thing when there were no rain clouds to be seen?

Elijah knew of Jehovah’s promise. As Jehovah’s prophet and representative, he was sure that his God would fulfill His word. Elijah was confident—so much so that it was as if he could already hear the downpour. We might be reminded of the Bible’s description of Moses: “He continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible.” Is God that real to you? He provides ample reason for us to put that kind of faith in him and his promises.—Hebrews 11:1, 27.

Next, notice how watchful Elijah was. He sent his attendant back, not once or twice, but seven times! We might imagine the attendant tiring of such a repetitive task, but Elijah remained eager for a sign and did not give up. Finally, after his seventh trip, the attendant reported: “Look! There is a small cloud like a man’s palm ascending out of the sea.” (Verse 44) Can you picture that attendant holding his arm outstretched and using his palm to gauge the size of one little cloud coming up over the horizon of the Great Sea? The attendant may have been unimpressed. To Elijah, though, that cloud was significant. He now gave his attendant urgent directions: “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Hitch up! And go down that the downpour may not detain you!’”

Again, Elijah set a powerful example for us. We too live at a time when God will soon act to fulfill his stated purpose. Elijah awaited the end of a drought; God’s servants today await the end of a corrupt world system of things. (1 John 2:17) Until Jehovah God acts, we need to remain watchful, as Elijah was. God’s own Son, Jesus, advised his followers: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42) Did Jesus mean that his followers would be completely in the dark as to when the end would come? No, for he spoke at length about what the world would be like in the days leading up to the end. Each of us can learn about this detailed sign of “the conclusion of the system of things.”—Matthew 24:3-7.

Each facet of that sign furnishes powerful, convincing evidence. Is such evidence enough to move us to act with urgency? One little cloud rising from the horizon was enough to convince Elijah that Jehovah was about to act. Was the faithful prophet disappointed?

Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings
The account continues: “It came about in the meantime that the heavens themselves darkened up with clouds and wind and a great downpour began to occur. And Ahab kept riding and made his way to Jezreel.” (Verse 45) Events began to unfold at remarkable speed. While Elijah’s attendant was delivering the prophet’s message to Ahab, that little cloud became many, filling and darkening the sky. A great wind blew. At last, after three and a half years, rain fell on the soil of Israel. The parched ground drank in the drops. As the rain became a downpour, the river Kishon swelled, no doubt washing away the blood of the executed Baal prophets. The wayward Israelites too were being given a chance to wash away the terrible stain of Baal worship on the land.

Surely Elijah hoped that it would be so! Would Ahab repent and turn away from the pollution of Baal worship? The events of the day had furnished powerful reasons to make such changes. Of course, we cannot know what was going through Ahab’s mind at the moment. The account simply tells us that the king “kept riding and made his way to Jezreel.” Had he learned anything? Was he resolved to change his ways? Later events suggest that the answer is no. Still, the day was not yet over for Ahab—nor for Elijah.

Jehovah’s prophet began to make his way along the same road Ahab had taken. A long, dark, wet trek lay ahead of him. But something unusual happened next.
“The very hand of Jehovah proved to be upon Elijah, so that he girded up his hips and went running ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” (Verse 46) Clearly, “the very hand of Jehovah” was acting upon Elijah in a supernatural way. Jezreel was some 20 miles [30 km] distant, and Elijah was no youth. Just picture that prophet girding up his long garments, tying them at his hips so that his legs would have freedom of movement, and then running along that rain-drenched road—running so fast that he caught up with, passed, and outpaced the royal chariot!

What a blessing that must have been for Elijah! To feel such strength, vitality, and stamina—perhaps even more than he had ever felt in his youth—must have proved a thrilling experience. We might be reminded of the prophecies that guarantee perfect health and vigor to faithful ones in the coming earthly Paradise. (Isaiah 35:6; Luke 23:43) As Elijah raced along that wet road, he surely knew that he had the approval of his Father, the only true God, Jehovah!

Jehovah is eager to bestow blessings. Reaching out for them is worth every effort we can make. Like Elijah, we need to be watchful, carefully weighing the powerful evidence showing that Jehovah is about to act in these dangerous and urgent times. Like Elijah, we have every reason to place complete confidence in the promises of Jehovah, “the God of truth.”—Psalm 31:5.

daily text 9/9

2010-09-09T07:52:00.003-07:00

Thursday, September 9th, 2010
"Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)

It is proper to "keep on asking" for anything that is in harmony with God's will. In keeping with Jesus' words, the apostle John wrote: "This is the confidence that we have toward [God], that no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14) Jesus' counsel to 'keep on asking and seeking' means that we should pray earnestly and not give up. It is also necessary for us to "keep on knocking" to gain access to the Kingdom and enjoy its blessings, benefits, and rewards. But can we be confident that God will answer our prayers? Yes, we can if we are faithful to Jehovah, for Christ said: "Everyone asking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened." (Matthew 7:8) Many experiences enjoyed by Jehovah's servants prove that God truly is the "Hearer of prayer."—Psalm 65:2.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 3:17, 18)

Arrested the Night Before Their Wedding...

2010-09-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

The following experience, on (pgs 190-192 of the 2002 Yearbook), is about a couple in Ukraine who had their marriage plans (and entire lives), cruelly disrupted by the authorities for years.

Hanna Shyshko and Yurii Kopos (On the night before their wedding day, they were arrested and sentenced to 10 years of camp imprisonment. They were married 10 years later)

A Lofty Example of Faith
At times, severe tests of faith continued for months, years, and even decades. Consider one example. Yurii Kopos was born and grew up not far from the beautiful Transcarpathian town of Khust. In 1938, at the age of 25, he became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1940, during World War II, he was sentenced to eight months of imprisonment because of his refusal to join a Hungarian army that supported the Nazi regime. In Transcarpathia, the local laws of that time did not allow execution of prisoners of faith. The brothers, therefore, were sent to the front lines where Nazi law allowed such executions. In 1942, Brother Kopos was sent under military escort with other prisoners including 21 other Witnesses to the front lines near Stalingrad, Russia. They were sent there to be executed. Shortly after their arrival, however, the Soviet army began to attack, capturing the German military troops and also the brothers. The Witnesses were sent to a Soviet prison camp, where they remained until 1946 when they were released.

Brother Kopos returned home, taking an active part in the preaching work in his home territory. Because of this activity, in 1950 the Soviet authorities sentenced him to 25 years in a prison camp. Under an amnesty, however, he was released after six years.

Following his release, Brother Kopos, now 44 years old, planned to marry Hanna Shyshko. She too was a Witness and had been recently released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence. They submitted an application for the registration of their marriage. On the night before their wedding day, they were again arrested and sentenced to ten years of camp imprisonment. However, they survived all these hardships, and their love endured all things, including a ten-year delay in their marriage. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Finally, after their release in 1967, they were married.

Yurii Kopos (spent almost a third of a century in Soviet prisons and labor camps)

That is not the end of their story. In 1973, Brother Kopos, now 60 years of age, was arrested once again and sentenced to five years of camp imprisonment and five years of exile. He served his term of exile together with his wife, Hanna, in Siberia, 3,000 miles [5,000 km] from his hometown of Khust. There was no communication with that area by motor or railway, only by air. In 1983, Brother Kopos together with his wife returned home to Khust. Hanna died in 1989, and he faithfully continued to serve Jehovah till his death in 1997. Altogether, Brother Kopos served 27 years in various prisons and 5 years in exile—a total of 32 years.
This modest and meek man spent almost a third of the century in Soviet prisons and labor camps. Such an extraordinary example of faith clearly shows that enemies cannot destroy the integrity of God’s loyal servants.

(Here's a similar experience on pg 183)

Arrested 10 Days After His Wedding...
Consider another example of great endurance. Yurii Popsha was a traveling overseer in Transcarpathia. Ten days after his wedding, he was arrested. Instead of going on his honeymoon, he spent ten years in prison in Mordvinia, Russia. His faithful wife, Mariya, visited him 14 times, each time traveling approximately 900 miles [1,500 km] each way. Presently, Brother Popsha serves as an elder in one of the local congregations in Transcarpathia, and his beloved Mariya faithfully and lovingly supports him.

daily text 9/8

2010-09-08T07:02:00.004-07:00

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
"Mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy" (Ecclesiastes 7:7)

Even marriages of faithful servants of God can come under great stress. (2 Corinthians 2:11) But Jehovah enables us to cope with such stress. Yes, it can be done. The faithful man Job lost his livestock, his attendants, and his children. Yet, the Bible says: "In all this Job did not sin or ascribe anything improper to God." (Job 1:13-22) Job's wife, on the other hand, said to him: "Are you yet holding fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9) Indeed, when tragedies or other difficult circumstances arise, the ensuing emotional turmoil can cause one to act irrationally. If your mate lashes out with hurtful words in response to hardship or "oppression," try to remain calm. Responding in kind might cause one or both of you to say something that will make the situation worse. (Psalm 37:8) So overlook any "wild talk" that might result from frustration or discouragement.—Job 6:3.
(Watchtower issue: 9/15/08, 3:14, 15)

Even though I don't typically associate this particular scripture with distressing situations in a marriage. (since on the surface, it seems more applicable to a person being oppressed and dominated by a powerful ruler or slave-driver, or someone confined to prison), but it makes alot of sense when you look at it from the standpoint of Job and his wife.

Because that period of time wasn't just terrible for Job, but it was probably even more terrible for his wife, since not only did she experience the loss of all her children who she had given birth to, as well as her attendants, physical possessions, and material security, but she also had to face the thought of losing her husband (on top of everything else), because the disease he had was so horrible that it would have seemed incurable.

Plus, she no doubt took on a care-taker role for her husband (who was now disabled), since pretty much everyone else bailed on them, according to the account. And Job's 3 friends, (who she was probably *counting on* for support and encouragement at her darkest hour), turned out to be "false comforters" who only added to her emotional burden.

The Bible doesn't mention anything about Job getting remarried after he finally regained health, so that indicates that his wife's behavior was the result of being under tremendous emotional strain...not due to being wicked or disloyal to God or her husband. And the evidence of that, is shown by the fact that God allowed her to experience all the blessings that Job was blessed with afterward.

So that's a great example showing how even a normally faithful person can feel so "oppressed" and burdened by overwhelming circumstances in life, that they may lash out with "crazy" or "wild talk" against their loved ones.

Yay! More Translations in Print and Online!

2010-09-07T09:12:00.010-07:00

407 Language Translations
(an additional 4 language translations are available online)

Jehovah’s Witnesses Release First Complete Bible in Ossetian

For Immediate Release
September 6, 2010

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia—Saturday August 21, 2010, will be a day long remembered by the Ossetian people who attended the 2010 “Remain Close to Jehovah!” District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses that was held in Vladikavkaz, Ossetia, where the first complete translation of the Bible into Ossetian was announced. Many of the almost 2,000 in attendance could not hold back tears of joy when they received their free, personal copy of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in Ossetian. Previously, only parts of the Holy Scriptures had been translated into that language.

The literary value of this translation is realized by noting that in February 2009 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included Ossetian on its list of disappearing languages. The translators feel that the Bible will be of great help to many in Ossetia who desire to see their language continue to be spoken by future generations. Of greater importance is that the translation into modern-day Ossetian will contribute to a deeper understanding of the excelling wisdom of that ancient book.

To date, more than 165,000,000 copies of the New World Translation have been printed, the whole or in part, in 83 languages.

daily text 9/7

2010-09-07T06:45:00.004-07:00

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
"Throw all your anxiety upon [God], because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)

In God's new world, full spiritual and physical healing will be brought about by means of forgiveness of sins on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice. The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, will guide us to "fountains of waters of life," and God will wipe out every tear from our eyes. (Revelation 7:14-17; 22:1, 2) Then, too, we will experience the fulfillment of this thrilling prophecy: "No resident will say: 'I am sick.' " (Isaiah 33:24) We are convinced that our deliverance is near, and we eagerly await the day when Jehovah will reverse the process of human sickness and death. In the meantime, we are assured that our loving Father will help us to endure the burden of our aches and pains because 'he cares for us.' Let us, therefore, take care of our health but always in accord with the clear guidelines contained in God's inspired Word!
(Watchtower issue: 11/15/08, 3:18, 19)

"Holding Fast Their Integrity" to the End - Jehovah's Witnesses in Ukraine

2010-09-06T10:03:00.011-07:00

The following photos and experiences from Ukraine, are on (pgs 141-143 & 152-153 of the 2002 Yearbook)

Time of Severe Testing
The end of the 1930’s marked big changes for the borders of many countries in eastern Europe. Nazi Germany and the U.S.S.R. expanded their spheres of influence to engulf less powerful countries.
In March 1939, Hungary, with the support of Nazi Germany, occupied Transcarpathia. A ban was imposed on the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all Kingdom Halls were closed. The authorities brutally mistreated the brothers and sent many to prison. Most Witnesses from the Ukrainian villages of Velykyi Bychkiv and Kobyletska Poliana were imprisoned.

When the Soviets arrived in the territory of Halychyna and Volyn’ in 1939, Ukraine’s western borders were closed. Thus, contact with the Poland office was lost. After World War II started, the organization went underground. Brothers gathered together in small groups called circles and continued their ministry more cautiously.

Later, Nazi armies invaded Ukraine. During the German occupation, the clergy began to stir up the masses against Jehovah’s people. In Halychyna fierce persecution raged. Windows in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses were smashed, and many brothers were severely beaten. In winter, some of the brothers were forced to stand in cold water for hours because they would not make the sign of the cross. Some sisters received 50 blows with a stick. A number of brothers lost their lives keeping their integrity. For example, the Gestapo executed Illia Hovuchak, a full-time minister from the Carpathian Mountains. A Catholic priest had handed him over to the Gestapo because Brother Hovuchak zealously preached about God’s Kingdom. It was a time of severe testing. Nevertheless, Jehovah’s servants continued to stand firm.

War Trials
War is harsh and cruel, bringing hardship, suffering, and death to both soldier and civilian. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not spared the grim consequences of war. Still, although they are in the world, they are no part of it. (John 17:15, 16) In imitation of their Leader, Jesus Christ, they maintain strict political neutrality. For the Witnesses in Ukraine, as elsewhere, this stand has set them apart as genuine Christians. And while the world honors its war heroes, both living and dead, Jehovah honors those who bravely prove their loyalty to him.—1 Samuel 2:30.

By the end of 1944, Soviet troops retook western Ukraine and announced universal military conscription. At the same time, groups of Ukrainian partisans fought against both German and Soviet troops. Inhabitants of western Ukraine were pressured to join the ranks of the partisans. All of this presented new trials for Jehovah’s servants in maintaining their neutrality. Because of their refusal to fight, a number of brothers were executed.

Ivan Maksymiuk and his son Mykhailo learned the truth from Illia Hovuchak. During the war, they refused to take up arms, so they were detained by the partisans. Some time earlier, these partisans had also detained a Soviet soldier. The partisans commanded Ivan Maksymiuk to kill the captive soldier, saying that if he would do so, they would release him. When Brother Maksymiuk refused, they sadistically murdered him. His son Mykhailo was killed in the same manner, as were Yurii Freyuk and his 17-year-old son, Mykola.

Other brothers were executed because they refused to join the Soviet army. (Isaiah 2:4) Still others were sentenced to prison for ten years. Imprisoned brothers had very slim chances of survival, for during the postwar period in Ukraine, even those who were free were starving. In 1944, Michael Dasevich was imprisoned because of his neutrality. Prior to his ten-year imprisonment, he was under investigation for six months, reducing him to a state of total exhaustion. The medical commission of the prison prescribed a “high-calorie diet” for him. So the prison kitchen staff started to add a teaspoon of oil to his portion of porridge—the only food he was allowed. Brother Dasevich survived to serve for 23 years on the U.S.S.R. country committee and later on the Ukraine country committee.

In 1944, seven brothers from one congregation in Bukovina refused to join the military and were sentenced to from three to four years’ imprisonment each. Four of them starved to death in prison. That same year five brothers from a nearby congregation were sentenced to ten years each in a Siberian prison camp. Only one of them returned home—the others died there.

daily text 9/6

2010-09-06T07:01:00.002-07:00

Monday, September 6th, 2010
"The accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!" (Revelation 12:10)

Satan has in essence claimed that no human will stand up for God's sovereignty, that no one will serve Jehovah out of unselfish love. In front of a vast assemblage of spirit creatures, the Devil said to Jehovah: "Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul." (Job 2:4) Notice that Satan did not limit that slur to the righteous man Job but stated it as a general rule regarding mankind. He taunts Jehovah with the claim that Christians—including you—will not remain faithful. Satan claims that you would betray Jehovah in order to save your own skin. How do you feel about such charges being heaped upon you? Would you not welcome an opportunity to prove Satan a liar? By keeping your integrity, you can do just that. The issue of your integrity thus makes day-to-day conduct and choices quite important.
(Watchtower issue: 12/15/08, 1:10, 11)

A Classroom "Field Trip" to the Kingdom Hall...

2010-09-05T23:58:00.002-07:00

When it comes to "looking for ways" to expand our ministry, and "creating opportunities" for potential Bible studies, I've been hearing alot of great experiences lately in that regard,...about brothers & sisters who've been exploring alternative avenues of "informal witnessing" (which they previously hadn't tried before). Many are having alot of success in reaching people who they normally don't find in the house-to-house ministry,...which has led to more requests for Bible studies.
I'm gonna compile a bunch of those experiences to show some of the unique and creative methods that other Witnesses have been utilizing to expand their ministry...but in the meantime, you've gotta read this cute experience I was emailed...

The following experience was related by a brother in England, from the: Midsomer Norton Congregation

"A local school approached the congregation coordinator to ask if 2 classes (60+ children) could visit the Kingdom Hall one afternoon as part of their school project on different religions.

The congregation checked with Bethel who said it was absolutely okay...

On Wednesday 7th July the two school classes came along in the afternoon in two sittings to visit our Kingdom Hall in Midsomer Norton for their tour. They filed into the hall and sat in rows. I addressed them with a 10 minute talk followed by a Q&A session. After the short talk the children watched attentively part of the DVD: ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses Organized to Share the Good News’.

They asked so many questions, it was so refreshing for us to see their inquisitiveness; words cannot express what a delight it was. Their questions showed real interest. They asked such things as:

Do you enjoy your job?
Do you wear special clothes for your role?
Number of Elders / Ministerial Servants?
Where is your Headquarters?
What languages is the literature available in?
Do you take communion?
What is the difference between you and other religions?
Who pays for the printing of the literature you distribute?
How long have you had this building?
What plans do you have for the KH?
What countries does the Britain Branch print for?
Do you have weddings and funerals here?
Do you have a grave yard?
Do you have a special title?
How long have you been a minister?
When were you baptized?
How many in your congregation?
How many come to attend each time?
Do young people give talks in the congregation?
How many different Bibles do you have here?
What is the oldest Bible you have here?
How many do you have in your home?
Why do you not have any Statues (Idols)?
What is that? (Pointing to the Year Text)

Some questions were ‘prepared’ but they prompted further impromptu questions. The children were very keen to ask so many things, putting their hands up high and waiting for their turn. Of course all the questions were satisfactorily answered while the teachers took written notes about the visit – what was said and done.

Each child was presented with their own brochure to take home (either the ‘You Can Be Gods Friend’ (7-8yrs) or ‘Jehovah Witnesses - What Do They Believe?’ (9-10yrs). Each was also given coloured pens and a photocopy of the picture on page 11 of the Great Teacher book with the caption and Mark 10:13-14 for them to take away and colour.

All of the Teachers and Teaching Assistants were offered ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education’ which they readily accepted.

The children conducted themselves sensibly, they appeared fascinated by the new environment, and they showed real interest in what they heard and saw. In fact a second round of questions came from the older class after watching the DVD mainly about the size and activity of the worldwide organization, many did not realize the scope of the preaching and the amount of quality literature and Bibles we produce and distribute!

My wife and I had prepared a table at the back of the hall with Kingdom Tracts and the ‘When Someone You Love Dies’, ‘Government’ & ‘Blood’ brochures and some took those as well as they left.

In all, 122 brochures were placed and 30+ tracts...
The Head Mistress came with the older class (9-10yrs) and she appeared very impressed when she learnt of the scale of our organization, the tremendous literature production and distribution work through our presentation.

Since that day we heard that one little girl went home with her brochure along with the ‘When Someone You Love Dies’ brochure which she had personally chosen. She asked her parents to ‘take her back to the Kingdom Hall regularly like they used to’ (they used to have a family Bible Study but stopped it for various reasons). She told them that she ‘was happy at the Kingdom Hall and that was where her friends were!’

One of the teachers since asked about the Year Text, whether the ‘same text is on display in all Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world?’
One of the attending children is the son of a sister in our congregation and he was able to answer that question during the school day. His mother also attended as a school assistant on the day of the visit..."

~end of experience~

daily text 9/5

2010-09-05T11:19:00.001-07:00

Sunday, September 5th, 2010
"The fields . . . are white for harvesting" (John 4:35)

A farmer sows seed with a view to reaping a harvest. Similarly, we need to preach with a view to starting Bible studies. What, though, if you regularly spend time in the field ministry but find few people at home or seem unable to contact your return visits again? This can be frustrating. Should you give up on the door-to-door ministry? Certainly not! Many people are still contacted first via this time-tested method of preaching. But have you tried other ways of reaching people? For example, have you tried witnessing to people on the street or at their places of employment? Could you contact people by telephone or obtain the phone numbers of those with whom you have already shared the Kingdom message so that you can stay in touch with them? By showing perseverance and adaptability in your ministry, you will experience the joy of finding individuals who will favorably respond to the Kingdom message.
(Watchtower issue: 9/15/09, 2:9-11)

I recently heard an indepth discussion on this topic, which was presented from a *literal* agricultural perspective,...and it helped me gain a clearer understanding about our responsibility when it comes to the *spiritual* harvest work. The speaker pointed out that a farmer has a different task to perform during the final "harvest" stage of the growing season, in comparison with the initial "sowing" stage.
When a farmer is scattering his seed, he is more concerned with even, widespread coverage, in order to increase the chance for growth.
But during the harvest season, a farmer's task becomes far more urgent and labor intensive. It also requires a more focused and determined effort to finish gathering all the remaining crops while they're still ripe for harvesting. If the farmer procrastinates or is willy-nilly about getting the job done,...it will be too late. The harvest will be over, his crops will be spoiled, and he will have lost his "window of opportunity"
-Which shows why we need to make a determined effort when it comes to our participation in the "spiritual harvest."
Plants are replaceable...people aren't.

Imprisoned for 20 Years in Communist China: Life Story of Nancy Yuen

2010-09-04T15:32:00.001-07:00

Life Story of Nancy Yuen:
(pgs 4-7 of the 7/15/79 Watchtower)

Free! After 20 Years in Detention
(As told by Nancy Yuen)
“AWAKE!” correspondent in Hong Kong writes:

Our family at the branch home of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in Hong Kong is quite accustomed to having visitors from abroad. But Thursday, February 15, 1979, was a very special occasion. Our guest was Nancy Yuen, a faithful witness of Jehovah who had just come out of China after 20 years in detention. “I am so happy to be with you. I have found my family,” she said. We had all known of Nancy Yuen and her record of faithfulness, but now she was with us in person and we could hear her story firsthand.

Taking us back to the year 1949, she began that story.
This is what she told us:

It was about 30 years ago when Stanley Jones, a Watch Tower missionary, first visited our home in Shanghai, China. By then I was married and had two children. The message he brought about Jehovah God and His purpose for mankind greatly interested me.
I was baptized in 1950 and continued to study diligently to improve my knowledge and understanding. I am so happy that in those early years I took my Christian responsibilities very seriously, for had I not done so, I would never have withstood the trials that lay ahead of me.
By 1954 I had four young children and was also having an active share in proclaiming the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom.

By early 1956, the Communist government was in firm control of Shanghai. We began to get warnings to stop our preaching and confine our activity to the Kingdom Hall. However, I felt that I had to carry out our God-given commission to preach, so I continued to engage in the door-to-door work.

I was repeatedly arrested and detained for questioning, the detention sometimes lasting for five hours and sometimes up to three days. In the meantime, because my husband had moved to Hong Kong in 1953, I applied for permission to join him there. The authorities said they would issue my exit permit on the condition that I stop preaching. I refused to stop and consequently never obtained the permit.

The Communist officials were exasperated by my firm determination to keep on preaching. During one of the interrogation sessions, I was told that I must be the most stubborn person in the whole of China. Finally, in the latter part of 1956, after being arrested six times for preaching, I was again detained when a householder notified the authorities that I was preaching from house to house. After that I was not released.

Detention Begins
I had grown up in a happy family and had a young family of my own. Now I was separated from them all and was sitting handcuffed in a dark cell. I burst into tears. I felt so weak and helpless! There seemed to be no way out. Very soon, Bible thoughts came to mind about Jehovah’s being “the God of all comfort,” who gives strength to his servants. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) It was then that I turned to him in earnest prayer.
From that time on I regularly talked to Jehovah in prayer and felt myself becoming stronger and stronger each day. Because the warders noticed that I prayed with my hands in front of me, especially at mealtimes, I had to suffer having my arms being pulled behind my back and handcuffs being placed above the elbows for three days until my arms and hands were quite swollen. Of course, this did not stop me from praying. But to this very day you can see those marks above my elbows.

I spent four years in detention, during which time I was constantly interrogated. They wanted me to betray the two missionary brothers and to say that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was an agent of imperialism. This I would not do. I used these opportunities to give a witness to the officials and to tell them what God’s Word had to say.
One official commented that he had handled all the different religious groups, and all of them had compromised. But he admired my courage and zeal.

He said: “It is a great pity that you were not converted to Communism before you were converted to Christianity, because our party needs people of real conviction like you.”

In 1960 I was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the sentence to begin from my detention in 1956. In 1961 I was moved to a labor camp out in the country, and there I had opportunities to share the “good news” with fellow prisoners. I never stopped my preaching work and, as time went on, I became bolder. On one occasion, I preached to a group of 12 persons who listened attentively. This did not go unnoticed. I was then put in the county gaol for 19 days, and they added another two years to my original sentence. Those 12 years soon passed.

Release and Back To Prison
In 1968 I was released from the labor camp, although my movements were restricted. I was now able to work and receive a wage of less than $10 a month. During this time I was allowed to transfer from one labor group to another and my mother moved into the same district to be near me. Being given the freedom to move from place to place, I started out on a trip that took me to a number of cities, including Anching, Hangchow, Nanking and Shanghai. I visited friends and relatives and shared the Kingdom truths that I knew with them and with all their acquaintances to whom they introduced me. Almost a year went by and I again applied to leave China and join my husband in Hong Kong. To get the permit, I was asked to go back to the district of Chinsang where I had worked and where my mother lived. However, before reaching Chinsang I was arrested, taken to a police station and detained for 10 days. The police interrogated two families to whom I had preached. The result was that I was sent back to Chinsang and put in detention after having been free for two years.

Public Trial
Again I was under constant interrogation. The police chief denounced me as stubborn and told me that I had better confess to all my “crimes” or it would go very hard with me. I told him all that I had said in the course of talking to others, doing so in such a way as to give him a good witness about God’s kingdom and His coming new order of things. I made it clear to the chief of police that all governments must make way for God’s kingdom. (Daniel 2:44) Careful note was taken of all of this.

I was then paraded through the streets with nine male prisoners. Their offenses varied from theft to murder and rape. Each of us had on a placard listing our crimes. Then in the presence of a thousand people in the large courtyard of a school, the police chief read my “crimes” over the public-address system. He read all that I had said. I was happy to see that he had, in effect, been able to give a good witness to more people in that city than I had.

Later, I learned that investigations into my preaching activity had involved more than 100 persons in nine different provinces. An official at a lower level had said that I was a most stubborn person, could not be reformed and so should be executed. But a much higher official would not agree to that and I was to be sentenced for the second time, to 20 years in prison. For the next four years, each day was routine. I was allowed out of my cell early in the morning to wash some clothes and bathe, being put back in my cell until evening, when I was allowed out again for a short time to collect my washing. I was then locked in my cell for the night.

On November 1, 1978, word came that I would be allowed to leave China and join my husband in Hong Kong. So it was that at the end of January 1979, my husband, I and our four children were together again as a family for the first time in 26 years!

(post-story interview about how she endured)...
Jehovah Sustained Me
Life in prison and in the labor camp was very austere, although I always had enough to eat and to wear. The diet was mainly rice and vegetables, with some meat about four times a year. It was a healthful diet, and I was able to keep fit and well. I kept my mind active, recalling Bible verses and truths that I had learned in my early years. I always looked for opportunities to share my hope with others and this enabled me to keep busy and happy. In all my trials, I never felt abandoned. I prayed regularly for guidance that I might always do the right thing. I prayed for strength and courage to bear up. After praying, I always felt reassured that I had not made a mistake and that the course I was taking was the right one. I can truthfully say that prayer helped me to draw close to Jehovah, so close that at times I felt I could almost see him. Many times I remembered the assurance at Isaiah 66:2, that God looks “to the one afflicted and contrite in spirit.” This was always a source of strength and great comfort to me.

Asked if she found the constant interrogation by officials and police hard to bear, Nancy Yuen replied:

At first it took a little getting used to. But as I adjusted my thinking to the situation, it was not so bad. It is very important to get the right view of matters. Quite early in my detention I recalled these words of Jesus recorded at Luke 21:14, 15: “Settle it in your hearts not to rehearse beforehand how to make your defense, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute.” So I learned never to worry about the interrogations. I looked upon them as opportunities to give a witness to the officials. I always had something to tell them about Jehovah God and his purpose for mankind, and the right scripture always seemed to come to mind for the occasion.

Looking back, how does she feel about her 20 years in detention? She says:

It was all worth while and I am grateful to my God, Jehovah, for the opportunity I had to show my love and devotion to him. As recorded at Matthew 13:45, 46, Jesus likened the Kingdom to a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. On finding one of high value, he sold all the things he had and bought it. I had to give up everything, even my little children, to be loyal to my God. Jehovah has in no way let me down. He sustained me and cared for my family in his own wonderful way.

Asked if she had any good advice to give her fellow Christians, Nancy Yuen replied thoughtfully:

Never be apprehensive or fearful of trials that may come upon you. We should all expect trials in one way or another. They are good for us. They discipline and refine us and show what kind of Christians we really are. Trials show us how strong our faith really is and where it can be strengthened. I feel much stronger in the faith today as a result of my trials. So never be fearful. On many occasions I took great comfort from the apostle Peter’s words ‘to cast all your anxieties upon Jehovah, because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:6, 7) You could do the same.

This devoted sister’s example of endurance and loyalty is both encouraging and faith-strengthening. In their prayers to Jehovah God, for more than two decades Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world have remembered their dear brothers and sisters in China. Now we are learning firsthand how he has lovingly cared for and sustained them till now.

Nancy Yuen visited the Hong Kong branch office of the Watch Tower Society on February 15, 1979, attended her first Christian meeting in 22 years on February 16 and was again sharing with her brothers proclaiming God’s kingdom from house to house on February 17.

We are moved to thank Jehovah for such modern examples of faithfulness that encourage all true Christians to remain loyal to their God, Jehovah.

~Nancy Yuen passed away in 2007~

What's also amazing about this story, (in relation to the theme of today's text) is just how *seemingly* small and insignificant the potential for Christian growth in China has been for so long, with only a small number of missionaries up against the most formidable and extreme governmental opposition & restrictions, and an overwhelmingly huge population to reach.
Conditions were so unfavorable there, that even up until a few decades ago, the brothers thought the preaching work would never open up in China,...but Jehovah always clears the way, no matter how much adversity and persecution comes up against us.
Who would have thought that one of the hardest territories to penetrate, would turn out to be one of the most fruitful? (although, even now, extreme caution is still needed)

daily text 9/4

2010-09-04T12:24:00.003-07:00

Saturday, September 4th, 2010
"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God's and not that out of ourselves" (2 Corinthians 4:7)

You no doubt recognize that the global preaching work is being accomplished, not by human power or wisdom, but by God's spirit. (Zechariah 4:6) That is also true of the ministry of individual Christians. Consider the apostle Paul. Recalling a time when he and his missionary companions were mistreated by opposers, he wrote: "After we had first suffered and been insolently treated . . . in Philippi, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to speak to you the good news of God with a great deal of struggling." (1 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 16:22-24) We may find it hard to imagine that a zealous preacher like Paul had times when it was a struggle for him to preach. Yet, like all of us, Paul had to lean on Jehovah in order to speak the good news with boldness. (Ephesians 6:18-20) Do we imitate Paul's example?
(Watchtower issue: 7/15/08, 2:4)

Developing Story: Time Running Out for Russia's Response to ECHR Ruling

2010-09-03T16:33:00.006-07:00

On June 10, 2010, the European Court of Human Rights declared that the ban on the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow was unlawful. If unchallenged, the Court’s ruling will become permanent on September 10.

Moscow Press Conference on ECHR Ruling
Watch international legal expert John Burns in a brief commentary on the significance of the Court’s ruling and how it relates to human rights for all.

Commentary on ECHR Ruling
Watch brief video on the Court’s landmark decision and where the situation stands now.

Russian Police Block Entrance to Convention

2010-09-03T15:26:00.011-07:00

JW-media article link:

Police block entrance to religious convention site in Russia...Familiar “bomb scare” tactic forces attendees to return home

STAVROPOL, Russia—“We’ve been waiting for this all year. Many of us took vacation and saved up money in order to come… and now there are garbage trucks blocking the entrance!”—Yuriy Savitskiy, 44.

On July 23, 2010, worshippers arriving to attend a three-day convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Cossack village of Nezlobniy could not even enter the convention site. The head of the village police division, Yuriy Mukhin, had blocked the main entrance with his police car. As a result, peaceful religious services could not begin and the attendees, numbering nearly 2,000, were denied access to water, restrooms, or seating areas. Although similar religious meetings were previously held successfully in the same building, local authorities claimed that their actions were due to the prevalence of criminal activity in the southern regions from where many of the attendees had traveled.

Seeing that one of the Witnesses had a video camera, an officer with the Federal Security Service (FSB) who identified himself as Sergey Viktorovich, knocked it out of his hands and broke it. The Witness was also detained for questioning.

After being forced to stand at the gate for five hours, a few of the Witnesses managed to enter the convention site. Then Svetlana Zhurakovskaya, Deputy Head of the Village Administration, loudly declared an order to break up the religious meeting. Soon after that, the electricity to the building was cut off, but the Witnesses had their own generator already outside and were thus able to continue with their convention program.

Early the following morning, all entrances to the convention site were blocked by foul-smelling garbage trucks and the building was cordoned off by police officers. The Witnesses were again forced to wait on the street. Then a suspicious package with protruding wires was “discovered” in the same location where a car belonging to Police Chief for Public Safety Vladimir Lipov had been parked the previous day. The police ordered everyone to evacuate the area and the convention had to be canceled. The attendees were left with little choice but to return to their homes.

Similarly, during 2009 in towns across Russia that hosted conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, events were called off due to unannounced “fire inspections” during which the police would often “find” a “suspicious” package placed in the immediate vicinity of the convention location. The time needed to “neutralize” the package would drag on for hours and effectively result in the conventions being canceled and the attendees being sent home.

Video footage of police disruption in 2003
Stavropol Convention Disrupted and Canceled
On the morning of August 29, 2003, the annual three-day convention of Jehovah’ Witnesses opened in Stavropol, Russia. Hundreds of families present for the peaceful convention were stunned to see police officers enter the stadium, force their way onto the stage, push the speaker aside, and order all in attendance to leave the premises. Entrances to the stadium were locked and arriving delegates were ordered to go home.

Meeting Together Despite Opposition

(a previous entry I posted, showing a map of the area where Stavropol is located, with yearbook experiences about other disruptions at conventions that year, including sign language conventions for our deaf brothers and sisters)

daily text 9/3

2010-09-03T04:31:00.001-07:00

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
"Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6)

Do we prize righteousness so much that we hunger and thirst for it? Jesus said that those hungering and thirsting for righteousness would be happy because they would be "filled," or fully satisfied. This became possible after Pentecost 33 C.E., for Jehovah's holy spirit then began to "give the world convincing evidence concerning . . . righteousness." (John 16:8) By means of the holy spirit, God inspired men to compile the Christian Greek Scriptures, which are so beneficial "for disciplining in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16) God's spirit also enables us to "put on the new personality which was created according to God's will in true righteousness." (Ephesians 4:24) Is it not comforting to know that those who repentantly seek forgiveness of their sins on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice can attain a righteous standing with God?—Romans 3:23, 24.
(Watchtower issue: 2/15/09, 1:11, 12)

2 Vital Aspects of Our Christian Ministry

2010-09-02T23:59:00.001-07:00

FYI - I decided to combine this entry with the theme of the past 2 day's texts, because they are closely related...

Encourage One Another as the Day Draws Near
(audio link)

The following info (on pgs 14 & 15 of the 1/15/09 Watchtower), mentions a really important point about how Christians have a two-fold commission when it comes to the ministry...we need to continue teaching others and making new disciples, while at the same time, helping to support and assist fellow believers so that they can remain disciples.

Which Is More Important?
God's servants are entrusted not only with a gift to be used in behalf of their fellow believers but also with a message to be shared with their fellow man. The apostle Paul recognized these two aspects of his service to Jehovah. He wrote to the congregation in Ephesus regarding "the stewardship of the undeserved kindness of God" that was given to him for their benefit. (Ephesians 3:2) Yet, he also stated: "We have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted with the good news." (1 Thessalonians 2:4) Like Paul, we too recognize that we are entrusted with the assignment of serving as preachers of God's Kingdom. By sharing zealously in the preaching work, we strive to imitate the example that Paul set as an untiring proclaimer of the good news. (Acts 20:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 11:1) We know that preaching the Kingdom message can save lives. At the same time, however, we also strive to imitate Paul by looking for opportunities to "impart some spiritual gift" to fellow believers. (Romans 1:11, 12; 10:13-15)

Which of these two Christian activities is more important? Asking a question like that is somewhat similar to asking about a bird, Which of his two wings is more important? The answer is obvious. A bird needs to use both wings in order to fly properly. Similarly, we need to share in both aspects of our service to God in order to be complete as Christians. Thus, instead of regarding our assignments to preach the good news and to build up fellow believers as unrelated, we view them just as the apostles Peter and Paul did—as responsibilities that complement each other. In what way?

As evangelizers, we employ whatever teaching skills we may have in trying to touch the hearts of our fellow men with the uplifting message of God's Kingdom. In that way, we hope to help them to become Christ's disciples. However, we also use whatever abilities and other gifts we may have in trying to warm the hearts of our fellow believers with uplifting words and helpful deeds—expressions of God's undeserved kindness. (Proverbs 3:27; 12:25) In that way, we hope to help them remain Christ's disciples. In both activities—preaching to the public and "ministering to one another"—we have the wonderful privilege of serving as an instrument in Jehovah's hand. (Galatians 6:10)

(photo in the 2010 JW Calendar -Sept/Oct)

Ministering to Others
God's Word mentions various ways in which first-century Christians ministered to one another. (Romans 15:25, 26; 2 Timothy 1:16-18) Similarly today, the command to use one's gift in behalf of fellow believers is wholeheartedly carried out by true Christians. Consider some of the ways in which that is being done...

Many brothers spend hours each month preparing meeting parts. At the meetings, when they convey some of the spiritual gems they have found during their Bible study, their insightful words motivate all in the congregation to endure. (1 Timothy 5:17) Numerous brothers and sisters are known for their warmth and compassion toward fellow believers. (Romans 12:15) Some regularly visit those who are depressed and pray with them. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Others thoughtfully write some heartfelt words of encouragement to fellow Christians who are coping with a trial. Still others kindly help those with physical limitations to attend the congregation meetings. Thousands of Witnesses share in relief work, helping fellow believers rebuild homes that have been struck by disasters. The tender affection and practical assistance rendered by such caring brothers and sisters are all manifestations of "God's undeserved kindness expressed in various ways." (1 Peter 4:11)

The following experience (on pgs 235-236 of the 1997 Yearbook) took place in Micronesia, and really demonstrates the lengths that some of our brothers and sisters have been willing to go to provide *practical* assistance to fellow believers to help them attend meetings, (even in very unconventional ways) lol.

Unusual Ride to the Kingdom Hall
Missionaries throughout Micronesia routinely use their cars or pickup trucks to help people get to meetings, but there is a form of transportation that perhaps only Barak Bowman has tried. When the failing health of a heavyset 70-year-old sister prevented her from walking the two miles [3 km] to the Kingdom Hall, Barak tried to figure out a way to help her. “I would like to pick you up for the meeting,” he said, “but I only have a wheelbarrow that I can use.” To his surprise, she replied, “OK, I don’t mind.”
You can imagine the sight as they rolled along the trail en route to the meeting—also the effort that was required on Barak’s part. He would leave home at 7:00 a.m. with an empty wheelbarrow and arrive back at the hall with our sister aboard just in time for the 9:30 a.m. program.
The zeal of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the ministry and their appreciation for the meetings have yielded good results. In fact, the 1995 Memorial attendance was more than ten times as great as the number of Witnesses in Chuuk!

-on a side note- I was listening to a talk by a brother (who mentioned this particular experience), and he said he met this brother in person during a training class and was surprised to find that he wasn't a very big or strong man, but had a rather small build...so it was his brotherly love and determined effort to help this elderly sister, (not physical strength), that motivated him to do whatever he could to help her get to congregation meetings.

daily text 9/2

2010-09-02T08:17:00.005-07:00

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
"Valuable things and riches are in his house"
(Psalm 112:3)

Whether one has much or little materially, it is possible to be spiritually rich. (Matthew 6:20; 1 Timothy 6:18, 19; James 2:5) Anointed Christians, along with their companions, do not keep their spiritual riches to themselves. Rather, they have "flashed up" in Satan's dark world "as a light to the upright ones." (Psalm 112:4) They do so by helping others to benefit from the spiritual treasures of God. Additionally, God's people have proved to be generous regarding material things. Psalm 112:9 states: "He has distributed widely; he has given to the poor ones." True Christians today often make material contributions to fellow Christians and even to neighbors who are in need. They also use material resources to support relief campaigns in times of disasters. As Jesus indicated would be so, that is a source of happiness too.—Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
(Watchtower issue: 3/15/09, 4:9-11)

daily text 9/1

2010-09-01T05:10:00.005-07:00

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
"In brotherly love have tender affection for one another" (Romans 12:10)

Having affection for our brothers impels us to serve whole-heartedly as stewards of God's undeserved kindness. We realize that if Satan succeeded in holding us back from "ministering to one another," he would weaken our unity. (Colossians 3:14; 1 Peter 4:10) In turn, a lack of unity would lead to a lack of zeal in the preaching work. Obeying God's commands to preach the good news and to build up fellow believers brings blessings to all. The ones we help are spiritually strengthened, while we experience the heartfelt joy that only giving can bring. (Acts 20:35) The congregation as a whole grows in warmth as each member takes a loving interest in others. Furthermore, the love and affection that we show for one another clearly identifies us as true Christians. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."—John 13:35.
(Watchtower issue: 1/15/09, 3:13, 15)

This aspect of our Christian brotherhood cannot be overstated.

Since I've personally struggled with chronic health issues over the years (which most people my age haven't had to deal with yet), I've discovered just how vital it is to have your spiritual morale continually built up and to build up the morale of others as well...Because if not, we can become depressed and overwhelmed by our own limitations, obstacles, and problems in life. And without that ongoing support and positive motivation & feedback from our brothers and sisters, we can end up feeling detached from the congregation...which causes us to *draw back* instead of continuing to *reach out* to others ... so this is another related Scripture which I personally find very encouraging:

"Strengthen the weak hands, YOU people, and make the knees that are wobbling firm. Say to those who are anxious at heart: "Be strong. Do not be afraid..." (Isaiah 35:3, 4)

*Shine*