Queen Esther

Wo sind deine Götter, die du dir gemacht hast? Mögen sie aufstehen, wenn sie dich retten können zur Zeit deines Unglücks (Jer. 2:28)

Die Israeliten blieben ihrem Gott Jehova nicht treu. Sie ließen sich von Nationen beeinflussen, die Göttern aus Holz und Stein dienten, und erwiesen sich nicht als treue Zeugen für Jehova. Anstatt durch die reine Anbetung gute Früchte hervorzubringen, brachten sie durch den Götzendienst faule Früchte hervor (Hos. 10:1, 2). Deshalb sagte Jesus zu den heuchlerischen Führern der Juden: „Das Königreich Gottes wird von euch genommen und einer Nation gegeben werden, die dessen Früchte hervorbringt“ (Mat. 21:43). Wie Jehova durch seinen Propheten Jeremia vorausgesagt hatte, konnten nur diejenigen Teil der neuen Nation oder des geistigen Israel werden, die zum „neuen Bund“ gehörten. Über diese geistigen Israeliten hatte Jehova prophezeit: „Ich will ihr Gott werden, und sie selbst werden mein Volk werden“ (Jer. 31:31-33). Im 1. Jahrhundert machte Jehova das geistige Israel zu seinem Volk. w14 15. 11. 4:17-19

Πού είναι οι θεοί σου τους οποίους έκανες για τον εαυτό σου; Ας εγερθούν, αν μπορούν να σε σώσουν στον καιρό της συμφοράς σου.—Ιερ. 2:28.

Ο Ισραήλ δεν αποδείχτηκε πιστός στον Ιεχωβά. Άφησε τα έθνη που λάτρευαν θεούς από ξύλο και πέτρα να τον επηρεάσουν. Αντί να παράγουν καλούς καρπούς ασκώντας την αγνή λατρεία και ενεργώντας ως πιστοί μάρτυρες του Ιεχωβά, οι Ισραηλίτες παρήγαγαν το σάπιο καρπό της ειδωλολατρίας. (Ωσηέ 10:1, 2) Γι’ αυτό, ο Ιησούς είπε στους υποκριτές Ιουδαίους ηγέτες της εποχής του: «Η βασιλεία του Θεού θα αφαιρεθεί από εσάς και θα δοθεί σε έθνος που παράγει τους καρπούς της». (Ματθ. 21:43) Μόνο όσοι θα συμμετείχαν στη «νέα διαθήκη», την οποία είχε προείπει ο Ιεχωβά μέσω του προφήτη Ιερεμία, θα μπορούσαν να ανήκουν σε εκείνο το νέο έθνος, τον πνευματικό Ισραήλ. Αναφορικά με τους πνευματικούς Ισραηλίτες που θα περιλαμβάνονταν σε εκείνη τη νέα διαθήκη, ο Ιεχωβά είχε προφητεύσει: «Θα γίνω Θεός τους, και αυτοί θα γίνουν λαός μου». (Ιερ. 31:31-33) Ο Ιεχωβά έκανε τον πνευματικό Ισραήλ λαό του τον πρώτο αιώνα. w14 15/11 4:17-19

Where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them rise up if they can save you in your time of calamity.—Jer. 2:28.

Israel did not prove faithful to Jehovah. They allowed themselves to be influenced by nations that worshipped gods of wood and stone. Instead of producing fine fruitage by practicing pure worship and acting as Jehovah’s faithful witnesses, Israel produced the rotten fruitage of idolatry. (Hos. 10:1, 2) Thus, Jesus told the hypocritical Jewish leaders of his day: “The Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits.” (Matt. 21:43) Only those in the “new covenant,” foretold by Jehovah through his prophet Jeremiah, could be part of that new nation, spiritual Israel. Of the spiritual Israelites who would be brought into that new covenant, Jehovah had prophesied: “I will become their God, and they will become my people.” (Jer. 31:31-33) Jehovah made spiritual Israel his people in the first century. w14 11/15 4:17-19

“Jehovah,  Jehovah,  I’m  dying,  I’m dying,”   Omar Silva said  ;-(

Jury  finds  *Fresno  gang  member*  guilty  of  murdering  a  Jehovah’s Witness Brother....

ECCLESIASTES,  9 : 11,12

11 I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all. 12 For man does not know his time. Just as fish are caught in an evil net and birds are caught in a trap, so the sons of men are ensnared in a time of disaster, when it suddenly overtakes them.

FOR  MORE  DETAILS  -  I  GOT  THIS  LINK :

http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article22479795.html

A Fresno gang member was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder — despite a defense attorney’s claim that the shooting victim could have lived, but his religious beliefs stopped him from getting a blood transfusion.

David Quevedo, 26, faces life in prison without parole when he is sentence on June 24  in  Fresno   County Superior Court.

Quevedo was accused of fatally shooting Omar Silva, a 36-year-old Jehovah’s Witness, who died during surgery in February 2013 after he refused a blood transfusion.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it is against God’s will to have a blood transfusion.

During the trial, defense attorney Antonio Alvarez told the jury that the blood transfusion could have saved Silva’s life.

Prosecutor Gabriel Brickey, however, said that pathologist Dr. Michael Chambliss’ expert opinion was that even if Silva had received the transfusion, he would have died because one bullet hit his inferior vena cava, a major vein.

In asking for a first-degree murder conviction, Brickey told the jury Quevedo deliberately shot Silva in front of Silva’s 13-year-old daughter after getting into a fight with Silva’s brother. After the shooting, the girl picked Quevedo out of a police photo lineup, Brickey said.

The jury deliberated about six hours before reaching a verdict.

Jurors left without talking to the attorneys.

In addition to murder, jurors found Quevedo guilty of killing Silva to promote a criminal street gang and being a felon in possession of a handgun.

The shooting on Feb. 3, 2013 attracted instant notoriety when authorities said Quevedo, a San Francisco 49ers fan, went on a rampage after his team lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. Brickey told the jury that Quevedo claims allegiance to the Bond Street Bulldogs and has the letter B tattooed on his right cheek.

Both sides agreed that Quevedo shot Silva. But Alvarez argued his medical expert, Dr. David Posey, believed Silva had a 90% chance to survive if he had the blood transfusion. But on cross examination, Posey told Brickey that a substantial factor in Silva’s death was the gunshot wounds.

Court records say Quevedo has been to prison twice — in 2007 for felony battery of a custodial officer and in 2011 for taking someone’s property. He was on supervised release when he was arrested after the Silva shooting.

Brickey told the jury that Silva was an innocent victim of gang violence.

Both sides agree that on Feb. 3, 2013, Quevedo became angry when the 49ers lost in the Super Bowl. Quevedo began to cause trouble at the game party near Silva’s home and was kicked out. While on the street, he ran into Arnold Silva outside his brother’s home on East Hedges Avenue, south of Fresno City College. Quevedo confronted Arnold Silva and asked him what gang he claimed. When Arnold Silva replied he was from Fresno, a fight broke out. The two men fought until Omar Silva broke up the altercation, Brickey said.

Before leaving, Quevedo, who was wearing a red 49ers jersey, shouted “Bond Street” and said “I’ll be back,” Brickey said.

Brickey told the jury a neighbor’s video surveillance camera captured the deadly encounter when Quevedo returned to Omar Silva’s home.

About 9:30 p.m., Omar Silva was with his wife and children when Quevedo knocked on the front door and asked to see Arnold Silva. One of the children, who was 13, answered the door and said her uncle was not home. Omar Silva, who had just gotten out of the shower, approached the front door, wearing only a towel around his waist. Quevedo fired eight rounds toward Silva, Brickey said. Three shots hit Silva in the chest and one hit him in the back, the prosecutor said.

A body camera worn by an officer who responded to the shooting captured Silva’s words before he was rushed to the hospital.

“Jehovah, Jehovah, I’m dying, I’m dying,” Omar Silva said.

After the officer assured Silva he would be fine because the bullet holes were small, Silva died during surgery....  ;-(

Quevedo was arrested later that week by officers from the police department’s Street Violence Bureau.

After the verdict, Alvarez said the blood transfusion argument was one part of his defense. He also argued that someone else killed Silva because the neighbor’s video captured Quevedo and an unknown person going to the front door of the victim’s home. There also was another person in the getaway car, Alvarez said.

“I’m disappointed,” Alvarez said, “because choices Quevedo made in the past came back to haunt him. I’m also sad that the streets have claimed another person.”

Ils se jetèrent au cou de Paul et l’embrassèrent tendrement (Actes 20:37).

On considère souvent les surveillants de circonscription et leur femme comme spirituellement forts et résistants. Et ils le sont. Mais eux aussi ont besoin d’encouragements, de compagnie dans le ministère et de se détendre de temps en temps avec d’autres chrétiens. Et s’ils tombent malades, ou sont hospitalisés pour une opération, une rééducation ou autre ? Quand les frères et sœurs des congrégations alentour comblent certains de leurs besoins et leur témoignent individuellement de l’intérêt, c’est d’un grand réconfort pour eux. Nous pouvons imaginer la sollicitude que « le médecin bien-aimé » Luc, rédacteur du livre des Actes, a dû témoigner à Paul et à d’autres compagnons de voyage (Col. 4:14 ; Actes 20:5–21:18). Les surveillants itinérants et leur femme aiment avoir des amis intimes et ils en ont besoin. Un surveillant de circonscription a écrit : « Quand j’ai besoin d’encouragement, on dirait que mes amis le savent. Ils posent des questions judicieuses, ce qui m’aide à parler de ce qui me préoccupe. Le simple fait qu’ils sachent écouter m’est d’un grand soutien. » w14 15/9 5:13, 14.

Rzucali się Pawłowi na szyję i czule go całowali (Dzieje 20:37).

Nadzorcy obwodów i ich żony często są postrzegani jako osoby odporne i silne duchowo. Jest to oczywiście prawda, ale oni również potrzebują zachęt, towarzystwa w służbie oraz odpowiedniej miary rozrywki. A co jeśli z powodu choroby trafią do szpitala i będą wymagać operacji lub dłuższego leczenia? Jakże czują się pokrzepieni, gdy miejscowi bracia i siostry osobiście się nimi interesują i pomagają zadbać o ich potrzeby. Możemy sobie wyobrazić troskę, jaką „umiłowany lekarz” Łukasz, pisarz Księgi Dziejów Apostolskich, okazywał Pawłowi i innym towarzyszom podróży (Kol. 4:14; Dzieje 20:5 do 21:18). Nadzorcy podróżujący i ich żony potrzebują i bardzo cenią bliskich przyjaciół. Pewien nadzorca obwodu napisał: „Moi przyjaciele zdają się wyczuwać, kiedy potrzebuję zachęty. Zadają wnikliwe pytania, a to pomaga mi wyjawić, co mnie trapi. Dzięki temu, że są dobrymi słuchaczami, okazują się wielką pomocą”. w14 15.9 5:13, 14

Lançaram-se ao pescoço de Paulo e o beijaram ternamente. — Atos 20:37.

Os superintendentes de circuito e suas esposas em geral são encarados como pessoas que são espiritualmente fortes e que não se deixam abater. Isso é verdade, mas eles também precisam de encorajamento, de companhia no ministério e de ser incluídos em alguma recreação. Que dizer se eles ficam doentes e são internados no hospital, talvez precisando de uma cirurgia ou de algum tratamento? Eles ficam muito felizes quando irmãos locais ajudam a suprir suas necessidades e mostram interesse pessoal neles. Podemos imaginar a atenção que “o médico amado” Lucas, escritor do livro de Atos, deve ter dado a Paulo e a outros companheiros viajantes. (Col. 4:14; Atos 20:5–21:18) Os superintendentes viajantes e suas esposas precisam de bons amigos e os valorizam. Um superintendente de circuito escreveu: “Parece que meus amigos percebem quando preciso de encorajamento. Eles fazem perguntas discretas para saber como estou, e isso me ajuda a falar sobre o que está me preocupando. Só de serem bons ouvintes já me ajudam muito.” w14 15/9 5:13, 14

Они... бросаясь Павлу на шею, нежно целовали его (Деян. 20:37).

Районных надзирателей и их жен считают духовно крепкими и жизнерадостными людьми. Однако они тоже нуждаются в ободрении, им нужны сотрудники в служении, и они рады, когда братья приглашают их немного отдохнуть. А что, если они заболели и, возможно, им требуется серьезное лечение? Их очень ободряет, когда местные братья оказывают им практическую помощь и проявляют к ним внимание. Можно представить, какой заботой окружал Павла и других разъездных служителей Лука, «врач возлюбленный», записавший книгу Деяния (Кол. 4:14; Деян. 20:5—21:18). Разъездные надзиратели и их жены нуждаются в близких друзьях и очень ценят их. Один районный надзиратель написал: «Мои друзья как будто чувствуют, когда я нуждаюсь в ободрении. Они искренне интересуются мной, задают вопросы, и это помогает мне делиться тем, что меня волнует. Уже само то, что они умеют выслушивать, очень меня поддерживает». w14 15/9 5:13, 14

She  is  a  great  campaigner,  a  fantastic  tennis  sportswoman...  similar  her  sister  Venus !  I'm  thinking  to  our  great  Steffi Graf / Boris Becker  -  time...   SO  many  top  players  we  had  and  always  tennis  in TV ;o)  now  very  rare, sorry !

They embraced Paul and affectionately kissed him.—Acts 20:37.

Circuit overseers and their wives are often viewed as spiritually strong, resilient people. This is true of them, yet they too need encouragement, companionship in the ministry, and inclusion in a balanced amount of recreation. What if they get sick and are hospitalized, perhaps needing surgery or physical therapy? How refreshing they find it when local brothers and sisters assist with their needs and take a personal interest in them. We can imagine the concern that “the beloved physician” Luke, writer of the book of Acts, must have shown toward Paul and other traveling companions. (Col. 4:14; Acts 20:5–21:18) Traveling overseers and their wives need and cherish close friends. One circuit overseer wrote: “My friends seem to know when I need encouragement. They ask discerning questions, and this helps me to talk about what concerns me. Just by being good listeners, they are a great help.” w14 9/15 5:13, 14

Έπεσαν στο λαιμό του Παύλου και τον φιλούσαν τρυφερά.—Πράξ. 20:37

Οι επίσκοποι περιοχής και οι σύζυγοί τους θεωρούνται συνήθως πνευματικά ισχυροί Χριστιανοί που αντέχουν κάτω από πίεση. Αυτό είναι αλήθεια, αλλά χρειάζονται και εκείνοι ενθάρρυνση και συνεργασία στη διακονία, και έχουν ανάγκη να τους συμπεριλαμβάνουμε σε κάποιες ψυχαγωγικές μας δραστηριότητες. Τι μπορούμε να κάνουμε αν αρρωστήσουν και μπουν στο νοσοκομείο, ίσως για κάποια εγχείρηση ή άλλη θεραπεία; Πόσο εμψυχώνονται όταν οι ντόπιοι αδελφοί και αδελφές τούς βοηθούν στις ανάγκες τους και τους δείχνουν προσωπικό ενδιαφέρον! Μπορούμε να φανταστούμε πόσο πρέπει να νοιαζόταν «ο αγαπητός γιατρός», ο Λουκάς—ο συγγραφέας του βιβλίου των Πράξεων—για τον Παύλο και άλλους περιοδεύοντες αδελφούς. (Κολ. 4:14· Πράξ. 20:5–21:18) Οι περιοδεύοντες επίσκοποι και οι σύζυγοί τους χρειάζονται καλούς φίλους και τους θεωρούν πολύτιμους. Ένας επίσκοπος περιοχής έγραψε: «Οι φίλοι μου καταλαβαίνουν πότε χρειάζομαι ενθάρρυνση. Μου κάνουν διορατικές ερωτήσεις, και έτσι μπορώ να τους ανοίγω την καρδιά μου. Και μόνο που κάθονται να με ακούσουν, με βοηθούν πολύ». w14 15/9 5:13, 14

Sie fielen Paulus um den Hals und küssten ihn zärtlich (Apg. 20:37)

Kreisaufseher und ihre Frauen werden oft als geistig stark und belastbar betrachtet. Das trifft zu. Aber sie brauchen auch Ermunterung und Dienstpartner und freuen sich, wenn sie in vernünftigem Maße in die Freizeitgestaltung einbezogen werden. Was ist aber, wenn sie krank werden oder ins Krankenhaus kommen, vielleicht wegen einer Behandlung oder Operation? Sie freuen sich sehr, wenn die Brüder und Schwestern am Ort Interesse an ihnen haben und sich um sie kümmern. Sicher hat auch Lukas, „der geliebte Arzt“ und Schreiber der Apostelgeschichte, gut für Paulus und andere Reisegefährten gesorgt (Kol. 4:14; Apg. 20:5 bis 21:18). Reisende Aufseher und ihre Frauen brauchen und schätzen vertraute Freunde. Ein Kreisaufseher schrieb: „Meine Freunde wissen anscheinend, wann ich Ermunterung brauche. Sie stellen Fragen, die mir helfen, über meine Sorgen zu sprechen. Jemand zu haben, der gut zuhört, ist sehr wichtig.“ w14 15. 9. 5:13, 14

Pray Until Something Happens !            EXPERIENCE  WITH  JEHOVAH ❤

 A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly in his dreams his room filled with light and Jehovah appeared. Then Jehovah told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. Then Jehovah explained that the man was to push against the rock
with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never goi ng to
move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good
enough."

And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to Jehovah. "Jehovah," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

Then Jehovah responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve, and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.
And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscular, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yes, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him....By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong, just P.U.S.H.! W hen the job gets you down, just P.U.S.H.! When people don't react the way you think they should, just P.U.S.H.! When your money is short and the bills are due, just P.U.S.H.! When people just don't understand you, just P.U.S.H.!

P.U.S.H. = Pray Until Something Happens  !!!!!

Pray Until Something Happens !            EXPERIENCE  WITH  JEHOVAH ❤

 A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly in his dreams his room filled with light and Jehovah appeared. Then Jehovah told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. Then Jehovah explained that the man was to push against the rock
with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never goi ng to
move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good
enough."

And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to Jehovah. "Jehovah," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

Then Jehovah responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve, and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.
And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscular, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yes, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him....By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong, just P.U.S.H.! W hen the job gets you down, just P.U.S.H.! When people don't react the way you think they should, just P.U.S.H.! When your money is short and the bills are due, just  P.U.S.H.!  When people just don't understand you,  just P.U.S.H.!

P.U.S.H. =  Pray Until Something Happens !!!!!

2 motivated Sweeties,  perhaps  future  pioneers ;o)  ready  for  helping

by  the  *convention  invitation  work*  in  San Diego, California, USA

Mostly, our  kiddies  have  so  nice  experiences !

Tom Livingston, our  dear  anointed  Brother,  passed  away  on  Wednesday, 25. May 2016

He in "Bride Class" orientation right now ❤     Got  his  new  assignment....

A REAL CHRISTIAN, Brother, GREAT FRIEND and pioneer partner !  ( I  read...)

He  is  very  missing  ;-(

Bro Thomas Livingston's memorial service is Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. At the La Place Kingdom Hall located 500 Colony Park Drive, La Place, LA 70068

What a  fantastic  laughter...  hahaha  -  He  has  always  a  BIG  smile ;o)

Our  GB  -  Brother Stephen  LETT !

Psalm  89 : 15 

15 Happy are the people who know the joyful shouting.
O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your face.

I  saw  that  in  TV  too  and  this  story  is  true !  Its  going  about  a  very  special  oil.  For  that  the  goats  are  needful... ;o)

The Incredible Tree-Climbing Goats of Morocco

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/19/the-incredible-tree-climbing-goats-of-morocco/

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/goats-really-can-climb-trees

Sorry... can't  hear  that  video  ;-(  Its  blocked  bec. dumb  German  GEMA - fees !

Tom Livingston, our  dear  anointed  Brother,  passed  away  on  Wednesday, 25. May 2016

He in "Bride Class" orientation right now ❤   Got  his  new  assignment....

A REAL CHRISTIAN, Brother, GREAT FRIEND and pioneer partner,   ( I  read...)

He  is  very  missing ;-(

Bro.Thomas Livingston's memorial service is Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. At the La Place Kingdom Hall located 500 Colony Park Drive, La Place, LA 70068

Guardai-vos de toda sorte de cobiça. — Luc. 12:15.

A ganância pode começar com pequenas coisas, mas se não for contida pode se intensificar rapidamente e dominar alguém. O relato bíblico de Acã mostra como a ganância é poderosa. Note a rapidez com que a ganância de Acã se agravou. Ele disse: “Quando cheguei a ver no meio do despojo um manto oficial de Sinear, de bom aspecto, e duzentos siclos de prata e um lingote de ouro, cujo peso era de cinquenta siclos, então os desejei e os tomei.” Em vez de rejeitar o desejo errado, Acã, motivado por ganância, roubou aqueles objetos e os escondeu em sua tenda. Quando a transgressão de Acã veio à tona, Josué lhe disse que Jeová traria calamidade sobre ele. Acã e sua família foram apedrejados até a morte naquele mesmo dia. (Jos. 7:11, 21, 24, 25) A ganância é um perigo constante que pode nos enlaçar. Embora vez por outra tenhamos algum pensamento errado ou imaginemos coisas imorais, é vital controlarmos a mente e não deixarmos que nossos desejos ganhem força a ponto de cometermos um pecado. — Tia. 1:14, 15. w14 15/8 4:13

Strzeżcie się wszelkiej zachłanności (Łuk. 12:15).

Na początku chciwość może być ledwie zauważalna, ale jeśli ktoś jej nie poskramia, może się w nim szybko rozwinąć i go opanować. Jej potęgę ukazuje biblijna relacja o Achanie. Zwróć uwagę, jak szybko nastąpił u niego rozwój tej cechy. Achan powiedział: „Gdy zobaczyłem pośród łupu piękną urzędową szatę z Szinearu oraz dwieście sykli srebra i jedną złotą sztabę ważącą pięćdziesiąt sykli, zapragnąłem ich i je wziąłem”. Zamiast odrzucić złe pragnienie, Achan chciwie ukradł te rzeczy i ukrył je w swoim namiocie. Kiedy jego czyn wyszedł na jaw, Jozue zapowiedział, że Jehowa sprowadzi zagładę na Achana. Jeszcze tego samego dnia on i jego rodzina zostali ukamienowani (Joz. 7:11, 21, 24, 25). Wszechobecna chciwość zagraża także nam. Chociaż nieraz mogą się u nas pojawić niewłaściwe lub niemoralne myśli, to jednak musimy trzymać umysł w ryzach i nie pozwolić, by nasze pragnienia rozwinęły się do tego stopnia, że popełnimy grzech (Jak. 1:14, 15). w14 15.8 4:13

Gardez-vous de toute espèce de convoitise (Luc 12:15).

L’avidité peut être minime dans un premier temps mais, non réprimée, elle peut rapidement prendre de l’ampleur au point de se rendre maîtresse d’un individu. Le récit biblique à propos d’Akân illustre le pouvoir de l’avidité. Note la rapidité avec laquelle elle a envahi cet homme. « Quand j’ai vu dans le butin, a-t-il déclaré, un beau vêtement officiel de Shinéar, deux cents sicles d’argent et un lingot d’or dont le poids était de cinquante sicles, alors j’en ai eu envie et je les ai pris. » Au lieu de rejeter le mauvais désir, Akân a avidement volé les objets et les a cachés dans sa tente. Quand sa faute a été dévoilée, Josué lui a dit que Jéhovah allait attirer l’ostracisme sur lui. Akân et sa famille ont été lapidés le jour même (Jos. 7:11, 21, 24, 25). L’avidité est un danger qui nous guette constamment. S’il nous arrive d’avoir une pensée malsaine ou d’imaginer des actes immoraux, surtout, maîtrisons notre esprit pour ne pas laisser nos désirs croître au point de nous faire pécher (Jacq. 1:14, 15). w14 15/8 4:13.

Να φυλάγεστε από κάθε είδους πλεονεξία.—Λουκ. 12:15.

Η απληστία μπορεί να ξεκινήσει ως μικρή επιθυμία, αλλά αν δεν τεθεί υπό έλεγχο, μπορεί να φουντώσει γρήγορα και να καταπιεί κάποιον. Η Γραφική αφήγηση για τον Αχάν δείχνει παραστατικά τη δύναμη της απληστίας. Προσέξτε πόσο γρήγορα εξελίχθηκε η απληστία του. Όπως είπε ο ίδιος: «Όταν είδα ανάμεσα στα λάφυρα ένα όμορφο επίσημο ένδυμα από τη Σεναάρ και διακόσιους σίκλους ασήμι και μια ράβδο χρυσού, το βάρος της οποίας ήταν πενήντα σίκλοι, τότε τα επιθύμησα και τα πήρα». Αντί να απορρίψει την εσφαλμένη επιθυμία, έκλεψε με απληστία αυτά τα αντικείμενα και τα έκρυψε στη σκηνή του. Όταν η αμαρτία του ήρθε στο φως, ο Ιησούς του Ναυή τού είπε ότι ο Ιεχωβά θα έφερνε πάνω του συμφορά. Την ίδια εκείνη μέρα, ο Αχάν και η οικογένειά του λιθοβολήθηκαν μέχρι θανάτου. (Ιησ. Ναυή 7:11, 21, 24, 25) Η απληστία είναι ένας κίνδυνος που μας απειλεί διαρκώς. Αν και μπορεί κατά καιρούς να κάνουμε κάποια ακατάλληλη σκέψη ή να φανταστούμε κάτι ανήθικο, είναι ζωτικό να θέτουμε υπό έλεγχο τη διάνοιά μας και να μην αφήνουμε τις επιθυμίες μας να κλιμακώνονται εξωθώντας μας στην αμαρτία.—Ιακ. 1:14, 15. w14 15/8 4:13

Берегитесь всякого рода жадности (Луки 12:15).

Часто жадность начинается с малого, но, если ее не сдерживать, она может быстро развиться и овладеть человеком. То, какой силой обладает жадность, видно из повествования об Ахане. Обратите внимание, как быстро разгорелась его жадность. Он сказал: «Я увидел среди добычи дорогую одежду из Сеннаара, очень красивую, двести сиклей серебра и слиток золота весом в пятьдесят сиклей. Я захотел их взять и взял». Вместо того чтобы подавить неправильное желание, Ахан украл вещи и спрятал их у себя в шатре. Когда о проступке Ахана стало известно, Иисус Навин сказал ему, что Иегова навлечет на него беду. В тот же день Ахана и его семью побили камнями (Иис. Н. 7:11, 21, 24, 25). Нельзя недооценивать опасность жадности, ведь она может овладеть нами в любой момент. Хотя порой у нас могут возникать неправильные мысли или даже безнравственные фантазии, важно контролировать свой ум и не позволять, чтобы наши желания привели нас к греху (Иак. 1:14, 15). w14 15/8 4:13