Melinda Mills

What is a Christian Man's MORAL responsibility to protect his own life, or that of his immediate or spiritual family?

Do You Long to See Loved Ones That Have Died? Notice what is written for us to think about this promise ~ ?????????
John 11:24
“Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” ??????????? -   “Last Day.” The Bible also refers to a “last day,” during which the resurrection of the dead is to take place. (Joh 6:39, 40, 44; 11:24; compare Da 12:13.) At John 12:48 this “last day” is associated with a time of judgment. Obviously, therefore, it denotes a time of a far more distant future than the end of the apostolic period.—Compare 1Th 4:15-17; 2Th 2:1-3; Re 20:4-6, 12. - Bible Speaks -
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002686

You will probably admit that it would be very difficult to accomplish what we have accomplished globally without having a centralized body. I personally see nothing wrong, or even unscriptural about it. Even with regard to keeping a uniform doctrine. 
Here are two articles from the same WT that go into detail of why this idea is reasonable:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/jesus-feeds-many/
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/who-is-faithful-discreet-slave/
 
 

Acts 3:22,23 is referring to Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is often called the "Greater Moses". We know that Jesus Christ is our undeniable leader and we should "Listen to him" as it says in Matthew 17:5. Now, how should we expect to receive direction from Jesus Christ today and in the coming years? Is it direct from Christ or from a body of men acting as representatives for him? This isn't meant as an attack on the GB, but I just wanted some clarification on this matter. Because in the first century, Jesus Christ was able to direct Saul/Paul directly to preach on his behalf. He didn't go through a centralized body to see that work done.

For the sake of this discussion I see the need to separate for a moment organizational procedures and spiritual matters, (although many times they are intertwined obviously). We understand organizational procedures to involve things like congregational protocol, certain policies on handling various matters etc. etc.
Spiritual things or doctrinal matters on the other hand are those that we learn when we study the Bible, meditate on, and put into practice what we learn in our lives. This must be what Jesus had in mind when he makes all those references to salvation.
Organizational matters are important for obvious reasons, and cooperation with those taking the lead in these matters is obviously important too.
However, when it comes to actual salvation on that day, are we perhaps going beyond what is written if we attach importance to a location, i.e. where we find ourselves physically, when it seems clear from the scriptures that it is our spiritual state that will decide the outcome for an individual at Armageddon?
  

(Isaiah 55:6-8) 6 Search for Jehovah while he may be found. Call to him while he is near.  7 Let the wicked man leave his way And the evil man his thoughts; Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, To our God, for he will forgive in a large way.  8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. 
 

I will add these scriptures:
(2 Peter 2:9) So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment,
(Acts 3:22, 23) 22 In fact, Moses said: ‘Jehovah your God will raise up for you from among your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. 23 Indeed, anyone who does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.. . .
(Matthew 17:5) 5 While he was still speaking, look! a bright cloud overshadowed them, and look! a voice out of the cloud said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved. Listen to him.” 
(1 Corinthians 4:6) 6 Now, brothers, these things I have applied to myself and A·polʹlos for your good, that through us you may learn the rule: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” so that you may not be puffed up with pride, favoring one against the other. 
 
 

WHATS WRONG WITH HAVING FRIENDS WITH A BAD TEMPER? 
???
Proverbs 22:24
24 Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man, Or get involved with one disposed to rage.”
???
Relations With Others. Proverbs describes the true servant of God as one who uses his tongue for good (Pr 10:20, 21, 31, 32), not speaking falsely nor even hurting others by thoughtless words. (12:6, 8, 17-19; 18:6-8, 21) If provoked, he turns away the rage of his opponent by a mild answer. (15:1; 25:15) He does not enjoy disputes or quarrels, and he exercises self-control against outbursts of anger, knowing that he might commit irreparable foolishness. (Pr 14:17, 29; 15:18; compare Col 3:8.) In fact, he will avoid companionship with those letting anger control them and who display fits of rage, for he knows that they would bring him into a snare.—Pr 22:24, 25; compare 13:20; 14:7; 1Co 15:33.
??? 
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003569?q=prov+22%3A24&p=par

Freedom of choice and freedom of conscience do not mean freedom from adverse consequences. Things happen. To some individuals a clean conscience before Jehovah and Jesus is the most important thing. 

And then there are the nice experiences where celebrities become worshipers of Jehovah to the point of abandoning a self gratifying lifestyle in order to help others get to know Jehovah too.
https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/VODIntExpTransformations/pub-jwbvs_201612_1_VIDEO
https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/06/mateo-hangs-up-guitar-turns-to-god/
 

Another problem is that we seem always eager to identify with celebrities.  Don't know why.   Why should we rush these things to the site - what is the benefit to us. 
We should take to heart what Jesus  said as to the status of those who love Jehovah and his Son.  They will be persecuted. They are no part of the world and should not court the world.
(Matthew 24:9-12) 9 “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. 13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 
Paul said the Christians back there were not ashamed of his prison bonds.
"(Philippians 1:7) 7 It is only right for me to think this regarding all of you, since I have you in my heart, you who are sharers with me in the undeserved kindness both in my prison bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news. . ".
(Colossians 4:2-4) 2 Persevere in prayer, remaining awake in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open a door for the word so that we can declare the sacred secret about the Christ, for which I am in prison bonds, 4 and that I may proclaim it as clearly as I ought to.
( Matt 25:34)34 “Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; 36 naked and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 In reply the King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ "
 
We should identify with those who are suffering for righteousness sake.  (Remember those brothers in Eritrea and Russia  and other places and don't forget to pray for them.)  If we understand the issues regarding universal sovereignty we will understand how we are viewed by Satan and his world.  Our motives for wanting to be in the spotlight and attracting the wrong kind of attention to ourselves should be examined.  Satan would be glad if we attract trouble for ourselves.
 
 
 

 

Some of the silliest people on the planet are celebrities. All of them, really, except our handful.
They lead very atypical lives. They are not subject to the same pressures of everyone else. Their opinions don't matter.

Another problem is that we seem always eager to identify with celebrities.  Don't know why.   Why should we rush these things to the site - what is the benefit to us. 
We should take to heart what Jesus  said as to the status of those who love Jehovah and his Son.  They will be persecuted. They are no part of the world and should not court the world.
(Matthew 24:9-12) 9 “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. 13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 
Paul said the Christians back there were not ashamed of his prison bonds.
"(Philippians 1:7) 7 It is only right for me to think this regarding all of you, since I have you in my heart, you who are sharers with me in the undeserved kindness both in my prison bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news. . ".
(Colossians 4:2-4) 2 Persevere in prayer, remaining awake in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open a door for the word so that we can declare the sacred secret about the Christ, for which I am in prison bonds, 4 and that I may proclaim it as clearly as I ought to.
( Matt 25:34)34 “Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; 36 naked and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 In reply the King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ "
 
We should identify with those who are suffering for righteousness sake.  (Remember those brothers in Eritrea and Russia  and other places and don't forget to pray for them.)  If we understand the issues regarding universal sovereignty we will understand how we are viewed by Satan and his world.  Our motives for wanting to be in the spotlight and attracting the wrong kind of attention to ourselves should be examined.  Satan would be glad if we attract trouble for ourselves.
 
 
 

 

Well, I wouldn't. And the third picture looks especially unappealing to me. However, for the Christian so inclined it really should depend upon how it is viewed by those that we meet in our Christian Ministry work. Like beards or tattoos, if it detracts from our message or pushes people away from Jehovah then we might want to rethink our choice to have one. 
(1 Corinthians 10:29-33) 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but that of the other person. For why should my freedom be judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I am partaking with thanks, why am I to be spoken of abusively over that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 just as I am trying to please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, so that they may be saved.
 
 

That's right too! But that's not why the blood is sacred. The blood is holy, because Jehovah gave a law that it is his and only his. The blood is the very life. Jehovah has the right to life. And, therefore, can use it as a solution, either in the form of burned sacrifices or as a solution through Christ. We do not have the right to swallow our blood. Or the blood of an animal. It's going to be back to Jehovah by letting it run out on earth after an opportunity. slaughter. It is very important that we have respect for the holiness of the blood. Not only in the issue of blood transfusion, but also in the way we treat it. Something holy. It is Jehovah's, and we do not want to rob him by being indifferent to the way it is used.

Before Jesus gave his life as a solution, the blood was also sacred. It is only because of the holiness of the blood that Jehovah could use Jesus' blood as a solution. Long time before ... So completely back from Adam and Eve, the blood was holy .. It's not something it has become because of Jesus' sacrifice ..
It is certainly because of the language and Google translate that misunderstandings can occur ... And here we have a good explanation of Broadcasting from Nov. md.

Thank you for your support! We would have no life, no blood if we did not have the Ransom. We no it is a gift ? Jehovah gave us. We Thank Him and His Son Christ Jesus forever. 

Amen! Everything is Jehovah’s even our lives including its blood.
 Thank you 

Translation site /translator did not quite get this, I believe.
Agree with the sentiments you expressed.  But I think you wanted to say that  by Jesus shedding his blood he repurchased mankind from sin and death.

Heading should be "...refusal to take blood".   
 

Heading should be "...refusal to take blood".   
 

Heading should be "...refusal to take blood".   
 

JEHOVAH  AND  INTERNET  WITNESSES.....     ( for  some  European  coutries )
Many find themselves searching with a search engine in one of the educational sites or networks. And find a page of apostates.
Is there criticism, information that you can not imagine, possibly lying?
Maybe you're thinking of statements like The Watchtower of 09.15.2002 on page 20:
"Doubts can be sown by the media, the Internet and today's apostates."
Or the Watchtower of 01.05.2000 admits on page 9 paragraph 9:
"Some defectors increasingly use various mass media, including the Internet, to spread false information about Jehovah's Witnesses."
Surely you've heard about the Bereans, who tried everything. And opponents use this argument to encourage you to read their pages:
"What would you do if you were looking for a new car? Would you ask the manufacturer or maybe look for a critical view with Google? A new television? Would you use Google to learn more about the vulnerabilities that the manufacturer hides? Why not with your Faith? Should not it be better verifiable and stronger than a car or television that you have for some years? "
Our slave, based on the Bible, admits that some of our people, due to lack of exact knowledge, have doubts. Watchtower 2015 says:  After this self-examination, you may have discovered that your faith is not as strong as you thought. But there is no reason to be discouraged. Even the apostle Peter let himself be carried away by fear and doubt. And on some occasions, Jesus rebuked all the apostles for their lack of faith.
And the same magazine adds:
"Read the Bible daily, study it and meditate on what you learn, but do not be content with that, research the issues you have doubts about".
We do not read that they encourage us to search in Google critical pages with our Faith,  in order to know the "truth".
What the Bible clearly says is:
"If any of you has a deficiency in wisdom, let him continue to ask God, because he gives generously to all, and without reproach, and it will be given to him.6 But let him continue to ask with faith, without doubting, because the that doubt is like a wave of the sea impelled by the wind and thrown from one part to another.7 In fact, that man who will receive anything from Jehovah will not appear, 8 he is an undecided man, inconstant in all his ways. "- James 1: 5-8                               ( some  good  lessons... )
( translated  from  Spanish )

I am 71 years old.  To put that in perspective .... I remember when SNL was FUNNY!

Jay .... you just made "The List".