Bible Speaks

"Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus."—Phil. 2:5.

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Jesus’ Exclusive Devotion to God. As shown in Philippians 2:5-8, both when he was in heaven and when he was on earth, Jesus appreciated the exclusive position of his Father and rendered him exclusive devotion. Jesus pointed out that the most important commandment in the Law demanded wholehearted love of God. (Mt 22:37) 

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Moreover, Jesus manifested exclusive devotion to Jehovah’s name and emphasized the fact that his disciples should have the same attitude. In the prayer he taught his disciples, he started off with the words, “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Mt 6:9) This devotion in Jesus was coupled with burning zeal, as manifested at his cleansing of the temple, where he fulfilled the prophecy, “The zeal for your house will eat me up.” (Joh 2:17; Ps 69:9) 

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Nowhere is Jesus’ exclusive devotion to his Father exemplified more than in what is written of him at 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, where it says that, after his heavenly Kingdom rule puts down all other authority and all enemies, he turns over the Kingdom to the Father and subjects himself to Him so that “God may be all things to everyone.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001454?q=phil+2%3A5&p=par

Trip to San Diego for the Regional. "Don't give up!" Amazing program!  It moves each and everyone personally  by targeting so many different circumstances.  Jehovah knows exactly what we need.  We are so loved.

Last weekend was a special day in Theocratic History for friends in Holland! They are 'zo dankbaar' to have the NWT released in Dutch! ?? •• Photo Credit: @mympyfeston @maggybaas

"They will persecute you also."—John 15:20.

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Many Christians, past and present, who have faced and overcome persecution report that at the height of their trials, they experienced inner peace, one aspect of the fruitage of God’s holy spirit. 

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(Galatians 5:22) On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith."

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That peace, in turn, helped to guard their hearts and mental powers. Yes, Jehovah uses his active force to empower his servants to cope with trials and to act wisely when adversity strikes. 

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Onlookers have been amazed by the determination of God’s people to maintain their integrity even in the face of vicious persecution. 

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The Witnesses seemed imbued with superhuman strength, and indeed they were. The apostle Peter assures us: “If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, even the spirit of God, is resting upon you.” (1 Pet. 4:14) 

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That we are persecuted for upholding righteous standards indicates that we have divine approval.

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(Matthew 5:10-12) “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU."

w11 1/15 5:6, 7

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Purple Triangles United States of America: Starlock Pictures

WE HONOR AND REMEMBER JEHOVAH’S WITNESS VICTIMS OF THE NAZI ERA

Jehovah’s Witness Victims of the Nazi Era

https://www.ushmm.org/learn/holocaust-encyclopedia

Are YOU Balanced? Why Avoid Extremes? ???

JEHOVAH is the epitome of balance. “Perfect is his activity,” and his justice is never harsh, since it always incorporates mercy. (Deuteronomy 32:4) His love is never unprincipled, because he acts in line with perfect laws. (Psalm 89:14; 103:13, 14) 

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The Bible foretold for our time: “Men will be . . . lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2, 4) The pursuit of pleasures has become one of Satan’s most effective tools to lure people away from God. Indulgence in recreation and entertainment, such as in extreme or “adrenaline” sports, is flourishing. The list of such activities is constantly getting longer, and the number of those participating in them, greater. Why such popularity? Many people, unsatisfied with their daily lives, search for ever greater excitement. But to maintain such excitement requires increasing levels of risk. Conscientious Christians avoid risky sports out of respect for the gift of life and for its Giver.—Psalm 36:9.

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Jesus left us a perfect example of a balanced view of pleasure. He was fully devoted to accomplishing Jehovah’s will, and he never took a break from living by God’s laws and principles. He took time for those in need, even when he was tired. (Matthew 14:13, 14) 

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Yes, Jesus accepted invitations to meals and made room in his life for rest and refreshment. He was aware, of course, that some enemies regarded him with a critical eye because of his doing these things. They said of him: “Look! A man gluttonous and given to drinking wine.” (Luke 7:34; 10:38; 11:37) But Jesus did not believe that true devotion excludes all pleasure from life.

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Clearly, we are wise to avoid any extreme in regard to recreation. Making pleasure and entertainment the main thing in life can never bring real happiness. It can result in our neglecting more important things, including our relationship with God. Still, we should not deny ourselves all pleasure nor become critical of others who enjoy life in a balanced way.—Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:1-4.

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Happily, we need not resign ourselves to a life of unavoidable extremes. With determined effort and Jehovah’s blessing, we can become balanced and therefore happy individuals. Our relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters may thus improve, and we can become even better examples for those to whom we preach. Above all, we will imitate more closely our balanced and loving God, Jehovah.—Ephesians 5:1.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007127

Movie please watch! ? ? ???

Ever since being tagged as “extremist” by the Russian Supreme Court Jehovah’s Witnesses have been constantly facing persecution and violence. Apart from vandalism, Jehovah’s Witnesses also report of persecution from the state. Discrimination Against Jehovah’s Witnesses Worse After Ban Put in Place

For instance, there have been cases where bank accounts belonging to members have been frozen by the government. Recently, an assembly hall belonging to the group was stoned in St. Petersburg while the home of a member was burnt down. The ban is believed to have played a key role in spreading the hatred for the group even further. Russia, ruled by President Vladimir Putin, is dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church, which has been linked to the marginalization of various minority groups including homosexuals. Robert Warren, a spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, from New York, stated that the group was hoping that the Russian court wouldn’t see them as threats. 

However, he added, the exact opposite had happened and that things have only gotten worse. Though the court’s ruling hasn’t been enforced completely, the group feels that a complete ban is possible in the near future. The Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) and Forum for Religious Freedom-Europe (FOREF) have requested Russia and Ukraine to stop repressing religious minorities. Ukraine has also come under fire after two bills were passed establishing Ukrainian Orthodox Churches as members of an aggressor state. In essence, the bills aim to convert the churches into members of the Moscow Patriarchate. However, the bills have been criticized widely. Criticism has even come from factions within Ukrainian politics and civil society. Many believe that the legislation violates basic human rights and allows the state to interfere in the area of religious affairs. Orthodox congregations in Ukraine have been the targets of both pro-Russian groups and Ukrainian supporters. However, Dr. Aaron Rhodes, president of FOREF, believes that Russian aggression against Ukraine does not justify the move against the Moscow Patriarchate.

Ironically, Orthodox Churches in Russia have supported the ban against Jehovah’s Witnesses. For instance, the Head of the Synodal Department for External Church Relations issued a statement calling the minority group a totalitarian sect that followed a harmful doctrine containing false teachings. The statement went on to criticize the group’s lack of belief in Jesus Christ and their reluctance to follow the doctrine of the Trinity. Willy Fautre, Executive Director of HRWF, called the Russian Orthodoxy’s reaction ironic referring to the discrimination faced by the church’s own members in Ukraine. RESOURCES Religion News Service Human Rights Without Frontiers 

Read more at World Religion News: "Discrimination Against Jehovah’s Witnesses Worse After Ban Put in Place"

http://www.worldreligionnews.com/issues/discrimination-jehovahs-witnesses-worse-ban-put-place?utm_source=dlvr.it

How would the Sheep fare here if this sheepdog was used? Chaos!! Are we not Happy to have wonderful support and care! ?????

Moving picture! ????

                 Ezekiel 34:11-16

 11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Here I am, and I myself will search for my sheep, and I will care for them.

12 I will care for my sheep like a shepherd who has found his scattered sheep and is feeding them. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered in the day of clouds and thick gloom.

13 I will bring them out from the peoples and collect them together from the lands and bring them into their land and feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams and by all the dwelling places of the land.

14 In a good pasture I will feed them, and the land where they graze will be on Israel’s high mountains. They will lie down there in a good grazing land, and they will feed on choice pastures on the mountains of Israel.”

15 “‘“I myself will feed my sheep,+ and I myself will make them lie down,” declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.

16 “The lost one I will search for, the stray I will bring back, the injured I will bandage, and the weak I will strengthen; but the fat one and the strong one I will annihilate. I will feed that one with judgment.” (Ezekiel 34:11-16)           

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 Wolves are fierce, voracious, bold, and greedy, often killing more sheep than they can eat or drag away. The shepherd of ancient times therefore had to be courageous and resourceful to protect the flock from wolves. They seek their prey under the cover of darkness, remaining in hiding during the day. Few animals are as helpless as domestic sheep. The shepherd of Bible times had to be courageous to protect his sheep from lions, wolves, and bears, as well as from thieves.

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By comparing himself to a shepherd, Jehovah assures us of his heartfelt desire to protect us. God’s promise of protection is conditional—it is realized only by those who draw close to him. Proverbs 18:10 states: “The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection.” 

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In Bible times, towers were sometimes built in the wilderness as safe places of refuge. But it was up to the one in danger to flee to such a tower to find safety. It is similar with finding refuge in God’s name. This involves more than just repeating God’s name; the divine name itself is no magic charm. 

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Rather, we need to know and trust the Bearer of that name and live in harmony with his righteous standards. How kind of Jehovah to reassure us that if we turn to him in faith, he will be a tower of protection for us! When life’s pressures seem overwhelming, pouring out our heart to him can bring us much relief. (Philippians 4:6, 7) 

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He may not miraculously remove our trials, but in response to our heartfelt prayers, he can grant us the wisdom to deal with them. (James 1:5, 6) More than that, Jehovah gives holy spirit to those asking him. ??? (Luke 11:13) That powerful spirit can make us equal to any trial or problem we may face. It can infuse us with “power beyond what is normal” to endure until Jehovah removes all painful problems in the new world so near at hand. If we draw close to him and remain in his love, Jehovah will give us an eternity of perfect life. 

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102002029?q=wolves&p=par#h=29

GOD’S KINGDOM WILL END ALL PREJUDICE 

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While Bible knowledge can help to control and root out strong emotions, there are two other elements that must be dealt with before prejudice can be completely eliminated. 

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First, there is sin and human imperfection. The Bible plainly states: “There is no man that does not sin.” (1 Kings 8:46) So no matter how hard we try, we face the same internal struggle as the apostle Paul, who wrote: “When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me.” (Romans 7:21) Thus, from time to time, our imperfect heart will resort to “injurious reasonings” that can lead to prejudice.—Mark 7:21.

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Second, there is the influence of Satan the Devil. The Bible describes him as “a manslayer” and says that he “is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (John 8:44;Revelation 12:9) That explains why prejudice is so prevalent and why mankind seems so helpless in the face of bigotry, discrimination, genocide, and other forms of racial, religious, and social intolerance.

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Jesus Christ taught his followers to pray to God in these words: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10) God’s Kingdom is the means by which all injustices—including all forms of intolerance and prejudice—will be done away with.

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When God’s Kingdom comes and takes control over earth’s affairs, Satan will be “bound,” or completely restrained, so that “he might not mislead the nations.” (Revelation 20:2, 3) There will then be a “new earth,” or human society, in which “righteousness is to dwell.”*—2 Peter 3:13.

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Those living in that righteous human society will be brought to perfection, free from sin. (Romans 8:21) 

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As subjects of God’s Kingdom, “they will not do any harm or cause any ruin.” Why? “Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 11:9) At that time, all mankind will learn Jehovah God’s ways and imitate his loving personality. This will indeed mean the end of all prejudice, “for there is no partiality with God.”—Romans 2:11.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013403?q=prejudice&p=par

"Let your Kingdom come."

(Matt.6:10)

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#Questions? #Answers?

#PleaseAnswer #JehovahGod #JesusChrist #GoodNews #GodsKingdom #PureLanguage?? #TeachTheTruth? #GodsAppointedKing? #LoyalLove #LiveForever? #loveoneanother❤️#wasgoimgtosacrificehisonlyson?

"Look! a white horse, and the one seated on it had a bow; and a crown was given him." (Rev. 6:2)

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Who is the rider of the white horse? 

The key to his identity is found in the same Bible book, Revelation, which later identifies this heavenly rider as “The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:11-13) That title, The Word, belongs to Jesus Christ, for he acts as God’s spokesman. (John 1:1, 14) In addition, he is called “King of kings and Lord of lords” and is described as “Faithful and True.” (Revelation 19:16) 

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Clearly, he has authority to act as a warrior-king, and he does not wield his power in any corrupt or abusive way. Yet, some questions arise.

Who gives Jesus the authority to conquer? (Revelation 6:2) 

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The prophet Daniel saw a vision in which the Messiah, likened to “a son of man,” was given “rulership, honor, and a kingdom” by none other than “the Ancient of Days,” Jehovah God.* (Daniel 7:13, 14) 

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Thus, it is Almighty God who grants Jesus the power and right to rule and execute judgment. The white horse is an appropriate symbol for warfare justly carried out by God’s Son, for the Scriptures often use the color white to symbolize righteousness.—Revelation 3:4; 7:9, 13, 14.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017086?q=rev+6%3A2&p=par#h=8

#Repost @akpirigoodnews・・・The joy on our faces is not for nothing. Today our congregation was announced as been part of THE NIGERIAN PIDGIN LANGUAGE CONGRGATION in Nigeria. It was really a great joy to all our brothers and sisters in the congregation. Thanks Jehovah for your organization. Now am learning pidgin language. What a great joy. To Jehovah I belong. #jw#jehovahwitnesses #jwworldwide happy to be one of Jehovah's witnesses. Thanks Jehovah for your organization. ????????

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

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Paul’s life course was in stark contrast to that of those who would in later times take advantage of the flock. He worked to support himself so as not to impose a burden on the congregation. His efforts in behalf of fellow believers were not for personal gain. 

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Paul urged the Ephesian elders to display a self-sacrificing spirit. “You must assist those who are weak,” he told them, “and must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”—Acts 20:35.

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Like Paul, Christian elders today are self-sacrificing. In contrast with the clergy of Christendom, who fleece their flocks, those who are entrusted with the responsibility to “shepherd the congregation of God” perform their duties unselfishly. Pride and ambition have no place in the Christian congregation, for those who “search out their own glory” will fail in the long run. (Prov. 25:27) Presumptuousness can only lead to dishonor.—Prov. 11:2.

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Paul’s genuine love for his brothers endeared him to them. Indeed, when it was time for him to depart, “quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they fell upon Paul’s neck and tenderly kissed him.” (Acts 20:37, 38) 

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Christians truly appreciate and love those who, like Paul, give of themselves unselfishly in behalf of the flock. After considering Paul’s sterling example, would you not agree that he was neither boasting nor exaggerating when he stated: “I am clean from the blood of all men”?—Acts 20:26.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102009067?q=acts+20%3A37&p=par

God’s Love Manifest in a Mother’s Love! - 

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A Mother's Love like no Other ~ “Can a wife forget her suckling so that she should not pity the son of her belly? Even these women can forget, yet I myself shall not forget you.”—ISAIAH 49:15 

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A NEWBORN baby nestles in his mother’s arms as she nurses him. The scene is one of tenderness and love. “When I first held my baby in my arms,” says a mother named Pam, “I felt an overwhelming sense of love and responsibility for this new life.” It seems an obvious fact, but research has confirmed that a mother’s love profoundly influences her baby’s development. A document published by the World Health Organization Programme on Mental Health states: “Studies have shown that infants who are abandoned and separated from their mothers become unhappy and depressed, sometimes to the point of panic.” This same document cites a study indicating that children who receive love and attention from an early age are likely to have a substantially higher IQ than children who are neglected. 

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Regarding the importance of a mother’s love, Alan Schore, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine in the United States, says: “The child’s first relationship, the one with the mother, acts as a template, as it permanently molds the individual’s capacities to enter into all later emotional relationships.” You may wonder, though: ‘If God is wise, powerful, and loving, why does he not end suffering? Why does he allow children to die, oppression to continue, and the earth to be damaged by mismanagement and greed?’ These are good questions that deserve reasonable answers. 

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Despite what agnostics may say, it is possible to discover satisfying answers to those questions. Millions of people in hundreds of countries have found such answers by studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. The publishers of this journal invite you to do the same. 

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As your knowledge of God grows through a study of both his Word and his creation, you will perceive that he is not distant and unknowable. Rather, you will likely become convinced that God is “not far off from each one of us.”—Acts 17:27

"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.

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Sadly, Israel did not prove faithful to their God, Jehovah. They allowed themselves to be influenced by nations that worshipped gods of wood and stone. In the eighth century B.C.E., the prophet Hosea wrote: “Israel is a degenerate vine . . . He multiplies his altars . . . Their heart is hypocritical; now they will be found guilty.” (Hos. 10:1, 2) 

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About a century and a half later, Jeremiah recorded these words of Jehovah to His unfaithful people: “I planted you as a choice red vine, all of it pure seed; so how have you turned into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine before me? . . . Where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them rise up if they can save you in your time of calamity . . . My own people have forgotten me.”—Jer. 2:21, 28, 32.

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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014845?q=jer+2%3A28&p=par

20 minutes ago, The Librarian said:

This section is only for the Dutch language.... so maybe you could translate and edit your posts please? ;-)

Kijk goed? ??

KEEP PRAYING BROTHERS AND SISTERS...THE PERSECUTION TOWARDS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA HAVE INTENSIFIED 

DANISH JEHOVAH'S  WITNESS ARRESTED AND JAILED IN RUSSIAAFTER POLICE RAID A CHRISTIAN MEETING

..."At least 15 heavily armed police and FederalSecurity Service (FSB) officers raided a peacefulreligious service of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the cityof Oryol (also known as Orel), pictured above. Thepolice collected copies of the identification documentsof all in attendance and seized their electronicdevices. The FSB also took into custody DennisChristensen, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who is aDanish citizen".... https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/russia/danish-jw-arrested-when-police-raid-christian-meeting/

This raid is the latest of many incidents that had occurred including arson(deliberate setting on fire) of the building of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Republic of Komi, Russia!

https://www.jw-russia.org/news/17052617-169.html

About Us:

"Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" JW-RUSSIA.ORG

Jehovah's Witnesses - is the Christian religion, which is based on the doctrine of the Bible. The namemeans the faithful words and deeds "show" people think about God. Jehovah - it is open in the Biblethe name of God, the Creator of all that exists. Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witnesses - is the Savior,the Son of God, the Master, the Heavenly King. They follow their teachings in their lives.In Russia, the Jehovah's Witnesses religion to actively profess 175 thousand people. A total ofapproximately 300 thousand Russians at least once a year visit their worship. Worldwide, the numberattending the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses is 20 million people.

https://jw-russia.org/about.html

Legal Standing

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia operate legally. The judicial authorities registered 395 local and acentralized religious organization - "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia", a certificateof registration that the Ministry of Justice of Russia issued April 29, 1999, after the state religiousexpertise.In 2004, one of the local organizations, namely in Moscow, was deprived of registration, but theEuropean Court of Human Rights ruled the decision unjust. Therefore, June 1, 2015, the Ministry ofJustice of Russia registered the "local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow".

Https://jw-russia.org/Legal.html

Copyright 2017 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All Rights Reserved

#Repost @ritha_needfaith · · · Yessss ..... we hebben vandaag onze nieuwe nederlandse bijbel ..... een mijlpaal .... zo trots om deel te zijn van deze prachtige organisatie.

Holland ?????????

De Nederlandse congregaties ontvangen vandaag de herziene nederlandse vertaling. Het is een zegen van Jehovah. Groeten uit Suriname! ?????????

The Dutch congegrations received the revised Dutch translation today. It is such a blessing from Jehovah. Greetings from Suriname! ?????????

#Question? #Answers? #WhoAmI? #JehovahGod #JesusChrist #LiveForever? #LoyalLove #Peace? #WhaleOrBigFish??#GodsKingdom #GoodNews #loveoneanother❤️

#Repost @ritha_needfaith・・・Yessss.....we got our new Dutch Bible today.....a milestone....so proud to be part of this beautiful organization.

Holland ?????????

26 "But Lot’s wife, who was behind him, began to look back, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26). ????

“REMEMBER the wife of Lot.” (Luke 17:32) That warning given by Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago is now more important than ever. But what did Jesus mean by this solemn warning? His Jewish audience needed no further explanation. They knew what had happened to Lot’s wife. While fleeing Sodom with her family, she had disobediently looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.—Read Genesis 19:17, 26.

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Why may Lot’s wife have looked back, and what did her disobedient act cost her?

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But why did Lot’s wife look back? Was she curious about what was happening? Did she turn back because of disbelief or lack of faith? Or, rather, was hers a longing gaze for all the things that she had left behind in Sodom? (Luke 17:31) 

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Whatever the reason for her looking back, she paid for her disobedient act with her life. Just think of it! She died the same day as those perverted inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. No wonder Jesus said: “Remember the wife of Lot”!

People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with anyone else....

15 "All the days of the afflicted   one are bad, But the one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast."

16 "Better is a little in the fear of Jehovah, Than great wealth along with anxiety."  (Proverbs 15:15,16)          jw.org