Bible Speaks

ARE YOU READY FOR JEHOVAH'S DAY? - IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO READ BUT WORTH IT! This is long but you won't regret reading it. It will make you stop and really think . ARE YOU PREPARED FOR JEHOVAH'S DAY? Imagine for a moment you are at home by yourself one afternoon. Your children are off at school or work and your husband or wife is also away for the day. They are off at work, shopping or running an errand. It's a beautiful day. But then the sky and everything around you suddenly turns black. You check the lights. The switch is up but it’s still pitch black and it's still the early part of the day. Something's wrong! You reach for the phone to call your family to make sure they are safe but the phone doesn't work. You grab for your cell phone and it too doesn't work. You check and you have no running water, no electricity. Your all alone, its pitch black and there is nothing around you but dead silence. No sun, no wind, no sounds of birds chirping, nothing but still cold air. You sit thinking that the lights will come back on in a moment but they don't. So you sit there in the dark. For an hour, then 2, then 4 hours. What is now going through your mind? You wonder, "is it here...? The end?" Matthew chapter 24 referred to a time where the sun would be darkened and the moon would not give forth light. "Was it figurative, or is it... is it... literal and is it happening to me right now?" Your mind starts to wander and worry, "Where is my mate, where are my children? Are they alright? Are they safe? What are they doing right now?" Now let's jump into the lives of two more people in your area. They have experienced the same thing, complete darkness for hours. One man sits in the darkness of his home and he starts to think deeply. With the dead silence he starts to dwell on his life, his wife, his children, and he looks back at his spiritual record. He bows his head in shame and he starts to tremble in fear. "This is it!" he says to himself. "I knew there would come a time when this would happen. When Jehovah would draw the line! When he would save the faithful and he would destroy the wicked." Where is my wife he wonders? "Where are my children? Are they OK? Are they safe?" I always meant to talk to them about this. To prepare them for this, "the what if's?" What if a disaster were to hit? What if we were to lose contact with one another? What we should do to make sure we were safe both spiritually and physically? To make sure we had proper nourishment, both physical and spiritual! But I didn't. I never seemed to make the time to sit down with them and discuss these important matters. "Where are my dear brothers and sisters from the Kingdom Hall? Oh, I wonder how they are doing." You see, he hadn't been to a meeting for over 3 weeks. "I got so caught up in work, and things, and anxieties. My car! My home! I had time to Bowl. I had time to play ball with the guys. I had time for extended vacations. But I didn't make the time to put that plan together for my family on where we should meet, where we would all go if this were to happen. I don't have light. I don't have water, I have little food. I hope my family can make their way home. I hope someone can find me. I wish I would have made the time to plan better. I wish I would have provided more works to prove to Jehovah that I loved him." He bows his heads and starts to pray for the first time in many days. You see he often got so busy he forgot to do that too. Across town there is another person. What is she doing? She too, sits in the silence, and is looking back on her life and the life of her family. She remembers the faithful and discreet slave speaking about a time when something like this might happen. When Jehovah would draw the line. When it would be too late for a person to go back and change their life's patterns. When the decision would be made whether each person would be saved or they would lose out on eternal life based on their deeds and what came first in their lives. She goes to a closet where she and her family had placed many things in, many months earlier and she pulls out a lantern. She lights the lantern, sits back, opens up her Bible, and she starts to read and reminisce about what she and her family have done with "their" time over the years. She reflects on the words of 1 Thess. 5:6 where it was written "Let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses." She is also reminded of the scriptures in Matthew 24 where Jesus warned his followers to "Keep on the Watch." and to "prove yourselves ready?" "Did I do that?" She asks herself. "Did we do it as a family?" She is able to nod her head yes in the faint light of the room. When the faithful slave continued to remind them to keep spiritually awake she and her family listened and followed closely to what was recommended. They read the daily text together and discussed it over dinner as a family. They didn't miss a day. They read the weekly Bible assignment as a family at the completion of their regular weekly family study. She smiles when she thinks of the words written at Hebrews 10:24, 25, where they were commanded to not forsake the gathering together with their spiritual family. Oh how she and her family loved their congregation. "We did just so" she reasons. "We made every meeting we could unless we were sick, we never missed a circuit assembly and NEVER missed even one day of a District Convention. How could we?" she says out loud. She then starts to think deeply and does a self-evaluation about the fruitages of the spirit and what role they played in her life. Did she display them to a reasonable degree in the congregation? Within the family arrangement? And in the territory she was assigned to preach in? She reasons in her mind, "I know I displayed 'love' towards the friends and my family. I was active in the ministry and showed love toward those in the community. I started Bible studies! I brought some in the truth and even pioneered with my husband and children when I could buy out the time even though it was a challenge for us to do it as a family. I found so much joy in serving side by side with the faithful older sisters in the congregation." 'Kindness'..... I cared for those who got sick in the congregation. I even prepared meals for them!" In regards to the fruitage, peace "I remember that time I had that problem with that sister in the congregation but we were both quick to heed the council in Matthew where we were told to go and attempt to make peace with the other person. I remember having to read that scripture at Matt. 5: 23, 24 many times that day I got the courage to approach her to make peace with her. But I realized that Jehovah wouldn't accept my worship if it wasn't pure and it wouldn't have been pure if I had held on to that resentment I had against her." "And in regards to my husband, we both read Ephesians together many times when we couldn't find anything else nice to say to each. We'd pick up the Bible and read this out loud and it always broke the ice for us to make peace with one another." She turns to her Bible and reads the scripture. Read Eph. 4: 25-27, 32. "We have had troubles just like everyone else but we love each other and we have worked hard for each other for over 25 years now and I have to say our marriage is stronger than ever." At that moment she hears a noise at the front door. She lifts her lantern and walks towards the door. Tears run down her face as she sees her teenage son and daughter walk safely through the door. Minutes later her husband arrives home safely and joins them. They circle around each other in the dimly lit room and hold each other tightly as tears of joy run down their faces. You see, as a family they had planned on what they would do and where they would meet when this day came. And here they were, safely united together. In this closet where she went to earlier to grab the lantern there is also a first aid kit safely packed away in case any one of them got wounded. They had also placed plenty of water and food in that closet that would last them many days. How happy they were that they listened to the advice provided them by their Elders who followed so closely the direction they were given by the faithful and discreet slave. As a family they remained focused, united and active in the ministry. They were present at all the meetings. They always kept up with their family and personal study. They communicated openly and honestly with one another and displayed great love towards one another. They had a disaster plan that they worked on together. In this plan they knew exactly where they would meet and they knew exactly where the food was and how much there would be to sustain them. They headed to that closet that held their food supplies, grabbed a few things, and they ate a quiet meal together as a family in the dimly lit room. Before this meal they bowed their heads to Jehovah and the father began to provide an emotional prayer of thanks to Jehovah for all the direction that he had provided them throughout the years through the congregation meetings and assemblies they attended. And he prayed about how thankful they were for the spiritual family they had become through the hard work and efforts on the part of each family member. He thanked Jehovah for the fact that they had all made it home safely from the chilling events that they had all experienced that day. Each family member joined in with an "Amen," ate the meal and they waited patiently as a family to see what would happen next. Friends, which person are you most like? The one that always had the best intentions but he allowed things to get in the way of planning for his and his families safety and their secure future? Or are you the one that made sure that all family members were cared for spiritually, emotionally and physically? The one who listened intently and did "just so" when they were directed by the faithful and discreet slave and the local elders? (Silence) Friends, you don't have to answer that question right now. Look around you. It is still light. We can still see. Complete darkness hasn't hit yet. We still have time left to make adjustments in our lives although time is running out. Have some of you shortchanged yourself when it comes to personal study? Do you work late to try and provide a more comfortable lifestyle for your spouse and your family and yet you leave no time to sustain yourself spiritually? If you're single have you worked those long overtime hours to have that nicer car, home, or to take those nicer vacations? If so save your soul and make the necessary changes! Study God’s Word daily. Ponder on the things read, meditate on them. Be ever present at all the meetings! Encourage those around you by your attendance at every meeting and allow yourself to be encouraged by being here, listening to their heartfelt comments. Is there anyone here tonight that you have a strained relationship with? If so, correct it and make peace....tonight! Or call them tomorrow, but make peace! If you are at odds with your mate or your children, put down the sword, or those harsh words and make peace. Hold on to each other tightly. As family heads if it's not already part of your daily or weekly routine, make family worship part of your daily and weekly custom. Train your young ones to honor Jehovah by your example. Train your teenagers that the only safe place to put their future in is in the hands of our heavenly Father Jehovah. Save and protect your spouse and your children. We hand them off to Satan's world each day for 6-8 hours when they go off to school and work. Are we doing enough at home to combat what is thrown at them when they are away from the home? Hopefully we can say "yes". If not, make those adjustments. Become skilled communicators, teachers, and make sure your home is a safe haven for all family members. A place to worship Jehovah peacefully...as a united family! And when disaster strikes and it will do you have a plan in place? Where will you and your family come together? Will you have food to eat, water to drink, first aid supplies to assist those that might be hurt in both your family and here in the congregation? If you say "no" or "I'm not sure" to any of these questions correct them now, put them in place as soon as possible while you still have light and you can see. While you still have time and can still plan. The curtains are closing on this system and its getting ever darker. Jehovah's Day is coming as a thief and it will not delay! Which one of these roles played out tonight will you play? Based on what you are doing todayand what you will do moving forward will determine the outcome. Are you prepared for Jehovah's Day?

"Jehovah felt regrets that he had made men in the earth, and he felt hurt at his heart."—Gen. 6:6 jw.org

Illustration from an elder who heard the story from an overseer: The last trip on the bus is not always the best trip you will ever ride. Usually you’ll find all sorts of people here. They want to get to their destination. YOU want to get to your destination—in your peaceful silent home. Get some rest maybe after a long and tiring day. Some probably had a bad day.. some are coping. Some have difficulties in life… some are in trouble. It is not as peaceful as it could seem and the last trip is usually compact. Its not even comfortable to be sitting next to a perspiring or a sleeping passenger.. not to mention their flaws and their temperamental moments. But one thing is for sure, YOU want to get home and get some good rest. Now here’s a situation: How will you cope if a passenger had hit you— whether intentionally or not? Will you get mad, shout at him/her, and get out of the bus knowing that it is the LAST trip? Or would you rather be at peace and ignore the pain that it caused you? We are figuratively on the last trip. Our destination is the promised paradise. The passengers we are with are the brothers and sisters in the congregation. The bus is the Organization. We all wanted to get to our destination. Our journey may not be as pleasant as it seems as we are dealing with imperfect brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, we still want to get to our destination. If a brother or sister hurt our feelings (or vise-versa), will we get out from the LAST trip—-and get out of the Organization? Stumbling is not a choice. Our aim is to get to our destination— the PARADISE. May we always show a forgiving spirit, endurance, and cultivate love for one another as we continue on our difficult journey in Satan’s system. (Col. 3:13) Submitted RB

“The ways of Jehovah are upright, and the righteous are the ones who will walk in them.”—HOSEA 14:9. jw.org

"I have made your name known."—John 17:26. jw.org

"Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant."—Dan. 12:4. jw.org

"We love, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) You will find that the more you learn about Jehovah, the more you can see how much he truly loves you. You will then be motivated to do all you can to show your love for him in return. (1 John 4:8-10, 19) But how can you demonstrate that desire in your daily life? Why is obeying his moral standards in your best interests? And what will help you want to do God’s will along with us? Your Bible teacher will be pleased to explore the answers with you so that you and your family can “keep yourselves in God’s love, . . . with everlasting life in view.”—Jude 21. jw.org

Finding Fulfillment as a Mother and Wife ~ (Proverbs 31:10-31) A capable wife who can find? Her value is far more than that of corals. 11 In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking. 12 She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life. 13 She has sought wool and linen, and she works at whatever is the delight of her hands. 14 She has proved to be like the ships of a merchant. From far away she brings in her food. 15 She also gets up while it is still night, and gives food to her household and the prescribed portion to her young women. 16 She has considered a field and proceeded to obtain it; from the fruitage of her hands she has planted a vineyard. 17 She has girded her hips with strength, and she invigorates her arms. 18 She has sensed that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out at night. 19 Her hands she has thrust out to the distaff, and her own hands take hold of the spindle. 20 Her palm she has stretched out to the afflicted one, and her hands she has thrust out to the poor one. 21 She does not fear for her household because of the snow, for all her household are clothed with double garments. 22 Coverlets she has made for herself. Her clothing is of linen and wool dyed reddish purple. 23 Her owner is someone known in the gates, when he sits down with the older men of the land. 24 She has made even undergarments and proceeded to sell [them], and belts she has given to the tradesmen. 25 Strength and splendor are her clothing, and she laughs at a future day. 26 Her mouth she has opened in wisdom, and the law of loving-kindness is upon her tongue. 27 She is watching over the goings-on of her household, and the bread of laziness she does not eat. 28 Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner [rises up], and he praises her. 29 There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you—you have ascended above them all. 30 Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; [but] the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself. 31 GIVE her of the fruitage of her hands." NWT jw.org

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE JEHOVAH? "What is Jehovah your God asking of you? Only this: to fear Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of Jehovah that I am commanding you today for your own good." (Deut. 10: 12,13) jw.org

"You will make your way successful and . . . act wisely." (Josh. 1:8) Joshua the weighty assignment of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, Jehovah told him to read the Mosaic Law “day and night” and to be careful to obey what was written in it. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2014/1/27

"Tendrás éxito en tu camino y [...] actuarás sabiamente." (Jos. 1:8) Joshua la asignación de peso de conducir a los israelitas a la Tierra Prometida, Jehová le dijo que leyera el "día y noche" Ley Mosaica y tener cuidado de obedecer a lo que estaba escrito en ella. http://wol.jw.org/es/wol/dt/r4/lp-s/2014/1/27

He Is Divided 33 "But the married man is anxious for the things of the world, how he may gain the approval of his wife, 34 and he is divided. Further, the unmarried woman, as well as the virgin, is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in her body and in her spirit. However, the married woman is anxious for the things of the world, how she may gain the approval of her husband." (1 Cor.7:33,34) At last a guy has taken the time to write down this all. Finally, the guys' side of the story. We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. •1. Men ARE not mind readers. •2. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way. •3. Crying is blackmail. •4. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it! •5. Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question. •6. Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for. •7. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor. •8. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days. •9. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.. •10. If something we said can be interpret in two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one. •11. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself. •12. Whenever possible , Please say whatever you have to say during commercials. •13. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we. •14. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is. •15. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle. •16. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear. •17. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football, cars, bikes or games •18. You have enough clothes. •19. You have too many shoes. •20. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping. Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh. Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

Death! What a Sting! 26 "And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing." (1 Cor.15:26) NWT 11."He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish." ( Ecc.3:11) NWT jw.org

They Render Him Sacred Service Day and Night IMG_5036.mov

Thank you David, we are searching for all that have a good heart. Jesus said he would be with us all the days until the conclusion of the systems of things. Look at the preaching being done.We are blessed, let's not forget to shout out loud! Agape ????? Eoin: We are so grateful of Matthew 28:19,20. Not only would Jesus be with us in this preaching work, he would also send the Holy Spirit and the Angels also are part of the searching work. As Jehovah can read hearts, we are grateful to be messengers and be a light with the "light of God's Word", blinded by Satan and his ministers of this blinding they have only God's Words can search and open true hearts. Agape ??? IMG_4925.MOV

Holy Spirit working? Nice! Thank you! ??‍?

Trust in Jehovah—The God of “Times and Seasons” “He is changing times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings.”—DAN. 2:21. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012363?q=daniel+2%3A21&p=par

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20131101/lie-made-god-a-mystery-trinity/#?insight[search_id]=21378d46-5715-4c1f-b094-ff0d48b3d0b2&insight[search_result_index]=2

Is God a Trinity? 5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus," 6 "who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time." (1 Timothy 2:5,6) NWT jw.org Like a father who removes the cause of his children’s suffering and dries their eyes, Jehovah takes great joy in bringing Adamic death to nothing! In this he has a collaborator. First Corinthians 15:22 reads: “Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.” Similarly, after Paul asked “Who will rescue me?” he continued: “Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:25) Plainly, the love that moved Jehovah to create mankind did not grow cold with the rebellion of Adam and Eve. And the one who shared with Jehovah in the work of bringing the first couple into existence did not lose his special fondness for their offspring. (Prov. 8:30, 31) But how would this rescue be accomplished? “When all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.” (1 Cor. 15:28) The purpose of the Son’s rule will have been accomplished. He will then, with deep satisfaction, return his authority to Jehovah and present to him the perfected human family. jw.org

Did You Know? Prayers done using religious objects or images never reach God? 2 “I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." 3 "You must not have any other gods besides me." 4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth." 5 "You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me." (Exodus 20:2-5) NWT jw.org

Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God 37 "On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us." 38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers, 39 .."nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39) NWT jw.org IMG_4969.MP4

14 "Hope in Jehovah; Be courageous and strong of heart. Yes, hope in Jehovah." (Psalm 27:14) jw.org IMG_2467.mov