Bible Speaks

Nearly 400 Attend Open House at New World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses.pdf
 

The Witnesses hosted the first of two open-house receptions to thank local residents and others who supported the construction of their recently built headquarters facility.
Source

Too true for the Russian Federation. BUT the WT Aug 2017 says:
Today, there are over 400,000 publishers in the countries that were once part of the Soviet Union! 
What Jehovah has accomplished already through Jesus in that window of freedom since 1991!

The Economist magazine, covering the ban, has coined a new term. I will use it.
 
"The ruling is a testament to the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox church, especially of a radical wing who see the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a dangerous sect that deviates from the official version of Christianity."
 
The 'official version.'
 
I haven't said 'Christendom' in years. Instead, I've said 'traditional.' No more. Now the churches represent 'the official version.' 
 
Just who are the officials? In Russia, they are the Russian Orthodox Church. In America, they are the Evangelicals. Post something about the faith in their hearing and you will be flooded with outcries of "cult" due to rejection of their favorite doctrines. Yet, unless I am very much mistaken, the two official versions would not get along. In fact, I suspect they would hate each others' guts, though for the purpose of maligning Jehovah's Witnesses they might form a temporary 'best buddy' relationship.

Tornado rips through city near Dallas, Texas
 
 
Authorities said on Saturday that fatalities have been reported and dozens of people were taken to hospitals after a tornado hit a small city in the eastern part of the US state of Texas. Powerful storms swept through Canton, leaving behind a trail of overturned vehicles, mangled trees and damaged homes.
 
World News

At least five people were confirmed dead and dozens more injured following tornadoes in Canton, east Texas. Trees were uprooted, cars overturned and homes flattened in the tornadoes which passed through Canton, Eustace and Canton City. The Canton Fire Department Captain said the death toll was expected to rise.

5 "For you, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive; You abound in loyal love for all those who call on you." (Psalms 87:5).
Appreciate Jehovah’s Loyalty and Forgiveness
Jehovah is the most loyal and forgiving Friend we could have. It is as the psalmist put it: “You, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive; and the loving-kindness [or, “loyal love”] to all those calling upon you is abundant.” (Ps. 86:5) 
What does it mean to be loyal and forgiving? How does Jehovah display those beautiful qualities? And how can we imitate his example? The answers will help us to deepen our love for our best Friend, Jehovah. They will also help us to strengthen our friendships with one another.—1 John 4:7, 8.
JEHOVAH IS LOYAL
Loyalty is a warm quality that includes devotion, faithfulness, and unswerving allegiance. A loyal person is not fickle. Rather, he lovingly attaches himself to someone (or something), sticking closely to that person (or thing) even through difficult circumstances. Yes, Jehovah is the supremely “loyal One.”—Rev. 16:5.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013445?q=ps+86%3A5&p=par

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Psalms   ???⚔️???
46 "God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress. 
2 "That is why we will not fear, though the earth undergoes change, Though the mountains topple into the depths of the sea,  
3 Though its waters roar and foam over, Though the mountains rock on account of its turbulence. (Selah) 
4 There is a river the streams of which make the city of God rejoice,The holy grand tabernacle of the Most High.
 5 "God is in the city; it cannot be overthrown. God will come to its aid at the break of dawn.
 6 "The nations were in an uproar, the kingdoms were overthrown; He raised his voice, and the earth melted.
 7 "Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our secure refuge. (Selah)
 8 "Come and witness the activities of Jehovah, How he has done astonishing things on the earth.
 9 "He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;He burns the military wagons with fire."
10 “Give in and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 "Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is a secure refuge for us."(Psalms 46:1-11). (Selah)
 

PSALMS 1:2
"But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night."
Do You Find Delight in “the Law of Jehovah”?
“Happy is the man . . . [whose] delight is in the law of Jehovah.”—PSALM 1:1, 2.
The Secret of Happiness
Psalm 1 shows why a godly person is happy. Giving some reasons for such happiness, the psalmist sings: “Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones, and in the way of sinners has not stood, and in the seat of ridiculers has not sat.”—Psalm 1:1.
Prayer will help us to keep our minds fixed on spiritual things and to avoid companionship with wicked ones. “Do not be anxious over anything,” wrote Paul, “but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” 
The apostle encouraged consideration of things that are true, of serious concern, righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:6-8) Let us act in harmony with Paul’s counsel and never stoop to the level of wicked ones.
As God’s servants, we ‘delight in the law of Jehovah.’ When possible, during periods of personal study and meditation, we may read “in an undertone,” sounding out the words. Doing this when reading any portion of the Scriptures will help to make a lasting impression on our mind and heart.
James wrote: “He who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in it, this man, because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing it.” (James 1:25)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2004523?q=ps+1%3A2&p=par

Psalms   ???⚔️???
46 "God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress. 
2 "That is why we will not fear, though the earth undergoes change, Though the mountains topple into the depths of the sea,  
3 Though its waters roar and foam over, Though the mountains rock on account of its turbulence. (Selah) 
4 There is a river the streams of which make the city of God rejoice,The holy grand tabernacle of the Most High.
 5 "God is in the city; it cannot be overthrown. God will come to its aid at the break of dawn.
 6 "The nations were in an uproar, the kingdoms were overthrown; He raised his voice, and the earth melted.
 7 "Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is our secure refuge. (Selah)
 8 "Come and witness the activities of Jehovah, How he has done astonishing things on the earth.
 9 "He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;He burns the military wagons with fire."
10 “Give in and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 "Jehovah of armies is with us; The God of Jacob is a secure refuge for us."(Psalms 46:1-11). (Selah)
 

To Russia With Love! Jehovah will provide! No fear Jehovah is near!
 


To Russia With Love! Jehovah will provide! No fear Jehovah is near!                ?? ??? ??
“9 In that day they will say:
“Look! This is our God!
We have hoped in him,
And he will save us.
This is Jehovah!
We have hoped in him.
Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.” (Isaiah 25:9).

VERY sad day for our dear Brothers and Sister,s praying for you

How all of this has happened has been documented and discussed at length in this forum:
https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/forum/633-russia/
Agape!
 

According to the commission, the list of "dangerous" religious materials includes more than 4,000 items, "including many with no apparent connections to militancy, such as the Qu'ranic commentaries of Ottoman-era Kurdish theologian Said Nursi and numerous Jehovah's Witnesses publications," including a children's book titled My Book of Bible Stories. Also banned as dangerous is a 1900 sermon by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky, who was declared venerable by Pope Francis in 2015.
The Jehovah's Witnesses have been banned by the state despite video recording showing the police planting incriminating evidence against them. Innocent Muslims in Chechnya, Dagestan and Crimea were also tried on fabricated charges of terrorism and extremism. Some have simply been kidnapped and disappeared.
https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/religious-freedom-abroad-deteriorates-few-exceptions
 

"How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent out?
Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!” (Romans 10:15).
New World Translation
Isaiah 52:7

 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news,
The one proclaiming peace,
The one bringing good news of something better,
The one proclaiming salvation,
The one saying to Zion: “Your God has become King!”
“Comely” feet. Jehovah has special regard for the feet of those proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, calling them “comely.” (Isa 52:7;Ro 10:15) 
The Christian must have his feet shod with “the equipment of the good news of peace” so that he can properly carry the good news. (Eph 6:15) 
Jesus instructed his disciples that when those in a house or a city refused to take them in or listen to their words, they should shake the dust off their feet, thereby showing that they left the unreceptive house or city to the consequences that were due to come from a higher source, from heaven.—Mt 10:14.
New World Translation
Matthew 10:14
14 Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet."
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001544


 

Jeg har haft sådan en som barn...  Surt, at jeg ikke har passet bedre på den..!  

Misschien hebben we allemaal misschien een nodig om snel te lezen!

"Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, with the blood of an everlasting covenant, 
21  equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us through Jesus Christ what is well-pleasing in his sight, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb.13:20,21).
JESUS loved to talk about God’s Kingdom. While Jesus was on earth, he spoke about the Kingdom more than any other subject. He mentioned the Kingdom more than 100 times during his ministry. The Kingdom was truly important to Jesus.—Read Matthew 12:34.
Soon after his resurrection, Jesus met with a group of more than 500 potential disciples. (1 Corinthians 15:6) 
Perhaps this was when Jesus gave the command to preach to “people of all the nations.” This work would not be easy.
He told them that the preaching work would continue for a long time, right up until “the conclusion of the system of things.” When you preach the good news today, you are helping to fulfill that prophecy.—Matthew 28:19, 20.
After Jesus gave the command to preach, he said: “I am with you.” (Matthew 28:20) So Jesus promised his followers that he would direct the preaching work and that he would help them preach to the entire world. Jehovah is also with us. He has given us “every good thing” to help us preach. (Hebrews 13:20, 21) 
More than 8,500 Gilead-trained missionaries have been sent to 170 countries since 1943.
So beginning in 1943, congregations started organizing the Theocratic Ministry School. This school helped all to become effective teachers.
God’s organization has also provided training through Gilead School. One goal of the school is to help students to strengthen their desire to preach the good news. Gilead School began in 1943, and since then, 8,500 students have been trained and sent to 170 countries. 
Since 2011, those invited to this school have been special pioneers, traveling overseers, Bethelites, or field missionaries who have not yet attended Gilead.
Jehovah has given us “every good thing” to help us in the preaching work. These good things include tools, methods, and training https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402015843?q=heb+13%3A20%2C21&p=par
 

“I am coming quickly!” (Re 22:7)
#JesusChrist #KingofGodsKingdom? #GreatTribulation? #MarchingForewardtoGodsEnemies?
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WILL FEAR STOP THE GOOD NEWS OR GOD'S WILL?
(John 15:19)  Because of peer pressure, some men may hesitate to follow Christ fully. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea kept their interest in Jesus secret because they were afraid of what other Jews might say or do if they found out. (John 3:1, 2; 19:38)
This fear was not imaginary. The religious leaders’ hatred for Jesus eventually became so great that anyone who confessed faith in him was expelled from the synagogue.
In some places today, if a man takes too much interest in God, the Bible, or religion, he may be harassed by his workmates, friends, or relatives. In other places, it may even be dangerous to talk about changing one’s religion.
Peer pressure can be especially difficult when a man is actively serving in the military, in politics, or in the local community.
For example, a man in Germany admitted: “What you Witnesses preach about the Bible is true. But if I became a Witness today, by tomorrow everyone would know about it. What would they think at work, in the neighborhood, and at the club my family and I belong to? I could not put up with that.”
Although none of Jesus’ apostles were cowards, they all struggled with fear of man. (Mark 14:50, 66-72)
How did Jesus help them to progress despite intense pressure from their peers?
Jesus took steps to prepare his disciples for the opposition they would later face. “Happy are you whenever men hate you,” he said, “and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.” (Luke 6:22)
Jesus warned his followers that they should expect reproach. Any reproach was “for the sake of the Son of man.”
Jesus also assured them that God would back them up as long as they relied on Him for help and strength. (Luke 12:4-12)
Moreover, Jesus invited new ones to associate freely with his disciples and make friends with them.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011844?q=fear+of+man&p=par

Can Anyone Really Change the World?
“Poor people tell us that, above all, they want peace and security—and then opportunities to make their lives better. They want fair national and international systems so that their efforts are not thwarted by the overriding power of rich countries and rich companies.”
THAT is how the director of one international relief agency described the hopes and aspirations of poor people. In fact, her words could well describe the desire of all victims of the world’s tragedies and injustices. All of them long for a world of true peace and security. Will such a world ever become a reality? Does anyone really have the power and ability to change what is fundamentally an unfair world?
“Do Not Forget the Doing of Good”
Does this mean that it is pointless to do whatever we can to help other people? By no means.
The Bible encourages us to help others when they face trials and distressing circumstances. “Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing, when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do it,” writes ancient King Solomon. (Proverbs 3:27) “Do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others,” urges the apostle Paul.—Hebrews 13:16.
Jesus Christ will not bring about a partial, temporary change. He will totally eliminate all barriers to a truly fair world. He will remove sin and imperfection and destroy Satan the Devil and all those who follow his rebellious course. (Revelation 19:19, 20; 20:1-3, 10)
The distress and suffering that God has temporarily permitted “will not rise up a second time.” (Nahum 1:9) This is what Jesus had in mind when he taught us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come and for God’s will to take place “as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matthew 6:10.
While we wait for that to happen, let us never hesitate to do anything we can, both spiritually and materially, to “work what is good” toward all those who are victims of an unfair world.—Galatians 6:10.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008362?q=doing+good+to+others&p=par
www.jw.org

“He fell in love with her."—Gen. 24:67.
Consider the loving marriage of Isaac and Rebekah.
They learned to convey their thoughts and feelings to each other honestly, yet kindly, by cultivating and displaying insight, love, deep respect, and humility.
The mission was bound to succeed, for from the very outset the whole matter of choice was placed in the hands of Jehovah.
As it turned out, Isaac’s cousin Rebekah proved to be God’s choice, and she, in turn, willingly left her relatives and family to accompany the caravan back to the land of the Negeb where Isaac lived.
The account tells of the meeting of the two for the first time and then says: “After that Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother. Thus he took Rebekah and she became his wife; and he fell in love with her, and Isaac found comfort after the loss of his mother.” (Ge 24:10-67) Isaac being 40, the marriage took place in 1878 B.C.E.—Ge 25:20.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002203?q=gen+24%3A67&p=par

“A joyful heart is good medicine."—Prov. 17:22.
“I went to encourage an older friend, but I left feeling encouraged myself.” (Prov. 15:13)
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402014206?q=encourage+older+ones&p=par

“You, the One who is and who was, the loyal One, are righteous, because you have rendered these decisions.”:—Rev. 16:5.
Jehovah cherishes the loyalty of his worshippers, and he repays it with loyalty toward them.—Prov. 2:6-8.
God’s punishment of the wicked is in itself an act of loyalty. 
How? One indication is found in the book of Revelation in the commands that Jehovah issues to seven angels: “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the anger of God into the earth.” When the third angel pours his bowl “into the rivers and the fountains of the waters,” they become blood.
Then the angel says to Jehovah: “You, the One who is and who was, the loyal One, are righteous, because you have rendered these decisions, because they poured out the blood of holy ones and of prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.”—Revelation 16:1-6.
Note that in the midst of delivering that message of judgment, the angel refers to Jehovah as “the loyal One.” 
Why? Because by destroying the wicked, Jehovah is displaying loyalty to his servants, many of whom have been persecuted to the point of death.
Loyally, Jehovah keeps such ones very much alive in his memory. He yearns to see these departed faithful ones again, and the Bible confirms that his purpose is to reward them with a resurrection. (Job 14:14, 15) 
Jehovah does not forget his loyal servants simply because they are no longer alive. On the contrary, “they are all living to him.” (Luke 20:37, 38) Jehovah’s purpose to bring back to life those who are in his memory is powerful evidence of his loyalty.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102002053?q=rev+16%3A5&p=par