Bible Speaks

God’s Greatest Gift—Why So Precious? https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-no2-2017-march/gods-greatest-gift/
 
 
 
 

Would you have the courage to speak out to police about your work, even if they oppose you? It may happen again...yet we do not use the placards anymore...."Religion a Snare and a Racket"? 
INTERESTING PHOTO OF 1940, WHERE A SISTER SORDITA, ATTENDING THE WORDS OF POLICE, THAT SPEAKS TO THE UNIT WHILE SHE ANNOUNCES RUTHERFORD SPEECH.
 

The Divine Name in the Hebrew Scriptures -
The divine name, represented by the four Hebrew consonants יהוה, appears nearly 7,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. This translation renders those four letters, known as the Tetragrammaton, “Jehovah.” That name is by far the most frequently occurring name in the Bible. While the inspired writers refer to God by many titles and descriptive terms, such as “Almighty,” “Most High,” and “Lord,” the Tetragrammaton is the only personal name they use to identify God.
Why does the New World Translation use the form “Jehovah”? In English, the four letters of the Tetragrammaton (יהוה) are represented by the consonants YHWH. As was true of all written words in ancient Hebrew, the Tetragrammaton contained no vowels. When ancient Hebrew was in everyday use, readers easily provided the appropriate vowels.
About a thousand years after the Hebrew Scriptures were completed, Jewish scholars developed a system of pronunciation points, or signs, by which to indicate what vowels to use when reading Hebrew. By that time, though, many Jews had the superstitious idea that it was wrong to say God’s personal name out loud, so they used substitute expressions. 
Thus, it seems that when they copied the Tetragrammaton, they combined the vowels for the substitute expressions with the four consonants representing the divine name. Therefore, the manuscripts with those vowel points do not help in determining how the name was originally pronounced in Hebrew. Some feel that the name was pronounced “Yahweh,” whereas others suggest different possibilities. A Dead Sea Scroll containing a portion of Leviticus in Greek transliterates the divine name Iao. Besides that form, early Greek writers also suggest the pronunciations Iae, I·a·be′, and I·a·ou·e′. However, there is no reason to be dogmatic. We simply do not know how God’s ancient servants pronounced this name in Hebrew. (Genesis 13:4; Exodus 3:15) What we do know is that God used his name repeatedly in communication with his people, that they addressed him by that name, and that they used it freely in speaking with others.—Exodus 6:2; 1 Kings 8:23; Psalm 99:9.
Why, then, does this translation use the form “Jehovah”? Because that form of the divine name has a long history in the English language.

God’s name at Genesis 15:2 in William Tyndale’s translation of the Pentateuch, 1530
The first rendering of God’s personal name in an English Bible appeared in 1530 in William Tyndale’s translation of the Pentateuch. He used the form “Iehouah.” Over time, the English language changed, and the spelling of the divine name was modernized. For example, in 1612, Henry Ainsworth used the form “Iehovah” throughout his translation of the book of Psalms. Then, in 1639, when that work was revised and printed with the Pentateuch, the form “Jehovah” was used. In 1901, the translators who produced the American Standard Version of the Bible used the form “Jehovah” where the divine name appeared in the Hebrew text.
Explaining why he used “Jehovah” instead of “Yahweh” in his 1911 work Studies in the Psalms, respected Bible scholar Joseph Bryant Rotherham said that he wanted to employ a “form of the name more familiar (while perfectly acceptable) to the general Bible-reading public.” In 1930 scholar A. F. Kirkpatrick made a similar point regarding the use of the form “Jehovah.” He said: “Modern grammarians argue that it ought to be read Yahveh or Yahaveh; but JEHOVAH seems firmly rooted in the English language, and the really important point is not the exact pronunciation, but the recognition that it is a Proper Name, not merely an appellative title like ‘Lord.’”
jw.org

McKinley Webb: Agreed with all your comments, Thank you 
Question though? Must the man give her a certificate of divorce to free her to remarry according to the scriptures? I learned that if a woman divorces she then could not remarry according to the scriptures? She would then not truly be free by God's laws. Of course by the worlds standards that is different. I have run into this, and was advised to make a wise decision as a woman. Appreciate your feedback. 

Trust in Jehovah—The God of “Times and Seasons”
“He is changing times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings.”—DANIEL 2:21.
Scientists still cannot explain what time really is. One encyclopedia says: “No one can say exactly what it is.” But Jehovah completely understands time. He is “the Creator of the heavens” and “the Former of the earth and the Maker of it.” 
Jehovah can know what will happen in the future. The Bible says that he is “the One telling from the beginning the finale, and from long ago the things that have not been done.” (Isaiah 45:18;46:10) 
We will now discuss two things that will strengthen our faith in Jehovah and in the Bible. They will prove that Jehovah is the Great Timekeeper, that is, he always fulfills his purpose at his chosen time. They are:
(1) things that Jehovah created and (2) prophecies that were fulfilled.
Since we know that Christ has become King and that we are living in “the time of the end,” what should we do? (Daniel 12:4) 
Many people notice that problems in the world are getting worse, but they do not understand that this is exactly what the Bible prophesied about the last days. Some expect that these problems will get completely out of control. Others believe that humans will bring “peace and security.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3) 
Do we believe that we are living very near the end of Satan’s world? If we do, we will use our time to serve Jehovah and help others to come to know him. (2 Timothy 3:1)
We must buy out the opportune time, that is, make wise decisions about how we use our time.—Read Ephesians 5:15-17.
Since there are many things in this world that can distract us, it is not easy to use our time wisely. Jesus warned: “Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” How were the days of Noah? God had told Noah that the world of that timewould come to an end. Wicked humans would drown in a flood that would happen all over the earth. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” He faithfully preached God’s message to the people of his time. (Matthew 24:37; 2 Peter 2:5) But they were “eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage,” and “they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away.” That is why Jesus warned: “Prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” (Matthew 24:38, 39, 44) 
We must be like Noah, not like the people of his time. What will help us to be ready?
While we wait for the coming of the Son of man, what must we remember about Jehovah that will help us to serve him?
Even though the Son of man is coming at a time that we do not expect, we need to remember that Jehovah always fulfills his purpose at his chosen time. No matter what may happen in the world or what humans plan to do, Jehovah can decide when things will happen and what the results will be. (Read Daniel 2:21.) In fact, Proverbs 21:1 tells us: “A king’s heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah. Everywhere that he delights to, he turns it.”
Jehovah can control events to fulfill his purpose on time. The end result of many big changes in the world is that Bible prophecies have come true, especially prophecies about the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom.
Few people expected that such big changes in government could happen so quickly. But as a result of these changes, the good news is now being preached in many countries where our work was banned in the past. 
So let us make sure that we use our timewisely to continue serving Jehovah, the God of “times and seasons.” jw.org

BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why is world peace soelusive?
 
Only a government that can change people’s hearts will bring world peace 
The Bible points to two main reasons. First, although humans have accomplished marvelous things, they are not created with the ability to direct their own steps. Second, human schemes have failed because “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” Satan the Devil. Thus, human efforts have not been able to bring world peace.—Read Jeremiah 10:23; 1 John 5:19.
Human self-interest and ambition have also made world peace elusive. Only a world government that can teach people to love what is right and care for one another will bring world peace.—Read Isaiah 32:17; 48:18, 22.
Who will establish peace on earth?
Almighty God has promised to establish a single government to rule over all mankind. It will replace human governments. (Daniel 2:44)
God’s Son, Jesus, will rule as the Prince of Peace. He will eliminate evil from all the earth and will teach people the way of peace.—Read Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:4, 9.
Already, under Jesus’ direction, millions worldwide are using God’s Word, the Bible, to teach people how to be at peace with others. Soon, world peace will be a reality.—Read Isaiah 2:3, 4;54:13.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013408?q=why+is+world+peace+so+elusive&p=par
 
 

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."        (John 3:16) NWT
What God Has Done for You
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16, King James Version.
That is one of the best-known and most widely quoted texts in the entire Bible. It has been said that no other verse “so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation.” For that reason, in some countries this scripture or simply the reference “John 3:16” is often displayed at public events, on car stickers, in graffiti, and elsewhere.
In all likelihood, those who display the text feel convinced that God’s love guarantees their everlasting salvation. What about you? What does God’s love mean to you? And what do you think God has done that demonstrates his love for you?
God’s love, however, is expressed in more ways than just caring for us physically. He has also elevated and dignified us by giving us spiritual capacity and helping us to satisfy it. (Matthew 5:3) In this way, obedient mankind has the prospect of becoming part of God’s family, his “children.”—Romans 8:19-21.
As John 3:16 goes on to say, God showed his love for us by sending his Son, Jesus, to the earth to teach us about his God and Father and to die for us.
Many, though, will admit that they do not truly understand why it was necessary for Jesus to die for mankind and how Jesus’ death is an expression of God’s love for us. Let us see how the Bible explains the reason for Jesus’ death and its value.
The last part of John 3:16 expresses God’s promise to those who exercise faith in the ransom provision and live according to divine standards. God intends that such faithful ones “should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 
If you pause to consider all that God has done for you and for mankind as a whole, it is clear that he has already done a great deal. We have life, intelligence, a measure of health, and the means necessary to support life. More than that, God’s gift of the ransom through Jesus, who died for us, can mean even greater blessings, as we learn from John 3:16.
Everlasting life in peaceful, pleasant conditions, without the threat of illness, war, famine, or death, would surely open the door to endless happiness and blessings. Whether you will receive those blessings depends entirely on you. The question that remains really is, What are you doing for God? Learn how to please God at jw.org

"Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating."—(Rom. 14:3)
In such matters as food and recreation, there is room for diversity and personal preference.
(Rom. 14:2, 4) 
One [man] has faith to eat everything, but the [man] who is weak eats vegetables." 4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls." Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand.
However, we also realize that allowing for diversity in recreation is not a license to indulge oneself. 
To illustrate, consider the example of food. Though we may be willing to eat a variety of foods, we would not deliberately consume food that is rotten. 
Eating such food would go against common sense and could endanger our health.
Similarly, though we may be open to a variety of forms of wholesome entertainment, we would not pursue leisure activities that are life-threatening, violent, or morally rotten. 
Engaging in such activities would go against Bible principles and would endanger our physical or spiritual health. 
To make sure that we stay within reasonable limits, we do well to determine in advance whether some recreation that appeals to us is beneficial or not.
Eph. 5:10. " Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to The Lord."
jw.org

@Kurt Yes wonderful world wide unity in worship of the Only True God Jehovah! Thank you ? 

How Did God Give Us Knowledge? - Knowledge to Know and Understand His Words and Will? ~
(1 John 5:20)
"But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us insight so that we may gain the knowledge of the one who is true. And we are in union with the one who is true, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting."
He has given us insight that we may gain knowledge.
Human brain: Modern computers are a product of intensive research and careful engineering. They did not “just happen.” 
What about the human brain? Unlike the brain of any animal, the brain of a human infant triples in size during its first year.
How it functions is still largely a mystery to scientists. In humans, there is the built-in capacity to learn complex languages, to appreciate beauty, to compose music, to contemplate the origin and meaning of life. 
Said brain surgeon Robert White: “I am left with no choice but to acknowledge the existence of a Superior Intellect, responsible for the design and development of the incredible brain-mind relationship—something far beyond man's capacity to understand.” (The Reader's Digest, September 1978, p. 99)
The development of this marvel begins from a tiny fertilized cell in the womb. With remarkable insight, the Bible writer David said to Jehovah: “I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware.”—Ps. 139:14.
Living cell: A single living cell is sometimes referred to as being a “simple” form of life. 
But a one-celled animal can catch food, digest it, get rid of wastes, build a house for itself and engage in sexual activity. 
Each cell of the human body has been likened to a walled city, with a central government to maintain order, a power plant to generate energy, factories to produce proteins, a complex transportation system, and guards to regulate what is permitted to enter. And a single human body is made up of as many as 100 trillion cells. 
How appropriate the words of Psalm 104:24: “How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made”! 
jw.org

@Kurt Yes, they need the Truth! Know the Truth it will set you free! 
Thank you! ???

@Kurt Yes, they need the Truth! Know the Truth it will set you free! 
Thank you! ???

"You must not follow after the crowd for evil ends."(Ex. 23:2)
 
In taking a long journey, what would you do if you felt unsure about which way to go? You might feel tempted to follow other travelers—especially if you saw a great many making the same choice. Such a course is risky. After all, those travelers may not be heading toward your destination, or they too may be lost. 
In this connection, consider a principle that underlies one of the laws given to ancient Israel. Those who served as judges or as witnesses in judicial matters were warned of the danger of ‘following after the crowd.’ 
Without doubt, it is all too easy for imperfect humans to bow to peer pressure, perverting justice. However, is the principle about not following the crowd restricted to judicial matters? Not at all. In truth, the pressure to “follow after the crowd” can affect us at almost any time. It may arise suddenly, and it can be very difficult to resist.
jw.org

Can you share what you have or do you think you need it first? Why would that be hypocritical? Share and you will be blessed from Jehovah! 
An anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: ''UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?''
'UBUNTU' in the Xhosa culture means: "I am because we are"
(Romans 12:9-21) NWT
Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good. 10  In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another, take the lead. 11  Be industrious, not lazy. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.
 12  Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. 13  Share with the holy ones according to their needs. Follow the course of hospitality. 14  Keep on blessing those who persecute; bless and do not curse. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16  Have the same attitude toward others as toward yourselves; do not set your mind on lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become wise in your own eyes. 17  Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men. 18  If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. 19  Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” 20  But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” 21  Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good."
jw.org

"Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating."—(Rom. 14:3)
In such matters as food and recreation, there is room for diversity and personal preference.
(Rom. 14:2, 4) 
One [man] has faith to eat everything, but the [man] who is weak eats vegetables." 4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls." Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand.
However, we also realize that allowing for diversity in recreation is not a license to indulge oneself. 
To illustrate, consider the example of food. Though we may be willing to eat a variety of foods, we would not deliberately consume food that is rotten. 
Eating such food would go against common sense and could endanger our health.
Similarly, though we may be open to a variety of forms of wholesome entertainment, we would not pursue leisure activities that are life-threatening, violent, or morally rotten. 
Engaging in such activities would go against Bible principles and would endanger our physical or spiritual health. 
To make sure that we stay within reasonable limits, we do well to determine in advance whether some recreation that appeals to us is beneficial or not.
Eph. 5:10. " Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to The Lord."
jw.org

Yes soon the whole earth ? will be as one! Read (Psalms 37:9-11) Read more at jw.org 

JOHN LENNON LYRICS
IMAGINE -
Imagine there's no heaven (with Satan)
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today... Aha-ah... Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace... You... You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world... You... You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Is God’s Purpose for Us 
WHEN you read the newspaper, watch television, or listen to the radio, you see and hear many stories of crime, war, and terrorism. Perhaps you personally are suffering because of an illness or because someone you love has died.
Ask yourself:
* Is this what God wants for me and my family?
* Where can I find help to cope with my problems?
* Will there ever be real peace?
The Bible provides convincing answers to those questions.
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD WILL DO AMAZING THINGS ON THE EARTH.
*  People will no longer feel pain, grow old, or die.—Revelation 21:4
*   “The lame will leap like the deer.”—Isaiah 35:6
*   “The eyes of the blind will be opened.”—Isaiah 35:5
*    The dead will be brought back to life.—John 5:28, 29
*     No one will get sick.—Isaiah 33:24
*     Everyone on earth will have plenty to eat.—Psalm 72:16

BENEFIT FROM WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
It would be easy to think that what you have read in the first few pages of this book is just a dream. But God has promised to make those changes on the earth very soon, and the Bible explains how he will do so.
The Bible does more than that. It tells us what we need to know in order to be truly happy and enjoy life right now. Think for a moment about the things that make you worry. These may include money or family matters, bad health, or the death of someone you love. The Bible can help you to cope with these problems, and it can comfort you by answering such questions as these:

* Why do we suffer?
* How can we cope with our problems?
* Can our family be happy?
* What happens to us when we     die?
* Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
* Why can we be confident that God will do everything that he has promised?
jw.org 

Nebula - Can You See Life Around Us Moving and Interacting?
We Have a Living God, Jehovah.
"Jehovah is living, and blessed be my Rock, And let the God of my salvation be exalted." (Ps. 19:46)
 
 

116 "I love Jehovah
Because he hears
my voice, my pleas for help."
 5 "Jehovah is compassionate
and righteous;
Our God is merciful."
(Psalms 116:1,5) NWT jw.org
 
IMG_9307.MP4

‘This is what Jehovah the God of David your forefather says: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears."
(Isaiah 38:5) NWT jw.org
IMG_9318.MP4

‘This is what Jehovah the God of David your forefather says: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears."
(Isaiah 38:5) NWT jw.org
IMG_9318.MP4

‘This is what Jehovah the God of David your forefather says: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears."
(Isaiah 38:5) NWT jw.org
IMG_9318.MP4

Nebula - Can You See Life Around Us Moving and Interacting?
We Have a Living God, Jehovah.
"Jehovah is living, and blessed be my Rock, And let the God of my salvation be exalted." (Ps. 19:46)
 
 

@ARchiv@L Jehovah God is amazing! He's a miracle worker! Praise and honor goes to Him! 
?????

Nebula - Can You See Life Around Us Moving and Interacting?
We Have a Living God, Jehovah.
"Jehovah is living, and blessed be my Rock, And let the God of my salvation be exalted." (Ps. 19:46)