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“The true God is for us a God of saving acts.” (Psalm 68:20) ????? “A God of Saving Acts” The psalmist David wrote: “The true God is for us a God of saving acts.” (Psalm 68:20) Jehovah has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to save his people, either by delivering them from perilous situations or by giving them the strength to endure. (Psalm 34:17; Daniel 6:22; 1 Corinthians 10:13) From your study of the Bible, how many of such “saving acts” can you recall? ????? Do research on such true-life events as the global Deluge of NoahÂ’s day, the deliverance of Lot and his daughters from Sodom and Gomorrah, IsraelÂ’s Exodus from Egypt and trek through the Red Sea, or HamanÂ’s foiled plot to destroy the Jews? Reading and then meditating on these thrilling accounts will strengthen your faith that Jehovah is a God of savingacts. This, in turn, will help you to face tests of your faith fearlessly. ????? Cultivate Godly Qualities—Courage WHY IMPORTANT: Preaching requires courage.—Ac 5:27-29, 41, 42 The great tribulation will test our courage.—Mt 24:15-21 Fear of man leads to tragedy.—Jer 38:17-20; 39:4-7 HOW TO DO IT: Meditate on JehovahÂ’s saving acts.—Ex 14:13 Pray for courage and boldness. —Ac 4:29, 31 Put your trust in Jehovah.—Ps 118:6 WATCH THE VIDEO AVOID WHAT ERODES LOYALTY—FEAR OF MAN, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: Why is courage essential in our ministry? What contrast do we find at Proverbs 29:25? Why must we develop godly courage now? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202017288?q=saving+acts&p=par

ENDURANCE - NEEDED TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST — ??????? ??????????? "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved."—(Matt. 24:13) The Greek verb hy·po·me?no, literally meaning “remain or stay under,” is rendered ‘remain behindÂ’ in Luke 2:43and Acts 17:14. It also came to have the sense “stand oneÂ’s ground; persevere; remain steadfast,” and is thus translated ‘endure.Â’ (Mt 24:13) The noun hy·po·mo·ne? usually denotes courageous, steadfast, or patient “endurance” that does not lose hope in the face of obstacles, persecutions, trials, or temptations. ??????????? Why Needed. Among the things Christians may have to face are indifference on the part of others, reproach, misrepresentation, intense hostility, hatred by close family members, mistreatment, imprisonment, and even death. (Mt 5:10-12; 10:16-22; 24:9, 10,39; Mr 13:9, 12, 13; Re 13:10) This calls for endurance. Without this essential quality, a person simply could not come into possession of eternal life. (Ro 2:7;Heb 10:36; Re 14:12) This is because what counts is the finish, not how well a person may have started in the course of Christian discipleship. As Jesus Christ expressed it: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Mt 24:13) “By endurance on your part you will acquire your souls.”—Lu 21:19. ??????????? Endurance in the Christian way is not dependent on personal strength. It is the Most High who, by means of his spirit and the comfort from the Scriptures, sustains and fortifies his servants. He “supplies endurance” to those who rely fully on him, and so Christians rightly pray for his help, including the wisdom needed to deal with a particular trial. (Ro 15:4, 5; Jas 1:5) Jehovah will never permit anyoneÂ’s being submitted to a trial that would be impossible for him to bear. If a person looks to Him for aid, not losing faith but trusting completely in Jehovah, the Almighty will make the way out so that he is able to endure.—1Co 10:13; 2Co 4:9. ??????????? Proper View of Trials. Knowing that a personÂ’s eternal future depends on endurance and that he can be confident of assistance from on high, Christians should not dread trials and tribulations, resenting them or giving in to complaint, self-pity, or bitterness. The apostle Paul admonished: “Exult while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance.” (Ro 5:3) Trials borne patiently and steadfastly with divine help reveal that a Christian possesses the needed quality of endurance—something that was not known in actuality and by experience before the tribulation began. ??????????? Endurance should be allowed to have “its work complete” by letting the trial run its full course without any attempts to use unscriptural means to bring it to a swift end. Then, faith will be tested and refined, and its sustaining power will be revealed. Areas of weakness may be exposed, putting the Christian in a position to see defects and to make needed improvements. The molding effect of trials endured faithfully can make a person more patient, sympathetic, compassionate, kind, and loving when dealing with fellow humans. Thus, by permitting endurance to “have its work complete,” a person will not be “lacking in anything” that Jehovah God looks for in his approved servants.—Jas 1:2-4. ??????????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001360?q=matt+24%3A13&p=par Â

“I was especially fond of the sons of men.”—PROV. 8:31. ????????? GOD’S firstborn Son was the earliest and most complete expression of Jehovah’s unfathomable wisdom. He was wisdom personified, “a master worker” alongside his Father. We can only imagine the joy and satisfaction that he experienced as his Father “prepared the heavens” and “established the foundations of the earth.” However, though appreciating these inanimate things, God’s firstborn Son “was especially fond of the sons of men.” (Prov. 8:22-31) Yes, Jesus has a fondness, or tender affection, for mankind that stretches back to his prehuman existence. ??????? Later, as proof of his loyalty and love for his Father, as well as of his deep love for “the sons of men,” God’s Firstborn willingly “emptied himself” and came to be in the likeness of men. He did so in order to provide “a ransom in exchange for many.” (Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 20:28) What love he has for the human family! While Jesus was on earth, God empowered him to perform miracles that revealed how much he loved people. Jesus thus demonstrated the kind of marvelous things that will soon take place earth wide. ???????? Jesus’ coming to earth also enabled him to “declare the good news of the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 4:43) Jesus knew that this Kingdom would serve to sanctify his Father’s name and would be the permanent solution to all human ills. Not surprisingly, woven throughout the fabric of Jesus’ preaching tours were evidences of his genuine concern for the human family. Why should this matter to us? Because the lessons we learn will inspire confidence and hope for the future. Let us examine four of Jesus’ miracles. ?"POWER WAS WITH HIM TO DO HEALING” ? “JESUS GAVE WAY TO TEARS” ? Jesus’ heart was touched by the pain of others. Deeply moved by others’ reaction to the death of his friend Lazarus, Jesus “groaned” and “became troubled.” He felt that way even though he  knew that he would shortly bring Lazarus back to life. (Read John 11:33-36.) Jesus was not ashamed to manifest strong emotions. Onlookers could see the affection Jesus felt for Lazarus and his family. What compassion Jesus showed by using his God-given power to bring his friend back to life!—John 11:43, 44. ???????? If we maintain our Christian integrity, we may well witness one of the greatest miracles of all time—the miracle of surviving the great tribulation. Soon after the war of Armageddon, more miracles will occur, restoring humans to good health. (Isa. 33:24; 35:5, 6; Rev. 21:4) Imagine watching people discard eyeglasses, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and the like. For good reason, Jehovah will bring Armageddon survivors to a state of good health. Those survivors will have work to do. They can move forward with zest to make our planet, a gift from God, into a global paradise.—Ps. 115:16. ???????? https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150615/jesus-loved-people/

"They would not . . . worship any god at all except their own God."—Dan. 3:28. ??? ????? Loyalty to Jehovah Brings Rewards The account of the three Hebrews can strengthen our determination to be loyal to Jehovah In the seventh century B.C.E., three Hebrew servants of Jehovah were given clear evidence that God rewards faith and courage. King Nebuchadnezzar assembled BabylonÂ’s dignitaries and demanded that they worship a towering image of gold. Any who would not do so were to die in a fiery furnace. The three Hebrews respectfully told Nebuchadnezzar: “Our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue us. But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.” (Dan. 3:16-18) The thrilling rescue of the three Hebrews is vividly described at Daniel 3:19-30. Although we are not likely to be threatened with death in a fiery furnace, we do face tests of integrity and can be sure that God will bless us for our faith and courage. According to Daniel chapter 6, how did Daniel act courageously, and with what result? ????? Daniel showed faith and courage when his enemies prevailed upon King Darius to issue a decree that “whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days except to you, O king, should be thrown to the lionsÂ’ pit.” As soon as Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he “entered into his house, and, the windows in his roof chamber being open for him toward Jerusalem, even three times in a day he was kneeling on his knees and praying and offering praise before his God, as he had been regularly doing prior to this.” (Dan. 6:6-10) Courageous Daniel ended up in a lionsÂ’ pit—but Jehovah delivered him.—Dan. 6:16-23. ????? Like Jesus, early Christians courageously rendered worship only to Jehovah. (Matt. 4:8-10) They refused to burn incense in honor of the Roman emperor. (See picture.) “Very few of the Christians recanted,” wrote Daniel P. Mannix, “although an altar with a fire burning on it was generally kept in the arena for their convenience. All a prisoner had to do was scatter a pinch of incense on the flame and he was given a Certificate of Sacrifice and turned free. It was also carefully explained to him that he was not worshiping the emperor; merely acknowledging the divine character of the emperor as head of the Roman state. Still, almost no Christians availed themselves of the chance to escape.”—Those About to Die. ??? ????? Modern Christians held in Nazi concentration camps with possible death facing them were given repeated opportunities to gain their freedom by signing a declaration renouncing Jehovah. But few signed. Risking death during a genocide in Rwanda in recent times, Tutsi and Hutu Witnesses protected one another. Such trials call for courage and faith. ????? We are now privileged to share in the greatest work ever entrusted to GodÂ’s human servants—that of declaring the Kingdom message and making disciples. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) How grateful we are for JesusÂ’ matchless example! He “went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) ????? Like him, we need faith and courage in order to preach the Kingdom message. With GodÂ’s help, we can be like courageous Noah, an intrepid “preacher of righteousness” to “a world of ungodly people” about to perish in a global deluge.—2 Pet. 2:4, 5. ?????? Prayer helps us to carry out the preaching work. When certain persecuted followers of Christ prayed that they might ‘speak GodÂ’s word with boldness,Â’ that plea was answered. (Read Acts 4:29-31.) If you are somewhat timid about preaching from house to house, Jehovah will answer your prayers for greater faith and courage.—Read Psalm 66:19, 20.* ?????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013043

"Whenever Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with God, he would hear the voice conversing with him from above the cover of the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubs; and God would speak to him." (Numbers 7:89) ????? *** Holy Spirit Active in the Invisible Heavenly Realm *** This golden ark or chest was used as a receptacle for sacred articles. It had a cover surmounted by two golden cherubs with wings spread out to cover the mercy seat or propitiatory. When this ark was placed in the Most Holy of the tabernacle or temple, a miraculous light (the Shekinah light) appeared above the wings of the cherubs. (Exodus 25:10-22; 2 Kings 19:15) Thus Jehovah was represented as throning above the cherubs and giving instructions from there. HS chap. 2 p. 31 par. 32 ?????

"Not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you."—Josh. 23:14. 2014/7/23 ?????

Working Together With God—A Cause for Rejoicing! ????? "We beg: “Become reconciled to God.”—2 Cor. 5:20. ????? Jesus said that there is happiness both in giving and in receiving. (Acts 20:35) It brought us joy to receive the truth, and it brings us joy to share the truth with others. As we share Bible truths with others, we see spiritually hungry ones filled with delight as they begin to understand and appreciate our God and the precious truths contained in his Word. It touches our heart to see them make changes not just in their thinking but also in their way of life. We realize that the work of sharing the good news is vitally important. It opens the way to everlasting life for those who become reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20) What more joyful, satisfying work could we engage in than that of helping people chart a course that will result in their living forever? ????? When we work along with those we love, we draw close to them and come to know their personality and their qualities. We learn not only what they want to accomplish but also how they go about doing it. Jesus worked along with Jehovah for perhaps billions of years, and they forged a strong, unbreakable bond of love and affection for each other. Pointing to the closeness of their relationship, Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) They enjoyed a wonderful unity, always working together in full harmony. ????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016047?q=2+Cor+5%3A20&p=par

M. Stephen Lett - member of the Governing Body ????????? 15 Happy are the people who know the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your face." (Psalms 89:15). ????????? The ‘light of GodÂ’s faceÂ’ means divine favor. (Ps 44:3; 89:15) “Lift up the light of your face upon us” is an expression meaning ‘show us favor.Â’ (Ps 4:6) Similarly, the favor of a ruler is referred to as “the light of the kingÂ’s face.”—Pr 16:15. ????????? Light may denote brightness or cheerfulness, the opposite of gloom. (Job 30:26) This may explain the words of Job (29:24): “The light of my face they would not cast down.” Although others were gloomy and dejected, this did not cause Job to become of like disposition. ????????? A bright prospect, such as salvation or deliverance, is at times referred to under the figure of light. (Es 8:16; Ps 97:11; Isa 30:26; Mic 7:8, 9) JehovahÂ’s causing his glory to shine forth upon Zion pointed forward to her deliverance from a captive state. As a result Zion was to become a source of enlightenment to the nations. (Isa 60:1-3, 19, 20; compare Re 21:24;22:5.) On the other hand, for the sun, moon, and stars not to give their light would signify calamity.—Isa 13:10, 11;Jer 4:23; Eze 32:7, 8; Mt 24:29. ????????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002742?q=ps+89%3A15&p=par Jehovah is called “the happy God.” (1Ti 1:11) He creates and works with joy for himself and his creatures. What he brings about makes him joyful. (Ps 104:31) He wants his creatures likewise to enjoy his works and to enjoy their own work. (Ec 5:19) Since he is the Source of all good things (Jas 1:17), all intelligent creatures, both mankind and angels, can find their chief enjoyment in coming to know him. (Jer 9:23, 24) ????????? King David said: “Let my musing about him be pleasurable. I, for my part, shall rejoice in Jehovah.” (Ps 104:34) He also sang: “The righteous one will rejoice in Jehovah and will indeed take refuge in him; and all the upright in heart will boast.” (Ps 64:10) The apostle Paul urged Christians to take joy at all times in their knowledge ofJehovah and his dealing with them, writing to them: “Always rejoice in the Lord [“Jehovah,” in several versions]. Once more I will say, Rejoice!”—Php 4:4. ????????? Jesus Christ, who was the intimate one of Jehovah, knows him best (Mt 11:27), and he is able to explain Him to his followers. (Joh 1:18) Jesus is therefore joyful, being called “the happy and only Potentate.” (1Ti 6:14, 15) ????????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002531?q=joy+of+jehovah&p=par#h=3 Â

“JesusÂ’ compassion paints a touching portrait of JehovahÂ’s concern for each one of his servants."—John 5:19.  ?????? “Weep With Those Who Weep” ?????? “FOR almost a year after the death of our son, we felt deep and excruciating pain,” said Susi. Another Christian said that when his wife died suddenly, he experienced “indescribable physical pain.” Sadly, countless others experience this kind of agony. Many in the Christian congregation may not have expected their loved ones to die this side of Armageddon. ?????? Whether you have personally lost a loved one in death or know someone who is bereaved, you may wonder, ‘How can grieving ones be helped to deal with their heartache?Â’ ?????? Perhaps you have heard it said that time is a great healer. However, does it really follow that time by itself will heal a broken heart? One widow observed, “I have found it more accurate to say that it is what one does with oneÂ’s time that helps one to heal.” Yes, like a physical wound, the pain of an emotional wound may gradually ease over time if it is given tender care. What, specifically, can help bereaved individuals heal their painful emotional wounds? ?????? JEHOVAH—“THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT” Without a doubt, the primary source of consolation is our compassionate heavenly Father, Jehovah. (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.) Jehovah, the foremost example of empathy, assured his people: “I myself am the One comforting you.”—Isa. 51:12; Ps. 119:50, 52, 76. ?????? Our Father of tender mercies has himself experienced the loss of loved ones, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David. (Num. 12:6-8;Matt. 22:31, 32; Acts 13:22) GodÂ’s Word assures us that Jehovah has eagerly anticipated—has had an earnest longing for—the time when he will bring them back to life. (Job 14:14, 15) They will be happy and in vibrant health. Consider, too, that GodÂ’s dearly beloved Son—“the one he was especially fond of”—died an agonizing death. (Prov. 8:22, 30) Words cannot express the pain Jehovah must have suffered.—John 5:20; 10:17. ?????? How can we be consoled by Jehovah? We can have unwavering confidence that Jehovah will act in our behalf. We should therefore not hesitate to pour out our hearts to him in prayer concerning our personal grief. How comforting it is to know that Jehovah understands our pain and provides the comfort that we so sorely need! But how does he do so? ?????? One way God helps us is by means of “the comfort of the holy spirit.” (Acts 9:31) GodÂ’s active force is a very powerful source of comfort. Jesus promised that the Father in heaven would eagerly “give holy spirit to those asking him.” (Luke 11:13) Susi, quoted earlier, says: “There were so many times when we just dropped to our knees and implored Jehovah to comfort us. Every single time, the peace of God truly guarded our hearts and minds.”—Read Philippians 4:6, 7. ?????? JehovahÂ’s tender empathy was perfectly expressed in the words and actions of his compassionate Son, Jesus, when he was on earth. (John 5:19) Jesus was sent to provide comfort for “the brokenhearted” and “all who mourn.” (Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:17-21) Hence, he was characterized by deep compassion—a sympathetic awareness of peopleÂ’s suffering and a heartfelt desire to alleviate their suffering.—Heb. 2:17.  ?????? If you are grieving, you too can find soothing comfort from such scriptures as the following:  “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Ps. 34:18, 19. “When anxieties overwhelmed me, you [Jehovah] comforted and soothed me.”—Ps. 94:19. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm.”—2 Thess. 2:16, 17.* https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017483?q=john+5%3A19&p=par ??????

"You will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name."—Matt. 24:9 ????? What is the “name” of Jesus on account of which Christians are hated by all nations? Illustrating this other aspect of JesusÂ’ “name” is his prophetic warning that his followers would be “objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.” (Mt 24:9; also Mt 10:22; Joh 15:20, 21;Ac 9:15, 16) ????? Clearly, this would be, not because his name represented that of a Ransomer or Redeemer, but because it represented GodÂ’s appointed Ruler, the King of kings, to whom all nations should bow in submission or else experience destruction.—Re 19:11-16; compare Ps 2:7-12. ????? So, too, it is certain that when demons gave in to JesusÂ’ command to get out of persons they possessed, they did so, not on the basis of JesusÂ’ being a sacrificial Lamb of God, but on account of the authority for which his name stood as the anointed representative of the Kingdom, the one with authority to call for, not merely one legion, but a dozen legions of angels, capable of expelling any demons who might stubbornly resist the order to leave. (Mr 5:1-13; 9:25-29; Mt 12:28, 29;26:53; compare Da 10:5, 6, 12, 13.) ????? JesusÂ’ faithful apostles were authorized to use his name to expel demons, both before and after his death. (Lu 9:1;10:17; Ac 16:16-18) But when the sons of Jewish priest Sceva tried to use JesusÂ’ name in this way, the wicked spirit challenged their right to appeal to the authority the name represented and caused the possessed man to attack and maul them.—Ac 19:13-17. ????? When JesusÂ’ followers referred to his “name” they frequently employed the expression “the Lord Jesus” or “our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ac 8:16; 15:26; 19:5, 13,17; 1Co 1:2, 10; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17) They recognized him as their Lord not only because he was their divinely appointed Repurchaser and Owner by virtue of his ransom sacrifice (1Co 6:20;7:22, 23; 1Pe 1:18, 19; Jude 4) but also because of his kingly position and authority. It was in the full regal as well as priestly authority represented by JesusÂ’ name that his followers preached (Ac 5:29-32, 40-42), baptized disciples (Mt 28:18-20; Ac 2:38.  ????? It follows, then, that those approved for life by Jesus could never put faith in, or render allegiance to, some other “name” as representing GodÂ’s authority to rule but must show unbreakable loyalty to the “name” of this divinely commissioned King, the Lord Jesus Christ.—Mt 12:18,21; Re 2:13; 3:8. ????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/44/5#h=31:312-32:0

Anybody Know Us? – ??????? https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/conventions/convention-campaign-trailer-2017/#?insight[search_id]=d4da98d3-27bc-4491-afc7-cc9e28ad3416&insight[search_result_index]=1 Comment Please? ???

"His Hand Is Never Empty!" ??????? A poem by: @jehovah_knows_ Out of despair I have called to Him, How many times, I cannot say, Yet every time He’s answered me, He’s shown He hears me when I pray. Jehovah’s hand is never empty, How He longs to hold us tight, To rescue us from all that’s evil, Lead us through this world’s dark night. I cannot say I don’t get anxious, As imperfection rules my mind, These days remain a constant struggle, To not look ahead or behind. Oh, today should be enough for me Tomorrow is tomorrow, Things of yesterday I cannot change, Stuck in either brings one sorrow. I force myself to maintain focus, Firmly on the paradise, To let Jehovah God take today, Just let it go and don’t think twice. There is nothing beyond this moment, Every moment’s just the same, But eternity awaits all those, Who rest their faith in God’s great name. ???????

Who Created Gravity or Spaced the Planets in Perfect Alignment? ????? God asked Job: “Into what have its socket pedestals been sunk down?” Is that not a good question? We are probably familiar with a term that Job did not know—gravity. Most of us understand that the force of gravity from the huge mass of the sun keeps our earth in place, its socket pedestals sunk down so to speak. Still, who fully understands gravity? ????? "Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you think you understand. 5 Who set its measurements, in case you know, Or who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 Into what were its pedestals sunk, Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars joyfully cried out together, And all the sons of God began shouting in applause?" – (Job 38: 4-7). ????? "He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing." – (Job 26:7). ????? "Look! These are just the fringes of his ways; Only a faint whisper has been heard of him! So who can understand his mighty thunder?” – (Job 2;14). ????? A recently published book entitled The Universe Explained admits that ‘gravity is the most familiar, yet the least understood, of nature’s forces.’ It adds: “Gravitational force seems to travel across empty space instantly, without any obvious means of doing so. In recent years, however, physicists have begun to speculate that gravity might travel in waves made of particles called gravitons . . . But no one is quite certain of their existence.” Think about what that implies. ????? Science has advanced for 3,000 years since Jehovah posed those questions to Job. Still, neither we nor expert physicists can fully explain gravity, which keeps our earth in the right orbit, just the position it should have to allow us to enjoy life here. (Job 26:7; Isaiah 45:18) ????? "For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.’ – (Isa. 45:18). ?????

HOW MUCH OF VALUE IS THE BIBLE TO YOU TODAY? - DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE BOOKS CAME FROM? - NOT A BOOK LIKE YOU SEE TODAY! - MANY BOOKS MAN HAS MADE AND YET MANY BOOKS OF MAN WERE ACTUALLY DISGUSTING IN GOD'S EYES! - NO MATTER WHAT THE VALUE, WE SHOULD READ INTENTLY AND GET THE FULL MEANING OF THOSE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE THAT WAS INDEED PRESERVED FOR US TODAY! - THE PROOF OF THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS AND THE ORIGINAL CODEX IS AMAZING THE TRUTH IS STILL HERE AND ALIVE TEACHING ALL WHO WANT TO LEARN IT! - ONLY BY GOD'S SPIRIT COULD THIS BE DONE! ????? (2 Peter 1:20-21) . . .For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit." ????? After the preaching of the good news about Christ, the believers brought their books of magic and burned them publicly, the calculation of their price being 50,000 pieces of silver (if denarii, $37,200).—Ac 19:19. ????? Bi′blos is the Greek term for “book”; its diminutive form bi·bli′on (literally, little book) is rendered “book,” “certificate,” and “scroll.” (Mr 12:26; Heb 9:19, Int; Mt 19:7; Lu 4:17) The word “Bible” comes from these Greek words. ????? Codex. It appears that Christians used mainly the roll, or scroll, form of book at least until about the end of the first century C.E. The apostle John wrote the Revelation about 96 C.E., and the book calls itself a scroll at chapter 22, verses 18 and 19. But the scroll form of book was very unwieldy. After the transition of the codex from notebook to book form, the superiority of the codex over the traditional scroll became apparent. For example, a scroll 31.7 m (104 ft) long might be needed to contain the four Gospels, whereas one compact codex could accommodate them all. In addition, the codex was more economical, since it was possible to write on both sides of a page. Furthermore, the lids afforded excellent protection for the contents, and various references could be located quickly without the tedious manipulation of scrolls. ????? It would be inconvenient, in fact, practically impossible, to make quick reference to certain statements in a large scroll. The indications are that the Christians were quick to adopt the use of the codex, or leaf-book, because they were interested in preaching the good news and they consulted and pointed out many references in the Scriptures in their Bible study and preaching. As to the fact that the Christians, if they did not invent the leaf-book, took the lead in the use of it, Professor E. J. Goodspeed in his book Christianity Goes to Press (1940, pp. 75, 76) says: “There were men in the early church keenly alive to the part publication was playing in the Graeco-Roman world, who, in their zeal to spread the Christian message over that world, seized upon all the techniques of publication, not just the old traditional threadbare ones, but the newest and most progressive ones, and made use of them to the full in their Christian propaganda. In doing this they began the use on any large scale of the leaf-book, now in universal use. Their gospel was not an esoteric, secret mystery, but something to be proclaimed upon the housetops, and they made it their business to carry into effect the old slogan of the prophets, ‘Publish good tidings.’ The writing of the individual gospels was a great matter, of course, but the collecting of them, together with their publication as a collection, was an altogether different act, and one of almost as much importance as the writing of some of them.”—See also Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1971, Vol. 3, p. 922. ????? Based on an address by Professor Sanders (published in the University of Michigan Quarterly Review, 1938, p. 109), Professor Goodspeed sets forth in his book (p. 71) a table comparing the findings of classical and of Christian works of the second, third, and fourth centuries C.E., as to the number of fragments of roll-books and of codex, or leaf-books, found in each group: CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN Century Roll Codex Roll Codex II 1? 4 III 291 20 9? 38 IV 26 49 6? 64 Of early Christians as publishers of books, Professor Goodspeed goes on to say (p. 78): “They were not only abreast of their times in such matters, they were in advance of them, and the publishers of the subsequent centuries have followed them.” He further states (p. 99): “It was the publication of the Bible that had stimulated the development of the leaf-book for literary purposes in the second century, and it was the publication of the Bible that stimulated the invention of printing.” ????? Professor Goodspeed ventures (p. 81): “The curious remark in II Tim. 4:13 ‘Bring . . . the books, especially the parchments,’ (the Greek words are biblia, membranas) makes one wonder whether the biblia does not mean the scrolls of Jewish scripture, and the membranai the newer leaf-books of Christian origin—the gospels and Paul. Professor Sanders’ argument strongly suggests that north of the Mediterranean, leaf-books were at first more likely to be made of parchment.” ????? Palimpsests. Because of the cost or scarcity of writing material, it was sometimes reused. Manuscripts were at times partially erased by scraping, sponging, or using various preparations to remove as much as possible of the original. With papyrus, sponging was done if the ink was fairly fresh; otherwise the old writing was crossed out, or the back of the material was used for the writing surface. On some palimpsests, because of atmospheric action, and other conditions, the original writing might appear clearly enough to be deciphered. A number of Bible manuscripts are among these, a notable one of which is the Codex Ephraemi, containing, under what was probably 12th-century writing, a part of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in writing thought to be of the 5th century C.E.Other Books Referred To in the Bible. A number of uninspired books are referred to in the Bible. Some were source material for inspired writers. Some appear to be journals compiled from state records. Among them are the following: ????? Book of the Wars of Jehovah. Quoted by Moses at Numbers 21:14, 15, this book was undoubtedly a reliable record, or history, of the wars of God’s people. It may have begun with Abraham’s successful warfare against the four allied kings who captured Lot and his family.—Ge 14:1-16. ????? Book of Jashar. This book is cited at Joshua 10:12, 13, which passage deals with the appeal of Joshua for the sun and the moon to stand still during his fight with the Amorites, and at 2 Samuel 1:18-27, setting forth a poem, called “The Bow,” a dirge over Saul and Jonathan. It is thought, therefore, that the book was a collection of poems, songs, and other writings. They were undoubtedly of considerable historical interest and were widely circulated among the Hebrews. Other historical writings. Several other uninspired historical writings are referred to in the books of Kings and Chronicles, one being “the book of the affairs of the days of the kings of Israel.” (1Ki 14:19; 2Ki 15:31) “The book of the affairs of the times of the kings of Judah” is its counterpart for the kings of the southern kingdom, starting with Solomon’s son Rehoboam. It is referred to 15 times. (1Ki 14:29; 2Ki 24:5) Another record of Solomon’s rule is mentioned at 1 Kings 11:41 as “the book of the affairs of Solomon.” In compiling and writing Chronicles after the exile, Ezra refers at least 14 times to other sources, including “the Book of the Kings of Israel,” “the account of the affairs of the days of King David,” and “the Book of the Kings of Judah and of Israel.” (1Ch 9:1; 27:24; 2Ch 16:11; 20:34; 24:27; 27:7; 33:18) Ezra also made reference to books by previous inspired writers. (1Ch 29:29; 2Ch 26:22; 32:32) Ezra notes that other prophets of Jehovah made written records that are not preserved in the inspired Holy Scriptures. (2Ch 9:29; 12:15; 13:22) A “book of the affairs of the times” is mentioned by Nehemiah. (Ne 12:23) Persian governmental records are noted in the Bible. In these were included reports of services rendered to the king, such as Mordecai’s disclosure of an assassination plot.—Ezr 4:15; Es 2:23; 6:1, 2; 10:2. ????? The wise writer of Ecclesiastes warns against the endless procession of books that are a product of worldly reasoning and conflict with godly wisdom, books that do not instill the fear of the true God and the keeping of his commandments. (Ec 12:12, 13) An example of such was found in Ephesus, where spiritism and demonism were rampant. After the preaching of the good news about Christ, the believers brought their books of magic and burned them publicly, the calculation of their price being 50,000 pieces of silver (if denarii, $37,200).—Ac 19:19. ????? In Exodus 17:14 is Jehovah’s command to write his judgment against Amalek in “the book,” indicating that the writings of Moses, the first writings known to be inspired, were already under way in 1513 B.C.E. ????? Some other references to the Bible or parts of it are: “The book of the covenant,” apparently containing the legislation set out at Exodus 20:22 to 23:33 (Ex 24:7); and “the roll of the book,” the Hebrew Scriptures.—Heb 10:7. ????? Figurative Use. Several times “book” is used figuratively, as in the expressions “your [God’s] book” (Ex 32:32), “book of remembrance” (Mal 3:16), and “book of life” (Php 4:3; Re 3:5; 20:15). It appears that these are all basically the same, that is, they are all God’s “book” of remembrance with a view to rewarding with eternal life (in heaven or on earth) the ones whose names are written in it. God’s “book” evidently receives names conditionally, since the Scriptures indicate that a person’s name can be ‘wiped out’ of it. (Ex 32:32, 33; Re 3:5) So only if a person continues faithful is his name retained in the book. ARE YOU IN THIS BOOK? ????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1204072?q=the+bible&p=par ????? This is actually a real library in: http://www.kclibrary.org/readers-services/reading-lists/community-bookshelf

“Be Joyful Forever in What I Am Creating” ????? “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." (Isa 65:17) ????? You can find millions today who are gladly submitting to such rulership. They are benefiting from its educational program and striving to follow its laws found in the Bible. (Isaiah 54:13) These make up the basis of “a new earth” in the sense that they form a global society of all nationalities, languages, and races, and they work together in submission to the reigning King, Jesus Christ. A significant fact is that you can be part of this!—Micah 4:1-4 ????? 21 We are assured of this as we move into this wonderful prophecy. The end of Re 21 verse 3 speaks of the time when God will be with mankind, turning his beneficent attention toward people doing his will. (Ezekiel 43:7) John continues in Re 21 verses 4, 5: “He [Jehovah] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also, he says: ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” What an uplifting prophecy! ????? Pause to savor what the Bible is foretelling. ‘God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.’ That cannot refer to normal tears that wash our sensitive eyes, nor can it refer to tears of joy. No, the tears that God will wipe out are tears caused by suffering, grief, disappointment, hurt, and agony. How can we be sure? Well, this remarkable promise of God links wiping out tears with ‘death, mourning, outcry, and pain being no more.’—John 11:35. ????? Does this not prove that cancer, strokes, heart attacks, and even death will have been eliminated? Who of us has not lost a loved one to some disease, accident, or disaster? God here promises that death will be no more, which suggests that the children who might be born then will not have to face the prospect of growing up and then getting old—ending in death. This prophecy also means no more Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, fibroid tumors, glaucoma, or even cataracts—so common in old age. ????? You would no doubt agree that mourning and outcry would decrease with the removal of death, old age, and disease. ????? Yet, what about grinding poverty, child abuse, and oppressive discrimination based on background or skin color? Were such things—common today—to continue, we would not be rid of mourning and outcry. ????? Thus, life under “a new heaven and a new earth” will not be marred by these present causes of sorrow. What a change! We have, though, considered so far only three of the four occurrences in the Bible of the phrase “new heavens and a new earth.” ????? There is one more that ties in with what we have examined and that underscores why we have reason to look forward to when and how God will fulfill his promise to ‘make all things new.’ https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102001046?q=isa+65%3A17&p=par

I have Faith in Jehovah. ????? That is why I have been traveled from place to place preaching that Jehovah will resurrect the dead one back to life. But at time, when I recalled how I losed my parent right from when I was a baby, tears cannot stop coming out from my eye. That is why I cry out to Jehovah like that man at Mark 9:24 that say: "I have faith! Help me out where I need faith!" WHY? Because without faith it is impossible to please God well. (Hebrews 11:6). So please brothers, in all circumstances, "Have faith in in God". May each of us always pray to Jehovah: "Help me out where I need faith!" Thank you! I took this photo after the "Inrease Your Faith in Jehovah" Circuit Assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses, today in Nigeria. From your fellow friend of Jehovah, Brother Kingsley. ❤️

SUPPORT YOUR DECISIONS – ????? “Do you like it? Should I buy it?” asked Flora, displaying the finely tailored black coat she was trying on. “I like it,” said her friend Anna, “but it’s your choice to make.” Weakened by indecision, Flora placed the coat back on the rack and left the store. ??????? They were home not 15 minutes when Flora exclaimed, “I should have bought that coat!” They returned to the store the next morning, but it was too late. The coat was gone—sold to someone else. ??????? WHEN you are confronted with a personal decision, do you struggle painfully, procrastinate, and finally ask someone else to decide for you? And after the decision is made, do you keep wondering if a different choice would have been better? If so, you can probably identify with Flora’s experience above. You know how difficult decision-making can be. ??????? Nevertheless, you can learn to make decisions with greater ease and pleasure. If making a final choice is hard, remember that decision-making almost always involves taking risks. If you are afraid to make a choice until you are absolutely certain of success, you will remain indecisive, for many decisions involve uncertainty and must be made on the basis of probability. ??????? (Ecclesiastes 11:4) "The one who watches the wind will not sow seed, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap." ??????? In most cases, no one option has every advantage. No matter what choice you make, there will be something to sacrifice. So make the choice that is most likely the best, and . . . Support Your Decision! ?

"Continue reminding them . . . to be reasonable."—Titus 3:1, 2. ???☄️??? For some reason, though, Lot pleaded for permission to flee to another location. Just think—Lot actually asked Jehovah to change His instructions! ???☄️??? A Lesson From Lot Of course, even faithful servants of God can momentarily lose their sense of urgency. Think of Abraham’s nephew Lot. He learned from two angelic visitors that God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The news could not have surprised Lot, who “was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduct.” (2 Peter 2:7) Still, when the two angels came to escort him out of Sodom, he “kept lingering.” The angels almost had to drag him and his family out of the city. Subsequently, Lot’s wife ignored the angels’ warning not to look back. Her lax attitude cost her dearly. (Genesis 19:14-17, 26) “Remember the wife of Lot,” Jesus warned.—Luke 17:32. ???☄️??? Delivered from Sodom. The angels then informed Lot that the outcry against the inhabitants of Sodom had grown loud before Jehovah and that they had been sent to destroy the city. As instructed, Lot warned his prospective sons-in-law, who evidently were intending to take his daughters as wives but had not yet done so. (Compare Ge 19:8, 14.) However, his sons-in-law did not heed his words. (Ge 19:12-14) At dawn the two angels urged prompt departure, hastening it by seizing the hands of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters. In keeping with Lot’s request, the angels permitted him to flee to the nearby city of Zoar. After Lot arrived there, Jehovah brought fiery destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah. However, Lot’s wife (who is unnamed in the Scriptures) disobediently “began to look around from behind him,” perhaps with longing for the things left behind. For doing so, “she became a pillar of salt.”—Ge 19:15-26. ???☄️??? A Warning. The authenticity of the Scriptural account regarding Lot is attested to by Jesus Christ. He showed that “in the days of the Son of man,” or during his presence, circumstances would parallel those of the days of Lot when persons were unconcernedly eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building until fire and sulfur rained down from heaven to destroy them all. Christ showed that at that future time persons should not return to the things behind, and he gave a striking example to show the dire consequences of doing so. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002776#h=6:0-6:918

A small portion of the pioneers and the food service volunteers for the 2017 Warwick North congregation Pioneer School. This photo was taken after "The Best Lunch Ever." ??????

Tools for Preaching—Producing Literature for the Worldwide Field ????? Here is an example of a old testimony card. ????? Testimony cards. Beginning in 1933, publishers were encouraged to use testimony cards in their door-to-door ministry. A testimony card was about three by five inches (7.6 by 12.7 cm) in size. It contained a brief Bible message and a description of Bible-based literature that the householder could obtain. A publisher would simply hand the card to the householder and ask him to read it. “I welcomed the testimony card work,” said Lilian Kammerud, who eventually served as a missionary in Puerto Rico and Argentina. Why was that? “Not all of us could give a good presentation,” she said. “So it helped me get accustomed to approaching people ????? Brother David Reusch, who was baptized in 1918, observed, “Testimony cards helped the brothers, for very few felt that they were able to say the right thing.” This tool had its limits, though. “Sometimes,” said Brother Reusch, “we met people who thought we could not speak. In a sense, many of us were not able to speak. But Jehovah was preparing us to meet the public as his ministers. Soon he would put words in our mouth by teaching us to use the Scriptures at the door. This was accomplished through the Theocratic Ministry School that began in the 1940’s.”—Read Jeremiah 1:6-9. ????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102014247#h=217:0-218:24 You

“O my King and my God, because to you I pray. O Jehovah, you will hear my voice in the morning; In the morning I will express my concern to you and wait expectantly.” (Ps.5:3) — ?? ??????? ?? Peace ? With Jehovah Requires That We Honor His Son, Christ Jesus Our Lord Hostility toward Jehovah and Christ Jesus was prophesied ?It was prophesied that the nations would not accept Christ Jesus’ authority but would insist on their own ?This prophecy had fulfillment during Jesus’ time on earth and has a greater fulfillment today ?The psalmist says that the nations mutter an empty thing, meaning that their purpose is empty and doomed to failure Only those who honor Jehovah’s anointed King will gain life 2:8-12 ?All who oppose the Messianic King will be destroyed ?By honoring the Son, Jesus, individuals can find safety and peace ? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202016166?q=ps+5%3A3&p=par

“These Things Entrust to Faithful Men” ?????‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??? “These things entrust to faithful men, who, in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach others.”—2 TIMOTHY 2:2. ????????? Older brothers should not feel discouraged when they need to give some responsibilities to younger men. We all realize that the most important thing today is Jehovah’s work. Training younger men to handle responsibilities will help this work get done. Think about this. When you were a young child, you probably watched your father drive his car. As you got older, he explained to you what he was doing. In time, you got your license and started to drive the car yourself. Even then, your father still gave you advice. Sometimes you took turns driving. But as your father got older, you did most of the driving. Was your father upset? No, he was probably happy to have you drive him around. In a similar way, older brothers are happy to see younger men whom they have trained become ready to take on responsibilities in Jehovah’s organization. ?????‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??? At times, younger ones are given the responsibility to oversee the work of older, more experienced brothers. It would be wise for them to learn from these older ones. In the example we spoke about earlier, after Paul replaced Peter as the overseer of a Bethel department, he said, “I took time to seek out the advice of Peter, and I encouraged others in the department to do the same.” ?????‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♂️??? All of Jehovah’s people want to support the Kingdom and do whatever is asked of them. WHY WE MAY FIND IT HARD TO DELEGATE 1 We may worry that we will not get credit for the work. But let us remember that all credit belongs to Jehovah.—Psalm 115:1. 2 We do not want to give up work that we enjoy. But training others can bring us joy.—Acts 20:35. 3 We think that the work will not be done properly. But as God helped us to do the work, he can help others.—Psalm 37:5. 4 We do not want to lose control of an assignment. But Jehovah is always in control.—Isaiah 45:6, 7. 5 We feel that we do not have time to train others. But training others now will actually save time in the future.—Ephesians 5:15, 16. ?????‍♂️????‍♂️???‍♂️????‍♂️????? SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED To delegate authority: To train others to take on the work and assignments that we have. Even if they are given an assignment that we had, we should always support them. We want them to do the work even better than we did To take on more responsibility: To accept more work and assignments and to do them to the best of our ability. This involves accepting the training and support that are provided by those who have done such work before ????????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402017248?q=2+tim+2%3A2&p=par

Does Jehovah Have Feelings? ????? (Ps 78:38) "But he was merciful; He would forgive their error and not bring them to ruin. He often held back his anger Instead of stirring up all his wrath." Psalm 78 recounts God’s dealings with ancient Israel. After delivering the nation from slavery in Egypt, Jehovah offered to enter into a special relationship with them. He promised that if they would remain obedient to his laws, they would become his “special property” and be used in an extraordinary way to fulfill his purpose. The people agreed and entered into the Law covenant. Did they live up to their end of the agreement?—Exodus 19:3-8. ????? There is nothing more precious that we could give to Jehovah than to live in a way that brings joy to his heart ❤️ The psalmist says: “How often they would rebel against him in the wilderness!” (Verse 40) The next verse adds: “Again and again they would put God to the test.” (Verse 41) Notice that the writer describes a pattern of rebellion. This ugly spirit surfaced early—in the wilderness shortly after their deliverance from Egypt. The people began to murmur against God, questioning whether he was able and willing to care for them. (Numbers 14:1-4) ????? What can we learn from this psalm? It is reassuring to see that Jehovah has a strong attachment to his worshippers and is not quick to give up on them. At the same time, it is sobering to consider that Jehovah has feelings and that our conduct can affect his feelings. How does knowing that affect you? Does it move you to want to do what is right? ????? How did Jehovah feel each time his fickle people rebelled? “They would make him feel hurt,” says verse 40. Another translation says that they would “give him cause for grief.” One Bible reference work explains: “The meaning here is that the conduct of the Hebrews was such as was fitted to cause pain,—as the conduct of a disobedient and rebellious child is.” Just as an unruly child can cause his parents much pain of heart, the rebellious Israelites “pained even the Holy One of Israel.”—Verse 41. ????? Rather than pursue a sinful course and bring pain to Jehovah’s heart, we can choose to follow an upright course and make his heart glad. And that is exactly what he asks of his worshippers: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice.” (Proverbs 27:11) ????? There is nothing more precious that we could give to Jehovah than to live in a way that brings joy to his heart.❤️ ????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011484?q=ps+78%3A38&p=par#h=6

Can I Tell You a "Secret?" We Must "Open Our Hearts and Minds and Listen to This Prophecy!" ????????? "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring."—Gen. 3:15. ?????????? The Blessings of the Kingdom ????? The Messianic Kingdom will destroy God’s enemies and all the families of the earth will be blessed. ??????? “God’s Wisdom in a Sacred Secret” “The glory of God is the keeping of a matter secret.” (Proverbs 25:2) Yes, as Sovereign Ruler and Creator, Jehovah rightfully keeps some things secret from mankind until it is his due time to reveal them. ??????? When Adam and Eve sinned, it may have appeared that Jehovah’s purpose to have an earthly paradise inhabited by perfect humans had been thwarted. But God immediately addressed the problem. He said: “I shall put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.”—Genesis 3:15. ??????? During his ministry, Jesus identified the serpent of Genesis 3:15 as Satan and the serpent’s seed as Satan’s followers. (Matthew 23:33; John 8:44) Later, it was revealed how all of these would be crushed forever. (Revelation 20:1-3,10, 15) And the woman was identified as “the Jerusalem above,” Jehovah’s heavenly, wifelike organization of spirit creatures.*—Galatians 4:26; Revelation 12:1-6. ??????? God’s Wisdom and the Sacred Secret ??????? The sacred secret is an astonishing display of “the greatly diversified wisdom of God.” (Ephesians 3:8-10) What wisdom Jehovah displayed in formulating this secret, then in revealing it so gradually! He wisely took into consideration the limitations of humans, allowing them to manifest their true heart condition.—Psalm 103:14. ??????? The apostle Paul wrote: “The sacred secret that was hidden from the past systems of things and from the past generations . . . has been made manifest to his holy ones.” (Colossians 1:26) What a privilege all of us have! Jehovah has “made known to us the sacred secret of his will.” (Ephesians 1:9) Let us share this marvelous secret with others, helping them likewise to peer into the unfathomable wisdom of Jehovah God! ??????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102002043?q=gen+3%3A15&p=par

Charles Taze Russell (February 16, 1852 – October 31, 1916), or Pastor Russell, was a prominent early 20th century Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement, Jehovah's Witnesses are known. ?????????