[From ws12/16 p. 19 February 13-19]
“Throw all your anxiety on [Jehovah], because he cares for you.” – 1Pe 5:7
This is a rare Watchtower study article. I do not mean to sound condescending, but in my experience, it is difficult to find a study article like this one where some emphasis is put on Jesus’ role and where the writer doesn’t stray from the Bible narrative. If you’ve been following our past reviews, you’ll know this to be true.
Often, Jesus is all but ignored. For example, in the introduction to this month’s broadcast on tv.jw.org, we are told that “Jehovah urges us to seek first the kingdom”. Actually, it is Jesus who does this, not Jehovah. (See Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31) How can we honor the Son if we cannot even give him credit for the things he himself has said?
“. . .He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (Joh 5:23)
However, the writer of this study does appear to be trying to give Jesus his due. For example,
In God’s Word, we find Jesus’ soothing sayings. His words and teachings were a source of refreshment to his listeners. Multitudes were drawn to him because he calmed troubled hearts, strengthened the weak, and consoled the depressed. (Read Matthew 11:28-30.) He showed loving consideration for others’ spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. (Mark 6:30-32) Jesus’ promise of support still applies. It can prove to be as true for you as it was for the apostles traveling with Jesus. You do not have to be in Jesus’ physical presence to benefit. As heavenly King, Jesus continues to have and show empathy. Thus, when you are anxious, he can mercifully ‘come to your aid’ and ‘help you at the right time.’ Yes, Jesus can help you to cope with distress, and he can fill your heart with hope and courage.—Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:16. – par. 6
In most articles, such a paragraph would be written with “Jehovah” being substituted for “Jesus”, and nary a meeting attendee would bat an eye. I honestly cannot recall the last time I read a passage like this in the publications. Let us hope they keep this up.
All in all, it is a encouraging and balanced article. For instance, the chart following paragraph 15 in the online version or at the top of pages 22 and 23 in the print and PDF versions encourages us to have a balanced way of life. This is good theory, but in practice—as any Witnesses will tell you—it is virtually impossible to apply this counsel while complying with the many demands on our time imposed by the Organization. We have two meetings a week to prepare for and attend. We have a third which is the “family worship night”. We have to go out in the field ministry and maintain the congregation average of hours. We have extra meetings when the circuit overseer comes, and we have to support two assemblies and one convention every year. If you are an elder, you also have many additional administrative duties to perform. Additionally, we are all pressured to increase our time in the ministry every year as auxiliary pioneers, or even better, as regular pioneers.
If we start to cut back on any of these things, we get “encouraged” by the elders to bring our service back up, or even to exceed what we formerly did.
So as Yogi Berra once said: “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.”
However, this is not theory. The chart items are supported by scriptural references, so we are dealing with Bible principles. If a Witness is going to prosper, he must be obedient to God and Christ. Therefore, we should all be vigilant in applying the counsel shown in the chart of this week’s study article and resist any attempts by well-meaning elders to change. Only we can maintain our balance. One way for us to accomplish this is to apply the Bible principle found at Matthew 6:33:
“. . .“Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness,. . .” (Mt 6:33)
Spending time learning falsehoods and spending more time preaching falsehoods is clearly not seeking the kingdom and God’s righteousness. So if we eliminate such activities from our schedule, just imagine the time we free up for the other things the chart mentions that contribute to a happy, balanced, and spiritual life.
Your Relationship with God—Your Greatest Strength
My late wife was considered by all to be a model Witness. She spent years preaching where there was a greater need, helped dozens to acquire a knowledge of the Bible and be baptized, and made people feel they could share anything with her without fear of being judged. She was a quiet and mild person, but was also fiercely loyal and courageous. Yet, she lamented to me from time to time that she never felt really close to God. She wanted a close, personal relationship with her creator, but it always seemed beyond her grasp. It wasn’t until she awakened to the truth and came to realize that she needed to have a relationship with Jesus and through him to the Father; it wasn’t until she came to accept that she was called to be a child of God by her faith in the Lord; it wasn’t until she finally viewed God as her personal father that she finally began to feel the relationship she had yearned for all her life. (John 14:6; 1:12)
This study concludes by telling us that such a relationship is our greatest strength. That is true, but the Organization, by its “Other Sheep as friends of God” doctrine, denies us the very relationship it extols, rendering its reassuring words empty and bereft of meaning. Our greatest strength is our relationship with God as our Father, not as our friend. That relationship has been taken away from us by this abomination of a doctrine. However, they cannot really shut up the kingdom because they are not more powerful than Jesus, who continues to extend the offer. (See Mt 23:13 and Mt 11:28-30)
Do You Remember
Since there isn’t much to comment on in this week’s Watchtower study, perhaps we might have a look at the “Do You Remember” review on page 18 of this December issue.
What type of sin was Jesus speaking of in the counsel outlined at Matthew 18:15-17?
He was speaking of matters that can be settled between those directly involved. But the sin is serious enough to merit disfellowshipping if the matter is not settled. For example, the sin might be slander, or it might involve fraud.—w16.05, p. 7.
False! He was speaking of all types of sin, not just those of a personal nature. First, there is nothing to indicate Jesus is speaking of a specific type of sin. Second, if he were only giving us direction to his disciples on handling sins of a personal nature, where is his direction on handling sins of a non-personal nature? Why would he lovingly prepare us to handle less serious sins (as the Organization puts it) and then leave us empty handed when it comes to dealing with more serious sins? (For more information, see Matthew 18 Revisited.)
What can you do to make Bible reading more beneficial?
You can do the following: Read with an open mind, seeking lessons that you can apply; ask yourself such questions as ‘How can I use this to help others?’; and use available tools to do research on the material you just read.—w16.05, pp. 24-26.
“Read with an open mind”, yes! But not a credulous mind. Rather, be like the Beroeans of old and verify everything. As to using the “available tools”, it is understood by Witnesses that these are confined to the publications of JW.org.
Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight. (km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box)
Ignore this! Use the plethora of Bible research tools available online. (I use BibleHub.com regularly.) How else can you be sure you have the truth unless you put it to the test?
Whom do the man with the secretary’s inkhorn, mentioned in Ezekiel chapter 9, and the six men with weapons symbolize?
We understand them to picture heavenly forces that were involved in the destruction of Jerusalem and that will be involved in bringing destruction at Armageddon. In the modern-day fulfillment, the man with the inkhorn represents Jesus Christ, who marks those who will survive.—w16.06, pp. 16-17.
The Bible makes no secondary application to this account, no antitypical fulfillment. So where does this antitypical fulfillment come from? What instructions have we received from the Governing Body who now claims to be the “faithful and discreet slave” of Matthew 24:45 on the use of prophetic antitypes?
In summing up our new position on the use of types and antitypes, David Splane stated at the 2014 Annual Meeting Program:
“Who is to decide if a person or an event is a type if the word of God doesn’t say anything about it? Who is qualified to do that? Our answer? We can do no better than to quote our beloved brother Albert Schroeder who said, “We need to exercise great care when applying accounts in the Hebrew Scriptures as prophetic patterns or types if these accounts are not applied in the Scriptures themselves.” Wasn’t that a beautiful statement? We agree with it.” (See 2:13 mark of video)
Then, around the 2:18 mark, Splane gives the example of one brother, Arch W. Smith, who loved the belief we once held in the significance of pyramids. However, then the 1928 Watchtower nullified that doctrine, he accepted the change because, to quote Splane, “he let reason win out over emotion.” Splane then continues to say, “In recent times, the trend in our publications has been to look for the practical application of events and not for types where the Scriptures themselves do not clearly identify them as such. We simply cannot go beyond what is written.”
This was reiterated in the “Questions From Readers” in the March, 2015 Watchtower.
So why is the June, 2016, Watchtower contradicting the “new truth” about non-Scriptural antitypes? Why is it flouting this new direction from those purporting to be God’s channel of communication? Is Jehovah sending us a mixed message or is this an example of human hypocrisy?
The Bible survived what sorts of threats?
It survived (1) the threat of decay of the materials used to write on, such as papyrus and parchment; (2) opposition by political and religious leaders who tried to destroy it; and (3) attempts by some to alter its message.—wp16.4, pp. 4-7.
Yes, it certainly has survived these threats, and largely due to the courageous stand of faithful children of God who risked life and limb to preserve it. The current edition of the NWT is just one more example of point (3). Take, for example, the insertion of Jehovah into the Christian Greek Scriptures where it isn’t found in any of the 5,000+ original manuscript copies and fragments. (See Fred Franz and the Divine Name in the Greek Scriptures.) Or take 1 Peter 1:11 where the rendering is changed from:
“Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” – 1 Peter 1:11 KJV
To:
“They kept on investigating what particular time or what season the spirit within them was indicating concerning Christ as it testified beforehand about the sufferings meant for Christ and about the glory that would follow.” (1Pe 1:11 NWT)
It appears the removal of “Christ” in this verse—even though it appears in the interlinear upon which the NWT is based—is to avoid questions that would challenge JW doctrine.
There are too many examples to list here, but one thing is clear, the Beroean Bible student should make use of many versions to ensure he or she doesn’t fall prey to translator bias.
Is it proper for a brother today to have a beard?
In some cultures, a neat beard may be acceptable and may not detract from the Kingdom message. Still, some brothers might decide not to have a beard. (1 Cor. 8:9) In other cultures and localities, beards are not considered acceptable for Christian ministers.—w16.09, p. 21.
While this seems like a reasonable statement, we are getting reports that indicate the “cultures” being referred to are cultures particular to the local congregation or community of Jehovah’s Witnesses and have nothing to do with how the world at large views a man with a beard.
enjoyed the last few articles immensely , I will also add my condolence’s , but I believe so many have been so well said that I can add little .
Thank you, PoetryofProvidence. It is not just the words, but the spirit behind them.
“However, they cannot really shut up the kingdom because they are not more powerful than Jesus, who continues to extend the offer.” Mt11:28-30. Truly, this must be one of the most beloved scriptures in the New Testament, no? In it, Jesus addresses the people of Israel who were burdened down with the externalism and legalities of the Pharisees, and with the consequences, and anxiety, that came along with it – the guilt, frustration, the dissatisfaction that always goes along with legalism. The Pharisees claimed Mosaic authority as interpreters and teachers of the law, which meant that they also demanded that… Read more »
I just got back from the meeting and wanted to draw attention to Paragraph 14. The paragraph is talking about going to Jehovah when faced with the anxiety of sin. 14. How can you deal with anxiety about your past?Some anxiety may be caused by a person’s past actions or failings. He may be plagued with guilt about something he did in the past, even many years ago. At times, King David felt that his ‘errors loomed over his head.’ He admitted: “My anguished heart makes me groan aloud.” (Ps. 38:3, 4, 8, 18) In that situation, what was the wise… Read more »
Good point, Enoch. Additionally, James is misapplied by the organization to support their judicial process. What James is talking about is older men helping those who are “sick among you”. Sick spiritual, sick physically, he doesn’t clarify. There is no talk about the sick one confessing sin. In fact, the mention of sins is tangential. “ALSO, if he has committed sins, tehy will be forgiven him.” There’s nothing here to support a judgment process of any kind, nor even a mention of confession of sins to men. The elders are praying for the sick one, and oh, by the way,… Read more »
I have read and re-read those verses from James. I felt James was referring to being sick physically as the main point. The word “also” would mean “in addition to” or “further”. There’s no clear presumption that the person is spiritually sick first. Healing of physical sickness comes first then healing of spiritual infirmity, if it does exist, comes next.
Howdy Meletti and Mailman. Yes the account in James 5 is another example of JWs approaching scripture with a preconceived idea and then bending scripture to make it fit. …something they roundly condemn Trinitarians for doing. I think Meletti mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, the Catholic Confessional is in some ways closer to scripture then the JW set up as the penitent person is guaranteed mercy/forgiveness..”if he has committed sins it will be forgiven him” whereas the JW system guarantees a Kangaroo Court trial. As a JW I always struggled with James chapter 5. The best explanation I… Read more »
Regarding confessing, verse 16 encourages confessing to “each other”. How about elders confessing their serious sins to other members of congregation?
Also, interpreting “applying oil” (anointing) as elders using Bible counsel is completely arbitrary. The whole point of the passage is that the prayer of a righteous one is powerful and will cure the sick and the weak. The WT interpretation and policy means that elders are always righteous as forgiveness comes only through them praying over you and they have never anything serious to confess to you.
Confessing their sins to others? To lowly publishers? That would undermine their authority. What heresy!
If the Governing Body cannot repent for the sin of fornicating with the UN per their own rules (See w91 6/1 p. 17 par. 11 “Their Refuge–A Lie”) and if they cannot even admit wrongdoing in this, then the elders who are led by example can hardly be expected to do better.
Please accept my belated sympathies, Meleti. Your wife sounds like a remarkable woman, proverbially capable, and a blessing to all who love the truth. If you won’t mind a little self-effacement, there is a saying that I’m sure you would agree with:
“Behind every great man there is a great [even greater] woman.”
I too lost a loved one recently, but I won’t presume to understand your unique loss. Even still, I pray that her memory will continue to stand behind you as a strengthening aid for the ministry that Christ has entrusted to you.
I would most certainly agree with what you’ve said! Thank you for your support and your many wise contributions to our community.
Dear Meleti,
First of all, my deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved wife. She must have been a saint from your description.
When reading this rather good study article I was wondering what rebuttal you could find in it, but you surmised the article fairly in my opinion. Nothing beats recognising Jesus as our Lord and Master and direct biblical argumentation. The irony,however, is that the WTS is the very source of much anxiety as you pointed out. No amount of hours is enough, no sacrifice too great, thereby forgetting the One who made the sacrifice for us.
Thank you, Truth_Seeker. She had her faults as we all do, but she loved truth, hated hypocrisy and never participated in gossip. Most of all, she did not judge others, so many felt secure with her and could speak of their worries, concerns, and trials without fear of being judged. Yet, when asked she didn’t refrain from offering helpful advise when she felt it might be of benefit. She was also a champion of the little one and I’ve saw her face down a district overseer once in public when he criticized a well-meaning pioneer. He was a particularly opinionated… Read more »
So sorry to hear of your loss, Meleti and I know you cannot respond to all. So I will share my feelings with the prayers of many. “God is love” is the quoted text for the day. Which is fine if that’s all 1 John 4:8 said. Why do they quote such tidbits of scripture? Why not say, “Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love?” Yes, God is love but what inspired John to write “Whoever does not love has not come to know God?” And why can’t we quote the entire paragraph… Read more »
SW, This is exactly the point of what it means to be a Christian. Christians are identified by their love for God and neighbour, not by which organization they belong to, or how well they know their bible. John points out that if we don’t love, we don’t know God. Love is the basic requirement of all of us as human beings. Not an intellectual agape love (I don’t like you but I will behave in a loving principled way!) That is not love, that is hypocrisy. We must love and care for people the way Jesus did, from our… Read more »
An excellent analysis, SW. Thank you for bring that to our attention!
The basic definition of prayer is “asking”, Prayers may include praise, but basically we are asking for something. Jesus told his followers they could ask him for things. John 14:13 “Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it,that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
Communicating with Jesus need not be one-way (reading the gospels).If one does not communicate with his/her Head of department but seeks to communicate with the General Manager, that would be a rift in ethics.
As said ,Jesus is our elder brother, the first son, and as other children of God,, we communicate here regularly.Communicating with Jesus is an uphill task for a JW for it would be worshiping,but not true.One snubs the Head of the congregation and only communicate with Jehovah is absurd,is insurbordination,any respect for the Head of the Congregation may only be lip service
First and foremost, I just became aware by this article that Meleti’s wife died and would like to say that I had the privilege of meeting him and her when I was in their neck of the woods last year. I realize that those that visit here are from all over the earth and for that reason may not have had that chance and wish to say just from the short time we were together, it was wonderful to be in her presence. One thing that struck me was her keen sense of justice/injustice and courage to say something about… Read more »
Thank you so much, Yehorakam, for your heartfelt expressions. Your description of my wife brought tears to my eyes because you were spot on. She was all that and more. She used to refer to herself as my sounding board, because I would pass my research and conclusions by her first; and often when I wasn’t quite on the mark, that process helped me to get my thinking straight. She was also a moderating influence on me, helping me to find words that would encourage but not alienate those who are only just coming to the conclusions we had reached… Read more »
So sorry for your loss. Thanks for all your scholarly articles, they have been so enlightening. You have a lot of friends out here in ‘internet land’ keeping you in our prayers.
Thank you, Lois.
Ah, Meleti, my heart aches for your loss. Your exceptional wife sounds like someone I would have enjoyed knowing. Meanwhile I pray for comfort for you as you wait to be reunited with her. I hope to meet you both in that future. Meanwhile, be assured of our love and concern and gratitude for all the work you do here. Take care of yourself. I can imagine that throwing yourself into study, research and writing will be of some help, but I’m trusting that you’ll take all the rest you need, too. You can see how much we all appreciate… Read more »
Thank you, Martha. I’m afraid the memorial service will have its own unique set of challenges.
Meliti and Menrov. Thanks for your thoughts. Always appreciated. It is odd that the WT
treats the scripture as “sins against you” when the “against you” is not in the text they are using. I deem myself adequately corrected. Thank you again.
Meliti. Lots of good points. Does the GB forget what was said about types and anti-types. It does appear so . However, for once I wonder what Jesus did mean at Matthew 18:15. Lots of translations speak about “If your brother sins against you”, and the Greek text used in support seems to have words for “against you”. Unfortunately the Wescott & Hort text used for the NWT does not have those words, at least according to the Interlinear. SO, you would be correct if the W & H text is used, in which case the sin is general, but… Read more »
You make a good point, Leonardo. It’s unfortunate that there does not seem to be agreement between the interlinears on this verse. However, if the original text did include “against you”, I do not feel that this allows us to consider the sin Jesus is speaking of as being “of a lessor nature” as JW.org would have us believe. (I know you, I and many others are in agreement on this.) Obviously, lying gossip would be “against you” and would be considered a lessor sin by the Org. However, lying isn’t a lessor sin as we see by what happened… Read more »
Here is the footnote from the NET for this verse: tc ‡ The earliest and best witnesses lack “against you” after “if your brother sins.” It is quite possible that the shorter reading in these witnesses (א B, as well as 0281 Ë 579 pc sa) occurred when scribes either intentionally changed the text (to make it more universal in application) or unintentionally changed the text (owing to the similar sound of the end of the verb ἁμαρτήσῃ [Jamarthsh] and the prepositional phrase εἰς σέ [eis se]). However, if the mss were normally copied by sight rather than by sound,… Read more »
This may be the cynical me speaking, but another reason for adding in the words “against you” is that it opens up the option for a two-tier judicial system such as we have in the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses and such as existed in the ancient past with the Catholic (and other) churches. An ecclesiastical authority which has no right to judge sin is an authority without power. Such a thing cannot last. For the church to have power over the people, it has to be able to punish offenders. Jesus’ command clearly takes power aware from any central authority,… Read more »
Iron sharpens iron. It seems on this site, the floor is littered with iron filings. I rejoice in that thought. 🙂
Meleti, it is sad to hear about your wife. I pray that God will help you to cope with the emptiness after your loss. It takes as long as it takes, but the last trumpet will sound one day.
Big thanks for your articles. They are much waited.
Thank you Tyhik. I’ve lost both parents, but this pain outweighs that loss a hundred fold.
Meleti
So sad to hear about your wife. My condolences to you and your family. May Jehovah and Jesus give you all the power and strength you need. What you are doing shows such a faith and commitment. Having a loss and the pain and still offering spiritual food and not focusing on your self. Really appreciated. The least I can do my brother is to pray for you and your wife who will not be forgotten.
Thank you Socrates1. I do appreciate it.
Meliti, I Just wanted to pass on my condolences and best wishes after your wife’s death. I do not know how I would handle it at all,but neither do I want to leave my wife to handle it instead. Truly death is an enemy, but God’s justice is the one certainty. How it all proves to be, we shall all wait and see. It really seems a hazy picture. We trust Jesus and Jehovah to right all the wrongs in due course and cling on to truth as you have been helping us to do. Please keep it up, and… Read more »
Thank you for your condolences, Leonardo.
In answer to your question, all we have to offer is the donation page on this site. If you use your alias e-mail address, that is all we will see. Of course, we treat all donations with the strictest of confidence.
I browsed the article as this review gave me the impression that the study would be say 90% around Jesus. But then I thought, if that is true, why have this as a title: Throw All Your Anxiety on Jehovah?? So, I did a word count. I believe some 23 occurrences of Jehovah and some 13 occurrences of Jesus and only in 2 paragraphs. Then, if I read about Jesus in par. 6. It concludes: Thus, when you are anxious, he can mercifully ‘come to your aid’ and ‘help you at the right time. Yes, Jesus can help you to… Read more »
Still, the ratio is usually 8 to 1 (Jehovah over Jesus) so 2 to 1 is moving in the right direction. 🙂
Of course, I think we’ll find this is only a temporary blip.
@Colette
@Amitafal
I believe the “waking up” is on all levels, .. emphasis on all!
Even go so far as to include (*edit – some within) our Governing Body.
—
@Candace
You might get to the point with yer mum where you can openly and honestly state that Pioneering is, … well, … ummmm, …unscriptural. (we made it up)
I’ve used that line of reasoning in both a loving and unloving way. Please don’t ask which way I enjoy more…
Thanks Meleti, well put! Paragraph 1, quotes Psalm 13:2, How long will I have anxious concern, With grief in my heart each day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? How long could one be anxious? It could be each day, ongoing. There will be the anxieties of life, no doubt and some excellent strategies in dealing is mentioned in the Wt Study? In the opening paragraph we have a bible example of David. He had his own imperfections, but also his struggles were with his spiritual brothers and family. The Battles within the congregation. Enemies! As he put… Read more »
@lazarus
Anxiety is caused by a brain chemical imbalance that is 100% reversable with proper treatment. A .032 second google search will bear that out. While the trigger points will vary between individuals, the song remains the same. (trama)
Source – Experience 101 – Damned Cognitive Dissonance!
Thanks for that, I’m definitely then in the wrong business, a pharmacist, the way to go , I wouldn’t be surprised if the top 10 drugs on the pharmaceutical line is drugs for Anxiety.??
In connection to your thoughts on Matthew 18:15, I was going to say the words “against you” are not found in earlier manuscripts but you and the commenters covered this quite nicely in your article “Matthew 18 revisited”.
The point that Matthew is applying this to all sins seems to be in harmony with what Luke wrote at Luke 17:3.
Then at Luke 17:4 the sins are of a personal nature, “against you”.
Thanks again for a fine article!
Another well written article! “Jesus can help you to cope with distress, and he can fill your heart with hope and courage.” How does this work in the JW framework? The GB isn’t sanctioning prayer to Jesus again …are they? I’m sure they are not , but my point is He’s not the Lord they teach we must call on to be saved. They teach that it is Jehovah and translated the NWT to reflect that. The shocking omission of the Spirit of Christ is not a translation error IMHO. It is a deliberate attempt to hide the truth of… Read more »
HEARTFELT COMMUNICATION 17, 18. How can good communication help you to cope with anxiety? 17 A fourth way to help you cope with anxiety is good communication, sharing your feelings with a trusted confidant. A marriage mate, a close friend, or a congregation elder may be able to help you to put your anxiety into perspective. “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” (Prov. 12:25) Frank and honest communication can do much to help you to understand and deal with your concerns. The Bible tells us: “Plans fail when there is no consultation, but there… Read more »
Well put!
Yes I am thinking of the same thing to be quite honest! Its awkward talking about the scriptures with anyone other than the ones who know me well since I was little. I have had long talks with my mum about why I am not going to pioneer anymore and she has that I must speak to the circuit overseer when he comes soon. I am thinking to myself, the new CO looks about 25 so only a few years older than me. Is he going to understand what my concerns are about (organisation, other sheep, 1914 generation overlap) or… Read more »
My prayers go to you Candace.
Thank you so much, I still don’t know why I decided to just tell her everything I have been thinking about over dinner like that. But anyway its done and I know from now things are going to be different. I am moving out soon anyway so I won’t have to drive enormous distance to uni anymore. You are totally right Amitafal, thats what my friends have been saying to me all along! They say I am becoming spiritually weakened by reading apostate material and that I need to speak to CO or write to the society to get ‘my… Read more »
Hi Candace Very brave of you to talk with mum about not pioneering. I wouldn’t bother talking to CO. You also have to be careful what you say as it could get you into trouble. In their eyes questioning 1914,other sheep, FDS etc would be seen as you are weak spiritually and need help to understand or that maybe you are being disloyal. No one can force you to Pioneer. I can’t recall if you still studying or working P/T , but maybe consider how you could use the time if not pioneering, and could do something worthwhile. Will keep… Read more »
Very brave, Candace.
Hi Candace. Who to talk to and about what, depends on what you expect to achieve. Please try to answer the following questions for you. – What would be the best possible outcome you’d expect when talking to your CO and what are the chances of arriving at it? – Does that best possible outcome help you or anybody else and in which way? I was once (as an UP) in the field service with a CO. When driving back, just we two in the car, I suddenly started to explain him why I don’t believe it’s God’s org. He… Read more »
Good point! True Enoch, I recall that time to all to well. They also wrote an article in the 1990’s, in helping people with their anxieties, the Title was, You are Precious in Gods Eyes.
Spot on Enoch.
Hi Meleti. Question: How do we have a relationship with Jesus if we don’t talk to him?
I don’t believe we can.
Hi Meleti,
I’m not sure if your wife’s passing is recent . I want to extend my condolences to you and your family. May the God of tender mercies meet you in your quiet hours. I pray that the Comforter brings back to mind the love you shared to provide healing in the days ahead…..
It’s quite recent. She’d been battling cancer for some time.
“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares.” ~ Francis Bacon Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” Your season of healing is now and Jehovah stands with you… Read more »
Please accept my condolences to you and your family. May Jehovah give you the strength to go through these difficult times, his love so that your hope remains forever strong, and his blessings for the interchange of encouragement with the community here, especially with excellent articles you write that really help us to search properly for the hidden treasures in Gods word! When the time is right, can you expand on this point ‘It wasn’t until she awakened to the truth and came to realize that she needed to have a relationship with Jesus and through him to the Father’?… Read more »
Hi Candace, why did you say: “how is it possible to have a relationship with Jesus when it is only a one way communication at the moment”?
Why do you think you cannot “talk” with Jesus? In particular if He is like a brother to you?
I don’t know Menrov, maybe because every prayer I have ever heard was to Jehovah. I have never heard of a prayer thats addressed to Jesus. The only time Jesus is mentioned is at the end by saying ‘through your son, our king Jesus Christ, amen’. So I honestly never thought of praying directly to Jesus.
Tyhik that is an interesting example :’) It shows Jesus can answer prayers the same way Jehovah does.
Ok. Obviously I have to think about this lots more!
Hi Candace, Jesus gave us something truly special: the right to call God, Father, and to speak with our Father in prayer. So we would never want to give that up or substitute Jesus for God as many religions have done. It is kind of the reverse of what Jehovah’s Witnesses have done, by substituting Jehovah for Jesus. Jesus has his rightful place and that place has been established by Jehovah God himself. However, a big part of Jesus’ role was to open the way back to God for humans. However, does that mean we cannot speak to Jesus as… Read more »
Candace, Paul gave us an example, 2 Cor 12:7-9 : 7 … To keep me from becoming overly exalted, I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to keep slapping me, so that I might not be overly exalted. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly, then, I will boast about my weaknesses, in order that the power of the Christ may remain over… Read more »
Funny tyhik,I was going to use that verse in a WT comment once, to show how we can lean on Jesus. Passed it by an elder first and was told I was applying the scripture improperly. Was subsequently given a “Questions from readers” article that claimed Paul was actually praying to Jehovah. The article made absolutely no sense to me at all. Clearly Paul was talking to Jesus, but the organization’s twisted and nonsensical logic concluded otherwise. It’s interesting to me that the organization has diminished Jesus so much that someone like Candace wonders whether we can even talk to… Read more »
I am very sorry for your loss. From the words you wrote about her she must have been a very special person. I find myself wishing I had known her. Losing someone so deeply loved is very painful and you will be in my prayers and I’m sure many others.
Please take care brother.
It is a grief like no other. I know she lives, so I cannot mourn her death, for Jehovah is the God of the living. (Mt 22:32; John 11:25) But I mourn her absence. It is her presence I miss. So in fact, I more for me.
My condolences.
Thank you, Stormie.
So sorry to hear about your loss, you have my every sympathy. My Mother-in-law was buried today, after battling a brain tumour for the past 2 years. I can’t possibly comprehend what you are going through, but I can certainly relate to the pain my Father-in-law feels.
I pray that you will truely be comforted as Jesus promises at Mat 5:4.
A
Thank you for kind words. It truly helps to have so many supporting me during this time.
Oh, quite a late message. Please accept our sincerest sympathies for your loss. My sister and I lost our father and mother too. But losing ones wife’s is totally different.
Hello Meleti, hope things are well with you. Every once and a while we get a taste of that which drew us into this Witness Group. This article is an example of that. While we hope this will become the norm, …it won’t. What it will be is a well used, future footnote reference showing the congregation/world that Gods People (channel) does revere the Lord as Lord and do not minimize his role. It will also be referenced with the goal to silence all those lying apostates that continue to nip at the heels of the writing committee. Mark my… Read more »
Hello Drifter, that was exactly what I was thinking. Maybe someone is waking up!
Hello from John S to all ‘Beroeans’ here. Brother Meleti, so sorry about your wife. Maybe you will take comfort knowing she successfully was ‘baptized into his death’, by remaining faithful and spiritually vigilant toward the Lord’s commission to ‘do business (minas) until I come’. She will surely be rewarded for her faithfulness, and her example we all should review against our own actions. How brave are we to trust Jesus’ words, “The Father is looking for suchlike ones (those worshiping in spirit and truth) to worship him. Brother , you said this above; “Spending time learning falsehoods and spending… Read more »
I like it John. I think we are comfortable to belong to the modern “Beroeans” Congregation. 🙂
Yes, and I say amen to ,’mailman’. This appears to be a great place to get spiritual stimulation and some good references to accurate knowledge. Sister Colette, who waxed; “…how to begin to get the truth as there is a lot of information and much no doubt is false” What I did was focused on John’s Gospel quite a lot. There the intimate relationship of sonship with the Father is described; ‘born again’. And that was the key that helped unlock the door of knowledge of God and his Son, the ‘other’ god. (John 1:1) Also, sister C., much can… Read more »
Well, it appears I’ve thrown a wet blanket on this fire….
Please don’t let my big mouth spoil the party. Best wishes to all of you and God and Christ are going to bless your thirst for truth.
Good bye all!
Howdy John S. No big mouth, wet blanket or party pooping at all! You’re more then welcome to come over to “Discuss the Truth” and continue the chat or get my email from Meletti. We enjoyed your thoughts but I think we didn’t want to take the post too far away from Meletti’s discussion/review.
I hope you keep coming back and posting on the WT reviews. Look forward to your input. ?
I don’t believe that the first resurrection has already begun, but the reason requires more of an explanation than I can give right now. I’ll soon be doing that however as I get back up to speed. For obvious reason, my mind has been elsewhere for the past four months.
Howdy John S. That was one of the most fascinating things I have read….what a story!!
If you ever feel like a yak with an Aussie please feel free to contact Meletti and get my email address….I think there is a lot I can learn from you. (same goes for anyone else …feel free to hit me up for a yak. Ive now made the acquaintance of several people on Pickets and its been fun?)
Cheers
Hello John S, Thank you for a very practical course of action. I, like no doubt many, feel a bit adrift spiritually as I know I have been taught many falsehoods, but where and how to begin to get the truth as there is a lot of information and much no doubt is false. I am in Africa, 100km away from the Southern most point, so if you are ever out this way, give us a shout… I’ll get Enoch to visit too at the same time. 🙂
I hope there is a rogue writer there – sometimes I wonder if certain things have been slipped in and haven’t been proof read by our busy FDS – they’re too busy buying new suits and appearing on the broadcast !