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Wednesday, August 19 The holy spirit has appointed you overseers.—Acts 20:28. Around the world, we need more brothers to serve as “gifts in men.” (Eph. 4:8) If you are a baptized brother, is it “within your power to help”? (Prov. 3:27) Are you willing to qualify as a ministerial servant? Could you reach out to care for the needs of your brothers as an elder? Are you able to adjust your circumstances to apply for the School for Kingdom Evangelizers? That school will equip you to be used even more fully by Jesus. If you feel unqualified, pray to Jehovah. Ask him for the help of his holy spirit to handle successfully any assignment you are given. (Luke 11:13) The brothers whom Jesus has appointed as “gifts in men” are proof that he has been leading us during these last days. (Matt. 28:20) Are you not grateful that we have a King who is loving, generous, and attentive and who provides qualified brothers to care for our needs? w24.10 23 ¶16-17

Yep! I didn't see "Excerpt" nor 2024 - 😆

An excerpt of the 2024 Update #6 was posted because it is used in the MWM next month.

The update came when no one expected I guess 😂

A very devout man asks his rabbi: - “Rabbi, is it permissible to smoke while studying the Torah?” - “Certainly not! It’s a complete lack of respect for the sacred texts.” The man thought for a moment, then asked: - “ Rabbi, is it permissible to study the Torah while smoking?” The rabbi smiled: - “Oh, yes! It’s always a good time to study!”

“Brother Herd… said that we shouldn’t worry about what would happen during the Great Tribulation, because Jehovah will be in control. On the other hand, we can worry about what Satan might do before that. I don’t remember the exact wording…” I remember that phrase perfectly—not word for word, of course. I also remember that his eyes were twinkling, with his long, curled lashes, and a slight smirk that brought the room to silence for a few seconds, which was exactly the effect he was going for. Very dear Brother Herd...

It seems to be a good idea, he said a lot of chickens are very thigh...

Oh dear 😏

The excerpt was great. I'm more excited about the campaign now!

I knew a guy that started a social club for chickens. He would take a few chickens to a ranch or farm and let them visit the chickens there for the day, then take some of those chickens to another ranch or farm. Sometimes he would have several groups of chickens at his place. I thought it was a pretty odd thing to do but he said he needed to do it to make hens meet...

"Do not be afraid"

Same! I already have a specific notebook put to the side.

I’ve known ones be proud to be apostate and say it as if it’s a badge of honour. In their minds they “escaped the cult”

This conversation reminds me of a talk from brother Herd when he stated that we should not worry about what would happen during the GT, because Jehovah will be in control. Rather, we may worry about what Satan may do before that. I don't remember the exact phrase, but it was during an AM. Another talk is this one: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODPgmEvtAnnMtg/pub-jwb-097_8_VIDEO. Among the "gems" inside are: "Some things Jehovah will not permit us to see, even though we read over it many, many times. We can’t see it until Jehovah puts the light on it." "We do not live in ancient Israel and we do not live in the second century C.E. We live in a wonderful time of—what?— restoration when Jehovah has guaranteed us that ‘no weapon formed against us will succeed.’" And the conclusion: "As for the other sheep, what will you need to do during that climactic time? Simply this: hide. That’s right. At Isaiah 26:20, he wrote: “Enter your inner rooms, “and shut your doors behind you. “Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by.” It will be hide-and-seek. You will hide, and they will seek to find you, but they will not. Do you have anything to worry about? You have nothing to worry about —nothing at all— because Jehovah will never abandon you. There is no justifiable reason to worry about the future. Just be there, brothers and sisters, to enjoy it. Remember, Jehovah loves you and he will never abandon you. Please believe it. You will not be disappointed."

Regarding the Great Tribulation, in my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to think that we will gather inside the Kingdom Hall, as if the Kingdom Halls were, for example, some kind of “ark of Noah.” In my opinion, just as happened during the pandemic, we may very well be able to stay in our homes or, if we are forced to leave our homes, we may have to stay in some kind of shelter. The important thing is that we will need to have access to the information and guidance from the brothers who, during that time, will have the responsibility of caring for us. And even if that isn’t possible, it will be important to keep our faith and do what we already know to do: remain loyal, keep our faith strong, not panic, and remember that Jehovah, Jesus, and the angels are in control.

I have not found any publication that specifically states that Jehovah’s Witnesses will continue meeting in Kingdom Halls during the Great Tribulation. For example, the 2019 Watchtower says that we may meet “in private homes or even in secret,” and its illustration depicts a small group of Witnesses meeting in a forest during the Great Tribulation. Other publications have also portrayed brothers and sisters meeting or taking shelter in less conspicuous places in connection with the Great Tribulation: a congregation meeting secretly in a basement in 2014, brothers and sisters taking shelter in an attic in 2019, and brothers and sisters meeting with others in a basement in 2023. Of course, I understand that illustrations are not necessarily prophetic details, and I am not trying to draw a conclusion beyond what the publications actually say. I simply find the repeated references to private or concealed places interesting. Stay Faithful Through the “Great Tribulation” https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w19/2019/748 “Now You Are God’s People” https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/ws14/2014/752 Build Strong Friendships Before the End Comes https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w19/2019/787 Are You Ready for the Great Tribulation? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w23/2023/501 There is also a recent real-life example. On July 31, 2026, a Russian court ordered the confiscation of 123 properties owned by Jehovah’s Witnesses, including four Kingdom Halls. JW.org itself states that since the 2017 ban, the Russian government has continued to seize Kingdom Halls and other properties previously used by Jehovah’s Witnesses for religious meetings. https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/russia/Russian-Authorities-Seize-123-Properties-Owned-by-Jehovahs-Witnesses/ With this in mind, I wonder: is there a reason to believe that congregations will continue meeting in Kingdom Halls during the Great Tribulation? Or might we instead have to meet in private homes, basements, attics, forests, or other less conspicuous places? If anyone knows of a more recent publication that specifically addresses this point, I would genuinely appreciate the reference. I’m asking simply because I would like to understand the subject more clearly.

Just like Peter when he follow Jesus in a raging waters. Peter distracted by the storm thats why he drowened. We need a biggest faith in this times.

I've learned that whenever we face challenges, Satan will try to attack us. Your wife's situation distracted you from your purpose. She didn't mean to, but she helped keep you off balance. Pink Popcorn (Chris) always used to say to me, 'Sharon, wherever there is confusion, chaos and disruption (I may have the last one wrong), it smacks of Satan's interference.' I don't believe she was wrong. If I had a dollar for every time a fight broke out at home while I was trying to get to a meeting or log into one, I'd have some significant savings. I've been thin too, brother. Teeth basically hanging on to the end of a rope. While I'm going through menopause. I sometimes think Jehovah doesn't want to know what I'm thinking because eep... it ain't good! The other night, after a long workday, I was finally able to enjoy a spiritual meeting when my husband called. Our car has been acting up, but he was just upset about losing his wallet. He was swearing and having a full-on meltdown. I laugh about it now, and I hope you can too. I want you to specifically look for the ways Satan's trying his machinations on for size. He's gotten so desperate he's always got to start something. Now I know Satan has been removed from the heavens but I can imagine Jehovah chuckling. A hand running through his majestic beard, a hint of laughter beneath his tone as he watches Satan try to discourage us. "You must think him easy pickings. I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jehovah thinks back to all the times Tim has shown up, even when Satan's been riding his back like a rented mule. I know we don't use the phrasing 'Good Luck' much, but there's a 'Good Luck' out there that's said with a straight face and a 'Yeah, right, that ain't ever gonna happen.' I'd imagine Jehovah looking down at Satan and going. 'Yeah. Good Luck with that.' Then having a good laugh with all the other spirit creatures. "Oh yeah, and get that man some extra holy spirit. He needs a top-up." "But... he wasn't paying attention." "Sure he was. Why do you think he showed up at my house?"

I don't think that one was so old... But this one at Genoa in Italy is certainly OLD:

And is this not the cutest Kingdom Hall ever? It's at Hexham, near the Scottish border and not far from Newcastle in Northern England. About 35 publishers were in the congregation when I visited in 2016.

How time passes! These pics were taken in 2014 during my trip to the US for the Detroit International Convention. This little girl will now be about 13... ...her daddy was driving the bus from the Lovinia Suites to Ford Field. During my travels after the convention, at Gretna in North Carolina I walked into McDonalds and noticed these kids with their mums... ...obviously getting a treat after going out witnessing. They also would have now added over 12 years to their ages.

Would someone say they are apostate? After all, from their point of view they're not apostate at all. Though they might say that we would consider them to be apostate.

Why?

Everyone thought Daniel would make an excellent ministerial servant. He gave thoughtful comments, handled his responsibilities well, and was always neatly dressed. When something needed organizing, Daniel was usually nearby. Secretly, he hoped the elders noticed. One rainy evening, Daniel arrived early for the congregation meeting. He was assigned to sound and needed to check the microphones, music, and videos before everyone arrived. As he entered, he saw Brother Harris struggling in the lobby. At eighty-three, Brother Harris could no longer bend easily. His wet shoelace had come undone, and several muddy footprints trailed behind him. Daniel glanced toward the sound console. There was much to prepare, and time was passing. Then he looked again at Brother Harris, who was leaning against the wall, visibly embarrassed. “I seem to be coming apart tonight,” the older brother said with a weak smile. Daniel knelt on the wet floor and tied his shoe. While he was there, he noticed that Brother Harris’s trousers were soaked around the ankles. Daniel found a towel, dried the floor, and wiped the mud from the brother’s shoes. Then he slowly helped him to his seat. When Daniel finally reached the sound console, another brother was already helping check the microphones. Together, they finished preparing the music and videos just before the meeting began. No one knew why Daniel had been delayed. After the meeting, Sister Harris approached him near the door. Her eyes were moist. “My husband almost stayed home tonight and watched the meeting on Zoom,” she said. “Since his health declined, he feels that he has become a burden. But when you knelt beside him, you didn’t make him feel like a burden. You made him feel loved.” Daniel could think of nothing to say. Later, after nearly everyone had left, he noticed more muddy water near the entrance. He found a mop and began cleaning it. There was no audience now, no important responsibility to fulfill, and no one whose approval he could win. Brother Harris paused at the door and watched him. “You know, Daniel,” he said quietly, “people may never notice when the microphones work or when every video starts on time. But they will remember the brother who noticed them—and was willing to kneel.” After Brother Harris’s words, Daniel thought about the microphones, the music, and the videos he carefully tested before each meeting. Those things were necessary, and he was willing to do them. But now he understood what should motivate him. His love for Jehovah moved him to love his brothers and sisters—and that love made every task important, whether he was standing at the sound console or kneeling beside someone who needed him.