oikodomeó

I will give it a look see. Thanks for posting.

I mean, it would be nice if all 2 pages was about the text.

Most of it is off topic, it would be nice if the entire focus of the thread was on the subject at hand.

This is a wonderful text. Hope is not a mere expectation, as in an assumption (without proof). No, not as things seem to be, but as they are... Faith is made confident through "evident demonstration", or convincing evidence. What produces solid evidence? It is our relationship with our heavenly father, as we continue to grow spiritually, we become familiar, acquainted with his dealings with us, we continue to see and experience Him in our lives daily, we know it is Him. We develop eyes of faith to perceive the things above, Jehovah himself, his Son, and the Kingdom and our role in his arrangement. I love illustrations the scriptures give regarding seeing spiritually... The only way Elisha could receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit, was if he saw and witnessed Elijah being caught up in the wind. Him seeing, yes faith was absolutely required. (2 Ki 2:9,10) if he didn't see, it would indicate a lack of faith in not believing the things he was told and appreciating the miracles he had witnessed. What Elisha learned from this is that faith is essential. This was evident by him showing his attendant the heavenly armies protecting them from the Syrians, this showed that he was resilient in faith in Jehovah God. (2 Ki 6:15-17) And even though the attendant was a servant of Jehovah, there was an element of faith missing. Could we have an element missing from our faith? That is why we keep on building it! May we keep developing our faith, Imitating their faith.

Am I wrong to ask? If so I apologize if I offended you...

The New Heavens; when all of the faithful anointed Sons of God receive their heavenly reward, when the Bride is finally completed, the heavens will be new, that is, the Messianic Kingdom will now bear righteous blessings on the earth and bring about perfection reflecting the superabundant love and glory of our heavenly father, great God Jehovah.

I am curious if there is a story behind it. I find many do. I find it faith building to hear shorts relating to our spiritual heritage. That is why.

Yes I know, I am curious in Lance's specific case. Thank you Chuck.

Interesting. How did you get a copy of the studies in the scriptures volumes and early watchtowers?

Thanks, Carlos. I welcome all scrutiny ;)

Oh yes, absolutely! I am just coming from the standpoint of balance. As an elder or ministerial servant, we learn to develop a balanced view of ourselves roles and duties in the congregation, I think this can be applied in all aspects of moderating in moderation. Phil 4:5 "let your reasonableness (or, moderation) be known to all." Yes gentle, mild forbearing, yielding... the same manner as we act towards the congregation. Yes, this is in context of leading and conduct in the congregation for we are to consider all things in righteousness, not 'righteous overmuch'. (Phil 4:8, Ec 7:16) I am not making an accusation by no means, just encouraging to retain a balance in moderating, it is key in our christian unity. We all do well to consider these things to remain balanced. Type in Balance in WOL. avoiding extremes: w07 2/15 28-29; w88 8/15 29 avoiding unbalanced view of self: w00 1/15 20-22; w91 5/15 30 Bible examples: Jesus Christ: cl 216; w08 12/1 4; w00 2/15 14 With love, your thoughts.

Lance - Oh ok! Now I have a better grasp of where you are going with this. =] As a moderator it is your duty to keep an eye on these things. I encourage you not take yourself or your role too seriously. But I get it, my signature has already been amended to suit your concerns and noted in mind for future discussion. Keep up the good work brother. As for me, I was raised in the truth, a part of my family is 3 generations in the truth. And made it my own at a young age... And recently reassigned back to my congregation. So.. not stuck in the past, nor recently came out of BTG.

Oh! Mandi, sister, I thoroughly enjoy your expressions here on the site, I actually seek out your comments. So thank you very much! I will refrain from answering your question not because I think it inappropriate, (no need for forgiveness) but because others' perception.. I don't want to portray or come off a certain way that I feel ones have quickly developed a negative notion of my perceptions. Therefore, I invite you to continue perceiving the christian greek scriptures as written to the anointed christians (primarily), how they applied the counsel in the first century and currently in modern times and you will certainly grasp deeper aspects of specific topics more readily. But not that you need to do this, just as in supplementation/enhancing our personal bible study and quality of our relationship with Jehovah. This is just a personal application thought that I have appreciated through the years.