Anniebea

Monday, February 2 He will send out the angels and will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from earth’s extremity to heaven’s extremity.—Mark 13:27. While Christ died “once for all time,” he is still making sacrifices for us. (Rom. 6:10) How so? He continues to expend time and effort as he puts the ransom benefits to work in our behalf. Consider what he is busy doing. He serves as our King, High Priest, and head of the congregation. (1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 5:23; Heb. 2:17) He is in charge of the work of gathering the anointed and the great crowd, a task that will be completed before the great tribulation ends. (Matt. 25:32) He also sees to it that his faithful servants are well-fed spiritually during these last days. (Matt. 24:45) And throughout his Millennial Reign, he will continue to serve our interests. Jehovah truly gave his Son for us! w25.01 24 ¶12

Sunday, February 1 It is honorable for a man to refrain from a dispute, but every fool will become embroiled in it.—Prov. 20:3. Brothers who manifest fine Christian qualities are an asset to the congregation. A reasonable man promotes peace. If you want to be known as being reasonable, listen to others and be open to their viewpoints. In a meeting, would you be willing to support the decision of the majority if no Bible law or principle is violated? Do not insist on doing things your way. Appreciate the value of many advisers. (Gen. 13:8, 9; Prov. 15:22) Instead of being harsh or disagreeable, be gentle and tactful. As a peaceable man, take the initiative to make peace, even in tense situations. (Jas. 3:17, 18) Your kind words can soften the attitude of others, including that of opposers.—Judg. 8:1-3;Prov. 25:15; Matt. 5:23, 24. w24.11 23 ¶13

Given where we are in the sands of time then I doubt you will find many who agree with you! Or maybe you could give your reasoning on why you think this way?

Saturday, January 31 Reprove before all onlookers those who practice sin, as a warning to the rest.—1 Tim. 5:20. Sometimes an announcement is made in the congregation that a person has been reproved. In such a case, we can continue to associate with him, knowing that he repented and abandoned his wrong course. He is still a part of the congregation and needs the encouragement that comes from associating with fellow believers. (Heb. 10:24, 25) However, the situation is quite different with a person who has been removed from the congregation. We “stop keeping company” with that person, “not even eating with such a man.” (1 Cor. 5:11) Does that mean we would completely ignore him? Not necessarily. Certainly, we would not socialize with him. But Christians can use their Bible-trained conscience in deciding whether to invite a person who was removed from the congregation—perhaps a relative or someone they were close to previously—to attend a congregation meeting. w24.08 30 ¶13-14

Friday, January 30 [Love] hopes all things, endures all things.—1 Cor. 13:7. Avoid questioning others’ motives. If others do not express appreciation for something we have done, we could ask ourselves: ‘Are they truly unappreciative, or did they simply forget to express appreciation?’ Perhaps there are other reasons why they did not respond as we may have hoped. Some may feel deep gratitude but have difficulty expressing it. They might be embarrassed to receive help, especially if in the past they were the ones helping others. Whatever the case, Christian love will move us to make allowances for our fellow believers and to keep finding joy in giving. (Eph. 4:2) Be patient. With regard to being generous, wise King Solomon wrote: “Cast your bread on the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” (Eccl. 11:1) As these words indicate, some may respond to our generosity long after the fact—“after many days.” w24.09 30 ¶18-19

I studied Paradise Lost to Paradise Restored… I have to admit I hated every minute of it

Thursday, January 29 Be sound in mind.—1 Pet. 4:7. A Christian who is sound in mind does his best to make good decisions that reflect Jehovah’s thinking. Such a Christian knows that nothing in life is more important than his relationship with Jehovah. He has a balanced view of himself, knowing that he does not have all the answers. And he demonstrates his reliance on God by approaching Jehovah often in humble prayer. We realize that we need to keep praying to Jehovah regardless of any natural abilities we may have. Therefore, especially when we are faced with important decisions, we pray to Jehovah for guidance, trusting that he knows what is best for us. How thankful we are that Jehovah has designed us in a way that we can reflect his qualities. (Gen. 1:26) Of course, we cannot imitate Jehovah perfectly.—Isa. 55:9. w25.03 11 ¶13; 13 ¶17-18

Wednesday, January 28 Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.—Matt. 4:17. Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught his listeners about his Father’s forgiving nature. Consider the parable of the lost son. That young man chose to pursue a sinful way of life for some time. Yet, he “came to his senses” and returned home. How did the father respond? Jesus said that while the son “was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him . . . , and he ran and embraced him and tenderly kissed him.” The son intended to ask if he could become a servant in his father’s household, but his father called him “this son of mine” and restored him to his place in the family. The father said: “He was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:11-32) When Jesus lived in heaven before coming to earth, he had surely seen his Father show such compassion toward countless repentant sinners. What a heartwarming and reassuring picture Jesus painted of our merciful Father, Jehovah! w24.0811 ¶11-12

Tuesday, January 27 May Jehovah, my Rock, be praised, who trains my hands for battle.—Ps. 144:1. We can be a good influence on others if we are firm for what is right and if we make decisions that are solidly based on Bible principles. As we grow in faith and accurate knowledge, we become more steadfast in the truth. We are not indecisive, unsteady, or easily swayed by false teachings and worldly thinking. (Eph. 4:14; Jas. 1:6-8) We are also able to assist those who may be facing trials. (1 Thess. 3:2, 3) Elders are to be moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, and reasonable. These men are a stabilizing influence on others by “holding firmly to the faithful word.” (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:1-3) By their example and their shepherding, elders help publishers to be regular in their meeting attendance, field service, and personal study. When brothers and sisters face unsettling events, elders can do much to keep them focused on Jehovah and his purposes. w24.06 31 ¶16-18

Monday, January 26 Become kind to one another.—Eph. 4:32. As a courting couple, how can you handle problems and disagreements that you may have from time to time? Would this indicate that your relationship is not working? Not necessarily; all couples have differences. A strong marriage is made up of two people who can work together to overcome their differences. So how you work through problems now may reveal whether your marriage will be successful. As a couple, ask yourselves: ‘Can we discuss matters calmly and respectfully? Do we readily admit our shortcomings and try to improve? Are we quick to yield, apologize, and forgive?’ (Eph. 4:31) Nevertheless, if you constantly disagree or argue during courtship, the situation will not likely improve after you get married. If you realize that the other person is not right for you, ending the courtship would be the best decision for both of you. w24.05 29 ¶12

I admit I had to look up all of this 401 things, people here just don’t have bonds and investments normally… they’re too busy trying to put food on the table, paying extortionate rents and getting by… The US seems to be very much money driven and investments either that or Americans have far more disposable income

I agree, I mentioned this yesterday… the board of peace is evidently to support the UN and give it more abilities, read into that what you will

Sunday, January 25 Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than that of corals.—Prov. 31:10. While marriage is not essential for happiness, many single Christians, whether young or old, look forward to having a marriage mate. Of course, before pursuing a courtship, you should be financially, spiritually, and emotionally ready for marriage. (1 Cor. 7:36) It is also best to know what you are looking for in a mate before beginning a courtship. Otherwise, you could overlook a potential mate or you could pursue a courtship with someone who is not well-suited for you. Of course, any potential mate should be a baptized Christian. (1 Cor. 7:39) But not every baptized person will be a good marriage mate for you. So you could ask yourself: ‘What are my goals in life? What qualities in a marriage mate do I view as essential? Are my expectations reasonable?’ w24.05 20 ¶1; 21 ¶3

Saturday, January 24 Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching.—1 Tim. 4:16. We can increase our enthusiasm for the preaching work by focusing on our love for Jehovah and for our neighbor. (Matt. 22:37-39) Just imagine how happy Jehovah is when he sees us do the work and how happy people will be when they start studying the Bible! Think, too, about the salvation that awaits those who respond to our message. (John 6:40) Are you confined to your home for some reason? If so, focus on what you can do to show love for Jehovah and for your neighbor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Samuel and Dania were confined to their home. Throughout that difficult time, they regularly did telephone witnessing, wrote letters, and conducted Bible studies over Zoom. Samuel and Dania’s circumstances limited their activity, but they did what they could and found joy in doing so. w24.04 18 ¶15-16

Friday, January 23 When you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you.—Matt. 6:2. After Jesus returned to heaven, the apostle Peter performed a miracle by healing a man who was lame from birth. (Acts 1:8, 9; 3:2, 6-8) Naturally, this amazing event drew a crowd of people. (Acts 3:11) Would Peter bask in the glory of the moment, given that he had come from a background where prominence and position were greatly emphasized? No, Peter humbly directed praise away from himself and gave the rightful credit to Jehovah and Jesus, saying: “Through [Jesus’] name, and by our faith in his name, this man whom you see and know has been made strong.” (Acts 3:12-16) We can follow Peter’s example in cultivating humility. We perform tasks for others because we love Jehovah and we love people, not because we love to be admired. If we happily serve Jehovah and our brothers in any way we can, regardless of whether our efforts are noticed, we give evidence of being humble.—Matt. 6:1-4. w25.0310-11 ¶11-12

I don’t think this board of peace will replace the UN but it maybe the thing that leads the nations into giving the UN the teeth that it requires.. Trump said that the UN has tremendous potential but hasn’t used it as of yet and along with the board of peace will be something very unique for the world ….

Thursday, January 22 With you there is true forgiveness.—Ps. 130:4. In the Bible, sins are often likened to heavy burdens. King David described his own sins this way: “My errors loom over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.” (Ps. 38:4) But Jehovah pardons the sins of repentant wrongdoers. (Ps. 25:18; 32:5) The Hebrew expression translated “pardon” basically means to “lift up” or “carry.” We might think of Jehovah as a strong man who figuratively lifts the burden of sin off our shoulders and carries it away. Another word picture shows just how far away Jehovah carries our sins. Psalm 103:12 tells us: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.” East is the farthest point from west. The two points never meet. In other words, Jehovah takes our sins as far away from us as we can imagine. What a reassuring way to describe his forgiveness! w25.02 9 ¶5-6

Well…. He’s done it again, he himself causes the chaos and he solves the chaos, at least he has a clear MO

The feet are certainly not mixing this week are they! In fact they continue to strain and fragment

Wednesday, January 21 Why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized.—Acts 22:16. Do you love Jehovah God, the one who has given you every good gift, even life itself? Do you want to show your love for him? The best way to do so is to dedicate yourself to him and then symbolize your dedication by water baptism. These steps make you part of Jehovah’s family. As a result, your Father and Friend will guide you and care for you because you will belong to him. (Ps. 73:24; Isa. 43:1, 2) Dedication and baptism also give you the prospect of enjoying endless life. (1 Pet. 3:21) Is something holding you back from getting baptized? If so, you are not alone. Millions before you have had to make changes in their conduct and in their way of thinking in order to qualify for baptism. They are now serving Jehovah with joy and zeal. w25.03 2 ¶1-2

Tuesday, January 20 Commit your way to Jehovah; rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.—Ps. 37:5. A husband who physically or verbally abuses his wife needs to take steps to repair his relationship with Jehovah and with his wife. First, he recognizes that he has a serious problem. Nothing is hidden from Jehovah’s sight. (Ps. 44:21; Eccl. 12:14; Heb. 4:13) Second, he stops abusing his wife and changes his behavior. (Prov. 28:13) Third, he apologizes to his wife and to Jehovah and seeks their forgiveness. (Acts 3:19) He should also beg Jehovah for both the desire to change and the help to control his thoughts, speech, and actions. (Ps. 51:10-12; 2 Cor. 10:5;Phil. 2:13) Fourth, he acts in harmony with his prayers by learning to hate all forms of violence and abusive speech. (Ps. 97:10) Fifth, he seeks immediate help from loving shepherds in the congregation. (Jas. 5:14-16) Sixth, he develops a plan that will help him to avoid all such behavior in the future. w25.01 11 ¶14

Monday, January 19 David . . . , a man agreeable to my heart.—Acts 13:22. David was a great king. He was also a musician, a poet, a warrior, and a prophet. He experienced many trials. For some years, he lived as a fugitive, fleeing from jealous King Saul. After becoming king, David again had to run for his life when his son Absalom tried to steal his throne. Despite David’s difficulties and personal failings, he proved loyal to God to the end of his life. Jehovah described him as “a man agreeable to [His] heart.” So David’s counsel is worth listening to! (1 Ki. 15:5) Consider, for example, the counsel that David gave to his son and successor, Solomon. The young man had been chosen by Jehovah to continue to promote pure worship and to build a temple to honor God. (1 Chron. 22:5) Solomon would face difficulties. What would David say to him? David told his son that if he obeyed Jehovah, he would succeed in life.—1 Ki. 2:2, 3. w24.11 10 ¶9-11

Sunday, January 18 These things entrust to faithful men, who, in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach others.—2 Tim. 2:2. How can elders imitate Jesus? They must train and assist men, including those who may be relatively young, to qualify for greater responsibilities. Elders do not expect those whom they train to be perfect. They should give them loving counsel so that these young brothers can gain experience and see the need to be humble, faithful, and willing to serve others. (1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:5) Jesus gave his disciples the responsibility not only to preach but also to teach. The disciples may have felt unqualified for that assignment. However, Jesus did not doubt that they could do the work, and he told them so. Expressing complete confidence in them, Jesus said: “Just as the Father has sent me, I also am sending you.”—John 20:21. w24.1016 ¶15; 17 ¶17

All I know is that things can move so fast now in this crazy world… that if you blink you could easily miss something 😂

Saturday, January 17 Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.—Rom. 12:2. Christian parents recognize that faith in God is not something a child inherits. Over time a child may wrestle with such questions as: ‘How do I know that there is a God? Can I really believe what the Bible says?’ In fact, the Bible actually encourages us to use our “power of reason” and to “make sure of all things.” (Rom. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:21) How, though, can you help your child to strengthen his faith? Encourage your child to prove the truth to himself. When your child asks questions, take the opportunity to show him how to find the answers by using research tools, such as the Watch Tower Publications Index and the Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses. In the latter, under the subject “The Bible,” he might look up “Inspired by God” to find evidence that the Bible is not just a good book written by men. Rather, it is “the word of God.”—1 Thess. 2:13. w24.12 14-15 ¶4-5