The Daily Text... in Three Words (Cont.)

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Wednesday, July 7

You will come against them like a storm, . . . you and all your troops and many peoples with you.—Ezek. 38:9.

 

What is the Great Tribulation?

 

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God will not allow the nations to destroy his people. They proudly bear his name, and they have obeyed his command to flee from Babylon the Great.  They have also worked hard to help others flee from her. So Jehovah’s servants will not “receive part of her plagues.” Still, their faith will be tested.

 

After the destruction of all false religious organizations, God’s people will stand out like a lone tree that survived a fierce storm. Satan, of course, will be enraged. He will vent that rage by using demonic propaganda—“unclean inspired expressions”—to cause a coalition of nations to turn on Jehovah’s servants. 

 

That coalition is called “Gog of the land of Magog.” When the nations launch their attack, they will have arrived at the symbolic place called Armageddon

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by happiness IS

[daydream]

Thursday, July 8

The reasonings of the wise men are futile.—1 Cor. 3:20.

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In the days of ancient Israel, Satan used false religion to promote immorality. Today, he does the same. False religion tolerates and even promotes immoral conduct. Consequently, many who claim to serve God have abandoned his clear standards of morality.

 

The apostle Paul describes in his letter to the Romans what has been the result.  Among “the things not fitting” are all forms of sexual immorality, including homosexuality.  How important it is for us to stick to the Bible’s clear teachings! Human philosophy ignores or contradicts Jehovah’s righteous standards.

 

It does not nurture the fruitage of God’s spirit but, rather, “the works of the flesh.”  It generates pride and arrogance, and the result is that people become “lovers of themselves.”  These qualities are the opposite of the meek, humble spirit that God’s servants are encouraged to have

 

 

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Friday, July 9

A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.—Prov. 17:17.

 

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Elijah served Jehovah during difficult times and faced serious challenges. When Jehovah told Elijah to delegate responsibility to Elisha, He provided Elijah with a much-needed companion, who no doubt helped him bear his emotional burdens.

 

Likewise, when we confide in a trusted friend, he or she can help us carry our emotional burdens. If you feel that you do not have anyone to confide in, pray to Jehovah to help you find a mature Christian who can provide you with emotional support.

 

Jehovah helped Elijah to cope with stress and to serve faithfully for many years. Elijah’s experience gives us hope. We may go through periods of severe stress that drain us physically and emotionally. Yet, if we rely on Jehovah, he will give us the power we need to keep serving him

 

 

[Br. Ice]

Friday, July 9

A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.—Prov. 17:17.

 

Jehovah provides friends

[daydream]

Friday, July 9

A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.—Prov. 17:17.

 

No 🤵🏼 is an 🏝️

  Quote

 

Shared troubles can be much easier to bear. English essayist Francis Bacon wrote that for those without true friends, “the world is but a wilderness.” Having true friends—and being a good friend—can make life more bearable for you; it can be beautiful and satisfying.

 

Expand  

https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/no-man-is-an-island/

 

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were:
Any man's death diminishes me,

Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by happiness IS

[Br. Ice]

Saturday, July 10

Trembling at men is a snare, but the one trusting in Jehovah will be protected.—Prov. 29:25.

 

Courage needed now

 

🏋️ courage by preaching 

[Br. Ice]

Sunday, July 11

Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations.—Matt. 28:19.

 

Ministry strategy = ❓+ scripture 

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Monday, July 12

Can a man make gods for himself when they are not really gods?—Jer. 16:20.

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A brother with much experience preaching to nonreligious people in the Far East explains: “Typically, when a person here says, ‘I don’t believe in God,’ he means that he does not believe in worshipping traditional gods. So I usually agree that most gods are man-made and are not real.

 

I often read Jeremiah 16:20 and ask: ‘How could we tell a real god from man-made ones?’ I listen carefully, and then I read Isaiah 41:23: ‘Tell us what will happen in the future, so that we may know that you are gods.’ Then I show an example of how Jehovah has foretold the future.”

 

Another brother says: “I show them examples of Bible wisdom, fulfilled Bible prophecies, and laws that control the universe. Then I show them how all of it points to a living and wise Creator. When a person accepts the possibility that God exists, I start showing him what the Bible says about Jehovah.”

 

 

 

Edited July 12, 2021 by happiness IS

[Br. Ice]

Monday, July 12

Can a man make gods for himself when they are not really gods?—Jer. 16:20.

 

A divinity test

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Tuesday, July 13

Make sure of the more important things.—Phil. 1:10.

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These important things include the sanctification of Jehovah’s name, the fulfillment of his purposes, and the peace and unity of the congregation. When we build our life around these important things, we prove that we love Jehovah.

 

The apostle Paul also said that we must “be flawless.” This does not mean that we must be perfect. Jehovah will view us as flawless if we do our very best to deepen our love and make sure of the more important things. One way in which we show our love is by doing our utmost to avoid stumbling others.

 

The instruction to avoid stumbling others is really a warning. How might we stumble someone? We could do so by our choice of entertainment, our choice of clothing, or even our choice of employment. What we do may not be wrong in itself. But if the choices we make offend someone else’s conscience and he or she is stumbled, that matters

 

 

[Br. Ice]

Tuesday, July 13

Make sure of the more important things.—Phil. 1:10.

 

Our choices matter

 

Avoid stumbling others

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Tuesday, July 13

Make sure of the more important things.—Phil. 1:10.

 

Set our priorities    🛐 💟🕊️ +☮️

[Br. Ice]

Thursday, July 15

The joy of Jehovah is your strength.—Neh. 8:10, ftn.

 

Involved ❤️ + assignment = success

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Friday, July 16

Should we not more readily submit ourselves to the Father?—Heb. 12:9.

 

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We should submit to Jehovah because he is our Creator. As such, he has the right to set standards for his creation. But we have another compelling reason to obey him—his way of ruling is the best.

 

Throughout history, many human rulers have had a measure of power and authority over others. In comparison to them, Jehovah is the wisest and the most loving, merciful, and compassionate Ruler of all. 

 

We submit to Jehovah by doing our best to obey him in all things and by resisting the urge to rely on our own understanding. We find it easier to submit to Jehovah as we come to know his beautiful qualities. Why? Because these qualities are reflected in all that he does. 

 

The more we learn about Jehovah, the more we will love him. And when we love Jehovah, we do not need a long list of rules telling us what to do and what not to do

 

Laws ✍ on hearts

 

 

Edited July 16, 2021 by happiness IS

[daydream]

Wednesday, July 21

This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says.—Ezek. 2:4.

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During the great tribulation, the message that we proclaim will likely change. Currently, we are preaching the good news of the Kingdom and we are endeavoring to make disciples. But at that time, we may well deliver a message as hard-hitting as hailstones. 

 

We may proclaim the impending doom of Satan’s world. In time, we will find out exactly what our message will be and how we will deliver it. Will we use the same methods or will we use some other methods? We will have to wait and see. In any case, it seems that we will have the privilege of boldly proclaiming Jehovah’s judgment message!

 

Quite likely, our message will provoke the nations into trying to silence us once and for all. Just as we rely on Jehovah for support in our ministry now, we will need his support then. We can be sure that our God will fill us with power to accomplish his will.

 

 

Plague of hail

 

Rev 16:21  Then great hailstones, each about the weight of a talent (nearly 100 lbs/ 20 kg), fell from heaven on the people ..
 

 

While a two-pound hailstone certainly sounds fascinating to behold, it’s important to remember how dangerous falling ice stones can be. The hailstorm of 1986 that struck Gopalganj, Bangladesh left tragedy in its wake when it took 92 lives and caused extensive property damage. These deadly projectiles were estimated to have fallen at over 99 mph

Edited July 21, 2021 by happiness IS

[Tbs77]

July 21, 2021

Prove Yourselves Ready!

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Thursday, July 22

Some have been led astray from the faith.—1 Tim. 6:10.

 

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The expression “led astray” indicates that we could become distracted by trying to acquire unnecessary possessions. We could then expose our heart to “many senseless and harmful desires.”  Rather than allowing those desires into our heart, we must see them for what they are—weapons that can harm us.

 

Suppose we have the financial means to buy many material things. Are we doing something wrong if we purchase things that we want but do not actually need? Not necessarily. But reflect on these questions:

 

Even if we can afford to buy something, do we really have the time and energy to use and maintain the item? Also, might we become overly attached to our possessions? Could our attachment to material things cause us to act like the young man who turned down Jesus’ invitation to expand his service to God?  

 

How much better it is for us to lead a simple life and spend our precious time and strength in doing God’s will! 

 

[daydream]

Friday, July 23

The plans of the diligent surely lead to success.—Prov. 21:5.

 

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God can give you “the power to act” and carry out a decision. So pray for the strength to act. Ask Jehovah for his holy spirit to give you the power you need. Continue praying even if an answer to your request seems to be delayed.

 

As Jesus said: “Keep on asking, and it [holy spirit] will be given you.”  Also, create a plan. To complete any project you start, you need a plan. Then you need to work according to that plan.

 

Likewise, when you make a decision, list the specific steps you intend to follow to implement that decision. Breaking larger jobs into smaller tasks can help you track your progress more easily. The apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to set something aside for their contribution “on the first day of every week” rather than wait and try to collect funds when he arrived. 

 

Breaking large jobs into small tasks can also keep you from feeling overwhelmed

 

 

[daydream]

Saturday, July 24

Those knowing your name will trust in you; you will never abandon those seeking you, O Jehovah.

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We can say that a person knows about Jehovah if he is aware of God’s name or is familiar with some of the things that He has said or done. But to know Jehovah well involves more. We need to spend time learning about Jehovah and his wonderful qualities.

 

Only then can we begin to understand what motivates him to speak and to act. That will help us to discern whether he approves of our opinions, decisions, and actions. Once we have discerned Jehovah’s will for us, we need to act on what we have learned. Some people may ridicule us for wanting to serve Jehovah, and they may oppose us even more when we start to associate with his people.

 

Yet, if we trust in Jehovah, he will never let us down. We will be laying a foundation for friendship with God that will last a lifetime. Can we really know Jehovah that well? Yes, we can! 

 

 

[Br. Ice]

Monday, July 26

Comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God.—2 Cor. 1:4

 

Just be caring

 

Comfort strengthens faith

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Monday, July 26

Comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God.

 

We do not have to look far to find brothers and sisters who need comfort. We need, though, to take the initiative to act despite our fears. For instance, we may fear not knowing what to say or what to do for someone who is in a distressing situation.

 

Yet we can be effective comforters if we show that we care. As we get closer to the end of this system of things, world conditions will deteriorate and life will become more challenging.  And the problems that we bring on ourselves because of inherited sin and imperfection mean that we will continue to need comfort.

 

The apostle Paul was able to endure faithfully to the end of his life, thanks, in part, to the comfort he received from fellow Christians. By following their example, we too can help our brothers and sisters to remain firm in the faith

 

 

JW.org > Newsroom > Legal Developments > By Region > Africa > Eritrea > "Twenty Years of Imprisonment in Eritrea—Will It Ever End?"

Edited July 26, 2021 by happiness IS

[daydream]

Monday, July 26

Comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God.

 

✍2 prisons,comfort 🙏🏼 4 👴🏿👵🏼 imprisoned

Edited July 26, 2021 by happiness IS

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[Br. Ice]

Wednesday, July 28

As these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.—Luke 21:28.

 

Resentment & uproar expected

 

Jehovah’s protection expected 

[daydream]

Wednesday, July 28

As these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.—Luke 21:28.

 

At some point, the people whose religions were destroyed may resent the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses keep practicing their religion. We can only imagine the uproar that this might create, including on social media.

 

The nations and their ruler, Satan, will hate us for having the only surviving religion. They will not have attained their goal to eliminate all religion from the face of the earth. So we will become the center of their attention.

 

At this point, the nations will take on the role of Gog of Magog. They will band together to make a vicious, all-out attack on Jehovah’s people.  It can be somewhat unsettling to think about those possibilities when we cannot be certain of the exact details. However, one thing is sure: We do not need to fear the great tribulation. Jehovah will give us lifesaving instructions

Edited July 28, 2021 by happiness IS