Thursday, October 7 Because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.​—John 15:19.

[Áine]

Thursday, October 7

Because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.—John 15:19.

 

Jesus explained why we should expect opposition. He said that we would be hated because we are no part of the world. Persecution is not a sign that we lack Jehovah’s blessing. Instead, it indicates that we are doing what is right! Mere human opposers cannot stamp out the worship of the almighty God, Jehovah. Many have tried and failed. Consider what happened during World War II. At that time, governments in many countries intensely persecuted God’s people. The work of Jehovah’s Witnesses was banned not only by the Nazi party in Germany but also by governments in Australia, Canada, and other lands. Yet, note what took place. In 1939 when the war began, there were 72,475 publishers worldwide. Reports showed that by the end of the war in 1945, with Jehovah’s blessing, there were 156,299 publishers. The number of publishers had more than doubled! w19.07 9 ¶4-5

[Vinnie]

We see it and feel it every day when we rub shoulders with those of the world. We are jeered, and made fun of in jest.  We should never feel that when we are around our brothers and sisters.

[Elnathan]

We learn that Jehovah allows his faithful servants to be persecuted so that they can prove their love for Him .  On the other hand, It helps us see Jehovah’s abundant blessings during those darkest moments. That if we rely on Jehovah our enemies will never prevail & they cannot end the worship of Jehovah, in fact it can have a positive effect on non-witnesses. Rather than allowing it to intimidate us, opposition will motivate us to happily serve Jehovah more fully & to completely distance ourselves from Satan’s world. 

[Gruder]

   What a special privilege to be "chosen out of the world" by Jehovah and Jesus!!! What does that mean, they saw something of value in us that was worth saving. 

    My 86 yr old mother-in-law recently got a rescue dog from the shelter. You can tell this dog was a 'lost soul' in that nobody wanted her. It will take some time to wear off the wounds incurred, but you can tell she is such a sweetheart and will soon be a 'great dog'. 

  The application? We are like 'lost souls' tossed around in this critical world we live in. It will take some time to wear of the wounds incurred. Jehovah sees that we too, can be helped to be a 'great person' and be part of His spiritual family!

  This makes me love my mother-in-law (yes I said it!) for taking on such a challenge at her ripe old age, and makes me love Jehovah even more for seeing something in me and "choosing me" ! 😊

[Danny Chaslow]

Hello Brothers . Still trying to figure out how to navigate to areas that will help me with my public talk . I always can use good illustrations and things to keep my talk interesting. The talk is " No part of the world-in imitation of Christ ". Also I take the zoom group out on Wednesdays and I do have many topics to talk about to get the meeting started , but would really like to get some good thoughts to share . I have all the information on our website and wanted to get the thoughts of the friends to help me progress more . Thanks . Time to get ready for my meeting . Have a good evening and a good meeting if yours is on Tuesday