Time For A Limit On Angry Posts
ChatterBank0 min ago
What Rewards Do You Get For Studying God’S Word?
72 Answers
Because through the pages of the Bible he speaks to you.
He tells you what he has done in times past and what he has purposed to do in the future.
He gives you sound counsel and wise instruction for guiding you in the way that is best for you.
Since he is far wiser than any human, what he says is worthy of your attention.
If you listen to him, his written Word can be for you a book of life.
“For all things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.”—Rom. 15:4
He tells you what he has done in times past and what he has purposed to do in the future.
He gives you sound counsel and wise instruction for guiding you in the way that is best for you.
Since he is far wiser than any human, what he says is worthy of your attention.
If you listen to him, his written Word can be for you a book of life.
“For all things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.”—Rom. 15:4
Answers
Naomi@ As per usual you twist words. I am not doubting that she wrote what she believes to be true. Over the years I have found that many people convince themselves that certain things are true. But in many instances it is a case of "Chinese whispers". I have spoken with many who have said things were true, but on further discussion found that it was hearsay and...
09:44 Wed 26th Dec 2012
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People today must constantly scrutinize their own motives for serving God.
Jesus miraculously fed a crowd of over five thousand. Subsequently, some began to attach themselves to Jesus for purely selfish reasons. Jesus told them: “You are looking for me . . . because you ate from the loaves and were satisfied.” (John 6:2 later some dedicated Christians similarly rendered service to God but “not with a pure motive.” And some even sought ways to make personal gain out of their association with Christians.—1 Timothy 6:3-5.
Jesus miraculously fed a crowd of over five thousand. Subsequently, some began to attach themselves to Jesus for purely selfish reasons. Jesus told them: “You are looking for me . . . because you ate from the loaves and were satisfied.” (John 6:2 later some dedicated Christians similarly rendered service to God but “not with a pure motive.” And some even sought ways to make personal gain out of their association with Christians.—1 Timothy 6:3-5.
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If my motive is wrong, if my actions are for self-justification, self-praise or from a spirit of jealousy or rivalry, my good works would be worthless and we would see the corrupting of our spiritual lives.
But there are other ways that may not be quite so obvious and yet can also greatly affect the spiritual growth, so with such thoughts in mind, I have always seen good results and joyful satisfaction, no matter how people respond to the message. (Gal. 6:8)
But there are other ways that may not be quite so obvious and yet can also greatly affect the spiritual growth, so with such thoughts in mind, I have always seen good results and joyful satisfaction, no matter how people respond to the message. (Gal. 6:8)
and you say (very carefully):
'If someone does not want to be a JW, they are not forced to be one. If your husband felt like that then there was nothing preventing him from leaving'.
nobody is forced to be one and nothing prevents them leaving....and i never said that (please don't mince my words for me). yet, when the 'group' disapproves of something (i.e. divorcing an abusive partner' one or a person does not do something the group sanctions (i.e. leaving school and preaching
instead of going to uni) then that person is slung out of the religion. and stopped from having contact with family members and friends who remain in the religion (as i've mentioned before....jw's don't like mixing with muggles!) leaving some isolated, homeless, jobless and penniless. dress it up how you like, but i think that's just plain nasty.
'If someone does not want to be a JW, they are not forced to be one. If your husband felt like that then there was nothing preventing him from leaving'.
nobody is forced to be one and nothing prevents them leaving....and i never said that (please don't mince my words for me). yet, when the 'group' disapproves of something (i.e. divorcing an abusive partner' one or a person does not do something the group sanctions (i.e. leaving school and preaching
instead of going to uni) then that person is slung out of the religion. and stopped from having contact with family members and friends who remain in the religion (as i've mentioned before....jw's don't like mixing with muggles!) leaving some isolated, homeless, jobless and penniless. dress it up how you like, but i think that's just plain nasty.
and i never said elders were chosen for their wealth or status. it's just that those people who have already gone to uni, worked for a number of years or developed their business to the point where they don't need to turn up to work every day (i.e. employ others to do it for them) will have the time to consider being an elder....therefore, by default older, wealthier or retired members of the congregation take that role. duh!
Icg, I believe you.
Goodlife, //If my motive is wrong, if my actions are for self-justification, self-praise or from a spirit of jealousy or rivalry.......//
I'm not asking for your motivation in preaching - simply for believing as you do. If you thought there was no chance of saving your soul, would you still worship your God - and if so, why?
Goodlife, //If my motive is wrong, if my actions are for self-justification, self-praise or from a spirit of jealousy or rivalry.......//
I'm not asking for your motivation in preaching - simply for believing as you do. If you thought there was no chance of saving your soul, would you still worship your God - and if so, why?
thanks, naomi. i can honestly say that i have never met such a family with fractured relationships, hate for others and deep rooted psychological problems (and that's just the jw's!). only when mr kicker and i decided to no longer have anything to do with his family have we had a more normal and peaceful semblance of a life. we got fed up of being told what to do and how to live by others; and this makes me think of 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone'. jw's spend an awful lot of time and effort telling others how to live...with little examination of their own and a most questionable view of the bible.
lcg@
I am sorry that your husband had to go through so much but, there are two sides to every story. Obviously I have only your experience to go by.
What I will say though, from my own experience. As has already been mentioned no one is forced to be a JW. Was your husband a dedicated & baptised witness? If so, then he made a choice to be one. No one can or would get baptised unless they make that decision for themselves. It is not like any other religion, (Catholic or Protestant, Muslim or even Jewish) where they are brought up and christened or forced to remain in the religion of their parents. Children of JWs are taught the Bible but at the end of the day, they choose for themselves whether or not to become a witness, however, they obviously have to be of an age of understanding - in that they know the obligation and commitment.
If he was a dedicated witness at the time of your marriage, then he went against Bible principles The apostle Paul wrote: “A wife is bound during all the time her husband is alive. But if her husband should fall asleep in death, she is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39. To ‘marry only in the Lord’ means to enter wedlock only with a dedicated witness.
Obviously this refers to men as well as women.
..............to be continued......
I am sorry that your husband had to go through so much but, there are two sides to every story. Obviously I have only your experience to go by.
What I will say though, from my own experience. As has already been mentioned no one is forced to be a JW. Was your husband a dedicated & baptised witness? If so, then he made a choice to be one. No one can or would get baptised unless they make that decision for themselves. It is not like any other religion, (Catholic or Protestant, Muslim or even Jewish) where they are brought up and christened or forced to remain in the religion of their parents. Children of JWs are taught the Bible but at the end of the day, they choose for themselves whether or not to become a witness, however, they obviously have to be of an age of understanding - in that they know the obligation and commitment.
If he was a dedicated witness at the time of your marriage, then he went against Bible principles The apostle Paul wrote: “A wife is bound during all the time her husband is alive. But if her husband should fall asleep in death, she is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39. To ‘marry only in the Lord’ means to enter wedlock only with a dedicated witness.
Obviously this refers to men as well as women.
..............to be continued......
lcg = in continuation.
//these elders, of course were all well educated and financially well off (and able to spend lots of time on their 'religious' activities) because they had all gone to university and had spent time building careers or a business after leaving school themselves. this is also how they achieved their 'respect'; social standing within the group;//
How do you know they were all well educated & financially well off because they had gone to university?
When I was in full time education (60s) it was difficult for anyone to get into university unless they had wealth or were "clever" enough to obtain scholarships. Unlike to day, when almost anyone can get in. So I doubt very much that all elders were wealthy or university grads.
Again, it must have been a good number of years ago as in my own congregation for example, we have a number of young elders, who are not rich, nor been to university and have families.
I have been in a number of different congregations, and not just in this country, whereby the elders are family men and not all have had college or university education. Not saying that they are uneducated, some choose not to go on to take further education. As mentioned in an earlier comment, my son had the opportunity to go to university but chose to take an apprenticeship instead and has an extremely responsible job which is more than can be said for a couple of his friends who chose to go to university.
Also, elders have certain biblical qualifications to meet which I won't go into.
Your next point of contention:
//worked for a number of years or developed their business to the point where they don't need to turn up to work every day (i.e. employ others to do it for them) will have the time to consider being an elder....therefore, by default older, wealthier or retired members of the congregation take that role.//
Sorry - you are wrong. As mentioned above not all elders are older, wealthier or retired. Not all elders have had businesses. Are you getting confused here with the Plymouth Brethren?
Again, as already mentioned, elders have qualifications to meet and don't just decide to become one.
...........again to be continued.............
//these elders, of course were all well educated and financially well off (and able to spend lots of time on their 'religious' activities) because they had all gone to university and had spent time building careers or a business after leaving school themselves. this is also how they achieved their 'respect'; social standing within the group;//
How do you know they were all well educated & financially well off because they had gone to university?
When I was in full time education (60s) it was difficult for anyone to get into university unless they had wealth or were "clever" enough to obtain scholarships. Unlike to day, when almost anyone can get in. So I doubt very much that all elders were wealthy or university grads.
Again, it must have been a good number of years ago as in my own congregation for example, we have a number of young elders, who are not rich, nor been to university and have families.
I have been in a number of different congregations, and not just in this country, whereby the elders are family men and not all have had college or university education. Not saying that they are uneducated, some choose not to go on to take further education. As mentioned in an earlier comment, my son had the opportunity to go to university but chose to take an apprenticeship instead and has an extremely responsible job which is more than can be said for a couple of his friends who chose to go to university.
Also, elders have certain biblical qualifications to meet which I won't go into.
Your next point of contention:
//worked for a number of years or developed their business to the point where they don't need to turn up to work every day (i.e. employ others to do it for them) will have the time to consider being an elder....therefore, by default older, wealthier or retired members of the congregation take that role.//
Sorry - you are wrong. As mentioned above not all elders are older, wealthier or retired. Not all elders have had businesses. Are you getting confused here with the Plymouth Brethren?
Again, as already mentioned, elders have qualifications to meet and don't just decide to become one.
...........again to be continued.............
continued.............
//. surely not putting the fear of the wrath of god into children (they were told they would go to hell if they didn't do as they were told//
This is absolutely wrong! As the biblical hell is the common grave of mankind this would not hold fear. Unlike other religions. For example, I know of a young child whose parents are witnesses was told by another child at school, that because he was not of their religion he would go and burn in hell fire. This child was thus so frightened that his parents have had to spend a lot of time explaining to him that this is not the case and that Jehovah would not do such a thing. So who is frightening who here?
Your last comment I don't understand. you say & I quote: "nobody is forced to be one and nothing prevents them leaving....and i never said that (please don't mince my words for me).:"
Your next point about being slung out of the religion. This is only done for serious wrong doing, for example, recreational drug taking, immorality, adultery and violence. Then only if the person is unrepentant.
As for divorce. I know quite a number of couples that have been divorced and remarried. The guilty party may well have been disfellowshipped, but in many cases have come back into the congregation.
//. surely not putting the fear of the wrath of god into children (they were told they would go to hell if they didn't do as they were told//
This is absolutely wrong! As the biblical hell is the common grave of mankind this would not hold fear. Unlike other religions. For example, I know of a young child whose parents are witnesses was told by another child at school, that because he was not of their religion he would go and burn in hell fire. This child was thus so frightened that his parents have had to spend a lot of time explaining to him that this is not the case and that Jehovah would not do such a thing. So who is frightening who here?
Your last comment I don't understand. you say & I quote: "nobody is forced to be one and nothing prevents them leaving....and i never said that (please don't mince my words for me).:"
Your next point about being slung out of the religion. This is only done for serious wrong doing, for example, recreational drug taking, immorality, adultery and violence. Then only if the person is unrepentant.
As for divorce. I know quite a number of couples that have been divorced and remarried. The guilty party may well have been disfellowshipped, but in many cases have come back into the congregation.
lcg@
//nothing would stop me from getting the best for my child, //
There is so much in the medical field that can be done. Even doctors and surgeons now perform quite serious operations without the need of blood.
As witnesses we do not tell people how to live their lives. The Bible is the guidebook of life and for those who chose to follow its advice have good and happy lives with the prospect of better things to come. The message we give is that it is God's Kingdom that will bring an end to the pain, suffering and other problems that mankind experiences. Governments and religions have done nothing to eleviate these things. No matter how much money, time and effort they put into trying, they cannot succeed. Only God through his son, Jesus Christ and the Kingdom will do this.
At the risk of repeating myself, we do not tell people they will burn in hell.
There is much more I can say in reply to you but I don't see the point in continuing this any more in this particular thread. No doubt certain issues will raise their head again and will be dealt with accordingly.
//nothing would stop me from getting the best for my child, //
There is so much in the medical field that can be done. Even doctors and surgeons now perform quite serious operations without the need of blood.
As witnesses we do not tell people how to live their lives. The Bible is the guidebook of life and for those who chose to follow its advice have good and happy lives with the prospect of better things to come. The message we give is that it is God's Kingdom that will bring an end to the pain, suffering and other problems that mankind experiences. Governments and religions have done nothing to eleviate these things. No matter how much money, time and effort they put into trying, they cannot succeed. Only God through his son, Jesus Christ and the Kingdom will do this.
At the risk of repeating myself, we do not tell people they will burn in hell.
There is much more I can say in reply to you but I don't see the point in continuing this any more in this particular thread. No doubt certain issues will raise their head again and will be dealt with accordingly.
naomi and others are quite right to point out that, according to the legend, it was the Romans who killed Jesus, the attempt to blame the Jews having been known since as The Greatest Libel Ever Told.
But why should we believe any of it anyway? Who was the reporter present at the "trials" both by the Sanhedrin by Pilate? We're never told. And why should the Sanhedrin break just about every rule, normally strictly observed, of the Jewish judicial system?
And the idea that Pilate, whose normal treatment of Jewish mobs was to slaughter them, was prepared to debate with them reasonably and even obey their wishes is risible.
Finally, why would that mob, who went mad only a few hours earlier welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem suddenly demand his death?
It's all a myth. An intriguing story but not history by a long chalk.
But why should we believe any of it anyway? Who was the reporter present at the "trials" both by the Sanhedrin by Pilate? We're never told. And why should the Sanhedrin break just about every rule, normally strictly observed, of the Jewish judicial system?
And the idea that Pilate, whose normal treatment of Jewish mobs was to slaughter them, was prepared to debate with them reasonably and even obey their wishes is risible.
Finally, why would that mob, who went mad only a few hours earlier welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem suddenly demand his death?
It's all a myth. An intriguing story but not history by a long chalk.
Truthabounds, //How gullible can you be!//
Be assured, where religion is concerned, gullible I am not.
Chakka is right. There are no witnesses to Jesus’ trials and no records exist outside the bible. Additionally, as far as I’m aware there is no record of the custom claimed in the bible of the Romans releasing one condemned prisoner on a Jewish holy festival – in this instance Barabbas. Quite simply, the Jews were not responsible. Chakka says ‘it’s all a myth’, which well it may be – but if it isn’t it’s an appallingly evil piece of propaganda manufactured by the early Christians specifically in order to demonise the people of the original Abrahamic religion – and for the past two thousand years it has continued to succeed. Who’s gullible?
Be assured, where religion is concerned, gullible I am not.
Chakka is right. There are no witnesses to Jesus’ trials and no records exist outside the bible. Additionally, as far as I’m aware there is no record of the custom claimed in the bible of the Romans releasing one condemned prisoner on a Jewish holy festival – in this instance Barabbas. Quite simply, the Jews were not responsible. Chakka says ‘it’s all a myth’, which well it may be – but if it isn’t it’s an appallingly evil piece of propaganda manufactured by the early Christians specifically in order to demonise the people of the original Abrahamic religion – and for the past two thousand years it has continued to succeed. Who’s gullible?
Truthabounds, you are very welcome to question me. I didn’t suggest she wasn’t telling the absolute truth. You did. Since she is not au fait with the fundamental principles of your religion, she may be mistaken on semantics – but that’s nit-picking. She has nothing to gain here by lying and I have no reason to doubt that her overall experience is as she claims.
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