Watchtower Study-September 22, 2024- Do You Recognize the Truth?

Deborah said:
Matthew 6:27, 33-34

Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?

Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness.......

So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

2 Tim 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind.

1 Peter 5:6, 7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We all know a STORM IS COMING. We may not know the day or the hour but with all that is going on in this world today we have to have the faith that JEHOVAH will intervene at the right time. We don't need to stress over some of the things I am reading in this thread. Don't let the cares of the day do that to you.

Someone mentioned the basics. Sorry ole mind can't recall name of the forum member. If nothing else we have the basics. Jehovah knows us. He knows our heart. He is not going to destroy his loyal ones when he intervenes.

What keeps me going is that I have reached the point where I accept my weaknesses as well as my strengths and work on doing better. I stopped looking back because as the ole saying goes I will not be able to go forward. I trust Jehovah with my whole heart, soul and mind. I ask him to show me areas that I need to adjust (for lack of better word).

I stop looking/listening at things that are not helpful to me. My spirituality is the most important part of my life. If that is all twisted up, WHAT DO I HAVE? Anyway I hope scriptures are helpful.

The only thing I have problems with is this dumb EMERGENCY TO GO BAG. It has been laying on my spare room floor for months. Everyday I say I am gonna get it together. I can just see myself running around like a nut if an emergency comes up. I will be trying to figure out should I take the large bag, or the small bag. No, I don't need nail polish remover, take that out. Oh well such is life.

Best to all in these challenging time. May Jehovah be with us all. It goes without saying we are happy to have this place to gather and lift each other up while we still have relative peace.



Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.

1 Thess 5:17

PRAY CONSTANTLY

Pray for peace of mind
Pray for understanding
Pray to help strengthen your faith

Philippians 4:13

For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

ADDITION: Not making light of anyone's concerns. That is not the type of person I am.
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Lovely comment Debs. 😊
 
Watchman said:
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that the tribulation begins on an unknowable day and hour, which is believed to segue into Armageddon. The Watchtower has turned the coming of Christ, the parousia and the eviction of the demons from heaven into non-events.
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I did connect the coming of the Kingdom with Satan's ousting and the GT and "nation against nation" all from the W/T, and 100 plus years ago things were plausibly connected to 1914 WW1. However comma now that we're out 100 yrs plus, ( even before I started to study ) WW1 has become less and less a plausible factor, that the W/T cannot shake. So they need to come up with something to fool/satisfy the R&F. In the mean time people in the org are waking up/have woken up, to the false stories.
 
steve said:
To think that before I believed the truth i actually used to laugh at those stories as ridiculous nonsense, pure fantasy.
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One thing I was taught in the beginning of studying and never forgot. I will share it with you..the WT is capable of many mistakes, but If you can't read it in the Bible then don't believe it. Very simple.. The book "Make Sure of all Things" is a great teaching tool. almost every question is touched on in that book..
 
CathiiD'Anthonii said:
One thing I was taught in the beginning of studying and never forgot. I will share it with you..the WT is capable of many mistakes, but If you can't read it in the Bible then don't believe it. Very simple.. The book "Make Sure of all Things" is a great teaching tool. almost every question is touched on in that book..
Click to expand...

I second this. While the Reasoning book is fine to a lesser degree, the Make Sure book-- to this day-- remains an arm's length away when I'm here in my office. That and the massive Aid book. Best works published by the Watchtower organization, their NWT of the scriptures aside. Both are wonderfully raw scriptural references, but moreso the Make Sure book. Easier to carry around, too. Try carrying the Aid book around every day to work and home. Or the later Insight volume set! O.o

—Timothy,
a believer.
 
Deborah said:
Matthew 6:27, 33-34

Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?

Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness.......

So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

2 Tim 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind.

1 Peter 5:6, 7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We all know a STORM IS COMING. We may not know the day or the hour but with all that is going on in this world today we have to have the faith that JEHOVAH will intervene at the right time. We don't need to stress over some of the things I am reading in this thread. Don't let the cares of the day do that to you.

Someone mentioned the basics. Sorry ole mind can't recall name of the forum member. If nothing else we have the basics. Jehovah knows us. He knows our heart. He is not going to destroy his loyal ones when he intervenes.

What keeps me going is that I have reached the point where I accept my weaknesses as well as my strengths and work on doing better. I stopped looking back because as the ole saying goes I will not be able to go forward. I trust Jehovah with my whole heart, soul and mind. I ask him to show me areas that I need to adjust (for lack of better word).

I stop looking/listening at things that are not helpful to me. My spirituality is the most important part of my life. If that is all twisted up, WHAT DO I HAVE? Anyway I hope scriptures are helpful.

The only thing I have problems with is this dumb EMERGENCY TO GO BAG. It has been laying on my spare room floor for months. Everyday I say I am gonna get it together. I can just see myself running around like a nut if an emergency comes up. I will be trying to figure out should I take the large bag, or the small bag. No, I don't need nail polish remover, take that out. Oh well such is life.

Best to all in these challenging time. May Jehovah be with us all. It goes without saying we are happy to have this place to gather and lift each other up while we still have relative peace.



Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.

1 Thess 5:17

PRAY CONSTANTLY

Pray for peace of mind
Pray for understanding
Pray to help strengthen your faith

Philippians 4:13

For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

ADDITION: Not making light of anyone's concerns. That is not the type of person I am.
Click to expand...
Deborah… you are a treasure …. Your wisdom is timeless. You don’t comment enough on this forum …. But when you do … I slow down and I hang on your every word. ❤️ You my sister!!
 
Brother Obvious said:
All of the spectrums of heartfelt concerns and agonies I am observing here on this thread shows that you are desiring the approval of Jehovah and that you all have a deep love for him. Of course no man can judge another's heart and we also know that there is hidden treachery in every man's heart. We are not condemned by these things, because Jehovah knows we are all sinner's made of dust. We are all going to make error's in judgement and sin at times. Jesus' blood covers us in that regard. If you practice a few basic things, you will be ok.
"Love Jesus and Jehovah and don't betray them. Don't try to be a master over anyone else's faith. Forgive one another freely. And whatever you do, as we approach the final day, refuse the "Mark of the Beast", even to death if necessary; whatever that proves to be. The "Mark" will be an obvious choice, you can't be tricked into taking it."
Don't be anxious, rest tonight in peace after you pray my friends and fellow lover's of our great God Jehovah.
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Thank you for your thoughts and for your kind heartfelt post. 💞
 
a believer said:
I second this. While the Reasoning book is fine to a lesser degree, the Make Sure book-- to this day-- remains an arm's length away when I'm here in my office. That and the massive Aid book. Best works published by the Watchtower organization, their NWT of the scriptures aside. Both are wonderfully raw scriptural references, but moreso the Make Sure book. Easier to carry around, too. Try carrying the Aid book around every day to work and home. Or the later Insight volume set! O.o

—Timothy,
a believer.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree. The Make Sure Of All Things book is excellent. I wondered why they changed the things they changed when they replaced the Make Sure book with the Reasoning Book. I'm not sure it was an improvement. 🤷‍♀️
 
CathiiD'Anthonii said:
One thing I was taught in the beginning of studying and never forgot. I will share it with you..the WT is capable of many mistakes, but If you can't read it in the Bible then don't believe it. Very simple.. The book "Make Sure of all Things" is a great teaching tool. almost every question is touched on in that book..
Click to expand...
I was taught another saying: If you don't read it in the Watchtower it ain't true, so disregard it immediately!
 
Deborah said:
Matthew 6:27, 33-34

Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?

Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness.......

So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

2 Tim 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind.

1 Peter 5:6, 7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We all know a STORM IS COMING. We may not know the day or the hour but with all that is going on in this world today we have to have the faith that JEHOVAH will intervene at the right time. We don't need to stress over some of the things I am reading in this thread. Don't let the cares of the day do that to you.

Someone mentioned the basics. Sorry ole mind can't recall name of the forum member. If nothing else we have the basics. Jehovah knows us. He knows our heart. He is not going to destroy his loyal ones when he intervenes.

What keeps me going is that I have reached the point where I accept my weaknesses as well as my strengths and work on doing better. I stopped looking back because as the ole saying goes I will not be able to go forward. I trust Jehovah with my whole heart, soul and mind. I ask him to show me areas that I need to adjust (for lack of better word).

I stop looking/listening at things that are not helpful to me. My spirituality is the most important part of my life. If that is all twisted up, WHAT DO I HAVE? Anyway I hope scriptures are helpful.

The only thing I have problems with is this dumb EMERGENCY TO GO BAG. It has been laying on my spare room floor for months. Everyday I say I am gonna get it together. I can just see myself running around like a nut if an emergency comes up. I will be trying to figure out should I take the large bag, or the small bag. No, I don't need nail polish remover, take that out. Oh well such is life.

Best to all in these challenging time. May Jehovah be with us all. It goes without saying we are happy to have this place to gather and lift each other up while we still have relative peace.



Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.

1 Thess 5:17

PRAY CONSTANTLY

Pray for peace of mind
Pray for understanding
Pray to help strengthen your faith

Philippians 4:13

For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

ADDITION: Not making light of anyone's concerns. That is not the type of person I am.
Click to expand...
Loved reading all that Deborah, thankyou ❤️
 
People like Mark Martin, Borean Pickets etc etc don't appreciate that the society, organisation, JW.org whatever you want to call it is Christ's congregation. So personally I'm really not that interested in their point of view, why?

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many . . .

They are setting themselves up as false Messiah's, wait and see.
 
Serenity said:
I'm in the US. There was a very strong and scolding talk given recently at a mid-week meeting pretty much condemning attending on Zoom and not in person, like it's not being obedient to gather together; like those on Zoom are forsaking gathering together "as some have the custom". I was mortified and felt it beat up on those attending on Zoom. To me attending by Zoom is gathering together. I don't think physical presence is needed to gather together. And, by commenting you can encourage others, which you can do on Zoom now.

Much of the chit chat at the hall isn't about spiritual things. It often seems like a social club to me. And, honestly, some there are more discouraging than encouraging. Sad to say, I find some to be downright unpleasant at times and prefer not to be in their company. I know we are supposed to love everyone, as a matter of principal, but not everyone is pleasant and likable. Some have been very critical and consescending. It's very offputting.
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It may be helpful to consider their plight in the congregation in that they are not fed the substance of the Word, just the milk. Their diet is one of negativity in that one is deemed to be a worthy member of the watchtower simply be allowing themselves to be led. There is no active consideration of the values of the Word - it is all about “not doing” this or that, or to “do” this or that. And what they are told to do, is always follow what the GB teach. And what do they teach? Nothing of substance. The thoughts of men. How does one learn the portrayal of the spirit if they are not taught it? The bible remarks upon their condition in that they “have not love amongst themselves”.
 
Thank you for your kindness. Jehovah has allowed me to learn lots of lessons. I thank him so much because the path I almost took, I should not be here.

I am thankful for his
patience, for what I have learned from being one of Jehovah witnesses over the years. I am thankful for finding Robert's forum called Paradise Cafe back in 2004.

Then I got married and lost touch. Twenty years later found this site. I wasn't looking for it. Cannot even remember how I found it. My husband passed in 2020 and then there was Covid or whatever you want to call it.

COINCIDENCE finding new site? I don't know. But am glad to be here.

The forum has its up and down days but we seem to get through them.

Hopefully we remember we have a servant of Jehovah, Robert who has opened the doors to a place for those of us to visit that may be lost, broken, trying to find answers to questions we cannot ask without being marked or worse shunned, etc. There are more reasons he opened the doors to this forum besides those.

If we don't like it here we can leave and move on. No one will knock on our electronic doors for a
WHERE U BEEN CALL
(Shepherding call) as witnesses refer to them.
But we know what they really are these days.

So may we all continue to grow in faith, overlook the imperfections of personalities that may clash with ours, DIRECT MESSAGE if we are really upset or hurt by a comment so the forum board doesn't have those down days. Ya all know what I mean 😂.

Thanks again for your kindness, forgiveness, all I learn from everyone. So many of you are great with scriptures and of course our host.

Jehovah help us all.

With love
Deborah

Psalms 27:13, 14

Where would I be if I did not have faith. That I would see Jehovah's goodness in the land of the living.

HOPE IN JEHOVAH
BE COURAGEOUS AND STRONG OF HEART.
YES, HOPE IN JEHOVAH

😍
 
Deborah said:
DIRECT MESSAGE if we are really upset or hurt by a comment so the forum board doesn't have those down days. Ya all know what I mean 😂.
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You really are a "treasure", Deborah as @Melinda Riling so aptly put it and your comments add balance to the forum. We're only beginning to come to know you, but we like what we see.

Loved your suggestion to continue to "grow in faith, overlook the imperfections of personalities that may clash with ours, DIRECT MESSAGE if we are really upset or hurt by a comment".

A private "criticism" doesn't sting as much as a public one and is much easier to reconcile.
"Back a dog up in the corner it's gonna bite", which means 'If you irritate someone and don't leave an escape route, then they will attack if they feel threatened'.
A good friend of ours in Florida and a former circuit overseer often said, "if your have an issue with someone, make your point but don't rob them of their dignity".

BTW, I read your post to Jerry and he responded, "with that degree of reasonableness and maturity, are you sure this post is by a sister?" :ROFLMAO:

Just to be clear, to Deborah and all the sisters on the forum, he was totally teasing....it was a compliment.
In fact, his defense of sisters in the congregation often raised the hair on the back of the neck of some of the elders including a chauvinistic Circuit Overseer.
Jerry was WT Overseer for the ten years prior to his resignation following the covid debacle, he often had the opportunity to stress points in the WT concerning respect for sisters and their role in the congregation.

As an example, Jerry stressed the point that sisters were the ones selected to the spread the news of Jesus' resurrection which was a slap in the face to the brothers. This was just one of many examples of Jerry standing up for sisters because, in his opinion, most of the other elders in the congregation did not have the respect for sisters that they rightly deserved.
 
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BARNABY THE DOG. said:
It may be helpful to consider their plight in the congregation in that they are not fed the substance of the Word, just the milk. Their diet is one of negativity in that one is deemed to be a worthy member of the watchtower simply be allowing themselves to be led. There is no active consideration of the values of the Word - it is all about “not doing” this or that, or to “do” this or that. And what they are told to do, is always follow what the GB teach. And what do they teach? Nothing of substance. The thoughts of men. How does one learn the portrayal of the spirit if they are not taught it? The bible remarks upon their condition in that they “have not love amongst themselves”.
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Yes, I suppose it gives somewhat of an excuse for being thoughtless, rude and blunt. However, they have and read God's word regularly and know well the words, love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you'd have done unto you, love one another, let your words be seasoned with salt, become kind to one another, etc. And, I'm not saying this is the case with all, as some are kind and endeavor to apply Bible principles. But, with some, they have ears but don't seem to hear with them.

Where does the Bible say this, as you quoted?: "The bible remarks upon their condition in that they “have not love amongst themselves”.
 
Jerry&Phyllis said:
You really are a "treasure", Deborah as @Melinda Riling so aptly put it and your comments add balance to the forum. We're only beginning to come to know you, but we like what we see.

Loved your suggestion to continue to "grow in faith, overlook the imperfections of personalities that may clash with ours, DIRECT MESSAGE if we are really upset or hurt by a comment".

A private "criticism" doesn't sting as much as a public one and is much easier to reconcile.
"Back a dog up in the corner it's gonna bite", which means 'If you irritate someone and don't leave an escape route, then they will attack if they feel threatened'.
A good friend of ours in Florida and a former circuit overseer often said, "if your have an issue with someone, make your point but don't rob them of their dignity".

BTW, I read your post to Jerry and he responded, "with that degree of reasonableness and maturity, are you sure this post is by a sister?" :ROFLMAO:

Just to be clear, to Deborah and all the sisters on the forum, he was totally teasing....it was a compliment.
In fact, his defense of sisters in the congregation often raised the hair on the back of the neck of some of the elders including a chauvinistic Circuit Overseer.
Jerry was WT Overseer for the ten years prior to his resignation following the covid debacle, he often had the opportunity to stress points in the WT concerning respect for sisters and their role in the congregation.

As an example, Jerry stressed the point that sisters were the ones selected to the spread the news of Jesus' resurrection which was a slap in the face to the brothers. This was just one of many examples of Jerry standing up for sisters because, in his opinion, most of the other elders in the congregation did not have the respect for sisters that they rightly deserved.
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Thank you. Sending you a direct message.
 
Serenity said:
Yes, I suppose it gives somewhat of an excuse for being thoughtless, rude and blunt. However, they have and read God's word regularly and know well the words, love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you'd have done unto you, love one another, let your words be seasoned with salt, become kind to one another, etc. And, I'm not saying this is the case with all, as some are kind and endeavor to apply Bible principles. But, with some, they have ears but don't seem to hear with them.

Where does the Bible say this, as you quoted?: "The bible remarks upon their condition in that they “have not love amongst themselves”.
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Perhaps our dear brother confused the spirit taken from 2Thess2:10 'perishing as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth' and applied it to love amongst themselves? Yet; knowing our Barnaby he will give a more qualified response.
 
Ms_ladyblue said:
Keep in mind that at Galatians 4: 26 is referring to Jerusalem (wt) being our mother was only referring to those of the anointed…ie those who partake.
We can’t have it both ways or pick and choose scripture to support our ‘belief.’
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You asked what I loved and I replied faithfully : Unlike the first century after Christ's death the Gentile and Jewish congregations were the first fruits in Christ: Different today isn't it? The message is to the remnant and other sheep; You judged that I picked scripture to support my belief; what I posted is my belief. What do you say Ms?
 
Serenity said:
Yes, I suppose it gives somewhat of an excuse for being thoughtless, rude and blunt. However, they have and read God's word regularly and know well the words, love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you'd have done unto you, love one another, let your words be seasoned with salt, become kind to one another, etc. And, I'm not saying this is the case with all, as some are kind and endeavor to apply Bible principles. But, with some, they have ears but don't seem to hear with them.

Where does the Bible say this, as you quoted?: "The bible remarks upon their condition in that they “have not love amongst themselves”.
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Sorry, I can not recall where the bible says that. My memory is in shreds! Someone will know.
 
When I saw the title of this thread, the first thought that came to mind is that the experience of recognizing truth is much like these disciples described it:

"And they said to each other: “Were not our hearts burning within us as he was speaking to us on the road, as he was fully opening up* the Scriptures to us?”" -- Luke 24:32 NWT

In much the same way, Jesus accredited Jehovah for Peter's recognition of truth: "In response Jesus said to him: “Happy you are, Simon son of Joʹnah, because flesh and blood* did not reveal it to you, but my Father in the heavens did.+" -- Matthew 16:17 NWT

--Timothy,
a believer.
 
Jerry&Phyllis said:
You really are a "treasure", Deborah as @Melinda Riling so aptly put it and your comments add balance to the forum. We're only beginning to come to know you, but we like what we see.

Loved your suggestion to continue to "grow in faith, overlook the imperfections of personalities that may clash with ours, DIRECT MESSAGE if we are really upset or hurt by a comment".

A private "criticism" doesn't sting as much as a public one and is much easier to reconcile.
"Back a dog up in the corner it's gonna bite", which means 'If you irritate someone and don't leave an escape route, then they will attack if they feel threatened'.
A good friend of ours in Florida and a former circuit overseer often said, "if your have an issue with someone, make your point but don't rob them of their dignity".

BTW, I read your post to Jerry and he responded, "with that degree of reasonableness and maturity, are you sure this post is by a sister?" :ROFLMAO:

Just to be clear, to Deborah and all the sisters on the forum, he was totally teasing....it was a compliment.
In fact, his defense of sisters in the congregation often raised the hair on the back of the neck of some of the elders including a chauvinistic Circuit Overseer.
Jerry was WT Overseer for the ten years prior to his resignation following the covid debacle, he often had the opportunity to stress points in the WT concerning respect for sisters and their role in the congregation.

As an example, Jerry stressed the point that sisters were the ones selected to the spread the news of Jesus' resurrection which was a slap in the face to the brothers. This was just one of many examples of Jerry standing up for sisters because, in his opinion, most of the other elders in the congregation did not have the respect for sisters that they rightly deserved.
Click to expand...
That's probably the reason why Jesus showed himself to the women first 😉 I never take offence anyway when I recognise it's just a joke, women joke about men, we need to all laugh together about stuff, but sadly, more and more these days people are ruining our lives by stopping all forms of jesting, there's literally nothing we can joke about anymore without someone being offended, well, that's how it is in the UK anyway 🙄
 
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