UPDATE: As of October 2020, my understanding took a turn when it came to JW's. So, as I go through my blog posts, I will try to clean out and only keep the links from JW Org. that I think would not be harmful in teaching. In the end, it's up to you to discern what is good and what is not, or what you will accept as truth. I have many posts that I have done, so this can take some time.
One can get good spiritual food anywhere, but it's up to you to know the difference between Jehovah and Jesus Christ and to lean on Jehovah, through Jesus Christ to get you there.
End of update.
Adam and Eve Disobeyed God
Genesis 2:17 ASV — but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
The Sin...
Genesis 3:12-13 ASV — And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And Jehovah God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
The Outcome...
Genesis 3:22-23 ASV — And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever— therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
The Prophecy...
Genesis 3:15 ASV — and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
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The setting...
Imagine being held captive since you were a child, you are now 50 years old and suddenly you see your father just a short distance away, he has awakened you to let you know that he is there, all you have to do is reach out to him. So, you stretch your arm out for him to take you by the hand, he takes hold of your hand to reassure you, that he is there for you and that he will rescue you.
- Imagine it...the relief and disbelief. Is this really happening?
He gives you instructions, a book with many letters on what must take place. He explains the timing is not yet right, certain things will take place first, there is much at stake and that there are many others who are being held captive, your brothers and sisters. He reassures you, as long as you follow his instruction, you will be saved from your captor. He then asks you to spread the message to all who are also held captive.
You understand and put your trust in him, you take the time to read the different letters in the book he had left for you. He teaches you; he reminds you and strengthens you. So, what do you do? Do you put the book down? No, you "study" it, you think it through and "meditate" on it, you "associate" yourself with those who will help, you "pray" for the best and you give it your all...your "service" by sharing the message to others.
Everyone has their own message that they need to follow, but for them to retrieve it, they too have to take the time to read it. You offer to help, but in the end, they have to understand it for themselves. The overall message is the same, but the message within is unique to all, each has to make it their own, in a way that works for them, because everyone is different and what works for one, may not work for the other.
Would you not guide the others who are captive and let them know that they too need to read it to be saved?
Time goes on, the picture gets clearer, the more you read it, study it and meditate on it, the more you begin to understand it. The more you know what is required of you. It teaches you about the trials you may face and how to endure them. You learn what it takes to get to the point of being rescued. It will not be easy, as you are still trapped and always have to find a way around it. He teaches you endurance, to not lose hope, even in your darkest hour.
All the while, you are learning more and more about your father, who he is and what he is about. You start to remember your life with him, how you never forgot him, how you've never stopped talking about him and how he's never left your side. You trust in him completely and give him your all.
Now that circumstances have changed and you now know there's a way out, you still can't help but to feel crushed, knowing...your father, whom you've always loved didn't abandon you, he's right there, at arm's length, he's given you the hope that you've been searching for, for most of your life, but you can't fully go to him yet. You're still trapped and have to deal with the Evil that surrounds you, just a while longer. What's worse is that the Evil One is fully aware that your father is trying to rescue you and has made contact with you, so he tries to make things that much more difficult for you.
It's unsettling that you remain captive a while longer, because your greatest fear is that you will fail your father, because he wants to save, not just you, but everyone else too. You follow your father's instruction as best as you can and you try to help everyone else do the same, you keep praying that it will all end soon, knowing that there is hope and that all that listen will finally be saved. You keep relaying the message as best as you can, you share the book and explain how it is for their survival, that it's the only way to be freed from the Evil One.
- Would you not keep to your word, knowing you would help others learn the message, that they too will soon be set free?
- Would you not want that for them as well?
You know they have to listen and follow the instructions properly, or it will not work, and they will not survive. You are persistent in explaining it to them, but they must read and learn the instructions for themselves, they must believe in it to get the proper message, it's the only way.
- Wouldn't it make you sad to know that there are some who still don't believe you and are choosing not to listen?
- Would you give up?
- Would your father want you to give up?
- After all, aren't they his children too?
- What if they were mean to you?
- Would you find another way to help them?
- Would you "not" judge them?
- Would you try your best to understand what made them that way?
- Would you not try to help save as many as you can?
Even still, you know many won't listen, as they have grown accustomed to the way things are and they don't care enough to change. They prefer to enjoy the shiny objects the evil doer put in front of them and remain captive, then to be freed. They don't realize that they are preferring that their life come to an end under the evil one, other than be freed forever.
The beauty to come and the evil that exists. Many get together and start to share experiences, many follow the message as best as they can, together in unity, the stories in the letters are shared, you strengthen each other with it, in hopes that you get through it together. - Is it not Heartbreaking?
It helps when all take moments to imagine what it would be like to finally be set free, to feel safe. To know who you are and to whom you belong to...one big family, brothers and sisters, finally under the care of a loving father. You feel the love grow stronger and stronger and keep sharing it with all.
Why pray for God’s Kingdom to come?
God has chosen his Son, Jesus, to be King of the Kingdom.
Proverbs 3:5 ASV — Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:
Proverbs 4:18 ASV — But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Joshua 1:8 ASV — This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psalm 1:1-2 ASV — Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.
Acts 5:29 ASV — But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
Ephesians 5:6 ASV — Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
In the end, it's all about balance, finding ways to deal with the negative, the world we live in, the effect of Satan's lie, while trying to focus on the positive, the world that is soon to be. Finding ways to support each other through the difficult times, leaning on one another, but mostly having full Faith and Love for the Heavenly Father who will set you free, but only if you allow Him to.
The Balance...
Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 ASV — For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?
To be Taken...
There are many ways one can be taken, it can be as simple as people's words, opinions and actions, their behavior and treatment of you to their judgement of you (which belongs to Jehovah through Jesus Christ). The constant reminder of the world we currently live in, all of Satan's tools, BUT ESPECIALLY HIS GREATEST TOOLS OF ALL... the governments, the military, the self-serving one's with their own special interests. Ephesians 6:12
Jeremiah 50:33-34, 36 ASV — Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together; and all that took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; Jehovah of hosts is his name: he will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
A sword is upon the boasters, and they shall become fools; a sword is upon her mighty men, and they shall be dismayed.
No one has the right to tell you how you should feel, especially when it comes to the Father, Jehovah. Only Jehovah knows who I am and only Jehovah truly knows my heart, my innermost thoughts and what I've been through. Just as He knows who you are too, your heart and your innermost thoughts and what you've been through.
2 Chronicles 29:9 ASV — For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
How to not let others affect you and change you, who you truly are from within. To be yourself, whether anyone understands you or not. You are the yolk from within the lining of that outer shell. Remembering that although the surface was cracked, you still have that lining that protects you, that protects that precious yolk...your inner being.
How to not react to those who think they know more, to those who persecute you, who call you names or just plainly hate you. Those who antagonize you, who don't want to see you benefit from anything good, those who think they always know better and want you to change how you are and how you feel, how you think. Those who judge you or won't accept you just for being you. Those who want you to bend to their will. Those who think they're helping but are hurting you instead.
Don't judge them, push forward...
Devote yourself to Jehovah and follow Jesus Christ, not a church or organization.
When you get baptized, get baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the holy spirit, in Christ Jesus, not in the name of religion (false doctrines). (Matthew 28:19)
Lean Upon Jehovah, it's the only way. Don't get lost by allowing others who don't understand you, determine how you should be. Don't rely on your own understanding, (Proverbs 3:5, 6) rely on Jehovah and learn from Him.
Satan knows what buttons to push to make one react, whether it's out of hurt or anger. He doesn't want you to lean on Jehovah or to follow Jesus and his example. He doesn't want you to know he is the one pulling the strings. That he is using those "especially close to you" to do his will, and that many will "unknowingly" do so.
The Bible...
The Bible is the most beautiful book anyone could ever possibly read, the future promise is beautiful, the inner works of how it's all to take place is necessary, as Jehovah's Name must be Vindicated.
Keep Your Eyes on the Big Issue
Psalm 83:18 ASV — That they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth.
Learn From the Great Teacher
The best principles that can be found anywhere are those in the Bible.
Children can learn, not what some human says, but what their heavenly Father says.
Patient God...
2 Peter 3:9 ASV — The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The bible is not meant to be decoded, it's meant to be read with a complete heart, with love. If you are looking to gain something out of it, you will not get a clear picture, it will be distorted, you will be confused and you will not understand it. (James 1:22-24) Don't give up, have patience. Take the time, you will get there if it's what you truly want. The message that is meant for you will become clear, once you start reading it for yourself and you read it out of love and nothing more.
1 Chronicles 28:9 ASV — And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
It takes time, especially for those who never knew Jehovah or that think that He and Jesus are one in the same, or for those who don't even believe Jehovah exists, but with persistence and true want for what is good with no self-interest, you will find Him, Jehovah will let Himself be found by you, because He wants you to know Him and He wants you to be saved by Him to believe in Him and truly love Him.
The Natural ability to understand will always be by Spirit...
I know Jehovah is our God, the Unique Creator, the Supreme Being, but He will always be my Father first, it's how I feel I know Him best, it's more personal to me. I've been judged for feeling this way, I've tried not to feel it, I was told I was wrong for it. But now I know better, I'm not a child anymore, (1 Corinthians 13:11, 12) the Spirit is what the Spirit is, and I cannot change it, nor do I want to...it's Beautiful, it makes me Happy and it's Peaceful. It's Jehovah's and I love Him for it.
1 Corinthians 14:2 ASV — For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Jehovah knows who belong to Him. I am doing Jehovah's will and in sharing my story it is my hope that many who are sleeping will awaken. Even Jehovah's Witnesses themselves may not realize it, but this message is for them as well...many of them have put their faith in man and are listening to false teachings. Learn, take the time and get to know Jehovah, stop listening to "man" be it your family, friends, religion or government... do it for yourself, not them. Do it in private. (Matthew 6:6) When you do it for yourself, then and only then, can you do it for them.
The struggle of not fitting in to this world is still there, but I now know that Jehovah has been here all along and He has never left my side and that He has helped me. For that, I am completely grateful to Jehovah, I could never repay Him...none of us can, but we can love Him unconditionally and wholeheartedly... I know I do, very much so. I've returned home and found my long-lost Father..."o meu Pai Celestial, Jeová."
Devote yourself to Jehovah and follow Jesus Christ, not a church or organization.Failing Jehovah is not an option for me, I hope it's not one for you either.
- After all, in the end, what is it we all want?
LOVE... and Jehovah is a God of Love. That's why Love Never Fails, because if you truly have it in you, you won't want to let it go and you will do what it takes to hold on to it, and you will not be greedy, you will share it with others.
Psalm 97:10 ASV — O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
From A to Z
From Creation...the Beginning
to Armageddon...the End.
Revelation 16:14 ASV — for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
Where have Jehovah's Witnesses gone wrong?
The same place every other religion has gone wrong, they depend on doctrines of men and don't lead with the key ingredient...LOVE.
ALL religion has its good points, and ALL religion has it's bad, it's up to you the individual to know the difference...heart condition.
Actions speak louder than words...please lead by example.
Trust in Jehovah
~ Peace, Love and Joy ~
