SUNRISING, SUNSET

SUNRISING, SUNSET

The time when the sun appears to rise above the horizon, and the time when it disappears from view below the horizon. These times were pivotal points in the daily life of people in the Biblical period. For most persons, the dawn opened the curtain on the day’s activity and the dusk drew it closed again. As the psalmist wrote: “The sun . . . sets. You cause darkness, that it may become night; in it all the wild animals of the forest move forth. The maned young lions are roaring for the prey and for seeking their food from God himself. The sun begins to shine—they withdraw and they lie down in their own hiding places. Man goes forth to his activity and to his service until evening. How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made. The earth is full of your productions.”—Ps 104:19-24.http://biblize.com/search?q=Ps+104:19-24&q_scope=

The rising of the sun marked the start of the natural daylight period and, when Jesus Christ was on earth, the start of the counting of the “twelve hours of daylight.” (Mr 16:2; Joh 11:9)

http://biblize.com/search?q=Mr+16:2;+Joh+11:9&q_scope=

Many, of course, were up before dawn, like the diligent woman of Proverbs 31:15. Jesus, too, is mentioned as rising before the sun was up, to spend time in prayer. (Mr 1:35) http://biblize.com/search?q=Mr+1:35&q_scope=

When sunrise came the large city gates swung open, men went out to their fields or to the vineyards, women lined up at the wells for water, people filled the marketplaces, and fishermen pulled for shore to sell the night’s catch, after which they would clean and mend their nets.

The day’s normal activities and labor went on until sundown. At its approach the men returned from their fields, their masters paid them their wages for the day, women carried their night’s supply of water home, the city gates swung shut, and the watchmen began the first of the four night watches, while throughout the city oil lamps began to flicker in the homes. (Jg 19:14-16; Mt 20:8-12; De 24:15; Ge 24:11; Ne 13:19; Mr 13:35)

http://biblize.com/search?q=Jg+19:14-16;+Mt+20:8-12;+De+24:15;+Ge+24:11;+Ne+13:19;+Mr+13:35&q_scope=

For many, however, work went on after the evening meal, as industrious men and women did weaving or engaged in other indoor crafts.

http://biblize.com/search?q=Pr+31:18,+19;+2Th+3:8&q_scope=

(Pr 31:18, 19; 2Th 3:8) At times Jesus and his apostles also continued their ministry and its related activity on into the night.—Mt 14:23-25; Mr 1:32-34; 4:35-39; Lu 6:12; 2Co 6:4, 5.

http://biblize.com/search?q=Mt+14:23-25;+Mr+1:32-34;+4:35-39;+Lu+6:12;+2Co+6:4,+5.&q_scope=

While sunset marked the close of the daylight period, for the Jews it marked the start of the new calendar day, which officially began at sunset, being counted from evening to evening. (Le 23:32; compare Mr 1:21, 32, which shows that the day, in this case a sabbath, ended in the evening.) It was, therefore, at sunset that Nisan 14 began and the time came for slaughtering the lamb and eating the Passover.—Ex 12:6-10; De 16:6; Mt 26:20; http://biblize.com/search?q=Ex+12:6-10;+De+16:6;+Mt+26:20&q_scope=

Because the day ended at sundown, the Law required that certain things be done then. A garment taken in pledge had to be returned to its owner “at the setting of the sun.” (Ex 22:26; De 24:13) http://biblize.com/search?q=Ex+22:26;+De+24:13&q_scope=

At that time, too, wages were to be paid to hired laborers (De 24:15), http://biblize.com/search?q=De+24:15&q_scope=

a dead body hanging on a stake had to be removed and buried (De 21:22, 23; Jos 8:29; 10:26, 27),

http://biblize.com/search?q=De+21:22,+23;+Jos+8:29;+10:26,+27&q_scope=

and a person who had been ceremonially unclean had to bathe himself and, following sunset, would be considered clean again (Le 22:6, 7; De 23:11).http://biblize.com/search?q=Le+22:6,+7;+De+23:11&q_scope=

The fact that sunset closed one day and initiated a new one added meaning to the apostle’s exhortation: “Let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.”—Eph 4:26.http://biblize.com/search?q=Eph+4:26&q_scope=

http://biblize.com/search?q=2+Samuel+23:3,+4&q_scope=

The rising or shining of the sun is occasionally used in a figurative way. At 2 Samuel 23:3, 4 the reign of a righteous ruler who fears God is said to be as refreshing as “the light of morning, when the sun shines forth, a morning without clouds.” (Compare Mal 4:2; Mt 17:2; Re 1:16.)http://biblize.com/search?q=Mal+4:2;+Mt+17:2;+Re+1:16.&q_scope=

On behalf of God’s servants the request is made to Jehovah: “Let your lovers be as when the sun goes forth in its mightiness.”—Jg 5:31; Mt 13:43; Ps 110:3; Da 12:3;

http://biblize.com/search?q=Jg+5:31;+Mt+13:43;+Ps+110:3;+Da+12:3;&q_scope=

contrast with Mic 3:5, 6; Joh 3:19, 20.http://biblize.com/search?q=Mic+3:5,+6;+Joh+3:19,+20&q_scope=

The terms “sunrising” and “sunset” are also used in a geographic sense, meaning from E to W. (Ex 27:13; Jos 1:4; Ps 107:3; Re 16:12)http://biblize.com/search?q=Ex+27:13;+Jos+1:4;+Ps+107:3;+Re+16:12&q_scope=

This is the sense of Psalm 113:3: “From the rising of the sun until its setting Jehovah’s name is to be praised.” (See also Mal 1:11; Isa 45:6.) ‘From sunrise to sunset’ may also mean all day long.

http://biblize.com/search?q=+Mal+1:11;+Isa+45:6.Psalm+113:3:&q_scope=

Faith

Faith

Definition: "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld." (Heb. 11:1) True faith is not credulity, that is, a readiness to believe something without sound evidence or just because a person wants it to be so. Genuine faith requires basic or fundamental knowledge, acquaintance with evidence, as well as heartfelt appreciation of what that evidence indicates. Thus, although it is impossible to have real faith without accurate knowledge, the Bible says that it is "with the heart" that one exercises faith.—Rom. 10:10.

Why do many people not have faith?

Faith is a fruit of God’s spirit, and God gladly gives his spirit to those who seek it. (Gal. 5:22; Luke 11:13) So persons without faith are not seeking that spirit, or they are doing so for a wrong purpose or are resisting its operation in their lives. Many things influence this:Lack of accurate Bible knowledge: The Bible is a product of God’s spirit, being inspired by God. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Sam. 23:2) Failure to study it hinders any development of true faith. Although church members may have Bibles, if they have been taught the ideas of men instead of the Word of God, they will lack real faith in God and his purpose. To solve life’s problems, they will be inclined to rely on their own ideas and those of other humans.—Compare Matthew 15:3-9

.Disillusionment with religion: Many have been disillusioned by the hypocrisy of the churches of Christendom, which claim to teach God’s Word but fail to live in harmony with what it says. Others were adherents to a non-Christian religion, but they saw bad fruitage from its practices or found that their beliefs did not really help them to cope with the problems of life. Lacking accurate knowledge of the true God, such persons draw away from everything related to religion.—Compare Romans 3:3, 4; Matthew 7:21-23.

Do not understand God’s permission of wickedness:

Most people do not understand why God permits wickedness and so blame him for all the bad things that take place. They do not realize that man’s inclination toward badness is not because of God’s will but because of the sin of Adam. (Rom. 5:12) They may be unaware of the existence of Satan the Devil and of his influence on world affairs, so they ascribe to God the vile things perpetrated by Satan. (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:12) If they are to some extent aware of these things, they may feel that God is slow about taking action, because they do not see clearly the issue of universal sovereignty and do not grasp the fact that God’s patience down till this time affords them an undeserved opportunity for salvation. (Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9) Also, they do not fully realize that God has a set time when he will destroy forever all who practice wickedness.—Rev. 22:10-12; 11:18; Hab. 2:3.Lives dominated by fleshly desires and viewpoints: Generally, persons who lack faith that has real substance have devoted themselves to the pursuit of other interests. Some may say that they believe the Bible but they may never have thoroughly studied it or may have failed to meditate appreciatively on what they read, on the reasons for it, and how it applies to everyday life. (Compare 1 Chronicles 28:9.) In some cases, they failed to nourish the faith they had but, instead, allowed a desire for unrighteous things to dominate the inclination of their heart so that they drew away from God and his ways.—Heb. 3:12.

How can a person acquire faith?

Rom. 10:17: "Faith follows the thing heard." (Compare Acts 17:11, 12; John 4:39-42; 2 Chronicles 9:5-8. A person must first find out what the Bible says, and he will strengthen his conviction if he examines it carefully so as to be convinced of its reliability).

Rom. 10:10: "With the heart one exercises faith." (By meditating on godly things to build up appreciation for them, a person impresses them on his figurative heart.

Faith is strengthened when a person acts on God’s promises and then sees the evidence of God’s blessing on what he has done.—See Psalm 106:9-12.

Illustration: Perhaps you have a friend of whom you would say: ‘I trust that man. I can count on him to keep his word; and I know that if I have a problem, he will come to my help.’ It is not likely that you would be saying that about anyone you met for the first time yesterday, is it? He would have to be someone with whom you had long association, someone who had proved his dependability time and again. It is similar with religious faith. To have faith, you need to take time to get to know Jehovah and his way of doing things.

Efe. 4:26 & Eph. 4:26

Jueves 31 de diciembre

Estén airados, y, no obstante, no pequen; que no se ponga el sol estando ustedes en estado provocado (Efe. 4:26).

Thursday, December 31

Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.—Eph. 4:26.

http://biblize.com/search?q=Eph.+4:26&q_scope=

WHICH SPIRITUAL BOAT ARE WE?

WHICH SPIRITUAL BOAT ARE WE?

A Tugboat Always pulling someone into the truth. Always working hard -- slow, but steady.

A Barge Always being pushed or shoved by a tugboat. Very useful but lacks initiative "I'll help clean the Hall if I'm asked."

A Sailboat Requires good weather--a fair weather publisher. "We're not always going to have good weather, but I hope things won't become too choppy."

A canoe Easily upset.

A Battleship Stirs up contentions and disturbs peace.

A Submarine Stays out of sight. Surfaces for the Memorial and the visit of the Circuit Overseer.

A Raft Drifts along with the tide.

A Pleasure Boat Unavailable for everything else except gatherings.

A Speed Boat Comes into the truth fast, spending lots of time in the ministry and make all the meetings. But, gradually runs out of gas.

A Show Boat Has the newest of everything, but tends to be shallow spiritually-speaking.

A Fishing Boat Hard worker, but always tries to be in the ministry.

A Speaker

A Speaker used this illustration regarding our relationship with Jehovah and our faith in holding on during this time of the end; When we are right at the brink of Armageddon and we feel like we can't hang on another minute.

A man was is in the mountains, it's night time, he wanders off the road and falls off a cliff. He grabs on to a tree root and holds on for dear life. He hangs there all night during this raging storm and every time his grip weakens, he grabs on tighter, his life hangs in the balance. His muscles ache and finally near dawn he feels his grip loosening and he thinks he cannot hold on another minute. Then the sun rises and he looks down and realizes that all during that stormy ordeal - HE WAS ONLY TWO FEET OFF THE GROUND.

Isn't it wonderful. The point being - we are right on the brink of Armageddon and just when we feel we cannot hold on another minute in this darkened, terrible world - we could be only one day away from salvation. We're only 'two feet off the ground.'

The Stranger

The Stranger

A few months before I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to
our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with
this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.
The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the
world a few months later.

As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young
mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors:
Mom taught me the word of God, and Dad taught me to obey it. But the
stranger He was our storyteller He would keep us spellbound for hours
on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.

If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he
always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even
seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major
league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never
stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.

Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing
each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to her room
and read her books (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to
leave.)

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger
never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed
in our home...not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our long-time
visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears
and made my
dad squirm and my mother blush.

My Dad was a teetotaler who didn't permit alcohol in the home, not even for
cooking. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He
made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked
freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant,
sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.

I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced
strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my
parents, yet
he was seldom rebuked.. and NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our
family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at
first.

Still, if you were to walk into my parent's den today, you would still find
him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and
watch him draw his pictures. His name?....

We just call him, "TV."

He has a younger sister now. We call her, "computer."

The sheep of this illustration

The sheep of this illustration VERSES AT BOTTOM Matthew 25:31-33,are those who submit to Jesus’ kingship.

The Bible indicates that we are living in "the last days" of Satan’s rule. (2 Timothy 3:1) Soon, Jehovah God will send Jesus Christ to judge mankind. What will happen at that time? Jesus gave the answer in one of his illustrations. He said: "When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."—Matthew 25:31-33.
The sheep of this illustration are those who submit to Jesus’ kingship. Jesus likened them to sheep because they follow him as their Shepherd. (John 10:16) These sheeplike ones will gain life under Jesus’ perfect rulership. It will be a happy life in a new world free of poverty. Goatlike humans, who reject Jesus’ rule, will be destroyed forever.—Matthew 25:46.

God’s Kingdom will bring an end to wickedness. Then poverty will be a thing of the past. Instead, the earth will be inhabited by people who love and care for one another. That such a new world is possible can be seen in the loving international brotherhood of Jehovah’s Witnesses, for Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."—John 13:35.

Matthew 25:31-33. “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.
Matthew 25:46. And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”

Time is short for building true faith start today.

everlasting life

For those who gain everlasting life in the near future

So what will you do with your spare time?

Here is another calculation that will help you appreciate that you will never lack for anything to do:

1 Billion seconds is approximately equal to 32 years. Therefore, if you could travel instantaneously to every star in the galaxy one by one, one star per second, then you would visit 1 billion stars in 32 years.
Now, there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, so that mean to visit every star in our galaxy (one per second) would take 3 thousand, 200 years. (3,200yrs)

But here are an estimated 100 billion galaxies of 100 billion stars each, so to visit every star in the universe would take 3,200 years per galaxy X 100 billion galaxies, so that the time taken to visit each star in the universe at one per second would take you; 320 TRILLION YEARS | 320,000,000,000,000 years!!!

That is just in case you had nothing else to do. And if you paused even for one additional second at each star, then the time would double: 640 trillion (640,000,000,000,000) years.
(The above was done using round figures, you and calculate it more precisely if you want. It is more like 317,100,000,000,000 years, but what is 3 trillion or so years between friends?)

Here is one more: There are about 6 billion people on Earth today. Let's work with just that figure. If you consider that you could get to know 10 people per year really well, say working with them 8 hrs a day, socializing with them 3, 4 hrs a day, going on vacation with them, etc., then it would take you 600,000,000 years to get to really know 6,000,000,000 people.

And even if you got to know 60 people per year, you still must take 100 million years to get to know that many people.
So what will you do with your spare time?

Are you the one?

Are you the one?

Save Our Starfish

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.
As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.
Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing"
"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washing up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"I understand," my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference ?"
The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"
This is why we preach, we are looking for the Meek.

Matthew 5:5

KINDNESS TO STRANGERS

KINDNESS TO STRANGERS A RESPONSIBILITY

Kindness to all men, as the Son of God explained so forcefully, is a Christian responsibility. The apostle of Jesus Christ admonishes us to keep this responsibility always in mind; Paul wrote: "Let your brotherly love continue. Do not forget kindness to strangers, for through it some, unknown to themselves, entertained angels." What rewards came to Abraham, Lot and Manoah because they were kind to all men! They entertained angels and received blessings from the Most High, because they never forgot "kindness to strangers."—Heb. 13:1, 2; Gen. 18:1-10; 19:1-29; Judg. 13:8-20.

How can Christians today show kindness to strangers?

By following the example of Jesus Christ. He showed kindness to all persons, and the most important way he did this was by inviting others to feast upon spiritual food, the truths concerning the "kingdom of the heavens." To advance the interests of God’s kingdom Jesus showed kindness in every way. Right from the beginning of his ministry he showed hospitality to strangers so as to help them spiritually .

The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people

The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people

Proverbs 2:20 The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep. 21 For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. 22 As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.

The Bible's advice to you is that you must repent and turn around from your bad course and God will then forgive you. You need to search for the true God, Jehovah, and understand what this verse is saying

Isaiah 55:6,7.Search for Jehovah, YOU people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near. 7 Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.

World events today confirmed by the Bible say that God's war to remove all the wicked will be very soon. You need to build your faith NOW while there is still time. We will help you to do this if you wish. But you need to follow.

Thank you to my follows

Thank you to my follows, Really you are helping with these verses' THANK YOU TO ALL WHO FOLLOW.

Mt 24 :14 good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come

1 Cor9:16 If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!.

Mark 13: 10 Also, in all the nations the good news has to be preached first.

Mt 28:18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things."

Romans 10:18 Nevertheless I ask, They did not fail to hear, did they? Why, in fact, “into all the earth their sound went out, and to the extremities of the inhabited earth their utterances.

Hallelujah

Hallelujah.

What comes to your mind when you hear the term "Hallelujah"? Perhaps it reminds you of Handel’s "Messiah," a musical masterpiece from the 1700’s that features the dramatic Hallelujah chorus. Or you may think of the famous American patriotic song "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," also known as "Glory, Hallelujah." Surely, from one source or another, you have heard the word "Hallelujah." Perhaps you even use it from time to time. But do you know what it means?
Hallelujah—The English transliteration of the Hebrew expression ha·lelu-Yah´, meaning "praise Jah," or "praise Jah, you people.".

Jah—A poetic shortened form of the name of God, Jehovah. It appears in the Bible more than 50 times, often as part of the expression "Hallelujah."

God’s Name in Your Name?

Many Bible names are still popular today. In some cases the original Hebrew meaning of these names actually included the personal name of God. Here are a few examples of such names and their meaning. Perhaps your name is one of them.
Joanna—"Jehovah Has Been Gracious"
Joel—"Jehovah Is God"
John—"Jehovah Has Shown Favor"
Jonathan—"Jehovah Has Given"
Joseph—"May Jah Add"
Joshua—"Jehovah Is Salvation"
"Jah" is an abbreviated form of "Jehovah.".

Bible Terms for God.
The Hebrew text of the Holy Scriptures uses numerous terms for God, such as Almighty, Creator, Father, and Lord. Yet, the instances in which he is referred to by his personal name far outnumber all of the other terms combined. Clearly, it is God’s will that we use his name. Consider the following list of terms as they appear in the Hebrew Scriptures....................
Jehovah—6,973 times
God—2,605 times
Almighty—48 times
Lord—40 times
Maker—25 times
Creator—7 times
Father—7 times
Ancient of Days—3 times
Grand Instructor—2 times.

.DO YOU LOVE THE NAME OF YOUR CREATOR AND CALL ON IT?.

Light in the Bible

Light in the Bible means understanding. Jesus was the light and gave us understanding!

JOHN 3:36 He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; he that disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

JOHN 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent forth his Son into the world, not for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him. 18 He that exercises faith in him is not to be judged. He that does not exercise faith has been judged already, because he has not exercised faith in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. 19 Now this is the basis for judgment, that the light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. 20 For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. 21 But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction.

^{Jeremiah 17:5} This is what Jehovah has said: “Cursed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man and actually makes flesh his arm, and whose heart turns away from Jehovah himself.

Who died for you?Was it Buddha?Gandhi?Mohammed? Or someone else? Jesus Christ himself gave his life for you, that you might live. Look to him and forget the others, THEY ARE DEAD IN THE GRAVE. JESUS IS GODS CHOSEN KING AND IS NOW RULING IN HEAVEN!

False Prophets

False Prophets

Definition: Individuals and organizations proclaiming messages that they attribute to a superhuman source but that do not originate with the true God and are not in harmony with his revealed will.

How can true prophets and false ones be identified?

True prophets make known their faith in Jesus, but more is required than claiming to preach in his name

1 John 4:1-3: “Test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. You gain the knowledge of the inspired expression from God by this: Every inspired expression that confesses Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God, but every inspired expression that does not confess Jesus does not originate with God.”http://biblize.com/search?q=1+John+4:1-3&q_scope=

Matt. 7:21-23: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name . . . ?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.”http://biblize.com/search?q=Matt.+7:21-23&q_scope=

True prophets speak in the name of God, but merely claiming to represent him is not enough

http://biblize.com/search?q=Deut.+18:18-20&q_scope=

Deut. 18:18-20: “A prophet I shall raise up for them from the midst of their brothers, like you [like Moses]; and I shall indeed put my words in his mouth, and he will certainly speak to them all that I shall command him. And it must occur that the man who will not listen to my words that he will speak in my name, I shall myself require an account from him. However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.” (Compare Jeremiah 14:14; 28:11, 15.)

http://biblize.com/search?q=Jeremiah+14:14;+28:11,+15&q_scope=

Jesus said: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things.” (John 8:28) http://biblize.com/search?q=John+8:28&q_scope=

He said: “I have come in the name of my Father.” (John 5:43) http://biblize.com/search?q=John+5:43&q_scope=

Jesus also said: “He that speaks of his own originality is seeking his own glory.”—John 7:18.http://biblize.com/search?q=John+7:18.5&q_scope=

If any individuals or organizations claim to represent God but decline to use God’s personal name, and make it a practice to express their own opinions on matters, are they measuring up to this important qualification of a true prophet?

Ability to perform “great signs,” or “miracles,” is not necessarily proof of a true prophet

Matt. 24:24: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs [“miracles,” TEV] and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.”

http://biblize.com/search?q=Matt.+24:24:&q_scope=

2 Thess. 2:9, 10: “The lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved.”

http://biblize.com/search?q=2Thessalonians+2:9,+10&q_scope=

On the other hand, Moses performed miracles at Jehovah’s direction. (Ex. 4:1-9)

http://biblize.com/search?q=Ex.+4:1-9&q_scope=

Jehovah also empowered Jesus to perform miracles.

(Acts 2:22) http://biblize.com/search?q=Acts+2:22&q_scope=

But more than the miracles gave evidence that God had truly sent them.

What true prophets foretell comes to pass, but they may not understand just when or how it will be

Dan. 12:9: “Go, Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end.”http://biblize.com/search?q=Dan.+12:9:&q_scope=

1 Pet. 1:10, 11: “The prophets . . . kept on investigating what particular season or what sort of season the spirit in them was indicating concerning Christ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ and about the glories to follow these.”http://biblize.com/search?q=1+Pet.+1:10,+11&q_scope=

http://biblize.com/search?q=1+Cor.+13:9,+10:&q_scope=

1 Cor. 13:9, 10: “We have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with.”

Prov. 4:18: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.”http://biblize.com/search?q=Prov.+4:18&q_scope=

The apostles and other early Christian disciples had certain wrong expectations, but the Bible does not classify them with the “false prophets.”—http://biblize.com/search?q=Luke+19:11&q_scope=

See Luke 19:11; John 21:22, 23;http://biblize.com/search?q=John+21:22,+23&q_scope=

Acts 1:6, 7.http://biblize.com/search?q=Acts+1:6,+7&q_scope=

Nathan the prophet encouraged King David to go ahead with what was in his heart regarding the building of a house for Jehovah’s worship. But later Jehovah told Nathan to inform David that he was not the one who would build it. Jehovah did not reject Nathan for what he had said earlier but continued to use him because he humbly corrected the matter when Jehovah made it plain to him.—1 Chron. 17:1-4, 15.http://biblize.com/search?q=1+Chron.+17:1-4,+15.+&q_scope=

True prophets and the false can be recognized by the fruitage manifest in their lives and the lives of those who follow them

Matt. 7:15-20: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. . . . Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit . . . Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.”

http://biblize.com/search?q=Matt.+7:15-20&q_scope=

What characterizes their way of life? “The works of the flesh are . . . fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. . . . Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. On the other hand, the fruitage of [God’s] spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Gal. 5:19-23;

http://biblize.com/search?q=Gal.+5:19-23&q_scope=

see also 2 Peter 2:1-3.http://biblize.com/search?q=2+Peter+2:1-3&q_scope=

Isa. 5:20 & Isa. 5:20

Miércoles 30 de diciembre

¡Ay de los que dicen que lo bueno es malo y lo malo es bueno, los que ponen oscuridad por luz y luz por oscuridad, los que ponen amargo por dulce y dulce por amargo! (Isa. 5:20.)

Wednesday, December 30

Woe to those who are saying that good is bad and bad is good, those who are putting darkness for light and light for darkness, those who are putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!—Isa. 5:20.

http://biblize.com/search?q=+Isa.+5:20+&q_scope=

רביעי, 30 בדצמבר

אבוי למי אומרים טוב רע, רע טוב, למי הם הצבת החושך של אור חושך ואור, למי הם הצבת מריר מתוק, מתוק מרה! —

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

MUSLIMS AND SOME CHRISTIANS NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT GOD SAYS HERE!

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

1 John 2:22 Who is the liar if it is not the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one that denies the Father and the Son. 23 Everyone that denies the Son does not have the Father either. He that confesses the Son has the Father also.


1 John 4;20 If anyone makes the statement: “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also.

1 John 3:10 The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother

Jesus said there would be more earthquakes Matthew 24:7

Jesus said there would be more earthquakes Matthew 24:7http://biblize.com/search?q=Matthew+24:7&q_scope=

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS

click and find out !!!!!

http://www.thehorizonproject.com/earthquakes.cfm

USGS Worldwide Deadly & Destructive Earthquakes between Magnitudes 6 and 8

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time...there were four people; their names were Anybody,
Somebody, Nobody, and Everybody.

Whenever there was an important job
to be done, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody
could have done it, but Nobody did it. When Nobody did it, Everybody
got angry because it was Anybody's job. Everybody thought that
Somebody would do it, but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it. So,
consequently, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody
could have done in the first place.

HOW COULD A GOD OF LOVE DESTROY ANY HUMANS?

HOW COULD A GOD OF LOVE DESTROY ANY HUMANS?

That question is understandable, for the destruction of human life is not pleasant to contemplate. Really, though, it was God's love that impelled him to take such drastic measures against the wicked. To illustrate: When a patient develops gangrene, doctors often have little choice but to amputate the infected limb. Few would enjoy performing such a procedure, but a good doctor knows that the alternative - the spread of infection - is worse. Because he cares, he carries out this unpleasant task for the good of his patient.

Similarly, Jehovah did not enjoy destroying the Canaanites. He himself says: "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked". (Ezekiel 33:11, Darby) At the same time, he purposed for the nation of Israel to produce the Messiah, the one who would open the way for salvation for all those exercising faith. (John 3:16) Thus, God simply could not allow Israel to become infected by the disgusting practices of the Canaanites, He therefore ordered the Canaanites to be cut off, or evicted, from the land. In so doing, God demonstrated outstanding love - love that moved him to perform an unpleasant task for the benefit of his faithful worshippers.

DID NOT THE CANAANITES' DESTRUCTION CONFLICT WITH GOD'S LOVE?

On the surface, God's exterminating the Canaanites might seem inconsistent with his love. (1 John 4:8) However, that love becomes quite apparent when we take a closer look.

God knew long beforehand that Canaan's inhabitants were headed in the wrong direction. Yet, instead of immediately wiping them out, he patiently allowed 400 years to pass until their error had "come to completion". - Genesis 15:16.

When the sin of the Canaanites reached the point where all hope of improvement was gone, Jehovah brought their end. Even so, he did not blindly execute all Canaanites. Why? Because not all were beyond reform. Those willing to change, such as Rahab and the Gibeonites, were shown mercy. - Joshua 9:3-11,16-27; Hebrews 11:31.

Sal. 130:3, 4 & Ps. 130:3, 4

Martes 29 de diciembre

Si errores fuera lo que tú vigilas, oh Jah, oh Jehová, ¿quién podría estar de pie? Porque hay el verdadero perdón contigo (Sal. 130:3, 4).

Tuesday, December 29

If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand? For there is the true forgiveness with you.—Ps. 130:3, 4.

http://biblize.com/search?q=Ps.+130:3,+4&q_scope=

DOES THE BIBLE CONDONE HUMAN WARFARE?

DOES THE BIBLE CONDONE HUMAN WARFARE?

Does God's commanding Israel to destroy the Canaanites justify human warfare today? No, for at least three reasons:

1. No earthly nation today has special favor with God. When the Israelites rejected Jesus as the Messiah, they ceased to represent God in any official capacity - including that of executioners. (Matthew 21:42,43) Jehovah thus held the Israelites to the same standard as other nations(Leviticus18:24-28) From that time on, no earthly nation could rightly claim to have God's backing in warfare.

2. Jehovah no longer assigns his worshippers to any specific land or geographic region. Rather, his servants can be found in "all nations and tribes" of the earth. - Revelation 7:9; Acts 10:34,35.

3. Jesus clearly indicated that his followers would not engage in warfare. When warning of an impending attack on Jerusalem, he instructed his disciples not to stay and fight but, rather, to flee, which they did. (Matthew 24:15,16) Instead of taking up arms, true Christians put their complete trust in God's Kingdom, which will soon remove all wickedness from this earth. - Daniel 2:44; John 18:36.

Everybody

Everybody wants to go to heaven; but nobody wants to die

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's just that yours

is stupid

I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian

because I hate plants.

"Marriage is give and take. You'd better give it to her or

she'll take it anyway."

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

There are three sides of an arguement -- your side, my side and

the right side.

I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous

and give the wrong answers

In God we trust; all others must pay cash

He's so lazy that if there were work in bed, he would rather

sleep on the floor.

"Insurance is like marriage. You pay, pay, pay, and you never

get anything back."

If you need advice, text me... if you need a friend, call me ... if you need me, come to me... if you need money........ SUBSCRIBER CANNOT BE REACHED!

A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway

Friends are like a head of hair. You might lose some, but with enough cash you can buy them back.

Without humor, life sucks. Without Love, Life seems hopeless. But without a friend like you, life is nearly impossible.

Memories last forever, they simply never die, true friends stay together - they NEVER say good-bye.

Life is a waste of time, time is a waste of life, so my friend stay wasted all the time, and have the time of your life!

A faithful friend is worth more than all the gold in the world.

Love is only chatter, it's your friends that really matter.

I've nothing to offer so it's love I'm going to send. It's nothing that I've borrowed, nor nothing that I'd lend. This love that I send comes with my Lifetime Guarantee.

It's much easier to turn a friendship into love, than love into friendship.

Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs.

Our kind of friendship is like love without wings!

What About Christian Truth?

What About Christian Truth?

What of the truth proclaimed by Jesus Christ? Did everyone recognize it as a message from God? No. Even though Jesus was right there in the midst of the people of Israel teaching them and performing miracles, most of his listeners did not discern that he was the foretold Messiah—the Christ, or Anointed One.
To the Pharisees who asked when God’s Kingdom was coming, Jesus himself said:
“The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” He added: “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17: 20, 21) God’s appointed Ruler, Jesus, was among them! But those Pharisees refused to open their eyes to the evidence that he was fulfilling the Messianic prophecies and to accept him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”—Matthew 16:16.

The response to the truth proclaimed by Christ’s first-century disciples was similar. While miracles helped to demonstrate that God was supporting the disciples, the truth was still not plain to most. (Acts 8:1-8; 9:
32-4 1) Jesus commissioned his followers to “make disciples of people” by teaching them. As a result of listening and learning Scriptural truths, sincere seekers of truth became believers.—Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:42; 17:2-4,
32-34.

It is the same today.

The “good news of the kingdom” is being “preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24:14) This is ,. not necessarily being done “with striking observableness”—in so obvious a way that every individual on earth will recognize it as a message from God. Yet, God’s truth is recognizable and strikes a responsive chord in honesthearted individuals who want to worship God in the way approved by him.—John 10:4, 27.
The fact that you are reading this shows that you are likely a sincere seeker of truth. How can you determine which religion is teaching it?

Features of True Religion

Consider the practices and teachings of first-century Christians:

• They looked to God’s Word as their guide.—2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21.
• They taught that Jesus was God’s Son, distinct from God himself and subordinate to Him—1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:3.
• They taught that the dead will return to life by means of a future resurrection. —Acts 24:15.
• They were known overall for the love that prevailed among themselves. —John 13:34, 35.
• They did not worship merely as individuals but were organized into congregations and were united under overseers and a
central body of elders that looked to Jesus as Head.—Acts 14:21-23; 15:1-31; Ephesians 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
• They were zealous preachers of God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope.—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8.

Why So Many Rules?

HOUSE RULES, as they’re sometimes called, are the dos and don’ts that your parents have set for you. Such rules may include requirements about homework, chores, and curfews, as well as restrictions on your use of the phone, the TV, and the computer. Some rules may extend beyond the walls of your home to include your behavior at school and your choice of friends.

Do you feel hemmed in by these restrictions? Perhaps you can relate to the following youths:

“My curfew used to drive me crazy! I hated it when others were allowed to stay out later than I was.”—Allen.

“It’s horrible having your cell-phone calls monitored. I feel that I’m being treated like a child!”—Elizabeth.

“I’m Not a Baby Anymore!”

Perhaps you chafe at rules because you feel that you’re being treated like a child. You want to cry out, “I’m not a baby anymore!” Of course, your parents probably feel that their rules are vital if they are to protect you and prepare you for the responsibilities of adulthood.

Still, it might seem as if the rules in your home have not “grown up” as much as you have. You might feel restricted, as did a girl named Brielle, who said of her parents: “They have completely forgotten what it’s like to be my age. They don’t want me to have my say, make a choice, or be an adult.” A youth named Allison feels similarly. “My parents don’t seem to understand that I’m 18 years old and not 10,” she says. “They need to trust me more!”

House rules can be especially painful to submit to if your siblings seem to be given more lenient treatment. For example, recalling his teen years, a young man named Matthew says of his younger sister and his cousins, “The girls got away with ‘murder’!”

“I felt that my parents were trying to wreck my social life, as though they didn’t want me to have any friends!”—Nicole.

While young people often find themselves on the wrong side of their parents’ rules, most youths acknowledge that some regulations are needed to prevent total chaos. But if house rules are necessary, why are some of them so annoying?

No Rules?

Understandably, you may long for a life out from under your parents’ authority. But would you really be better off without their restrictions? You probably know youths your age who can stay out as late as they want, can wear anything they like, and can go with their friends whenever and wherever it suits them. Perhaps the parents are simply too busy to notice what their children are doing. In any case, the Bible shows that this approach to child-rearing will not be successful. (Proverbs 29:15) http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+29:15&q_scope=

The lack of love you see in the world is largely due to its self-centered people, many of whom were raised in homes without restraint.—2 Timothy 3:1-5.http://biblize.com/search?q=2+Timothy+3:1-5&q_scope=

Rather than envying youths who are allowed to do as they please, try to see your parents’ rules as evidence of their love and concern for you. By enforcing reasonable limits, they’re imitating

Jehovah God, who said to his people: “I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you.”—Psalm 32:8.http://biblize.com/search?q=Psalm+32:8&q_scope=

At times, though, you may feel overwhelmed by your parents’ rules. How can you gain some relief?

Communication That Works

Whether you want to gain more freedom or just reduce your frustration with the limits your parents now place on you, the key is good communication. ‘But I’ve tried talking to my parents, and it just doesn’t work!’ some might say. If that’s how you feel, ask yourself, ‘Could I improve my communication skills?’ Communication is a vital tool that can (1) help others to understand you or (2) help you to understand why what you want is being refused. Really, if you want to receive grown-up privileges, it’s only reasonable that you develop mature communication skills. How can you do so?

Learn to control your emotions. Good communication requires self-control. The Bible states: “All his spirit is what a stupid one lets out, but he that is wise keeps it calm to the last.” (Proverbs 29:11)http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+29:11&q_scope=

So avoid whining, sulking, and throwing childish tantrums. Admittedly, you may feel like slamming the door or stomping around the house when your parents restrict you. However, such behavior will probably lead to more rules—not to more freedom.

Try to see your parents’ point of view. Tracy, a Christian youth in a single-parent family, says, “I ask myself, ‘What is my mother trying to accomplish with her rules?’” Tracy’s conclusion? “She’s trying to help me become a better person.” (Proverbs 3:1, 2) http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+3:1,+2&q_scope=

Showing such empathy may help you to communicate effectively with your parents.

For example, suppose your parents are reluctant to let you attend a certain gathering. Instead of arguing, you could ask, “What if a mature, trustworthy friend came along with me?” Your parents may still not grant your request. But if you understand their concerns, you have a better chance of suggesting an acceptable option.

Build your parents’ confidence in you. Imagine a man who owes money to a bank. If he makes his payments regularly, he’ll earn the bank’s trust and the bank may even extend more credit to him in the future. It’s similar at home. You owe your parents your obedience. If you prove trustworthy—even in small things—your parents are likely to trust you more in the future. Of course, if you continually let your parents down, don’t be surprised if they reduce or even close your “line of credit.”

When a Rule Has Been Broken

Sooner or later, you’re likely to cross the line—fail to do your chores, talk too long on the phone, or miss a curfew. (Psalm 130:3) http://biblize.com/search?q=Psalm+130:3&q_scope=

Then you’ll have to face your parents! How can you keep a bad situation from getting worse?

Speak the truth. Do not tell tall tales. If you do, that would only undermine any remaining trust your parents have in you. So be honest and specific about details. (Proverbs 28:13) http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+28:13&q_scope=

Avoid justifying or minimizing what happened. And always remember that “an answer, when mild, turns away rage.”—Proverbs 15:1.http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+15:1&q_scope=

Apologize. Expressing regret over the worry, disappointment, or extra work you caused is appropriate and may reduce the severity of your punishment. However, your sorrow must be sincere.

Accept the consequences. (Galatians 6:7) Your first response may be to dispute the punishment, especially if it seems unfair. However, taking responsibility for your actions is a sign of maturity. Your best option may simply be to work at regaining your parents’ confidence.

Write here which of the above three points you need to work on most. …………………………

http://biblize.com/search?q=Galatians+6:7&q_scope=

Remember, your parents have the responsibility to exercise reasonable control over your actions. Thus, the Bible speaks of “the commandment of your father” and “the law of your mother.” (Proverbs 6:20) http://biblize.com/search?q=Proverbs+6:20&q_scope=

Nevertheless, you need not feel that house rules will ruin your life. On the contrary, if you submit to your parents’ authority, Jehovah promises that, in the long run, it will “go well with you”!—Ephesians 6:1-3.http://biblize.com/search?q=Ephesians+6:1-3&q_scope=