Blogs > Katididaustralia > Katididaustralia

Katididaustralia

Thoughts & Stuff

Keywords | Title View | Refer to a Friend |

Mark	Posted:Sep 16, 2014 4:52 am Last Updated:Sep 18, 2014 2:15 am 3350 Views
C.E. = Common Era The events described by Mark covers the period from spring 29 C.E. to spring 33 C.E When Jesus was arrested at Gethsemane and the apostles fled, he was followed by a certain young man wearing a fine linen garment over his naked body. When the crowd tried to seize him too he left his linen garment behind and got away naked. This young man is generally believed to be Mark. He is described in Acts as John who was surnamed Mark and may have come from a comfortably situated family in Jerusalem, for they had their own house and servants. His mother, Mary, was also a Christian, and the early Congregation used her home as a meeting place. On the occasion when he was delivered by the angel from prison, Peter went to this house and found the brothers assembled there. Mark 14:50-52 And they all abandoned him and fled. However, a certain young man wearing only a fine linen garment over his naked body began to follow him nearby, and they tried to seize him, but he left his linen garment behind and got away naked. Acts 12:11-13 And Peter, realizing what was happening, said 'Now I know for sure that Jehovah sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s hand and from everything that the Jews were expecting to happen.' After he realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John who was called Mark, where quite a few were gathered together and were praying. The composition of this shortest of the Gospels is credited to this Mark. He was a co-worker with Jesus' apostles and one who placed his own life in the service of the good news but Mark was not one of the 12 apostles, and he was not an immediate companion of Jesus. Where did he get the intimate details that make his account of Jesus' ministry really live from beginning to end? According to the earliest tradition of Papias, Origen and Tertullian, this source was Peter, with whom Mark was closely associated. Did not Peter call him 'my '? 1 Peter 5:13 She who is in Babylon, a chosen one like you, sends you her greetings, and so does Mark, my . Peter was an eyewitness of practically all that Mark recorded, so he could have learned from Peter many descriptive points that are lacking in the other Gospels. For example, Mark speaks of 'the hired men' that worked for Zebedee, the leper entreating Jesus 'on bended knee', the demonized man 'slashing himself with stones' and Jesus giving his prophecy about the 'coming of the of man with great power and glory' while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives 'with the temple in view'. Mark 1:20 and without delay he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went off after him. Mark 1:40+41 There also came to him a leper, pleading with him even on bended knee, saying to him: 'If you just want to, you can make me clean.' At that he was moved with pity, and he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him: 'I want to! Be made clean'. Mark 5:5 And continually, night and day, he was crying out in the tombs and in the mountains and slashing himself with stones. Mark 13:3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives with the temple in view, Mark 13:26 And then they will see the of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Peter himself was a man of deep emotions and so could appreciate and describe to Mark the feelings and emotions of Jesus. So it is that Mark frequently records how Jesus felt and reacted. For example, that he looked 'around upon them with indignation, being thoroughly grieved', that he 'sighed deeply', and that he 'groaned deeply with his spirit'. Mark 3:5 After looking around at them with indignation, being thoroughly grieved at the insensibility of their hearts, he said to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 7:34 And looking up into heaven, he sighed deeply and said to him: “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Mark 8:12 So he sighed deeply in his spirit and said: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say, no sign will be given to this generation'. It is Mark who tells us of Jesus' sentiments toward the rich young ruler, saying that he 'felt love for him' And what warmth we find in the account that Jesus not only stood a young in the midst of his disciples but also 'put his arms around it' and that on another occasion 'he took the into his arms'. Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and felt love for him and said, 'One thing is missing about you: Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.' Mark 9:36 Then he took a young and stood him in their midst; and putting his arms around him. Mark 10:13-16 People now began bringing him young for him to touch them, but the disciples reprimanded them. At seeing this, Jesus was indignant and said to them: 'Let the young come to me; do not try to stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such ones. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a young will by no means enter into it.' And he took the into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them. Some of Peter's characteristics are to be seen in Mark's style, which is impulsive, living, vigorous, vital and descriptive. It seems he can hardly relate events fast enough. For example, the word 'immediately' occurs again and again, carrying the story along in dramatic style. Although Mark had access to the Gospel of Matthew and his record contains only 7% that is not contained in the other Gospels, it would be a mistake to believe that Mark simply condensed Matthew's Gospel and added a few special details. Whereas Matthew had portrayed Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, Mark now considers his life and works from another angle. He portrays Jesus as the miracle-working of God, the conquering Saviour. Mark puts stress on the activities of Christ rather than on his sermons and teachings. Only a small proportion of the parables and one of Jesus' longer discourses are reported, and the Sermon on the mount is omitted. It is for this reason that Mark's Gospel is shorter, though it contains just as much action as the others. At least 19 miracles are specifically referred to. While Matthew wrote his Gospel for the Jews, Mark evidently wrote primarily for the Romans. How do we know this? The Law of Moses is mentioned only when reporting conversation that referred to it, and the genealogy of Jesus is left out. The gospel of Christ is represented as of universal importance. He makes explanatory comments on Jewish customs and teachings with which non-Jewish readers might be unfamiliar. Mark 2:18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees practiced fasting. So they came and said to him: “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees practice fasting, but your disciples do not practice fasting?' Mark 7:3+4 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands up to the elbow, clinging to the tradition of the men of former times, and when they come from the market, they do not eat unless they wash themselves. There are many other traditions that they have received and cling to, such as baptisms of cups, pitchers, and copper vessels.) Mark 14:12 Now on the first day of the Unleavened Bread, when they customarily offered up the Passover sacrifice, his disciples said to him: 'Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?' Mark 15:42 Now as it was already late in the afternoon, and since it was Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath. Aramaic expressions are translated. Mark 3:17 James the of Zebedee and John the brother of James (he also gave these the name Boanerges, which means “Sons of Thunder”) Mark 5:41 Then, taking the hand of the , he said to her: “Talithacumi,” which, when translated, means: “Little girl, I say to you, ‘Get up!’” Mark 7:11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother: “Whatever I have that could benefit you is corban (that is, a gift dedicated to God),” Mark 7:34 And looking up into heaven, he sighed deeply and said to him: “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Mark 14:36 And he said: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; remove this cup from me. Yet, not what I want, but what you want.” Mark 15:22 So they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which means, when translated, “Skull Place.” Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour, Jesus called out with a loud voice: “E′li, E′li, lama sabachthani?” which means, when translated: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? He qualifies Palestinian geographic names and plant life with explanations. Mark 1:5 And all the territory of Judea and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, openly confessing their sins. Mark 1:13 So he continued in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, but the angels were ministering to him. Mark 11:13+14 From a distance he caught sight of a fig tree that had leaves, and he went to see whether he could find something on it. But on coming to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. So he said to it: “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And his disciples were listening. Mark 13:3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives with the temple in view, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately The value of Jewish coins is given in Roman money. Mark 12:42 Now a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins of very little value He uses more Latin words than the other Gospel writers, examples being speculator(body guardsman), praetorium(governor's palace) and centurio(army officer) Mark 6:27 So the king immediately sent a bodyguard and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went off and beheaded him in the prison Mark 15:16 The soldiers now led him off into the courtyard, that is, into the governor’s residence, and they called the whole body of troops together. Mark 15:39 Now when the army officer who was standing by with him in view saw that he had expired under these circumstances, he said: “Certainly this man was God’s .” Since Mark evidently wrote primarily for the Romans he most likely did his writing in Rome. Both earliest tradition and the contents of the book allow for the conclusion that it was composed in Rome during either the first or the second imprisonment of the apostle Paul and hence, during the years 670-65 C.E. In those years Mark was in Rome at least once and likely twice. All the leading authorities of the second and third centuries confirm that Mark was the writer. The gospel was already in circulation amoung Christians by the middle of the second century. Its appearance in all the early catalogs of the Christian Greek Scriptures confirms the authenticity of Mark's Gospel. However, the long and short conclusions that are sometimes added after chapter 16, verse 8, are not to be regarded as authentic. They are missing in most of the ancient manuscripts, such as the Sinaitic and Vatican No 1209. The forth century scholars Eusebius and Jerome are in agreement that he authentic record closes with the words 'they were in fear'. The other conclusions were probably added with a view to smoothing over the abruptness with which the Gospel ends. That Mark's account is accurate is to be seen from the full harmony of his Gospel not only with the other Gospels but also with all the Holy Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. Moreover, Jesus is shown again and again as one having authority not only in his spoken word but over the forces of nature, over satan and the demons, over sickness and disease, yes, over death itself. So Mark opens his narrative with the impressive introduction: 'The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ'. His coming and ministry meant 'good news' and hence the study of Mark's Gospel must be beneficial to all readers. I hope you've enjoyed this interesting discourse. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

Do You Harbour Resentment Or Do You Forgive?	Posted:Sep 14, 2014 9:58 pm Last Updated:Nov 20, 2014 5:54 pm 3583 Views
How do you deal with disappointment, hurt and anger? It is not always easy when we have great rushes of emotion and our systems are flooded with hormones and adrenaline and our first instinct is to respond in like kind or let words rush off our tongues. James 3:2 For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle also his whole body. Of course, we are not perfect and it is easy to say -just walk away until we settle down- but more often than not it is too late and we live to rue our actions or responses. Then also, if we walk away, do we just hold on to resentments and bitterness with feelings not dealt with. Feelings that once again someone has walked all over us. Sometimes, it is the first line of action to look at our own part in a situation and forgive ourselves for any part we have played. Recognizing that we all fall down. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Quite often we can forgive others fairly easily but will have difficulty forgiving ourselves. That old adage applies -Do nt be so hard on yourself! I have personally found that if I forgive myself first then the forgiveness to another follows more readily. Easier said than done -you say- and I agree but we need to look at ourselves to see how very often we ourselves fail at living up to Gods standards. Are we all too ready to overlook our own faults to just settle on the faults of another? Do we jump at every little wrong word said to or against us or our opinions? Are we too ready to make a cutting reply or write a scathing return? Ecclesiastes 7:21+22 Also, do not take to heart every word that people say, otherwise, you may hear your servant calling down evil on you, for you well know in your heart, that many times you yourself have called down evil on others. Try hard not to take things so seriously. Once again, easily said, but it is something we have to continually practice at so as to not destroy our inner peace and our standing with Jah. Ecclesiastes 7:8+9 Better is the end of a matter than its beginning. Better to be patient than to be haughty in spirit. Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offense lodges in the bosom of fools. The lodging in the bosom is like that nasty lump we can get in our throat from distress that will not go away until we have stop festering on a problem or issue. One way or another it makes us ill. We also have a not-so-wonderful gift from satan called self-justification and we are so good(or bad) at using it at any and every turn. Recognizing that we also are imperfect and have many failings can help us overlook the faults of others. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. If with humility we can view others needs as more superior to our own we can more easily forgive and let go of resentment. Resentment that more often than not only serves to make ourselves sick spiritually and physically. Remembering that Jehovah God does not harbour resentment. If He did we would have no chance whatsoever in this life as we simply would not have any hope of salvation. How many times do we hurt the heart of God with our thoughtless humanity. Isaiah 55:Seven Let the wicked man leave his way and the evil man his thoughts, let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will forgive in a large way. We also need to strive to be large in this respect. Pride seems all to often to rule our hearts and minds. Really, in many instances, what harm can rumours and unwieldy talk really us do if we ourselves take little notice of it, whereas, if we retain bitterness it can cut us deeply with many pains. Proverbs 19:11 The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense. No every word said is said in malice. Quite often it is simple thoughtlessness. It can be hurtful but really, it is often just a small disappointment. Life can throw so much at us, that to harbour resentment over the small things is to magnify tenfold, the big things, and that is surely something we do not need! If we keep on trying to look for the positive things in a person and let go the often small negatives, to give the benefit of the doubt, we will benefit ourselves greatly as well as the other person. It is not loving to feed on anothers faults and mistakes so that a seed of hatred is planted in ourselves and which can then become a giant tree that finally bursts out with poisonous fruit. How many examples of this do we see every single day on the news! Mankinds history is full of such examples. Just because our examples may be small does not make them any less poisonous. Besides, who is it we are poisoning? Ourselves! It causes anger, frustration, depression and negative thoughts and the list of illness is endless. Worst of all is our relationship with God! Be quick to forgive. It requires willingness Be generous with forgiveness as something to be given. Do not mull it over for endless amounts of time. Holding the grudge is like copious rain upon the poison of resentment. Instead, spray that poisonous tree with the weedkiller of love. How do we forgive in a large way? How do we forgive quickly? 1 Peter 3:8+9 Finally, all of you have unity of mind, fellow feeling, brotherly affection, tender compassion, and humility. Do not pay back injury for injury or insult for insult. Instead, repay with a blessing, for you were called to this course, so that you might inherit a blessing. What is fellow feeling. It is empathy. Remembering that we are all the same.. Born of the same dust of the earth and into a satan filled world. Consider the others feelings and how you would like to be treated. Even in the face of bad treatment itself. Jesus is our prime example in this. Should we hurt in return or should we respond with reasonableness and kindness? Matthew 5:44 However, I say to you -Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you. It is very difficult to hate someone you are praying for! 1 Peter 2:21+23 In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely. He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. When he was being insulted, he did not insult in return. When he was suffering, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the One who judges righteously. Genuine mercy enables us to forgive freely and there are repercussions to ourselves for wrong reasoning. Matthew 6:14+15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. If we speak to a friend about the issue, try to look for a friend who will be impartial, as an emotionally charged response will only feed into your feelings of anger and hurt. Not alleviating the feelings at all but instead making that tree of resentment grow bigger. Whereas, if we view things as Jehovah God does then we will have peace and joy in our lives. Ezekiel 18:22 Now if someone wicked turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps my statutes and does what is just and righteous, he will surely keep living. He will not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed will be held against him. He will keep living for doing what is righteous. That is not to say that we have not suffered real injustice in our lives. Murder, hatred, sexual crimes. beatings, robbery and malicious gossip. These things are so much more difficult to deal with. Still, taking into account God's view on things, praying constantly for His help and guidance and throwing our concerns on Him will give us a measure of peace to keep ministering to others and helping them learn of the Good News of the Kingdom to come. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was touched, as so often happens with God, when I sat down to see what notes I had to write to you today, because I had an episode with my neighbour only a few minutes beforehand, over a relatively small incident of tree-loppers she had in cutting down a pine on our fence line. They had carelessly allowed branches to drop down and damage a hibiscus that I have been tending carefully for two years and it had been just come on to a beautiful shape but now it is all broken and lop sided. Sadly, I let this get the better of me and I growled at the blokes in no uncertain terms. Now, that would have been bad enough, on my part, but then my neighbour yelled out from her porch at me to -Mind my own business and let them get on with their job! Straight out of my mouth I told her to -Shut up! and then growled some more. Now I did not swear at them but that does not make it better and now I am feeling vexed at my neighbour and I made phone calls to see about building a bigger fence. Deadset! Talk about overreaction. My only excuse is that I had a raging headache and had been trying to sleep it off and the noise was not helping. Still, that is only a poor excuse and now I feel petty and bad and am fighting to not justify myself and blame my neighbour for butting in with her two bobs worth. I thought it was wonderful that the notes I picked up first to write to you all was on this Very subject! Just when I needed Gods reminders and help the most. Jehovah God works in wonderful ways doesn't He and thank Him for His patience toward us. I am sure I am going to have a bit of time with the whole situation stuck in my head but with Jahs help it will pass quickly enough and I can forgive myself for my poor showing. Time to heed my own advice, 'ey. Hallelujah, Katidid.
	0 Comments

Why God's Justice Is Superior	Posted:Sep 12, 2014 12:13 am Last Updated:Sep 12, 2014 12:14 am 2919 Views
All verses are from the Contemporary English Version Bible(CEV) unless otherwise indicated. Concerning Jehovah it can be rightly said...... Deuteronomy 32:4 The Lord is a mighty rock and he never does wrong. God can always be trusted to bring justice. None of us can make such a claim about ourselves, for so often our limited perspective clouds our perception of what is right. For example, consider Abraham. He pleaded with Jehovah concerning the destruction of Sodom despite the rampant wickedness there. He asked God -Will you rally sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Genesis 18:23 Lord, when you destroy the evil people, are you also going to destroy those who are good? Of course, the answer was no. It was only when righteous Lot and his daughters arrived safely at the city of Zoar that Jehovah destroyed Sodom. Genesis 19:21-25 All right, go there, I won’t destroy that town. Hurry! Run! I can’t do anything until you are safely there. The town was later called Zoar[d] because Lot had said it was small. The sun was coming up as Lot reached the town of Zoar, and the Lord sent burning sulfur down like rain on Sodom and Gomorrah. He destroyed those cities and everyone who lived in them, as well as their land and the trees and grass that grew there. In contrast, Jonah became hot with anger when God extended mercy to the people of Ninevah. Since Jonah had already announced their destruction, he would have been content to see them exterminated, regardless of the heartfelt repentance. Jonah 3:10-4:1 When God saw that the people had stopped doing evil things, he had pity and did not destroy them as he had planned. Jonah was really upset and angry. Jehovah reassured Abraham that His exercise of justice includes not only destroying the wicked but also saving the righteous. On the other hand, Jonah had to learn that Jehovah is merciful. If the wicked change their ways, he is ready to forgive. Psalms 86:5 You willingly forgive and your love is always there for those who pray to you. Unlike some insecure human beans, Jehovah does not administer adverse judgement simply to make a statement about His power, nor does He withhold compassion out of fear that He will be viewed as weak. His way is to show mercy whenever there is a basis for it. Isaiah 55:Seven Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins. Ezekiel 18:23 I, the Lord God, don’t like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live. However, Jehovah is not blinded by mere sentiment. When His people became steeped in idolatry He made a firm declaration. Ezekiel 7:3+4 as punishment for your disgusting sins. I, the Lord, am so angry that I will show no pity. I will punish you for the evil you’ve done, and you will know that I am the Lord. There’s never been anything like the coming disaster. The end is now upon you, and I will unleash my anger against you, and I will judge you according to your ways and call you to account for all your detestable deeds. My eye will not feel sorry for you nor will I feel compassion, for I will bring upon you the results of your own ways, and you will suffer the consequences of your detestable deeds. And you will have to know that I am Jehovah.(NW) So, when humans are hardened in their course, Jehovah judges accordingly but His judgement is based on solid evidence. Thus, when a loud cry of complaint reached His ears regarding Sodom and Gomorrah He stated- Genesis 18:20+21 The Lord said -Abraham, I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are doing all kinds of evil things. Now I am going down to see for myself if those people really are that bad. If they aren’t, I want to know about it. (This is a figure of speech used here as Jehovahs glory could not fit into our earth-He would have used His most trusted messenger.) How thankful we can be that Jehovah is not like many human beans who jump to conclusions before hearing all the facts! Truly God is as the Bible depicts Him. Deuteronomy 32:4 The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust. Righteous and upright is he.(NW) Have Confidence In Jehovah Gods Justice The Bible does not address every question regarding Jehovahs actions in the past. Nor does it provide every detail about how Jehovah will render judgement concerning individuals and groups in the future. When we are puzzled by accounts or prophecies in the Bible where such detail is lacking, we can display the same loyalty as did the prophet Micah. Micah 7:Seven But I trust the Lord God to save me, and I will wait for him to answer my prayer. We can be confident that in every situation, Jehovah will do what is right. Even when injustices are seemingly ignored by man, Jehovah promises His vengeance. Romans 12:19 Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says -“I am the one to take revenge and pay them back. If we show a waiting attitude we will echo the firm conviction expressed by the apostle Paul. Romans 9:14 Are we saying that God is unfair? Certainly not! In the meantime, we live in critical times hard to deal with. 2 Timothy 3:1 You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. Injustice and acts of oppression have resulted in many cruel abuses. Ecclesiastes 4:1 I looked again and saw people being mistreated everywhere on earth. They were crying, but no one was there to offer comfort, and those who mistreated them were powerful. However, Jehovah has not changed. He still hates injustice and He cares deeply for those who are victims of it. If we remain loyal to God and His sovereignty, He will give us the strength to endure until the appointed time when He will correct all injustices under His Kingdom rule. Questions For Meditation. Deuteronomy 10:17+18 The Lord your God is more powerful than all other gods and lords, and his tremendous power is to be feared. His decisions are always fair, and you cannot bribe him to change his mind. The Lord defends the rights of orphans and widows. He cares for foreigners and gives them food and clothing. Why can we be confident that Jehovah is impartial in His dealings? Job 34:1-12 Elihu said -You men think you are wise but just listen to me! Think about my words as you would taste food. Then we can decide the case and give a just verdict. Job claims he is innocent and God is guilty of mistreating him. Job also argues that God considers him a liar and that he is suffering severely in spite of his innocence but to tell the truth Job is shameless! He spends his time with sinners because he has said -It doesn’t pay to please God. If Any of You Are Smart. If any of you are smart you will listen and learn that God All-Powerful does what is right. God always treats everyone the way they deserve and he is never unfair. When you are faced with injustice, how can Elihus words strengthen your confidence in Gods righteousness? Psalms 1:16 Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked and does not stand on the path of sinners and does not sit in the seat of scoffers but his delight is in the law of Jehovah and he reads His law in an undertone day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water. A tree that produces fruit in its season the foliage of which does not wither and everything he does will succeed. The wicked are not like that. They are like the chaff that the wind blows away. That is why the wicked will not remain standing in the judgment nor will sinners remain standing in the assembly of the righteous for Jehovah is aware of the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked will perish.(NW) Why is it reassuring to know that Jehovah carefully weighs the acts of both the righteous and the wicked? Malachi 2:13-16 And what else are you doing? You cry noisily and flood the Lord’s altar with your tears, because he isn’t pleased with your offerings and refuses to accept them and why isn’t God pleased? It’s because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise. Didn’t God create you to become like one person with your wife? And why did he do this? It was so you would have , and then lead them to become God’s people. Don’t ever be unfaithful to your wife. The Lord God All-Powerful of Israel hates anyone who is cruel enough to divorce his wife. So take care never to be unfaithful! How did Jehovah feel about the injustice done to women whose husbands divorced them with no proper basis? Hope you enjoy this article and these points for meditation. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

Matthew	Posted:Sep 10, 2014 1:57 am Last Updated:Sep 10, 2014 1:59 am 2882 Views
B.C.E. - Before Common Era C.E. - Common Era The first to put the good news about the Christ into writing was Matthew. Place Written -Palestine Writing Completed -c.41 C.E. Time Covered -2 B.C.E.-33 C.E. His name is probably a shortened form of the Hebrew -Mattithiah- meaning Gift of Jehovah. He was one of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus. During the time the Master travelled through the land of Palestine preaching and teaching about Gods Kingdom, Matthew has a close, intimate relationship with Him. Before becoming a disciple of Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector, an occupation the Jews thoroughly loathed, since it was a constant reminder to them that they were not free but under domination of imperial Rome. Matthew was otherwise known as Levi and was the of Alphaeus. He readily responded to Jesus invitation to follow him. Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27-32. While the Gospel credited to Matthew does not name him as the writer, the overwhelming testimony of early church historians stamps him as such. Perhaps no ancient book has its writer more clearly and unanimously established than the book of Matthew. From as far back as Papia of Hierapolis(early 2nd century C.E.) onwards, we have a line of early witnesses to the fact that Matthew wrote this Gospel and that it is an authentic part of the Word of God. McClintock and Strongs Cyclopedia states -Passages from Matthew quoted by Justin Martyr, by the author of the letter to Diognetus(see in Ottos Justin Martyr, vol.ii), by Hegesipuus, Irenaeus, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Clement, Tertulian and Origen. It is not merely from the matter, but the manner of the quotations, from the calm appeal as to a settled authority, from the absence of all hints of doubt, that we regard it as proved that the book we possess had not been the subject of any sudden change- The fact that Matthew was an apostle and, as such, had Gods spirit upon him assures that what he wrote would be a faithful record. 1981 Reprint, Vol. V, pg 895. Matthew wrote his account in Palestine. The exact year is not known, but subscriptions at the end of some manuscripts(all later than the tenth century C.E.) say that it was 41C.E.. There is evidence to indicate that Matthew originally wrote his Gospel in the popular Hebrew of the time and later translated it into Greek. In his work De viris inlustribus(Concerning Illustrious Men), chapter III, Jerome says -Matthew, who is also Levi, and who from a publican came to be an apostle, first of all composed a Gospel of Christ in Judaea in the Hebrew language and characters for the benefit of those of the circumcision who had believed.# Jerome adds that the Hebrew text of this Gospel was preserved in his day(4th & 5th century C.E.) in the library that Pamphilus had collected in Caesarea. # Translated from the Latin text edited by E.C. Richardson and published in the series -Texte und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristlichenLiteratur, Leipzig, 1896, Vol. 14, pg 8,9. Early in the third century, Origen, in discussing the Gospels, is quoted by Eusebius as saying that the 'first was written.....according to Matthew....who published it for those who from Judaism came to believe, composed as it was in the Hebrew language.^ That it was written primarily with the Jews in mind is indicated by its genealogy, which shows jesus legal descent starting from Abraham, and by its many references to the Hebrew Scriptures, showing that they pointed forward to the coming Messiah. It is reasonable to believe that Matthew used the divine name Jehovah in the form of the Tetragrammaton when he quoted from parts of the Hebrew Scriptures that contained the name. That is why the book of Matthew in the New World Translation contains the name of Jehovah 18 times, as does the Hebrew version of Matthew originally produced by F. Delitzsh in the 19th century. Matthew would have had the same attitude as Jesus toward the divine name and would not have been restrained by a prevailing Jewish superstition about not using that name. ^ The Ecclesiastical History, VI, XXV, 3-6. Matthew 6:9, John 17:6, 26 Since Matthew had been a tax collector, it was natural that he would be explicit in his mention of money, figures, and values. He keenly appreciated Gods mercy in allowing him, a despised tax collector, to become a minister of the good news and an intimate associate of Jesus. Therefore, we find Matthew alone of the gospel writers giving us Jesus repeated insistence that mercy is required in addition to sacrifice. Matthew was greatly encouraged by Jehovahs undeserved kindness and appropriately records some of the most comforting words Jesus uttered -Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light. How refreshing were these tender words for this former tax collector, toward whom, no doubt, his fellow countrymen had directed little but insults! Matthew particularly stressed that the theme of Jesus teaching was -the kingdom of the heavens. To him, Jesus was the Preacher-King. He used the term -kingdom- so frequently(more than 50 times) that his Gospel might be called the Kingdom Gospel. Matthew was concerned more with a logical presentation of Jesus public discourses and sermons than with a strict chronological sequence. For the first 18 chapters, Matthews highlighting of the Kingdom theme led him to depart from a chronological arrangement. However, the last ten chapters, generally follow a chronological sequence as well as continue to stress the Kingdom. Matthew 17:27, 26:15, 27:3 Matthew 9:9-13, 12:Seven, 18:21-35 Matthew 11:28-30 Matthew 4:17 42% of Matthews Gospel account is not to be found in any of the other three Gospels.* This includes at least ten parables, or illustrations -The weeds in the field, the hidden treasure, the pearl of high value, the dragnet, the unmerciful slave, the workers and the denarius, the father and two , the marriage of the kings , the ten virgins and the talents. In all, the book gives the account from the birth of Jesus in 2 B.C.E until His meeting with His disciples just prior to His ascension in 33 C.E. *Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, 1996, B.F. Westcott. pg 201. Matthew 13:24-30, 13:44, 13:45+46, 13:47-50, 18:23-35, 20:1-16, 21:28-32, 22:1-14, 25:1-13, 25:14-30. Hope you enjoy this summary of a great book. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

The Use Of God's Name	Posted:Sep 9, 2014 3:51 am Last Updated:Sep 9, 2014 3:53 am 2861 Views
Exodus 34:6 Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger. Jehovah’s patience with Israel had a limit, and that limit was reached when the Jewish nation rejected and killed His . Matthew 23:37, 38 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent to her—how often I wanted to gather your together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you. The fleshly descendants of Israel ceased to be God’s name people. In the main, they became spiritually dead, like a withered tree. Luke 23:31 If they do these things when the tree is moist, what will occur when it is withered? How did this affect their attitude toward the divine name? History indicates that, in time, the Jews developed a superstitious attitude toward God’s name, viewing it as something that they should not pronounce. Exodus 20:Seven You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave unpunished the one who takes up His name in a worthless way Basically they, as a whole, had a collective guilty conscience. God’s name gradually became disassociated from Judaism. It no doubt hurt Jehovah to see His name treated so disrespectfully. Psalms 78:40, 41 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and made him feel hurt in the desert! Again and again they put God to the test and they grieved the Holy One of Israel. However, God, -whose name is Jealous-, clearly would not forever attach it to a people who had disowned Him and whom He had disowned. Exodus 34:14 You must not bow down to another god, for Jehovah is known for requiring exclusive devotion. Yes, he is a God who requires exclusive devotion. Exodus 34:14 For you must not prostrate yourself to another god, because Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, he is a jealous God This fact should impress upon us the importance of treating our Creator’s name with great respect. Through Jeremiah, Jehovah revealed his purpose to establish a new covenant with a new nation, spiritual Israel. All its members, from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them, Jeremiah foretold, would know Jehovah. Jeremiah 31:31-34 Look! The days are coming, declares Jehovah, when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, although I was their true master, declares Jehovah. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares Jehovah. I will put my law within them, and in their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will become my people. And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, Know Jehovah! for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them, declares Jehovah. For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin. That prophecy began to be fulfilled at Pentecost 33 C.E. when God established the new covenant. The new nation, the Israel of God, which included Jews and non-Jews, became a people for Gods name, or people who are called by my name, said Jehovah. Galatians 6:16 Moreover, let anyone who is being taught the word share in all good things with the one who gives such teaching Acts 15:14-17 Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name and with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written -After these things I will return and raise up again the tent of David that is fallen down, I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, so that the men who remain may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things. Matthew 21:43 This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits We should be so very proud to use God's name in prayer, in conversation and in worship. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

Are You Really Making God Your Stronghold?	Posted:Sep 9, 2014 2:42 am Last Updated:Sep 9, 2014 2:44 am 2882 Views
There is a huge contrast between belief and faith. James 1:6 But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 2 Samuel 22:1-3 And David spoke to Jehovah the words of this song in the day that Jehovah rescued him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of Saul’s hand. He said -Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the One who rescues me. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and my horn of salvation, my secure refuge and my place to flee, my savior, you who save me from violence. Do you have absolute confidence in God? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone if Jah asks you to do something out of the ordinary? The future holds turmoil and strife for the world around us and for the world at large it will come as a great surprise. 1Thessalonians 5:1-5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying, Peace and security! then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness. When the peace and security cry harks forth, then all things around us will change and there will be nowhere to hide for those not making God their stronghold. How will that time period affect Gods people? Not only will Babylon the Great fall, causing the sea of the worlds peoples to rage and buffet in more chaos than we have ever seen but the governmental authorities will also fall. Think about that for a moment...... Government authorities includes things like hospitals, police forces, armies, insurance and banking institutions, fire and water boards.......not forgetting the big companies that actually run the world. Proverbs 18:11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city. It is like a protective wall in his imagination. The peoples will beg to be covered over by those mountains and hills but they will not be there as a protection for them any more! They will beg to be hidden from Jesus as the rider of the white and from Jehovah Gods vengeance. Revelations 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth, the high officials, the military commanders, the rich, the strong, every slave, and every free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rocks -Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Will any of us be able to stand alone? No! So what stronghold do we have? Nahum 1:6+7 Who can stand before his indignation? And who can withstand the heat of his anger? His wrath will be poured out like fire, and the rocks will be shattered because of him. Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of distress. He is mindful of those seeking refuge in him. If we let God save us He will. Those putting their faith in Jehovah God have a very different future. Revelations 5:9+10 And they sing a new song, saying -You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth. Revelations 7:9+10 After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands and they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying -Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb. Revelations 5:13-17 In response one of the elders said to me -These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from? So right away I said to him -My lord, you are the one who knows. And he said to me -These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes. Satans system of things acts like an eroding windstorm against our faith. It can effect our thinking and our decision making. Proverbs 18:10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous one runs and receives protection His ability to protect and the strength implied by His name, Never changes. We need to consider God in Every aspect of our lives by being submissive to His commands and by getting to know and understand His principles and standards. How do you view His standards? Do you ignore His moral principles? James 1:23-26 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is but the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work and he will be happy in what he does. If any man thinks he is a worshipper of God but does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he is deceiving his own heart, and his worship is futile. Colossians 3:5-11 Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry. On account of those things the wrath of God is coming. That is how you too used to conduct yourselves in your former way of life but now you must put them all away from you - wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, or freeman; but Christ is all things and in all We all know the rule of cause and effect so we must keep a balance in our lives between work, play, everyday living and our commitment to Jehovah. Ephesians 4:14 So we should no longer be , tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in deceptive schemes. Do we only believe because of what we have or what God promises us for our future? Are you only fitting God in around the edges of your life? We must not be so consumed by living that God comes in second place. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who weep as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those who do not possess, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full. For the scene of this world is changing. Can you honestly say that you are making God your stronghold? Do you justify yourself? Are you saying to God -Just a second..... Do you get stuck in your own head, in your own situation? The trials in this life really are not more than we can bare. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men but God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it. We must have faith in what Jehovah God is telling us through His Word. Let us not be misdirected by satan. Trust in God at All times because we have So Much to Look Forward to! Psalms 62:Seven+8 Upon God depends my salvation and my glory. My strong rock, my refuge, is God. Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us. Jehovah can be your refuge too. He is our salvation through Christ Jesus. Luke 21:19 By your endurance you will preserve your lives. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. Hebrews 11:6  Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. Love Katidid.
	0 Comments

You Can Be God's Friend	Posted:Sep 8, 2014 3:48 am Last Updated:Sep 8, 2014 3:52 am 2855 Views
All Scriptures are from the King James Bible God wants you to be His friend. Have you ever thought that you could be a friend of the greatest person in the universe? Abraham was called Gods friend. James2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Others spoken of in the Bible also enjoyed Gods friendship and were greatly blessed. Today, people from all parts of the earth have become friends of God. You can too. Becoming Gods friend is the best thing that could ever happen to you. God will reach you how to be happy and secure. He will free you from many wrong beliefs and harmful practices. He will listen to your prayers. He will help you to enjoy inner peace and confidence Psalms 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD, thou art my trust from my youth. Psalms 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. God will support you during times of trouble. Psalms 18:18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity but the LORD was my stay. He offers you His gift of everlasting life. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are not equal to God. As you seek Gods friendship you must understand an important fact. Friendship with God is not a friendship between equals. He is far older and wiser and is more powerful than any humanbean. He is our rightful Ruler. So if we want to be His friend, must must listen to Him and do what He wants of us. This will always work for our good. To be Gods friend you need to learn about Him. God wants us to know and use His name. Psalms 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. Deut. 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. You must also learn what He likes and dislikes. You need to know who His friends are and who His enemies are. The Bible says it is wise to set aside time to learn about Jehovah. Eph. 5:15+16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Gods friends do what is pleasing to Him. Think about your friends. If you treat them badly and do the things that they hate, will they continue to be your friends? Of course not! In the same way, if you want to be Gods friend you need to do what is pleasing to Him. John 4:24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The Bible is one of Gods most precious gifts to us. It is like a letter from a loving father to his . It tells us about Gods promise to change the earth into a wonderful place to live. It tells us what He had done in the past, what He is doing now and what He will do in the future for His faithful . It also helps us to solve our problems and to find happiness. 2Timothy 3:16+17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness so that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. You can also learn about God from the things He has made. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. When Jehovah created the heavens He made the sun. What does that tell us about God? It tells us of His great power and of His wisdom. Jehovahs creation also show that He love us. Think about all the different kinds of fruits that there are on earth. God could have provided just one kind but instead He gave us many types of fruit with great variety of shapes, sizes, colours and tastes. This shows He is a God who is not only loving but also generous and thoughtful and kind. Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. Gods friends have deep respect for the Bible They know that the Bible is from God and allow what it says to guide their lives and try to practice what they preach. Jehovahs friends show love for one another, Jesus showed love for people by teaching them about God and by curing those who were sick. Gods friends also show love for others and do not look down on those who are poor or are a different ethnic group. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Gods friends honour Gods name, Jehovah. If someone refused to use your name, would that person be your close friend.? No! Likewise, those who wish to be Gods friends should use His name and talk about Him to others. Romans 10:13+14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Like Jesus, Gods friends teach people about Gods Kingdom. Gods Kingdom is the heavenly government that will make the earth a paradise. Gods friends share this good news with others. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Gods friends avoid what is bad. Satan tempts people to do bad so a person who want to be Gods friend needs to hate what God hates. Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil, he preserveth the souls of his saints, he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Such things as sexual sins, adultery, theft, drunkenness, murder, abortion, lying, violence and uncontrolled anger, hurtful words, gambling, racial and ethnic hatreds and standing up with self justification and self righteousness as if our own thinking is infallible. It is not always easy to avoid doing bad but with Jahs help you can avoid situations that put you in way of doing bad. Gods friends do what is good. Psalm 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD therefore will he teach sinners in the way. To be Gods friend we must be good and upright and become imitators of His standards and principles. Eph. 5:1+2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. Be helpful to others. Gal. 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Work hard. Eph. 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Be physically and morally clean. 2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Treat you family members with love and respect. Eph. 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph. 6:1 , obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Show love to others. 1 John 4:Seven Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Obey the laws of the land. Romans 13:1 + 7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordained of God. To keep a friend you must be a friend. Friendship is based on love. The more you learn about God, the greater will be your love for Him. As your love for God grows your desire to serve Him will also grow. This will move you to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the , and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. You must show your love for God by obeying His laws. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous. Apply what you learn in your lives. Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock and every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell and great was the fall of it. Dedication. This means that you go to Jah in prayer and tell Him that you want to do His will forever. Doing Gods will shows that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Baptism. Acts22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Become fully involved in serving God. Col. 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; It takes effort to make a friend and it takes effort to keep a friend. Your efforts to become and remain a friend of God will be richly blessed. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. You can enjoy freedom now! You can be free from the false teaching and lies of satan and you can be free from the hopelessness that fills the lives of millions of people who do not know Jah. Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Gods friends are even free from the fear of death. Hebrews 2:14+15 Forasmuch then as the are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. You can enjoy freedom in Gods new world Psalms 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Gods friends will live forever. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. May you be Gods friend forever. Katidid.
	0 Comments

Does God Count YOU Personally Important?	Posted:Sep 7, 2014 4:14 am Last Updated:Mar 13, 2015 2:12 am 2985 Views
Acts 17:26+27 And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, so that they would seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us What was God doing before Genesis 1:1? He was thinking. He was planning. He is the God of order. He said -Let us make man in our own image. He planned for us! That makes us a unique creation. Everything God does is applied with physical laws. They are indispensable to life on earth. We are applied and supplied with moral laws. They are indispensable to happiness on earth. Has God lost interest in people since Adam and Eve sinned? No. But violation of Gods laws brings destruction. To each one of us! Thankfully we have the resurrection hope. Thankfully Jesus tasted death for us. He paid the ransom sacrifice so that we can taste the everlasting life that was originally intended for us. He purchased each one of us. Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death, so that by God’s undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone. We need therefore to grab and hold onto that resurrection hope. We can be acceptable in the sight of God if we apply His commands to our lives. Is 1:18 Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us, says Jehovah. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow. Though they are as red as crimson cloth, they will become like wool. 1Timothy 1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance - Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these, I am foremost Paul called himself the foremost case which means that even someone who persecutes Gods own people can be acceptable to Jah. We ARE important to Him but repentance is our own choice. He does not want anyone to die. He takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner. We need to ask Jehovah God for help. He needs to know the real me. So I can be resurrected as me. I need to ask for His spirit to help me. So Jah can know the full details of me. I can be imprinted in the spirit and the spirit goes back to God when I die. Remain in the Truth. John 8:31+32 31 Then Jesus went on to say to the Jews who had believed him -If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We need to be very persistent in prayer. The Bible IS perfection. It is the indispensible record of how we can understand Gods principles. The disciples new the truth through the Hebrew Scriptures but Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples so that they understood how it all came together. If the peoples of Israel had not diverted from the Truth Jesus would not have needed to explain the Scriptures. Nor would he have needed to make a new covenant as the Hebrews would have carried it on through to the new age for him. The Bible is ample for faith leading to salvation. Everything is in a logical pattern. For God is logical in His thinking. The one theme flows through Gods entire Word. That theme is the sanctification of Jehovahs sovereignty. What Jah wants is our hearts. We want to be important to God so we need to make Jah important to us! We need to ask for things that are in harmony with His out-workings. Hebrews 2:1-4 That is why it is necessary for us to pay more than the usual attention to the things we have heard, so that we never drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved to be sure, and every transgression and disobedient act received a punishment in harmony with justice, how will we escape if we have neglected so great a salvation? For it began to be spoken through our Lord and was verified for us by those who heard him, while God joined in bearing witness with signs and wonders and various powerful works and with the holy spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God Hebrews 5:11-14 We have much to say about him, and it is difficult to explain, because you have become dull in your hearing. For although by now you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young , but solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong. Hebrews 6:1+2 Therefore, now that we have moved beyond the primary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again, namely, repentance from dead works and faith in God, the teaching on baptisms and the laying on of the hands, the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgment. Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones but we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen. Our Congregation is a foretaste of the world to come. We need knowledge of the principles of Gods Kingdom. A demonstration of Jahs Qualities through His Word. With the undeniable identity of the saviour. From a physical nation to a spiritual nation. Hebrews 8:9-13 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not remain in my covenant, so I stopped caring for them, says Jehovah. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of (spiritual)Israel after those days, says Jehovah. I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I will write them. And I will become their God, and they will become my people and they will no longer teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying -Know Jehovah! For they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful toward their unrighteous deeds, and I will no longer call their sins to mind. In this we can all be individually important to Jehovah God. Our eyes of faith can see the Kingdom NOW Our faith in God and His promises puts a Responsibility on us. The responsibility to teach others about the Good News of His Kingdom. Faith is not the possession of all peoples He has gathered the type of people he loves. Those who love Him. He draws us. We have been gathered into a great net of love. A net woven by God that we continually weave around each other. We need to be spiritual people to be happy. It is how we were made. Yours sincerely Katidid.
	0 Comments

Why God's Kingdom Inspires Hope	Posted:Sep 6, 2014 12:41 am Last Updated:Sep 6, 2014 12:42 am 2868 Views
Jesus Christ, as king of Gods kingdom, has been granted the ability and the right to exercise power universally. Matthew 16-20 However, the 11 disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them to meet. When they saw him, they did obeisance, but some doubted. Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying -All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the and of the holy spirit, 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. He will restore the earths ecology to perfect balance, He also has mastery over sickness and disease. The powerful works Jesus performed on earth were fore-gleams of even grander blessing to come under his rule as the perfect and trustworthy King. What qualities of this Messianic King especially appeal to you? Approachable. Mark 10:13-16 People now began bringing him young for him to touch them, but the disciples reprimanded them. At seeing this, Jesus was indignant and said to them - Let the young come to me, do not try to stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such ones. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a young will by no means enter into it. And he took the into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them. Reasonable and impartial. Mark 10:35-45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said to him -Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. He said to them -What do you want me to do for you? They replied -Grant us to sit down, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory. But Jesus said to them -You do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup that I am drinking or be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized? They said to him -We can. At that Jesus said to them -The cup I am drinking, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized, you will be baptized. However, to sit down at my right hand or at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared. When the ten others heard about it, they became indignant at James and John but Jesus called them to him and said to them -You know that those who appear to be ruling the nations lord it over them and their great ones wield authority over them. This must not be the way among you but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all. For even the of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many Responsible and unselfish. Matthew 4:5-7 Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple and said to him -If you are a of God, throw yourself down, for it is written -He will give his angels a command concerning you, and, They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him -Again it is written -You must not put Jehovah your God to the test. Luke 6:19 And all the crowd were seeking to touch him, because power was going out of him and healing them all. Righteous and just. Isaiah 11:3-5 And he will find delight in the fear of Jehovah. He will not judge by what appears to his eyes, nor reprove simply according to what his ears hear. He will judge the lowly with fairness, and with uprightness he will give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and put the wicked to death with the breath of his lips. Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his hips. John 5:30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. John 8:16 And yet even if I do judge, my judgment is truthful, because I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me Thoughtful, considerate and humble. John 13:3-15 So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God, got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments and taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him -Lord, are you washing my feet? Jesus answered him -What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things. Peter said to him -You will certainly never wash my feet. Jesus answered him -Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. Simon Peter said to him -Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him -Whoever has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is completely clean. And you men are clean, but not all of you. For he knew the man who was betraying him. This is why he said -Not all of you are clean. When, now, he had washed their feet and had put his outer garments on, he again reclined at the table and said to them -Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as Teacher and Lord and you are correct, for I am such. Therefore, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another. For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do What a marvellous King! Unlike satans earthly kingships. Such blessing now and into the future. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

You Can Enjoy Peace Now & In The Future	Posted:Sep 5, 2014 6:29 pm Last Updated:Sep 6, 2014 12:48 am 2875 Views
If you have peace in the midst of turmoil and in tribulation in this satan ruled world then you really have peace! Is it possible to have peace now? Peace is a beautiful quality given by God. It brings enjoyment to challenges. Peace makes us flourish and keeps us thinking clearly. Peace in this world makes us like islands surrounded by satans system. It makes our Congregations of God like oasis of protection surrounded by the sands of satans chaos. Four things that really give us peace. 1. Our relationship with Jah. So how do we build a personal relationship with God? Acts 17:26-31 And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, so that they would seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us. For by him we have life and move and exist, even as some of your own poets have said, -For we are also his . Therefore, since we are the of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans. True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead. When we have Jehovah God in our lives we are Never alone again! For Jah is the most permanent and real thing in the whole universe! 2. Bible reading and personal study. The real issue in life is Jehovah's sovereignty. This is in fact the major point raised in the garden of Eden and is the major point throughout the Bible teachinng. Matthew 6:9 Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified We make a mistake in thinking that the whole of Gods purpose for the last 6000 years is us and our salvation! True, our salvation is certainly wrapped up in the issue of Adam and Eve's cruel choice but it is not the major issue. We need to view our study time as between ourselves and Jehovah. This will emphasize and build our relationship with him and cement it in our minds as the most important thing we can have in our lives. 3. Ask God for peace in our minds and hearts through our prayer. Gods Holy Spirit is the conduit for His peace to be given to us. Philippians 4:6+7 Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. Jah is Always ready to help us and He Wants to help us. 4. Actively pursuing peace in our day to day lives. We can so very readily produce our own turmoil. Revelations 6:4 Another came out, a fiery-colored , and it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another, and he was given a great sword. With that fiery-coloured and its rider now riding in the world it is easier, with our imperfect natures, to create problems, ragings and anxieties, even if just in our own minds, than it is for us to readily create peace and yet, with the great gift of Gods Spirit it is possible and made easier for us. Philippians 4:4+5 Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice!  Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. Reasonableness is also translated as yielding and flexible but more often as humbleness. Reckoning that anothers interests are more important than our own. Philippians 2:3+4 Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. Stubbornness creates chaos. Be reasonable with others and be reasonable with ourselves. Recognizing human weakness and limitations, even as God Himself does, recognizing ourselves and others will help us forgive human failings. Psalms 103:14 For he well knows how we are formed remembering that we are dust Matthew 6:9 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors Colossians 3:13 Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same James 3:8-18  But no human can tame the tongue. It is unruly and injurious, full of deadly poison. With it we praise Jehovah, the Father, and yet with it we curse men who have come into existence in the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for things to happen this way. A spring does not cause the fresh water and the bitter water to bubble out of the same opening, does it? My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, or a grapevine figs, can it? Neither can salt water produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him by his fine conduct demonstrate works performed with a mildness that comes from wisdom but if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in your hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above as it is earthly, animalistic, demonic. For wherever there are jealousy and contentiousness, there will also be disorder and every vile thing but the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical. Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace. James 4:1-6 What is the source of the wars and fights among you? Do they not originate from your fleshly desires that carry on a conflict within you? You desire, and yet you do not have. You go on murdering and coveting, and yet you are not able to obtain. You go on fighting and waging war. You do not have because of your not asking. When you do ask, you do not receive because you are asking for a wrong purpose, so that you may spend it on your fleshly desires. Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that for no reason the scripture says -The spirit that has taken up residence within us keeps enviously longing? However, the undeserved kindness that He gives is greater. So it says -God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones. Remember that Jehovah is the God of Peace. We need to Actively pursue Jahs wisdom to acheive a place in His peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is a God not of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the holy ones Psalms 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security Isaiah 48:18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. We can be so very blessed If we choose to be. Yours, Katidid.
	0 Comments

To link to this blog (Katididaustralia) use [blog Katididaustralia] in your messages.

Katididaustralia 66F

Ask me for a photo

Guidelines

November 2017

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Recent Visitors

Visitor	Age	Sex	Date
Ruth5555	42	F	5/17
asiantranslation	71	M	2/6
Sojourner06	60	M	10/5
webling	67	M	9/29
Hilkiah	101	M	9/29
leondejudah	59	M	9/26
Esdupri	56	M	9/21
restlesspirit	65	F	9/20
loozername1	40	M	9/18
bobsi	69	M	9/15

Most Recent Comments by Others

Post	Commenter / Date
Did You Know? How Much Gold Did King Solomon Own? (6)	RockyG666 Nov 18, 2014 9:32 am
Mercy - A Dominant Quality Of Any Christian Congregation (6)	Rosaceae2007 Aug 27, 2014 5:54 pm
The Earth Will Remain Forever (28)	Chris4Christ Aug 21, 2014 8:25 pm
What Is The Origin Of The Trinity Doctrine? (14)	RockyG666 Aug 9, 2014 8:35 pm
The Names and Titles of The Christ (8)	flowergardner Aug 29, 2008 4:19 pm
Life - An original poem by Katididaustralia. (8)	kojack2 May 23, 2006 2:05 am
Mystery - An original poem by Katididaustralia (8)	carolinehampton Mar 5, 2006 1:42 am

Home JOIN NOW! Login Browse Chat Magazine Video Blogs Groups Help

Persons appearing in photographs may not be actual members. Other data for illustrative purposes only.

Webmasters, Earn Money

Zen Friendfinder does not conduct criminal background screening of its members.
To learn about Internet Dating Safety, click here.