I will Teach You.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:11 New King James Version

In this context fear is not to be afraid but rather to respect.

Yes it is important for parents, grand parents, aunts, uncles and teachers to teach young children about Jehovah.

 

But, do not forget that new comers to the family of Jehovah are like children and not mature. They need mentors to guide them along the path of righteousness both by example and by teaching. It will require a lot of patience as many of them will bombard you with incessant questions. That is another reason why there should be more than one teacher so they do not get exhausted.

Teaching is not just from the Bible but also from personal experience. I believe the personal experience to be the strongest form of teaching. Just as in the New Testament times they met in brothers and sisters houses so should they today.

Just as they shared meals together back then so too is it just as important today (Imagine having a pot luck dinner with brothers and sisters from different cultures. Not only do you have fellowship and Bible study but you are exposed to various different culinary delights from around the world.

Imagine learning a different language and different songs of praise and thanksgiving to different styles of music from all over the world? Hearing their stories of how they came to Christ and what He has done in and through their lives may inspire and strengthen you as well.

Take turns going to each others homes if possible.

Being in the modern world of course there is online Bible study groups (Skype is free). You can study with brothers and sisters from all over the world. I have and found it very enlightening.  An added benefit is when you study with someone from a different culture and country you can learn another language and varied history.

It does not matter if a baby or a seasoned vet we can all learn from each other, strengthen each other, support each other and encourage each other.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Pryyand- God is my friend for blessing me with numerous opportunities to enjoy fellowship, brotherly love and friendship with numerous brothers and sisters in my neighbourhood and around the world. I give thanks in the name of my best friend Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sweet sunshine of Jesus’ beautiful love bless you today and every day.

Experienced the Same Dance

And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?  Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack offive?”

So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it. ”            

And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”

So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”

 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”

So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”

So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”

Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”

And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.Genesis 18: 23- 33 New King James Version

                                                                                                                               

Notice that Jehovah knows that Abraham is pleading to save his nephew Lots life from the destruction of Sodom.                                                                                                                                     

Instead of coming right out and asking, Abraham dances around the bush. He had no doubt known the wickedness in that city and that it deserved to be destroyed but he was concerned about Lots life.                                                                                                                                                               

How many times do we do that with our Beloved?                                                                                                      

He knows what we want to ask but is patient with us as we dance around our request.                           

Most of the time I am polite but direct in my requests to Jehovah and to people.

                                                         

I have experienced the same dance when people want to ask me something. I want to scream at them and say just ask me already!             

Be honest, sincere and respectful in your requests and it will save a lot of time for both of us. Joseph- Anthony: Green                                                                                                

Instead of trying to manipulate Jehovah (which in a way is what Abraham was doing) do you not believe the respectful thing to do is to humbly ask Jehovah for what we want?                                   

Prayer: Thank You Jesus Pryyand (God is my friend) for the amazing privilege of having a loving Devine friend like You that is always available, willing to listen and grant my righteous request. Please remind me to be respectful and direct with my requests unto You. I gratefully ask this in Your awesome name. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

Stop and Pray.

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 New International Version

 

Before I say anything whether in a letter or in a debate or disagreement with anybody I try to make it a practice to always stop and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide my words.

 

It is difficult to master this technique but it has prevented a lot of foot in mouth disease that is regretted later (You know foot in mouth disease? That is where you say something that puts your foot in your mouth. In other words you say something that makes you feel stupid later).

 

This is especially good to prevent being trapped by the sicko’s that enjoy baiting you and prevents a lot of disagreements from become yelling matches where you say things in the heat of the moment you regret later.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Chanan (God of grace) for teaching me the art of grace in conversations and correspondence.

 

I know as a Christian I represent Your voice when I speak so it is vitally important to pray for Your divine wisdom before speaking or writing.

 

I gratefully thank you in the name of he who always spoke gracefully in when the occasion called for it to be done forcefully Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.