An Unbelievable Promise Will Be Fulfilled

We have seen many promises broken, even the simple ones that can easily be kept. Sometimes, we stop believing in any promises because we don't trust them anymore. However, there is a promise to us by Someone who has always kept His words. Most of His written promises have been fulfilled, and we are now awaiting for the grand fulfillment of one promise that sounds impossible to us. It is our Creator's promise to restore the original beauty and purity of our home planet where righteous mankind will dwell eternally in perfection. (Psalm 37:10,11,29)

The certainly of the fulfillment of this promise is underscored in the Scripture quoted below, and illustrated by these three pictures that I have taken in winter and spring.

"For just as the pouring rain descends, and the snow, from the heavens and does not return to that place, unless it actually saturates the earth and makes it produce and sprout, and seed is actually given to the sower and bread to the eater,  so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it." - Isaiah 55:10,11

Yes, from the beginning, our Creator had it in His heart to create humans and  for them to enjoy living forever in perfection on a paradise earth without any disturbance. However, that purpose was interrupted by the rebellion of some individuals, but which will be corrected soon. Just like what the Scripture above says, He had said it, and so He will fulfill it; it is His delight, and it must succeed. It's like the rain and the snow that has melted, making it possible for the vegetation to grow.  We can also place our full confidence in this promise because Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie in His promise to give us everlasting life.

Meditating on our Significance

I specifically created this 3d image to stress one Scripture that inspires us to examine ourselves in comparison to celestial creations. Such awe-inspiring heavenly bodies tell us about the Great Creator who placed them up there for us to marvel at and enjoy  in the dark of the night. If we look at them, we can see that we are just like tiny dusts in the vast universe that is filled with gargantuan creations, so insignificant as it seems. But then, behind all these creations, along with all the other earthly ones, there is a powerful message that our Creator is trying to instill in our hearts and minds: WE ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT AT ALL BUT ARE PRECIOUS IN GOD'S EYES. He highly values us so that He took the initiative to provide the means for our eternal salvation - that of his giving his beloved only-begotten Son. He let him die in our behalf so that we can live forever.

"When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers,
The moon and the stars that you have prepared,

What is mortal man that you keep him in mind,
And the son of earthling man that you take care of him?"
- Psalm 8:3,4 

And yes, God takes good care of us and sees to it that we have the power to overcome obstacles that might get in our way to His promised Paradise. All we need to do is humbly submit to His sovereignty and obediently follow His direction.

Is Money Your Master or Your Servant?

For many people today, the only thing that really matters in their lives is money. They try to do everything just to have lots of money, even at the expense of their own health and family. They think that money is the key to a successful and happy life, that it can buy everything they need.

Because of such viewpoints, many become extremely anxious if they don't have much money, and so they work so hard to the point that they become slaves of money. Some even develop an illness called "money sickness syndrome", which has already afflicted a large percentage of the world's population.

Are you one of them? To find out what that sickness is and if you're one of its victims, read the following article found in this link.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200903/article_01.htm

Imagining Tomorrow

I made this 3d image trying to depict what life will look like in the future. It is my imaginary rendition of the paradise that will replace this fast-decaying and suffering-infested world. I know real Paradise will be much more wonderful than this, in fact, it's beyond our imperfect imagination.

I strongly believe that the future will be as wonderful as what our Creator promised us. Keeping this hope bright in my heart helps me cope with all the troubles in this world and makes me live a happy and meaningful life now. (Psalm 37:10,11,29,34)

Today's Calamities Lead to Tomorrow's Blessings

These past few months, we have seen and experienced many calamities that sent the world in unprecedented apprehension. Just imagine all the earthquakes, typhoons, floods, volcano eruptions, and many other natural disasters that went striking in succession,  snuffing out thousands of lives and tearing down millions of homes. 

We also hear about economic crises, outbreak of new diseases that turned pandemic, wars between nations, poverty, violence, etc. Things are happening in an epic proportion.

People throughout the world become frantic and many of them have been living in fear. They fear that they may be the next victim; they fear what will come next and where this world is going; they fear what will become of life on earth. 

But then, the situation will not go on like this. In fact, all these events should happen if we are to live a better life in the future. An ancient prophecy mentions about the final part of the days. "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." (Matthew 24:6-8) We're now living in the darkest part of history, which should ironically keep us in high spirits. Why? "But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:28)

It's also like what the saying goes, "The darkest part of the night is before the dawn." We are now in the darkest part of the night, and soon, dawn will come. It is the dawn of a new era, a wonderful new world that is in store for those who seek peace and righteousness. It is a promise of a loving Creator who doesn't want to see us suffer and die. It is His desire and purpose for us to live happily forever. (Revelation 21:3,4)

So we must take heart. There's hope! We only need to heed these divine words: "For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved." (Romans 10:13) We must also put faith and have confidence in all His promises. After all, most of His promises have been fulfilled. Only a few are left to be realized, and yet, we can now see signs of their fulfillment.

The Book That Answers Life's Big Questions

"READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism! Think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or the death of a loved one is causing you great distress. You may feel like the good man Job, who said that he was “drenched with misery.”—Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.

Ask yourself:

• Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?
• Where can I find help to cope with my problems?
• Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?

 The statements above comprise the introduction of this book that's well distributed and read throughout the world. This book, entitled What Does the Bible Really Teach?, has benefited millions of honest-hearted ones searching for answers to life's perplexing questions. Their lives have undergone big changes as they took to heart the message and made efforts to apply what they have learned. They have found true happiness and satisfaction, peace of mind, solutions to their problems, and the hope of a wonderful future.

This book explores the following questions and gives accurate answers based on the Book of all books - God's Word, The Bible.

• Why do we suffer?
• How can we cope with life‘s anxieties?
• How can we make our family life happier?
• What happens to us when we die?
• Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
• How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future?

This link directs us to this book, and we can read its content without purchasing it at all. 
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_00.htm

To Succeed in Everything

I have found this Scripture greatly practical and beneficial  even in these days. By putting it to practice, millions of people worldwide have also been helped to succeed in their efforts to do the right thing. 

"Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones,

And in the way of sinners has not stood,

And in the seat of ridiculers has not sat.

But his delight is in the law of Jehovah,

And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.

And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water,

That gives its own fruit in its season

And the foliage of which does not wither,

And everything he does will succeed." - Psalms 1:1-3

How refreshing and rejuvenating it must be for a tree that is growing by streams of water! It gets the perfect amount of nourishment it needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful too if we become like that tree? Our well-being is perfectly nourished, making us fit to live a happy and satisfying life amid all the troubles in this world.

We only need to delight in the law of our Creator found in the greatest book ever written, the Bible.  It's definitely worth our time and effort to examine it, for it will mean so much for us now and in the future.

World Peace and Security Will Prevail

Read the text and imagine the scenario. It is the kind of life that most of us long to have. No hatred, no wars, no armaments. People throughout the earth live in harmony and true security. Does it sound like an unrealized  dream? Or do you hear the ring of truth here? 

"And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream. And many nations will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. And he will certainly render judgment among many peoples, and set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. And they will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making [them] tremble; for the very mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken [it]." - Micah 4:1-4

This is a prophecy written hundreds of years ago, and is undergoing fulfillment right now among people who seriously examine God's Word and live by it. Wherever they are in the world, they live as one united family who love and care for one another.

In the near future, there will be a grander fulfillment of this prophecy, where wars, hatred and all sorts of wickedness will be completely eliminated. All the peoples will be free from problems, sickness and even death. To find out more about this future and why we should be confident about its fulfillment, visit this link below.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_03.htm

We Can Regain Power

 Life in this world is filled with difficulties and challenges as a result of our efforts to survive. Sometimes, we may get tired and feel like giving up. We can't go on anymore, the hardship is too much for us to bear. But then, we must take heart because we can have the power that we need for each day, which we can also renew each time we feel that we are tired. This assurance from Someone who cares so much about us has proved to be very helpful to many who believe in and follow it.

"Boys will both tire out and grow weary, and young men themselves will without fail stumble,  but those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out.” - Isaiah 40:30,31

Lighting Our Paths

Each rising of the sun heralds a new beginning that brings along with it its promises of hope and a wonderful day. 

A hope that may lie dormant in our hearts is rekindled and will keep shining ever brighter as the day moves on.

A hope that gives real meaning to our lives now will keep burning in our hearts until its full realization is achieved. 

As the sunlight begins like a dim light and shines on to its full intensity as the day advances, so is our hope and understanding of the whole truth and meaning of our existence.

"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."   - Proverbs 4:18

 

We Are Being Cared For

"Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still YOUR heavenly Father feeds them. Are YOU not worth more than they are?  Who of YOU by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?" - Matthew 6:26,27

Great tit birds perching on the birch tree beside our apartment.

Do You Believe in What You Cannot See?

"To see is to believe." That's what some people say. They believe only in what they can see.  But then, it's a common knowledge now that there are many things that we cannot see and yet we know they exist. For instance, we know that there's a Creator of the universe and every little thing in it though we cannot see him. But how do we know that He exists? The article found in the link below will provide an in-depth analysis on this matter. Reading it gives us insight and an awesome sense of wonder.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20000615/article_01.htm

Why Do We Suffer?

None of us want to suffer, for we have that inherent desire to live happily without any pain and troubles. And yet, we do suffer as long as we are alive in this world. No one can escape the ever-crawling fingers of suffering. All of us are unwilling victims of it.

Some can endure and successfully cope with their situation. But others can't accept a life full of sufferings. They go about getting mad at life to the point of taking their own lives because they can no longer bear their sufferings.

Others blame God, especially when someone tells them that human suffering is God's will. They stop believing in Him, saying, If there is God, then why does he allow suffering? Doesn't he care at all about us?

The article found in the link below offers an enlightenment on this subject. It addresses the question, Why does God allow suffering? It also answers the questions,  Has God caused the suffering in the world? and How will God undo the effects of human suffering? Reading this article  is a very comforting and satisfying experience. It can give hope to the hopeless and life to the "lifeless". The rewards are much more marvelous than what we have ever imagined. 

Read on by following the link below.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_11.htm