The Need for Wisdom

To succeed in our endeavors, to decide on things that matter to us, and to solve all our problems require wisdom. Not just the wisdom of imperfect humans who claim to be expert in guidance and counseling, but the wisdom that comes from Someone who is perfect in every way. It is the wisdom of the Almighty God who created humans and thus knows exactly what they need in order to live the best possible life there is amidst this trouble-filled world. Hence, we seek this godly wisdom.

"So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him.  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." - James 1:5,6

Yes, according to this Scripture, we can receive wisdom from above and that the Giver gives generously. One requirement, though, to be able to avail of such wisdom is faith. That means that when we ask something from God, we should never doubt whether He will give us or not, but that we should completely trust that He is really willing to bestow it to us, only that we must learn to wait. Being a God of love (1 John 4:8), He definitely desires to give us what He knows can benefit us.

Just imagine a world where all people possess this godly wisdom. It would altogether be the opposite of this present world that we are living in. It would be a world where everyone enjoys life to the full and at peace with one another. 

So then, let's try to make a difference by personally asking for "wisdom from above" that will guide us in our daily life.

Guidelines to Help an Ailing Friend

Sometimes we find ourselves at a loss for words when talking to a friend who is seriously ill. We may fear that we utter the wrong words that might hurt him/her. So we just tend to watch the patient lying on the bed in an uncomfortable silence. How can we meet this challenge?

Here are a few Scriptural principles that can inspire us.

BE A GOOD LISTENER

"Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking." -James 1:19

"There is...a time to keep quiet and a time to speak." -Ecclesiastes 3:1,7

BE EMPATHETIC AND CONSIDERATE

"Rejoice with people who rejoice; weep with people who weep." -Romans 12:15

"All things...that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them." -Matthew 7:12

BE UPBUILDING

"The tongue of the wise ones is a healing." -Proverbs 12:18

"Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt." - Colossians 4:6

BE HELPFUL

"Let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth." -1 John 3:18

REMAIN CONNECTED

"A true companion is loving all the time. and a brother that is born for  when there is distress." -Proverbs 17:17

Meditatively considering the above Scriptures can help us think of ways to make practical applications that can surely benefit both our sick friends and us.

(Based on Watchtower magazine, July 1, 2010, pp.10-13)

A Return to Youthful Vigor

"Let his flesh become fresher than in youth;

Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor."

- Job 33:25

This is an expression of hope that a loving Creator has extended to mankind. It points out to his will that humans  never get sick and grow old. He stated this purpose through a prophetic drama that revolved around the life of an ancient God-fearing man named Job. In this real life story, God's foremost enemy, Satan the Devil, inflicted Job with a malignant disease which sent Job to agony. In the end, Job kept his integrity and didn't let this adversity turn him away from God, which is a blow to Satan. Because of his faithfulness, God rewarded him by giving him back all his material losses in double quantity, and cured his illness to the extent that he looked much younger and stronger.

Since this is a prophetic drama, it definitely has a future fulfillment. Throughout his written word, God has made known his purposes for mankind in several ways. One of these purposes is that He will make righteous people go back to their youthful vigor.  This is especially comforting for those who suffer physical illnesses and the old ones who are afflicted by the ravages of old age. 

Actually, all of us can benefit from this promise because we are all affected by health problems and old age, and most of us wish  that we remain physically young. Our Creator too has never wanted us to get sick, grow old and die. That's why He provided for us a way out of such afflictions. We can learn about this by carefully examining His Written Word, which is like a personal letter of a loving father to his children. Only by studying His Word that we are able to comprehend why life is like this now, which is opposed to God's purpose , and what lies ahead in the future.

Right now, world conditions point to the fulfillment of Bible prophecies relating to these days, which the Bible calls "the last" days. These events herald the coming of the new world that our Creator has promised. Soon, everything will change for the better, and mankind will live a wonderful life for all eternity.

For a clearer understanding, the following Bible verses can be helpful.

Revelation 21:3-5                                    
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Isaiah 33:24
Isaiah 35:5,6
John 5:28,29
Psalm 72:16
Psalm 37:10,11,29

Bible Morality is the Best Morality

Many honest-hearted people lament the worldwide decline of morality. There are those who have completely lost their moral sense. Bible's morality, which used to be considered as a valuable guideline in determining what is right and what is wrong is being pushed aside. Or it could be that many people are unaware that God's Word, the Bible, and its morality are still practical today.

Bible-based morality includes honesty, integrity and faithfulness in marriage. A married couple living on the Swiss-German border discovered that learning to live according to Bible morals made them happier. As far as they are concerned, "there is only one guideline for all aspects of life. That guideline is the Bible."

In the following link, we can see ample evidences showing that Bible morality is certainly the best morality. We can clearly understand the meaning of this proverb, "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20001101/article_02.htm

Wonderful benefits await those who read this, let the message sink in their hearts and make an effort to apply it.

How Long Can We Live?

“Seventy years is all we have—eighty years, if we are strong; . . . life is soon over, and we are gone.” 

- Psalm 90:10, Today's English Version

That's how one Bible writer described the brevity of human life. It was true then, and the same holds true today. Ironically, some animals live longer than humans. However, the fact that living things have diverse life spans indicates that aging must have a cause, and scientists said that if aging has a cause, it may have a cure.

“Man, born of woman, has a short life yet has his fill of sorrow.” 

- Job 14:1, The Jerusalem Bible

Another Bible writer penned down this same observation concerning life and how it is filled with adversities.

Such concern about the span of human life raises the following questions:

- Why do we grow old?

- Is aging programmed?

- Can aging be cured?

The link below will answer these questions and will give us more enlightenment on the true purpose of life. Reading and understanding the series of articles will leave us feeling uplifted and lighthearted as we sense a bright hope expand in our hearts.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/200605/article_01.htm 

Are Better Times Just Ahead?

In the near future, will conditions on earth improve, stay the same or become worse?

Some people keep a positive outlook regarding the future, which is beneficial for their mental and physical health. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 7:22)

Others find it hard to be cheerful and optimistic because of the dire predictions of the world's scientific experts  regarding the future.

In the following link, we can find out the answer to the question posed at the onset, and how a positive outlook can benefit us. 

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20080801/article_01.htm

It also expounds on the topics A Planet in Peril and  A Reason for Optimism. The succeeding articles also discuss about the Critical Times Now and what is Just Ahead of us.

The Bible's Power in our Lives

Can the Bible help us face the problems of modern life? Is it relevant to our modern age? 

See how much better life is for those who open their hearts and minds to the Bible's wisdom by watching a video found in the following link.

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

What True Love Is

"Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up,  does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Love never fails."

- 1 Corinthian 13:4-8

This is the noblest kind of love,  called agape in Greek, which involves the heart and the mind. According to a reference work Insight on the Scriptures , “Aga′pe is not sentimentality, based on mere personal attachment, as is usually thought of, but is a moral or social love based on deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty, and propriety, sincerely seeking the other’s good according to what is right. Aga′pe (love) transcends personal enmities, never allowing these to cause one to abandon right principles and to retaliate in kind.”

Just imagine how the world would be if everyone had this kind of love!

What Is Your Life Worth?

“Since man is made in the image of God, then the taking of a man’s life is the destruction of the most precious and the most holy thing in the world.”—The Plain Man’s Guide to Ethics, by William Barclay.

Sadly, many people don't realize how precious life is, which is one reason why some snuff out life without compunction at all while others just waste their lives in harmful activities.

Millions of people also feel totally worthless and desperate - that no one really cares whether they live or die. Because of wars, injustices, the ravages of draught, famine, disease, bereavement and countless other things that plague mankind, they wonder if life is worth living at all.

The wise King Solomon also observed concerning life in this world:

"All things are wearisome; no one is able to speak of it. The eye is not satisfied at seeing, neither is the ear filled from hearing....I saw all the works that were done under the sun, and, look! everything was vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:8,14)

In view of the aforementioned situations, it is vital to ask the question

How precious is our life?

The link below will give us enlightenment that fosters our sense of self-worth, leaving us with renewed hope and zest for life.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050201/article_01.htm

When Burdened With Worries....

"When my disquieting thoughts 

became many inside of me,

Your own consolations began 

to fondle my soul."

- Psalm 94:19

When we experience much anguish and "disquieting thoughts", we have the assurance that our Creator understands us in every way. He perfectly understands the debilitating effects that depression and other serious illnesses can have on our imperfect minds and bodies. He knows what causes our disquieting thoughts and how we can best cope under the present circumstances. He even revealed how he will cure depression and other sicknesses forever.

photo by Charlene N.K.

Through the pages of his Word, the Bible, we can find a wealth of comforting and reassuring words  that can give us calmness, consolation and inner joy. Because of God's consolations, we feel like our souls are being fondled or caressed by a loving and protective hand. 

If we make it a habit to spend time reading God's Word daily, we get a daily dose of comfort that relieves us from the burdens of everyday, including our sicknesses. We will also find out how God will put an end to our disquieting thoughts forever and what he has in store for us in the future.

And there will be no worries at all....

Comforting Scriptures About God

Some people think that God is an abstract or unfeeling entity. But the Holy Scriptures and the Book of Creation provide resounding testimonies as to his true identity: that he is a real person with deep feelings toward his creations. Here are a few Scriptures that tell us about God's personality. 

"Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth."

- Exodus 34:6

"His eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him."

- 2 Chronicles 16:9

"You, oh Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive."

- Psalm 86:5

"Jehovah is good to all, and his mercies are all over his works."

- Psalm 145:9

"I, Jehovah, am your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, 'Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.'"

- Isaiah 41:13

"Blessed be...the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort."

- 2 Corinthians 1:3

"We shall assure our hearts before him as regards whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things."

- 1 John 3:19,20

Surely, it's comforting to know that God is a real person who knows us so well and cares so much about us and our feelings. This knowledge gives us confidence that we can make him our Best Friend and that we can turn to him for support at any time. 

"WHY?" - Answering The Hardest of Questions

"Why?" 

Just one word and yet may be packed with much anguish and pain.

Here are some expanded questions being asked by many throughout the world:


“Why did you do this to us, God? What did we do to upset you?”


“Where was God? And if God has ultimate control, why did God let this happen?”


“Why did God allow her to die?”


The link below gives enlightenment about this by showing divinely inspired answers to such questions. 

http://www.watchtower.org/e/200611/article_01.htm

On Being Calm

Here are some Scriptures that emphasize the physical effects of having a calm attitude. They have been penned down long before health authorities studied and discovered  about them.

"A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones." 

- Proverbs 14:30

"He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment, but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness." 

- Proverbs 14:29

"Let anger alone and leave rage;

Do not show yourself heated up only to do evil." 

- Psalm 37:8

"The calmness of the tongue is a tree of life, but distortion in it means a breaking down in the spirit." 

- Proverbs 15:4

So when in tight situations, let's all calm down and live longer and healthier.

Contentment

"Let your manner of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: 'I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.'"

- Hebrews 12:5

photo by Charlene N.K.

Love of money has sent many people to ruin. Because of it, they work hard to the point of jeopardizing their own physical and mental health and neglecting the emotional needs of their families. Some resort to illegal and immoral activities without due regard to their consequences. Others go as far as injuring their fellows and even to the point of killing them. They do anything to gratify their insatiable love for money. And yes, they're never contented at all. They want more and more, just like what this Scripture says:

"A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income. This too is vanity." 

- Ecclesiastes 5:10

On the other hand, those who are contended with what they have live a happier and more satisfying life. They don't have to work so hard but just enough to fill their basic needs. They have more time to be with their families and friends, and enjoy a wholesome association and recreation. They make their days count by spending some time with spiritually upbuilding activities and by enjoying the beauty of creation which our Creator has designed to uplift our spirits.

photo by Charlene N.K.

The last part of the Scripture above is a promise of our Creator  that if we keep ourselves contented, He will never leave us without. He will see to it that we are well-provided for. Yes, for He is the Grand Provider to those who trust in him.

God is Our Helper

When fear threatens to paralyze us, the following verses can help us block it from entering our hearts and thus prevent any emotional damage that it might do to us. Meditating on them and implicitly trusting in the One who gave such assurances are the keys to unlock their true power.

"...be of good courage and say: 'Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"

-Proverbs 13:6

photo by Charlene N.K.

"In God I have put my trust. 

I shall not be afraid.

What can earthling man do to me?"

-Psalm 56:11

photo by Charlene N.K.

"You have drawn near in the day that I kept calling you. You said:

 'Do not be afraid.'"

- Lamentations 3:57

photo by Charlene N.K.

"Do not be afraid because of their faces, for ‘I am with you to deliver you,’ is the utterance of Jehovah."

- Jeremiah 1:8

photo by Charlene N.K.