A Special Invitation

Throughout the world, the annual memorial of Jesus' death will be observed this coming March 26. 

Everyone is warmly invited to meet with us in this commemoration of the anniversary of Jesus' death. 

To find out more about what is included in this invitation and a location near you, please follow this link:

Memorial of Jesus' Death

Don't miss the occasion. It will make a big difference in your lives.

Mankind's Problems - Soon to End!

With the never-ending problems worldwide that we have been experiencing, no doubt, we long to see the end of it all.  Many concerned individuals and humanitarian organizations are doing their best to minimize the problems, let alone putting an end to them. But will they be able to solve such tremendous problems?

While current humanitarian efforts are truly commendable, surely it makes sense to consider another prospect for a just and peaceful new world. Tha Bible points to that prospect, as the article in the link below will consider. You may check it out to read a highly enlightening and hope-arousing presentation.

Mankind's Problems - Soon to End

YOU Are Invited...

....to commemorate the greatest expression of LOVE ever.




How do you view Jesus?          

As a Newborn Baby?

A Dying Man?

Or an Exalted King?




Jesus is now reigning as an exalted King. But what does this mean for you?

Many believe that Jesus died for them. Yet, how can one man's death almost 2,000 years ago mean life for others today?

You are cordially invited to listen to Scriptural answers to these questions. This information will be presented when Jehovah's Witnesses gather to commemorate Jesus' death on Thursday, April 5, 2012.


This special event will be held worldwide. Find out the exact time and place in your localities by getting in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses in your area. They will be very happy to assist you.

The Blessings of God's Kingdom

Relief and Blessings for Those Crying for Help

Imagine this:


"O God, give your own judicial decisions to the king,
And your righteousness to the son of the king.
May he plead the cause of your people with righteousness
And of your afflicted ones with judicial decision.
Let the mountains carry peace to the people,
Also the hills, through righteousness.
Let him judge the afflicted ones of the people,
Let him save the sons of the poor one,
And let him crush the defrauder.
They will fear you as long as there is a sun,
And before the moon for generation after generation.
He will descend like the rain upon the mown grass,
Like copious showers that wet the earth.
In his days the righteous one will sprout,
And the abundance of peace until the moon is no more.
And he will have subjects from sea to sea
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
Before him the inhabitants of waterless regions will bow down,
And his very enemies will lick the dust itself.
The kings of Tar′shish and of the islands—
Tribute they will pay.
The kings of She′ba and of Se′ba—
A gift they will present.
And to him all the kings will prostrate themselves;
All the nations, for their part, will serve him.
For he will deliver the poor one crying for help,
Also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper.
He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one,
And the souls of the poor ones he will save.
From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul,
And their blood will be precious in his eyes."
- Psalm 72:1-14

These are the heartwarming words penned by King David of ancient Israel. They paint a vivid picture of how God understands our lamentable situation and how he is going to relieve us from it. 

Although this refers to the kingship of David's son Solomon, it is prophetic of what God himself will do under the rulership of his anointed Son and King, Jesus Christ. Hence, this song provides foregleams of what is in store for all those who are crying for help, that is, all humans who are suffering. The God of superb mercy and loving-kindness is certainly going to act in our behalf.

What a refreshing and inspiring assurance!

God's Kingdom - The Government that Will Solve Mankind's Problems

An outline from the Scriptures


What God's Word says about the Kingdom:


* Matthew 6:9,10
"YOU must pray, then, this way:
'Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.' "

* Daniel 2:44
"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite."

* Isaiah 9:6,7
"For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end."

* Matthew 25:31,33
"When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left."

What God's Kingdom will accomplish for mankind:

(1) Wars, crime, and violence will be eliminated forever.

* Psalm 46:8, 9
"Come, YOU people, behold the activities of Jehovah,
How he has set astonishing events on the earth.
He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.
The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces;
The wagons he burns in the fire."

(2) Equality and impartiality will exist for all; there will be no more racial, social, or other forms of discrimination.

* Acts 10:35
"But in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."

*Revelation 7:9, 10.
"After these things 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 on crying with a loud voice, saying: "Salvation [we owe] to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb."

(3) There will be abundant food, adequate housing, and enjoyable work for everyone.


* Psalm 72:16
"There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth;
On the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.
His fruit will be as in Lebanon,
And those who are from the city will blossom like the vegetation of the earth."

* Isaiah 25:6
"And Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of [wine kept on] the dregs, of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow, of wine kept on the dregs, filtered."

* Isaiah 65:21, 22.
"And they will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat [their] fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full."

(4) Sickness, disability, old age, and death will be no more.
* Isaiah 25:8
"He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken it."

* Isaiah 35:5, 6 
"At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness. For in the wilderness waters will have burst out, and torrents in the desert plain."


* Revelation 21:4
"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

(5) The dead will be raised.

* John 5:28, 29
"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment."

* Revelation 20:12
"And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds."

(6) The earth will become a global paradise.

* Luke 23:43
"And he said to him: "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise."


* Psalm 98:7-9
"Let the sea thunder and that which fills it,
The productive land and those dwelling in it.
Let the rivers themselves clap their hands;
Altogether let the very mountains cry out joyfully
Before Jehovah, for he has come to judge the earth.
He will judge the productive land with righteousness
And the peoples with uprightness."

What we should do to benefit from these blessings:

* John 17:3
"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."

* Revelation 22:17
"And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: "Come!" And let anyone hearing say: "Come!" And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free."

A Facet of Life in the Future

“For with rejoicing you people will go forth, and with peace you will be brought in. The mountains and the hills themselves will become cheerful before you with a joyful outcry, and the very trees of the field will all clap their hands."

-Isaiah 55:12 

By reading our Creator's Written Word, we can visualize the kind of life in the future that our loving heavenly Father has prepared from the beginning. Throughout the Bible, both the Old  and the New Testament, we can read about His unfading promises which He expressed over and over again through His faithful servants, who in turn, penned them down for  the benefit of the future generations. Such written promises were meant to give us hope and joy while we are  living temporarily in this bedarkened world. 

As a  caring Father, He wants us to enjoy eternal life in a world free of all the problems that we are experiencing right now. That is why He made all those promises that we read from His Word. In fact, He has already fulfilled most of His promises, and only a few remaining ones are now in the process of fulfillment. And we are confident that He will keep all His words because He himself said,

"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)

Soon, we will experience the realization of one of His promises which is mentioned above. How wonderful it feels to put ourselves in that resplendent and joyous picture. We will rejoice along with the natural creations, and together we will celebrate the REAL LIFE in the REAL PARADISE that God has meant for us.

Does God Really Care About Us?

Since we live in a world full of cruelty and injustice, many people feel that there is no God, or if there is, he doesn't care about us at all. Many religious leaders teach that the sufferings we experience are God's will, a teaching that turns people away from God and makes them more alienated from him, let alone hate him.

The truth is, God never causes wickedness and sufferings. Job 34:10 says, " Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!" 

Actually, God has a loving purpose for humans. That is why Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father in the heavens, let...your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matthew 6:9,10) God cares so deeply about us that he has made arrangements to provide ways in order to fulfill his purpose. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The fact that Jesus has already given his life for us guarantees that soon, all wickedness and sufferings will be gone and that righteous mankind who put faith in God and Jesus will attain eternal life in the new world.

While waiting for the fulfillment of God's purpose, we can make our lives meaningful and satisfying right now, knowing that God cares about us. When we experience adversities or when the wickedness around us becomes too much to bear, this Scripture helps a lot: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;  while you throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6,7)

The Book That Makes Us Truly Wise and Successful

"This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night, in order that you may take care to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful and then you will act wisely." - Joshua 1:8

 

 

In an attempt to find ways to improve their lives and to become successful in their endeavors, some people turn to self-help books that claim to have the best solution that people in general are seeking for. They may spend much time searching for the right one from all the innumerable books that have been published, and much money to purchase them. 

On the other hand, there is a book that can certainly help people of all ages and background. It may be an old book, but all its counsel and guidance are up-to-date. They were written purposely for all seasons and for all generations. Millions who have examined the contents of this book and followed the guidance found therein have experienced a truly successful life and lasting joy that springs from a bright hope that the book highlights. It is the hope of a future life in perfection which the book's own Author promised. 

This great book is none other than God's Word, the Bible. It is a living book in the sense that many of the words penned there can touch the hearts of humans and change their lives for the better. Further, many of the prophecies written there are still undergoing fulfillment, which a serious and diligent researcher can clearly see from the ongoing world events.  The fulfillment of these prophecies keeps flowing to its climax when all the world's problems will be completely removed and a new wonderful world will take place.

Everyone can avail of this book for free. A visit to the following link can lead one to reading this book and other related publications online. Reading this book regularly and meditatively, and applying the words in our lives can surely help us to be wise and successful.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/publications/index.htm

Will Our Home Planet Continue to Be Ruined?

The whole world expresses concern about the recent oil spill that has brought extensive destruction to our planet. Many are still not aware how enormous and grotesque the effect has become. Some are apprehensive about how much more damages it may yet bring in the future.

It's not only the oil spills that have caused alarm to humans, but also the other exploitations of our natural resources in the name of money. The earth is being made sick by stripping it of its precious elements. In turn, humans are also forced  into a predicament where there seems to be no way out for them. They are unsure of what the future may bring. Will unscrupulous humans continue to wreck their own home planet?

The world's greatest and most reliable book of prophecy reassures us that the Almighty God and Creator will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth." -Revelation 11:18

He wants this precious planet to be restored to its original condition just as He purposed it to be. It will again become a pristine and peaceful habitation for all righteous mankind who submit to His Sovereignty. Everyone will take good care of this home planet and preserve its natural beauty forever.

Evildoers Will Not Prevail

"Do not show yourself heated up because of the evildoers.

Do not be envious of those doing unrighteousness.

For like grass they will speedily wither,

And like green new grass they will fade away."

- Psalms 37:1,2

Throughout the world, wickedness and lawlessness prevail, which cause the peace-loving and righteous ones to be troubled at heart. They wish that evildoers would be eliminated. Others develop hatred for such persons, willing them to go to death.

On the other hand, there are also those who have become rich or prosperous by engaging in some illegal money-making activities (unrighteousness). It looks like those who engage in such questionable practices are more blessed.

But not really, because the Scriptures above shows that such persons will speedily wither and fade like the grass. They will not prevail forever to ruin the peace of the righteous ones. They may be here now in this world, but in the near future, they will be gone forever.

Music Video: This is the Way

Seeing the Future Through Faith

"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld."

- Hebrews 11:1

Mankind's future seems uncertain, especially in view of world conditions that are getting worse each passing day. Many spend their lives just to "live and let live", believeing that this life is all there is, followed by nothing.

However, as what I've stressed in my previous blogs, there is a wonderful future that lies ahead of us. It may be hard to believe, considering that it's an ancient promise and that mankind has been waiting for too long for its realization.

Here now is where faith comes in. It's believing in something that we cannot see and knowing in our heart that it's there, or it will come. That is why the quote above says that "faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for." If we have faith, we don't doubt at all that our hopes will become realities.

Who Can Protect Us?

"My God is my rock. I shall take refuge in him,

My shield and my horn of salvation,
my secure height."

- Psalm 18:2

Like a mighty secure rock that offers protection, God is a protector for those who run to Him for refuge. He protects them from influences that might damage their spiritual well-being, delivers them from oppression and distress prevalent in this world and provides them with  the opportunity to have everlasting life in the future.

This Is The Way

"And your own ears will hear a word behind you saying: “This is the way. Walk in it, YOU people,” in case YOU people should go to the right or in case YOU should go to the left." - Isaiah 30:21

Following the direction of our loving heavenly Father will surely lead us to a successful and satisfying life now even amidst this world's "dismal jungle" where we can easily get lost sans proper direction. This way is called the way of life because it will take us to the kind of life that our Creator has meant for us. Most of all, this way extends to the New World where we will attain the real life that will last forever, which is the purpose why God created us and put us in this planet.

We only need to listen to His voice and obey His instructions in order to get there. And we can do this through careful examination of His written Word, the Holy Scriptures, which He gave to us like a letter of a loving father to his children.

When Wickedness Will be Gone

Peace-loving ones long for the time when the wicked ones will no longer exist to make troubles in this world. Considering the endless reports worldwide about some crimes and violence, it looks like the wicked ones are flourishing and their acts of lawlessness are unstoppable. Is there hope that such wicked acts will be eliminated? The following Scripture assures us that someday, we will enjoy living in peace without any interruption.

"Just a little while longer,
and the wicked one will be no more;
And you will certainly give attention to his place,

and he will not be.

But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,

And they will indeed find their exquisite delight
in the abundance of peace."

- Psalms 37:10,11

For more information and details, please visit this site:

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

What a Comforting Thought!

If we are faced with adversities, which are extremely difficult for us to tackle, and it seems like there's nobody around to support us, still, we are not alone in our struggles. The following passage shows us that there's Someone who is always holding our hands and supporting us.

" For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I myself will help you.’" - Isaiah 41:13

These are the reassuring words of our loving Father, who is always on the lookout for those who trust Him and turn to Him for support. Relying on Him at all times makes us feel secure and gives us inner peace, which are essential for living a happy and meaningful life amid all these troubles that we are subjected to.

Food for the Heart

Here's another promise upon which we can set our heart. The world's wasteland and desert plains will flourish with delightful and life-giving vegetation. It will certainly be fulfilled because our Creator promised us about this in countless different ways and hundreds of times.

"The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. Without fail it will blossom, and it will really be joyful with joyousness and with glad crying out." - Isaiah 35:1,2

All mankind will also exult and cry out with joy throughout eternity!

The Most Valuable Friendship in the World

We are blessed if we have friends who can stand by us no matter what happens.  Each time we need them, they are always there, ready to support us. They make us feel secure and well-cared for. They are happy when they see us happy. They feel for us and comfort us when we are in difficult situation. They bring sunshine to our lives by their unfading thoughtfulness and loving-kindness. 

Is there someone whom we can call a perfect friend? There is, and He's genuinely interested in our personal welfare. He welcomes us to be a guest in His tent. But we must meet certain qualifications in order to deserve that most precious friendship of all. In the following quote, a famous king outlined these requirements.

A Melody of King David :

"O Jehovah, who will be a guest in your tent?
Who will reside in your holy mountain?

He who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness
And speaking the truth in his heart.

He has not slandered with his tongue.
To his companion he has done nothing bad,
And no reproach has he taken up against his intimate acquaintance.

In his eyes anyone contemptible is certainly rejected,
But those fearing Jehovah he honors.
He has sworn to what is bad for himself, and yet he does not alter.

His money he has not given out on interest,
And a bribe against the innocent one he has not taken.
He that is doing these things will never be made to totter."

-Psalms 15

Yes, friendship with the Most High keeps us strong and secure, and it will also give us eternal benefits, which He promised to those who remain loyal to their friendship with Him.
 

He Will Fulfill His Promises

Mankind's Creator has promised many things to his human creations. Since the beginning of human history, he has personally dealt with some nations and individual people, promising them of future blessings. One instance is that of his promises to the nation of Israel, which used to be His special nation during the time of Moses and Joshua and the "Kings". Here is Joshua's acknowledgment regarding God's ability to fulfill His promises. He addressed these words to the nation of Israel that time: “YOU well know with all YOUR hearts and with all YOUR souls that not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah YOUR God has spoken to YOU has failed. They have all come true for YOU. Not one word of them has failed." (Joshua 23:14)

Many more of His promises at a later time have been fulfilled. Not one word has failed.

Today, only a few of His promises written in the Bible are awaiting fulfillment. It may seem like they would never come at all, but God never lies and He always keeps His words. So we can rely on these words penned by apostle Peter: "Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

He wants all of His human creations to be saved from this world that's full of wickedness and sufferings, and to attain that wonderful life that's in store for them in the future. He doesn't want anyone to be destroyed. 

To many, this future is not real, that it's only an illusion. But to some, this is a hope that spurs them to endure in this present world while waiting for that promised future. It may seem to be slow in coming but it will surely come. It's like the SPRING in this part of the world. It didn't come on time, but it did COME, bringing with it all the natural beauties that brought pleasure to the hearts of those who have been waiting for it.