When God's Will is Done on Earth

* There will be genuine peace, not just the absence of war.

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."

Psalm 37:11
"But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,
And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."


*  All will have an abundance of food.

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."

*  Perfect health will prevail.

Isaiah 33:24
"No resident will say, 'I am sick.'"


*  Everyone will have a comfortable home.

Isaiah 65:21,22
"They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat [their] fruitage. 22 They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating."

*  All forms of suffering will end.

Revelation 21:3,4
"With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them.  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.”

(Source: Awake, May 2011, page 18)

Fighting Evil With the Good

"Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good." 
- Romans 12:17-21

There would be no hatred and contention in the world if everyone would apply this Bible passage. True, it's quite hard to pass over a hurt or offense because of the emotional damage that it has done to us, but it's harder to let it linger in us. It becomes a heavy burden to carry, and that is really uncomfortable. Further, it may lead us to doing something that we would regret later. It's easier to let the offense pass and forgive the offender. It clears our mind and heart of any vexations and leaves us in peace. And it spares us from any trouble that might arise if we do something rashly.

So instead of taking revenge, it's wiser to leave the matter to the authorities, and the vengeance to God, to whom it belongs. Anyway, he is a God of justice who doesn't allow any injustice to go on. For our part, let's just keep on doing good to our fellows, even those who have offended us. By doing so, we will "heap fiery coals upon their heads", that is, we can melt their hardheartedness by continuously lavishing them with good deeds. In that way, we conquer evil with good.

    

A Treasure Worth More Than Gold and Silver

"Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself.  It is more precious than corals, and all other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it. Length of days is in its right hand; in its left hand there are riches and glory. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy."

- Proverbs 3:13-18

A man of wisdom possesses the kind of treasure that preserves his life not only now but throughout eternity. Unlike material treasures that may give a measure of protection but at the same time endangers the life of one who has them, wisdom is for all time a protection. It can direct one to the right path, away from the alluring and deceptive  byways and highways of this world where most people have been misled. A wise man knows that danger lurks in those ways and thus avoid them. He follows the way of wisdom from above, which is the perfect way. In doing so, he procures true riches and glory, peace and happiness. Most of all, he keeps walking in pleasantness as he moves on to his life's journey into the wonderful future that the Giver of such wisdom has prepared for him. And he will enjoy life to time indefinite.

Wearing our Suit of Armor

In this world filled with wickedness,  it's not easy for one who strives to live a virtuous life to fight his way out of this jungle of a world that has turned dismal. Everywhere there are attacks of wicked forces in different forms, whether outright or subtle. The master enemy, Satan the Devil, is preoccupied with setting up schemes to get the virtuous ones veer from their godly course. Because he knows that his time is short, that soon he will be wiped out of existence, he's doing all he can, employing all means that he can think of, to drag all the righteous ones with him to destruction. He is especially aiming his assaults to those who keep their stand in God's side. He never stops until he succeeds in his evil intent.

Nevertheless, no matter how powerful he is and all his machinations, he can never get us if we wear a special suit of armor designed to fight against him and his destructively wicked missiles. Figuratively wearing this all the time can protect us from all his weapons of destruction. We can keep our ground and come out victorious.

The following is the suit of armor that we should put on:

"Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,  and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace.  Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles.  Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word,  while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit." - Ephesians 6:14-18

Guarding Against Unbridled Rage

 "Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with YOU in a provoked state,  neither allow place for the Devil." - Ephesians 4:28,27

 It's only natural to be angry, and our anger may be justifiable. But remaining in an angry or wrathful state will only do us harm. Aside from its ill effects on our physical health, it can also put us in a position where the Devil can easily prey on us and induce us to do something evil against our fellows and against God. 

So if we feel that rage is brewing in us, it's best to pray immediately and ask God to help us be "cool of spirit" and have self control so that we can avoid acting in a harmful way. If our rage is caused by some disputes with our fellows, we must settle them peacefully as soon as possible. We should not allow ourselves to remain in a provoked state and be a victim of the Devil's malicious designs to destroy us.

Keep On Asking, And You Will Receive

Some people don't get what they ask for and  can't find what they're seeking for. This is especially true with regards to their pursuits of material things or emotional needs. However, persistence is one good quality in order to get what one truly needs. In the Scripture below, the Son of God tells his listeners,

“Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened."

- Matthew 7:7,8

This inspirational passage has its more profound application for us as regards our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is to Him that we ask for whatever we need, but we must ask them in the right way. For instance, in order to have the basic material things that we need, we have to ask him for qualities that enable us to work in order to produce our material necessities. We also need to ask for wisdom and endurance to cope with difficult situations. If we feel that we are too weary or weak to care for our responsibilities, it is urgent that we ask for strength to carry them out.

It's not enough to ask just once though. As the Scripture shows, we must keep on asking. This doesn't mean that the Almighty doesn't hear us the first time we ask. Of course, He knows what we need even before we ask Him. But if we keep on asking Him, we demonstrate that we are sincere in our requests and that we rely on Him and trust that he can give us what we ask for. So we need to keep on asking, not doubting at all that He will provide for us, and we will surely receive.

Our Reasons for Joy

A song declaring several reasons why one may be joyful amid the troubles and sufferings on this earth.

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.

Music Video: This is the Way

Meditations

Meditating on these verses can uplift our spirits and empower us to keep on living in righteousness amid this troubled world.

Wholesome Reflections

Tired? Why not sit down for a while and relax? Let the beauty of nature soothe your weary mind and body. Then meditate on some wholesome things that can be of great benefit to you, such as those metioned in the following quote.

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things." - Philippians 4:8

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.

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.

Guidance to Peace and Righteousness

Living in true peace and righteousness can  be hard today, especially with all the troubles prevalent in the world. However, God's Word, the Bible, provides us with an updated guidance on how to attain peace and righteousness.  If we desire to have a more meaningful life, we should take time to read this all-time practical book and reflect on its divine messages, which are beneficial for us now and throughout eternity.

"This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." - Isaiah 48:17,18

When the Whole Earth is a Garden

I never expected that I would come across this tulip garden in the picture. It's like a dream come true for me to be with my dream flowers. In the past, I just looked at them in the pictures, magazines and movies. Now, I'm face to face with them. I can touch them, smell them and drink in their fresh and exquisite beauty. Walking in such a garden transports me to paradise.

This is truly a gift from above. "Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, for it comes down from the Father of the [celestial] lights, and with him there is not a variation of the turning of the shadow." - James 1:17

What if the whole earth will be a garden full of colorful lovely flowers? Not a remote possibility. The Giver of such gifts is so generous and He will give us the desires of our hearts. In fact, he is now very close to the point of fulfilling His promise that this whole earth will be turned to Paradise. Soon, righteous mankind who put faith in our Creator's promise will walk forever in a much lovelier garden.

God's Wondrous Works

Someone reads our hearts and minds; He sees everything we do; He can follow us wherever we go. He cares so much about us, and He wants to keep us away from harm.

This music video tells us who He is and how we should feel about Him.

God's Kingdom - The Government That We Need

What Real Treasure Is

"I saw all the works that were done under the sun, and, look! everything was vanity and a striving after wind."

-Ecclesiastes 1:14

Thus observed the wise King Solomon of old. The same situation goes on even now in these modern times. Many people strive to work so hard  in order to acquire material possessions, prestige and power, but to what end? Do such acquisitions bring them true happiness and satisfaction? Do their hard works extend their lives on earth?

Just like what this adage says, "everything is vanity and a striving after wind." For as soon as man thinks he  has acquired so much, he would start going downhill to the grave. And he hasn't even got to enjoy the fruits of his hard works because he was too busy working the whole time until death has overtaken him. So he worked hard for nothing.

 It's better to have a simple life and enjoy every moment of it with our loved ones. For then, we can truly say that we have lived a good life.

In line with this, here is what the Greatest Teacher wisely taught us:

“Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Matthew 6:19-21

These are spiritual treasures that we would rather store up because they will last forever. By doing good works, serving our Creator and our fellowmen and living a godly life, we store up treasures in heaven which will give us a truly satisfying and successful life now and an eternity of wonderful life in the new world that will come very soon.

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.

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.