How to Plan a Wedding That Brings Honor to Jehovah - WHY HONOR JEHOVAH?

 Couples who are planning a Christian wedding should do so in harmony with principles that Jehovah has outlined in his Word. Why/ Because Jehovah is the Originator of marriage. He arranged for the very first wedding-the one that joined Adam and Eve in matrimony. (Genesis 1:28; 2:24) So God's thinking should be foremost on the minds of those who are planning a wedding. 

You have a significant reason to consider Jehovah's thinking on your wedding day: He is your heavenly Father and your best Friend. (Hebrews 12:9) You undoubtedly want that to continue to be true. You never want anything to happen on that day or any other day that would hurt your Friend. (Psalm 25:14) When you consider everything that Jehovah has done for you, would you not agree that he deserves honor at your wedding? - PSALM 116:12.

Next time: How to Plan a Wedding That Brings Honor to Jehovah - HOW CAN YOU HONOR JEHOVAH? 

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How to Plan a Wedding That Brings Honor to Jehovah

 "Let all things take place decently and by arrangement." - 1 CORINTHIANS 14:40. 

ARE you engaged to be married? If so, congratulations! You are likely quite involved in planning your wedding. Jehovah is interested in your marriage. He wants to enjoy your wedding day and have a happy future together. - PROVERBS 5:18; SONG OF SOLOMON 3:11. 

Jehovah deserves to be shown honor at your wedding. Why can we say that? And how can you do so? Although this article is primarily addressed to couples who are preparing for their wedding, the principles discussed can help all of us to honor Jehovah if attend a wedding or we are asked for observations on the plans being made.

Next time: How to Plan a Wedding That Brings Honor to Jehovah - WHY HONOR JEHOVAH

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH DIGNIFIES LOWLY ONES - Conclusion

How can we imitate Jehovah? We dignify people when we share the good news with all who listen, regardless of their background, skin color, or level of education. And we dignify our brothers and sisters when we consider them superior to us, regardless of any abilities or privileges we may have. (Philippians 2:3) Jehovah is pleased when we humbly "take the lead" in showing honor to one another in these and in other ways. - ROMANS 12:10; Zephaniah 3:12. 

As we strive to imitate our loving heavenly Father's humility, we will become more approachable, more reasonable, and more patient. And we will dignify others, as Jehovah does. May our efforts to draw closer to our humble God make each of us more precious in his eyes! - ISAIAH 43:4. 

Next time: How to Plan a Wedding That Brings Honor to Jehovah

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH DIGNIFIES LOWLY ONES

 Read Psalm 138:6. What an honor it is for humble ones to be acknowledged by the Sovereign of the universe! Consider just a few examples of lowly people whom Jehovah has dignified over the centuries. Some of them might not readily come to mind, but they are included in the Bible record. Jehovah inspired Moses to record the name of a nurse named Deborah, who lived during the time of the patriarchs. She served faithfully both Isaac's and Jacob's household for a total of some 125 years! Though not much is known about this loyal woman, Jehovah made sure to note in the inspired record how beloved she was. (Genesis 24:59; 35:8, ftn.) Centuries later, Jehovah raised up David, a shepherd boy, and made him king of the nation of Israel. (2 Samuel 22:1, 36) Shortly after Jesus was born, God sent angels to honor humble shepherds by letting them be the first to know that in nearby Bethlehem the future Messiah had been born. (Luke 2:8-11) And when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple, Jehovah dignified elderly Simeon and Anna pointing out his Son to them. (Luke 2:25-40. 36-38) Yes, "though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble"! 

Jesus imitates his Father. Like his Father, Jesus dignified humble people. He taught "uneducated and ordinary" people truths about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 4:13; Matthew 11:25) Jesus also healed the sick and treated them in ways that restored not only their health but also their dignity. (Luke 5:13) On the final night before his death, Jesus took on the role of a servant by washing his apostle's feet. (John 13:5) And prior to ascending to heaven, he dignified all his humble followers, present and future. by giving them the most important work any human can have-helping other to gain everlasting life. - MATTHEW 28:19, 20. 

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Humility- JEHOVAH DIGNIFIES LOWLY ONES -Conclusion

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS PATIENT

 Jesus imitates his Father.  For thousands of years, Jesus has imitated Jehovah's patience. Jesus has watched Satan slander both Jehovah and faithful humans. (Genesis 3:4, 5; Job 1:11; Revelation 12:10) Jesus has also witnessed unspeakable suffering. Imagine how much he must long "to break up the works of the Devil"! (1 John 3:8) What helps Jesus to wait patiently for Jehovah's approval to destroy the Devil's works completely? For one thing, Jesus' humility moves him to leave the timing of mattes where they rightly belong-in Jehovah's hands. - ACTS 1:7.  

When on earth, Jesus was also patient with his apostles. For example, when the apostles argued time again over who was the greatest, Jesus did not throw up his hands in despair. Instead, he continued to be patient. (Lukw 9:46; 22:24-27) He trusted that in time they would make the needed changes. Have you repeatedly made the same mistake? If so, are you not gratefully to have such a humble and patient King ruling over  you?

How can we imitate Jehovah? When we develop "the mind of Christ," we put ourselves in the best position to think and act like Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 2:16) How can we better understand Christ's mind? Ther is no shortcut on how the accounts we read reveal Jesus' thinking on mattes. And without a doubt, we must ask Jehovah to help us reflect Jesus' humble of thinking. As we develop the mind of Christ, we will become more like God by showing greater patience both with ourselves and with our fellow believers. - MATTHEW  18:26-30, 35. 

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH DIGNIFIES LOWLY ONES 

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS PATIENT

      You have probably noted that proud people do not like to be kept waiting. Pride makes them impatient. What a contrast that is to Jehovah, who is the epitome of patience! For instance, in the days of Noah, Jehovah stated that He would wait 120 years before destroying the wicked. (Genesis 6:3) Noah had time to raise his children and build the ark with the help of his family. Later, Jehovah's angelic representative listened patiently as Abraham questioned him about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. A proud person might have responded, 'How dare you question me!' But in imitation of Jehovah, that angel was patient with Abraham. - GENESIS 18:20-33. 

Jehovah is humbly showing patience in our time too. He is waiting for his set time to arrive and bring the end. Why is he patient?  "Because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (Read 2 Peter 3:9.) Has Jehovah's patience been in vain? No! Millions of righthearted ones have drawn close to him. And we hope many millions more will yet do so. Nonetheless, Jehovah's patience has limits. Jehovah loves his people, but he is not permissive. He will not let wickedness continue forever. - HABBAKUK 2:3. 

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS REASONABLE - Conclusion

 Jehovah imitates his Father. While on earth, Jesus did not withhold good from others when it was reasonable to help them. For example, He healed people on the Sabbath despite the objections of his hardhearted opposers. (Read Mark 3:1-6.) Jesus continues to be reasonable as the head of the congregation. For instance, when someone in the congregation commits a serious sin, he is patient with him, giving him ample opportunity to correct his course. - REVELATION 2:2-5. 

How can we imitate Jehovah? We must humbly work to cultivate Jehovah's reasonable way of thinking and acting.  (James 3:17) For example, reasonable parents, while not permissive, do not expect more from their children than the young ones can give. That is well-illustrated by Jacob, as seen in the account found at Genesis 33:12-14. Humble and reasonable parents should also try to avoid unfairly comparing one child with another. Christian elders too must be reasonable. One way we can do this is by yielding to the decision of the majority on the body when doing so does not violate Bible principles. (1 Timothy 3:2, 3) And all of us can try to understand the viewpoint of others even if we see things differently. (Romans 14:1) Yes, everyone in the congregation should strive to let his "reasonableness become known to all men." - PHILIPPIANS 4:5. 

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS REASONABLE

 Many proud people are unreasonable in their dealings with others. But because Jehovah is humble, he is reasonable, or yielding-even though he is superior to everyone in every way. Consider how he dealt with Moses' sister Miriam, She, along with Aaron, murmured against Moses, who was Jehovah's representative. So Miriam was, in essence, showing disrespect for Jehovah. As a result, Jehovah was furious with Miriam and struck her with leprosy. But when Aaron pleaded in her behalf and Moses begged Jehovah to heal his sister, how God respond? God did not proudly hold to the judgment he had brought on her. Because Jehovah is humble, he yielded by healing Miriam. - NUMBERS 12:1-15. 

Jehovah also showed humility in his dealings with King Hezekiah. By means of his prophet, Jehovah informed the king that he was going to die. Hezekiah tearfully begged Jehovah to heal him. In response, Jehovah added 15 years to the king's life. (2 Kings 20:1, 5, 6) Yes, humility moves Jehovah to be compassionate and yielding. 

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS REASONABLE - Conclusioin

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS APPROACHABLE -Conclusion

 Jesus imitates his Father. Like his Father, Jesus is humble. As a result, while he was on earth, people felt comfortable approaching him. They felt at ease with asking questions. (Mark 4:10, 11) So when he invited their comments on a matter, they would tell him what they truly felt. (Matthew 16:13-16) And when they made mistakes, they did not cringe in fear; they knew that Jesus was kind, merciful, and patient. (Matthew 17:24-27) It is significant that because of how well Jesus imitated his Father, Jesus's followers came to know Jehovah better. (John 14:9) They learned that Jehovah was nothing like the harsh, proud, and aloof religious leader of the day. Rather, he was humble and approachable. 

How can we imitate Jehovah? By cultivating humility, we will become more approachable. Humility will prevent us from being envious, prideful, and unforgiving-traits that push others away. But humility will help us to be kind, patient and forgiving-traits that draw others to us. (Colossians 3:12-14) Elders must especially strive to be approachable. Of course in order to be approachable, they need to be visible. This means that thy endeavor to attend congregation meetings in person, preferring that to attending via conferencing unnecessarily .  And as their circumstances allow, they try to work along with the brothers and sisters in the house-to-house ministry. As these ones get better acquainted with the elders, they will feel in confiding in them when the need arises. 

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Humility -JEHOVAH IS REASONABLE 

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Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS APPROACHABLE

 Proud people are not usually approachable. Their inflated egos cause them to act in ways that make others hesitate to go to them or cause others to avoid altogether. How different Jehovah is! Because our heavenly Father is humble, he invites us to approach him and tell him about the things that are weighing on our mind and heart. (Read Psalm 62:8.) Just as a caring father readily listens to his children's concerns, Jehovah welcomes and listens to the prayers of his worshippers. In fact, he had many of these prayers recorded in the Bibe. That shows how approachable he is. (Joshua 10:12-14; 1 Samuel 1:10-18) But what if for some reason we at times feel unworthy to approach Jehovah?

We can approach Jehovah in prayer even if we feel unworthy of his love. Why can we say that. In Jesus' parable of the lost son, he likened Jehovah to be a tenderhearted father whose repentant son felt unworthy of being accepted back into the family. How did the father react when his son returned home? Jesus said that as soon as the father caught sight of his son, the father "ran and embraced him and tenderly kissed him." (Luke 15:17-20) Jehovah is like that father. As soon as he hears the prayer of individuals whose hearts are broken ad crushed by the burden of guilt or worry, his humility moves him to give them his full attention. (Lamentations 3:19, 20) Jehovah is moved with compassion, and he runs to them, as it were, to comfort them and reassure them of his mercy and love. (Isaiah 57:15) How does Jehovah "run to us" today? He often does by means of the elders, believing family members, and others fellow worshippers. (James 5:14, 15) Jehovah provides his help because he wants us to be close to him.

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Humility - JEHOVAH IS APPROACHABLE  - Conclusion

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