Keeping Courtship Honorable
Another area in which your perceptive powers are needed is that of courtship. It is only natural to want to show affection to someone you care about. The chaste couple in the Song of Solomon evidently exchanged some displays of affection before they married. (Song of Solomon 1:2; 2:6; 8:5) Today, some courting couples may likewise feel that holding hands,kissing and embracing are appropriate, especially when marriage seems imminent. But remember: "He that is trusting in his own heart is stupid." (Proverbs 28:26) Tragically, a number of couples have shown bad judgment,by putting themselves into compromising circumstances. Displays of affection have become intense and uncontrolled; unclean acts have resulted and have even escalated to sexual immorality.
If you are dating, you are wise to avoid being alone with your prospective mate under inappropriate circumstances. So it may be best to enjoy each other's association in a group setting or in public places. Some couples arrange to have a chaperon. Also, consider the words of Hosea 4:11: "Wine and sweet wine are what take away good motive." Alcohol can impair good judgment and lead a couple to act in a way that they will later regret.
Proverbs 13:10 says: "By presumptuousness one only causes a struggle, but with those consulting together there is wisdom." Yes, 'consult together' and discuss how you will conduct yourselves. Place limits on displays of affection, each respecting the other's feelings and conscience. (1 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Peter 3:16) Talking about this sensitive subject may be difficult at first, but it can prevent serious problems from developing later on.
Next time: Being Taught 'From Youth On'
Watchtower, 1999
Showing posts with label Keep On The Watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keep On The Watch. Show all posts
9.01.2010
"KEEP ON THE WATCH"
A Warning Example
In many respects, people today are like the men and women who lived in Noah's day. At that time the earth was filled with violence, and the inclination of the heart of man was "only bade all the time." (Genesis 6:5) Most were consumed with the daily affairs of life. Before he brought the great Deluge, though, Jehovah gave people an opportunity to repent. He commissioned Noah to preach, and Noah obeyed-serving as "a preacher of righteousness" perhaps for 40 or 50 years or more. ( 2Peter 2:5) However, the people ignored Noah's warning message. 'They were not on the watch. In the end, therefore, only Noah and his family survived the execution of Jehovah's judgment. -Matthew 24:37-39.
Was Noah's ministry a success? Do not judge by the small number that responded . Really, Noah's preaching fulfilled its purpose regardless of the response. Why? Because it gave people ample opportunity to choose whether they would serve Jehovah or not. What about your preaching territory? Even if there is little positive response, you are having great success. Why? Because by preaching you are fulfilling the commission that Jesus gave his followers. -Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.
Next time: Ignoring God's Prophets
Watchtower, 2000
In many respects, people today are like the men and women who lived in Noah's day. At that time the earth was filled with violence, and the inclination of the heart of man was "only bade all the time." (Genesis 6:5) Most were consumed with the daily affairs of life. Before he brought the great Deluge, though, Jehovah gave people an opportunity to repent. He commissioned Noah to preach, and Noah obeyed-serving as "a preacher of righteousness" perhaps for 40 or 50 years or more. ( 2Peter 2:5) However, the people ignored Noah's warning message. 'They were not on the watch. In the end, therefore, only Noah and his family survived the execution of Jehovah's judgment. -Matthew 24:37-39.
Was Noah's ministry a success? Do not judge by the small number that responded . Really, Noah's preaching fulfilled its purpose regardless of the response. Why? Because it gave people ample opportunity to choose whether they would serve Jehovah or not. What about your preaching territory? Even if there is little positive response, you are having great success. Why? Because by preaching you are fulfilling the commission that Jesus gave his followers. -Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.
Next time: Ignoring God's Prophets
Watchtower, 2000
8.31.2010
God's Prophetic Word Gives Hope For The Future
DAY THREE:
God's Prophetic Word Never Fails
The final day of the convention began with the symposium "Prophetic Words for the Appointed Time." The three parts examined the prophet Habakkuk's three pronouncements of Jehovah's executional judgments. The first was against wayward Judah and the second against oppressive Babylon. The final one, yet to be fulfilled, applies to the imminent destruction of all wicked humans. Speaking about Armageddon, the last brother on the symposium evoked a healthy measure of godly fear in his listeners when he said: "Truly, it will be awe-inspiring when Jehovah unleashed the full force of his great power."
"Appreciating our Spiritual Heritage" was the title of the convention's moving Bible drama. This soul-searching presentation contrasted the attitudes of Jacob and Esau toward spiritual things. Esau despised his spiritual heritage, so that it was given to Jacob, who treasured it. "What [spiritual heritage] has Jehovah given us?" The conventioneers were asked. "The truth of his Word,the Bible; the hope of everlasting life; and the honor to represent him as proclaimers of the good news," answered the speaker.
The next part was entitled "What Does Our Precious Heritage Mean to You?" We show the right attitude toward our spiritual heritage by putting Jehovah's service and spiritual privileges before personal or material interests. In this way, we build our life around our relationship with Jehovah, in sharp contrast with Adam, Esau and the unfaithful Israelites.
The public discourse, "Making All Things New-As Foretold," wove together four key prophecies regarding the "new heavens" and the "new earth." (Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 2:1, 3-5) Clearly, Jehovah had in mind a greater fulfillment of these prophecies than that upon his restored people in 537 B.C.E. Yes, he had in mind his Kingdom government (the "new heavens" ) and its earthly subjects ("the new earth"), who would inhabit a glorious global paradise.
Bringing the convention to a thrilling and motivating conclusion was the talk "Our Expectations as God's Word Guides Us." It reminded all that "the time left is reduced" for completing the work of Kingdom proclamation. (1Corinthians 7:29) Yes, we stand at the very threshold of the fulfillment of Jehovah's decree against Satan and his entire wicked system. May our sentiments be those of the psalmist who sang: "Our very soul has been in expectation of Jehovah. Our helper and our shield he is." (Psalm 33:20) What a glorious prospect lies ahead for whose expectations are based on God's prophetic word!
Next time: "KEEP ON THE WATCH"
Watchtower, 2002
God's Prophetic Word Never Fails
The final day of the convention began with the symposium "Prophetic Words for the Appointed Time." The three parts examined the prophet Habakkuk's three pronouncements of Jehovah's executional judgments. The first was against wayward Judah and the second against oppressive Babylon. The final one, yet to be fulfilled, applies to the imminent destruction of all wicked humans. Speaking about Armageddon, the last brother on the symposium evoked a healthy measure of godly fear in his listeners when he said: "Truly, it will be awe-inspiring when Jehovah unleashed the full force of his great power."
"Appreciating our Spiritual Heritage" was the title of the convention's moving Bible drama. This soul-searching presentation contrasted the attitudes of Jacob and Esau toward spiritual things. Esau despised his spiritual heritage, so that it was given to Jacob, who treasured it. "What [spiritual heritage] has Jehovah given us?" The conventioneers were asked. "The truth of his Word,the Bible; the hope of everlasting life; and the honor to represent him as proclaimers of the good news," answered the speaker.
The next part was entitled "What Does Our Precious Heritage Mean to You?" We show the right attitude toward our spiritual heritage by putting Jehovah's service and spiritual privileges before personal or material interests. In this way, we build our life around our relationship with Jehovah, in sharp contrast with Adam, Esau and the unfaithful Israelites.
The public discourse, "Making All Things New-As Foretold," wove together four key prophecies regarding the "new heavens" and the "new earth." (Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 2:1, 3-5) Clearly, Jehovah had in mind a greater fulfillment of these prophecies than that upon his restored people in 537 B.C.E. Yes, he had in mind his Kingdom government (the "new heavens" ) and its earthly subjects ("the new earth"), who would inhabit a glorious global paradise.
Bringing the convention to a thrilling and motivating conclusion was the talk "Our Expectations as God's Word Guides Us." It reminded all that "the time left is reduced" for completing the work of Kingdom proclamation. (1Corinthians 7:29) Yes, we stand at the very threshold of the fulfillment of Jehovah's decree against Satan and his entire wicked system. May our sentiments be those of the psalmist who sang: "Our very soul has been in expectation of Jehovah. Our helper and our shield he is." (Psalm 33:20) What a glorious prospect lies ahead for whose expectations are based on God's prophetic word!
Next time: "KEEP ON THE WATCH"
Watchtower, 2002
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