"Fat And Fresh They will Continue To Be"

Calling attention to the fruitfulness of elderly servants of Jehovah, the psalmist sang: "The righteous himself will blossom forth as a palm tree does; as a cedar in Lebanon does, he will grow big. They will keep on thriving during gray-headedness, fat and fresh they will continue to be." - Psalm 92:12, 14.

"How can you retain your spiritual vigor despite advancing years? The secret of the palm tree's perennial beauty lies in an unfailing source of fresh water. Likewise, you can draw sustenance from the waters of Bible truth by your study of God's Word and by association with his organization. (Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7, 8) Your spiritual vitality makes you a precious asset to fellow believers. Consider how this proved true in the case of elderly High Priest Jehoiada.

Jehoiada was probably over a hundred years old when ambitious Queen Athaliah seized control of Judah by murdering her own grandchildren. What could elderly Jehoiada do? For six years he and his wife hid the only surviving royal heir, Jehoash, in the temple. Then, in a dramatic move, Jehoiada proclaimed seven-year-old Johash king and had Athaliah executed. - 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; 23:1-3, 15, 21.

As the king's guardian, Jehoiada used his influence to promote true worship. He "concluded a convenant between himself and all the people and the king that they would continue as the people of Jehovah." At Jehoiada's orders, the people tore down the house of the false god Baal and removed its altars, images, and priest. It was also under Jehoiada's guidance that Jehoash restored temple services and carried out much-needed temple repair work. "Jehoash continued doing what was right in Jehovah's eyes all the days of his that Jehoiada the priest instructed him." (2 Chronicles 23:11, 16-19; 24:11-14; 2Kings 12:2) When he died at the age of 130, Jehoiada was given the exceptional honor of burial with the kings because "he had done good in Israel and with the true God and His house." - 2 Chronicles 24:15, 16.

Perhaps poor health or other circumstances limit what you can do to promote true worship. Even if that is so, it is within your power to 'do good with the true God and his house.' You can display zeal for Jehovah's spiritual house by attending and participating in congregation meetings and by sharing in the field ministry whenever possible. Your ready exceptance of the Bible's counsel and your loyal support for "the faithful and discreet slave" and the congregation will have a strengthening effect on the Christian brotherhood. (Matthew 24:45-47) You can also incite fellow worshippers "to love and fine works." (Hebrew 10:24, 25; Philemon 8,9) And you will be a blessing to others if you act in harmony with the apostle Paul's counsel: "Let the aged men be moderate in habits, serious, sound in mind, healthy [vigorous," And American Translation] in faith, in love, in endurance. Likewise let the aged women be reverent in behavior, not slanderous, neither enslaved to a lot of wine, teachers of what is good." - Titus 2:2-4.

Have you served as a congregation elder for many years? "Use the wisdom that comes with advancing years unselfishly," is the advice of one longtime congregation elder. "delegate responsibility, and share your experience with others who have a willing spirit...See the potential in others. Develop and nurture it. Build for the future." (Deuteronomy 3:27, 28 ) Your genuine interest in the ever-expanding KIngdom work will result in many blessings for others in our Christian brotherhood.



Continued-Next time: "Tell That Jehovah Is Upright"

• Thriving During Gray-Headedness
  
  The Psalmist likens the righteous to palm trees 'planted in the courtyards of our God.' They " keep on thriving during gray-headedness." Another version reads: " In old age they still produce fruit." (Tanakh) Do you not agree that this is an encouraging thought? Graceful, upright palm trees were a common sight in Oriental courtyards in Bible times. In addition to their decorative value, palms were prized for their abundant fruit, with some trees continuing productive for over a hundred years." By remaining firmly planted in true worship, you can similarly "go on bearing fruit in every good word." - Collosians 1:10.
  
  Jehovah expects Christians to produce "the fruit of lips" - words spoken in praise of him and his purposes. (Hebrews 13:15) Does this apply to you as an older person? It certainly does.
  
  The Bible contains examples of older ones who fearlessly bore witness to Jehovah's name and purposes. Moses had already exceeded his "seventy years" when Jehovha commissioned him as his prophet and representative. (Psalm 90:10; Exodus 4:10-17. Advanced age did not prevent the prophet Daniel from giving a feaarless witness regarding Jehovah's sovereignty. Daniel was probably in his 90's when Belshazzar summoned him to interpret the mysterious handwriting on the wall. (Daniel, chapter 5) And what about the aged apostle John? Toward the end of his long career, he found himself imprisioned on the isle of Patmos "for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus." (Revelation 1:9) Very likely you can remember many other Bible characters who produced "the fruit of lips" in their later years. - 1Samuel8:1, 10; 12:2; 1Kings 14:4, 5; Luke1:7, 97-79; 2:22-32.
  
  Quoting the Hebrew prophet Joel, the apostle Peter declared: "' 'In the last days,' God says, 'I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh [including "old men"],...and they will prophesy.' " (Acts 2:17, 18; Joel 2:28) Accordingly, in these last days, Jehovah has uses elderly members of the anointed class and of the "other sheep" to declare his purposes. (John 10:16) Some of these have faithfully been producing Kingdom fruitage for decades.
  
  Consider Sonia, who became a full-time Kingdom publisheer in 1941. Despite a long struggle with chronic illness, she regularly conducted Bible studies in her home. "Preaching the good news is part of my life,"explained Sonia. "Actually, it is my life. I refuse to retire." Not long ago, Sonia and her sister, Olive, shared the Bible's message of hope with Janet, a terminally ill patient whom they met in a hospital waiting room. Janet's mother, a devout Catholic, was so impressed by this loving interest shown to her daughter that she accepted the offer of a home Bible study and is now making excellent progress. Could you seize similar opportunities to produce Kingdom fruitage?
  
  By courageously pressing on in the Kingdom-preaching work despite the limitations of advancing years, older Christians are following in the footsteps of the faithful Israelite Caleb, who accompanied Moses in the wilderness for four decades. Caleb was 79 years old when he crossed the Jordan River into the promised land. After fighting in the ranks of Israel's victorious army for six years, he could have rested on his laurels. But no, he courageously requested the challenging assignment of capturing the "great fortified cities" in the mountainous region of Judah, an area inhabited by the Anakim, men of unusual size. With Jehovah's help, Caleb did "dispossess them, just as Jehovah promised." (Joshua 14:9-14; 15:13, 14) Be assured that Jehovah is with you, as he was with Caleb, as you continue producing Kingdom fruitage inold age. And if you remain faithful, he will grant you a place in is promised new world. - Isaiah 40:29-31; 2Peter 3:13.

Today instead of doing what I had mentioned in my last blog, I decided to write something that Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back and I agree with him. Here is what he said:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Causian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, Or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason.....that is why there are no girls allowed....Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! Are you listening Martha Burke?

I think if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black where cities are 70% of the population is black, that is not a racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over an disrespect ours. I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or taz breaks, etc........ so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our livess in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.

I know pro-wrestling is a fake, but so are the movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behind when necessary, and say "NO!"

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me french fries!

I am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa; so how can they be "African-Americans?" Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a "European-American because my great, great,great, great, great, great, grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough....

Elderly Ones -Valuable Members Of Our Christian Brotherhood

Jehovah loves all his faithful servants, including those of advanced years. According to a national estimate, however, every year nearly half a million elderly people in the United States suffer abuse or neglect. Similar reports from around the world indicate that abuse of the elderly is a global problem. At its root is what one organization calls "the pervading attitude among many people......that older persons have outlive their usefulness, are unproductive and over-dependent."

Jehovah God treasures his loyal elderly servants. He focuses on "the man we are inside" - our spiritual condition - rather than on our physical limitations. (2 Corinthians 4:16) In his Word, the Bible, we find the following heartwarming assurance: "the righteous himself will blossom forth as a palm tree does; as a cedar in Lebanon does, he will grow big. Those who are planted in the house of Jehovah, in the courtyards of our God, they will blossom forth. They will still keep on thriving during gray-headedness, fat and fresh they will continue to be, to tell that Jehovah is upright." (Psalm 92:12-15) A consideration of these verses will reveal aspects of the valuable contribution you older ones can make to the Christian brotherhood.


Continued - Next time: "Thriving During Gray - Headedness"

Why Does The Bible Describe God In Human Terms?

Since "God is a Spirit," we cannot see him with our physical eyes. (John 4:24) The Bible therefore uses figures of speech, such as smiles, metaphors and anthropomorphisms to help us comprehend God's might, majesty, and activities. Anthropomorphism (Greek, "manform") is the attributing of human characteristics to a nonhuman subject. So even though we do not know what God's spirit body looks like, the Bible speaks of God as having eyes, ears, hands, arms,fingers, feet and a heart. - Genesis 8:21; Exodus 3:20; 31:18; Job 40:9; Psalm 18:9; 34:15. Such descriptive language does not mean that God's spirit body has the same kind of members that human bodies have. Anthropomorphisms are not to be taken literally. They merely help humans to have a better understanding of God. Without such figures of speech, it would be difficult, if not imposssible, for any of God to be comprehensible to mere humans. However, that does not mean that Jehovah God's personality has been fabricated by humans. The Bible clearly explains that man was created in God's image - not God in man's image. (Genesis 1:27) Because Bible writers are "inspired of God," their depiction of God's personality is in reality his own description of his personal qualities -the very qualities that he has implanted to varying degrees in his human creation. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Rather than being man's qualities in God they are really God's qualities in man.

Seek God's Approval

God's "intimacy is with the upright ones." Those "blameless in their way are a pleasure to him." (Proverbs 3:32; 11:20) On the contrary, those who persist in offending God by stubbornly ignoring or defying his righteous feelings will shortly become the objects of his displeasure. (2Thessalonians 1:6-10) Indeed, he will soon bring an end to all the wickedness so prevalent today. -Psalm 37:9-11; Zephaniah 2:2, 3.

The Bible makes it very clear, however, that Jehovah "does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) He would much rather display his affection for righteous people who love him than express his displeasure upon those who choose to be irreformable. Jehovah finds pleasure, "not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living." - Ezekiel 33:11.

So no one needs to become the object of Jehovah's anger. "Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful." (James 5:11) With full confidence in God's feelings, you can "throw all anxiety upon him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Be assured that those who make God's heart rejoice have the wonderful prospect of enjoying his approval and friendship. Hence, it is now more urgent than ever before to "keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:10.

How marvelous that God in his undeserved kindness has revealed his glorious qualities and feelings! And it is within your power to make his heart rejoice.


Continue-Next time: Why Does The Bible Describe God In Human Terms?

Do Not Make God Feel Hurt

An example of how Jehovah's feelings can be hurt is found in the account about the days of Noah. At that time, "the earth became filled with violence. So God saw the earth and, look! It was ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth." How did God feel as he surveyed the depravity and the violence? "Jehovah felt regrets that he had made men in the earth," says the Bible, "and he felt hurt at his heart." (Genesis 6:5, 6, 11, 12) God felt regrets in that the conduct of humans had become so evil that he had a change of attitude as regards the wicked pre-flood generation. Because of his displeasure over their wickedness, God turned from the attitude of the Creator of humans to that of a destroyer of them.

Jehovah also felt distressed when his own people, the ancient nation of Israel, persistently ignored his feelings and his loving direction. The psalmist lamented: "How often they would rebel against him in the wilderness, they would make him feel hurt in the desert! And again and again they would put God to the test, and they pained even the Holy One of Israel." Yet, "he was merciful; he would cover the error and not bring ruin. And many times he made his anger turn back, and he would not rouse up all his rage." (Psalm 78:38-41) Even though the rebellious Israelites rightly suffered the consequences of their own sinfulness, the Bible tells us that "during all their distress it was distressing to [God]." - Isiah 63:9.

Regardless of the ample evidence of God's tender feelings for them, the people of Israel "were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at his prophets, utnil the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there was no healing." (2 Chronicles 36:16) Ultimately, their stiff-necked pattern of rebellion " made his holy spirit feel hurt" to such and extent that they lost Jehovah's favor. (Isaiah 63:10) The result? God justly withdrew his protection, and calamity befell them when the Babylonians conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. (2Chronicles 36:17-21) How sad when people choose to pursue a sinful course of life that is offensive an distressing to their Creator!

The Bible leaves us in no doubt that God is deeply pained by unrighteous conduct. (Psalm 78:41) Things that are offensive-even detestable-to God include pride, lying, murder, practicing magic, fortune telling, ancestor worship, loose morals, homosexuality, marital unfaithfulness, incest, and the oppression of he poor. - Leviticus 18:9-29; 19:29; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Proverbs 6:16-19; Jeremiah 7:5-7; Malachi 2:14-16.

How does Jehovah feel about idoltry? Exodus 20:4, 5 states: "You must not make for yourselves a carved image (crosses, image of Jesus or Mary etc...) or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or be induced to serve them." Why? because an idol "is a thing detestable to Jehovah." (Deuteronomy 7:25, 26) The Apostle John warned: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." (1John 5:21) And the Apostle Paul wrote: "My beloved ones, flee from idoltatry." - 1 Corinthians 10:14.


Continued-Next time: Seek God's Approval

How Can We Make God's Heart Rejoice

Consider how the family head Noah made Jehovah's heart rejoice. Noah "found favor in the eyes of Jehovah" because "he proved himself faultless among his contemporaries." In stark contrast with the wicked people of that time, Noah's faith and obedience were so pleasing to God that it could be said that "Noah walked with the true God." (Genesis 6:6, 8, 9, 22) "By faith Noah..... showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household." (Hebrews 11:7) Jehovah was pleased with Noah and blessed him and his family with survival through that turbulent period of human history.

The patriarch Abraham also had an acute awareness of Jehovah's feelings. His intimate knowledge of God's thinking was clearly evident when Jehovah informed him that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed because of their depravity. Abraham knew Jehovah well enough to conclude that it was unthinkable that God would put to death the righteous man with the wicked one. (Genesis 18:17-33) Years later, in obedience to God's direction, Abraham "as good as offered up Isaac, " for "he reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead." (Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22:1-18) Abraham was so attuned to God's feelings and displayed such strong faith and obedience that "he came to be called Jehovah's friend.' " - James 2:23.

Another man who endeavored to make God's heart glad was King David of ancient Israel. Concerning him, Jehovah said: " I have found David the son of Jesse, a man agreeable to my heart, who will do all the things I desire." (Acts 13:22) Before facing the gian Goliath, David put his implicit trust in God and told Israelite King Saul: "Jehovah, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, he it is who will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Jehovah blessed David's confidence in Him, enabling David to slay Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:37, 45-54) David wanted not only his actions but also 'the sayings of his mouth and the meditation of his heart to be pleasurable before Jehovah.' - Psalm 19:14.

What about us? How can we please Jehovah? The more sensitive we are to God's feelings, the more we will become aware of what we can do to make God's heart rejoice. As we read the Bible, then, it is essential that we make the effort to learn about God's feelings so that we "may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him." (Colossians 1:9, 10) Knowledge, in turn, helps us to build faith. This is vital because "without faith it is impossible to please [God] well." (Hebrews 11:6) Yes, by putting forth effort to build harmony with Jehovah's will, we can make his heart glad. At the same time, we must be careful not to make Jehovah feel hurt at heart.


Continue-Next time: Do Not Make God Feel Hurt

You Can Make God Rejoice

Can we actually affect the way God feels? Does God have the capacity to rejoice? One dictionary definition of the word "God" is "the supreme or ultimate reality." What if that awesome reality were simply a force? Could we expect an impersonal force to rejoice? Hardly. Consider, though, what the Bible says about God.

"God is a Spirit," said Jesus Christ. (1John4:24) A spirit is a form of life that differs from humans. Though invisible to human eyes, a spirit has a body - "a spiritual one." (1 Corinthians 15:44; John 1:18) Employing figures of speech, the Bible even speaks of God as having eyes, ears, hands, and so forth." God also has a name - Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18) The God of the Bible, then, is a spirit person. (Hebrews 9:24) "He is the Living God and the King to time indefinite." - Jeremiah 10:10.

As a real living person, Jehovah is capable of thought and action. He manifests qualities and feelings, likes and dislikes. The Bible, in fact, abounds in expressions that reveal what things please or displease him. Whereas man-made Gods and idols merely mirror the traits or qualities of their human inventors, the almighty God, Jehovah, is the very Originator of the emotions that he planted in humans. - Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 44:7-11.

Jehovah is without a doubt "the happy God." (1Timothy 1:11) He not only rejoices in his creative works but also takes pleasure in accomplishing his purpose. Throught the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah declares: "Everything that is my delight I shall do...... I have even spoken of it; I shall also bring it in. I have formed it, I shall also do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11) The psalmist sang: "Jehovah will rejoice in his works." (Psalm 104:31) But there is yet another source of joy to God, he says: " Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice." (Proverbs 27:11) Think of what that means - we can make God rejoice!


Continued- Next time: How We Can Make God's Heart Rejoice

You Can Live Forever In Paradise

What a marvelous outlook for the future! What real purpose lives can now have when anchored to the solid hope that in God's new world all of today's problems will forever be things of the past! "The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." (Isaiah 65:17) And how comforting to know that life then will be eternal: "[God] will actually swallow up death forever." - Isaiah 25:8.

Do you want to live forever in that Paradise new world now so near? What would I need to do to get God's favor at this world's end and live on into his new world? You may ask. You need to do what Jesus indicated in a prayer to God: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ." - John 17:3.

Search out others who study and teach these Bible truths. Break free from hypocritical religions that teach and do things contrary to the Bible. Learn how you, along with millions of others who are already doing God's will, can share in God's purpose that humans live forever on a paradise earth. And take to heart what God's inspired word declares about the near future: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." - 1John 2:17.