Are you anxious about the rising cost of living? Are yoou working longer hours to make ends meet? Do have less time to spend with your loved ones? If so, the articles in this issue of Awake! can help you. They offer practical suggestions to improve the quality of your life and to reduce your anxieties. The final article offers a genuine hope for a far better future-a hope that can comfort you even now.
Next time: COPING WITH RISING PRICES/Accept the Reality
From the jw.org publications
Paul told Timothy: 'Those who want to serve Jehovah will be persecuted.' Tinothy was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith. He was happy for the opportunity to prove his loyalty to Jehovah.
Pal told the Philippians: 'I am sending Timothy to you. He will teach you what it means to walk in the truth, and he will train you in the ministry.' Paul knew that he could rely on Timothy. They worked together as friends and fellow servants for many years.
Next time: Coping With Rising Prices
From the jw.org publications
In the Macedonia city of Thessalonica, many men and women became Christians. But some of the Jews were jealous Paul and his companions. They rounded up a mob and dragged the brothers to the city rulers, shouting: 'These men are enemies of the Roman government!' Paul's and Timothy's lives were in danger, so they fled Beroea during the night.
The people in Beroea were eager to learn the good news, and both Greeks and Jews there became believers. But when some Jews came from Thessalonica and stirred up trouble, Paul left for Athens. Timothy and Silas stayed in Beroea to strengthen the brothers. In time, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to help the brothers deal with the intense persecution there. Later, Paul sent Timothy to visit many other congregations and encourage them.
Next time: Paul and Timothy - Conclusion
From the jw.org publications
Note: This is suppose for the 3rd. I got up very, because I woke and realized that I had the clock ahead of to fall back. Sorry.
Timothy was a young brother in the congregation at Lystra. His father was Greek, and his mother was Jewish. His mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois taught Timothy about Jehovah from the time he was little.
When Paul visited Lystra during his second preaching tour, he noticed that Timothy really loved the brothers and was eager to help them. Paul invited Timothy to join him on his journey. Over time, Paul trained Timothy to be a fine preacher and teacher of the good news.
Holy spirit guided Paul and Timothy wherever they went. One night, in a vision, a man told Paul to come to Macedonia and help them. So Paul, Timothy, Silas, and Luke went there to preach and to form congregations.
Next time: Paul and Timothy - Conclusion
From the jw.org publications
The commander knew exactly what to do. He got an army of almost 500 soldiers to protect Paul he told them to take Paul to Caesarea that night. Was Paul's life saved? -Yes, the bad men could not attack him! Their evil plan did not work.
What you learn from this story?-You too can be brave just like Paul's nephew. We need to be brave and keep speaking about Jehovah. Will you be brave and keep speaking about Jehovah? If you do, you may save someone's life.
Next time: Paul and Timothy
From the jw.org publications
Let's learn about a young man who saved his uncle's life. The young man's uncle was the apostle Paul. We do not know the young man's name, but we do know that he did something very brave. Would you like to hear about what he did?
Paul was very fond of Timothy, giving much helpful counsel and fatherly advice to the younger man. He urged Timothy to nurture his spiritual gifts and to keep growing, making advancement. (1 Timothy 4:15, 16) He encouraged Timothy never to lose his youth-and perhaps some diffidence-hold him back when it was time to take a firm stand for what is right. (1 Timothy1:3; 4:6. 7, 11, 12) Paul even offered him advice on how to deal with the frequent cases of sickness that beset the young man, possibly a recurring stomach ailment. -1 TIMOTHY 5:23.
The time came when Paul knew that the end of his life was near, evidently a death by execution lay just ahead of him. He sent one final inspired letter to Timothy. It included the touching words: "Do your utmost to come to me shortly." (2 Timothy 4:9) Paul dearly loved Timothy; he called him "My beloved and faithful child in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 4:17) No wonder that he wanted his friend by his side as the end approached! Each of us may well ask, 'Do people seek me out as a source of comfort when they face trouble?'
Was Timothy able to reach Paul in time? We do not know. We do know that he always did his utmost to give Paul and many other comfort and encouragement. He lived up to the meaning go the name Timothy, "One Who Honors God." And he left an outstanding example of faith for all of us, young and old to imitate.
Next time: Paul's Nephew Was Brave
From the jw.org publications
Over a period of about 14 years, Timothyy spent a great deal of time working with the apostle Paul, his friend. He shared many1 of the dangers of Paul's work and many joys as well. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) At some point, Timothy was even imprisoned for his faith. (Hebrews 13:23) He also shared Paul's deep and heartfelt love and concern for Christian brothers and sisters. Paul thus wrote to him: "I remember you tears." (2 Timothy 1:4) Like Paul, it seems that Timothy learned to "weep with those who weep," empathizing with them so that he could better encourage and comfort them. (Romans 12:15) May each of us learn to do the same.!
Not surprisingly, Timothy in time became an outstanding Christian overseer. Paul entrusted him with the responsibility not only to visit congregations to strengthen and encourage them but also to appoint men who qualified to serve as congregation elders and ministerial servants. - 1 TIMOTHY 3:22.
Next time: IMITATTE THEIR FAITH/TIMOTHY -"DO YOUR UTMOST TO COME TO ME"
From the jw.org publications
After visiting the congregation in Galatia, the missionaries lfet the broad paved roads and walked hundreds of miles across the vast tablelands of Phrygia, heading north and then west. Ever following the direction of God's holy spirit, they made their way to Troas, boarded a ship, and sailed to Macedonia. (Acts 16:6-12) By then, Paul saw just how useful Timothy was. Paul was able to leave Timothy in Beroea. (Acts 17:14) He even sent the young man along to Thessalonica. There Timothy imitated the examples he had observed so keenly, and he built up the faithful Christians there. 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-3.
Paul later wrote about Timothy: "I have no one else of a disposition like this who genuinely care for your concerns." (Philippians 2:20) That reputation did not come by accident. Timothy earned it through hard work, humble service and faithful endurance under difficult challenges. What a remarkable example for young people today! Never forget that your reputation is largely in your own hands. If you are young, you have a marvelous opportunity to make a name for yourself by putting Jehovah first in your life and treating others with kindness and respect.
Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/TIMOTH -"DO YOUR UTMOST TO COME TO ME"
From the jw.org publications
Timothy, we may well imagine, was awed and humbled by this great trust and responsibility. He was prepared to go. How, though, did Timothy's unbelieving father react his son's new calling to be a traveling Christian minister? He probably had very different thing in mind for his son's future. What about Timothy's mother and grandmother? Did they glow with pride while trying to hide their concerns for the young man's safety? That would only be natural.
What is certain is that Timothy went. On the morning as described at the outset of this article, he took a life of traveling with the apostle Paul. As he left Lystra behind, every crunch of the pebbles under his sandals, every rustle of the grass trampled, meant another step toward and unknown and away from his home. After a long day of walking, the three men reached Iconium. Timothy then began to observe Paul and Silas passed on the latest directions from the governing body in Jerusalem and worked to build up the fa9ith of the believers in Iconium. (Acts 16:4, 5) But that was the beginning.
From the jw.org publications
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