Text For Saturday, 07 April 2007

[barry]

Does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing?—Matt. 6:25.

To many of those listening, Jesus’ words might have sounded impractical. They knew that if they did not work hard, their families would suffer. However, Jesus reminded them about the birds. Birds live from one day to the next, yet Jehovah cares for them. Jesus also pointed to the way Jehovah provides for wildflowers, the beauty of which surpasses that of Solomon in all his glory. If Jehovah cares for birds and flowers, how much more so will he care for us? (Matt. 6:26-30) As Jesus said, our lives (souls) and bodies are far more important than the food we buy to sustain our lives and the clothing we obtain to cover our bodies. If we devote all our efforts merely to feed and cover ourselves, with nothing substantial left for serving Jehovah, we miss the very purpose of living.—Eccl. 12:13. w 1/1/06 4, 5

[Molly]

Thank you for the text Barry.

This scripture gives us much to think about.

Yes, it does seem impractical, even contrary to everything we see around us in society today. It's always the getting ahead, keeping up with the Jones' or maybe just getting that nest egg tucked away for retirement. It is hard to just rely on Jehovah when so many are just one paycheck away from being on the streets. That's stress!! But David has told us that "A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread." He had had enough trials along with reliance on Jehovah to know the truth of the matter. Jehovah won't completely abandon us.

The scripture for today is a reassuring reminder that we just don't need to stress so much about all the anxieties we face each day.

Molly

[eyes&ears]

Good morning

I agree Molly. So much of our stress can be self induced by trying to live by society's standards of success. (keeping up with Jones' as you say)

Jehovah tells us in 1Tim 6:8 having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.

But the world says, OOOHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO, you must live in a neighborhood with the $300,000 home, you must drive the latest auto, you must wear this name brand of clothing, you must have the largest flat screen tv, WHAT! YOU WORK WHERE !! Ilk how can you live successfully working at a place like that.

My mom used to tell me it is not how much you make or have it is how you manage your money and material possessions that matters.

So if we lose focus and buy into society's standards of success we certainly will reap the consequences of living the lifestyle of a WORLD THAT IS PASSING AWAY AS WELL AS ITS DESIRE.1Jn 2:17.

Thanks Barry for posting text.

Hugs to all

E & E

[Jeshurun]

But the world says, OOOHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO, you must live in a neighborhood with the $300,000 home, you must drive the latest auto, you must wear this name brand of clothing, you must have the largest flat screen tv, WHAT! YOU WORK WHERE !! Ilk how can you live successfully working at a place like that.[/b]

I try to tell as many people as I can that they are playing with the Fed's Monopoly money, printed out of thin air. Just about everybody around here is a slave to money. It's gonna be quite a sight when they pull the plug on the dollar and all these estates on Long Island and everywhere else will be owned by the Central Banks. Even possessions that are paid for were purchased with Fed Reserve notes, so eventually they will come and take everything anyway. Habakkuk chapter 1 describes how the Eighth king will take possession of residences not belonging to it.

300 G's doesn't even get you a decent empty lot around here, it's totally nuts. Somehow Jehovah enlightened me years ago to get rid of debt, and get my business sold so I could finally break free from slavery to the dollar and have the time to do what I was meant to do from the beginning. It was ten years of suffering, but everything fell into place last September. Thanks to Jehovah the timing couldn't be better. What a relief! Have to keep in mind though that our preaching, and probably our entire existence during the time of the end will be done in sackcloth. This is why we need to use this time wisely to gets ourselves as prepared as possible for this severe test.

Agape
Lou

[DoubtingThomas]

Your Moms words of wisdom that "it is not how much you make or have it is how you manage your money and material possessions that matters" are so true eyes&ears. The same is true in my community Lou. The last time I looked there were no property's available on the market for less than $400,000. I wish I could find one for $300 K. Those who can become totally debt free (especially credit card and auto loan debts) with those outrageous interest fees are that much better off.

DT

[eyes&ears]

Yeah DT, mom was pretty cool, I sure do miss her. I also should have listened to her more. Not so much about money and materialism, but in matters of general life.

She would always try to tell me, I do not want you to make the same mistakes that I made. But me, her only child WOULD I LISTEN OF COURSE NOT!!!! AND WHY NOT, BECAUSE I WAS MISS CUTESY PIE KNOW IT ALL. (THAT KNEW DIDDLY SQUAT :D .)

But she never said UM HMMM I TOLD YOU SO MISS CUTESY PIE. SHE WOULD JUST LOOK AT ME AND SMILE WHEN I MESSED UP. HER RAISED EYEBROWNS AND THAT LITTLE SMIRK SAID IT ALL WITHOUT HER SAYING A WORD (GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR) :185: NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION IS WORSE THAN WORDS AT TIMES.

If you all still have your mom, listen to her when she tries to help, tell her all the things you appreciate about her and how much you love her. Don't wait until it is too late, and you are carrying around things that you should have said to her when she was here with you. HOLD ON TIGHT TO HER OKEY DOKEY.

My mom did not care for the Witnesses because she thought they took me away from her and did something to my brain (laughing) Hmmm she may have something there regarding my little pea brain. ((just kidding - I think) I guess you can tell I miss her lots.



Love to you all

E & E

[Elihu]

i never really listened to my fathers guidance until after he died, i listen to his words now more than i ever did while he lived.

we could say the same about Christ and His disciples. they never really understood some of His teachings until he had died and ascended to heaven.
of course christ knew that this would be, so he told them of the helper that he would send.
john 14:25 " while remaining with you i have spoken these things to you [v26] but the helper, the holy spirit, which the father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things i have told you"

elihu