Why Are There So Many Christian Denominations?

People have used the teachings of Jesus Christ to form a variety of “Christian” denominations. However, the Bible indicates that there is only one true form of Christianity.

Consider just three reasons for reaching this conclusion.

(1) Jesus said that he taught “the truth,” and early Christians referred to their religion as “the truth.” (John 8:​32; 2 Peter 2:2; 2 John 4; 3 John 3) These expressions show that those who promote doctrines that conflict with Jesus’ teachings are not practicing a true form of Christianity.

(2) The Bible teaches that Christians “should all speak in agreement.” (1 Corinthians 1:​10) However, many Christian denominations disagree on teachings as basic as what it means to be a Christian. Such denominations cannot all be right.​—1 Peter 2:​21.

(3) Jesus prophesied that many would claim to be Christian yet fail to obey his commands and that he would reject such ones. (Matthew 7:​21-​23; Luke 6:​46) Some people would be misled by religious leaders who corrupt true worship to further their own interests. (Matthew 7:​15) However, other people would actually prefer imitation Christianity because it would tell them what they want to hear rather than the truth from the Bible.​—2 Timothy 4:​3, 4.

In his illustration of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus foretold a great rebellion (apostasy) against true Christianity. (Matthew 13:24-​30, 36-​43) For a long period of time, true Christians and false Christians would be indistinguishable. Just as Jesus foretold, the apostasy flourished after the apostles died. (Acts 20:29, 30) While apostate teachings may vary, the various forms of imitation Christianity have all “deviated from the truth.”​—2 Timothy 2:​18.

Jesus also predicted that the distinction between true and false Christianity would eventually become clear. This has happened in our time, during the “conclusion of a system of things.”​—Matthew 13:30, 39.

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Does God Exist ?

Yes, the Bible provides compelling evidence that God exists. It encourages us to build faith in God, not by blindly believing religious assertions, but by using our “power of reason” and “mental perception.” (Romans 12:1; 1 John 5:​20)

Consider the following lines of reasoning based on the Bible:

(1) The existence of an orderly universe containing life points to a Creator. The Bible says: “Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4)

Although this logic is simple, many well-educated people find it to be powerful. For example, the late astronomer Allan Sandage once said regarding the universe: “I find it quite improbable that such order came out of chaos. There has to be some organizing principle. God to me is a mystery, but is the explanation for the miracle of existence, why there is something instead of nothing.

(2). As humans, we have an innate desire to understand the meaning and purpose of life, a type of hunger that can remain after our physical needs have been met. This is part of what the Bible calls our “spiritual need,” which includes the desire to know and worship God. (Matthew 5:3; Revelation 4:​11) This spiritual need not only gives evidence that God exists but also indicates that he is a loving Creator who wants us to satisfy that need.​—Matthew 4:4.

(3). Detailed prophecies in the Bible were written centuries ahead of time and came true exactly as predicted. The accuracy and detail of those predictions strongly suggest that they came from a superhuman source.​—2 Peter 1:​21.

(4) Bible writers had scientific knowledge that was beyond the understanding of their contemporaries. For example, in ancient times many peoples believed that the earth was supported by an animal, such as an elephant, a boar, or an ox. In contrast, the Bible says that God is “suspending the earth upon nothing.” (Job 26:7) Similarly, the Bible correctly describes the shape of the earth as a “sphere,” or “globe.” (Isaiah 40:22, footnote; Douay Version) Many people feel that the most reasonable explanation for such advanced understanding is that Bible writers received their information from God.

(5) The Bible answers many difficult questions, the type of questions that when not satisfactorily answered can lead a person to atheism. For example: If God is loving and all-powerful, why is there suffering and evil in the world? Why is religion so often an influence for bad rather than for good?​—Titus 1:​16

The world most translated and visited religious website, www.jw.org is full with interesting articles, please enjoy visiting.

Is God Everywhere, Omnipresent?

God is able to see everything and to act anywhere he chooses. (Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13) However, the Bible does not teach that God is omnipresent​—that is, present everywhere, in all things. Instead, it shows that he is a person and that he resides in a dwelling place.

God’s form

God is a spirit person. (John 4:​24) He is invisible to humans. (John 1:​18) Visions of God recorded in the Bible consistently portray him as having a distinct location. He is never depicted as existing everywhere.​—Isaiah 6:​1, 2; Revelation 4:​2, 3, 8.

God’s dwelling place

God resides in the spirit realm, which is distinct from physical creation. Within that realm, God has a “dwelling place in the heavens.” (1 Kings 8:​30) The Bible mentions an occasion when spirit creatures “entered to take their station before Jehovah,” showing that in a sense, God resides at a specific location.​—Job 1:6.

If God is not omnipresent, can he really care for me personally?


Yes. God cares deeply about individuals. Although he lives in the spirit realm, God notices those on earth who truly want to please him, and he acts in their behalf. (1 Kings 8:​39; 2 Chronicles 16:9)

Consider how Jehovah demonstrates his concern for sincere worshippers:

When you pray

Jehovah can hear your prayer the moment you say it.​—2 Chronicles 18:31.

When you are depressed

“Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”​—Psalm 34:18.



Misconceptions about omnipresence

(1) Misconception

God is present everywhere in creation.

Fact

God dwells neither on the earth nor elsewhere in the physical universe. (1 Kings 8:​27) It is true that the stars and other creative works “are declaring the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1) However, God does not inhabit his creation any more than an artist lives in his painting. Still, a painting can tell us something about the artist who made it. Similarly, the visible world tells us about the Creator’s “invisible qualities,” such as his power, wisdom, and love.​—Romans 1:​20.

(2) Misconception

God must be omnipresent in order to know all things and be all-powerful.

Fact

God’s holy spirit, or active force, is God’s power in action. Through his holy spirit, God can perceive and do anything, anywhere, at any time, without being present in person.​—Psalm 139:7.

(3) Misconception

Psalm 139:8 teaches that God is omnipresent by saying: “If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there, and if I were to make my bed in the Grave, look! you would be there.”

Fact

This scripture is not talking about God’s location. It poetically teaches that no place is too remote for God to act in our behalf.


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They have banned me several times just for posting articles related to my Christian religion sect, Jehovah's witnesses.

I do wonder what is wrong with Post.

Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are We?

We come from hundreds of ethnic and language backgrounds, yet we are united by common goals. Above all, we want to honor Jehovah, the God of the Bible and the Creator of all things. We do our best to imitate Jesus Christ and are proud to be called Christians. Each of us regularly spends time helping people learn about the Bible and God’s Kingdom. Because we witness, or talk, about Jehovah God and his Kingdom, we are known as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

What do Jehovah's witnesses believe?

As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we strive to adhere to the form of Christianity that Jesus taught and that his apostles practiced. This article summarizes our basic beliefs.

God

We worship the one true and Almighty God, the Creator, whose name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18; Revelation 4:​11) He is the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.​—Exodus 3:6; 32:11; John 20:17.

Bible.

We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired message to humans. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:​16) We base our beliefs on all 66 of its books, which include both the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament.” Professor Jason D. BeDuhn aptly described it when he wrote that Jehovah’s Witnesses built “their system of belief and practice from the raw material of the Bible without predetermining what was to be found there.” a

While we accept the entire Bible, we are not fundamentalists. We recognize that parts of the Bible are written in figurative or symbolic language and are not to be understood literally.​—Revelation 1:1.

Jesus

We follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Savior and as the Son of God. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 5:​31) Thus, we are Christians. (Acts 11:26) However, we have learned from the Bible that Jesus is not Almighty God and that there is no Scriptural basis for the Trinity doctrine.​—John 14:28.

The Kingdom of God

This is a real government in heaven, not a condition in the hearts of Christians. It will replace human governments and accomplish God’s purpose for the earth. (Daniel 2:​44; Matthew 6:​9, 10) It will take these actions soon, for Bible prophecy indicates that we are living in “the last days.”​—2 Timothy 3:​1-5; Matthew 24:​3-​14.

Jesus

Jesus is the son of God. He is the King of God’s Kingdom in heaven. —Revelation 11:15.

Salvation

Deliverance from sin and death is possible through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus. (Matthew 20:28; Acts 4:​12) To benefit from that sacrifice, people must not only exercise faith in Jesus but also change their course of life and get baptized. (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 3:​16; Acts 3:​19, 20) A person’s works prove that his faith is alive. (James 2:​24, 26) However, salvation cannot be earned​—it comes through “the undeserved kindness of God.”​—Galatians 2:​16, 21.

Heaven

Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, and the faithful angels reside in the spirit realm. b (Psalm 103:19-​21; Acts 7:​55) A relatively small number of people​—144,000​—will be resurrected to life in heaven to rule with Jesus in the Kingdom.​—Daniel 7:​27; 2 Timothy 2:​12; Revelation 5:​9, 10; 14:​1, 3.

Earth

God created the earth to be mankind’s eternal home. (Psalm 104:5; 115:16; Ecclesiastes 1:4) God will bless obedient people with perfect health and everlasting life in an earthly paradise.​—Psalm 37:11, 34.

Evil and suffering

These began when one of God’s angels rebelled. (John 8:​44) This angel, who after his rebellion was called “Satan” and “Devil,” persuaded the first human couple to join him, and the consequences have been disastrous for their descendants. (Genesis 3:​1-6; Romans 5:​12) In order to settle the moral issues raised by Satan, God has allowed evil and suffering, but He will not permit them to continue forever.

Death

People who die pass out of existence. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:​5, 10) They do not suffer in a fiery hell of torment.

God will bring billions back from death by means of a resurrection. (Acts 24:15) However, those who refuse to learn God’s ways after being raised to life will be destroyed forever with no hope of a resurrection.​—Revelation 20:14, 15.


Family

We adhere to God’s original standard of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, with sexual immorality being the only valid basis for divorce. (Matthew 19:​4-9) We are convinced that the wisdom found in the Bible helps families to succeed.​—Ephesians 5:22–​6:1.

Our worship

We do not venerate the cross or any other images. (Deuteronomy 4:​15-​19; 1 John 5:​21) Key aspects of our worship include the following:

1. Praying to God.​—Philippians 4:6.

2. Reading and studying the Bible.​—Psalm 1:​1-3.

3. Meditating on what we learn from the Bible.​—Psalm 77:12.

4. Meeting together to pray, study the Bible, sing, express our faith, and encourage fellow Witnesses and others.​—Colossians 3:​16; Hebrews 10:23-​25.

5. Preaching the “good news of the Kingdom.”​—Matthew 24:14.

6. Helping those in need.​—James 2:​14-​17.

7. Constructing and maintaining Kingdom Halls and other facilities used to further our worldwide Bible educational work.​—Psalm 127:1.

8. Sharing in disaster relief.​—Acts 11:27-​30.


Our organization

We are organized into congregations, each of which is overseen by a body of elders. However, the elders do not form a clergy class, and they are unsalaried. (Matthew 10:8; 23: We do not practice tithing, and no collections are ever taken at our meetings. (2 Corinthians 9:7) All our activities are supported by anonymous donations.

The Governing Body, a small group of mature Christians who serve at our world headquarters, provides direction for Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.​—Matthew 24:45.

Our unity

We are globally united in our beliefs. (1 Corinthians 1:​10) We also work hard to have no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions. (Acts 10:34, 35; James 2:4) Our unity allows for personal choice, though. Each Witness makes decisions in harmony with his or her own Bible-trained conscience.​—Romans 14:​1-4; Hebrews 5:​14.

Our conduct

We strive to show unselfish love in all our actions. (John 13:34, 35) We avoid practices that displease God, including the misuse of blood by taking blood transfusions. (Acts 15:28, 29; Galatians 5:​19-​21) We are peaceful and do not participate in warfare. (Matthew 5:9; Isaiah 2:4) We respect the government where we live and obey its laws as long as these do not call on us to disobey God’s laws.​—Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:​29.

Our relationships with others.

Jesus commanded“You must love your neighbor as yourself.” He also said that Christians “are no part of the world.” (Matthew 22:39; John 17:16) So we try to “work what is good toward all,” yet we remain strictly neutral in political affairs and avoid affiliation with other religions. (Galatians 6:​10; 2 Corinthians 6:​14) However, we respect the choices that others make in such matters.​—Romans 14:12.

If you have further questions about the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you can read more about us on our website, contact one of our offices, attend a meeting at a Kingdom Hall near you, or speak to one of the Witnesses in your area.

What Is God’s View of Smoking ?

Smoking here refers to inhaling tobacco smoke directly from cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or water pipes. However, it also implies the use of chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine, and other products.

Even though the Bible never mentions tobacco, it helps us to understand how God views smoking. For many, that knowledge provided the incentive they needed to resist or quit the habit. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Let us consider three well-known harmful effects of smoking and see what the Bible says about them.

SMOKING IS ADDICTIVE

Tobacco contains one of the most addictive drugs known​—nicotine. It acts as a stimulant as well as a depressant. Smoking delivers nicotine to the brain quickly and repeatedly. Since each puff supplies a single dose of nicotine, the average one-pack-a-day smoker inhales the equivalent of about 200 doses a day, a higher dosage than in any other drug use. Such frequent dosing makes nicotine uniquely addictive. Once hooked, a smoker experiences withdrawal symptoms if his craving for nicotine is not satisfied.

“You are slaves of the one you obey.”​—Romans 6:16

Can you really obey God if you are enslaved by tobacco addiction?

The Bible helps us to have the correct view of the matter when it says: “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey?” (Romans 6:16) When an individual’s thinking and actions are dominated by a craving for tobacco, he soon becomes a slave to a degrading practice.

However, God, whose name is Jehovah, wants us to be free, not only from practices that harm our body but also from those that corrupt our spirit, that is, our dominant mental inclination. (Psalm 83:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Thus, as a person grows in appreciation and respect for Jehovah, he recognizes that Jehovah deserves his best and that he cannot give God his best while remaining enslaved to a lethal habit. That realization helps to give a person the will to resist hurtful desires.



SMOKING DAMAGES THE BODY

“Smoking cigarettes . . . has been scientifically proven to harm nearly every organ in the body and to increase morbidity and mortality,” says The Tobacco Atlas.

It is well-known that smoking causes noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and lung ailments. But according to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is also a major cause of death from communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis.

“You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.”​—Matthew 22:37

Are you showing love and respect for God if you abuse your God-given body by indulging in a defiling habit?

Through his Word, the Bible, Jehovah God teaches us to have a proper view of our life, our body, and our faculties. His Son, Jesus, pointed to this when he said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Clearly, God wants us to make good use of our life and body and to treat them with respect. As we learn about Jehovah and his promises, we come to love and value all that he has done for us. This motivates us to keep free from anything that defiles our body.


SMOKING HARMS OTHERS

Exhaled smoke and smoke that comes from smoldering tobacco are toxic. Inhaling such secondhand smoke can cause cancer and other diseases, and each year it kills 600,000 nonsmokers, mostly women and children. A report by WHO warns: “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

“You must love your neighbor as yourself.”​—Matthew 22:39

Do you really love your neighbor and family if you expose them to the dangers of secondhand smoke?

According to Jesus, love of neighbor​—our family, friends, and others around us—​is second only to love of God. “You must love your neighbor as yourself,” he said. (Matthew 22:39) If we pursue a habit that hurts those close to us, we are not showing neighborly love. Genuine love moves us to follow the Bible’s admonition: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”​—1 Corinthians 10:24.



SMOKING EXTINGUISHED FOR GOOD!
We can break free from this degrading habit that is hurting us and others not simply because we know it's harmful but if we love Jehovah and desires to please him.

The vital role of love is emphasized at 1 John 5:3, which states: “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” Of course, following Bible principles will not always be easy, but when a person is moved by strong love for God, obedience will not be a burden.

Through a global educational campaign, Jehovah God is now helping millions of people to break free or keep free from enslavement to tobacco. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) Very soon, by means of his Kingdom​—a heavenly government under his Son, Jesus Christ—​Jehovah will eliminate the greedy commercial system that is responsible for enslaving millions to tobacco. He will extinguish the smoking epidemic for good and raise obedient humankind to perfection in body and mind.​—Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 19:11, 15.

If you are struggling to quit smoking, take heart. By learning to love Jehovah and to appreciate his view of smoking, you too can find the motivation you need to succeed. Be assured that if you want Jehovah’s help to break free from tobacco addiction, he will supply the power and strength you need.​—Philippians 4:13.


Find more interesting articles on the world most translated website, www.jw.org

What Is God’s View of Smoking ?

Smoking here refers to inhaling tobacco smoke directly from cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or water pipes. However, it also implies the use of chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine, and other products.

Even though the Bible never mentions tobacco, it helps us to understand how God views smoking. For many, that knowledge provided the incentive they needed to resist or quit the habit. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Let us consider three well-known harmful effects of smoking and see what the Bible says about them.

SMOKING IS ADDICTIVE

Tobacco contains one of the most addictive drugs known​—nicotine. It acts as a stimulant as well as a depressant. Smoking delivers nicotine to the brain quickly and repeatedly. Since each puff supplies a single dose of nicotine, the average one-pack-a-day smoker inhales the equivalent of about 200 doses a day, a higher dosage than in any other drug use. Such frequent dosing makes nicotine uniquely addictive. Once hooked, a smoker experiences withdrawal symptoms if his craving for nicotine is not satisfied.

“You are slaves of the one you obey.”​—Romans 6:16

Can you really obey God if you are enslaved by tobacco addiction?

The Bible helps us to have the correct view of the matter when it says: “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey?” (Romans 6:16) When an individual’s thinking and actions are dominated by a craving for tobacco, he soon becomes a slave to a degrading practice.

However, God, whose name is Jehovah, wants us to be free, not only from practices that harm our body but also from those that corrupt our spirit, that is, our dominant mental inclination. (Psalm 83:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Thus, as a person grows in appreciation and respect for Jehovah, he recognizes that Jehovah deserves his best and that he cannot give God his best while remaining enslaved to a lethal habit. That realization helps to give a person the will to resist hurtful desires.



SMOKING DAMAGES THE BODY

“Smoking cigarettes . . . has been scientifically proven to harm nearly every organ in the body and to increase morbidity and mortality,” says The Tobacco Atlas.

It is well-known that smoking causes noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and lung ailments. But according to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is also a major cause of death from communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis.

“You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.”​—Matthew 22:37

Are you showing love and respect for God if you abuse your God-given body by indulging in a defiling habit?

Through his Word, the Bible, Jehovah God teaches us to have a proper view of our life, our body, and our faculties. His Son, Jesus, pointed to this when he said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Clearly, God wants us to make good use of our life and body and to treat them with respect. As we learn about Jehovah and his promises, we come to love and value all that he has done for us. This motivates us to keep free from anything that defiles our body.


SMOKING HARMS OTHERS

Exhaled smoke and smoke that comes from smoldering tobacco are toxic. Inhaling such secondhand smoke can cause cancer and other diseases, and each year it kills 600,000 nonsmokers, mostly women and children. A report by WHO warns: “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

“You must love your neighbor as yourself.”​—Matthew 22:39

Do you really love your neighbor and family if you expose them to the dangers of secondhand smoke?

According to Jesus, love of neighbor​—our family, friends, and others around us—​is second only to love of God. “You must love your neighbor as yourself,” he said. (Matthew 22:39) If we pursue a habit that hurts those close to us, we are not showing neighborly love. Genuine love moves us to follow the Bible’s admonition: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”​—1 Corinthians 10:24.



SMOKING EXTINGUISHED FOR GOOD!
We can break free from this degrading habit that is hurting us and others not simply because we know it's harmful but if we love Jehovah and desires to please him.

The vital role of love is emphasized at 1 John 5:3, which states: “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” Of course, following Bible principles will not always be easy, but when a person is moved by strong love for God, obedience will not be a burden.

Through a global educational campaign, Jehovah God is now helping millions of people to break free or keep free from enslavement to tobacco. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) Very soon, by means of his Kingdom​—a heavenly government under his Son, Jesus Christ—​Jehovah will eliminate the greedy commercial system that is responsible for enslaving millions to tobacco. He will extinguish the smoking epidemic for good and raise obedient humankind to perfection in body and mind.​—Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 19:11, 15.

If you are struggling to quit smoking, take heart. By learning to love Jehovah and to appreciate his view of smoking, you too can find the motivation you need to succeed. Be assured that if you want Jehovah’s help to break free from tobacco addiction, he will supply the power and strength you need.​—Philippians 4:13.


Find more interesting articles on the world most translated website, www.jw.org

How to Cope With Unemployment

Loose of job cuts across all races, ages and economic levels without mercy, affecting increasing numbers who never before thought they would be involuntarily jobless. The consequences can leave lasting marks on individuals and families long after the job problem has been solved. Can anything be done to cope?

Your Frame of Mind

First of all, you need to maintain a positive outlook. If potential employers note your negative disposition, they may mark you as a loser and wrongly conclude that you are unsuitable for employment. So do not overreact or let yourself be overwhelmed. It is not the end of the road. Take comfort from the fact that your joblessness is not unique. Of course, losing your job can be one of life’s most traumatic experiences. But if you are still alive and have some assets, all is not lost.

You can fight fear and anxiety. They cause negative feelings that gnaw away at your self-confidence. Be aware of the pitfall of self-blame. Resist the urge to blame others. Do not view your unemployment as a permanent roadblock, but as one that can be removed even if it will take time.

Some who are unemployed withdraw from family and friends. Don’t be afraid instead to ask for help. Do not hide. If your children are old enough to understand and help, inform them. Seek their cooperation. Talk with others about your feelings, your thoughts and your fears. No one will know what you’re going through unless you talk about it. Welcome the emotional support of people who care about you. An ancient maxim observes: “A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.” (Proverbs 17:17) If you are a family member or a friend of someone unemployed, are you proving to be such a “true companion” by being empathetic and supportive? Family and friends can help you to overcome the distressful shock of unemployment.

Practical Suggestions

When bills arrive don’t ignore them and pretend the problem will go away. How would you feel if someone who owed you money was evasive and kept you in the dark as to the reason why he was not paying the debt on time? You reap benefits from applying this good counsel: “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.” (Matthew 7:12, The New English Bible) Therefore, if you cannot pay your bills, talk to your creditors. If you will only communicate with them, they are often willing to work out an alternate repayment plan until you find a regular job again.

Next, take a realistic look at your situation. Start working out plans to use your assets. And, indeed, you have at least one valuable asset​—job experience. With that you can start looking for another job.


Eliminate unnecessary expenses

Now, jobless or not, take a look around you and see what must be done to lower or even eliminate costs. This might call for an adjustment in your life-style, but you must realistically deal with the emergency. Here are some suggestions. Try to cut down heating or air-conditioning bills if possible. In some homes this may be done simply by changing the thermostat a few degrees. Also, consider alternate fuels that may be cheaper than your present one.

Some people spend up to $400 per year on cigarettes, $500 a year on alcoholic beverages and $1,500 a year on eating in restaurants. There is much they could do about these costs to help make ends meet!

Families might consider how many TV sets they have. Is it necessary to have more than one on at the same time? Or will not one set do for the family? Many even live without one! How many telephones do you have? Will one suffice? How many cars do you have? What about luxury items? The snowmobile? The trailer? Other recreational equipment? These all create expenses for fuel, repairs and insurance. In addition to reducing costs, the sale of these and other surplus items can restore something to your income.


Food Saving

Families can pool together and make purchases of large quantities of basic foods at wholesale prices and then divide the food among themselves. Look for specials at sales. Buy ‘in season’ and freeze, can or preserve the food. Some buy all their fruit, vegetables, meats and poultry direct from a farmer at great savings. Even more can be saved when you pick your own at some farms. This can also make for a healthy outing for the family. Some farmers are willing to let you glean what is left over after the harvest​—at no charge! Check out this possibility.

Some families use their own land, or rent plots of ground where available, and raise all their own vegetables and poultry. Canning and freezing will save money when you have more food than you can consume fresh. If you cannot afford to rent ground, ask farmers, friends and relatives if you may use a small plot of ground free of charge.


Reduce Clothing Costs

These can be noticeably reduced by making your own clothes and by trading clothing with other families with growing children. If you do buy some items of clothing, wait for sales. Also, try secondhand stores that handle quality clothes. Often people sell their used goods at what are commonly called in some places flea markets or garage sales. Children quickly outgrow their clothes, so good buys are often available. (Garage or yard sales are also good places for picking up some inexpensive toys for the children.) But shop with care! Only buy what you really need. Guard against impulse buying.

Shelter Savings


Some have had to make the sacrifice of giving up homes with high mortgage payments or rents and moving to more affordable apartments, house trailers or rural homes. Others have had to move in with relatives or friends​—if necessary, fixing up portions of the home to accommodate two families. Sometimes this also allowed them to eliminate the cost of operating another automobile.

Unemployment Offers Opportunities

Although being out of work may be frightening, it can become a blessing in disguise. Proverbs 20:30 says: “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”​—Today’s English Version.

Unemployment brings you an opportunity for self-discovery. It gives you time to reevaluate your life and rethink things. It gives you a chance to focus on your untapped skills and explore a variety of employment options you never had time to think about before. Perhaps you may discover that another line of work would be more suitable and even more enjoyable for you.

Unemployment gives you the opportunity to deepen family relationships. All too often people are just too busy or too tired after a day of hard work to get to know their spouse or children as well as they would like to. Now you can do things with and for family members that you may not have had time for in the past, like cooking a meal or building that extra closet shelf. However, you still want a job.

More interesting articles on what more you can do on www.jw.org

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected vector, in this case the female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquitoes by themselves do not infect us with Malaria when they bite us. They are only carriers of he protozoan(causative agent for malaria). It is this plasmodium that causes malaria.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), over 300 million cases per year are recorded worldwide, over 1.5 million cases in Nigeria per year and over 445,000 deaths from Malaria per year.

Malaria only occurs when Mosquitoes infected with the protozoan(plasmodium) bites a person and injects he plasmodium into their bloodstream. It begins to multiply in the liver and spread to other cells and tissues and then continuous exposure to mosquito bites will make the plasmodium fight and weaken the immune system(body's defense system) against infections. Once the immune system is subdued, the symptoms of malaria will begin to show.

After an infected Mosquito bites a person and injects plasmodium into the bloodstream, the incubation period of Malaria after it gets to the bloodstream is 2 days to one Month.

CAUSES OF MALARIA
As Stated earlier, the main cause of Malaria (Malaria fever) is the plasmodium from the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito injected intola person's bloodstream over a period of time during which the plasmodium incubates, reproduces itself and fight to subdue the immune system.

SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA
The symptoms of Malaria fever are very visible, unlike some other sicknesses that can be asymptomatic. The signs and symptoms of Malaria are:
* Fever
* Sweating
* Chills that shake the whole body
*Fatigue
* Weakness and Muscle Aches
* Nausea and Vomiting
* Loss of Appetite
* Dull or white eyes
* Chest and Abdominal pains

RISK FACTORS
Malaria is a non-communicable disease and this simply means that it cannot be transferred from one person to another as in the case of Measles or Monkeypox.

The risks of Malaria are:
* Hygiene Level: Hygiene level on individual, family and community level is a major factor in the Prevalence of Malaria vis-a-vis the spread of Mosquitoes.

* Dirty Environment: A dirty environment such as dirty pools, still water, water-logged patches, bushes, overgrown weeds, unwashed utensils, open water containers are the perfect breeding bed for mosquitoes.

* Tropical Region: People living in Tropical regions(hot regions) are at higher risk of contracting Malaria. This includes Africa, Parts of Asia like India, Pakistan, etc, Eastern Europe, South America, Oceania, and the Caribbean.

TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
There are various tests that can be done to confirm/diagnose malaria fever especially when the symptoms have manifested. The tests include:
* Physical examination where the Doctor takes your vitals and asks you some questions including your symptoms and recent travel history.

* Blood tests: this is the most reliable test which involves using syringe to take some volumes of blood sample for testing against some standard reagents and solvents and dyes(stains). This test indicates the parasite, and which medication is best suited to treat it.

TREATMENT
Treatment for Malaria is simple and some times complicated which is why a medical professional should be the one prescribing the drugs. In treating Malaria, these factors will be put into consideration before drugs are prescribed:
- Age
- Pregnancy status(for females)
- Type of Parasite
- The severity of Symptoms.

Is Money the Root of All Evil ?


No. The Bible does not say that money is evil, nor does it identify money as the underlying cause of all bad things. The common expression “money is the root of all evil” is an incomplete and misleading Bible quotation. The Bible actually says that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” —1 Timothy 6:10

What does the Bible say about money?

The Bible acknowledges that money, when used wisely, can be useful, even serving as “a protection.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12) Additionally, the Bible commends those who show generosity toward others, which may include monetary gifts.—Proverbs 11:25.

At the same time, the Bible cautions against making money the focus of life. It says: “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things.” (Hebrews 13:5)

The lesson is to keep money in its place and not pursue wealth. Instead, we should aim to be content with the things we really need, such as food, clothing, and shelter.—1 Timothy 6:8.

Why does the Bible warn about the love of money?

Greedy people will not gain everlasting life. (Ephesians 5:5) For one thing, greed is a form of idolatry, or false worship. (Colossians 3:5) For another, in their effort to get what they desire, the greedy often abandon good principles. Those “hastening to get rich will not remain innocent,” says Proverbs 28:20. They might even be tempted to commit crimes, such as blackmail, extortion, fraud, kidnapping, or murder.

Even if the love of money does not lead to bad behavior, it can have other negative consequences. The Bible says that “those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires.”—1 Timothy 6:9.

How can we benefit from the Bible’s advice on money?

If we do not compromise moral and spiritual values for the sake of money, we will have self-respect along with God’s favor and support. To those who sincerely try to please him, God promises: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5, 6) He also assures us that “a faithful man will receive many blessings.”—Proverbs 28:20.

Bible Verses About Money

Ecclesiastes 7:12: “Money is a protection.”

Meaning: When used wisely, money can be beneficial because it adds a measure of security.

Luke 12:15: “Even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.”

Meaning: Money is not the most important thing in life, and it will not contribute to our salvation.

1 Timothy 6:10: “The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.”

Meaning: Money in itself is not wrong. But people who love money—who make it their main focus in life—bring problems on themselves, such as broken families and poor health from overwork.

Hebrews 13:5: “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things.”

Meaning: Instead of pursuing wealth at all costs, we are wise to be content with what we really need.

Matthew 19:24: “It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Meaning: Jesus had just invited a rich young man to follow him. The man refused because he was too attached to his possessions. So Jesus was giving a warning. A person who puts riches before God risks losing everlasting life.

Bible advise are always benefial and is the best for our own good.

Enjoy reading more interesting articles on www.jw.org

tctrills:

You are breaking Rule 1
1) True religion teaches the truth that is based on the Bible, not on human philosophies.

You have chosen to give your own definition of worldly things.

If politics was wrong Jesus would have said it.
The bible never said non of Jesus apostles or followers engaged in politics. You should stop adding your opinion to the word of God.

Anytime God gives us a commandment, it is very clear. If God was against politics he would have said it.

If the bible did not teach it then you are adding to the word.

You see, you are not even better than those you condemn.

That's the danger of judging others.

Did Jesus get involved in politics?

No. Jesus did not get involved in the politics of the world.

Jesus did not seek political power. He refused to accept control of human governments when Satan the Devil offered him “all the kingdoms of the world.” (Matthew 4:8-10) a On another occasion, people who recognized Jesus’ leadership qualities tried to push him into politics. The Bible reports: “Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain all alone.” (John 6:15) Jesus did not yield to the will of the people. Instead, he refused to get politically involved.

Jesus did not take sides on political issues. For example, in Jesus’ day the Jews resented paying taxes to the Roman government and viewed these as an unjust burden. When they tried to get Jesus to take sides on the issue, he did not get into a political debate about whether such taxes were just. He told them: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:13-17) He remained neutral on the political issue but showed that the taxes demanded by the Roman civil authority, which represented Caesar, should be paid. At the same time, he showed that obedience to secular authority was limited. A person was not to give the State what was due to God, including devotion and worship.—Matthew 4:10; 22:37, 38.

Jesus promoted a heavenly government, God’s Kingdom. (Luke 4:43) He did not get involved in politics because he knew that God’s Kingdom, not human governments, would achieve what God wants for the earth. (Matthew 6:10) He understood that God’s Kingdom would not operate through human governments but would replace them.—Daniel 2:44.

Did first-century Christians get involved in politics?

No. Jesus’ followers obeyed his command to be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) They followed his example and remained separate from the world’s politics. (John 17:16; 18:36) Rather than get involved in political matters, they did the work Jesus commanded—preaching and teaching about God’s Kingdom.—Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:42.

First-century Christians put obedience to God first in their lives, but they also knew that they had to respect secular authorities. (Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 2:13, 17) They obeyed the laws and paid taxes. (Romans 13:1, 7) While they did not get involved in politics, they did make use of legal protections and services that governments provided.—Acts 25:10, 11; Philippians 1:7.

Early Christians and politics—what secular history reports

“Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office.”—On the Road to Civilization—A World History, page 238.

“There is not a shred of evidence which would allow us to think that Jesus had military/political ambitions, and . . . the same applies to the disciples.”—Jesus and Judaism, page 231.

“To a Christian his religion was something apart from and superior to political society; his highest allegiance belonged not to Caesar but to Christ.”—Caesar and Christ, page 647.

“[The apostle] Paul was willing to use his Roman citizenship to demand the protections of the judicial process due him, but he engaged in no lobbying on the public policy issues of the day. . . . Though they believed they were obligated to honor the governing authorities, the early Christians did not believe in participating in political affairs.”—Beyond Good Intentions—A Biblical View of Politics, pages 122-123.

“There was a conviction widely held among Christians that none of their number should hold office under the state . . . As late as the beginning of the third century Hippolytus said that historic Christian custom required a civic magistrate to resign his office as a condition of joining the Church.”—A History of Christianity, Volume I, page 253.

Christian neutrality today

The Bible clearly shows that neither Jesus nor his early followers got involved in politics. For this reason, as Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world remain completely neutral. Like first-century Christians, they do the work that Jesus commanded—they preach “this good news of the Kingdom.”—Matthew 24:14.

Did Jesus get involved in politics?

No. Jesus did not get involved in the politics of the world.

Jesus did not seek political power. He refused to accept control of human governments when Satan the Devil offered him “all the kingdoms of the world.” (Matthew 4:8-10) a On another occasion, people who recognized Jesus’ leadership qualities tried to push him into politics. The Bible reports: “Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain all alone.” (John 6:15) Jesus did not yield to the will of the people. Instead, he refused to get politically involved.

Jesus did not take sides on political issues. For example, in Jesus’ day the Jews resented paying taxes to the Roman government and viewed these as an unjust burden. When they tried to get Jesus to take sides on the issue, he did not get into a political debate about whether such taxes were just. He told them: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:13-17) He remained neutral on the political issue but showed that the taxes demanded by the Roman civil authority, which represented Caesar, should be paid. At the same time, he showed that obedience to secular authority was limited. A person was not to give the State what was due to God, including devotion and worship.—Matthew 4:10; 22:37, 38.

Jesus promoted a heavenly government, God’s Kingdom. (Luke 4:43) He did not get involved in politics because he knew that God’s Kingdom, not human governments, would achieve what God wants for the earth. (Matthew 6:10) He understood that God’s Kingdom would not operate through human governments but would replace them.—Daniel 2:44.

Did first-century Christians get involved in politics?

No. Jesus’ followers obeyed his command to be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) They followed his example and remained separate from the world’s politics. (John 17:16; 18:36) Rather than get involved in political matters, they did the work Jesus commanded—preaching and teaching about God’s Kingdom.—Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:42.

First-century Christians put obedience to God first in their lives, but they also knew that they had to respect secular authorities. (Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 2:13, 17) They obeyed the laws and paid taxes. (Romans 13:1, 7) While they did not get involved in politics, they did make use of legal protections and services that governments provided.—Acts 25:10, 11; Philippians 1:7.

Early Christians and politics—what secular history reports

“Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office.”—On the Road to Civilization—A World History, page 238.

“There is not a shred of evidence which would allow us to think that Jesus had military/political ambitions, and . . . the same applies to the disciples.”—Jesus and Judaism, page 231.

“To a Christian his religion was something apart from and superior to political society; his highest allegiance belonged not to Caesar but to Christ.”—Caesar and Christ, page 647.

“[The apostle] Paul was willing to use his Roman citizenship to demand the protections of the judicial process due him, but he engaged in no lobbying on the public policy issues of the day. . . . Though they believed they were obligated to honor the governing authorities, the early Christians did not believe in participating in political affairs.”—Beyond Good Intentions—A Biblical View of Politics, pages 122-123.

“There was a conviction widely held among Christians that none of their number should hold office under the state . . . As late as the beginning of the third century Hippolytus said that historic Christian custom required a civic magistrate to resign his office as a condition of joining the Church.”—A History of Christianity, Volume I, page 253.

Christian neutrality today

The Bible clearly shows that neither Jesus nor his early followers got involved in politics. For this reason, as Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world remain completely neutral. Like first-century Christians, they do the work that Jesus commanded—they preach “this good news of the Kingdom.”—Matthew 24:14.

Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Maintain Political Neutrality?

Jehovah’s Witnesses remain politically neutral for religious reasons, based on what the Bible teaches. We do not lobby, vote for political parties or candidates, run for government office, or participate in any action to change governments. We believe that the Bible gives solid reasons for following this course.

We follow the example of Jesus, who refused to accept political office. (John 6:​15) He taught his disciples to be “no part of the world” and made it clear that they should not take sides in political issues.​—John 17:14, 16; 18:36; Mark 12:13-​17.

We are loyal to God’s Kingdom, which Jesus spoke of when he said: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) As representatives of God’s Kingdom, commissioned to proclaim its coming, we remain neutral in the political affairs of all countries, including the one where we live.​—2 Corinthians 5:​20; Ephesians 6:​20.

By remaining neutral, we are able to speak freely to people of all political persuasions about the good news of God’s Kingdom. We try to show by our words and practices that we rely on God’s Kingdom to solve the world’s problems.​—Psalm 56:11.

Since we avoid political divisions, we are united as an international brotherhood. (Colossians 3:​14; 1 Peter 2:​17) In contrast, religions that meddle in politics divide their members.​—1 Corinthians 1:​10.

Respect for governments. Although we do not take part in politics, we respect the authority of the governments under which we live. This is in harmony with the Bible’s command: “Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities.” (Romans 13:1) We obey the law, pay taxes, and cooperate with efforts of the government to provide for the welfare of its citizens. Rather than participate in any attempt to subvert the government, we follow the Bible’s counsel to pray for “kings and all those who are in positions of authority,” especially when they are making decisions that could affect freedom of worship.​—1 Timothy 2:​1, 2, footnote.

We also respect the rights of others to make their own decisions in political matters. For example, we do not disrupt elections or interfere with those who choose to vote.

Is our neutrality a modern innovation? No. The apostles and other first-century Christians took an identical stand toward governmental authority. The book Beyond Good Intentions states: “Though they believed they were obligated to honor the governing authorities, the early Christians did not believe in participating in political affairs.” Similarly, the book On the Road to Civilization says that early Christians “would not hold political office.”

Is our political neutrality a threat to national security? No. We are peace-loving citizens from whom governmental authorities have nothing to fear. Consider a 2001 report produced by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Commenting on our political neutrality, the report stated: “Today some may dislike this stand of Jehovah’s Witnesses; it was a basic reason for their being accused by the totalitarian Nazi and Communist regimes of the past.” Yet, even under Soviet repression, the Witnesses “remained law-abiding citizens. They honestly and selflessly worked in collective farms and at industrial plants and presented no threat to the Communist regime.” Likewise today, the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not, the report concluded, “undermine the security and integrity of any state.”

tctrills:

Yes Jesus rejected being a king here. He was already a king in heaven. But he ordained David a king through his prophet. He never taught that we should be politicaly neutral. You could have said he refused to be a king buy you lie when you suggest he taught we must be politicaly neutral

John 17:16
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Being of the world has to do with engaging in worldly things including political affairs of whom Jesus rejected !!!

So since he was not, his true follow should not.

Rather they should support his own kingdom and pray for that one to come as the only solution to mankind problems. Matthew 6:9,10

You can't support human government and be praying, hoping and supporting God's kingdom.

As it's in human politics, you can only benefit from the political party you supported.

None of Jesus apostles or followers engaged in politics rather as Jesus said they were being persecuted and even taken to court.

Who Is Jehovah?

Jehovah is the true God of the Bible, the Creator of all things. (Revelation 4:​11)

The prophets Abraham and Moses worshipped him, as did Jesus. (Genesis 24:27; Exodus 15:1, 2; John 20:17)

He is the God, not just of one people, but of “all the earth.”​—Psalm 47:2.

Jehovah is God’s unique name as revealed in the Bible. (Exodus 3:​15; Psalm 83:18) It comes from a Hebrew verb that means “to become,” and a number of scholars suggest that the name means “He Causes to Become.” This definition well fits Jehovah’s role as the Creator and the Fulfiller of his purpose. (Isaiah 55:10, 11)

The Bible also helps us to know the Person behind the name Jehovah, especially his dominant quality of love.—Exodus 34:5-7; Luke 6:35; 1 John 4:8.

The name Jehovah is an English translation of the Hebrew name for God​—the four letters יהוה (YHWH), known as the Tetragrammaton. The exact pronunciation of the divine name in ancient Hebrew is not known. However, the form “Jehovah” has a long history in the English language, first appearing in William Tyndale’s Bible translation of 1530.

Why is the pronunciation of God’s name in ancient Hebrew unknown?

Ancient Hebrew was written without vowels, using only consonants. The Hebrew-speaking reader could easily provide the appropriate vowels. However, after the Hebrew Scriptures (“Old Testament”) were completed, some Jews adopted the superstitious belief that it was wrong to utter God’s personal name. When they read aloud a scripture that contained God’s name, they substituted expressions such as “Lord” or “God.” As centuries passed, this superstition spread and the ancient pronunciation was eventually lost.

Some feel that the divine name was pronounced “Yahweh,” while others suggest different possibilities. A Dead Sea Scroll containing a portion of Leviticus in Greek transliterates the name Iao. Early Greek writers also suggest the pronunciations Iae, I·a·beʹ, and I·a·ou·eʹ, but none of these can be proved to be the pronunciation used in ancient Hebrew. *

Misconceptions about God’s name in the Bible
Misconception: Translations that use “Jehovah” have added this name.

Fact: The Hebrew word for God’s name in the form of the Tetragrammaton appears some 7,000 times in the Bible. * Most translations arbitrarily remove God’s name and replace it with a title such as “Lord.”

Misconception: Almighty God does not need a unique name.

Fact: God himself inspired Bible writers to use his name thousands of times, and he directs those who worship him to use his name. (Isaiah 42:8; Joel 2:​32; Malachi 3:​16; Romans 10:13) In fact, God condemned false prophets who tried to make people forget his name.​—Jeremiah 23:27.

Misconception: Following the tradition of the Jews, God’s name should be removed from the Bible.

Fact: It is true that some Jewish scribes refused to pronounce the divine name. However, they did not remove it from their copies of the Bible. In any case, God does not want us to follow human traditions that deviate from his commandments.​—Matthew 15:​1-3.

Misconception: The divine name should not be used in the Bible because it is not known exactly how to pronounce it in Hebrew.

Fact: This line of reasoning assumes that God expects people who speak different languages to pronounce his name identically. However, the Bible indicates that God’s worshippers in the past who spoke different languages pronounced proper names differently.

Consider, for example, the Israelite judge Joshua. First-century Christians who spoke Hebrew would have pronounced his name Yehoh·shuʹaʽ, while those who spoke Greek would have said I·e·sousʹ. The Bible records the Greek translation of Joshua’s Hebrew name, showing that Christians followed the sensible course of using the form of proper names common in their language.​—Acts 7:​45; Hebrews 4:8.

The same principle can be applied to translating the divine name. Far more important than the exact pronunciation chosen is that God’s name be given its rightful place in the Bible.




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tctrills:
So none of the scriptures you quoted instructed us to be neutral to politics. In fact none of them is remotely related to what you suggest. The true religion would not misrepresent the bible.
Here are what the verses say.
John 17:16
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Mark 12:17
17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Romans 13:1-2
13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Jesus rejected human politics of his days stating that scripture.

Even when they wanted to make him king he rejected it.

His kingdom is not of the world.

So if we are his true followers we should not involve in human politics as Jesus did because his kingdom is not part of it

How to Promote Peace in the Family


DO YOU think that the Bible can help to promote peace in the home? Consider which points might help you to avoid conflict, keep the peace, and reinforce lasting bonds.

BIBLE PRINCIPLES THAT PROMOTE PEACE

(1) DEVELOP A POSITIVE VIEW OF EACH OTHER.


“Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”—Philippians 2:3, 4.


(2) LISTEN ATTENTIVELY WITH AN OPEN MIND.

“Continue reminding them . . . not to be quarrelsome, but to be reasonable, displaying all mildness toward all.”—Titus 3:1, 2

(3) CULTIVATE PATIENCE AND MILDNESS.

“By patience a commander is won over, and a gentle [“mild,” footnote] tongue can break a bone.”—Proverbs 25:15.

(4) NEVER STOOP TO VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE.

“Put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.”—Colossians 3:8.

(5) BE EAGER TO FORGIVE AND TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES QUICKLY.

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.”—Colossians 3:13.

(6) MAKE A PRACTICE OF UNSELFISH GIVING AND SHARING.

“Practice giving, and people will give to you. . . . For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.”—Luke 6:38.


(7) DO NOT GIVE UP PROMOTING PEACE IN THE HOME

“Those who promote peace have joy.”—Proverbs 12:20.

More interesting articles on www.jw.org

Is This Person Right for Me ?

Have you found someone who might be a good marriage partner? If so, how can you tell if that person is right for you?

It’s vital that you look beyond superficial traits. After all, the cutest girl may not be trustworthy or the most popular boy may not be morally upright. You want someone you’ll be comfortable with​—someone who truly fits your personality and your goals.​—Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:​4-6.

Looking Beyond the Surface
Look at your friend objectively. Be careful, though! You might be inclined to see only what you want to see. So take your time. Try to perceive your friend’s true nature.

Many who date don’t look beyond the surface. Instead, they quickly point to the things they have in common: “We like the same music.” “We enjoy the same activities.” “We agree on everything!” However, you need to look beyond superficial traits. You need to discern “the secret person of the heart.” (1 Peter 3:4; Ephesians 3:16)

Rather than focus on how much you agree on things, it might be more revealing to note what happens when you disagree.

For example, consider the following:

How does this person handle conflict​—by insisting on his or her way, perhaps giving in to “fits of anger” or “abusive speech”? (Galatians 5:​19, 20; Colossians 3:8 )

Or does this person show reasonableness​—a willingness to yield for the sake of peace when no issue of right or wrong is at stake?​—James 3:17.

Is the person manipulative, possessive, or jealous? Does he or she demand to know your every move?

How is that one viewed by others?

You may want to talk to those who have known this person for some time. That way you will know if he or she is “well reported on.”​—Acts 16:​1, 2


Be objective.

Take a step back and analyze the relationship. Ask yourself, ‘Do I have solid reasons for thinking that this person is treating me differently from others?’ Don’t let your emotions hijack your “power of reason.”​—Romans 12:1.

Be discerning.

Out of all those signs that make you think you might be more than friends, pay special attention to the signs that make you second-guess yourself. Don’t assume that just because you feel a certain way about someone, the feeling is mutual.

Be patient.

Until the person says explicitly that he or she wants to get to know you in a romantic way, don’t invest more in the relationship than you can afford to lose.

Be honest.

The Bible says that there is “a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) If you want to find out whether someone views you as more than just a friend, talk it out with the person. “If the feelings aren’t mutual, it’s better to be a little hurt now than to go on for months before realizing that this person wasn’t interested in the first place.

The bottom line:
“Safeguard your heart,” says Proverbs 4:​23. If you feel drawn to someone, find out if that person is drawn to you. Allowing romantic feelings to take root before then is like trying to grow a plant on a solid stone.

If you discover that the person does have feelings for you​—and if you’re old enough and ready to date​—then it’s up to you to decide if you want to pursue the relationship. Remember, a strong marriage is made up of a husband and wife who share the same spiritual goals and who are also up-front and honest with each other. (1 Corinthians 7:​39) In fact, they no doubt started out as​—and continue to be​—good friends.​—Proverbs 5:​18.







More interesting articles on www.jw.org

tctrills:

You maybe right but every single church claims to do all these.

They may claim but many are not doing

Features of true religion

(1) True religion teaches the truth that is based on the Bible, not on human philosophies. (John 4:24; 17:17)

This includes religious truths about the soul and the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth. (Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 35:5, 6; Ezekiel 18:4)

It also does not hold back from exposing religious falsehood.—Matthew 15:9; 23:27, 28.


(2) True religion helps people to know God, including teaching them his name, Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 42:8; John 17:3, 6)

It does not teach that he is incomprehensible or aloof; rather, it teaches that he wants us to have a relationship with him.—James 4:8.


(3) True religion highlights Jesus Christ as the one through whom God grants salvation. (Acts 4:10, 12)

Its followers obey Jesus’ commands and strive to follow his example.—John 13:15; 15:14.


(4) True religion focuses on God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope. Its followers actively tell others about that Kingdom.—Matthew 10:7; 24:14.


(5) True religion promotes unselfish love. (John 13:35)

It teaches respect for all ethnic groups and welcomes people from all races, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. (Acts 10:34, 35)

Moved by love, its followers do not go to war.—Micah 4:3; 1 John 3:11, 12.


(6) True religion has no paid clergy, and it does not give high-sounding religious titles to its ministers.—Matthew 23:8-12; 1 Peter 5:2, 3.


(7) True religion is completely neutral in political affairs. (John 17:16; 18:36)

However, its followers respect and obey the government where they live, in harmony with the Bible’s command: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar [representing the civil authority], but God’s things to God.”—Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1, 2.


(8 ) True religion is a way of life, not just a ritual or a formality. Its followers adhere to the Bible’s high moral standards in all aspects of life. (Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 John 3:18)

Rather than being grim, though, they find joy in worshipping “the happy God.”—1 Timothy 1:11.


(9) Those who practice true religion will be in the minority. (Matthew 7:13, 14) Those who follow the true religion are often looked down on, ridiculed, and persecuted for doing God’s will.—Matthew 5:10-12



There is a danger in choosing a religion based solely on how it makes us feel. The Bible encourages us to follow “the religion that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father,” even if that religion is unpopular.—James 1:27


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www.jw.org is the world most visited religious website !!!

Is our time to die predetermined?

The answer is NO, we do not have a predetermined time to die.

Rather than supporting fate, the Bible says that death is often due to 'unexpected events'.
Ecclesiastes 9:11

But doesn't the Bible say that there's 'a time to die'?

Yes Ecclesiastes 3:2 says that 'there's a time to born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is plant'.

However the context of this verse shows that the Bible is discussing the continuing circles that are common to life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

God has not set our personal time to die any more than he forces a farmer to plant at a particular moment.

Instead the point is that we should avoid being so preoccupied with mundane matters that we neglect our creator.
Ecclesiastes 3:11; 12:1,13

We can live longer if we make wise decisions.
Proverbs 13:14. Deuteronomy 6:2

We can carelessly shorten our lives by bad or foolish action.
Ecclesiastes 7:17

No matter how wise or careful we are, though, we cannot escape death.
Romans 5 :12

Yet this situation will change because the Bible promise a time that " death will be no more".
Revelation 21: 4


Read more on this and others numerous interesting articles on www.jw.org

Should true Christ followers engaged in war ?

The Bible shows that those who truly follow Jesus Christ do not engaged in warfare.

Let just consider two scriptures;

"Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up sword will perish by sword"
Matthew 26 : 52

Consider, is a person who condones war or fight in war really obeying Jesus?

" I am giving you new command, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love among yourselves".
John 13 : 34, 35

Considering what Jesus said here, Is a person who supports warfare showing the kind of love that Jesus said will identify his disciples or followers?


For more information, read the article," Is war compatible to Christianity?"

And "How does God view war?"
On www.jw.org

www.jw.org is the world most translated website and the world most visited religious website.

Is Trinity in the Bible?

Many Christian denomination teach that God is a Trinity.
Encyclopedia Britannica state: "Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New testament.... The doctrine developed traditionally over several centuries through controversies".

In fact, the God of the Bible is never describe as being of a Trinity.

Note these Bible passage.

"Jehovah our God is one Jehovah"
Deuteronomy 6:4

"You whose name is Jehovah you alone are the most high over the Earth."
Psalm 83:18

"This mean everlasting life, their taking knowledge of you, the only true God and the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.
John 17:3

"God is only one".
Galatians 3:20


Why do most Christians denominations say that God is a Trinity?

Find out this and many more on www.jw.org

Where can we find answers to life big questions?

The Bible is providing answers for millions of people.

Answers to questions like;

What is the meaning of life?

Is God to blame for our our sufferings?

What happened when we die?

Find the Bible's answers to this questions and many more at www.jw.org

READ online content;
1. The Bible in over 1,032 languages
2. Answers to Bible questions
3. Help for family

WATCH Bible based videos
1. Lessons and songs for children
2. Advise for teenagers
3. Bible characters videos

Download publications

"Give me understanding ..... Your word is truth"
Psalms 119:140


www.jw.org


Seun

There's no contradiction rather you misunderstood it.

Some Bible verses are not meant to be considered literally. Some expressions stands for something.

For example, when the Bible mentions heaven it sometimes refers to power and Earth refers to humans.

Like in the case of destruction of bad people during Flood in Noah's day some Bible verses refers to it as destruction of the earth.

People makes up the earth so when citing the earth it's humans that the Bible is referring to.

At John 14:19 Jesus said " in little while the world will see me no more".

He was referring to people not literal world

James 4:4 says " whoever, therefore, want to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God"

Which world? It referring to people.

Bible is not an ordinary book that you just read and take literally, some verses most be taken figuratively.

Pray for God's holy spirit for understanding of his Holy scriptures.

ICEWIN:



So why are there so many contradiction
I was expecting you to contradict my findings and you didn't disappoint.
Isaiah said earth will be destroy, David said Earth won't be destroy, Malachi said earth won't be destroy,Paul said earth will be destroy, there's a prophesy in numbers which state that earth will pass away, there's another prophecy in Leviticus that depict number prophesy that earth won't be destroy.
it only shows your religion is written by confuse humans not by God, yeah people claim God gave them insight to write the Bible if truly God did I believe contradiction won't exist within the Bible atmosphere.

Will the Earth be Destroyed?

No , planet Earth will never be destroyed.

The Bible teaches that God created the Earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:12

''The one who form the Earth, ... did not create it simple for nothing, but form it to be inhabited"
Isaiah 40:18

" The righteous will possess the Earth and they will live forever on it"
Psalm 37:29

"God has established the Earth on its foundation, it will not be move from place to place forever and ever"
Psalms 104:5

"The Earth remains forever"
Ecclesiastes 1:4

The Bible shows that despite humans effort in destabilizing the Earth they will never destroyed it or make it completely inhabitable.

God promise to restore this Earth during his kingdom for people to live forever in peace without suffering, deaths, pains, corruption and sin .
Daniel 2:44, Revelation 21:3,4. Isaiah 25:

People will live with good health without sickness, with abundance of food for all.

No more homelessness.
Isaiah 65:21,22

Wild animals will be harmless to humans.
Isaiah 65:25.

During God's kingdom the blind will see, the deaf will hear, lame will leap, the speechless will shout in joy. Isaiah 35:5,6

No man can solve human problems, rather only God's kingdom, that's why Jesus admonished us to pray for that kingdom to come.
Matthew 6:9,10

You may ask ;
What is God's kingdom?

What should we do in order to enter God's kingdom?

When will God's kingdom come?

Read more about these and alot more on the world most Visited Religious website www.jw.org

Bible provide real hope

The Bible being God's word is full of wisdom, comfort, hope, advise and inspiration.

The Bible discussed in details what will happen in future. Daniel 2:44, Revelation 21:3,4
Isaiah 35:22,23

Its provide guidance for a happy and satisfying life.

Its provide good example of people who had the same feelings and problems like us.

They are Bible based study aids like web articles, books, magazines, videos, animations , cartoons etc on www.jw.org that can help you get the best out of the Bible.

There Bible says that a time is coming when there will be no death, pains, sufferings, crime, poverty and sickness.

The deaths will come back to life, no more deafness, blindness, rather people will live forever.

Find answers to questions like

When will suffering, deaths and pains end?

Peace on Earth - how will it come?

Teen depression - Why ? What can help?

Please do well to read more about this reliable prophecies on www.jw.org

www.jw.org is world most visited religious website

It's the world most translated website

On June 11, 2022 president Vladimir Putin sign two bills into law that unilaterally remove Russia from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Right (ECHR) as of March 15, 2022.

Therefore, all ECHR judgement from March 15, 2022 onward are no longer enforceable in Russia.

The committee of ministers of the council of Europe over sees the implementation of the judgement of ECHR within it's member state.

Russia had been a member of the council of Europe since 1994.

On March 15 2022 Russia informed the council of its intention to withdraw as a member. The following day the council officially expelled Russia.

Source: www.jw.org

Seun

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