Why take refuge in Jehovah?
Posted by Robyn Nelson on Sunday, February 9, 2014
Why take refuge in Jehovah... Mike Stute
often we think about an area where people have to flee their homes, their lands, their countries due to wars or famine, unemployment, civil or tribal warfare.
emotional distress, crime, natural disasters,
Refuge is so important and a great many need and want it.
Some news stories that don't surprise us anymore because we have heard them over and over again. Deranged student killed many of classmates. children kidnapped, runaways... the list goes on and on.
Gov try to put an end to such things, but with little success
Pro 14:12... there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it will lead to death
So man will try to fix things, but they have failed to make things better.
People said, nothing could cause this ship to flounder, ... yet, that was an empty promise with regards to the titanic.
someone said crime would come to and end by 1950
someone said, food and clothing will cost as little as air by 1960
empty promises.
Jer 10:23... man way's does not belong to him... even to direct this step...
Jehovah created man to depend on him for his spiritual and physical guidance. He created us this way so we could be close to him. We need to understand this as Jeremiah understood it.
Even in Jesus' time,
Rev 3:16... they have become luke warm...
in Laodicia was materially rich. People of the city became lovers of money rather than lovers of God. Jesus told them what they really were in God's eyes
Rev 3:17... you have acquired riches but you are poor, blind
it was a shocking position they were in.
these things are things that can be taken away.
but a spiritual refuge can never be taken away.
Matt 6:33... go on seeking FIRST the kingdom...then all these other things will be added to you...
Prayer is a beautiful and wonderful thing that Jesus taught us. It is a life saving refuge for us.
Ps 62:8... trust in Him at all times... pour out your heart to him... God is a refuge...
throughout the Bible we are told to draw close to God, throw your burdens upon Jehovah, pour out your heart to Him.
We know we could never just call the president of the U.S. However, the most powerful being in the universe is always there the instant we need him. 24/7 we have direct access to him.
Perhaps there are times we have prayed for His help. Perhaps, we have asked, for Jehovah take our problem away from us. Perhaps we have been disappointed when He doesn't do that. But more often than not, Jehovah doesn't always remove our problems, but what he will do is to give us the strength we need to endure it.
Luke 22:42... Father if you want to, remove this cup from me... but not my will, but yours take place...
& 44... then an angle came to him to comfort him...but Jesus then prayed more earnestly....
Jesus still suffered with great pain and still died. but Jesus didn't ask for what he wanted, but so that he could do his Father's will and accomplish it fully.
We need to remember the elder arrangement is another refuge for us. Granted they can't know exactly what we are going through, but they are here to comfort and guide us the best they can.
Heb 2:2....each one will be like a hiding place from the wind...
our elders are a source of protection and support.
true they have to help people with things that are very difficult for the elders to understand. but when they turn to the Bible and allow Jehovah's spirit to direct them, the elders can be a protection for us.
another source of refuge is the ministry work. how? when we give all we can, putting all the time we can in the ministry. that time will keep us from wasting that time. it helps us by keeping us focused on God's promises. it is a source of refuge and enjoyment as we teach others about Jehovah's promises.
*******************************WT lesson
Dec 15th, 2013 pg 6
Avoid Being "Quickly Shaken From Your Reason!"
2 Thes 2:1 & 2... Brothers... we request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason
What timely warnings did Paul's letters to Thessalonians contain?
He warned about the "coming of Jehovah's day". So they needed to stay alert. Avoid apostasy and judgement would be called upon them. There would be divine judgement would come.
What can help us to avoid being deceived?
Prayer, meetings, personal study, wholesome association, keeping focused on our worship to Jehovah and also keep zealous in our ministry.
How is zealous Kingdom preaching a protection for us?
when we study about the exciting prophecies it stirs our love and zeal for Jehovah and for doing his will of sharing Kingdom truths with others. The more we focus on the ministry work, the less time we have to be distracted in meaningless pursuits.
often we think about an area where people have to flee their homes, their lands, their countries due to wars or famine, unemployment, civil or tribal warfare.
emotional distress, crime, natural disasters,
Refuge is so important and a great many need and want it.
Some news stories that don't surprise us anymore because we have heard them over and over again. Deranged student killed many of classmates. children kidnapped, runaways... the list goes on and on.
Gov try to put an end to such things, but with little success
Pro 14:12... there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it will lead to death
So man will try to fix things, but they have failed to make things better.
People said, nothing could cause this ship to flounder, ... yet, that was an empty promise with regards to the titanic.
someone said crime would come to and end by 1950
someone said, food and clothing will cost as little as air by 1960
empty promises.
Jer 10:23... man way's does not belong to him... even to direct this step...
Jehovah created man to depend on him for his spiritual and physical guidance. He created us this way so we could be close to him. We need to understand this as Jeremiah understood it.
Even in Jesus' time,
Rev 3:16... they have become luke warm...
in Laodicia was materially rich. People of the city became lovers of money rather than lovers of God. Jesus told them what they really were in God's eyes
Rev 3:17... you have acquired riches but you are poor, blind
it was a shocking position they were in.
these things are things that can be taken away.
but a spiritual refuge can never be taken away.
Matt 6:33... go on seeking FIRST the kingdom...then all these other things will be added to you...
Prayer is a beautiful and wonderful thing that Jesus taught us. It is a life saving refuge for us.
Ps 62:8... trust in Him at all times... pour out your heart to him... God is a refuge...
throughout the Bible we are told to draw close to God, throw your burdens upon Jehovah, pour out your heart to Him.
We know we could never just call the president of the U.S. However, the most powerful being in the universe is always there the instant we need him. 24/7 we have direct access to him.
Perhaps there are times we have prayed for His help. Perhaps, we have asked, for Jehovah take our problem away from us. Perhaps we have been disappointed when He doesn't do that. But more often than not, Jehovah doesn't always remove our problems, but what he will do is to give us the strength we need to endure it.
Luke 22:42... Father if you want to, remove this cup from me... but not my will, but yours take place...
& 44... then an angle came to him to comfort him...but Jesus then prayed more earnestly....
Jesus still suffered with great pain and still died. but Jesus didn't ask for what he wanted, but so that he could do his Father's will and accomplish it fully.
We need to remember the elder arrangement is another refuge for us. Granted they can't know exactly what we are going through, but they are here to comfort and guide us the best they can.
Heb 2:2....each one will be like a hiding place from the wind...
our elders are a source of protection and support.
true they have to help people with things that are very difficult for the elders to understand. but when they turn to the Bible and allow Jehovah's spirit to direct them, the elders can be a protection for us.
another source of refuge is the ministry work. how? when we give all we can, putting all the time we can in the ministry. that time will keep us from wasting that time. it helps us by keeping us focused on God's promises. it is a source of refuge and enjoyment as we teach others about Jehovah's promises.
*******************************WT lesson
Dec 15th, 2013 pg 6
Avoid Being "Quickly Shaken From Your Reason!"
2 Thes 2:1 & 2... Brothers... we request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason
What timely warnings did Paul's letters to Thessalonians contain?
He warned about the "coming of Jehovah's day". So they needed to stay alert. Avoid apostasy and judgement would be called upon them. There would be divine judgement would come.
What can help us to avoid being deceived?
Prayer, meetings, personal study, wholesome association, keeping focused on our worship to Jehovah and also keep zealous in our ministry.
How is zealous Kingdom preaching a protection for us?
when we study about the exciting prophecies it stirs our love and zeal for Jehovah and for doing his will of sharing Kingdom truths with others. The more we focus on the ministry work, the less time we have to be distracted in meaningless pursuits.
