Safeguard Your Mind - Matt. 22:37

Day two, as expected was tougher for me, but I made it through.  In fact we made it home and I ran right to bed, because I felt a fever starting.  So I thank Jehovah for getting me through the weekend and that my fever held off long enough for me to be back in bed.  It was a high was too.  I couldn't even go through my notes for mom.

I woke up this morning and went right to work, doing my Bible reading and an hour in the ministry.  I am still in a spiritual buzz and couldn't wait to get back at it even though I can't even sit up straight and am all swollen and my head is pounding.  On top of it, my digestive track has been a mess since last night (the fever did it) and this morning I have peppermint tea, iced tea and ginger ale all working to settle things down.  But I couldn't been happier.  The assembly really seem to get my spark back into a flame.  I've missed it.

 I ran straight to bed when we got home, and my fever started not 5 mins after I was in bed.  Sorry I didn't get to email you the highlights sooner.  then my fever broke about 5 hours later, and I went over to the computer, and opened my note book, but it was too much for me to go through.  So here I go...

The first talk Sunday morning asked the question, "Why do we need to safeguard our minds?"  Because if we don't the world will change it.  1 Cor 10: 1-5, 12, 20 & 21 warns us all the ways Satan will attack our minds.  The only way we can protect it is by keeping our mind busy on spiritual things, so we can stay spiritually healthy.  So this requires daily spiritual nourishment at Jehovah's table. 

The Symposium: Reflect the Mind of Christ in Your Family.... gave great instruction by helping us to see the value of following how Jesus kept his mind always focused on doing his Father's will.  The second part of the Symposium on Wives, Appreciate Your Value in God's Eyes, really was the turning point for me, with my low self worth issues.  The information shared with us reminded us that Jehovah knows we sisters have ability and value.  The anointed spiritual sisters will judge the angles.... now that is value.  It also brought out that we have the same goals and destiny as the brothers for the future of living in the paradise.  Jehovah gave that promise to all of his children equally.  Granted we shouldn't think more of ourselves and step out of the headship arrangement that Jehovah designed, just as Jesus never tried to take what didn't belong to him.

The third part of the Symposium for Parents, I had to write in my notes boldly to BE SWIFT ABOUT HEARING, SLOW ABOUT SPEAKING, TRY TO JUST LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND THEM WITHOUT FIXING OR ARGUING.  I try to remind myself about this every single day, as I know I can't help them if I just cut them off and not listen what they are really saying.  We just can't help our kids if we don't listen to them.  I might like to listen to myself talk but I need to shut up and listen.  Each day I try to listen, sometimes I can't always do that, but I try to do better the next time.

The part on Giving Attention to the Needs of the Circuit was given by our C.O.  He said the Faithful Slave has asked us to focus on two things right now.  First is, Pray for those being persecuted and be as specific as we can.  Heb 13:3...keep in mind those in prison bonds...and being ill treated...  because they are doing what we are doing.  So many brothers and sisters are in prison right now because of trying to do what Jehovah has asked us to do.  One brother printed up a list of all the names of brothers in prison, and each day he prays specifically for at least one person on the list.  
It was also brought out about brothers and sisters who are suffering in other ways, even in our own congregation and we should pray for them too.

The second item the Faithful Slave has asked us to draw our attention to is to not neglect our Christian meetings. Three points were brought out about why, First, Through the talks and comments we recount Jehovah's wonderful acts.  Second, God's spirit flows freely at the meetings and we need it to counteract the world's influence on us. Third, We receive encouragement at the meetings.  Jehovah knows our personal pains and he knows being at the meetings can help us to cope with them.

The Public Address: Keep Close in Mind Jehovah's Day, made a note to keep asking myself... Am I ready for Jehovah's Day?  We need to be making good use of our time. By doing as much as we can from the new command that Jesus had given the early Christians, which was recorded in Matt 28: 19& 20....make disciples of people of ALL the nations.  Prior to this the Jews just ministered to other Jews.
Anything we do that could keep us from our focus needs to be changed.  We need to focus focus focus!

In the last part, it was explained Rom 8:5 & 6... the minding of the flesh means death but the minding of the spirit means life...   There is a difference in Minding and Practicing.  Practicing doesn't always mean you will do "it".  Minding involves the spirit and the spirit has complete influence and that involves action.  
Then the illustration was used, a scuba diver will get down to a certain depth and because it is so black, he can get disoriented   So to get to the surface they "reach for the bubbles" because they always go to the surface.  When we get disoriented or discouraged, we need to reach for the Bible.  The Bible with prayer will make our path right, straight and successful.  So "reach for the bubbles/bible".
The last point talked about Phl 4:6-7... do not be anxious....but in prayer & supplication...peace of God will excel all thoughts.  there are 3 P's 
1) Prim-is- Stop being anxious and have confidence in Jehovah.
2) Practice- Prayer, supplication and thanksgiving
3) Promise- the peace of God will excel all thoughts, it will guard your heart and mental powers, it protects and watches out for us.