xjwsforChrist

To the Household of God, Israel, and all those who go with... may you all have peace!

I am directed to share the following with you all, and to ask you to consider:

Is it about being SMART... or... is it about LISTENING? Is it about what WE (think we) "know"... or about what God's Word, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah) knows... and tells us, even perhaps tells us to share with others? And what, though, if you don't understand words... or don't want lengthy words, etc.?

Maybe there is the thinking that God and Christ are (should be) "concise." Short and to the point. The writings, however, don't seem to evidence that. Only a couple/few of the Prophets/Apostles wrote short books/letters. Almost everyone else wrote lengthy or numerous accounts, prophecies, Psalms, letters, proverbs, etc. And almost ALL used words and phrases that even some of man's greatest scholars, theologians, linguists, etc., couldn't understand... and still don't.

You often see me share that the things Christ tells us are elementary. And they are. Concise, however... not so much. He even spoke in parables which, although stated sometimes in the most basic terms (i.e., seeds, trees, fields, grains, birds, etc.)... and having the elementary-est of meanings... weren't understood. Why? Why did they write so much? Why did JAH/Christ SAY so much to some, while telling them to write "just so"? Did they not know that this might be overwhelming for some. They did.

There are a number of reasons, however, why they said so much... and had so much written... one of the primary reasons being... it allows hearts to be read.

Dear ones, if it were quick and easy, why the admonishment to "KEEP seeking, KEEP asking, KEEP knocking"? Would it not be opened right AWAY? After a FEW words? And so for the MANY, NOT the few? It would be... and, for some, it is. Think: all our dear Lord had to say to the Apostles was "Follow me!" Not, "Hey, look, I'm the Son of God and I can prove that to you and so once I do, will you consider coming with me and being my follower? What? Oh, sure, I prove it to you SEVERAL times, so's you know I'm not lying! What? For how long? Well, I've only got about three-and-half year, so... What? That's not long enough for you? I would need to show you some stuff for, say, 5... 10... maybe even 15, 20 years BEFORE you will believe?"

I'm sure you can see how those who had that "need" were probably left behind... and "wanting."

Dear ones, we are willing to work SO hard in and for THIS world. To the GRAVE even, some of us are willing to work. Even look down on those they think AREN'T "hard workers." Some give their entire lives to such "toiling"... and to carrying sometimes VERY "heavy loads."

Yet, when it comes to obeying God through Christ, to LISTENING to Christ, to trying to think like HIM (rather than lean upon our OWN understanding)... and do "just so" according to what HE says... we sometimes get frustrated, irritated... exhausted... even angry ("Why doesn't he just...?" "Why do I have to...?"! "Why can't HE...?!"). As a result, we either run completely out of steam... or start grumbling ("murmuring") about how "hard" HIS work is!

That frustration, irritation, exhaustion, etc., however, is evidence. Of what? Of what is in one's HEART. Of what one TRULY thinks about his "work"... and what one TRULY wants. What one TRULY "delights" in.

BEFORE Christ, that "delight" was expressed this way:

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of JAHVEH,
and who meditates on His law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

Before Christ, the one who was BLESSED... was the one who was virtually CONSUMED with the things of God, particularly His Law. NOT in applying it as to others, or searching it so as to know where OTHERS were transgressing... so that one could then either judge others... or look to oneself as righteous and "better" than others. But so as to know how NOT to transgress... against God AND/OR one's brother/neighbor/stranger/enemy. AND share that knowledge with their fellowman. NOT to judge one's fellowman, but to HELP one's fellowman come to know how not to transgress against others, TOO. Because, of course, the Law also directed that one should FORGIVE any transgressions against themselves! Sadly, that is the part of the (Old) Law that most overlook... and most who deign to teach it, at least from a "christian" POV... do NOT teach!

If that is the case with the Old Law, that one who mediates... or THINKS... on that Law... DAY AND NIGHT... is blessed... what of the NEW Law? Would not one whose delight is in THAT "Law"... who thought/meditated on it... DAY AND NIGHT... ALSO be blessed? Perhaps even MORE?

To come to learn and so know it, though, one had to READ the Old Law. Literally pore over the Writings. And initially, probably day AND night. Until it was committed to memory. Written in one's mind.

How, though, does one come to learn... and so know... the NEW Law? Would it not require one LISTENING to the One who teaches it NOW... day and night... so as to have it committed to... or written... on one's HEART?

True, it might be easier if the One who write's it did so in short, concise wording. Maybe just a few words. But what if that doesn't WORK? What if that is TOO easy, SO easy... that it's JUST as easy... to FORGET? Or, so easy... that it's not taken as seriously as it should be?

Or, so short and easy... that additional, pertinent, valuable, even important information... is left OUT?

I am learning that one of the benefits of receiving SO much from the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)... is that it is SELDOM just about the ONE thing. OFTEN... while there was the initial matter, another 3-4 are also "revealed" in the process. Things I didn't know... or hadn't thought about... before. Things that MIGHT seem "trivial" at the time... but make understanding something ELSE... perhaps down the LINE... even easier and clearer.

Perhaps it would be nice for God and Christ to speak to us in short, brief, statements. I have learned, however, that is not their way... at all. Silence is a ANOMALY in the spirit realm, dear ones. And so what we DO receive... even if it seems lengthy to US... isn't even a fraction of a FRACTION of what is being "said" THERE. Spirit beings don't sleep... or take breaks. "Rest" is really for the "sleeping" (in death) - Revelation 6:11

As for JAH and Christ... even when they are "resting"... they are working.

We, too, can keep working. We just have to decide for whom. Hopefully, it will be for the One who says:

"Take MY yoke, for MY yoke is KINDLY... and MY load... is light."

If we're willing to toil for the things of this world, we MIGHT find toiling for God/Christ just a little (or a lot) burdensome. But that's because we can't slave for two masters. We CANNOT, as we WILL love the one... and hate the other. Nor can we be LOVING the world... and loving God and/or Christ. To think anything different... is to think Christ, who SAID these truths, a liar. To DO different... is to say we know more about these things... and their outcome... than even he does.

Not saying we can't work in the world. Of course, we must. But WHY we do... will manifest where our HEART... and who our "master"... TRULY is.

I, SA, have shared this with you, the Household of God, Israel, that is here... and those who go with... just as I received it from my Lord, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah).

May those with ears hear and get the sense of it... and may those who've yet receive ears be given such, if they truly WANT them, so AS to hear... these truths... as well as when the Spirit and the Bride say to THEM:

"Come! Take LIFE's (John 14:6) 'water'... the holy spirit of God, the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies... which 'water' is HIS breath, blood, and seed... and is poured out from the innermost parts of His Son and Christ, the HOLY One of Israel, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)... FREE!"

Servant to the Household of God, Israel, and all those who go with... and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar

All that you said is spot on. No question about it.


This is applicable for those who DO hear. For the rest of us that try to listen and do not hear for whatever reason then it's about researching, studying, and proving to ourselves everything. It's about not letting any human tell us something and then us blindly believing. We've all been there before.

Hard work? You betcha. I've spent the last two years studying, researching, tearing my beliefs down to the core. I don't care if I'm smart or not. I just don't want to be fooled again.

The hardest work will be opening my mouth and saying "I'm done being a JW". That short phrase will be the absolute most difficult thing to say as long as I live. Guaranteed. As another JW recently said to me on a PM over on JWN, "it's pant-fillingly scary".

Please forgive me for what I'm about to state, dear, dear LQ (peace to you!)... but it is the same for both: those who do hear AND those who don't (but wish to). For those who DO... both we and others must remember our dear Lord's words:

"Apart from ME... YOU can do NOTHING... at all."

So, whatever "smarts" we (think we) have is really the result of listening to HIM, is it not? And so, if we think WE'RE smart... APART from him... then we're really only sharing our own thoughts, not his... which can lead right back to perpetuating more lies. Right? But if we RECOGNIZE that our "intelligence" is a GIFT... from him... and not something of OURSELVES... and so USE that to glorify HIM... well, then, we can DO practically ANYTHING. Including HEAR God speak, through Christ. Yes?

For those who do not hear, though... same thing. Dear one, men (humans) have spent MILLENIA researching, studying, and (trying to) prove "everything" to themselves. How's that working out for such ones, though? Do they truly know anything MORE about the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies, than say... the folks of Noah's day did? How about the Israelites? Those who lived just before our dear Lord came in the flesh (so as to be able to recognize him)? How about those during our dear Lord's day (in the flesh)? How about since? How many books, scrolls, commentaries, bibles, writings, accounts, theories, opinions, papers, volumes, websites... are there TO research and study TO try and prove "everything"? And isn't much of it UNinspired??

Perhaps such ones ALSO don't get the sense of our dear Lord's words, that:

"APART... from ME... YOU... can do NOTHING... at ALL." John 15:4, 5

Of course, we have the example of the noble-minded Beroeans... who checked the scriptures to see if what they were being told was TRUE... but such ones had not met Christ... or yet received holy spirit. Had they met him, though, do you think they would have STILL searched the scriptures?

Even so, we now have what Christ himself SAID (and we've no reason to believe the Beroeans weren't also told):

"You search the scriptures because you think that by means of THEM you will have everlasting life. And these (the scriptures) are the ones that bear witness about ME. (Luke 24:27, 32, 44, 45) Yet, you do not want to come to ME... that you might have everlasting life." John 5:39, 40

And we can KNOW that such ones don't want to come to him... if they won't even do the things he SAYS. Starting with partaking of his flesh and blood, which CAN be instrumental in starting the process. Apparently, it did for a couple of the disciples:

"... that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, [Jesus] himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About [Jesus] of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see [Jesus].”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, [Jesus] continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. THEN their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how [Jesus] was recognized by them ]i]when he broke the bread[/i]."

A small thing, perhaps, but maybe one that can LEAD to much bigger things... especially due to the OBEDIENCE demonstrated in DOING that small thing? Luke 22:18; John 5:51-53; 14:23; Revelation 3:20

Even so, even if one DOES partake... trying to prove to OTHERS who they are... OUTSIDE of a manifestation of holy spirit, but of their OWN initiative... does what? Proves... what? That they want to be approved by men? So... what? Isn't it approval by God and CHRIST that we should seek? Yet, can we truly say we are worthy of that approval... if we don't DO what they say to DO, but do what WE want to do?

Just something to think about.



You're right: it isn't about that. It's about letting CHRIST tell us something. Yet, even he doesn't expect us to blindly believe. Remember, faith is the "assured expectation of the thing hoped for, the EVIDENT DEMONSTRATION OF REALITIES... though not BEHELD (i.e., seen with one's eyes)."

But we're not talking about eyes and seeing here. We're talking about ears... and LISTENING. And not to humans... but to the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah). His WORDS to us are that "evidence" that is "demonstrated" - it is REAL.



Even so, when we CAN'T (yet) hear, are we SURE that it's about researching, etc., in the meantime? Or... is it about asking for ears so as TO hear... while obeying what we DO know he said... in the meantime? I mean, if we can't obey what he's ALREADY said, which is recorded (so we CAN see that, with our eyes, yes?), why should he think we'd believe what he has YET to say (to us)?

So, no, he isn't expecting us to listen to humans tells us something and blindly believing it. He IS expecting us to at least STOP LISTENING... to those who we suspect... or KNOW... are lying, though (which covers most who've written ABOUT him/God, and so his words, "Woe to you... scribes, hypocrites!" as well as the prophecy at Jeremiah 8:8).

I mean, if you were him... wouldn't you at least expect that? I would, even NOT being him but just as a human being. What little intelligence I DO have would force me to!

I do hear you, dear LQ, truly... but I'm not sure you're looking at this the right, well... Way (John 14:6). I could be wrong, though, of course.

Peace to you, dear one... and KEEP seeking, KEEP asking, KEEP knocking. Don't let "yourself" talk you down and convince that it's "no use." That's a lie. It is of GREAT use... so long as we don't seek, ask, knock... and then use/misuse/miss the purpose of what we receive. It is NOT to make US "something"... but to build up the Body.

I hope this helps!

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

All you have shared here you have shared before. For the record, I have partaken. It's not daily, yet. I have logistics to overcome for that. My wife demands no alcohol in the house. And grape juice gives me a stomach ache, so I avoid that. But, I do so when I can.

LQ:

Please, no offense intended, LQ, but speaking as a former JW (and knowing the doctrines that JWs have taught over the years ESPECIALLY about husbandly "Headship"), how is it that a wife "demands no alcohol in the house"? How does a "submissive" wife tell the "head" or make "demands" on the "head"?

And too especially when many and I mean "many" in the congregation drink (some even to excess).

Again, no offense is intended.

--A.

Whoa, dear, dear LQ (mornin' and peace to you, luv!). First, I apologize if the response struck a "nerve" with you; that was NOT the intention. I could be wrong that it did, of course, but I get the impression (and I could be wrong about this, too!) that perhaps you misunderstand ME, that maybe this information is for you, "dear LQ," specifically. But I KNOW you partake, luv; it's part of the reason I say "YSSFS of Christ."

Dear one, I can't say as to whether you ARE included as an audience for these matters, but I only responded to what you STATED. If you are, though, I can HONESTLY say that you're not alone, that you are not the only one who thinks these things or asks such questions, TRUST me. Many ask the same or similar questions or make the same statements... via phone/email/in person... as you and others ask/state HERE, and on a regular basis! And so when our dear Lord has me respond, it is to EVERYONE who asks such questions who might see the response here... and for ALL to "see" where they might "be" in a given situation. One of those "if the shoe fits" kind of things.

Like, for instance, the letters to the seven spirits. Trust me, I've seen myself in almost EVERY congregation, if not every congregation, through THOSE words! But I could not take offense, could I... if the words were TRUE as to me? And who would know if they WERE... unless I took issue with the spirit that shared it?

Dear one, I would love to... ummmmmm... "screen" what I am given to share to ensure that someone in particular isn't offended... but I have neither that privilege... or that right. The information is not MINE... to share as *I* wish to... or to withhold as I might wish to, although I may not share it at exactly the time I am told to (sometimes, I gotta gird myself up a bit, take a couple/few deep breaths, etc. You know how it is: very similar to going door-to-door - LOLOL!).

Anyway, my apologies, again, if my comments seemed directed specifically to you. The truly were not, but only to your comments.

Peace! Truly!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

<smile>
That's what my uber-JW elder father says. He's experienced her, um, demands, firsthand. I will say no more. It will get me off on a path I don't want to go down today.

P.S. I never said my wife was "submissive". That's part of the issues we have. She demands that I be submissive to her. Not verbally, of course, but through eye-rolls, heavy sighs, and other body language that indicates that she is upset with me for whatever reason.

And let me add about the alcohol: to be totally open here:
a) a relative of hers died from alcohol abuse (more than one, actually)
b) her brother abused alcohol for a time and ended up in jail for a stint
c) after these things, I had too much to drink a few years back at home a few times. Yes, I was intoxicated. Not falling down drunk intoxicated, but buzzed. She didn't take too kindly to that and decided that alcohol would not be allowed in the home. This gets taken to the extreme where we can't even sit in the bar area of a family restaurant, even to this day.

You know the saying... "if the shoe fits"... Often times, it does.


I've told you before... you should never, ever worry about offending me. Ever. I'm not easily offended. And I can take council when necessary.

Of course, I'm frustrated. Frustrated that I can't just up and do what others in the past have done. Just simply obey. It is simple, but it is also not simple. All at the same time.


I'm not offended. You don't know how many times I've mulled over what you've shared.

What you share is so very valuable. To be completely honest, so much of it is so very different from what I've known for my entire life that it is difficult to accept some of it. Other parts are very easy to accept. Accepting and acting on are two different things, though. It's not that obedience is hard. It's the consequence of obedience that is hard. And before you say that the consequence of disobedience is being in the darkness outside, frankly, that's not my immediate concern. Which is funny, actually. Funny in an oxymoronic sense. I have nothing to lose, except everything. That's the oxymoronic part. I feel like my only excuse is that if I obey, I will lose everything... my family, my home security, etc., but that's exactly what our Lord said we would lose. AND I KNOW THIS!!! That's the rub. I KNOW this! So why is it such a hard thing for me?

I cannot speak for ANYONE else, dear one (peace, truly!)... but I didn't just "up and do," or "simply obey." Trust me... I quaked and shaked. Reasoned and rhymed. I often do that HERE, when I have things to share (LOLOLOL!). But I learned to feel the fear... and DO... anyway.

And the result? Whatever I "lost"... I gained BACK... double... triple... 10 times over! More... and better! As a result, I wish I had obeyed and done SO much sooner! Could have saved myself additional pain, etc.

Please know, dear one, that NONE of us can just up and do... without help from our dear Lord. Again, "Apart from ME, YOU can do NOTHING, at ALL." So, he WILL help you as to what you WANT to do. You just need to examine... and be honest... about what it is you want to DO. And if that "want" is not in line with what you think HE wants you to do... then you can always ask him to help you, even MAKE YOU do HIS will.

Keep in mind, though, luv, if he's SHOWING you where you might need to make a change... but you don't want to MAKE that (particular) change... you might be delaying things. Your choice, of course...

But I want to share something with you, dear one, NOT to cause you more grief, but perhaps to help you see what MIGHT be standing in the way (of your hearing). I had thought to do a separate thread, but I think here is good and that some besides you might also benefit.

A few days ago I shared as to Joshua (from Chapter 24) and what he said to the Israelites about choosing a god to serve; either the ones they left behind "across the River and in Egypt" (which I shared that, for US, would be the WTBTS)... or the ones in the land of the Amorites where they now were (which would be those "gods" of the world, such as popularity, materialism, glory from men, etc.)... but that he and HIS household would serve JAH.

I also shared Israel's response... that they KNEW JAH was their God, all that He had done for them, and that there was NO way they would serve any God BUT JAH. To his words as to choosing who to serve, the Israelites all stated:

“Far be it from us to forsake JAHVEH to serve other gods! It was JAHVEH our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And JAHVEH drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve JAHVEH, because he is our God.”

Well, apparently, Joshua wasn't too sure. Because THEN:

"Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve JAHVEH."

Uh-ohhhh. What? How could he SAY that? WHY would he say that? Because of what he said next:

"He is a holy God; he is God exacting EXCLUSIVE devotion."

Dear one... you CANNOT serve two masters! You CANNOT. You WILL love the one... and hate the other. And that MIGHT be where you (and perhaps some others) are: divided... and so not WHOLE-souled... in your love of JAH, through the division of your love of Christ. So, perhaps you can think (if you don't already know).. what it might be that you love MORE: father, mother, brother, wife, child, family, friends, home, job, prestige, money, drugs, alcohol... the WTBTS...

Where is your HEART... because THERE is your TREASURE. And... you can't fool holy spirit: JAH knows what is truly in us, even if we don't. And so, Joshua went on:

"He will not forgive your rebellion (which, for Israel, was CHOOSING to turn against Him, after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt)... and your sins (because, without the priestly system, they had no COVERING for their sins). If you forsake JAHVEH and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”

That end is not now... but at Armageddon. But He brings disaster upon such a one, NOT out of spite or vengeance, but by becoming part of the WORLD (either by serving the gods of Egypt they'd left behind... or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they were now in)... Israel was showing themselves NOT to be HIS children... but "Gog". And Gog... comes AGAINST the Beloved City, the NEW Jerusalem... and so are disastrously wiped out BY JAH for doing so. It is the DESTINY and so end... of Gog.

BUT... it does not HAVE to be that way... nor was it for ALL of Israel:

"But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve JAHVEH.”

And so, giving them the benefit of the doubt... that their "yes" MEANT "yes"...

"Joshua then said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve JAHVEH.”

And the people took that "offer" and said:

“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.

So, they were not "JAH's Witnesses", dear one... but their OWN witness... as to their OWN "yes", that JAH WAS their God... and that they COULD serve Him... with EXCLUSIVE devotion. And so, giving them the benefit of the doubt, that their "yes" MEANT just that:

"Joshua said, “Then throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to JAHVEH, the God of Israel.”

And so, the people said they would do that:

"The people said to Joshua, “We will serve JAHVEH our God and obey him.”


And so, now... what did the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies (VEH) tell US to do?

"This is my Son, the Beloved. LISTEN... TO... HIM." Matthew 17:5

If you can't do what that One says, dear, dear, dear LQ... dear brother... and I DO know how hard it can be... but, if you can't DO what that one says... then you're not listening to HIM. So, consider that. Whether you are doing what you KNOW he says... THEN worry about doing what you're not SURE he is saying.

I hope this helps, truly... and, again, this is NOT solely for you. You are NOT alone.

Keep hope, though, dear one. Remember: our dear Lord does not lose one. NOT... ONE. KEEP seeking, KEEP asking, KEEP knocking. It WILL be opened to you! Sooner for others, yes, but do NOT give up hope!

NONE of you... give up hope... OR whatever amount of faith you DO have! If you NEED more (faith)... ASK for more!

Peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Orrr... what, dear one (peace to you!)? She's gonna... what? (Sorry, no offense, but I couldn't help myself!)

You do know that there are non-alcoholic wines out there, yes? But shoot, I mean, if it's to keep the peace... water will do. So long as you "discern" (or mean it to represent)... the blood of Christ. Yes? That's what a minor who lives in his/her parents' house and so can't imbibe (even for spiritual reasons, depending on the parents... JW parents included)... could do. JAH is not THAT exacting, luv - LOLOL!

Peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar