Thoughts on...
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Preaching Door-to-Door Why live any longer with the uncertainty of whether you will be acceptable to God when you die? Discover how to have the assurance of Eternal Life! (www.4witness.org) |
Ex-JW Ministry Team Betty's Corner The Gift That Keeps on Giving
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THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING I would like to suggest to you that nothing really changes for us until we are filled up and over flowing with the Holy Spirit. When we have received that blessing from God it does not stop. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time experience but it’s on going, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! After we are filled we need to ask ourselves, now what? Do we go on as if nothing happened? Do we ignore it or do we take that blessing and gift and make it known to the world? As my pastor would say, “Do something with it!” Take the apostle Peter. He walked with Christ for years, ate with him, cussed, fussed and even cut off a soldier’s ear. Peter witnessed the miracles of Christ but yet nothing really changed for him. As we know Peter denied knowing Christ and not only did he deny his Savior but he denied his close friend. Nothing changed for Peter until he went to that little upper room and received the Holy Spirit and that’s when his world changed forever. Peter received the courage and power to move on and teach others about Christ; even to the point of bringing approximately 3000 souls to Jesus! Peter “did something with it” and there was no denying Christ after that! Now that’s power from the Holy Spirit! Acts Chapters 1 and 2. There are some religious people who profess to be Christian but yet they deny the Holy Spirit as part of the blessed Trinity. To deny the Holy Spirit is to deny the very essence and nature of God. Here are just a few scriptures that validate how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together as ONE (in exact nature) to give us power, strength, and joy to His Christian disciples. John 20:21 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Jeremiah 17:10 "I, Yehovah, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." (The Father searches our hearts) Revelation 2:23 "I am He who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds." (Jesus searches the heart, thus claiming Jeremiah 17:10 for Himself) 1 Corinthians 2:10 "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God." (The Holy Spirit searches our hearts) Psalm 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (The Father gives joy) John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." (Jesus gives us joy) Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (The Holy Spirit gives us joy) Hebrews 10:12-16 12 But when Christ[a] had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds. If we deny the Holy Spirit we will miss out on that wonderful blessing from God. Remember, nothing really changes for us until we are filled up with the Spirit of God and that’s when we receive encouragement, power, wisdom, and strength and then we should do something with the gift that keeps on giving! Sola Gratia, Betty |
Testimonials
They are all there for me!
“I had Jehovah’s Witnesses visiting for six years. … The sad thing is now I have their beliefs in my head. So I put myself into God’s hands and asked for direction. …Well, the feeling of freedom is amazing. I am like a child, learning again for the first time. The reason I had to write to you was the Karen and Cindy conversations. Instead of me asking for help, one question at a time, they are all there for me!! It seems as if ‘Karen’ could read my mind.
It’s so lovely for things to fall into place, mainly that ‘What happens when we die?’ This was a very big issue for me. I was scared while I did not understand even the tiny bit I do now. It’s such a joy. Instead of feeling unworthy(were all sinners I know) and feeling I would never be saved or go to Heaven. So, please thank God and Jesus with me for such help.”
I have to tell you how your website saved my life.
“I have been a baptized Witness since 1995, and I have to tell you how you have saved my life. Every couple of years I get this gnawing sense that this is not quite right, that I am not 100% vested in what the Watchtower Society says. …Lately, I have stopped attending meetings and my daughter, 13, has begged me not to make her go back. So I have been praying and chatting with friends outside the organization…
…I can’t tell you my sense of relief when I stumbled upon your site and started to read the articles. I want to cry, but I’m at work. I can’t wait to get home because I am so excited I can barely stand it! Please, please, how can I meet others who feel this way? I sure could use the fellowship. Again, thanks for the work you do.”
God bless you for the difference you are making.
“My brother and I were raised by a Jehovah's Witness mother. I am 52 years old now and still haven't been able to shake the stigma of the experience. My brother wasn't as lucky as me and ended up taking his own life at 17. I have been through everything ... I can't express how much I appreciate what you are doing... God bless for the difference you are making.”
I do not feel so alone!
“Thank you for creating this website. After reading stories of former Jehovah's Witnesses, I do not feel so alone. My resolve to stay out of that religion has also strengthened. I have also come to realize that my depression, anxiety, and many other emotional scars inflicted by the organization and those in the ‘truth’ will take time to heal. But your website has also come to help me ... Thank you.”
Just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website.
“Hi…I am an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness from South Africa. ...I left the Jehovah’s Witnesses not because I did not agree with their beliefs, but because my wife could not handle it with me being a Jehovah’s Witness and she not. I became an anti-religious person. Then, just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website… Today, I prayed to Jesus for salvation after I read your article on your website…”
I’m so glad that I have run across this site.
“After reading the article that David Reed wrote on your site, I’ve looked at things in ‘a new light’ so-to-speak. ...I’m so glad that I have run across this site. I’m sure that it was the Holy Spirit that directed me to all of you!”
Your website is a great source for truth
“Your website is a great source for those seriously seeking the truth.… The Jehovah’s Witness elders shun me. I’ve known these guys for 30 years... Well, when I walk into the Hall they turn their backs to me. I have not seen my Jehovah’s Witness ex-wife, or daughter for two years. ...They hide my family from me. When I go to their homes, they smile with arms folded and say nothing.
The stories I read at your website were loud and clear - conditional love by the ‘brothers’! I have learned more in the Christian Church about unconditional love than 30 years as a Witness. When I accepted Christ, who He really is, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see both sides clearly. ...Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to know the real TRUTH! Keep up your good work.”
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