EFFECTIVENESS OF JW.ORG WEBSITE‏

Nice report from Sister at Wallkill about the effectiveness of the JW.org site.
The GB is certainly progressive for Kingdom interests......

We had a nice report on Wednesday about the JW.Org site. Amazingly, the site is viewable in 230 languages and there are 440 languages in which you can download a piece of literature! I think I am safe to say that there is no other website like it. The brothers who were assigned to design it wanted to make it simple, appealing, compelling, and responsive. Some work with the web pages is automated to save time and man power. Other things have to be done manually by brothers and sisters. The brothers can monitor the locations from which downloads are being requested. They showed a world map and then had lights that lit up in different countries around the world as requests come in. It was very interesting to see how frequently persons in China, middle-eastern countries and of course Europe, America, etc, are accessing the JW.Org site. About 16,000 persons from 197 countries have requested Bible Studies via this web site in 5 months! The website is accessed about 500 times per minute, or 700,000 per day and around 300 million times per year!

A young man had left the truth and was very unhappy. He found the JW.org web site, requested someone to call on him, began a study and attended his first meeting, all from information he received on the website!
A Muslim man who speaks Persian and lives in a country where our work is not legally recognized accessed our web site, recognized the ring of truth, obtained the phone number of the Patterson complex, and called to ask for more information. The brother that took the call knew that there was a Gilead student who spoke his language and put them in touch with each other. The Gilead student started a Bible Study with this man via Skype and he is studying twice a week.
While on a flight from New York to California a sister sat next to a woman who is a Moslem refugee, and she spoke only Swahili and Somali, but cannot read either. The sister downloaded the Listen To God brochure from http://www.jw.org/ on her iPad and showed it to her. She indicated that she could not read. So she tried to sound out the words and read it to her and the woman helped her out. She was able to read “God’s name is Jehovah” and the woman repeated it. The sister text messaged a friend who knew someone who lives in the city the woman was going to who even knew Swahili . The woman is now having regular discussions.
Each day is thrilling as the brothers and sisters see the fruitage of their hard work and the preaching work is speeded up in this time of the end!
And here at Wt. Farm we have been busy too. We were told recently that during the year of 2012, we had 72,632 persons who toured and 5,000 of those were in 22 foreign languages! So it was a busy place here this past year.

Welcome to Wiscconsin

4 April 2013 - Exodus 23: 2

Thursday, April 4

You must not follow after the crowd for evil ends. — Ex. 23:2

When you choose entertainment and recreation for yourself or your family, do you allow the lax consciences of others to influence your decisions and to mold your conscience? Would that not, in effect, amount to following after the crowd? Jehovah has given us a precious gift to help us make decisions—our “perceptive powers.” However, these powers need to be trained “through use.” (Heb. 5:14) Following the crowd would not train our perceptive powers; nor, on the other hand, would a host of rigid rules in matters of conscience. That is why, for example, Jehovah’s people are not given a list of films, books, and Internet sites to avoid. Because this world changes so fast, such a list would be outdated soon after it was made. (1 Cor. 7:31) Worse, it would deprive us of the vital work of weighing Bible principles carefully and prayerfully and then making decisions on the basis of those principles. — Eph. 5:10 w11 7/15 1:3, 6, 7

3 April 2013 - Ephesians 2: 12

Wednesday, April 3

You had no hope and were without God in the world. — Eph. 2:12

Today, many do not believe in the concept of being sinners. Why not? Even if they go to church on occasion, they consider the Bible account of Adam and Eve to be merely a fable or a myth. Others grow up in an anti-God climate. They doubt that God exists and therefore do not understand that a Supreme Being set moral standards for humans and that failure to uphold those standards amounts to sin. In the letter to the Romans, Paul presented a reason why such a background cannot be an excuse—not then, not today. It is that creation itself bears witness to the existence of a Creator. (Rom. 1:19, 20) This accords with an observation Paul made when writing from Rome to the Hebrews: “Every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God.” (Heb. 3:4) That line of reasoning points to there being a Creator who constructed, or brought into existence, the entire universe. w11 6/15 1:12, 13

2 April 2013 - John 10: 15

Tuesday, April 2

I surrender my soul in behalf of the sheep. — John 10:15

Husbands should imitate Jesus in showing affection for those under their care. Rather than harshly dominating his wife, a husband who desires God’s approval continues loving her “just as the Christ also loved the congregation.” (Eph. 5:25) His words should be kind and considerate, for she is worthy of honor. (1 Pet. 3:7) In training young ones, the family head should firmly uphold godly principles. However, he must not fail to show affection for his children. Needed discipline should be administered lovingly. Some young ones may take longer than others to get the sense of what is expected of them. In that case, a father should show them greater patience. When men consistently follow the example of Jesus, they create a home environment that is safe and secure. Their families enjoy the type of spiritual security that the psalmist sang about. — Ps. 23:1-6 w115/15 1:4, 7, 8

1 April 2013 - Romans 12: 9

Monday, April 1

Abhor what is wicked, cling to what is good. — Rom. 12:9

In this wicked world, much entertainment is characterized by activities that flagrantly violate Bible principles or break God’s laws. (1 John 5:19) True Christians say a resolute no to all such entertainment. This includes entertainment that features sadism, demonism, homosexuality, pornography, or violence or that glorifies other vile, immoral practices. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Rev. 21:8) No matter where we may be, we prove to Jehovah that we “abhor what is wicked” by refusing to get close to such entertainment. (1 John 1:5, 6) Not all forms of entertainment center on practices that are expressly condemned in God’s Word. In such cases, before choosing the entertainment, we should carefully compare the activity with Jehovah’s view of what is wholesome, as expressed in Bible principles. (Prov. 4:10, 11) Then we need to make a personal decision that leaves us with a good conscience. — Gal. 6:5; 1 Tim. 1:19 w11 10/15 1:6, 7

31 March 2013 - Numbers 13: 33

Sunday, March 31

There we saw the Nephilim. — Num. 13:33

Joshua and Caleb were part of a group of 12 men who went into the Promised Land to spy it out. Upon their return, ten of those men gave a very negative and discouraging report. They even claimed that some of the land’s inhabitants were giants descended from the Nephilim, the offspring of rebel angels and women. (Gen. 6:4) Now, that claim was absurd. Those wicked hybrids had been wiped out in the Deluge many centuries earlier. But even the most baseless ideas can exert power over those weak in faith. The negative reports from those ten spies quickly spread fear and panic among the people. Before long, most were sure that it would be a mistake to enter the Promised Land as Jehovah had directed. In that volatile situation, what did Joshua and Caleb do? (Num. 13:25-32) Although the crowd hated to hear it, those two men told the truth and stuck to it—even when threatened with death by stoning! — Num. 14:10 w11 7/15 1:4, 5

30 March 2013 - 1 Timothy 5: 21

Saturday, March 30

Keep these things without prejudgment, doing nothing according to a biased leaning. — 1 Tim. 5:21

Three Biblical examples underscore the danger of acting hastily after hearing only one side of a controversy. Potiphar believed his wife’s story that Joseph had tried to rape her. With unjustified anger, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. (Gen. 39:19, 20) King David believed Ziba, who said that his master, Mephibosheth, had sided with David’s enemies. “Look! Yours is everything that belongs to Mephibosheth” was David’s hasty response. (2 Sam. 16:4; 19:25-27) King Artaxerxes was told that the Jews were rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and were about to rebel against the Persian Empire. The king believed the false report and ordered that all rebuilding in Jerusalem cease. As a result, the Jews stopped work on God’s temple. (Ezra 4:11-13, 23, 24) Christian elders wisely follow Paul’s counsel to Timothy to avoid making premature judgments. w118/15 4:12

29 March 2013 - John 20: 9

Friday, March 29

They did not yet discern the scripture that he must rise from the dead. — John 20:9

The concept of humans becoming spirit creatures and ruling in a heavenly Kingdom was foreign to Jesus’ disciples prior to Pentecost. (Acts 1:6) Once they were baptized with holy spirit and given the heavenly hope, they could grasp the meaning of what Jesus meant. Insight previously unattainable to Jesus’ disciples became available after the outpouring of holy spirit. By inspiration, the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures set out—for our benefit—amazing facets of Jehovah’s purpose. (Eph. 3:8-11, 18) Today, both spirit-anointed ones and those of the “other sheep” feed together spiritually, assimilating these same truths. (John 10:16) Do you cherish the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word that holy spirit thus makes available to you? w11 12/15 4:7, 8

28 March 2013 - 1 Peter 2: 21

Thursday, March 28

Christ . . . [left] you a model for you to follow his steps closely. — 1 Pet. 2:21

Jesus kept his life simple so that he could freely minister to others. (Luke 9:58) He was modest and always based his teaching on the Scriptures. (John 5:19; 17:14, 17) He was approachable and kind. Love was the motivation for everything he did. (Matt. 19:13-15; John 15:12) Jesus’ example had a positive influence on his apostles. For instance, James did not cower in the face of death but until he was executed, loyally served God. (Acts 12:1, 2) John faithfully followed in Jesus’ footsteps for more than 60 years. (Rev. 1:1, 2, 9) Elders who are self-sacrificing, humble, and loving provide the kind of example that younger men need. — 1 Pet. 5:2, 3 w11 11/15 5:7, 8

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 15) Matthew 27:62-66

27 March 2013 - John 21: 25

Wednesday, March 27

There are, in fact, many other things also which Jesus did, which, if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose, the world itself could not contain the scrolls written. — John 21:25

Among all the things that Jesus accomplished during his short but dynamic ministry was the locating, training, and organizing of men who would take the lead after his earthly sojourn. When he returned to heaven in 33 C.E., Jesus left behind the foundation of a remarkable congregation that would quickly number into the thousands. (Acts 2:41, 42; 4:4; 6:7) Today, there continues to be a need for men to take the lead in spiritual matters. Those who reach out for this privilege of service are to be commended, for they are “desirous of a fine work.” (1 Tim. 3:1) To serve properly in such a capacity, a man must qualify spiritually. More than abilities or accomplishments, he must have spiritual qualities. w1111/15 5:1-3

Memorial Bible reading: (Daytime events: Nisan 14) Luke 22:66-71

Remember the Wife of Job

THINK ABOUT JOB'S WIFE

What a wonderful reminder for us when we tend to beat ourselves up. Sometimes we can only do a little, but keep our integrity which is paramount. Then when we get on our feet again, we can do better. 

Sometimes, we can say to ourselves, just go to the meeting, maybe I can't comment tonight, I will do better. I will go in service today, maybe I can't speak, I can just accompany somebody, I will do better. Just don't give up. Here is what was said: 

During a recent visit of the circuit overseer (in Louisiana ), he gave a talk centered on being tired and weary. The brother mentioned Jeremiah and how, after being put in stocks for just one day, he was complaining and cursing the man that announced his birth, and wishing that he had died in his mother's womb. Why? He was tired. 

Then the CO asked, what comes to mind when you think of Job's wife. Most people think of her telling Job to curse God and die. (Job 2:9). 

The CO asked why she wasn't rebuked with the three so-called comforters. It was brought out that Job's wife was tired; probably more tired than we can imagine. 

Consider the following: 

When the messengers told Job that he had lost all his livestock, Job's wife lost hers too. 

When Job was told that he had lost all his land and material goods, Job's wife lost hers too. 

When the messengers told Job that he had lost all his children, Job's wife lost hers too. 

The 10 children that she carried for 9 months each, bonded with them as she breast-fed each and every one of them, watched them grow up and stand tall, only to lose them all at once, violently. 

Then, to make matters worse, her husband mysteriously and suddenly developed huge boils all over his body that are open and oozing pus and stink. She watched as the man she loves, the father of her children, cracked a pottery jar to scratch himself in order to alleviate some of the pain, but to no avail. This man, who has been all that to her, is staying away because his breath is so bad that no one can stand it. And she can only sit by helpless, without any explanation for anything. 

Would we want to continue to see someone suffer or would we too want him to die? Most of us would want a loved one out of their misery. So when Job's wife said curse God and die, she wasn't being disloyal to Jehovah. She wanted her husband's misery to end. It was an act of love. She was tired! 

In the end, not only was she not reproved but she was blessed with everything that Job received: 10 more children, more wealth, and a healthy husband. 

The CO continued: There are times when due to our health problems, either physical or mental or financial, or whatever else, we are not doing all that we feel we should. Once I myself was in such a state. A young friend asked me if I considered Job a faithful man. Of course, I said, 'oh yes!' Then she lovingly pointed out, that at one time all Job could do was sit in the dirt and scrape his sores. That was his act of worship, proving Satan a liar. He did not lose faith. So, next time you are being hard on yourself for circumstances beyond your control, remember the account of Job. We can, in spite of our circumstances, still give a reply even if we are just breathing and praying to Jehovah to get through the next minute. Whether it is physical or mental distress, or financial, we can be like Job, only able to scrape our sores and pray to get through this trial. Yet we are still doing what Jehovah has asked us to do: give a reply to the one who is taunting him!!!