Read and make a reflection
paper on BIG FISH section – July volume.
6 July 2014
Think about it
Traveling abroad, relaxing
in a spa, taking a nap – these are just some of the ways one can de-stress. But
have you tried talking to God? Have you tried lifting up all your worries to
Him? Have you tried crying on the Best Shoulder one could ever try on?
My reflections: Yes, I often talk to Jehovah God in prayer – personal, family
(with my mother), with my brothers and sisters-in-faith in the congregation,
and with people to whom we conduct bible study, in our ministry. I sometimes
cry to Jehovah when my pressures are too much. I pray to him when I’m alone or
even when I’m in a crowd. Truly, Jehovah is the …
(Psalm 65:2) “O Hearer
of prayer, to you people of all sorts will come.”
Going fishing
Talk to God. Tell Him all your heart’s
desires. Lift up all your worries. Surrender everything you feel. And
experience His divine presence.
My prayer-reflections:
Dear Jehovah,
Thank you for everything
that You give me – life, my family, my friends, protection, Your holy spirit
and the many things that keep me alive and happy.
Please also forgive me for
mistakes and sins I commit due to imperfection.
I offer You this simple
prayer in the name of Your son, Jesus. Amen.
13 July 2014
Think about it
Which type of “soil”
represents your heart?
My reflections: I think I am the clay and bedrock type. I can be as soft as clay –
which means I can be a person who is easy to deal with and who can listen. But
sometimes I can be a bedrock, too, because there are times that as a single
child, I feel all alone when I face certain problems. I know I need to
communicate more and better – with my mother, with mature and well-meaning
friends and relatives, and in prayer, to Jehovah God.
Going fishing
Man falls. Man stumbles. Man
is not perfect. But let not these imperfections stop you from having a good
heart. Remember, the Lord is just patiently waiting, listening and extending
His hand for you to hold.
My reflections: These
passages are true. Every human is not perfect – as each inherited imperfection
from Adam. Each person is also given free will by God. Thus, one can choose to
use his/her imperfection for the worse or to raise him/herself up from being
sinful.
I strive to raise myself up
whenever I fall, with the help of my family, friends and elders in our
congregation. The main reason is because I don’t want Jehovah God to be sad. I
want him to be my friend, to be happy with me. I want to follow His invitation:
(Proverbs 27:11) “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice,
So that I can make a reply
to him who taunts me.”
20 July 2014
Think about it
Most of us fear the end of
the world. We tremble whenever we hear news about war and natural disasters. We
think that God will come down and separate good from the bad. A person on his
deathbed goes through his own end of the world.
My reflections: Yes, I
sometimes feel fear when we I hear of such news as I feel sorry and pity for
those affected. My mother and I extend material help to them at times. We also
pray for them to be strong and to continue to hope.
I also think of how those
events might affect us if they directly happen to us. However, I also read in
the Bible that such events are a mark of what is called “the last days”.
(Matthew 24:3-8, 12-14) 3 While
he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately,
saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your
presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 In
answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you, 5 for
many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will
mislead many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and
reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place,
but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation will rise against
nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and
earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these
things are a beginning of pangs of distress… 12 and
because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will
grow cold. 13 But the one who has endured to the end
will be saved. 14 And this good news of the Kingdom will
be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and
then the end will come.
Going fishing
Today is the best day to
change and be a better person. Who knows? Tomorrow might never come.
My reflections: We might
not know what the future brings. So now is the time to do and make things right
because who knows what will happen to us for tomorrow. I should find time to
change myself for the better / positively – each day. The change should include
my attitudes, principles, thoughts, actions / behavior, and speech.
27 July 2014
Think about it
What peace and happiness the
world will have if the “treasures” and “fine pearls” of all leaders is the good
of mankind. What peace and happiness the country will have if the government
officials value sincere public service. What peace and happiness will we have
if we do good for the sake of doing good.
My reflections: True peace
and happiness on a global scale will only come from the heavenly government,
the Kingdom of God. In the near
future, it will replace all other governments and will cause God’s will to be
done in heaven and on earth. It will unite everyone living on earth. —
Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10; 24:14.
This
is my Bible-based hope for the future.
Going fishing
Find
God in the treasures and fine pearls of your life.
My reflections: In the Bible, Jesus likened the Kingdom of
God to finding a fine pearl.
(Matthew 13:45, 46) 45 “Again
the Kingdom of the heavens is like a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. 46 Upon
finding one pearl of high value, he went away and promptly sold all the things
he had and bought it.
I participate as fully as I
can in preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom with my congregation. I spend
at least 50 hours a month doing this ministry, with my mother – in different
areas (urban and rural) and in various manners, such as going from house to
house, conducting bible studies with individuals, witnessing in public places,
among others. I feel blessed being used by Jehovah to preach about His kingdom.
He is our Creator
and our Provider (Acts 17:28).
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