Nissan 14 . . . WHAT Does It Mean to You?

Nisan 14 . . . What Does It Mean To You?

Nisan 14.

Tonight,
the most important date
in international history.

Commanded: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me." Our Deliverer: Christ Jesus made the statement

before finally nailed to a tree.

The Passover to Israel
kept Egyptian bondage in mind.

But more so their deliverance
of the Divine kind.

Ten plagues,

the foremost

the death of first-borns
when lamb's blood
was not posted

on portals in faith
and exercise of love.

Then 15 centuries later,
instituted a new celebration:

A Special Meal
with 11 disciples
faithful to do God's will.

Memorialized: Christ's Death
to be experienced at day's end,

after the sunset
they passed unleavened bread
and took a sip of wine

after offering thanks to His Father
for such Loyal and True Friends.

The unleavened bread represented his sinless body

Sacrificed in love.

The wine: his 'blood of the covenant'
poured out at Golgotha
in behalf of the obedient many
"for forgiveness of sins"

and then after 40 days
presented to his Creator, our Maker
in the heavens above.

Just what does this date mean to you and me?

Does it matter that Christ's Death liberates us from the scourge of sin and death
allowing us a chance at Eternity?

Was pierced for us insignificant?
A mere trivial thing?

Or

Two of the Most Unselfish Acts
of Utmost Love unduplicated
by any means?

Yes,

Living Forever in Paradise
for the Many will be
the happiest of occasions

with receiving back loved ones deceased and abundant peace
without poverty, food shortages, sickness, death, and disease.

This is what the Creator and his Son the 'master-worker' had originally designed for perfect humanity.

So,

the first full moon
after the beginning of Spring
lands this year tonight,

March 31, 2018.

What joy for many this evening to convene

with like-minded appreciative ones
thankful for Christ's offering.

You are invited!* . . . We hope to see there.

Gratitude: To Bring.

*https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/memorial/

Did It Really Happen....https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-no2-2016-march/jesus-resurrection/ © an hour ago, Lucretia Mccloud    death • hope • love • spiritual • teen   

A Most Precious Gift (first draft)

Has not this famous prayer

Christians
been taught to in earnestness pray
in matters of importance,

not to just daily say?

"Our Father in the heavens,
let your name be sanctified.

Let your Kingdom come.

Let your will take place,
as in heaven,

also on earth.” Matt. 6:9, 10

Jehovah’s name embracing
a full scope of His excellence,
majesty,

holiness.

A name of most priceless worth.

All principles and laws
permeating from him holy, truly. 

However, a slandering Satan caused mankind
from this pure righteousness
to temporarily, yet wickedly stray.

But,

Jesus loved his Father's name.
Spreading it to all hearing
he did it lovingly relay.

"I have made your name known to them and will make it known". John 17:26

His perfect life course on earth
proved beyond speculation, doubt
reasonable and righteous
Jehovah to set standards
for his intelligent creatures
universally spread about.

Even to the point of his once faithful brother, Satan
subjecting him to an agonizing death

Jesus remained completely loyal to his heavenly Father.
Causing great happiness in heaven!
All faithful angels in joyfulness to shout.

Since proven
that a perfect human could maintain perfectobedience to God’s righteous standards.

Not everyone considering complete obedience
a nuisance; an irritating bother.

Christ also taught us
for God's Kingdom to eternally stay
composed of 144, 000 co-rulers--
his spiritual brothers taken from the earth

who'll with Christ eradicate wickedness.
Soon, to happen without further delay:

"Happy and holy
is anyone having part
in the first resurrection; 

over these the second death* has no authority,

but they will be priests of God and of the Christ,
and they will rule as kings with him for the 1, 000 years." Rev. 20:5.

"And they sing a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they are to rule as kings
over the earth.” Rev. 20:9, 10.

All fears of death and dying
finally, to be completely allayed

because of God's Love
and His Kingdom's birth.

Yes, God's will on earth
possible a selfless ransom
in love of humankind made.

God’s purpose

to fill the earth with Adam's and Eve's offspring

Christ's death,
with perfect blood
was paid.

Laid: An opportunity,
to all who exercise faith

even those once dead
but then to be raised:

"And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." Acts. 24:15.

To reach perfection.
To live forever.

To Eternally Praise
Jah Jehovah's

Most Worthy Name.

This is the reason

Christ, from heaven
to this earth came.



You Gave Your Only-Begotten Son
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102014563

LAKE OF FIRE

This expression occurs only in the book of Revelation and is clearly symbolic. The Bible gives its own explanation and definition of the symbol by stating: “This means the second death, the lake of fire.”​—Re 20:14; 21:8.

The symbolic quality of the lake of fire is further evident from the context of references to it in the book of Revelation. Death is said to be hurled into this lake of fire. (Re 19:20; 20:14) Death obviously cannot be literally burned. Moreover, the Devil, an invisible spirit creature, is thrown into the lake. Being spirit, he cannot be hurt by literal fire.​—Re 20:10; compare Ex 3:2 and Jg 13:20.

Since the lake of fire represents “the second death” and since Revelation 20:14 says that both “death and Hades” are to be cast into it, it is evident that the lake cannot represent the death man has inherited from Adam (Ro 5:12), nor does it refer to Hades (Sheol). It must, therefore, be symbolic of another kind of death, one that is without reversal, for the record nowhere speaks of the “lake” as giving up those in it, as do Adamic death and Hades (Sheol). (Re 20:13) Thus, those not found written in “the book of life,” unrepentant opposers of God’s sovereignty, are hurled into the lake of fire, meaning eternal destruction, or the second death.​—Re 20:15.

While the foregoing texts make evident the symbolic quality of the lake of fire, it has been used by some persons to support belief in a literal place of fire and torment. Revelation 20:10 has been appealed to, because it speaks of the Devil, the wild beast, and the false prophet as being “tormented day and night forever and ever” in the lake of fire. However, this cannot refer to actual conscious torment. Those thrown into the lake of fire undergo “the second death.” (Re 20:14) In death there is no consciousness and, hence, no feeling of pain or suffering.​—Ec 9:5.

In the Scriptures fiery torment is associated with destruction and death. For example, in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures the word for torment (baʹsa·nos) is several times used with reference to punishment by death. (Eze 3:20; 32:24, 30) Similarly, concerning Babylon the Great, the book of Revelation says, “the kings of the earth . . . will weep and beat themselves in grief over her, when they look at the smoke from the burning of her, while they stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment [Gr., ba·sa·ni·smouʹ].” (Re 18:9, 10) As to the meaning of the torment, an angel later explains: “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again.” (Re 18:21) So, fiery torment here is parallel with destruction, and in the case of Babylon the Great, it is everlasting destruction.​—Compare Re 17:16; 18:8, 15-17, 19.

Therefore, those who are ‘tormented forever’ (from Gr., ba·sa·niʹzo) in the lake of fire undergo “second death” from which there is no resurrection. The related Greek word ba·sa·ni·stesʹ is translated ‘jailer’ in Matthew 18:34. (RS, NW, ED; compare vs 30.) Thus those hurled into the lake of fire will be held under restraint, or “jailed,” in death throughout eternity.​—See GEHENNA; TORMENT.

The Ransom—A “Perfect Present” From the Father
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017287#h=27:0-29:0 © 2 hours ago, Lucretia Mccloud    hope • love • spiritual • teen   

This Day

This Day (1st draft)

Greeks
who to the Jewish festival came
for worship
did Jesus seek

requested Philip, telling Andrew informing Jesus
who "answered them:

“The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified." John 12:20-23.

To fulfill his Father's will
for him to die as "a grain of wheat"
which bears much fruit

after buried under soil
trampled by unworthy feet. vs. 24.

After conceding the designated time
Christ stated:

"Now I am troubled,

and what should I say?
Father, save me out of this hour.

Nevertheless,
this is why I have come to this hour.

Father, glorify your name.” vs. 27.

Although feeling stressed
agitated
his power weak

empowering

his Father's next words
onlookers thought: thunder

when Jah Jehovah
did from heaven
approvingly speak:

“I have glorified it
and will glorify it again.” vss. 28, 29.

Speculated
an angel spoke.

But Jesus said as vss. 30-32 we quote:

“This voice has occurred,
not for my sake,

but for your sakes.

Now there is a judging of this world;

now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

And yet I,
if I am lifted up from the earth,

will draw all sorts of men to myself.”

But skepticism remained
as wicked crowds did then claim:

“We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever.

How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up?
Who is this Son of man?” vs. 34.

Although just earlier
Greeks sought Christ to him implore
of salvation to gain.

Appreciative they were.
Although, Christ in purpose
was from them detained.

Yes, a light among them
readily, daily did shine.

But many of them
were not 'righteously inclined'.

However, Jesus himself did them
to even us today, in earnestness did remind:

“The light will be among you a little while longer.

Walk while you still have the light,
so that darkness does not overpower you;

whoever walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 

While you have the light,
exercise faith in the light,
so that you may become sons of light.” vs. 35, 35.

Then off from them
he went and hid

"Although he had performed so many signs before them,
they were not putting faith in him".

For Isaiah of them prophesied:

“He has blinded their eyes and has made their hearts hard, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts and turn around and I heal them.” {vss. 36-40.)

Jehovah did not them call
to do his bid. For did not Jesus himself say:

"No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him,

and I will resurrect him on the last day.

It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by Jehovah.’

Everyone who has listened to the Father and has learned comes to me.

Not that any man has seen the Father,
except the one who is from God;

this one has seen the Father.

Most truly I say to you,
whoever believes
has everlasting life." John 6:44-47.

Although, sadly, "many even of the rulers actually put faith in him,

but they would not acknowledge him because of the Pharisees,
so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue;

for they loved the glory of men even more than the glory of God." vss. 42, 43.

So again this day Christ for all his disciples
did pray:

“I make request, not concerning these only,
but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word,

so that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you,

that they also may be in union with us,
so that the world may believe that you sent me."

"So that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me."

"I have made your name known to them and will make it known,

so that the love with which you loved me
may be in them

and I in union with them.” John 17:20-26.

Yes, from this day each day,
"let us also throw off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus." Hebrews 12:1, 2.

Who looked intently at His Reward.
Who has it attained.
Who is already enthroned... 

THIS DAY.

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who had come to worship at the festival. 21 So these approached Philip,+ who was from Beth·saʹi·da of Galʹi·lee, and they began to request him, saying: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew.+ Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.

23 But Jesus answered them: “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.+ 24 Most truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just one grain; but if it dies,+ it then bears much fruit. 25 Whoever is fond of his life destroys it, but whoever hates his life+ in this world will safeguard it for everlasting life.+ 26 If anyone would minister to me, let him follow me, and where I am, there my minister will be also.+ If anyone would minister to me, the Father will honor him. 27 Now I am troubled,+ and what should I say? Father, save me out of this hour.+ Nevertheless, this is why I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice+ came out of heaven: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”+

29 The crowd that was standing there heard it and began to say that it had thundered. Others said: “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered: “This voice has occurred, not for my sake, but for your sakes.+ 31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world+ will be cast out.+ 32 And yet I, if I am lifted up from the earth,+ will draw all sorts of men to myself.”+ 33 This he was really saying to indicate what sort of death he was about to die.+ 34 Then the crowd answered him: “We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever.+ How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up?+ Who is this Son of man?” 35 So Jesus said to them: “The light will be among you a little while longer.+ Walk while you still have the light, so that darkness does not overpower you; whoever walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.+ 36 While you have the light, exercise faith in the light, so that you may become sons of light.”+

Jesus said these things and went off and hid from them. 37 Although he had performed so many signs before them, they were not putting faith in him, 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, who said: “Jehovah, who has put faith in the thing heard from us?*+ And as for the arm of Jehovah, to whom has it been revealed?”+ 39 The reason why they were not able to believe is that again Isaiah said: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and has made their hearts hard, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts and turn around and I heal them.”+ 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory, and he spoke about him.+ 42 All the same, many even of the rulers actually put faith in him,+ but they would not acknowledge him because of the Pharisees, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue;+ 43 for they loved the glory of men even more than the glory of God.*+

John 12: 44 However, Jesus called out and said: “Whoever puts faith in me puts faith not only in me but also in him who sent me;+ 45 and whoever sees me sees also the One who sent me.+ 46 I have come as a light into the world,+ so that everyone putting faith in me may not remain in the darkness.+ 47 But if anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I came, not to judge the world, but to save the world.+ 48 Whoever disregards me and does not receive my sayings has one to judge him. The word that I have spoken is what will judge him on the last day.+ 49 For I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.+ 50 And I know that his commandment means* everlasting life.+ So whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”+ © 15 hours ago, Lucretia Mccloud    hope • love • society • spiritual • teen   

Love As Do Elephants (first draft)

Love As Do Elephants (first draft)

http://www.reshareworthy.com/nairobi-elephant-orphanage/#vFRfiyTS9SD1YbEd.01

Love as do elephants
loyal, with grace.

When under attack
they circle young or weak
as strong ones outward face.

Love as do elephants
protecting its ring.

With encouragement, yes praise
with our tongues
let sweet words spring.

Love as do elephants
joined together in pride.

Communication is key.
Lack of causes hatred.
Does truly divide.

Love as do elephants
who friends do not forget.

Although, we must also "love our enemies".
Christian brothers, we do not neglect.

Yes,
Love as do elephants.
Keeping each other close in mind.

As Christ died for all mankind
We must be loyal, loving and kind.

When a nearby lion roars on the African savanna, antelope may react by running away at top speed until they are out of danger. Elephants, however, provide an example of mutual support. The book Elephants​—Gentle Giants of Africa and Asia explains: “A means of defense that the typical herd of elephants commonly employs is to form a circle of their bodies, with the adults facing outward against the threat and the young animals protected inside the ring.” Faced with such a manifestation of strength and support, lions rarely attack even young elephants.

16 When threatened by Satan and his demons, we similarly need to stay together, shoulder to shoulder with our brothers who are solid in the faith. Paul acknowledged that certain fellow Christians proved to be “a strengthening aid” to him during his imprisonment in Rome. (Colossians 4:10, 11) The Greek word translated “strengthening aid” appears only once in the Christian Greek Scriptures. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, “a verbal form of the word signifies medicines which allay irritation.” Like soothing ointment, the support of mature worshipers of Jehovah can alleviate the pain caused by emotional or physical suffering.

Elephants “Don’t Forget Their Friends”

“Elephants never forget—or at least, they don’t forget their friends,” reports New Scientist magazine. Dr. Karen McComb of the University of Sussex, England, recorded the low-pitched “contact calls” of female African elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, noting which elephants would meet together frequently and which were strangers. She then played back their calls to 27 elephant families to study their responses. If the animals knew the caller well, they immediately called back. If they knew the caller only slightly, they listened but did not respond, and an unfamiliar call made them agitated and defensive. “They could recognise members of at least 14 other families from their calls, which suggests that each elephant can remember around 100 other adults,” the article stated. Elephants may remember humans too. John Partridge, head of mammals at England’s Bristol Zoo, says that an Asian elephant he worked with for 18 years recognized him when he returned after a three-year break.

Do We Really Need Others?
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003520?q=elephants&p=par © an hour ago, Lucretia Mccloud    love • society • spiritual • teen • family   

A Model For Me to Follow

A Model For Me To Follow (Contest: A Tribute to My Hero) restructured

Before the starry heavens
and even before any sky
I imagined, at first wistfully,
in my imperfect mind's eye

the two of them together.

Billions of years of familial bonding.

Tragically, honestly,
my eyes flooded
with tears to cry

picturing this "only-begotton son,"
"a first-born of all creation"
with his Almighty Heavenly Father

bathed in majestic celestial light,
in contrast to Satan's darkness which now is an international blight.

Me, living life in contained misery.
Comatose my plight.
A daughter without her own dad.
Unveiled an envy too ugly to internally hold,
although, horrified for this emotion any onlookers to behold.

Buried years beneath in survival's silence.
Searching for comforting answers
her then-unknown goal.

I imagined their camaraderie,
their happiness
in creating the universe.
Eventually angels applauding
their collective lauding

as Jesus and Jehovah put finishing touches
on our marvelous beautiful earth.

Somehow dampened
my enthusiasm for this awesome favored son
I'm terribly saddened
to confess.

Since born into a world where love is covered over by materialism

valued more than brother
as your mark to true success.
I felt smothered by loneliness.

But as I pondered this Special Creation
beloved by Father; hated by races

His wonderful qualities
patiently
demonstrated
in imitation
of His Creator's
Holiness

I finally understood.

Appreciated this opportunity.

I began to feel really blessed.

How could I mistake there kindness
in offering me Eternal Life

to bond with them in uniting fondness
of ending bitterness and strife?

So now I bow my head
in trepidation
for my arrogant
audacity,
my ignorance,
my jealousy.

My unfounded
frustration.

My desire
today
is to cultivate
Jesus' utmost
Divine
Humility

And love for all people.

He's my Hero.
My Potentate.

Contest...A Tribute to My Hero © 11 hours ago, Lucretia Mccloud    personal • hope • love • teen • sad