First grade level

Imagine a first-grade student getting As in all his reports. The teachers would deem him as an outstanding student. But if such reports were handed over to a university professor for college evaluation, would he give them an A? Probably not. Obviously, those reports were not meant for college level, but for a first-grader. A first-grade teacher knows the level of the student and evaluates accordingly. Jehovah, the best Teacher of all, knows how to judge imperfect human, and he knows the level he is dealing with. Thanks to his kindness and justice he can judge us according to what we can do, and within that level, we can be declared righteous. (Ps. 149:4; Rom. 5:9)

Protecting power

The crocodile's jaws have been reported to be more sensitive than the human fingertips. This can enable them to both carry their offspring in the mouths with great gentleness and to snap at prey in a split second, researchers report. This illustrates Jehovah's power. He is pure energy and his power is unlimited, yet it can be controlled. It can either be used gently to protect his weak servants, but also in a destructive way to bring punishment upon the wicked. (https://www.livescience.com/24621-crocodile-jaws-sensitive-fingertip.html)

God’s voice

A blind girl, trying to escape from a fire, heard the voice of a man saying 'jump down, we'll catch you.' Other people were shouting the same thing, but she didn't jump. Then she heard the voice of her father telling her to jump, and jump she did. She survived. This girl was blind from birth, she really didn't see who was shouting. But she had full confidence in her father's voice. In a sense, we are also trying to escape from calamity. Satan and his world are calling us to jump to their safety net. But our father is also crying aloud by means of his Word telling us how to survive. The question is: which voice will we trust? If we put our full confidence in Jehovah's voice, it will mean life for us.

The Pale Blue Dot

On Feb. 14, 1990, renowned scientist Carl Sagan shared an incredible perspective on our home planet that had never been seen before. As NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft was about to leave our Solar System in 1989, Sagan pleaded with officials to turn the camera around to take one last look back at Earth before the spaceship left our solar system. The resulting image, a grainy, low-resolution snapshot, with the Earth as a speck less than 0.12 pixels in size, became known as 'the pale blue dot'.

Instead of beauty, this one-of-a-kind picture showed the immeasurable vastness of space, and our undeniably-small place within it. Sagan later wrote: 'Everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives, On a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.' Humbling! If a human-made satellite can make us look so tiny, how much smaller we must look from the Almighty's perspective! If Jehovah would take a picture of us, of you, from his dwelling place, would we even reach one pixel? Again, humbling. The Psalmist expressed this thought in Psalm 113:4-7: 'Jehovah is high above all the nations; His glory is above the heavens. Who is like Jehovah our God, The one who dwells on high? He stoops down to look on heaven and earth, Raising the lowly from the dust. He lifts up the poor from the ash heap.' Yes, the Almighty God Jehovah is above the physical heavens. And yet, what's really moving is that the He actually “stoops down” to help the lowly and the poor. Indeed, Jehovah is the greatest example of humility. (https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/voyager/pale-blue-dot-images-turn-25)

Jehovah's Blessing

A rich father may spoil his children giving them everything in abundance at all times, which will hamper their ability to learn the joy of hard work and self-sufficiency. Conversely, a rich father could provide what they need but at the same time teach them valuable life lessons. He can let them do work from a young age, allowing them to earn their own money, and provide beyond basic material support only when is truly needed. Jehovah is more like the latter. The depth of God's riches is awe-inspiring. (Rom. 11:33) Why, everything belongs to him! He could spoil his servants beyond recounting, but he opts not to. Otherwise, he would add pain with his blessing (Prov 10:22) Part of the pain will be not being able to enjoy our hard work and self-sufficiency. (Ecl. 2:24)

Resurrecting the same person

The hope of resurrection shows how well Jehovah knows each one of us. For Jehovah to be able to raise exactly the same person with the same memories and the same characteristics, he should know absolutely everything about that person. He needs to store all our memories and experiences into his own memory. That’s how well he knows you. (Mat. 10:30)

Subjected mankind to futility

Jehovah subjected humanity to futility. (Romans 8) But does that mean that Jehovah is the cause of the futility and suffering that afflict each one of us today? Think of a judge who pronounces a just sentence upon a criminal. The convict may suffer considerably while he serves out his sentence, but can he rightly blame the judge for being the cause of his suffering?

You neglect Jesus

If someone says: 'by honoring Jehovah you neglect Jesus', how can we reply? We can use this illustration: If you were sick and your neighbor sent her son over to your house with a nice pot of soup you would be grateful to the child, but whom would you thank the most?

Jehovah is high

Have you ever been to the observatory of a skyscraper like the Empire State? When you look down to the ground, people look so tiny, almost imperceptible. This can give us an idea of how small we must look from God’s perspective. Why, an entire nation of humans is nothing but a drop in a bucket, as the film of dust. (Isa. 40:15) Though Jehovah is high, he is so kind and loving that he takes note of the humble. (Ps. 138:6) What a wonderful God he is!

Man saved by a rope

A man is drowning. Someone sees him and throws him a rope, saving him. Does one see the headlines the next day: 'Rope Saves Man's Life!'? Not the rope, but the man who threw it deserves the thanks. Jesus is the rope, but Jehovah is the one who threw it. We need to give more honor to the Father than the Son. In fact, that’s what the Son would like us to do. (Mark 10:18)

Galileo was right

In 1633 a man called Galileo was on his knees before the court of the Roman Inquisition. He was accused of being a heretic. Not too long after that, it was proved that Galileo was right and the Church was wrong. It took 360 years for the Church to admit that they made a mistake. In 1993 the Pope offered a 'solemn pardon' to Galileo and accepted they were wrong. Yes, 360 years to correct a mistake. In sharp contrast, Jehovah’s Witnesses are willing to adjust their views and interpretation of the Bible when they realized their understanding needs to be further refined. This requires humility because changes in understanding will make apparent that at some point their understanding was not 100 percent accurate. But the Governing Body does not claim to be perfect or infallible. What they are aiming for is to know the truth. No other religious organization reflects such modesty! Their humble spirit helps them to see Jehovah’s direction. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/galileo-in-rome-for-inquisition)

Watchful Guard

The owner of a warehouse containing many valuables is looking to employ a security guard. So he arranges to try out two applicants, and then watch them on a hidden security monitor. As the night goes on, one guard thinks he hears a noise, so he goes out to check —but it was nothing. Later he sees some shadows and goes to investigate, but there was nobody there. Then he sees a moving light, but it turns out to be a long way in the distance. Meanwhile, through all of the night, the other guard is asleep. Which guard do you think would be employed to care for all of the master's belongings? The one that is asleep, or the one that is in constant expectancy and investigates all the possibilities? Would you criticize this guard for being 'wrong' in his expectations, or commend him for his diligence? In a sense, only Jehovah's Witnesses have been awake regarding the presence of the Messiah, and the end of this system, pursuing all the possibilities. Only Jehovah's Witnesses are preaching the Kingdom in these last days. This is very commendable.

The witness of the case

A witness in a legal case decides to stay quiet while the judge interrogates him in court. Should he get any credit, compensation or protection for being a witness in the case? Can he even be called a witness? Likewise, if we want to be a Witness of Jehovah testifying in his favor in the universal trial of his sovereignty, we need to speak up and actively give a witness of his majesty.

Never claimed to be infallible

Jehovah’s Witnesses have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ On the contrary, throughout the years Jehovah’s Witnesses have been humble in admitting that they are not infallible. This can be illustrated by different comments published throughout the years. For example, the ‘Revelation’ book expressed: 'It is not claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8)' —Chapter 2, page 9. The Watchtower magazine has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s Witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19. Thus there's plenty of evidence confirming the humility of our Organization and how they are not afraid to make adjustments in their thinking to please God. What an honor to be part of the only organization that's actively refining the truth about the Word of God!

Jerusalem’s terminology

English acronyms to learn the difference between similar terms:

• Jerusalem above: JA = Jesus and Angels (heavenly organization)
• Heavenly Jerusalem: HJ = Have Jesus (Messianic Kingdom)
• New Jerusalem: NJ = No Jesus (144,000)

Best teacher ever

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40 and Jesus for only 3 1/2 years. Yet the influence of Christ's ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined years of teaching from these renowned philosophers. Jesus painted no pictures, yet some of the finest artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him. Jesus wrote no poetry, but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world's greatest poets were inspired by Him. Jesus composed no music; still, Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the music they composed in His praise. Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble Carpenter of Nazareth.

Unseen Presence

Jesus presence unseen is like a wife who comes home and sees her husband's lunch box, clothes, etc. She knows he is home even if she has yet to see him.

You neglect Jesus

If someone says: by honoring Jehovah you neglect Jesus, how can we reply? We can use this illustration: If you were sick and your neighbor sent her son over to your house with a nice pot of soup you would be grateful to the child, but whom would you thank the most?

Savior and Judge

On a crowded street of one large city, a young man was snatched from the path of a speeding truck, his life saved by a venerable-looking man. Still breathless from fright, the youth thanked the one who saved his life and then was lost in the crowd. Two weeks later in a crowded courtroom, an anxious young man stood in the prisoner's box to be sentenced for murder. 'Young man, have you anything to say before the sentence of death is passed upon you?' 'Why! Yes! Yes, Judge,' the youth responded, 'you know me.' A silence moved like a shock wave over the courtroom. 'I'm sorry. I cannot place you.' 'Yes. Surely you remember. Two weeks ago. At Main and Seventh Streets, you saved my life. Surely, Judge, you can do something to save me now.' A silence pervaded the courtroom. 'Young man, now I do remember you. But that day I was your savior. Today I am your judge.' What's the lesson from this story? Today Jesus Christ wants to be our Savior. We better accept his help now, because one day he will be our Judge.

Jesus can empathize

A man had the misfortune of being involved in a mining accident which necessitated the amputation of his right leg. After a period in the hospital, he went to a prosthesis maker to be supplied with an artificial leg. When the appendage had been strapped to the stump, which was all that remained of the injured leg, the attendant requested that the patient get up and walk across the floor. Awkwardly, the man struggled to his feet and staggered across the room. Then, dragging himself painfully back to his chair, he slumped into it, utterly exhausted and discouraged. 'That's not how to do it,' said the attendant. 'Watch this!' Then he walked gracefully across the floor. 'Ah,' exclaimed the patient, 'It's all very easy for you because you don't have any disability.' 'Oh, haven't I?' replied the attendant. 'Look.' Pulling up the legs of his trousers, he disclosed that he was not wearing just one artificial limb, but two! What's the moral? Just like this man, Jesus can empathize with us because he was a human, and really, he suffered things that most of us will never need to experience. He can teach us with freeness of speech how to walk securely in this dark world. Are we heeding his counsel?

Man saved by a rope

A man is drowning. Someone sees him and throws him a rope, saving him. Does one see the headlines the next day: 'Rope Saves Man's Life!'? Not the rope, but the man who threw it deserves the thanks. Jesus is the rope, but Jehovah is the one who threw it. We need to give more honor to the Father than the Son. In fact, that’s what the Son like us to do. (Mark 10:18)

Proverbs simile

Proverbs 26:18, 19: Like a madman who shoots fiery missiles, arrows, and death Is the man who plays a trick on his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” This scriptural simile is powerful and self-explanatory.

Winston Churchill’s quote

A joke is a very serious thing (http://quotes.lifehack.org)

JOY acronym

• J = Jehovah First
• O = Others Next
• Y = Yourself Last

Japanese carp

For unlimited joy and happiness, remember, the more we serve the more joy we have. The Japanese Carp, if placed in a small bowl, will grow to 2 or 3 inches in length. In a pond, they attain 6 to 10 inches. In a large lake; they grow to over 3 feet! The size of the fish depends on the size of the body of water they are in. Water represents the many facets of our theocratic service. The fish represents joy, which grows in direct relationship to the amount of water it is in. So place yourself in the largest body of service possible, and watch your joy grow as Jehovah blesses you!

Unjust Ban

In 2017 our Russian brothers and sisters faced a trial to ban our activities there. The court declined to hear the testimony from most of our key witnesses. For six days, compelling evidence was presented, showing that evidence was planted unfairly against us. International media reported this case as a high profile case because it affected the human rights of our members, and maybe others. What was the verdict? They banned our activities. The decision was indeed illogical and unjust. This illustrates how detrimental it is to have preconceived ideas. Do we judge our brothers and sisters the same way the Russian court did? We may find ourselves judging our brothers and sisters with prejudice ideas that immediately make us dismiss their point of views, for instance, judging them as younger, inexperienced, new in the truth, uneducated, foreigners, etc. If we put these kind of prejudiced labels on our brothers and sisters, we won't be able to see the many good qualities they manifest.

Triangle

Every story is like a triangle. There are always three sides to every version: your side, my side, and the right side. It is very hard to be totally objective. So, when in disagreement, we should try to understand the other side instead of judging others. Only then the triangle will be completed, reaching the right side.

The colonel’s button

During a company inspection, a colonel came to a certain soldier, looked him up and down and snapped, 'Button that pocket, trooper!' The soldier, more than a little rattled, stammered, 'Right now, sir?' 'Of course, right now!' was the reply. The soldier, therefore, very carefully reached out and buttoned the flap on the colonel's shirt pocket. The officer had been quick to note the youngster's uniform problem, but hadn't noticed his own. For some reason, we seem to be the same way. The faults of others stick out like a missing tooth, while our own are often hard to spot. Small specks in other people seem major, while the planks in our eye seem excusable. (Mat 7:1-5) As Christians, we need to examine ourselves and stop judging others.

Traffic jam

In big cities, traffic jam can happen very easily. One vehicle with a flat tire in the emergency lane will be enough for some drivers to get distracted and slow the pace. In a matter of minutes, the distraction of a few will turn into a big traffic jam. This would probably make us quite irritated. But when we are passing by the affected car, what do we do? Don't we also slow down and want to see what's going on? Sometimes we criticize others for things we would also do if we are in the same situation. Instead of being swift to judge others, we should honestly ask ourselves, if I'm in his shoes, would I really do any better? (Rom. 2:1)

Stop Sign

Some people don’t stop at STOP signs. The consequences could be disastrous, from getting fined by the Police to losing our lives or taking others’ lives in a car crash. The Bible also has several STOP signs that all Christians need to obey. For example, Matthew 7:1 says ‘STOP judging’. The consequences of not following that sign can also be detrimental to us.—Matthew 7:2

He has a long way to go

Some people look at the imperfections of others and say “he has a long way to go.” But really, who hasn't? In God's eyes, we don't have a long way to go, but we have come so far thanks to the truth! We need to stop judging others.(Matthew 7:1)

Book cover

Don’t judge a book by its cover-- English idiom

Farmer and the dog

There once was a farmer who had a big dog and a small boy. One day before going into the field he told his dog to keep an eye on his boy. While he was working a dingo came. When the dog saw the dingo, he quickly hid the boy in the house, and then he went outside and fought with the dingo. The dingo hurt the dog, but could not kill him. After a while, the dingo gave up and went back to the woods. Now when the farmer returned he noticed blood all over the dog, but he could not see his son. Thinking the dog had killed the boy, he shot the dog. Imagine how he felt when he went inside and found the boy who told him what really happened! Lesson? Don't jump to conclusions!

Jehovah declares us righteous

Imagine a first-grade student getting As in all his reports. The teachers would deem him as an outstanding student. But if such reports were handed over to a university professor for college evaluation, would he give them an A? Probably not. Obviously, those reports were not meant for college level, but for a first-grader. A first-grade teacher knows the level of the student and evaluates accordingly. Jehovah, the best Teacher of all, knows how to judge imperfect human, and he knows the level he is dealing with. Thanks to his kindness and justice he can judge us according to what we can do, and within that level, we can be declared righteous. (Ps. 149:4; Rom. 5:9)

Subjected mankind to futility

Jehovah subjected humanity to futility. (Romans 8) But does that mean that Jehovah is the cause of the futility and suffering that afflict each one of us today? Think of a judge who pronounces a just sentence upon a criminal. The convict may suffer considerably while he serves out his sentence, but can he rightly blame the judge for being the cause of his suffering?