Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

Gratitude

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.

Gratitude! What a wonderful emotion, what a wonderful feeling that goes such a long ways with every human on earth. Really; now think about that for one moment isn't that what we all want just some gratitude for our hard work?

I would say yes, and I would think most of us would agree? However, gratitude isn't something we can ask for, simply, because it quickly becomes an obligation based upon something we know we should do, at least while in the present of the person demanding gratitude from us.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

The real question is, why uses the scripture above to promote gratitude that speaks about headship?

The Obvious

When we can be honest with ourselves away from all the noise of what we would like, and what want, and what we've been taught, and what we think is right and wrong about bible doctrine, we can ask ourselves a very simple question? If Adam and Eve had been appreciative of being created in God's love, in God's expression of love in a beautiful paradise with no fear, tears, pain, or death would they have fallen into distrust and suspicion regarding God's motives? In other words, if they had had gratitude in their hearts for God's, true love, would they have sinned? So really, isn't it our lack of gratitude that causes most of us our problems in this life, with God, and with others?

Gen.2:18 Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Headship

Why did Eve think the serpent was smarter than her husband Adam? It was simply, a lack of appreciation for her husband, his, God given position over Eve, which was her eternal life, and association with God for in Adam was also her life with God. She came through Adam whom God had created first to be her head that was no mistake! No more so than Adam thinking he was before God.

Gen. 2:21 Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 2:22 He made the rib, which Yahweh God had taken from the man, into a woman, and brought her to the man. 2:23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
2:24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

Eve was not created from Satan flesh, and blood, or his rib. She was not one with Satan, she was not taught by Satan, or did Satan cherish Eve from his own life. How foolish not to appreciate what she had – frankly, everything from Adam's life; she wanted for nothing, she lack nothing good, not one good thing was missing in Adam life for her in Adam's headship. We must remember they were “put into paradise” they did not build paradise, all emphasis was put on what then. The value of life, as long as they appreciate each others life. Should we be surprised that is the whole message of God's word front to back, life?

Proverbs 12:4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Yet, neither was Adam created from Satan, he was directly created from God, he didn't need a mediator between him and God, Adam could speak directly to God, God was his head. But something in Adam's heart lacked gratitude for God's love, or he could not have imagine there might be something better outside of God's love, or that he would lose something if he truly had gratitude for what God had given him freely beyond anything Satan or, himself or any other being, spirit, or flesh could create for him a beautiful living wife that had love to give him. Think about how unselfish that act was of God, was God jealous of sharing love?

God's love give him only the best, God wanted Adam to be happy living in fulfilled life surround by the expression of love, in beauty, in peace, in happiness and forever enjoying what God's love created for him and the family that would come through Adam own life.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (love) doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

You see one cannot go beyond love there no place else to go it is the beginning and end of every problem in our universe, it fixes, and answer every question we could ever have regarding God. Headship cannot be evil if it was created from love, now think about that, seriously? Does love fail, do human fail? Let us not mix human not in God's glory with the truth of God's glory.

James.1:16 Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers.
1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

What is headship if its not giving the best of ones love for those under our headship? That is God's expression of headship for those he directly creates. Headship is not about taking, it is, first of all about giving the nearest and dearest thing to others, ourselves, just as God did when creating mankind under his own headship, that is, his direction as their loving creator. God's highest love was to create man under his headship, which was a great act of love, the very expression of how much each of us mean to God. Oneness of purpose comes from what, our submission to God's headship, his love, as the director of our lives. We need not have to worry in perfect oneness with the will and mind of God, there is no insecurity in God, there was none present for Adam and Eve, because they were created to be in God, who is love.

Rom. 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

Equality does not mean love, it means revelry, contention, and competition, it does not mean love. Equality breeds fear, corruption, and distrust for God's direction. It says “I have as much right to chose what is good and bad in my life as God's does!” That does not smack of gratitude at all!

Philip. 2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

The independent hard hitting personality personified in this world was not created by God. It is successful, and gets things done, but it was not what Adam and Eve were created with.

Proverbs 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth.

James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Family Gratitude

Why do most family fall apart? Why, indeed do most societies come apart? Isn't it from a lack of gratitude for others? In other words, who says a father or mother has to take care of their children, provide for them with an education, health care, food, shelter, and loving support? Yet, most children actually believe parents have no choice in that decision so they lack any feeling of gratitude for the hard selfless work of their parents now days. The parent is treated like a fool for caring and trying to make a good life for their children. But who has taught these children parents have no rights, that they are on earth to provide for every need ,and want of the child? Making them slaves to their whims of their children? Where does such an education come from, God or Satan?

2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.

Proverbs 29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

Moreover, if the parent has some weakness that the child can exploit all the better they can leverage it for the rest of their lives to get concession from the guilty offending parent. How strange, when others can see good in our parents. Yet, we may have no respect for them at all? Yet, others show them deep gratitude just for having their friendship? Yes, the spirit of gratitude comes from an appreciative heart, producing respect for others, that their lives are as important as ours, their time, their money, their efforts are just as important as ours that we cherish and ask people to respect and appreciate. We can look for good in others if we appreciate them; ask ourselves does that person really have to do that for me? Put forth so much time and energy to help me? Can I not see something good in them or is my selfish needs so important that it blinds me with hate and unforgiveness?

Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. 12:4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Gratitude cannot happen when we are looking down on others thinking we are equal or better then they are, their gifts become valueless to us so how can we show them gratitude? In other words, if salt has no value it has become tasteless we trample upon it as though nothing good dwells in it. Is that true of people, whom we think have no value in our lives? If that is the value we place on others, what good can come from that?

1 Peter 3:4 but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.

Are we easily offend? Have we become so sensitive over words, and hurt feeling we are consumed with our sensitivity, in protecting our feeling in not hearing anything that does not make us feel good and special, so we treat human's as they are valueless?

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;

How can being a black hole of self, bring forth good, or happiness, or love? How can taking bring forth something good? it cannot! Yet, that is the education so many of us are getting now days!

Hebrews 6:14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."{Genesis 22:17}

James 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God.

Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Matthew 6:1 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Wants Causing Lack - Demanding Rights

When we are unappreciative mostly we think we deserve better, we believe we are lacking, which causes us to want for something we demand as a right, and/or think we deserve, and cannot live with out, so we want more or better then what we are getting. Those feelings will not go away easily, sometimes it take a whole life time to see things in a different light. Children are often unappreciative simply because they see others and believe what they have they deserve, and if the parent really loved them they would give it too them. They do not see demanding something as a right which robs others of giving them something from love, which is a delight. They are not mature enough to understand taking something from others is an unrighteous not a God given right; it is evil, and a mental sickness to see people on earth to get and to meet our needs. No! They cannot see the suffering and efforts their parents are doing to supply their needs for this life. They are blinded to their parents as humans by self-love. The parent is demand to perform according to the child wishes and judgments of what a good parent is to do them. They assume the parent has no right to do or not do? They assume they have all the rights, but the question is who has taught them this lie!

Matthew 15:6 he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.

1 Peter 3:7 You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

Luke. 17:11 It happened as he was on his way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
17:12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
17:13 They lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 17:14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." It happened that as they went, they were cleansed. 17:15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
17:16 He fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. 17:17 Jesus answered, "Weren't the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 17:18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger?" 17:19 Then he said to him, "Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you."

Years later, once the child has grows up and finds themselves in the exact same position having unappreciative children they may come to even love and respect their parents, all the sacrifice and efforts they put forth to give them a better life.

Really it is the constant demands of society that makes a person feel in want, feeling they need more to be happy and appreciative. None of us can demand other make us happy, demanding and showing disrespect to husband's, wives, and children will not fills us with anything but bitterness, and more want.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

James 3:11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?

Christian's have become the most unappreciative in the history of Christianity since Christ. It is very shocking, the spirit of unappreciativeness among us, it is not of God, and its denies the very power of Christ that should indwell us with fruit of God's Spirit.

2Tim.3:4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 3:5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also.

What is lacking for these Christian's? Why are they so demanding and lacking in themselves? How has the spirit of discontentment filled their hearts? We have more knowledge about our heavenly Father than in the two thousand's years before us. We have more religions at anytime in the history of mankind, some 56-thousand sects of Christian's faith alone!

Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

Proverbs 30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'

We lack nothing in nice buildings to meet in with air-condition, nice comfortable seats, beautiful surrounding, polished teachers, great food and so on. . .

But there is no thankfulness in their membership, just as children have so much now days, and still more is wanted, still most don't have any appreciation for others let alone their parents. Look at marriage hardly anyone stays together now days the first time in history of mankind that there are more people divorced than married, still people have more, more rights, more materially, more freedom, less religious restriction against not being married and divorce, why have people not become filled with joy and goodness?

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,{or, faithfulness}

James. 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

Deception by Knowledge

Knowledge has been touted as enlightening people to become more reasonable, better people with more understanding and love. Yet, when a person is a spoiled brat and given greater knowledge what happens? Most often they become arrogant. They use knowledge which is for good and judge others with it, to get more of what they want.

1Cor.13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.

Jude.1:8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
1:9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"

How many woman and men find themselves alone now days? They have all the knowledge of what they want in their mate, having that knowledge in their mind they cannot be compromised. So they start from the premise of that what they want and demand a perfect mate who will loves them (perfectly) without condition or they won't be happy it is their right to have that type of relationship they think others have in a successful marriage. They are equal and have a right to the same, but they just can't ever seems to find that one perfect person that will live for their every need.

Matt.5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?

The question is, can real love demand equality? If it is given from coercion is it love at all? That's the same question children must come to at some point in life to move on into a adulthood, some never do, other do and they start giving of themselves, because they start loving other more than themselves.

Matt. 5:45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

What of authority? The world is coming apart with no respect for authority, position, or power. Does one think for a moment demanding equality in everything is going to make a more peaceful world? Do men and woman have better relationship now days or are they intolerant with each others? Yes, it true, we all deserve better, that is a truth none can deny, yet, the happiest people are those that move through this life and word “I” never seem to come out of their mouth.

Luke.9:46 There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest. 9:47 Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,
9:48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great."

Knowledge without love is of no value at all, its just selfish demands for attention and barking rights that all of imperfect people understand more knowledge does not fix any problem, it is forgiveness, and tolerance, patience and long suffering that does fix problems which lets us to come to love others by seeing their lives matter as much as ours.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Yes, abortion is being used in some country to weed out children that might have a certain diseases; the parent thinks that letting a child suffer gives them the right to end the child's life before coming into this world. In others words, stop the suffering for the child, but ultimately, for the parent. Love is not about ourselves, it is about others, it about making someone else life better, its about giving something that takes away from us.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death.

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

How many of us have found love, with less then perfect people a love that is so strong it denies all human logic! What beauty is found in us or others when we love only those that love us, what gratitude and kindness have we missed in this life, when love is effortless, a demand to tell people what we need?

Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

We have all been shamed by the love of some person that society has rejected as less then human with a low IQ. We have witnesses the love Christ spoke of when telling us we all must become like a young child to be part of his kingdom.

Such unselfish love, has little to do with knowledge, or right or wrong, peer pressure or what some book touts as making us happy. The dots are not hard to connect when we see a society that has become hyper critical of everyone and everything that nothing people can do is appreciated anymore.

2 Peter 2:10 but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;

2 Peter 2:12 But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed.

The only real success now days is material things and looking a certain way, all exterior nothing interior matters. The black hole is a lust to make others say and/or do something by the knowledge of right and wrong according to our beliefs.

Controlling others words, thoughts and action, literally, or by agenda's. Such high ideals leads us into one thing, fear, and a lack of control ending in violence. Yes! Anger is trying to control something out of our control. It is a black hole of thinking we have the power, and/or rights to do so, which breeds more and more mental sickness until we live in a constant state of fear and discontentment. We are not create to make others do things we want, we were created in love to give to others to make them happy, which makes us happy.

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 15:2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. 15:3 For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."{Psalm 69:9}

God's love gives, which promotes a love to given back, or give to others which is adding; adding like waters starting from a small opening until it reach great depths, filling a sea that cure all the sickness of our world.

Labeling Evil and Good

If we all have the same rights, and we do, then any emotion that does not fit into our needs or wants, we must call it evil, and those that make us feel good about ourselves, good, correct?
Now stop and think about that statement because that is the very essence of why Eve became discontented in the garden of Eden is it not? Why should she listen to her husband, she was equal to him, why would her husband oppress her with his rights and wrongs, and for that matter why would God, she was human, she loved, she felt, she had rights?

Mark 14:36 He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."

That true of Satan as well, it true of us. Religion is man made we all know that, we have as much right as any leader of religion that is true, but if that knowledge fills us with evil what have we gained? What did Eve gain? What did Satan actually gain, or Adam, what have we gained by hate.

James. 1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
1:20 for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.
1:21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls{or, preserve your life.}.
1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

James. 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Society through great knowledge has come to hate everything and everyone. Whatever, makes it feel bad it hates, and immediately responded to, with slander, hate and violence. There is no respect for authority, why? Because everyone is an authority, right? They all have equal rights, we all have equal rights to have a much as the next guy, so if they have more then us they are putting us down!

Titus. 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Should it surprise us that children have become so insensitive to human emotions and contact with others, when most of their life is about self, what they want and need? Who taught them this conduct is right? Yes, its either good for us, or we are going to label it evil. If it is evil its our enemy and we must drive it out, kill it, destroy it out of our lives.

Genesis 3:5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:21 Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Isn't that the real problems if a woman living in a trouble place where she could not survive without a husband, and other woman and children were dying because they did not have a husband do doubt for a moment she wouldn't honor and show appreciation for her husband?

The same can be said of the country we live in, and children with no parents, and those without jobs, why must we learn appreciation from lack, of losing, or until evil hits our lives? The question is answered in not more knowledge that gives us love, it is a honest evaluation of our own motives. It is the lack of love in us that cause us to have an unappreciative spirit.

Matthew 13:5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

Matthew 13:8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.

Mark 4:5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.

It can be said, a person could posses the knowledge of God, it would not make our world a better place without love. A person can be filth rich, it does not mean we have appreciation for others, or our family. When families build their lives on things, demands, what other have, what we think is a perfect family and mate we are not in Christ who puts no emphasis on material objects at all.

2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

1 Timothy 6:9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

Where does kindness come from? It comes from looking up, not down or sideways. It comes from thankfulness, and gratitude, it comes from a heart of love. Now when we hear, or read the words in God's word the bible, about undeserved kindness, unmerited love, grace, know!

That the God of love really does appreciate your life more than he did his Son, Christ Jesus. He let him give up everything suffering in his flesh to redeem us. Moreover, Christ, valued you more than himself. Nothing better will come unless . . .

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

Revelation 3:17 Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;

Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.

Luke 7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

Dan ,
Amen ! to your commentary and may Jehovah continue blessing you with these commentaries !

Thank you so much Sandra, good to hear from you.

Daniel