Assembly Tidbits

We had our 2 day assembly this past weekend in Terrace. Here are some thoughts I especially appreciated.

Psalm 40:12 - discouragement can be quite debilitating. If you are discouraged, think - how long has it been a struggle? A year? Several years? A decade? Is it a "strongly entrenched" thing? 2 Corinthians 10:4,5. Even if discouragement has become strongly entrenched, there is hope for it to be overturned.
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Ephesians 6:17 - the helmet is our Christian hope, which protects our thoughts and decision making.
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Proverbs 15:22 - keep the lines of communication in the family open; talk about things while they are small matters so they don't become big matters.
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1 Corinthians 9:24, 26. Being goal-oriented is a manifestation of our faith. Set specific spiritual goals. This is different from simple wishful thinking. Need a strong desire, then, write it down - set a date to accomplish it, formulate a strategy, brainstorm possible obstacles. Having short-term goals keeps us spiritually focussed, resisting distractions from the world.
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Psalm 26:3 - be a student of God's Word, applying it. Day's text or 1 Bible chapter takes about 10, 15 minutes to read. Do you ever have a 10 minute coffee break? Day's text & coffee, for example - that simple habit can mean the difference between our keeping integrity and not. Put the Bible in a visible place, where seeing it will act as a reminder to develop the habit of reading it daily.
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Proverbs 24:10 - prolonged despondency can sap our energy, leave us spiritually vulnerable.
Apathy from those we meet in the preaching work can sap us of zeal. Can maintain joy by asking, "why are people apathetic?" Perhaps they're disillusioned by Christendom's religions; weighed down with anxieties; frustrated. If we can feel what our neighbours feel, we will see the need to keep trying to reach them with the Bible's positive message.
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2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Hebrews 13:15,16 - Health concerns can discourage us. Can be comforted knowing that Jehovah does not require more of us than we can give. Requires faith that will move us to action within our limits, as is well pleased with that.
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Hebrews 4:12 - reading God's Word gives us power to think differently, to change our course of action and alter our inner selves.