"Though my father and my mother abandoned me, the LORD gathers me up." Psalm 27:10

I posted this on facebook on Father's Day:


"Happy Father's Day to the Father who is always there for me, my Abba. Lord you took me out of the dark pit I was in and placed me into your heavenly kingdom, not because of any merit in me, but because I need you. Thank you for your love and your faithfulness. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for always being here for me."


One of my friends replied that I am her hero. That is a very encouraging thing to say to me, and I love her so... but this isn't about me and my sacrifice for the Lord. 

We have heard of people leaving their family for less, I am sure. For an unapproved career or marriage? Christ is everything, everything. Of course I would leave my family for Him.

"everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

Yes it takes great faith to leave everything you have ever known. This faith, even this is not my doing, but is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Am I so amazing that I did this? No, of course not. It is about Christ. It is Jesus. He does everything.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

When we see a Christian doing something that we consider amazing...

We know who the real Hero is. 

Praise God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness. So why did I get baptized again?

In a Jehovah's Witness baptism the one seeking baptism does a lot of studying on Jehovah's Witness doctrine and passes a test to show that they understand it. Then the day that they are baptized they are asked two questions:

1. On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
 

2. Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism." -Watchtower - 1985 Jun 1 p.30

Then they are dunked. Nothing is said upon dunking.

So you see, when I was a JW I was not baptized into Jesus, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So when I was saved, one of the first things I wanted to do was to get baptized the right way. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-37)

Getting baptized in a Christian church automatically results in disfellowshipping, so I waited a few months so that I could use that time to share the gospel with my family before they cut me off. I was saved, had received, and was even filled with the Holy Spirit during that time.


I was baptized at a Baptist church about 6 months after I was born again. I was baptized into Jesus. (Galatians 3:27) I now go to a Lutheran church. Since I have been baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, into Jesus, there is no need for me to be baptized again. Knowing what I know now, I would never get baptized into a church. Only into Jesus. 

It is possible to be born again (saved) prior to baptism, (John 5:24; 7:38-39) and I know that I was. But I also believe that baptism applies Jesus' death and resurrection to me personally. (Romans 6:3-9) I can look to my baptism for assurance that I have indeed been born again, because this is God's promise to me. (Acts 2:38-39) I have no problem with baptizing my children, even infants, because I have no problem telling them that Jesus died for them. I also see that God's Word says that baptism saves. (1 Peter 3:21) And if there is anything that I can put my faith in, it's God's Word. 

My beliefs

Jesus Christ is the central message of the Bible. (John 5:39-40) Jesus is speaking literally when He says, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.” (Luke 18:31)

The gospel is the power of salvation. (Romans 1:16) The GOSPEL. If your church does not proclaim the GOOD NEWS of what JESUS has done, and is doing, FOR YOU, and instead preaches what you should do, then find a new one.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 For through Christ we all have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18 not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:9

1 John2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

I take Jesus at His Word. I quote scripture without explaining away what He plainly says. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:38 “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:54

I have been a Christian for two years. After a year, I had found a local Lutheran Church Missouri Synod church that agrees with me on these things and I am no longer afraid; I have decided to join and receive the gifts in the church that Christ has prepared for me.

I found an email my mom wrote me after I told her that I could not stay in a cult.

Mom's words are in green. My reply is in blue, with some scriptures that I typed in black.

What about the scripture that tells us to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together? I obey.


What about the scriptures that tell us to go from door to door to preach about the Kingdom? Could you show me those scriptures please?


Mom, you say that you love me, but if you choose to not have any association with me, is that love? I am following my conscience and I am obeying God and you would shun me for that?




if you choose to not have any association with us, is that love?  My choice is to associate with you. I made that clear.




You can't just use part of the Bible and ignore the rest. Exactly my point. You keep saying that you know scriptures. God's word has power. You think I am lost. Why on earth aren't you trying to save me by using His word? If I am taking things out of context then why aren't you showing me how I am doing that, correcting me?

What about the many scriptures that call Jesus God's son and Jesus speaks of God as his Father?

I did not say that Jesus is not God's son.

Jesus is the Son of God. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus is the Rock. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Jehovah is the Rock. Isaiah 44:6-8 Jesus is the Lord of all. Romans 10:12.  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 



Now if I am taking any of these scriptures out of context, let me know.

What I did say was that Jesus was the only mediator between God and man. I said that Jesus is my mediator. (John 14:6) I said that the Great Crowd of Jehovah's Witnesses do not have Jesus as mediator, according to the Worldwide Security book, the Watchtower and the Insight book. I said that based on John 8:24 the identity of Jesus Christ is very important and could mean your life. I said that Christ's Spirit is in me. "To make known what the riches of the glory of the mystery, this which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) I said that the only way to please God is to have His spirit. (Romans 8:8,9) So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.  However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him.

(John 14:20) In that day you will know that I in the Father of me and you in me and I in you.-- Kingdom Interlinear

I said that God is all-powerful and can be in 2 places or persons at once, and he can be anywhere at the same time. Genesis 18 Then he said: “Jehovah, if, now, I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be taken, please, and YOU must have YOUR feet washed. Then recline under the tree. And let me get a piece of bread, and refresh YOUR hearts. Following that, YOU can pass on, because that is why YOU have passed this way to YOUR servant.” At this they said: “All right. You may do just as you have spoken.” the men seized hold of his hand and of the hand of his wife and of the hands of his two daughters and they proceeded to bring him out and to station him outside the city. Then Lot said to them: “Not that, please, Jehovah! —I am not able to escape to the mountainous region for fear calamity may keep close to me and I certainly die. Please, now, this city is nearby to flee there. So he said to him: “Here I do show you consideration to this extent also,  Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sod′om and upon Go·mor′rah. Jeremiah 23:23, 24  “Am I a God nearby,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and not a God far away? Or can any man be concealed in places of concealment and I myself not see him?” is the utterance of Jehovah. “Is it not the heavens and the earth that I myself actually fill?” is the utterance of Jehovah.

I read a Watchtower quote that said the Son of God is not Michael the Archangel and Bible verses that said that God did not call one of the angels his Son, and he did not subject everything under angels. (Hebrews 1 and 2) I read Isaiah 25:23 and Philippians 2:10,11 But I never said that Jesus is not God's Son.

Is God's name Jehovah?

He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; (Matthew 10:37) "and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength." And I do. Even if that this interferes with your beliefs.

I love you and Dad. I haven't left you. I will not leave you.

Carmen

There are only two classes of people in 1 John 3, Romans 8 and Matthew 13. I choose to be the wheat, in the spirit and a child of God. I see no other approved class or group of people. Do you? It also concerns me very much if you are not considered a child of God.

Am I special?

I wanted to share a bit of my feelings when I went from JW to Christian... It was actually difficult to struggle with the realization that I do not have special knowledge, I am no longer a member of an elite group. I cannot feel good about knowing more about God than the next Christian. I had to admit that what God has revealed to me and He reveals to everyone who receives Christ. How humbling! I mean really it was crushing at times!

I also had to admit that my sins put me in the same boat as everyone else. I am a sinner saved, not by any goodness of my own, but the grace of God and the mercy of Christ. I am not special. I am no more special than the child of God sitting next to me in a church pew. You know, the one who has known Jesus since she was 3? Or the one who met Jesus after dating her husband... who started going to church with him and never had to deprogram her mind, never lost any family members for her faith... We are all children of God. All sinners. All saved by Jesus to be joint heirs. All of us.


I am also no more special than the people who are still Jehovah's Witnesses, or those who left Jehovah's Witnesses and never became Christians. I did not figure this out with my superior love for God, or my superior reasoning skills. I am a Christian because the Father called, not because of anything good in me.


Jesus died for them all, just as He died for me. Jesus loves you, just as he loves me. All I do is receive His love. Receive. I am special for that?

All that is good in me is due to He who dwells within.

A seed to plant with Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are told that if they are not faithful in what is least (obeying the Governing Body about avoiding non-JWs, and going from door to door, for example) they will not be faithful in much, like doing what they need to do to make it through the tribulation. It is this fear that keeps them under the control of the cult.

but 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says "Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come." That fear was broken! It was about a year later that I was saved.

Please share this scripture with Jehovah's Witnesses. They desperately need the good news.

Redeemed! My testimony

I was in a cult when I first called on Jesus. I read a Watchtower and realized that the writers were taking His place as mediator. I said “I will never listen to those men again, Lord, only you.” And He began leading me. 7 other family members are now freed from life in a cult, and it all started with Jesus.

Before this I had the Bible, and I thought I was a Christian. I was very proud of my Bible knowledge. I felt proud that I was in an elite group, of the only True Christians on earth, as Jehovah’s Witnesses taught me. At the same time I was full of despair because I could never be sure if I was accepted by God. We were told that we might not make it through the Great Tribulation. The admonishment to do more, more, more and to make kingdom preaching a priority made me feel guilty and ashamed of myself anytime I did anything else. I had young kids and health problems and was judged harshly. I had no friends. I slipped into depression, too ashamed to try to approach God in prayer at all. I felt that I didn’t deserve his help. I needed to try harder. I felt like I didn’t deserve to be loved at all.

You see I was both humble and proud, that is how cults work. They kept me full of fear and shame, but you would never know that when I talked about my religion as if I knew more than everyone else.

I believed in the Bible, but that did not save me. I believed in the historicity of Jesus Christ, but that did not save me. I called on Jesus that day and I had no other religion to go to. I called on the Lord that day because I knew that He could save me, I knew that I needed Him to save me. And I trust Him above all others. Only He can guide me. Religious leaders, words on a page, my own understanding of things, cannot guide me, cannot save anyone.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and you can do all things through His strength.

This belief in Jesus, this total reliance on Him has changed my life. I started studying the Bible and simply taking God at his word. I can understand it now! I read Galatians and learned that we are declared righteous due to faith, not works. I read John chapter 14 and understood that God can be three different people and also in all of our hearts. He is all-powerful!

When I grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness I was taught that their God was the Father of Jesus Christ, so for a while it was very hard for me to pray to God the Father. But I can come to Christ as I am. I prayed to Jesus and asked Him to hold me to the light and help me, and He does. Reading 1 John taught me that when I accepted Christ, God adopted me as His child. You know when parents adopt children, they become their own, even if they have attachment disorder or emotional problems; and this is what my God has done for me. Broken, confused, God promises to teach me and love me through it all. I never understood unconditional love, but I do now. I didn’t understand how to feel loved, or how to love myself or others, but God is love. I understand now because I have His Spirit and example.

Being a Christian is not without persecution. During this time, I got emails that my children and I would die in the Great Tribulation and calling me stiff-necked, quoting scriptures promising destruction. My best friend walked out on me for trying to free her. My parents think that I have betrayed and hurt them. As a Jehovah’s Witness I did not pursue friendships outside of the organization and now every Jehovah’s Witness, including family, will have nothing to do with me. But I would give up everything for the love of Christ.

He has answered my prayers time and again. The Holy Spirit grants me wisdom, peace, strength… He supplies me with what I need and my burdens are lifted. In addition, Jesus proves faithful to all of his promises, such as the one at Mark 10:29. As you can see, I now have more friends and family than ever before.

Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized for remission of sins.” I looked up the meaning of remission. There are several meanings and they all apply here.  Pardon or forgiveness, diminution or reduction, release from payment or obligation, the decrease of the manifestations of a disease. My debt has been cancelled.  The washing and the rebirth of the Holy Spirit takes away all stain of sin, and lessons sin’s affect in my life. Because of Christ’s death, I never have to die. Because of His resurrection, I have hope. He is always with me and I am now assured of God’s love and acceptance and I trust Him to save me, always.

I would like to close with a scripture, that fits so perfectly, that when I read it to my daughter she asked if I had written it:

I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant. Oh God, I must have seemed like an animal to you. But even so You love me! You are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven!
Whom have I in heaven but You? And I desire no one on earth as much as You! My health fails, my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; He is mine forever! -- Psalm 73:22-26

From cult to Christ in one scripture...

You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20

I wrote a post a while back, angry that everyone was pressuring me to go to church. I want to clarify a few things:

When I first received Christ, he led me to a very loving church. They showed me the Romans Road and they showed me the love of Christ, comforting me and listening patiently to me. I was baptized there, and and through their love I learned about God's love for me. The church was for me... it wasn't something I was pressured into. It was what Jesus knew I needed.


But then things started to change. My family didn't thrive there. I felt pressured to go, and the reasons people gave me for going just didn't seem right. They seemed the same to me as going to the meetings when I was in the cult... an obligation. I was very discouraged about church, and very adamant that I was fine without it. I lost sight of the real reason of going to church.

So I wrote that post, defending my reasons for not going.

I have been listening to sermons on the radio and continuing with prayer and study, and I realized that Christ was calling me to a different church. So now I go, but not because I am listening to people who are pressuring me to do so... no, rather I humble myself and listen to Jesus and realize that perhaps those "pressuring" me were right.


Yes, in the scriptures the church is speaking of the body of believers, the Bride of Christ, but there is nothing wrong with using the other common definition. God has provided churches to do the work in the book of Acts... to teach the gospel, to provide the sacraments. Everyone's needs are unique, however, and He knows this. There is nothing wrong with the church I was baptized at, and God is definitely using them for His work, but each denomination and each church has a different flavor.

God does not wait to give Himself to us at church, but He did establish sacraments, and most people who do not go to church are not taking advantage of these gifts. I had not been to church in a while, and at His calling I went Sunday and received the Lord's Supper. I am renewed, energized, and using my spiritual gifts again...My joy in the Lord is once again strong and overflowing. I don't know if this church is where I am to stay, I don't know where other people should be, but this I do know... Sunday that church, and His body and blood received there was His gift to me.

I would be a Christian if there were no churches at all.

That is actually how it happened; having jumped into Jesus' arms, I still believed that EVERY church/denomination is Babylon the Great.

What I have now: IMAGES OF HOPE

I wanted to follow up those horrible images with the images I have now that I have the True God.

"I and the Father are one"

I get it! "All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'" John 16:15

The Father and the Son have the same one Spirit!!! Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:4

Wow, I just love it when a connection clicks! ♥

"Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together as some have the custom..."

Why is everyone insisting that I am a member of a church and encourage and be encouraged by the people there? People I do not yet know and trust! I am overwhelmed by adding new people to my life already... over the past year I have "met" friends and family that I had not seen in over 20 years.

"The church is not a building. It is simply the sum total of all of those in Christ, His believers. It is not an institution, but you should be surrounded by other believers that build you up in the faith."

And people say that and *still* insist that I am not following John 13:34-35 and Hebrews 10:24-25 because I am not attending church. Seems a bit of cognitive dissonance is going on outside of the JW cult.

We can and should fellowship and encourage outside of church. How many people that attend church actually do that? Or do they just attend and listen to a sermon and then leave? We support the body and love our brothers and sisters when we nurture true friendships within the body of Christ. I have my Lord Jesus Christ and His word to strengthen me and I have my close circle of Christian friends and family to encourage and be encouraged in turn. We can partake of the Lord's supper outside of church since every Born Again Christian is a priest.

Going to church stirs up old feelings of being judged and loved based on my attendance. I also feel that I need to fight against group thinking, accepting certain beliefs and doctrines based on the majority, rather than basing my beliefs on God's word and the Spirit's leadings.

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another" Yes, we can certainly gather together, exhort, consider on another and stir up love and good works without a church. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20

Christianity is not my God.

I actually feel like an outsider. So deeply attached to Jesus, but not part of cultural Christianity... seeing some of the same things in the culture and in church that I saw from the cult I was in when Jesus pulled me out, and other times having fears that I will experience the same things, unfounded or not.

I feel no need to defend "Christians" some are just part of the culture, using the name, attending church, following rules... others may be true Christians but have some fault that is considered more offensive. That's okay. I don't need to defend Christians the way I used to defend the people that belonged to the cult I was in. I don't even need to defend myself. No one said we would be perfect.

I see this getting hurled around as an insult to Christians: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." Gandhi

It doesn't bother me. In fact, I would much rather you love and cling to Jesus ALONE. Reject me, reject church... Go to Him. Go to Jesus alone.

Christianity is not my God.

Are you proud of being a Christian?

I have been reading Romans 1-3 over and over and trying to come to an understanding... I asked my brothers and sisters for help and then I did not head it, not opening the links to the sermons provided... but now I understand. It is a scathing rebuke to those very same Christians that belong to God. (Romans 1:7) If you read from Romans 1-3 in context you see the letter doesn't change audiences. Who was Paul writing to? What was he rebuking them for? Pride.

It is a rebuke for being judgmental, for being proud. Read it and see the meaning in context. Look at 2:1-5 and 2:17-20 and replace Jew with Christian or your denomination. How do you judge when you are no better? There is no one righteous, not even one. (3:10)

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." (Galatians 5) I tell you I read this and I know what this is telling me. My sins are in that list.

"I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (vs. 21) I am in big trouble! Aren't I?

Thank God...

They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Please share links to this blog.

This blog and others can help Christians witness to Jehovah's Witnesses. They are so confused (though they don't think that they are) that they have to have their doctrine proven to them with quotes from their literature.

My Life in a Religious Cult... Breaking Free.

In part one of My Life in a Religious Cult I had started to question some things. I found that the members of the congregation were judgmental, unloving, and a bad influence. I found that attending meetings made me more and more depressed. I noticed an emphasis on fear and on the great tribulation. I noticed that many of the pictures in the literature were violent and scary. I started talking to Christians more and some seeds were planted.1 Thessalonians 1:10 says Jesus rescues us from the wrath to come. so why are the Jehovah's Witnesses so afraid of the tribulation and armageddon? 
 

I noticed that Jehovah's Witnesses would warn me not to purchase or read books published by other religious organizations, even though it was obvious that the writers of their literature did.

I began to question why I was following so many rules, some of which made no sense to me. I had young children and valued my family, so one of these things was birthdays.I actually read a Watchtower article that seemed to say it would be okay (7), but I knew that if we openly celebrated a birthday, it would mean being disfellowshipped. This didn't seem right at all. I realized that the writers of the Watchtower publications are not inspired (8). So why should I be coerced to listen to them on every detail?

I started to stand up for myself when family members tried to twist scriptures to say something that they didn't. 

Finally I read a Watchtower that compared the writers to Moses, saying that we are to obey "the faithful and discreet slave" as the Israelites were to obey Moses. I already knew that Christ is the Greater Moses and the only Mediator between God and men. 1 Tim 2:5 It hit me like a ton of bricks. They are taking Christs place*!!  "I will never listen to them again Lord, only to you", I said.

To show you the thinking process I was going through, I have copied a a conversation that I had on a forum one year ago. I have it color coded: me, my friend (who was never a Jehovah's Witness)

I have family members who aren't happy to see me meditating on scriptures and connecting them in new ways. They think that I am not listening to God unless I listen to their overseers (the governing body of JWs). The funny thing is that the insistence that these people are God's channel and being compared to Moses is what pushes me away more than anything. Comparing them to Moses! Really, it is unbelievable!

My best friend, a loving and understanding person who has been depressed and oppressed and used to vent to me about the problems in the congregations has decided that I have a superior attitude, am stiff-necked and am on the path to destruction. This is after I sent a letter quoting Romans and 1 John to her, scriptures that reassure us of God's love! My mom and her friend are not unique. They are all taught to be this way, to ignore scriptures about grace, to be quick to judge and cause fear.        

It is sad that they think I am not serving God. 

         

This is what a controlled belief is. Believe as we do or else. You are at a fork in the road where you have to make a decision. A fork that I know very well. One I took and made a lot of people mad but I don't care. I'm closer to God now and guess who they come to for counsel? Me. Ironic.

Anyway, change is scary. But determination to find truth should overwhelm that to the point you should not be afraid to put your toe in the water to test it. I think God has chosen you for a test. Whether you pass is how you react in it. And the choices you make.

Question: Which is more important to you, God's truth or JW truth?

The reason you feel a pull in another direction is that God is calling you. From my own experience, I can tell you that if you refuse that call it will go away. And you will never know what could have been revealed to you.

But let's look at your situation. As long as you adhere to the word in your quest for truth, you should not fear. Test all things with the word. If what you test does not fit and leads you back to JW, then you just end up back where you started no big deal. But if your tests with the word leads you to more truth and wisdom which strengthens your foundation of faith, you will never know it if you don't try.         

Thanks for your support. I completely agree with all of the above. It is funny, since I decided that I don't have to listen to what the men say I have been praying more often and singing praises as I go about the house. It is amazing.         

Your heart, soul, and flesh are becoming more in tune with God's fellowship. So your spirit rejoices and it pours through to the outside. It's a sign that you are doing the right thing and the happiness it will bring you in the end.         

I know.

So what are you planning to do about all this?         

Continue what I am doing. It seems to be working well. I am taking steps in the right direction and asking God for guidance.


Sounds good.

I think that this scripture: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."(9)  that you have pointed out so many times is telling us that belonging to an organization and doing and thinking as all of the people in that organization do isn't the way to please our Heavenly Father. Of course, everyone I know will agree that we need to personally research the scriptures... but they seem to say it without applying it.


There won't be separate denominations being saved for all their different beliefs. There is only one church, and one right way. Working out your own salvation, as said in that verse, is God relaying that to us. God is not going to condemn us for not having it right. Because complete truth is not obtainable. But what we will be judged upon is whether or not we tried to correct ourselves. Group salvation does not equal working out your own salvation. Your church, nor anyone elses, will not have any power in heaven to make a case for any of it's followers.

Right now I believe that no religious organization has everything right. 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. and I see people attend a church that doesn't agree doctrinally with what they personally believe on every point.

I am pondering these things.         

This is good that you realize that no denomination has everything right. What this will do is make you neutral, and you will be able to look at God's word with fresh eyes. And not eyes that already think the truth is known and therefore will make the word conform to it. you see the problem lies in being taught the word before you open it. This is okay to establish a faith foundation. But then, when the knowledge and faith are strong enough. It's time to search truth more directly with God.

Now should you quit going to your church? Not yet. Wait till God tells you and guides you to another church. This will show God that you will follow even unto the basics to where He leads you.

Should you give up totally on JW beliefs? Nope. There is always some truth in there. What you do is you let the "Word" slowly correct you. This is how God becomes the potter. You just have to be the willing clay.          


I must say that response surprised me. I thought you were pushing me to do something big. Right now my husband says not to burn bridges.         

Not to go to quick. You can damage you faith if you try to change to fast. Yes I'm pushing for you to do big things. But at a pace where you don't get confused or frustrated. Those two things Satan can use as a weapon during your change. Go at the pace things seem to flow in. You push it and you will hit speed bumps. And Satan will say: SEE, you should not have gone down that road, go back it's safer and easier just to believe like everyone else.

As a special side note: The main thing you are going to have to learn is how to wait on God. God is never going to give you more than you can bear, or what might weaken you faith. God see's your heart through all of this change and He knows how much you can take to keep you safe and not give Satan a tool to discourage you. In spiritual warfare, Satan does not even notice you unless you become, or are thinking about becoming a threat to his kingdom. The first test is everyone coming up against you, disagreeing with you, trying to discourage you. How fast you move in this is determined by two things:
1) Learning to be humble about what you learn. No self exaltation but to always give glory to God. When you don't give glory to God it's considered taking glory for yourself. So like as you learn and are able to relay what you learn. And people ask: Wow, how did you learn that? You always include God as the one that you could not have done all that you have.
2) Learning to wait on God. God's timing is not our timing. There will be a point you will reach where information will flow into your brain faster than you can comprehend it. But in the beginning it's slow and you have to accept that.

The thing that will help you out most is to start keeping a journal of everything that happens while you go down this road. This journal will help on the days you feel discouraged by being reminded of what you have already been given. And it will help you in some tests where you might get stuck, to go back and look at what started it and see what it was you missed.

The more you can rely on God for what you need, the closer you will get. And the more personal this search for truth will become. Don't forget to pray, and don't be afraid to ask for what you want in this search for truth. Ask from the heart and God will hear you. Don't be afraid to become emotional while you pray for the wisdom you desire, it shows God that your are serious.

So you see, I didn't know everything all at once, I didn't change everything all at once, but I did trust in Jesus and receive Him.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name. "~John 1:11

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." ~ 1 John 5:13

Perhaps my friend's advice can help you too.           
       

7. see awake 1/8/2000 A Balanced View of Popular Customs

8. "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."-- Watchtower 2/15/1981, page 19.

9. Phillipians 2:12

*see the next post for Watchtower quotes that show this. You can research yourself.  

But he said, "I am Jesus! Don't be afraid!"

I will never be afraid again.

John 6:20       

So if you are currently a Jehovah's Witness... what should you do?

Do I want you to write a letter and disassociate yourself? Start going to another church? Search for a denomination that has teachings that line up with the Bible?

No. I don't know if that is God's will for you.

Let me tell you what happened back on July 7, 2011. I had decided to listen to Jesus as my only mediator. This meant that I no longer had to accept a teaching because men wrote it in the Watchtower publications. Why?

Because Acts 7:37 told me that not the men who wrote the Watchtower publications, but Jesus replaced Moses. 1 Timothy 2:5 told me that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. Psalm 146:3 told me not to put my trust in fallible men who are not inspired by God.

I started reading the Bible and connecting scriptures in new ways. I saw many parts of the JW theology that were flawed.

So what did I do? Did I make a momentous decision to stop attending any JW events, to write a letter of disassociation, to cut off all of my friends and family? Did I start looking for another denomination? Go by what they teach? Join another church?

No... I just continued on... taking Jesus at His word. Taking the Bible literally. Believing what God had to say.

In fact, during this time I was worried that people would tell me to make huge changes and it was a relief when the answer I got was, "good answer, just take it slow and continue what you are doing". If you are a Jehovah's Witness reading this, please understand that I am not expecting you to turn your life upside down.


I just want you to take God at His Word. I want you to read things in context.

I want you to read the whole chapters of Galatians 3, 5 and Hebrews 2 and realize what Christ has freed us from. "trying to be justified by law" "fear of death ...slavery".


I want you to read the whole chapter of John 3 and see that “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life."

I want you to "Come to Jesus", let him refresh you and lift your burdens.-- Matthew 11:28; John 5:40


I want you to realize that,  "Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come."-- 1 Thessalonians 1:10

I want you to trust in Jesus, "for there is no other name under heaven by which we may be saved." -- Acts 4:12  I want you to look up Romans 10:9-12. 


I want you to get a Kingdom Interlinear translation. I want you to set sanctify, or set Christ apart as Lord.-- 1 Peter 3:15


I want you to have the "glorious freedom of the children of God".

I bow my knees before the Father that Christ may dwell in your hearts and you will know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ. --Ephesians 3:14-21

My Life in a Religious Cult

I have studied the Bible my whole life. I believed that Jesus died for my sins and that without his sacrifice I had no hope. I was baptized in 1990, symbolizing this belief and dedicating myself to doing the will of His Father. I acknowledged that baptism identified me with “God’s spirit-directed organization”. I was told that my religious organization was the only group of True Christians who worshipped correctly. I really thought that everything they teach is based on the Bible. I worked hard trying to prove my worthiness to God so that I would survive judgment day, spending much of my time on Bible study and preaching. In fact, since I was taught to put God’s Kingdom first, I felt guilty when doing anything else. 

While in the organization I felt so low and full of inadequacies... My mom would send me emails twice a week telling me she feared for my life because my meeting attendance wasn’t good enough. At meetings we were admonishment to do more, more, more and to make kingdom preaching a priority no matter what your circumstances. We were told that we might not make it through the  the Great Tribulation^F if we miss one meeting, or if we weren’t regular in kingdom preaching, which is considered “faithful in least”. One little girl said she wouldn’t play with my daughter because she didn’t see her attend meetings often enough. I suffered from health problems and depression, and had babies with special needs. I just couldn’t perform for them. We had no friends.

Eventually we were tired of being alone and have decided to make friends elsewhere. My mom was very upset with me for having friends who are not part of the organization and allowing my daughter to have them. She says I will fall away to Satan and God will destroy me in Armageddon.⁶ I tell her that I don’t see any bad influence from our new friends, (which means they are not bad association) and I don’t listen to her.

I noticed that some Christian friends of mine were praising God for answered prayers. I thought that they must be deluded. Surely God wouldn’t answer their prayers, I was taught that they don’t pray to the true God, and besides, He didn’t even answer mine. I was taught that we should “work in harmony”² with our prayers, and of course, I was always failing, so I stopped praying altogether, knowing that I didn’t deserve God’s help. So you see I was both humble and proud, that is how cults work. Proud that I was in an elite group, the only ones with the truth, but humbled because I was never good enough for God’s approval. Fear and shame keep people in the cult. But you would never know that when I would argue my faith, with a scripture for every question, sure that I was right and everyone else was wrong, so sure that they needed the "truth".

I found that many within the congregation influenced us to be judgmental, causing unloving actions towards others, calling those outside of the organization “worldy”, “dead”, or “goats” and those within the organization “weak”, all of which are “bad association”.³ I was thinking that maybe the problems I have seen are just in the congregations that I have attended. I thought that perhaps this was a test of faith. If God has a people then surely he wants me to support them, and the new literature printed by the organization was impressive. I decided to strengthen myself and my family to withstand the destructive influence of the congregation. So I started doing more Bible study and concentrating on that first. Then when we were ready I would be sure to comment, always pointing to God’s personality; I thought maybe I could be a good influence, help to readjust the congregation’s thinking.

Gradually I started to see holes in the cult’s theology. One of the first things I noticed was the emphasis on fear of the great tribulation and armageddon, and gradually I saw that this did not just come from the congregation, but from the printed literature, especially the pictures^F. I kept thinking that surely God is in control of the end times and doesn’t hate me enough to destroy me. I would read over the accounts of God's judgment and see that He stays in control and saves His people. The Jews that obeyed and fled Jerusalem were not involved in the suffering of the great tribulation.

Later a Christian showed me 1 Thessalonians 1:10. This scripture planted a seed. “To wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” I realized that the Bible says that there is no reason to fear the great tribulation. Later I found 1 John 4:17-18 and sent it to my mom when she told me that she was afraid that my family would be destroyed. “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” She told me to be careful. Using scripture to argue is exactly what apostates do.
 

I was always confused about Old Earth and creation so I did some research on these topics so that I would know how to teach my kids. I was warned by friends not to read anything written by Christians. These writings are a part of Babylon the Great, so they preferred teaching their kids evolution from secular sources. They warned that the organization publishes everything I ever need to read.⁵ I did not let them stop me. I was impressed with what I read and began to believe that God uses these Christians too. I used to join in with the secularists who would attack and abuse Christians because Jehovah’s Witnesses strongly denounce all other religions and had taught me to hate them. But now I started defending them.

I met someone who was raised in the cult, but was never baptized, so there wasn't a rule keeping me from talking to her. She was becoming a Christian after years of angry atheism. I was trying to convince her to come back to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. We talked about the Trinity and she says that the ransom means so much more to her since accepting it, and she never felt close to God with the teaching of Jesus as a separate created being. She is now drawing close to God and no longer an atheist. Why would I weaken her faith by talking her out of a doctrine that has helped her see God's love? I start to think that the Trinity doctrine isn't as evil as I was taught. (see 1 John 2:23 and John 5:23)

I know that going to the meetings just makes my depression worse and I can't bring myself to do it. My mom and her friends wouldn't leave me alone. Here is an email that I received during this time:

“Are you guys having trouble getting to the meeting,etc.? I'll tell you, from our own experience that the longer you stay away,the easier it is to not get back, and, like I've told you.....your kids will get where they won't want to go, and, that ought to scare you,thinking about that, cause I know you do know it's the truth and you surely want life for them, if not yourself. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you 'still' are a Witness,if indeed,you don't attend our 'training sessions' at the Kingdom Hall for survival.

This is a good reminder from my notes at a meeting, read it and meditate:

"Then the brother said, "It is hard to catch a fish that is full". - Why?
Because when they are full, they are not as interested in the bait. Spiritually, if we stay well-fed, prepare, meditate, attend our meetings, and participate in the ministry whole-souled, we will be spiritually full and therefore Satan's enticements will be less alluring."

You know,by not doing anything,if that's the case,you are showing Satan and Jehovah how little your relationship with Jehovah and being 'a part' of his organization means to you, and that's a scary place to be in,anytime,but,it's suicide,now!!!! But,even scarier is the fact that it's not just you and your husband who are going to lose your lives,if it continues,but your precious children, too.....who are a part of you and him,and,who look to you for direction and to lead the way. I love you and your family, and just wanted to share a lesson that we learned the hard way..............if you don't go to the meetings and participate and be 'a part' of it, then, Satan will move in and influence you, him and the kids,too! Don't doubt it!" I don't want anyone to have to learn that lesson ,and, maybe even be too late for your kids and husband ,if you come to your senses!

Interesting. Now as I read this I also see her referring to the organization as “the truth”. Didn’t Jesus say “I am the truth”? Going to meetings is going to give me life? Didn’t Jesus say “I am the life”? I also notice that I don't see personal Bible reading and prayer in this quote from a meeting. I think of two different points about this, and write a reply to the email:

I know of people who did all of the above as evidenced by their participation at the meetings and they were enticed by Satan's bait. Let's see I can think of 5 pioneers, one of which was an elder.
I pray and read my bible a lot more when people aren't scaring me with doom and gloom predictions of the Great Tribulation that Christ died to save me from. You are going to assume that I have a bad attitude... but I have a closer relationship with my heavenly Father right now than I have had in years.

Me, follower of the faithful and true witness.

I began to question why I should listen to uninspired men on these matters.⁸ I have been taught that they were chosen by Jesus to be the “faithful and discreet slave”. I decided to find out about this.

2. see Watchtower 7-15/1997 Prayers Require Works

F. see one example in the Watchtower 2/15/95Saved Alive Through the Great Tribulation

“The great crowd must maintain their righteous standing before the Son of man without letup, which requires staying watchful right up to the end.

To succeed in standing before the Son of man, we must have his approval, which we will not have if we allow ourselves to be influenced by the thinking of this world... or to become so weighed down with life’s problems that he no longer keeps Kingdom interests first. He could become inactive (this means missing a month out in door to door publishing) or jeopardize his place in the congregation (notice the emphasis on the congregation, not God) by committing serious sin, perhaps even displaying an unrepentant attitude.

To that end, Jehovah has provided what we need by means of his Word, his holy spirit, and his visible organization. We must take full advantage of these. Further, we must be prayerful and obedient to God if we expect to have his favor. For one thing, we must develop a strong hatred for what is bad... limit association with those not dedicated to Jehovah. Thus, we will be assured that at Armageddon, Jehovah will not sweep us away in death along with the ungodly.

It is exciting to contemplate survival of the end of this system of things and the possibilityof never having to die. By serving Jehovah faithfully now, we have the assurance of life everlasting in his new world.

Watchtower12/15/1962 p.763 The person who permits a seed of discontent against Jehovah’s organization to grow until it becomes a poisonous root puts himself in a dangerous position… The loyal “sheep” see that the way to life is with Jehovah’s faithful organization.

Watchtower9/15/51 p. 556 “So work for salvation.”

6.  "Did not Jesus speak of worldly people as being spiritually dead when he said: "Let the dead bury their dead"? (Matt. 8:22) All who have begun walking the narrow way to life are spiritually alive in God’s eyes; whereas those walking the broad way to death are spiritually dead while they live. Why, then, should the living seek close association with the dead?"

"Seek right associations by staying close to the New World society."

"It is not the person whose mind is on the things of the world that can help you to be among those who will survive the end of this old world. He will hinder, not help you walk the narrow way that leads to life in God’s new world. If you maintain close association with such persons this side of God’s war of Armageddon, you run the greater likelihood of not reaching the other side of it... Why seek as friends persons who will have no place in God’s new world? Do not endanger your future with such bad associations." -- Watchtower 7/1/1961 p. 403

5. "There are now more than 350 books in circulation setting out such "creationism" dogma. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the unreasonable theories of "creationism" in favor of what the Bible really teaches about 'creation.'"-- Watchtower 9/1/1986 p. 30 "Would you like to grow in knowledge, obtaining an education of even much greater value than can be received "in any college? You can do so by reading regularly this magazine and its companion, Awake! "-- Watchtower 6/15/1983 p.31

"This journal and other publications of the Watch Tower Society expose the unscriptural teachings of Christendom and the rest of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, while upholding the truthfulness of God’s Word, the Bible."-- Watchtower 9/15/1997

8. "Proving faithful, this "slave" class would be appointed by Jesus at his second coming over all his belongings. Yes, also by means of this "faithful and discreet slave" Jesus has been with his followers.—Matt. 24:45-47.... To stay with Jesus Christ is to stay with those whom he is pleased to use. Outside the true Christian congregation, what alternative organization is there? Only Satan’s organization consisting of his political "wild beast" and his Babylonian world empire of false religion.—Rev. 13:1, 14, 15; 17:3-6.

How can we give expression to our gratitude? In more ways than one. We can show it by cooperating with the ‘faithful slave’ in preaching and in making disciples. We can show our gratitude also by eagerly feeding on the spiritual food that this "slave" provides in the form of books and magazines, as well as by attending the congregation meetings. Nor to be overlooked is our privilege of praying that Jehovah’s spirit guide and strengthen that "slave" class for the work that He has for it to do. And according to our means it is also our privilege to contribute in a material way to help to defray the expenses incurred by that ‘slave’s’ worldwide activities. Yes, in all such ways we can show that we appreciate the way that Jehovah God is using and blessing the "faithful and discreet slave," thereby also demonstrating that we have a living, active faith that proves itself by its works.—Jas. 2:17, 26."-- Watchtower 3/1/1979 p. 23

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5