Hello and a warm welcome, wishing you a wonderfully pleasant day! I wish to apologize for the delay on the Wednesday Bi-weekly Golden Apples segment, which did finally get completed early Thursday, for any who wish to consider it. I am striving to uphold or restore the reputation or name I have acquired for maintaining timeliness as regards published information on this webpage. The Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Sunday schedule is still to be considered the norm, although occasionally a make-up day may be vital depending on the current situation at hand. Let's continue with Preview 4 of Psalm 119, delve into Proverbs chapter 6, and perhaps take another look at Come to Consensus Corner. Let's try adding an addition or plus sign to "CTC Corner" as it appears in the heading when significant information has been added to the former, and a period when the instruction is deemed fairly complete, although I retain the exclusive right to re-open the segment article when further information may be appropriately included.

PSALM 119 PREVIEW STANZAS 12-15

* Indicates Review Text, ** Indicates Also Final Review Text

STANZA 12 Theme: GOD’S WORD AND LAW PRESERVE SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL LIFE.

These verses emphasize God’s faithfulness as well as fondness for God’s law and it’s preservation value. What can help us not to forget God’s orders, as the psalmist mentioned was his determination?

*89 Forever, O Jehovah, Your word will remain in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness is through all generations. You have firmly established the earth, so that it continues to stand.
91 By your judgments they remain until today, For they are all your servants.
*92 If I had not been fond of your law, I would have perished in my affliction.

*93 I will never forget your orders, Because by them you have preserved me alive.
**94 I belong to you; save me, Because I have searched for your orders.
95 The wicked wait to destroy me, But I give close attention to your reminders.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commandment has no limit.

STANZA 13 Theme: KEEP GOD'S WORD.

What are three aspects of divine wisdom, and how are they beneficial? Why was the psalmist motivated to avoid evil, and how does obeying God deepen our wisdom?

**97 How I do love your law! I ponder over it all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, Because it is with me forever.
**99 I have more insight than all my teachers, Because I ponder over your reminders.
*100 I act with more understanding than older men, Because I observe your orders.

*101 I refuse to walk on any evil path, So that I may keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your judgments, For you have instructed me.
103 How sweet your sayings are to my palate, More so than honey to my mouth!
104 By your orders I act with understanding. That is why I hate every false path.

STANZA 14 Theme: GOD CAN PRESERVE US THROUGH TIMES OF PERIL, WHILE HIS REMINDERS BRING JOY.

Like the psalmist, we may come to view God’s reminders with great joy. How does God’s word serve as a lamp and a light, how has God proven to be a Savior?

*105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light for my path.
106 I have sworn an oath, and I will carry it out, To observe your righteous judgments.
107 I have been greatly afflicted. O Jehovah, preserve me alive according to your word.
108 Please take pleasure in my voluntary offerings of praise, O Jehovah, And teach me your judgments.

**109 My life is in constant danger, But I have not forgotten your law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, But I have not strayed from your orders.
**111 I take your reminders as my permanent possession, For they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have resolved to obey your [instructions] At all times, down to the last.

STANZA 15 Theme: REMAIN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF GOD’S JUDGMENTS.

What determination by the psalmist to lovingly obey God! How can we avoid half-heartedness, and how does a proper motive aid us to keep God’s law?

*113 I hate the halfhearted ones, But I love your law.
114 You are my shelter and my shield, For your word is my hope.
115 Stay away from me, you evil men, So that I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Support me as you promised, So that I may keep living; Do not let my hope turn into disappointment.

117 Support me that I may be saved; Then I will always concentrate on your [instructions].
**118 You reject all those who stray from your [instructions], For they are false and deceitful.
*119 You discard all the wicked of the earth as if they were worthless dross. That is why I love your reminders.
120 The dread of you makes my body tremble; I am in fear of your judgments.

PROVERBS 6:1-5

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, If you have given your handshake to a stranger, 2 If you have been ensnared by your promise, Caught by the words of your mouth, 3 Do this, my son, and free yourself, For you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor: Go and humble yourself and urgently plead with your neighbor. 4 Do not allow your eyes to sleep, Nor your eyelids to slumber. 5 Free yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand, Like a bird from the hand of the birdcatcher."

No one wants to be in such a situation. You've opened your mouth and made an obligation with someone, and something unexpected has come along to throw you off course, perhaps temporarily hindering you from meeting that agreement. No doubt you should go to Jehovah in prayer over the matter. Then, what wisdom not to delay, but humble yourself and "urgently plead with your neighbor." Do whatever you can to appease the other party, and perhaps get back on track with your obligation if it can be arranged. Jehovah can still bless your effort to keep your word to the extent possible.

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"6 Go to the ant, you lazy one; Observe its ways and become wise. 7 Although it has no commander, officer, or ruler, 8 It prepares its food in the summer, And it gathers its food supplies in the harvest. 9 How long, you lazy one, will you lie there? When will you rise up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumbering, A little folding of the hands to rest, 11 And your poverty will come like a bandit, And your want like an armed man."

"6 Go to the ant, you lazy one; Observe its ways and become wise.”

Prove 6:6 What wisdom God used in His astounding creative works! We're instructed to examine the ways of the ant, and become wise, industrious, rather than remaining lazy. It has been found that young persons have become lazy when they are praised for their knowledge, rather than for putting that knowledge to work for the benefit of others. That is where commendation is appropriate, when a youth uses knowledge, talents, and abilities to work good toward others. Also, "by knowledge the righteous are rescued." Sharing our knowledge with others to help them in some important way may also be commendable. But may such commendation not go to our head--it is God who gives us our talents and abilities, and helps us use them for the benefit of others. He is the One who "makes all his works cooperate together for the good of those who love God." (Romans 8:28). So may God receive our rightful praise and loving appreciation. Let's continue looking at the ant:

“7 Although it has no commander, officer, or ruler, 8 It prepares its food in the summer, And it gathers its food supplies in the harvest.”

Prove 6:7-8 The ant needs no one to constantly tell him what to do--he instinctively knows his job and purpose, and wisely proceeds to work for the benefit of the colony. Likewise, we should get to know what needs to be done--so that we needn't be told constantly what we need to do, or only work hard when someone is watching us--seek to please Jehovah--let Him watch us, as He can see and can help us have the wisdom we need to set proper goals and to use our time efficiently, working productively. Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as for Jehovah, and not for men."

“9 How long, you lazy one, will you lie there? When will you rise up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumbering, A little folding of the hands to rest, 11 And your poverty will come like a bandit, And your want like an armed man."

Prove 6:9-11 If we have no schedule, to-do list, or goals to achieve for the day, if we have not wisely looked ahead at planned activities and considered how long each activity should take and scheduled each one into our limited time for the day, we may not be motivated to accomplish the tasks we were wishing to get done. We may linger in bed, viewing some tasks as too daunting to accomplish. Perhaps at least the day or night before we should, not worry, but give thought to the important tasks for the next day we would like to achieve, determine how they are to be done, and the time they should take. Also, break up larger jobs into several smaller tasks. Schedule them into your day, plan a time for at least some of them--perhaps the most important ones. Become a planner--wisely looking ahead for the results of our decisions and activities. This is an aspect of divine wisdom called shrewdness, or foresighted prudence, looking ahead at consequences and wisely acting accordingly. (Prov 22:3).

COME TO CONSENSUS CORNER

SUBJECT: HORSES!

EVER RODE? Have you ever rode a horse? A marvelous creature, so well-designed by God to be a perfectly effective agent for transporting people and goods from one place to another! Through much of our history, whether by carriage, by saddle, or bare-backed, many people have found great pleasure in moving by way of horses—with many memorable conversations taking place. So, what do you imagine these people will want to do not long after they return to life in the resurrection? How might we not only accommodate them, but perhaps even improve our own lifestyle while allowing for sustainable motor vehicles to also exist?

LIMITATIONS OF THE PAST. Many people today believe that horse travel and motor vehicles could never coincide together in our modern society, but recall that over a century ago, it was the other way around--horse travel was the norm, and motor vehicles were just beginning to appear. While some problems existed between the two modes of travel back then, these were greatly caused by the limitations of motor vehicle technology that need no longer hinder people from cooperating together to allow for a peaceable merging of times past and present, although with some REASONABLE adjustments.

PERFECT SURFACE? One major issue that arises is roadway surfaces. God is aware of the inherent problems with the choice of asphalt for roadways. This is not the long-term solution that can continue into an eternal future on the planet! Also, horses have difficulty traveling their capable speeds on this surface, so many who have seen horses on common roadways may not fully grasp the speed with which they are truly capable of traveling! While the asphalt surface may be stable enough to serve as a base, the proper mixture of concrete, consisting largely of plentiful sand, is the perfect solution for roadways that can exist forever on planet Earth! Not only is it a stable surface, but horse hooves are designed for travel on this surface, allowing for their achieving nearly their maximum horse speed!

A CLEAR PATH. In view of this, a clear aim comes into view. Many roadways made before interstate highways existed are almost entirely of speed limits at or below 45MPH, which is approximately the average full speed horses can travel under such conditions. So why not remain there, leaving interstates alone, gradually covering the asphalt base with the concrete. No doubt we can find the most efficient method possible for this, and it just may be that night-time work for this may be great for the primary work, while we must be patient for it to set for a reasonable period of time. Details for how this will benefit not only people in the future desiring horse travel, but also allow for an improved condition for much safer travel in ice and snow, will be included in a continued addition.

A SURPRISE RESOURCE? Some time ago in reflecting upon the Horse issue, I wondered about, and was helped to see an answer to another aspect of this issue. Could the manure of horses have a surprising usefulness? As research should prove, there is power in the grass that all horses should be consuming. And it is possible with godly direction to make use of this resource, when a horse may occasionally unload on a road surface. It has been determined that one dump of manure can take an average vehicle another 100 miles down the road on the energy supplied by the manure! By vehicle manufacturers working together under God's kingdom, they may receive or be permitted to work on the technology for this, so that a person desiring to make use of this free resource available on a roadway, when it is safe to do so, may shovel it up and deposit it in the proper place in his vehicle, and continue on without the need for refueling as soon as s/he may have needed to do previously.

WITH DUE CAUTION, MUCH SAFER TRAVELS FOR A NEW BEGINNING! With the arrival of God's Kingdom by Christ, there must be an answer to the accidents that can occur, under normal conditions as well as during wintry conditions! Some months ago this matter was considered, and it was determined that there is indeed a substance which vehicle tires can be made from, that makes it possible to grip the entire surface of ice or snow--evidently performing adequately on asphalt but as much as 10 times better on concrete surfaces, including most bridges and overpasses! The substance is found primarily in Africa (My apologies that some intruder interfered with my initially revealing the correct locale of this natural resource.) Nevertheless, many are aware how the peoples of this land have suffered economically for so long a time. May it become a sustaining resource for many in those lands, while we somehow address the urgency of obtaining it for the U.S. and the world. There is an urgent call for any wishing to protect lives to research this matter and find legal ways to safely harvest this substance, in cooperation with African communities, so that everyone may have access to these tires as soon as winter travel may begin in an area!