Greetings, brothers and sisters!

Welcome to this special edition of JW

Broadcasting® originating from the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our
programs this month and next will feature the entire regional convention program
for 2021. On behalf of the Governing Body and all the brothers and sisters working
here at world headquarters, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the convention. This
year’s convention has the theme “Powerful by Faith!” The theme scripture for
today’s program is Luke 17:5: “Give us more faith.” We begin this first session
with the music-video presentation. As you watch the video, notice how Jehovah’s
people show faith by reaching out in his service and how parents can help their
children to build faith. Please enjoy the presentation. We are delighted that you
could join us for this opening session of the “Powerful by Faith!” Convention of
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let’s sing together song number 5, entitled “God’s Wondrous
Works.” Again, that’s song number 5. What is faith, and why is it essential for us
to have it? Brother Mark Sanderson, a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, will answer these questions in the talk “How Powerful Is Faith?” Dear
brothers and sisters: Welcome to this 2021 “Powerful by Faith!” Convention of
Jehovah’s Witnesses. And let me begin by extending to all of you the warm Christian
love and greetings from the Governing Body and the United States Bethel family. And
let me assure you that we continue to pray on your behalf. “Powerful by Faith!” —
what a motivating and what an encouraging theme for this convention! What are we
going to learn? Well, we’re going to concentrate on answering three questions at
this convention. The first one is, What is faith? The second one is, What can faith
do for us? And the third is, How can we build our faith? Well, it’s appropriate,
since this is the introduction to the convention, for us to spend some time talking
about each one of those questions. So let’s begin with that first question: What is
faith? Now, brothers and sisters, we know that faith is something that is produced
in us by God’s holy spirit. In fact, Galatians chapter 5 says that faith is a part
of the fruitage of God’s holy spirit. So if we have God’s spirit, we will have
faith. But what exactly is faith? Well, let’s go in our Bibles. Let’s see the
definition the Bible gives at Hebrews 11:1. Would you read it with me? Hebrews 11:1
says: “Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, “the evident
demonstration of realities that are not seen.” Now, you’ll notice that the
definition of faith is given in two parts. What is the first part? Well, first, it
says: “Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for.” Well, what does that
mean? Well, faith is the conviction that we will have the things that we hope for.
Maybe we could illustrate it this way: You know, it’s like the conviction we have
when we go to bed at night —that the sun is going to rise in the morning. It’s the
conviction that the farmer has when he sows his seed —that those seeds are going to
sprout and they’re going to grow. Faith makes future things promised by God as real
as if we already have them now. That means that the person with faith firmly
believes that everything that Jehovah says is true and that all of the promises
that Jehovah has made are going to come to reality. But what’s the second part of
that definition? Faith is “the evident demonstration of realities that are not
seen.” Hmm. What does that mean? Well, maybe we could illustrate it with something
simple like this cell phone. Now, if you have a cell phone and you have cell phone
service, then wherever you may be on the earth, I could call you right now. But
now, there are no wires attached to this phone. How could that possibly work? Well,
of course, we know that this technology relies on radio waves. Now, you and I can’t
see radio waves, but every time we make a call on our cell phones, we see the
evidence, or the “evident demonstration,” that radio waves are real, even though we
cannot see them. What’s the point? If we really have faith, it means that we can
believe in something that is verified by strong evidence, even though it is unseen.
Well, that means that faith as described in the Bible is not unquestioning; it is
not irrational; it is not foolish or gullible; it’s not being quick to believe
something with little or no evidence. True faith comes from a careful analysis and
study of God’s precious Word, the Bible. The accurate knowledge that we gain from
God’s Word helps us to build our faith. It’s there in the Bible that we learn about
God, we learn about his name, we learn about his promises that have already come
true, and we learn about promises that he’s made —exciting promises for our future.
But faith is also built and established by something else. What is that? Well, it’s
creation. When we look up into the night sky and we see the exact order in the
universe, how does it make us feel? Or when we look at the human brain and its
complexity or the complexity of the human eye, we have to come to the conclusion
that there must be a Designer. There is strong evidence for an intelligent Creator.
Well, now, why is it so important that you and I grow in our faith and develop
faith? Well, the Bible answers that question too. Would you look with me at Hebrews
11:6? At Hebrews 11:6, it says: “Moreover, without faith it is impossible “[isn’t
that interesting? it is impossible] “to please God well, “for whoever approaches
God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly
seeking him.” Well, did you see the point? “Without faith it is impossible to
please God.” So faith is essential if we are going to please God and have his
blessing. Well, we’ve talked quite a bit about what faith is, but here are two
things that faith is not. Faith is not simply believing that God exists, because
the Bible says that even ‘the demons believe in God, but they shudder.’ It involves
coming to know Jehovah, coming to trust him, forming an unbreakable friendship with
him, so that Jehovah is so real to us that we sense his love and sense his approval
in our day-to-day life. What’s the other thing that faith is not? Faith is not
simply hoping for something. The Bible uses the example of Abraham. Now, Abraham
had the demonstration of the things that he hoped for; he had evidence that God was
real. But how did that affect Abraham? What was the result? Let’s read together
this important scripture —Romans 4:20. At Romans 4:20, it says: “But because of the
promise of God, “he [that is, Abraham] “did not waver in a lack of faith; “but
[notice, what did he do?] “he became powerful by his faith, giving God glory.” You
see, Abraham was moved; he was motivated; he was empowered. “He became powerful by
his faith.” Well, how appropriately, then, that Romans 4:20 has been chosen as the
theme text for this convention. Now, in a moment, we are going to talk about the
power of faith, but before we do, we have a wonderful treat now. Please give your
attention to a recorded message from our dear Brother Geoffrey Jackson of the
Governing Body, as he explains to us how important faith is for Christians today.
Welcome to the “Powerful by Faith!” Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses! You’ll
certainly be happy that you made the effort to attend all three days of this
convention. The expression “powerful by faith” is drawn from the apostle Paul’s
words at Romans 4:20. Why did the Governing Body choose faith as the theme for this
year’s convention? Because we need strong faith to deal successfully with our
present trials and with those we’ll face in the near future. At Matthew 17:20,
Jesus assured his disciples: “If you have faith “the size of a mustard grain, “you
will say to this mountain, “‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and
nothing will be impossible for you.” Yes, faith enables us to do things we could
never imagine doing on our own. For Christians, faith is essential. In fact, God
commands us to have faith. At 1 John 3:23, we read: “Indeed, this is his
commandment: “that we have faith “in the name of his Son Jesus Christ “and love one
another, just as he gave us a commandment.” And Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “Without
faith “it is impossible to please God well, “for whoever approaches God “must
believe that he is “and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking
him.” Clearly, to receive Jehovah’s blessing and gain the reward of everlasting
life, we need to build and maintain faith. At Romans 1:17, quoting the prophet
Habakkuk, Paul wrote: “The righteous one will live by reason of faith.” With these
words, Paul emphasized that Jehovah will reward all who show real faith. Based on
our faith in Jesus’ ransom, Jehovah forgives our sins and grants us a righteous
standing with him even now. And during Armageddon, Jehovah will protect God’s
people and then give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. That’s what
we want for all of you. Most of us here today already have a large measure of
faith, and as Paul wrote at 2 Corinthians 1:24: “It is by your faith that you are
standing.” Reports from around the globe testify to your genuine faith and the good
that Jehovah is accomplishing through you because of your faith. We feel as Paul
expressed at Colossians 1:3, 4: “We always thank God, “the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, “when we pray for you, “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and
the love you have for all the holy ones.” But constant pressure from Satan and the
demons, the old world, and our own imperfections can weaken and wear down our
faith. The purpose of this convention is to strengthen that faith. We’ll learn how
to cultivate true faith, how to exercise it in our daily lives, and how to maintain
it during difficult times. So please pay close attention to each part of the
program.
As scriptures are read, follow along in the Bible. And may God’s Word empower you
to be a man, woman, or child of faith! Thank you so much, Brother Jackson. Well,
let’s come back now to the point we were discussing. What is the power of faith?
Well, now, to open this discussion, let’s open our Bibles and let’s go to Matthew
chapter 17 and let’s read together verses 19 and 20. That’s Matthew 17:19, 20:
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said: “‘Why could we not expel it?’
“He said to them: ‘Because of your little faith. “‘For truly I say to you, “‘if you
have faith the size of a mustard grain, “‘you will say to this mountain, “‘“Move
from here to there,” “‘and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Wow! Jesus said that faith is powerful. He said: “Nothing will be impossible for
you.” Well, just as Peter because of his faith was able to get out of the boat and
walk on the water, our faith can enable us to do things that from a human
perspective seem to be completely impossible. Let’s consider six different things.
Here’s the first one: Faith opens up the privilege of being able to walk with our
wonderful, amazing God, Jehovah. Now, what does that mean? Well, the Bible says
that men of faith like Noah “walked with the true God.” But what does it mean when
it says that? Well, Noah followed Jehovah’s commandments and instructions so
carefully and Noah loved Jehovah so much that it was just as though Noah and
Jehovah were walking down the street together as the closest and most intimate of
friends. That is something that faith made possible for Noah. But brothers and
sisters, here’s the really wonderful and amazing thing: That was true for Noah, but
it’s also true for you, and it’s also true for me. We too can experience what seems
impossible —to be actually walking with our heavenly Father day by day. That is the
power of faith. Let’s look at a second one: Faith moves us to obey the commands of
God without hesitation. Now, as an example, we think of Abraham. He’s called in the
scriptures “the father of all those having faith.” Now, how is Abraham an example?
Well, he was quick to obey Jehovah even when Jehovah asked him to do things that
were very difficult, like leaving Ur and offering up his only son. Abraham was
willing to obey because of his faith. But now, brothers, think —think about what
this makes possible today. People who have been addicted to drugs, to tobacco, to
alcohol, to gambling, to pornography; people who have been living immoral
lifestyles of all sorts; people who have said they would never be able to give up
those habits —that they would never be able to change their lifestyle— what
happened? As they developed faith, through their faith and through their desire to
please Jehovah, they broke free from all of those things. We have seen people like
that. You have seen them. I have seen them. We know that people like this have
conquered all of these bad things because of their faith. Maybe you are one of
those people. Brothers and sisters, that is the real power of faith —not something
theoretical, not something imagined, but in action. People experience that power in
their own lives. Let’s go to the third one: Faith in the fulfillment of Jehovah’s
promises moves us to want to go out and preach the good news of God’s Kingdom.
Well, now, let’s read what the Scriptures say about this. At 2 Corinthians 4:13, it
says there: “Now because we have the same spirit of faith “as that of which it is
written: “‘I exercised faith, “therefore I spoke’; “we too exercise faith and
therefore we speak.” Well, what does it mean? Without faith, without exercising
faith in the promises of God, we would never ever be able to do the preaching work.
In fact, maybe when you were first studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses,
maybe you said something like this: ‘I’ll never go from door to door. You’ll never
see me walking down the street, knocking on doors.’ But what happened? As you grew
in your faith, you wanted to share the things that you were learning and you wanted
to talk about all the wonderful things that you were hearing about Jehovah. Yes,
faith helps us conquer our fears. It helps us overcome shyness. It helps us
overcome indifference in the territory. It helps us overcome opposition or even
government bans. Hitler, Stalin, the Soviet Union, and even Russia today —all of
them have said that they would crush Jehovah’s Witnesses and that they would put an
end to our preaching. But what happened? Our brothers and sisters kept on preaching
despite whatever opposition came, and our brothers today who are living under
similar circumstances under ban continue preaching also. They do not give up. Why?
Why are they able to keep going? Because of the power of faith. Faith moves them to
action and to continue telling the good news, no matter what the circumstances may
be. Let’s go on to the fourth point: Our faith moves us to act in ways that bring
blessings to us. Now, think about this: Some people who saw and heard the teaching
of Jesus and his works put faith in him. They believed that Jesus was able to heal
them, and so that faith led to blessings. Well, in what way? Well, sometimes when
Jesus healed individuals, what did he say? He said: “Your faith has made you well.”
In other words, if those people had not exercised faith in Jesus, they would not
have come to him and they would never have experienced the healing that he gave
them. What’s the point? Today, we are not looking to be physically healed through
our faith in Jesus, but many of us have made major decisions —made major changes in
our lives— in order to become disciples of Christ. Perhaps we left promising
careers; perhaps we left fame; perhaps we gave up higher education, or whatever it
may be. But what is the promise that Jesus made to all of us who have made these
decisions based on faith? At Mark 10:29, look what Jesus said: “No one has left
house “or brothers or sisters “or mother or father or children “or fields for my
sake and for the sake of the good news “who will not get 100 times more “now in
this period of time “—houses, brothers, sisters, “mothers, children, and fields,
“with persecutions— and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.” What’s
the point? You see, we’ve made these decisions. We may have walked away from many
things in the world, but by putting faith in Christ Jesus, what amazing blessings
have come to us, just like Jesus said —“100 times more” than what we have given up!
That is the power of faith. Let’s look at number five: Faith helps us to win our
struggle against the superhuman spirit forces. Well, now, how so? Let’s read
together Ephesians 6 and verse 16. At Ephesians 6:16, it says: “Besides all of
this, “take up the large shield of faith, “with which you will be able to
extinguish all the wicked one’s burning arrows.” Well, now, what is the point? Did
you notice that here in Ephesians chapter 6, faith is compared to a “large shield”?
Just like a large shield that covers most of the body, faith in Jehovah God and his
promises for the future can shield us from —what does it say in verse 16?— “all the
wicked one’s burning arrows.” We can be completely protected. Well, what does that
mean? It means that through our faith, we have the power to get up and turn off
that television. We have the power to walk out of that movie theater. We have the
power to unplug that computer, if necessary, to get rid of those temptations or bad
ideas that could motivate us to enter into a course of wrongdoing. It is no wonder
that 1 Thessalonians 5:8 compares faith to a “breastplate” that can protect our
figurative heart from temptation and from the power of sin. That is real power. But
now, let’s go to our sixth point: Faith moves us to trust that our prayers to
Jehovah God are heard and that Jehovah will answer them if they are in harmony with
his will. This is what Jesus said. Will you read it with me? It’s Mark 11:24. Jesus
said: “This is why I tell you, “all the things you pray and ask for, “have faith
that you have received them, and you will have them.” Well, now, brothers, when we
have that faith that the things we are asking Jehovah, he’s hearing us and he’s
listening to us, especially during these troubled times —in the midst of this
pandemic— when we have many anxieties and concerns. How wonderful that we can
believe that Jehovah God is hearing us and that he is going to provide an answer to
us, just exactly in harmony with what we need! So after considering these six
different factors, wouldn’t you agree with me that faith is powerful? It has real
power to make things that seem impossible to men become realities for those who
have faith in Jehovah. Well, how thankful we can be that Jehovah is helping us to
develop this wonderful quality through solid evidence, through accurate knowledge,
and through his precious holy spirit! Well, that brings us to that third question:
How can we build up our faith? And maybe more specifically, How is this convention
going to help us to build our faith? Well, of course, the convention is going to
include many talks, symposiums, interviews, and we’re going to have a two-part
Bible drama. So there is much to look forward to. But maybe just for a few minutes,
would you open up your program, perhaps on your device like I’m using here today?
And let’s consider some of the highlights that we can expect to see in our
convention. So you’ll notice that on day one, the theme for the day is from Luke
17:5: “Give us more faith.” Would you like to strengthen your relationship with
Jehovah? Well, pay attention to the dramatic Bible reading. That’s where we’re
going to learn about how faith moved Noah to be able to obey Jehovah, even though
the things Jehovah asked of him were very, very large. Take notice of that audio
drama. And then in the afternoon— Are you a person that loves
Jehovah’s creation? Well, the second symposium of our convention, “Use Creation to
Build Your Faith,” is going to show us how Jehovah’s love, his wisdom, and his
power are reflected in all the beautiful things that he made. And it’s going to
show us also that Jehovah not only has the ability but the desire to fulfill his
promises for the future. And then how about this? How strong is your faith? Well,
take notice of the final talk on Friday afternoon. That’s where we’re going to hear
the talk “‘Keep Testing Whether You Are in the Faith’ —How?” That’ll give us an
opportunity to look at our own faith and see just how strong it is. Let’s go to day
two. There we see that the theme for the day is going to be Jude 3: “Put up a hard
fight for the faith.” Have you begun to use our new study publication, Enjoy Life
Forever!? Well, we’ll all want to listen carefully to the talk “Build Faith Using
Enjoy Life Forever!” That’s going to discuss how we can use this new study
publication to reach the heart of our student and also to help our student to build
faith. Within Jehovah’s organization, we have many brothers and sisters who have
unbelieving mates, we have many who are part of single-parent families, and we have
many who are single. The symposium entitled “Successful Fighters for the Faith” is
going to show us what we can learn from these faithful Christians. Take note! And
then looking in the afternoon, although we can’t travel right now, we’re going to
have the opportunity to go on an around-the-world tour because the video How Our
Brothers Are Showing Faith in . . . is going to take us all around the world and
show us how our brothers are manifesting faith in many, many different parts of
this beautiful earth. And then you are all in for an amazing treat with Part I of
the Bible drama Daniel: A Lifetime of Faith. Now, I think I can say confidently
that this is absolutely the best drama that we have ever produced. You are going to
love it! Well, the last talk on day two is a serious one. It’s going to contrast
faith destroyers with faith builders, and it’s going to show us how we can
strengthen our trust in Jehovah’s Word and also in his organization. Well, finally,
on day three, our theme is going to be Matthew 21:21: “If you have faith . . . , it
will happen.” We’re going to look at what we can learn from faithful women of God.
You’ll notice, there is an eight-part symposium that shows us how the women
featured in each talk showed faith and also how we can imitate their faith. And
then in the afternoon, we have the thrilling finale of that Bible drama Daniel: A
Lifetime of Faith. And finally, then, the convention will conclude all too soon
with the very motivating and moving talk “Become Powerful by Your Faith!” Well,
brothers, would you like to see just a taste of what’s in store and some of the
videos we’re going to be seeing? Let’s watch. I could tell from the doctor’s voice
that the news wasn’t good. I just didn’t expect my health to worsen so quickly. If
a gun is what I need to protect my family, won’t Jehovah understand? I knew how Mom
felt about the holidays. But I also learned how Jehovah felt. Do I really want fear
of man to stop me from becoming Jesus’ disciple? It was as if a veil had been
lifted from my eyes. That was the moment Jehovah introduced himself to me. In my
darkest times, Jehovah’s words brought me comfort. I knew these words would build
my faith. “Trust in Jehovah and do what is good.” Well, doesn’t that whet your
appetite for what is coming at this convention? Now, keep in mind that some of the
videos at the convention present real accounts, but many others are just
dramatizations. Now, what does that mean? Well, the dramatizations don’t portray
real people or real events, but they depict situations that help to teach us the
truth. Jehovah God loves and appreciates men and women of faith —men and women just
like you. He is determined to reward men and women like that with an amazing
reward. Would you read it with me? Let’s look at John 6:40. At John 6:40, it says:
“For this is the will of my Father, “that everyone who recognizes the Son “and
exercises faith in him “should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on
the last day.” Those “[exercising] faith” can be certain of receiving this reward.
At John 3:36, Jesus said: “The one who exercises faith in the Son has [has]
everlasting life.” So dear brothers and sisters, as we begin this wonderful
convention, please be determined to take notes. Be determined to meditate on the
things that you will hear so that you may cultivate, maintain, and strengthen your
faith. If you do, you too will become powerful by faith and receive the wonderful,
amazing reward of everlasting life! Thank you, Brother Sanderson, for laying a
foundation for the program parts to follow. We are confident that each session will
help us strengthen our faith. Real faith is based on evidence. In the first
symposium of this convention, we will examine evidence that provides the basis for
our faith. Brother David Schafer, a helper to the Teaching Committee of the
Governing Body, will begin with the talk “Why We Have Faith in . . . God’s
Existence.” Each speaker will then introduce the one to follow. Does something
exist because you believe it does? Does something not exist simply because you
don’t believe in it? No. Truth is based on evidence. But what kind of evidence
convinces you that something exists? We believe in many things we can’t see —air,
wind, atoms, electricity, gravity, time. And we believe in things we can’t hear —
galaxies, dog whistles, microorganisms. We also believe in things we can’t feel,
such as our brain or the rotation of the earth. But why? What convinces you? The
effects —effects that you can see, hear, feel, and measure— and the testimony from
those who know the facts. Evidence —evidence is the basis for faith. Today, many
people don’t believe that God exists. Their lack of faith can affect us. Indeed,
our faith is under attack. This symposium will remind us of our reasons for faith
and will help us to strengthen our faith. We’ll consider why we have faith in God’s
existence, in his Word, in his moral standards, and in his love. First, why is
faith in God’s existence important? Please find Ephesians chapter 2, and notice how
the apostle Paul describes Christians in Ephesus before they knew the true God.
Ephesians 2:1 reads: “Furthermore, God made you alive, though you were dead in your
trespasses and sins.” And verse 12 continues: “At that time you were without
Christ, “alienated from the state of Israel, “strangers to the covenants of the
promise; you had no hope and were without God in the world.” The same was true for
us. But faith in the existence of the Creator has given our lives meaning and
purpose. It has unlocked the answers to such questions as, ‘Why does the universe
exist?’ and ‘What does the future hold?’ True, there are people who shy away from
such questions, thinking that the answers are just beyond us. Some even teach that
there is no purpose, no ultimate meaning in life. But where does that leave them?
Without reliable guidance. In contrast, notice what Psalm 111:10 teaches us about
the effect of our faith. Psalm 111:10 says: “The fear of Jehovah “is the beginning
of wisdom. “All those observing his orders “show good insight. His praise endures
forever.” Yes, clear thinking and practical application of knowledge begin with
regarding the Creator with awe and profound respect. And as indicated in the very
next verse, this makes us happier people. That’s why we need to safeguard our
faith. It’s the foundation for our relationship with God, the basis for our hope,
the key to our future. So let’s remind ourselves why we can have faith in God’s
existence. Let’s go back to the chapter of the Bible that defines faith —Hebrews
chapter 11. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the convincing evidence of
“realities that are not seen.” But now, what would be an example of that? Let’s
read together Hebrews 11:3. It says: “By faith we perceive “that the systems of
things were put in order by God’s word, “so that what is seen has come into
existence from things that are not visible.” “The systems of things” —what might be
some of those systems? Could this include our solar system —and the galactic system
that it’s a part of— and the smaller cycles that occur within our solar system?
Think about our earth’s atmosphere, which protects us from the sun’s harmful rays
while at the same time allowing the entry of essential heat and light. Just think
what would happen to us were it not for our atmosphere’s protective shield. We’d
burn up in seconds. And besides blocking out harmful rays, the atmosphere, along
with earth’s magnetic field, also absorbs much of the debris that flies through
space. By faith, we perceive that these “systems” were put in order by God’s word.
Or think about the earth’s amazing cycles. Imagine what would happen if a city’s
water supply —it’s fresh air, it’s water— were disrupted and the sewers were
blocked? What would be the quality of life in that city? And yet, our planet is a
closed system. Clean air and water are not shipped in from outer space. Waste
matter is not rocketed out. So how does the earth remain healthy and habitable? The
water cycle, the carbon and oxygen cycles, and the nitrogen cycle are all tuned
precisely to sustain life. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we can be careless
stewards of our planet. But what remarkable systems! And much more could be said
about the earth’s perfect location in our solar system or about the planet’s
perfect orbit, tilt, rotational speed, an unusual moon, or about our solar system’s
perfect position in the Milky Way. Are all of these precise locations and elegant
measurements the result of blind chance or of purposeful design? As you watch the
following video, note yet another
example of how the order evident in creation clearly points to an all-wise
Creator. Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. Yet, each individual cell is
a marvel of design and organization. Inside our cells, biological processes signal
specific proteins to assemble themselves into tracks called microtubules. Tiny
molecular machines called kinesins then transport various components to different
parts of the cell by “walking” along the tracks. From microscopic proteins to
enormous galaxies, our organized universe abounds with examples of elegant design.
How can you strengthen your faith in God’s existence? Consider three things that we
can do. Please open your Bibles to Romans chapter 1. When we consider examples like
these, of God’s power and wisdom, doesn’t that make us wonder, ‘How could anyone
deny the evidence of an intelligent and loving Designer?’ Romans 1:18 indicates
that such denial requires suppressing the truth. Why? Well, notice what it says at
Romans 1:19: “Because what may be known about God “is clearly evident “[clearly
evident] among them, for God made it clear to them.” Verse 20 says: “For his
invisible qualities are clearly seen “from the world’s creation onward, “because
they are perceived by the things made, “even his eternal power and Godship, “so
that they [namely those who suppress the truth] are inexcusable.” God’s existence
and his qualities were apparent the moment mankind first appeared on earth. And the
evidence has only become clearer with the passage of time and the advancement of
technology that enables us to discover what God has done. So that’s the first way
that we strengthen our faith in God’s existence —through study and meditation—
meditating on the evidence. And to help us with this, we find an abundance of
published material about creation on jw.org, where we find brochures, articles in
the series “Was It Designed?” and interviews with scientists. The second way that
we strengthen our faith is by earnestly praying for more faith. Jesus said, as
recorded at Luke 11:13, that ‘God will give his holy spirit to those asking him for
it,’ and part of that spirit’s fruitage is faith. Third, we strengthen our faith by
building the faith of others. How? By drawing attention to the evidence that
supports the truth. Parents, patiently build the faith of your children. If they
have doubts, address them promptly, kindly, calmly. Don’t dismiss their questions,
and don’t get upset. Be glad they asked. It shows they care, and they want to
understand. Accept the challenge; present the evidence. Look for it together “when
you sit in your house . . . when you walk on the road . . . when you lie down and
when you get up.” In the following video, note what strengthens the faith of one of
our brothers who is a scientist. As a mechanical design educator, I view even
natural things from a design perspective. Mechanical design considers not only the
individual components of a machine but also how they interact. From this viewpoint,
human vision is a magnificent example of design. For a single eye, the cornea, the
iris, and the lens interact to focus an image on the retina. The light-sensitive
cells of the retina, called photoreceptors, produce nerve signals. Signals from the
rod and cone photoreceptors are transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain, where
they are processed to produce a perceived image. Now just imagine the multiplied
complexity when two eyes interact. Particularly mind-boggling is the amount of
information being constantly processed by more than 130 million retinal receptors
and then transmitted through the 1.2 million nerve fibers of the optic nerve to the
brain. To me, the sheer complexity of how all these components flawlessly interact
is evidence of a superior Designer. Some disagree. They propose that the eye
evolved from a light-sensitive patch in some ancestral creature through small
random changes. I find the proposed process unrealistic. Unlike design, it is
unplanned and without a goal. We are asked to imagine that a complex system can
develop without direction, while in the natural world things tend to become
disorganized. But consider something even more mind-boggling: The design of the
eye, the optic nerve, and the brain and how they function and interact are
completely documented in our DNA. In fact, our DNA contains all the instructions
for building an entire human body. While science relies only on physical
explanations, many individual scientists reason that highly ordered natural systems
are evidence of a Designer. My personal conclusion is that there is a God who is
revealed in the magnificent designs of nature. How does faith in God’s existence
benefit us? Having genuine faith in the loving, intelligent Designer of this
universe gives our lives meaning and purpose. That faith is the basis for obedience
to Jehovah’s righteous standards —standards that benefit us. And we don’t fear the
future, because faith gives us hope. We don’t fear death, because our hope is in
the Source of life. How happy we are that Jehovah has provided abundant evidence
that he exists! And yet, are there facets of Jehovah’s personality that we couldn’t
fully comprehend from a study of creation alone? Yes. And for this we need to study
his inspired Word. How can we strengthen our faith in God’s Word? Please pay
careful attention to Brother Mark Noumair, a helper to the Teaching Committee, as
he now presents the next talk of this symposium, “Why We Have Faith in . . . God’s
Word.” Have you experienced an unexpected financial setback? Is your child
struggling to resist peer pressure or unwholesome influences from the Internet?
Have you been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease? Life in this wicked system
can seem like a dark wilderness. We may feel alone, discouraged, and like we just
don’t know where to turn. This is why more than ever, we need to strengthen our
faith in God’s Word. When we study the Bible and take it to heart, our faith in God
grows and something amazing happens. Let’s find out what that is at 1 Thessalonians
chapter 2, and let’s read verse 13 —1 Thessalonians 2:13: “Indeed, that is why “we
also thank God unceasingly, “because when you received God’s word, “which you heard
from us, “you accepted it not as the word of men “but, just as it truthfully is,
“as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers.” How does God’s Word
work in us? It has already transformed us into faithful servants of Jehovah God,
but it also gives us the power to remain strong under difficult circumstances. This
subject is timely because we live in a world where so many plant seeds of doubt
about the Bible. They say it is something outdated or inaccurate. It is our
determination not to allow the world’s mistaken views to erode our faith in the
Bible. In this talk, we’re going to look at three proofs to help us maintain our
love and confidence in God’s inspired Word: its prophecies, what it says about the
earth, and its survival against all odds. Let’s take the first point —Bible
prophecies. Beyond man’s reach is the ability to foresee the future in detail. Only
Almighty God can do this. For example, secular history tells us that in the year
539 B.C.E., a man named Cyrus conquered the land of Babylon and allowed thousands
of Jewish captives to return home to restore true worship in Jerusalem. The Bible
also tells us about these events, with one notable exception. While secular history
recounts these events after they happened, the Bible foretold these events before
they took place —in fact, some 200 years before. Let’s take a closer look and see
for ourselves. Let’s turn to Isaiah chapter 44 —Isaiah chapter 44— and we’re going
to read verses 27 and 28. And as we read these verses, please take special notice
of how many times the word “will” appears. “The One saying to the deep waters, “‘Be
evaporated, and I will dry up all your rivers’; “the One saying of Cyrus, ‘He is my
shepherd, “and he will completely carry out all my will’; “the One saying of
Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be
laid.’” This isn’t Jehovah God just guessing or trying to figure out the future.
He’s decided what will happen, and he will make it happen. How could the Bible
predict this kind of detail some 200 years in advance? There is only one
explanation. Turn a couple of chapters over to Isaiah chapter 46, and let’s read
verse 10. “From the beginning I foretell the outcome, “and from long ago the things
that have not yet been done. “I say, ‘My decision will stand, and I will do
whatever I please.’” It’s fulfilled prophecies like these that build trust and
confidence in God’s Word. Now, another reason we have faith in the Bible is because
of what it says about the earth. Let’s consider an example at Job chapter 26, and
let’s read verse 7. Job 26:7: “He stretches out the northern sky over empty space,
suspending the earth upon nothing.” Now, this was stated some 3,500 years ago.
Job’s statement would have appeared ridiculous to the Greek philosopher Aristotle,
who taught that an object must rest upon or be attached to something or else it
will fall. It was not until 1687 that the scientist Isaac Newton explained that the
earth is held in orbit by an invisible force appearing as if it were suspended on
nothing. Now, how did the Bible know the truth more than 3,000 years ago? The
answer: It is the Word of God, and “God . . . cannot lie.” Let’s take our third
line of evidence, and that is the Bible’s survival. Although the original books of
the Bible have disappeared, accurate copies of the Bible manuscripts have survived
to our day despite natural decay, fierce opposition, and deliberate tampering with
its message. Isaiah 40:8 tells us: “The word of our God endures forever.” The Bible
has not endured as a mere museum display; its message has endured. That inspired
message has
been conveyed in over 3,000 languages. This is irrefutable proof of its divine
origin. The following video presents additional evidence that the Bible is God’s
Word. Please pay attention to this. The Bible is a book of facts. It’s about real
people, real events, real history in real places. In the Hebrew Scriptures, there
are at least 53 people confirmed archaeologically. One example is Pharaoh Shishak
of Egypt. The Bible mentions his invasion of Judah, specifically dating it “in the
fifth year of [Judean] King Rehoboam.” For a long time, the only record of that
invasion was the one found in the Bible. Then a relief on the wall of a temple at
Karnak, Egypt, was discovered, depicting Shishak with captives. It also records
names of conquered Israelite towns, many of which have been identified with
Biblical sites. It also mentions the “Field of Abram,” the earliest reference in
Egyptian records to the Biblical patriarch Abraham. This strengthens our confidence
and faith in the Bible as God’s Word. The Bible was written on perishable
materials, such as papyrus and parchment. While no originals are known to exist
today, the number of ancient copies available now is staggering: some 11,000 Hebrew
and Greek manuscripts, more than for any other ancient piece of literature. By
comparing the earliest, most authoritative manuscripts, scholars can identify
inaccuracies and mistakes that have crept in. But the vast majority of differences
do not change the meaning at all. One example is found at Luke 4:17, which says
that Jesus “opened the scroll” of Isaiah. But some manuscripts say that he
“unrolled the scroll.” But isn’t the meaning the same? God’s message has even
survived changes in language. Writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures quoted the
Hebrew Scriptures, but often from the Greek Septuagint translation. At times, they
paraphrased such quotations, using slightly different wording. But the message
remained the same. And most of Jesus’ words, likely spoken in first-century Hebrew,
were recorded in Greek. Still, his message is clear. Today, at least parts of God’s
Word can be read in more than 3,000 languages. The Bible’s survival reveals a
puzzling paradox: Throughout history, people were willing to die to preserve the
Bible and make it available to everyone. Others were willing to kill to prevent
access to it and wipe it out of existence. Why? It’s the book’s content. God’s Word
“is alive and exerts power.” It changes people’s lives in ways that some welcome
but others resist—violently at times. For example, responding to Roman Emperor
Diocletian’s edict in 303 C.E. “to destroy the sacred Scriptures by fire,” Felix, a
bishop of Thibiuca, reportedly said, “It is better for me to be burned than the
sacred Scriptures.” He paid with his life. Efforts to destroy God’s message for
mankind continue today, “but the word of our God endures forever.” Wasn’t that
faith-strengthening —to see more evidence that the Bible is God’s Word? How can we
strengthen our conviction in God’s Word? We can do so by creating study projects to
build our faith. One fascinating project involves the prophecy at Genesis 3:15.
Perhaps you can quote it by heart, but have you ever sat down and taken the time to
make a timeline, listing key scriptures that show how God bit by bit shed light on
the individuals and the arrangement referred to in this verse? When we take time to
really study the Bible and meditate on these golden threads running through the
Bible, our faith in God’s Word will be strengthened. Have you had doubts about
something? Then write it down. Then use our research tools such as the Study Bible,
JW Library®, Watchtower ONLINE Library® to dig deeper. It’s worth the effort. And
if you’re a parent, help your children come to know and fall in love with the
Author of the Bible. We are so close to begin the real life in the new world. Now
is the time to strengthen our trust and confidence in the Bible. When we have
strong faith in God’s Word, we can feel as did our young brother Ruslan from
Turkmenistan who faces his second prison term because of his faith. He declared: “I
have strong faith that Jehovah will reward me. . . . “Where there is a strong hope,
there is endless joy; “where there is joy, there is strength and endurance. And a
strong person can never be broken.” You too will never be broken if you maintain
your faith in God’s Word. Brother Samuel Herd of the Governing Body will now
present the next talk in this symposium, “Why We Have Faith in . . . God’s Moral
Standards.” Pressure from the world can erode our determination to do what is
right. At times, even a mature Christian may be inclined to do what is bad. Please
find Romans 7:21-23. The apostle Paul was certainly mature, but notice what he said
of himself as we read Romans 7:21-23: “I find, then, this law in my case: “When I
wish to do what is right, “what is bad is present in me. “I really delight in the
law of God “according to the man I am within, “but I see in my body another law
“warring against the law of my mind “and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in
my body.” Like Paul, we might find that we have a war, or a struggle, inside us as
we fight against the law of sin. However, like Paul, we know that for us to please
Jehovah, we must live in harmony with His standards. Look at 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
What are some of Jehovah’s moral standards? Notice the list of moral issues that we
choose not to succumb to. At 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, it says: “Or do you not know
that unrighteous people “will not inherit God’s Kingdom? “Do not be misled. “Those
who are sexually immoral, “idolaters, adulterers, “men who submit to homosexual
acts, “men who practice homosexuality, “thieves, greedy people, “drunkards,
revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.” We must be firmly
convinced that these moral standards of Jehovah are right and beneficial. Why can
we have faith in these standards? To find out, find Isaiah 48:17. Here you will see
that we can have faith in God’s standards because they always benefit us. Isaiah
48:17 says: “This is what Jehovah says, “your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel:
“‘I, Jehovah, am your God, “‘the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One
guiding you in the way you should walk.’” Did you see the point? Jehovah is
teaching us to benefit ourselves. We can have faith in his standards of right and
wrong. They’re unchanging, and they produce good results under all circumstances
and in all cultures. Consider God’s standard for marriage. Jehovah created marriage
as a permanent, loving union between a man and a woman. Jehovah gave Adam a wife,
Eve —not Eve and B and D— just Eve. He told them: “Be fruitful and become
many . . . Fill the . . . earth.” Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 6:18. It is making
the point that sex outside of marriage is prohibited by Jehovah. First Corinthians
6:18 says: “Flee from sexual immorality! “Every other sin that a man may commit “is
outside his body, “but whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his
own body.” When family members follow Jehovah’s standards, the family is secure,
stable, and happy. In the following video, note how a couple benefited from
applying God’s moral standards. We met at a party when I was in the military. I was
on the dance floor, and I saw Frenchie. And I was like, ‘Oh! I’m going to talk to
this girl right here.’ The whole time we were just smiling at each other —this
instant attraction. It was mutual. Gradually, we were living together. And a few
months go by, and things are going well, and then I find out I’m pregnant. And he
left. I was shocked (though I shouldn’t have been), but I was shocked. And
truthfully, I was scared, like, ‘What am I going to do now?’ I felt like a failure,
and I kept asking myself, ‘How did I let this happen?’ I knew that I had to be
there, and I wanted to be there. I just didn’t know how. We prayed together for the
first time as a couple. That was a Friday night. Saturday morning, we had a knock
on the door. We decided to have a Bible study. They had us study the chapter on
family life and marriage. At that moment, I knew that I wanted to have our
relationship be honorable before Jehovah. You learn that Jehovah meant for
marriages to be a permanent bond. The insecurities of every disagreement ending in
a breakup or a divorce —all of that went away. We started to see Jehovah’s training
in practical ways, just learning how to be a husband who respected and cared for
his wife. We became partners —a team, a complement— and that was only because
Jehovah taught us how to do it. Though it was difficult at the outset, we made that
decision to dedicate our life to do Jehovah’s will, and we got baptized together.
We’ve been married 25 years, and the insecurities are gone. I focus on all the
blessings that have come just from keeping Jehovah in our life, and that’s the best
feeling in the world. You can go at it on your own, but you’ll never find the joy,
you’ll never find the peace, you’ll never find the security that comes from doing
it Jehovah’s way. It was only after coming to know Jehovah and having faith in his
standards that the couple came to have a stable and enduring marriage of 25 years.
What about us? How can we strengthen our faith in God’s moral standards?
Contemplate the benefits of obeying God’s moral standards and the consequences of
disobeying them. Note two Bible principles. Deuteronomy 32:29 says: “[Be] wise! . .
. Ponder over this . . . Think about [the] outcome.” In other words, contemplate
the benefits of obeying God’s moral standards. In contrast, the consequences of
disobeying God’s moral standards can be severe. Galatians 6:8 says: “[Sow] with a
view to his flesh [and] reap corruption from [the] flesh.” The world’s
entertainment industry often ignores this fact. Your faith in God’s standards will
grow as you experience the
benefits of living by them. Obeying God’s moral standards protects us physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. Jehovah’s standards make us wise so that we do not
have to learn from painful experiences. To illustrate: You’re driving, and you see
a sign. It says: “School speed limit: 15 miles an hour.” What if you do not adhere
to that standard of law? Suppose you are driving at 50 miles an hour. You hit a
child crossing the road. The consequence for not obeying the standard— that would
be an extremely painful experience. Jehovah’s standards protect us from the pain.
Let’s conclude by sharing some verses from Psalm 19. Please turn there. This psalm
is speaking about Jehovah’s standards, his laws, and reminders. We will first read
Psalm 19:7: “The law of Jehovah is perfect, “restoring strength. “The reminder of
Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.” We do not need to
remain naive and inexperienced. We become wise. Now read with me verses 8 and 9:
“The orders from Jehovah are righteous, “causing the heart to rejoice; “the
commandment of Jehovah is clean, “making the eyes shine. “The fear of Jehovah is
pure, “lasting forever. “The judgments of Jehovah are true, altogether righteous.”
Living by God’s standards brings approval from Jehovah. We enjoy a clean conscience
and a good relationship with him. Finally, verse 11 says: “By them your servant has
been warned; in keeping them, there is a large reward.” It says “a large reward”
awaits us. Have faith in God’s moral standards. Obey them and become wise. They
will protect you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You will have a clean
conscience and Jehovah’s approval —and in the end, everlasting life. Brother Gerrit
Lösch of the Governing Body will now present the final talk of this symposium, “Why
We Have Faith in . . . God’s Love.” Many people believe in God. In what sense? They
believe that there must exist a God, a Creator. Sheer logic causes them to believe
this. Why? Because of being aware that there is creation. If the Creator would not
exist, no creation would exist. Why? Because nothing comes from nothing. This is
also why we know that God has always existed. If there would have been a time when
he did not exist, then nothing would exist today. The fact that creation exists
proves there must be a Creator. It also shows that God exists from all eternity,
although with our imperfect human mind we have a hard time grasping this. We are
the product of his creation. But is it enough to believe in him as the Creator
because without a Creator there could be no creation? No. Is it enough for a child
to believe he has a father because without a father he would not exist? No. A child
should love his father; a father normally loves and cares for his children. The
Creator, our Father, not only cares about his creation, but he also loves us and
cares for us as individuals. He cares about you. Jehovah God loves you. Do you love
him? Are you a lover of God? This is not automatic. The apostle Paul says at 2
Timothy 3:4 that most people in this time of the end would be “lovers of pleasures
rather than lovers of God.” Sometimes we may have feelings of worthlessness, and
such feelings could dampen our zeal in serving Jehovah, could dampen our love, or
even could cause us to stop serving him. Therefore, we need to build up and deepen
our love and trust in Jehovah. Jehovah loves mankind. What evidence is there for
that? We see Jehovah’s love in nature. He created numerous trees, plants, and
flowers so that we can enjoy them. He created for us not only things that we need
to keep living but things that impress our hearts with awe and love for God, the
Giver of “every good gift.” Man is not able to create one single animal or even a
fruit or flower. The things God created help us to live and enjoy living for as
long as we do. But Jehovah loves mankind so much that he gave his firstborn spirit
Son, whom we came to know as Jesus Christ, as a ransom for the sins of us imperfect
humans (for those who love him) so they may live and enjoy God’s love forever.
Although the first humans rebelled against Jehovah God, Jehovah knew that there
would be many others who would choose to serve him out of love. Please turn with me
to John chapter 6. Your listening in to this program is proof not only of your love
for Jehovah God and Jesus but also of their love for you as an individual. At John
6:44, Jesus said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws
him.” The Scriptures show that Jehovah has given humans free will. Everyone has a
choice when it comes to serving him. God gently draws to himself those who have a
heart that is “rightly disposed.” Jehovah does so through the Bible’s message and
through his holy spirit. How does Jehovah draw us? The Greek verb rendered “draw”
is used in reference to hauling in a net of fishes. Does Jehovah drag us against
our will, forcing us to serve him? No. Jehovah gave us free will, so he does not
force our heart open. One scholar puts it this way: “There is no handle on the
outside of the door of the human heart. It must be opened from within.” Jehovah
searches through the billions of hearts in this world, looking for individuals who
are inclined toward him. When he finds such a person, he responds in a touching
way. Are you such a person? We trust you are. Jehovah gently attracts, or tugs, at
the hearts of ones who are “rightly disposed.” Jehovah does so in two ways —through
the Bible’s message of good news and through his holy spirit. When Jehovah sees a
heart that is responsive to Bible truth, he uses his spirit to help the individual
to grasp and apply that truth in his life. Without divine help, we could never
become genuine followers of Jesus and devoted worshippers of Jehovah. Jehovah draws
people because he sees something good in their heart and cares about them as
individuals. Does knowing that Jehovah cares about his worshippers as individuals
move you to want to open that door of your heart and open it wide? As you watch the
following video, notice how a brother named Carlos came to appreciate that Jehovah
is the loving Father whom he had always yearned for. When I went through difficult
times during my childhood, Jehovah was like my Father. He was my refuge. The first
memory I have of my dad is when I went to visit him in the prison where he was
being held. I asked Jehovah so many times for my dad to come back home. One day, my
mom said, “Dad’s coming home today.” I went to school, and when I came back, he was
there. I thought that he was finally back for good and that it would be forever.
But soon after that, I heard my mom and my grandmother crying, and they started to
explain that my dad was back in prison. From then on, I felt hatred, resentment,
and anger toward my dad and also toward Jehovah. I started to take drugs and to
lead an immoral and violent lifestyle. One day, a couple of sisters gave me a
magazine. As I was looking through it, I saw the experience about Dustin. I began
to think about the times during my childhood when I would take refuge in Jehovah
and would feel the same way Dustin did. I would say: “Jehovah is there. He hasn’t
abandoned me.” Dustin never doubted Jehovah’s love, right up until the day he died.
That very night, I prayed to Jehovah. I asked him to forgive me because, well, it
wasn’t his fault. That night I poured out all my feelings to Jehovah. That burden
that I felt was finally gone. I felt Jehovah’s love every step of the way. He
showed it through the brothers who didn’t judge me for what I had done. It doesn’t
matter how many problems we have or how far we’ve drifted away from Jehovah. He
never abandons us. Jehovah has lovingly helped many brothers and sisters because of
his love for them. This can reassure you that Jehovah will help you as well because
Jehovah loves you too. Did you notice how Jehovah demonstrated his love for Carlos?
Through his worshippers, Jehovah lovingly cared for this young man. Please turn
with me to Psalm 119. Jehovah had not forgotten Carlos, even though he had strayed
for a time. This reminds us of the words at Psalm 119:176: “I have strayed like a
lost sheep. “Search for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.”
There are indications that Psalm 119 may have been written by young Prince
Hezekiah. Hezekiah poured out his heart to Jehovah, and Jehovah responded. Brothers
and sisters, please pour out your hearts to Jehovah, and take note of how he will
answer your prayers. Please turn with me to Ephesians chapter 3. Jehovah can and
will intervene positively in your life. Notice what it says at Ephesians 3:20: “Now
to the one who can, according to his power “that is operating in us, “do more than
superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive.” The expression “his
power that is operating in us” —is this not something very encouraging and faith-
strengthening? His power is not just “operating in us” but “operating in us . . .
superabundantly” —no, but “more than superabundantly,” beyond what we can envision
or comprehend. “He will draw close to you,” says James 4:8. Whether he wrote Psalm
119 or not, Hezekiah strengthened his faith in Jehovah and trusted him. He did so
even though he was surrounded by false worshippers and may have been ridiculed by
members of the royal court. Jehovah blessed Hezekiah. If you trust Jehovah, he will
bless you as well. With reliance on God, you too can endure trials as integrity-
keepers. Apply Bible principles in your life, and see how following Jehovah’s
advice will always work out for your good. Strong faith in God’s love helps us to
see beyond our imperfections or the negative experiences that we may have had in
the past. We see ourselves the way Jehovah sees us —as a cherished part of his
household. We are a family member of Jehovah’s family. Notice the encouragement we
receive at Psalm
119 and verse 32. Faith in God’s love gives us the confidence that we need to keep
going. At Psalm 119:32, it says: “I will eagerly pursue the way of your
commandments because you make room for it in my heart.” The footnote says: “Or
possibly, ‘you make my heart have the confidence.’” We will be able to endure any
trial. Are there things that can separate us from Jehovah’s love toward us? Do you
recall what we are told at Romans chapter 8? Nothing can separate us from Jehovah’s
love toward us. Let’s read this together, Romans chapter 8 and verses 35 to 39:
“Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? “Will tribulation or distress or
persecution “or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? “Just as it is written:
“‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long; “we have been accounted as
sheep for slaughtering.’ “On the contrary, in all these things “we are coming off
completely victorious “through the one who loved us. “For I am convinced that
neither death nor life “nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things
to come “nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation “will be able to
separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” But there are things
that can diminish or kill our love for Jehovah, so we need to be careful. This
symposium has reminded us of why we have faith in God’s existence, his Word, his
moral standards, and his love. As the world around us grows more hopeless, we are
determined to become more and more powerful by faith! About Abraham, Romans 4:20
says: “But because of the promise of God, “he did not waver in a lack of faith; but
he became powerful by his faith, giving God glory.” Similarly, Jehovah has also
given promises to us. And as he progressively fulfills them, we become more and
more “powerful by [our] faith” and give glory to Jehovah God! Thank you, brothers,
for highlighting our reasons for faith. We will now sing song number 37, entitled
“Serving Jehovah Whole-Souled.” Again, that’s song number 37.