John 12.24to28

Memorial Talk, video, link, transcript https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LV-85EyVJX9n3hyc0E8zENsuHzSbd9PC/view?usp=share_link Memorial talk.mp4 "Well this is a very special occasion and it's nice to be together. You could be doing other things this evening, but you decided to be here with us on this special occasion, and we welcome you. Perhaps this is the first time you've been to a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. Maybe a friend or a family member invited you. Maybe you received a personal invitation to come. Welcome. Or perhaps you came because your parents came, and you wanted to be with them. Or perhaps you're a witness of Jehovah. You have faithfully attended the Memorial the last five, ten, twenty or more years. You would risk your life to be here. Well for whatever reason that you're here this evening, we welcome you. There is absolutely no better place that you could be then to be here this evening. This is the most important event that you will attend all year. Why is that? It's because Jesus, nearly 2,000 years ago today, gave his life so that we would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. And so that his faithful companions would not forget the significance of what he did, he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. Let's open our Bibles to Luke chapter 22. And let's look in on this event and what Jesus said. Luke chapter 22. Now here's the scene. Maybe you can picture it there. Jesus, with his faithful followers. It's Nisan 14. The year is 33 CE, and they're there celebrating the Passover. Now, in front of his eleven faithful apostles, Jesus introduces something new. Notice what that is, Luke chapter 22, and let's look at verses 19 and 20. Luke 22:19,20 it says: "Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.' Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying, 'This cup means the new covenant, by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.'" What Jesus instituted here was the first Lord's Evening Meal. And did you notice the phrase there at the end of verse 19? He says "keep doing this in remembrance of me." Jesus did not want us to forget the significance of what was taking place. So he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. And so in obedience to this command millions of people around the earth will observe the Lord's Evening Meal just like we are. See this is a global event. For within a 24 hour period, people all over the earth, from the villages of Africa to the arctic of Greenland, to the outback in Australia to deep into the Amazon forest, will be gathered together in settings just like we are to remember the significance of what Jesus did for us. In fact, last year 20,919,041 observed the Lord's Evening Meal worldwide [note, this talk is from several years prior so the actual numbers for last year were higher] so you can see this is not our usual meeting of instruction from the Bible that we as Jehovah's Witnesses hold. This is a special meeting, a Memorial meal, commemorating the death of Jesus. And just as Jesus wanted to, it's going to help us call to mind the loving provision that Jehovah and Jesus has given us so we can gain everlasting life. And in order for us to really capture the significance of what Jesus did and what Jehovah arranged, we're going to briefly answer four questions. Here's the four questions: one, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life; two, who benefit from Jesus' loving ransom sacrifice; three, who partake of the bread and the wine; and four, besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show our appreciation? So let's consider that first one: why did someone need to open the way for us to gain everlasting life? Why did Jesus' death open the way for everlasting life? Well the answer is found for us in Romans chapter five. Let's go there. Romans chapter five. And notice the situation that man has found themselves in, and why it was necessary for Jesus' death, or how Jesus' death opens the way for everlasting life. Romans chapter five, notice verse twelve: "That is why just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they all had sinned." Do you see the situation that mankind is in and why? Because of the sin, or the disobedience, of one man, Adam, all are affected by it. And just as Adam lost the prospect for everlasting life because he disobeyed God, he passed on to us, his children, the only thing he could: sin and death. You see, it's like we're confined to prison, and the eventuality of death because of a crime someone else committed. Adam had the prospect, with his wife Eve, to fill the earth with the perfect human family in paradise conditions. But because he sinned, or disobeyed Jehovah, he lost the opportunity to live forever. Now, as we see from the scripture, none of us can get around this. All of us are born, we grow old, and we die. We cannot reverse the situation. And that's where the loving provision of Jehovah and Jesus come in. You see the question is, can anyone, any one of Adam's descendants, including you and I, ever hope to be delivered from this situation? Yes. You see, Jehovah, because of His intense love for us, arranged for His son, His firstborn, Jesus, to come to earth as a perfect human. And then Jesus willingly surrendered his perfect life to counterbalance what Adam had lost, and to give us the opportunity to gain everlasting life. Notice how that's described in Romans chapter five. Look at verse 19. Romans five, and notice verse 19. It says: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person many will be made righteous." Adam set his descendants on the path of destruction when he sinned and disobeyed. Jesus, because of his obedience to death, gives us the opportunity to gain everlasting life back. Now we might wonder, though, why was it necessary for Jesus, who was perfect, to die. Why did he have to surrender his life? Well, let's go over to Hebrews chapter two and verse nine, and we're going to see what that death allows for mankind, for you and I. Hebrews chapter two, notice verse nine. It says: "But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death. So that by God's undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone." Jesus, giving his perfect life, tasted death for everyone. See, go back to our illustration of being confined in prison, and being basically put on death row. Nothing we can do to change our circumstances. Well, how would we feel if someone came in and took our place and freed us. We'd be grateful, wouldn't we. Well that's exactly what Jesus has done. Jesus has died for all of us, so that we could have the opportunity, not to eventually die and go out of existence, but to gain everlasting life. Doesn't it warm our heart to think of the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us? Doesn't it make us want to appreciate what they've done for us? But life where? Where is this everlasting life to be? Is it in heaven? Or is it on earth? Well that brings us to our second question: who benefit from Jesus' loving sacrifice? Well the Bible describes two distinct hopes for those who will gain everlasting life to take advantage of the sacrifice that Jesus gave in our behalf. The first one is described at Revelation 14. Let's turn our Bibles there to Revelation chapter 14. And let's consider verse one. It says: "Then I saw, and look, the Lamb," Jesus, "standing on Mount Zion," or in heaven, and notice, "with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his father written on their foreheads." So there is a limited group, 144,000, who will join Jesus in heaven with everlasting life so they can rule with Jesus. And just as a government has a set number, the Bible describes this ruling class joined with Jesus as a set number: 144,000. So the Bible describes a very small group, an anointed group, 144,000, gaining everlasting life in heaven. Well, what's the second hope? The second hope is for the majority of mankind who take advantage of this ransom sacrifice. They will enjoy a beautiful paradise earth, living forever on it, just as Jehovah originally purposed. So the vast majority here this evening attending the Lord's Evening Meal are not of the heavenly hope. They're of the earthly hope. And really it's exciting to contemplate the blessings that's going to come to those who are going to live forever here on earth. The Bible holds out a beautiful future, the real life, for those who will live forever. For example, open our Bibles to Isaiah, chapter 35. And notice how it describes our physical condition. Isaiah chapter 35, notice verses five and six. It says: "At that time, the eyes of blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. At that time the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy, for waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert plain." Can you picture that? All our infirmities gone. All our ailments cured. And really, isn't that what Jesus did when he was on earth? He gave a fore gleam of that by curing ones of their ailments. Isaiah gives a promise from Jehovah that that will be our permanent health condition. Perfect, without these ailments. And it doesn't end there. The Bible's filled with promises regarding this future paradise earth. You know Isaiah describes it as a paradise condition where man will be in harmony with the environment and at peace with the animals. It also describes that we will be able to build our own homes, and us and our families to occupy them and to be able to worship Jehovah together as a family. What a beautiful hope Jehovah gives to those who will gain everlasting life on earth. Now, the Bible gave a very definite number of who go to heaven. But for earth, it's open to all who gain everlasting life by means of God's undeserved kindness, because of their taking advantage of Jehovah's provision and following his requirements. So it's up to us whether we want to take advantage of this provision, show appreciation for what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. We decide whether we want to serve Jehovah forever, and whether we want to gain everlasting life. But it's Jehovah who decides where each of his servants will serve. Jehovah decides whether one has the heavenly calling, anointed, and will gain everlasting life in heaven. It's Jehovah who decides who will live here forever on earth. And just as we can't decide where we're going to be born, it's only Jehovah who decides who will be born again with the heavenly hope. Well now that takes us to our third question: who should partake of the bread and wine. Now it's clear from the scriptures that both those who have the heavenly hope and the earthly hope have a very special place in Jehovah's arrangement. But who is it that partakes of this bread and wine? Well those with the earthly hope who make up the vast majority in attendance do not partake of the emblems. Well, why not? Well go back to the scripture we read in Luke. Remember the scene? Jesus was there with his eleven faithful apostles. And what did he institute? A covenant for a heavenly kingdom. So it's only those who are going to gain everlasting life in heaven who would partake of the emblems here. Now for the majority of us then, we're not going to partake. But it's very fitting that we're here. It's much like attending a wedding. See, the bride and the groom are the ones who share in the vows. But we're in attendance to show our support and share in the joyful occasion. Now how does someone know, though, if they have the heavenly calling? Let's go to Romans chapter eight. And Jehovah has given us an indication of how this calling works, and how one can determine if he's received it. Notice in Romans chapter eight, and let's focus in on verse 15. We're going to read verses 15, 16 and 17. It says: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you've received a spirit of adoption as sons by which spirit we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" Now how did they receive this? Verse 16: "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If we are children, we are also heirs, heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together so that we may also be glorified together." So did you notice in verse 16? Who is it that tells ones whether they have this heavenly calling? It's Jehovah's spirit, the most powerful force in the universe. It is the one who indicates to an individual whether they have the heavenly hope. So it's not an emotional decision. It's not something that someone else tells us we have. But it's an unmistakable assurance from God's spirit. Now we can understand that, can't we, how the spirit would bear witness, would get the attention, of those who have this calling. Don't we know how to get the attention of individuals? See, if you want to get someone's attention in a crowd, what do you do? You may call out their name. You may point to them. You may gesture in a way to get their attention so that you can convey something important. Well likewise Jehovah, the most powerful personage in the universe, through His spirit, the most powerful force, can make it unmistakably sure to individuals that they have this calling, that they are going to leave this earth and the paradise that's promised and to enjoy everlasting life in heaven. Now how would Jehovah feel though if those who have not received this invitation from Him, from His spirit, would partake of the emblems? Well it would displease Him if someone would pretend, or if someone would partake of the emblems even though they have not received that invitation. So we're very thankful that Jehovah gives it very clear, unmistakable proof, through His spirit, on who will have this heavenly hope. Now how long will we commemorate Jesus' death? The answer is found for us in First Corinthians chapter 11. First Corinthians chapter 11, and notice verse 26: "For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes." So you see that there is a time frame for when the Memorial commemoration of Christ's Death, the Lord's Evening Meal, would be celebrated, and there's an end time to it. Did you notice? "Until he comes." So during the great tribulation, when Jesus calls the rest of the anointed remnant here on earth with him, then the commemoration of the Lord's Evening Meal will cease. And just as those who have the earthly hope do not need to partake now to have everlasting life, they don't need to partake then to have everlasting life. What a beautiful arrangement by Jehovah and Jesus. Now let's just take a moment and review what we've discussed so far. First of all, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life? Remember, Jehovah through his intense love for us arranged for His son to come to earth, and Jesus was willing as a perfect man to surrender his life in exchange for what Adam lost so that faithful followers would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. And who benefit from this loving sacrifice? Well remember, there's two distinct hopes described in the Bible. There's 144,000 who will gain everlasting life in heaven, and there's a vast majority, a large group, who will gain everlasting life here on paradise earth. And do you remember who partake of the bread and wine? It's only those who have the heavenly calling. So now we're ready. We're ready to observe the Lord's Evening Meal. [Pause to pray and pass emblems.] Well this takes us now to our fourth and final question. Besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us? Well from what we've discussed, it's evident that Jehovah wants us to be a member of His family. He's gone to great lengths so that we could gain everlasting life, to be able to worship Him forever. This has opened up a way for a special relationship with Him. So He's willing to help us to gain this everlasting life. He has by providing the ransom. He will as we continue to try to meet up and strive to fulfill His requirements. Yes, just as any household we join, there's requirements. Jehovah's family of worshippers also follow His requirements. And if you ever feel that you can't measure up to Jehovah's requirements, it's too difficult, remember Jehovah is ready to help you. He's ready to help you obey, and to support you. If you ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged, go to Jehovah in earnest prayer. He will listen. He loves you very much, and He wants you to enjoy everlasting life forever. So maybe you're here for the first time this evening. It certainly important that you came. And we're glad you did. Be assured that Jehovah God and Jesus have taken note of the effort you put forth to be here in attendance. We encourage you to take further action. Learn more about Jehovah's promises, and the beautiful future that He has in store for you and your family. Now if you've been studying the Bible but you're not yet baptized, continue working toward that goal. Build faith in His promises. Build faith in the ransom sacrifice that makes it possible to take in this knowledge of God. And as your faith grows you will have the strength to fulfill the other requirements of repentance, conversion, dedication and baptism. A dedicated life to Jehovah God. Now perhaps there are some of you who have associated with Jehovah's people in the past. And we'd like to say to you, for whatever reason you left in the past, Jehovah can right any wrong. You see, what matters now is Jehovah wants you back. And really, the world has nothing to offer compared to the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us. We encourage you to take the steps to return to Jehovah so you will enjoy worshipping Him forever. And then there's those of us who are active, baptized servants of Jehovah. Be determined to remain faithful to your dedication to God. Continue to take in the knowledge from your daily Bible reading, your attendance at the meetings weekly, regularly, not just on special occasions such as this. As you do so, your love for Jehovah is going to grow, and the more you love Jehovah, the more you love Jesus, the more you are willing to do for them. It will motivate you to continue in your faithful service. Yes, it's heartwarming for us to consider what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. And in just a few minutes we're all going to walk out these doors tonight, and we're going to go back to our life. Remember, this is not the life that God intended for you. The life where we're born under sin and our eventuality is death is not what Jehovah wants you to experience in the future. Jehovah has shown us that He loves us, and He's willing to help us continue to serve Him. And if you ever feel like you don't measure up, and if you need the motivation to be able to meet up to His requirements, keep close in mind the beautiful scripture at Second Corinthians chapter five. Let's go there together. Second Corinthians, chapter five, notice verses 14 and 15. It says: "For the love the Christ has compels us, because this is what we've concluded, that one man died for all, so then all had died, and he died for all so that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised up." Do you notice there in verse 14? "For the love the Christ has compels us." When we meditate and think about the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us, what they've done for us, how they saw our condition and the great effort they put forth to give us life, it compels us to live our life for them, to want to serve them, and to be a part of their family. Yes, Jehovah and Jesus love you. They want you to worship Jehovah forever. They want you to be a part of this universal, beautiful family that's going to enjoy life forever. They want you a part of it. Therefore, let all of us choose life, and keep showing our appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us."

Treasures From God's Word (these are some of my favorites talks☺️) "This has come from Jehovah; It is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day that Jehovah has made; We will be joyful and rejoice in it. Jehovah, save us, please, we beg! Jehovah, grant us victory, please! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Jehovah; We bless you from the house of Jehovah. Jehovah is God; He gives us light. Join in the festival procession with branches in hand, Up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; My God, I will exalt you. Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; His loyal love endures forever." Praise Jehovah💖 Midweek Meeting Barraza:Treasures.mp4 Midweek Meeting Rodriguez:Treasures.mp4 Midweek Meeting Layman:Treasures.mp4

Five Public Talks: How Well Do You Know God Are You Conscious of Your Spiritual Need Keep Growing in Your Relationship With God Live With Soundness of Mind in a Depraved World How to Make Decisions that Lead to Success Weekend Meeting 2023-02-04 (Q720) How Well Do You Know God?.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-11 (Q720) Are You Conscious of Your Spiritual Need?.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-18 (Q720) Keep Growing in Your Relationship with God.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-25 (Q720) Live With Soundness of Mind in a Depraved World.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-04 (Q720)How to Make Decisions that Lead to Success.mp4

Five Public Talks: Who Is Like Jehovah Reject Worldly Fantasies, Pursue Kingdom Realities Overcoming Fear of the Future The Flood of Noah's Day and You Is There Really A Devil Weekend%20Meeting%202022-04-23 (Q720)Who Is Like Jehovah Our God?.mp4 Weekend%20Meeting%202022-05-14 (Q720) Reject Worldly Fantasies, Pursue Kingdom Realities.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-18 (Q720) Overcoming Fear of the Future.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-12 (Q720).mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-25 (Q720) Is There Really A Devil?.mp4

Video Links 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly Program With Branch Representative - Friends of Peace Morning Part 1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wRnMvLH2UXf3pAek97UTlo35JgNJ6obo/view?usp=share_link Morning Part 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/14-Io_Dl1vF8NF44NKJMDMae2aBa_bJ3R/view?usp=share_link Afternoon Part 1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/11as3NGOFRKsVZvTcbOfKP6AJqpbCkJdq/view?usp=share_link Afternoon Part 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JTAy70DT6CvD8WM1yvgXK2gvmeSHdSc7/view?usp=share_link

(this is one of my favorite talks☺️) Weekend Meeting 2022-09-03 (Q720) Meditate on Jehovah's Word and His Works.mp4

Weekend%20Meeting%202022-05-21 (Q720).mp4

Public Talk: Where to Find Help in Times of Distress Weekend%20Meeting%202022-05-28 (Q720)Where Can You Get Help in Times of Distress.mp4

Video Links 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly Program With Circuit Overseer - Jehovah's United Family Morning Part 1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S0ppcBkTQlnHmE9QzhfhkyA0njWeSgP2/view?usp=share_link Morning Part 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/106_bnKOCvG8uPfrz66mookcxRJFW7sVq/view?usp=share_link Afternoon Part 1 https://drive.google.com/file/d/12d7r7CB_7aaOrLaSFYqvU0xDYSgcvdc6/view?usp=share_link Afternoon Part 2 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KhbxU3tbHuDu-HVJNCihaiptvTdTip14/view?usp=share_link

(sorry they're out of order, the second one should be first and the first one should be second!)

2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Circuit Overseer (Morning Part 2) (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Circuit Overseer (Morning Part 1 (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Circuit Overseer (Afternoon Part 2) (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Circuit Overseer (Afternoon Part 1) (Q720).mp4

2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Branch Representative (Morning Part 1) (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Branch Representative (Morning Part 2) (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Branch Representative (Afternoon Part 1) (Q720).mp4 2022-2023 Circuit Assembly With Branch Representative (Afternoon Part 2) (Q720).mp4

(transcript from Special Talk) Chairman Brother Morales: "So we'd like to welcome you all. Welcome to the Minnewaska Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. And we have a beautiful discourse waiting for you this morning. We're going to look forward to our special talk this weekend, that's being delivered this morning. And that will be delivered around the world virtually everywhere this weekend. And we're excited to hear that. And of course we look forward to our Watchtower study. "Our speaker this morning is going to be a local brother. We'll look forward Brother Sergio Rodriguez as he delivers the talk, (I'm about to say the song), You Can Face the Future With Confidence. "So we'll look forward to him developing that, and of course, to start our meeting we'll look forward to singing a song together. Our song that has been chosen is song number eight, Jehovah Is Our Refuge. So if you can we welcome you to stand with us and sing song number eight, Jehovah Is Our Refuge." "Song 8 Jehovah Is Our Refuge (Psalm 91) Jehovah is our refuge, Our God in whom we trust. His shadow is our shelter; Remain in it we must. His faithful ones he will defend, On this we know we can depend. Jehovah is a stronghold, Ever faithful, loyal, and just. Though thousands will have fallen And many at our side, The righteous and the meek ones Will never be denied. So in our hearts we need not fear; Calamity will not come near. From danger he will shield us, For beneath God’s wings we’ll reside. He’ll keep us and protect us From snares along our way, From terrors in the nighttime, And arrows by the day. Yes, there will be no cause for dread, No place where we will fear to tread. Jehovah is our refuge, Ever guarding us on our way. (See also Ps. 97:10; 121:3, 5; Isa. 52:12.)" (from Sing Out Joyfully)" Chairman Morales: "So now as we mentioned we'll look forward to our special talk. Once again the title is You Can Face the Future With Confidence. We'll look to Brother Rodriguez for that information." Brother Sergio Rodriguez: "Fear or confidence. Which feeling do you prefer? Well, no doubt, you prefer confidence, but life isn't that simple is it? For example, if you just lost your job, or you're going through financial struggles, you might prefer to be confident about the future, but how do you feel inside? You feel nervous. You might feel scared. Or if you're going through health problems, you might prefer to be confident about your future, but how are you naturally inclined to feel? You're scared. You're nervous. Or you might prefer to be confident about where this world is headed, but what do you see? You see natural disaster, violence, sickness. So then, what do we naturally feel? Maybe fear. What's the point? Well, the challenges we face as humans are overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like our confidence depends on our circumstances. But did you know the Bible shows us a way that you and I can face the future with confidence despite any challenges that we might face? I invite you to open to Psalm 46 as we consider verses one and two. And notice how this servant of God, despite facing challenges was able to face the future with confidence, how? Notice it says: "God is our refuge and strength. A help that is readily found in times of distress that is why we will not fear, though the earth undergoes change, though the mountains topple into the depths of the sea." So did you notice verse two? What does he say? He says that is why we will not fear. Unstoppable confidence, how? Why? Was it money? Was it philosophy of men that gave him this confidence? No. Look at verse one. It says God is our refuge and strength. In other words, trusting in God was the key to confidence. Now we've heard that phrase before, "trusting in God". Maybe for some that might sound like an old cliche, not effective. But you know sometimes older things or older methods are actually most effective. See, they're proven, they're reliable. For example, do you see in the verse where it says a help that is readily found in times of distress. When was the last time you needed help? Well, for myself, it was a few months ago, I sprained my ankle. I couldn't walk. And I remember finding myself in my living room, around all this modern technology. See, I had a smart phone, and a computer. I had a TV. But let me ask you, do you think any of those pieces of technology helped me to walk? Well, of course not. But you know what did help me, I had some old wooden crutches in the basement, so I dusted those off, and guess what? They were still reliable. They were effective. Those old crutches were a real help in times of distress. What's the point? Well this phrase "trust in God" it might seem old, but today in this talk we're going to dust it off, so-to-speak. And we're going to see that it is still reliable, the most effective way that you and I can face the future with confidence. So later in the talk we're going to discuss how we can trust in God, but first we're going to discuss how Jehovah helps us face the future with confidence when we do trust in him. The first way he helps us to face the future with confidence when we trust in him is by providing us with a wonderful hope for the future. Now, why does that give us confidence? Well, isn't it true as humans we do not like uncertainty. See, it's impossible for us to have confidence if we have uncertainty. For example, when was the last time you flew on an airplane? Well, before you get on an airplane there's a destination sign. And under the destination it says where the plane is supposed to land. But if you were about to get on an airplane and under destination it said "unknown" would you feel comfortable getting on that airplane with confidence? Of course not. But what if under that destination sign it said "Honolulu, Hawaii". In fact you get on the airplane and the captain restates the destination and he states the conditions. He says, "when we land it's going to be 70 degrees, sunny, light winds." Now how do you feel? You feel confident. See, you know exactly what to expect. What's the point? Well, many humans today, when it comes to where this world is headed, it is unknown. The destination is unknown, so it's impossible for them to have confidence in the future. Now on the other hand, Jehovah God has given mankind a wonderful destination, and like that captain, he's even told us the conditions of that destination. What's the destination? A beautiful paradise earth. The conditions? No more sickness. No more death. No more suffering. No more violence. Complete peace. In fact, billions who have died will be brought back to life to live in this paradise earth. Nothing can prevent God's promises from being fulfilled. See, Jehovah, at Psalm 37:29, has said "the righteous will possess the earth and they will live forever on it." Why has Jehovah given us this wonderful destination, not just once in the scriptures, not just twice, but many times? Well, because He knows that we do not like uncertainty, it does not give us confidence. And He wants you and I to face the future with confidence, so He gives us that hope. Now a second way Jehovah helps us face the future with confidence is by helping us now. I invite you to open to Psalm chapter 73 and we're going to consider verse 23 and 24. And notice the psalmist. He's talking to God. Now God gave him a hope for the future but what else, what about now? The psalmist says, "but now I am continually with you." He's talking to God. He says, "you" God "have taken ahold of my right hand. You guide me with your advice and afterward you lead me to glory." So does Jehovah just give us a hope for the future? Well, notice, do you see the word "now" in that scriptures? And "continually"? Can you think of somebody that has been with you continually in your life? Well, how about your mother. You know, many of us were blessed with a mother that helped us in so many different ways. In fact, if I asked you what is the role of a mother, how would you answer? Well, you'd probably have many different answers. See, sometimes a mother's a cook. Sometimes she's a nurse. Sometimes she's a teacher. There's a saying that goes "life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother." Right? Because mothers are continually with us in many different aspects of our life, and Jehovah God is the same way. He can help us now in many different areas. For example, He can give us wisdom to successfully deal with challenges we face. Now, when I was a small child and I was going to cross a street with my mother, do you know what she would say to me every single time before we'd cross a street? I can still hear it in my head. She would say, "make sure you always look both ways before you cross a street." See, why do mothers tell that to their children? Well, they want them to have wisdom to successfully cross a street in the future. Jehovah is the same way. See, you and I face challenges. Maybe it's financial struggles. But Jehovah can give us wisdom to successfully get to the other side of those financial struggles. Maybe we are facing other problems in our life, maybe family problems. Did you know in God's Word the Bible He can give us advice and principles that will safely help us get to the other side of those family issues? See Jehovah gives us wisdom primarily through His Word, and like that mother, He wants us to deal with the challenges in the best way possible. Another way Jehovah helps us now is by giving us strength and courage. When I was a child, as well, I also recall, besides telling me to look both ways, you know what else my mother usually did? She would reach out her hand. Why do parents hold the hand of their children before they cross a street? Well, it's largely to guide them, but also to give them strength and courage. And Jehovah is the same way, because sometimes it's not a matter of knowing what to do, having the wisdom. Sometimes we also need the strength and courage to act on that wisdom. For example, perhaps we're trying to give up a habit that displeases God, but we feel like we don't have the strength and courage to do it. Did you know God promises to help us with that? So Jehovah will give us the strength and courage now to deal with the challenges that we face. Another way He can help us now is by helping us to develop fine qualities. I used to work at a bank, and I recall that tellers would give candy to the children. And it was a common thing that would happen. And do you know what the parents would always remind the children to say when they received the candy? "Make sure you say thank you." See, why do parents remind their children to say thank you all the time? Well they want their children to develop fine qualities to have a successful life. And Jehovah's the same way. He can help you and I now to develop fine qualities such as faith and patience. Now how does that help us now with our challenges. Well, let's say, for example, we're dealing with health challenges. And those challenges aren't going away. But let's say Jehovah helps us to develop patience. Now with that fine quality of patience, even though that problem isn't going away, we can endure day to day because we have that quality of patience. Or perhaps He helps us in that same scenario to develop the quality of faith. And on those really hard days, because we've developed that quality, we look to our hope in the future, and it helps us to get to that next day. See, in ways like this, Jehovah will help us to develop fine qualities that will help us with our problems now. But sometimes we have the wisdom to deal with a problem, sometimes we have the strength and courage, sometimes we have the fine qualities, but then sometimes we just have a bad day. And on those really bad days, sometimes we might feel like giving up. But Jehovah can help us even then. I invite you to open to Philippians chapter four, and we're going to consider verse six and seven. Notice what we're encouraged to do here. It says, "do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." So on those really bad days we're encouraged to pray to Jehovah. And what does He promise to give us? What does verse seven say? It says, "the peace of God." Now what does that mean? Well simply put, it's an inner calm that only God can provide. When you were a small child, and you would fall and hurt yourself, who would you run to likely first? Many would run to their mother. Now let me ask you, if there was a doctor next to your mother, and you fell and hurt yourself, who would you have ran to, the doctor or your mother? You would still have ran to your mother. Why? Well because even though that doctor is medically trained, he's a professional, you knew there was nobody who could give you the inner calm that your mother could give you. It's the same with Jehovah. And those really bad days, only Jehovah can give us a certain inner calm that can take that edge off, that can help us to not make a foolish decision in life. See, in ways like this Jehovah will help us now. Jehovah doesn't just give us a hope for the future. He's continually with us now. And that also helps us to face the future with confidence. Now a third way Jehovah helps us to face the future with confidence is by giving us a worldwide brotherhood that supports us. I invite you to open your Bibles to first Thessalonians chapter five verse eleven. Because Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to support one another, notice how that's brought out in this scripture. It says, "therefore, keep encouraging one another and building one another up just as you are in fact doing. " So notice it uses that word "encouraging". Now what does that word mean? Well, by some definitions it means to support and to give confidence. Now why is it important for us as humans? Well, as humans, when we are doing something hard, we need support, otherwise we might give up. To illustrate, when was the last time you were on a diet? Maybe you were trying to eat healthy. Now how did you feel at the beginning of that diet? Well, you did your research. You knew exactly what foods not to eat, which foods to eat. You're confident. Until you go out to dinner with some of your friends. See, because then they start to order all the things that you're not supposed to eat, and they're so nice, they start to offer it to you. Now what's happening to your confidence? It's starting to go lower. In fact, you're about to give up. You're going to eat some of that chocolate cake that your friend is offering you. But then what happens? You look across the table and who do you see? Your friend who is on the same diet. Your diet buddy. See, this person is on the same diet, and how does it help you? Well you see him resisting the temptation, now what happens to your confidence? You're like, "I can do it too." Right. See that support is essential. What's the point? Well if we're doing things that are hard, support goes such a long way for our confidence as humans. And guess what, Jehovah doesn't give us just one "diet buddy", he's given us a worldwide brotherhood of persons who are resisting temptation. In fact, these persons that support us don't just do so by word but by love in action. For example in this picture here, perhaps these servants of God needed food and water. What did their brothers and sisters do? They came to their aid. Because Jehovah helped them now by means of a worldwide brotherhood. So we learned how Jehovah gives us a hope for the future. He helps us now and He gives us support by means of a worldwide brotherhood. We understand it fundamentally, but would you like to see it in real life? Well at this time we invite you to watch a three minute video showing two of Jehovah's Witnesses who have a confident view of the future." Video - Sister Sheila Cabral, Brazil: "Alishandre and I married in June of 2007. At that point, his health was relatively good, but as time went on, he became more and more incapacitated. Now he needs help using the bathroom, buttoning his shirts, shaving, and with his physical therapy treatments. There were times I felt just so alone. But I'm not alone. Really, I never was, and I have the brothers to thank for that. Many brothers would come over to the house to do practical things for us, like maintenance on the house, maintenance on the wheelchair. They really, they were so helpful to us. Beyond the help from the brothers, it's the hope for the future from Jehovah that gives me a better perspective and makes those difficult moments not seem so overwhelming. So for me, when I look at the future, I can really see the new world. I can see Alishandre up and out of his wheelchair. It's like Paul said, all the trials we face today are momentary and light. But the blessings from Jehovah, they're everlasting, and that's what we need to focus on." Video - Sister Liubov Anismova: "I was born and raised in Mariupol, Ukraine. I loved my city. It was so beautiful and green. Life there got completely turned upside down. Local authorities would talk about what one side was doing and what the other side was doing. And when you see all the destruction, when you see what's happening in your city, you wonder, "Now what? What should I do?" So then you pray, and you realize what you need to do. I knew I had to get out of there, but I didn't know where to go. The brothers helped every step of the way. We were so grateful. They provided us with everything: food, water, electricity. There are no words to describe that kind of love. Prayer is the thing that gets you through. It gives you inner calm. The holy spirit gives you the confidence you need and it strengthens your hope. If you trust in Jehovah, He will never abandon you. There is no point in being afraid of the future when Jehovah is with you, there is no point." Brother Sergio Rodriguez: "So did you notice, did the problems of these two Jehovah's Witnesses disappear? No, they didn't. But they trusted in Jehovah, and Jehovah was able to make their fear disappear. They were able to continue with confidence in the future. What was the key for them? It was trusting in Jehovah. So what's the question? The question is, how do you and I trust in Jehovah? Well that's what we're going to discuss at this time. The first way we can trust in Jehovah is through a study of the Bible, by getting to know Jehovah as a loving heavenly father. That's how we can make Him our refuge and strength, trust in Him. Now when you think of that word "refuge" what does that mean? Well maybe we think of shelter and protection. And perhaps that might remind us of a father, because a father's role largely is to provide shelter and protection for his family. But let me ask you, if I showed you a picture of a man, would you be able to tell me if that man in the picture is a good father by looking at that picture? Of course not. Why? Well, because you don't know him. But what if I introduced you to the man in the picture? Let's say you had a conversation with him and he said, he started describing to you how he likes to raise his family. He likes to teach them good moral values, right from wrong. He loves to spend quality time with them. And then his kids come into the room. And what's the look on their face? They're beaming. They're happy. They go hug their father. You can tell, these children love their father. And then you ask around town about this man's reputation, and you know what everybody says? "This man is an excellent father." Now do you trust that this man in the picture is a good father? Yes. The difference? You got to know him. What's the point? Many of mankind today only has an idea, just a picture of who God is. So it's impossible for them to trust Him fully. What's the key? Get to know Jehovah through a study of the Bible. In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses offer free interactive Bible courses. By doing so, we can learn to know Jehovah's ways, how His servants viewed Him, His children, how they trusted in Him, how happy they were when they served Him. We get to know Jehovah God's reputation through thousands of years of mankind. See, that is going to really help us trust in God. A second way we can trust in God, make God our refuge and strength, is by throwing our anxiety on Him. I invite you to open your Bibles to first Peter chapter five, verses six and seven. Now notice this scripture, it says "humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Now do you notice there's a footnote next to that word "anxiety"? What does the footnote say? It says "or cares or worries". Now what cares or worries do you have in your life? Is it health related? Is it family related? Is it world conditions that we see? You know, all of us have cares, isn't it true? We all have worries in our life. And you know what happens when we carry those day after day? What happens when you carry physical weight for a long time? You start to tire out. That's why Jehovah invites us to throw those worries on Him. And if we trust in Him, we'll do just that. To illustrate, I want you to imagine a child who goes to school, a small child with a little backpack. Day after day he carries that backpack, and at the end of the day, that backpack starts to feel a little heavier than it felt in the morning. But then a loving father comes to pick up that child, and what does he offer to do? He carries the backpack. He carries it all the way home. And then the next day, the father goes to pick up the child, and you know what he does? He carries the backpack. And then the next day, you know what the child does? You guessed it. He hands over the backpack. See, does the father make the backpack disappear. No, but he will carry that weight to make it lighter so the child doesn't tire out. Because the father cares. What's the point? Well, all the cares and worries that you and I carry, Jehovah invites us to hand it over to Him. And we can do that primarily through prayer. See, that child trusts that the father is much stronger, so it gladly hands over that backpack every day. Let's trust that Jehovah is much stronger than us. Each day, let's pray to Jehovah. Let's get specific about the worries that weigh on us. What the worry is, why it's a worry, how it makes us feel. And Jehovah, because we're trusting in Him, He's not going to make the trial disappear, but He's going to give us the strength and wisdom so that we can successfully deal with that anxiety and not make any foolish decisions or do anything rash. We can ask Him for His holy spirit and He really will help us. Now, a third way we can trust in Jehovah is by becoming part of His worldwide family of Jehovah's Witnesses, because fellow believers can strengthen us and help us to build our trust in Jehovah. You know, one time I was living in an apartment and it was badly damaged because of a snowstorm. And so overnight I had to move out of that apartment, but thankfully a loving family invited me into their home so I could stay with them until I found a new place to live. And you know, I felt very comfortable moving in with that family, do you know why? Because I trusted them. And guess what, when I moved in with them, you know what happened to my trust in that family? It grew even more. What's the point? Jehovah God is inviting you to take shelter with His family of Jehovah's Witnesses. And if we trust in Him, we will regularly associate with His fellow believers, and in fact when we do so our trust in God is going to grow even to the next level, because we're going to be surrounded by friends who support one another in times of distress. Because it's when we're with each other that we receive that handshake or that hug that we need. Or that scripture here at the Kingdom Hall that touches our heart, or that experience. Sometimes we might run into a fellow believer that says they're having a bad day, and in a weird way that encourages us. And it's not because we like to see them have a bad day, but it's because maybe we're having a bad day too, and they're not giving up. They're continuing to struggle, and that encourages us. See, let's be here. Let's trust in Jehovah. Let's be with each other as much as we can, and Jehovah will really help us. In fact, the next opportunity we have to be together is on April 4th, to commemorate Jesus' death and to learn how it opens the way for us to enjoy friendship with God and future blessings. So we invite all to go ahead and do that, and if you would like more information, please see any one of Jehovah's Witnesses here today as you are warmly welcome. So at the beginning of this talk we talked about those old dusty crutches. This phrase "trust in God" we dusted it off in this talk, so-to-speak. We realized it's not an old cliche. It is an effective, reliable, it's practical, it's a realistic way for you and I to face the future with confidence. We asked the question "confidence or fear, which do you prefer?" Jehovah wants you, He prefers for you to have confidence. Many of us have problems. We all have problems, personal struggles, family issues, financial struggles, world conditions that cause anxiety for us. But Jehovah wants us to have confidence. And in this talk He's reached out His hand and He's reminded us that if we trust in Him, He can help us. And how did we learn to trust in Him? By coming to know Him as a loving heavenly Father by a study of His Word the Bible, by relying on Him through prayer, giving Him all our anxieties, and by becoming a part of His worldwide family of Jehovah's Witnesses. So let's do that. Let's take His hand. Let's trust in God. Because if we do, no matter what problems you and I face, if you trust in Jehovah you can face the future with confidence." Chairman Brother Morales: "All right. Thank you so much Brother Rodriguez for delivering that talk. We certainly see how trusting in Jehovah is not only possible, it's realistic and it's practical. We can do it. Thank you. Well, to the audience, we'd like to thank you for arranging your affairs and being here, whether you're sitting here or whether you're tied in through the videoconference. Thank you for joining us this morning. We have an announcement that we'd like to read to you. It says: "We are very happy that all of you could attend this special talk that is being presented worldwide in over 117,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. The annual observance of the Memorial of Christ's Death will be held on Tuesday April 4th 2023. We invite you to join us." For us, it will be at the Wallkill Auditorium this Tuesday at 7 pm. If you would like someone to contact you to demonstrate a free personal Bible study, please speak to one of Jehovah's Witnesses. In addition, we invite you to visit our website, jw.org. Bible based content is available there in over 1000 languages. It discusses topics that appeal to married couples, parents, single ones, teenagers, young children, and all who want to learn about the Bible." So again, thank you for coming and being here for this special talk. We also have another announcement, April 4th, the morning of the Memorial, there is a special morning worship video, it's about 26 minutes long, and you can access that through jw.org or through jw library, so you can see that in advance of the Memorial." Watchtower Conductor, Brother John Layman. One comment from the Watchtower study - Brother John Layman: "1 John 4:4 is a powerful point too. In the prison study last night at the Wallkill correctional facility, this really struck home to one of the inmates." Brother Turner: "So Jesus basically says there's two sides. We know later in 1 John 5:19 he said the ruler of the world is Satan. He's well aware of Satan's power, but he is absolutely confident Jehovah is far superior. And he calls them "little children" so we're attached to Jesus. That means Jehovah's going to protect us, and he's far stronger than Satan." Brother Layman: "For sure. And this man last night said "I'm never alone." Even though he's isolated, he's never alone because Jehovah's there." (Praise Jehovah🥰)

Special Talk video link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1srRg70r-dUM0DpX_RQEC5jOpuUrI8Q1I/view?usp=share_link

Weekend Meeting 2023-04-01 (Q720).mp4

Dear @BroRando - Thank you for being so gracious and hospitable. Surely Jesus is aware of your love for him and your heartfelt appreciation for the ransom sacrifice that motivates you to share this invitation. Thank you for your love. Dear @Space Merchant - Thank you for your concern for the safety of other Christians. Surely Jesus is aware of your love for those purchased with his blood and your respect for life that motivates you to share this warning. Thank you for your love. Dear @Matthew9969 - Thank you for continuing to have faith in God even though you have seen and experienced many things in your life, things no one else but God knows about. Thank you for getting up every day and finding the beauty in God's creation. Thank you for not giving up on life and for desiring to do right by Christ, even if it means disagreeing with the crowd. Thank you for your love. Friends, wherever you decide to celebrate the Memorial this year, may you have peace and love and joy in the undeserved kindness extended to us all. Praise Jehovah.💖

It doesn't matter to me what the appellate court said. It matters to me what Gerritt Losch said. There is a case of abuse, and a man who is viewed as one of the chief shepherds in the organization with the potential to do so much good by saying, "I'm sorry that happened to you" to Jose Lopez, instead comes and basically says "I have nothing to do with anything that happens in the organization". Jesus was willing to go to court and get treated insolently. Jesus didn't say "I'm not God's Son," or "I'm not a king" just to get out of it. If Gerrit Losch cannot stand up tall and take the heat now under these circumstances, how is he going to stand up during more difficult circumstances? If he cannot say, "I do represent Jehovah's Witnesses, yes, I am a member of the governing body and we have been dictating policy for the congregations for quite some time now" (which is what the court was really looking for, not some technicality to wiggle out of responsibility) then how is he going to man up when we are in the great tribulation? "The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them— because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep." Gerrit Losch showed how he really feels about the sheep. That man is not a shepherd. He is an imposter. Just like the rest of those currently taking the lead at Bethel. "Lawless ones" sitting in the house of God claiming to be gods. Hopefully they repent someday. Jesus is coming to clean the house. He will remove all the fake shepherds. Praise Jehovah.

They deleted all of his morning worship talks. 😣😩 I hate how they try to erase living people. Even when Solomon went bad, Jehovah still kept Proverbs and Song of Solomon in the Bible. (Jehovah isn't like them. They don't really know Jehovah.) The current governing body is teaching all kinds of things that are wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if they deleted Tony for standing up for what is right on some issue. I don't know why our brother Anthony Morris was removed and why they're trying to "erase" him, but I hope and pray that he's okay.💖 Jehovah can turn the curses into blessings for the righteous ones. May Jehovah be praised.

Summary of witness testifying in Norway court case, Jan Frode Nilsen: (some is in Norwegian language) https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0ksW8dB7GMnj14AYW1jsxbmPzRaMbpgAGWPw8VC4Dn9MHDr4P7LdwaEUDZpBxuBJSl&id=578591856 https://twitter.com/jfnilsen?t=nLkjYsFqrrXZY1PaE6pOgg&s=09 https://avoidjw.org/news/jan-frode-nilsen-s-testimony/ (Just a note, I do not necessarily agree with all the stands taken by publishers of any of the above mentioned websites, but I do pray for Jan and I think he is very brave. May Jehovah continue to bless him for being willing to go through the hellish situation of being drilled by a Watchtower lawyer in order to bear witness to the truth. "Jehovah's Witnesses" as an organization have brought great reproach on Jehovah's holy name. Jehovah will cleanse His Name People for the sake of His Holy Name and regather all the little hurt sheep. May Jehovah be praised.)

"But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you." "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (Good night for now, Allen. Hope you can enjoy your evening.) "Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows." "There is something futile that takes place on the earth: There are righteous people who are treated as if they had acted wickedly, and there are wicked people who are treated as if they had acted righteously. I say that this too is futility. So I recommended rejoicing, because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat and drink and rejoice; this should accompany him as he works hard during the days of his life, which the true God gives him under the sun."

Regarding the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, during court cases in the US during 2021 and 2022, there was discussion of whether or not the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is viewed as directing or influencing the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. 2021 and 2022, Philip Brumley sanctioned in court for "perpetuat[ing] obviously false statements". https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mtd.63559/gov.uscourts.mtd.63559.135.0_1.pdf https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mtd.63587/gov.uscourts.mtd.63587.91.0.pdf Philip Brumley says before the court that Watch Tower "has no contact with congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Montana," "does not establish or disseminate policy or procedure to congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Montana," "does not appoint or remove elders, ministerial servants or publishers in congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Montana." Then Philip Brumley gets sanctioned for acting "in bad faith, vexatiously, wantonly" and "for oppressive reasons." The Court employed "its discretion" and declined "to consider contempt sanctions against Brumley".

(For fact checking purposes: Link to Court Case where Gerrit Losch testifies the governing body does not have a say in what goes on in the congregations related to Watchtower.) https://scaarscaorg.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/A8-4-Attachment-C-Lopez-v-Watchtower-New-York-full-Attorney-Exhibits-and-minutes.pdf Under oath, he said, "I do not direct, and have never directed, the day-to-day operations of Watchtower. I do not answer to Watchtower. I do not have, and never have had, any authority as an individual to make or determine corporate policy for Watchtower or any department of Watchtower...I do not supervise or work for, and I have never supervised or worked for, the Watchtower Legal Department or the U.S. Service Department."

Public Information Department Quarterly Stream 2022 June, September, December https://archive.org/details/JW-PID-June-Quarterly-Live-2022 https://archive.org/details/JW-PID-September-Quarterly-Live-2022 https://archive.org/details/JW-PID-December-Quarterly-2022

Legal Learning Studio - Watchtower v Stratton 20 years later live stream https://archive.org/details/JW-PID-Legal-Learning-Studio