God's Word

Devastating Flooding in Brazil On January 2020, Torrential rain hit the state of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo in the south east of Brazil. About 58 families of Jehovah's witnesses were affected by these floods. Watch how Brothers and Sisters stay strong despite the tragedy.

Is Jesus Christ God? Many people regard Jesus as the most influential person in history. But is he Almighty God himself? Or was he simply a good man?

Many people are discouraged or even angered by the problems they see around them. Some fight to try to change things for the better. The hope that the Bible offers for the future can help us to battle discouragement and cope with our problems successfully. Read Proverbs 17:22 and Romans 12:12. See how the Bible’s promise that things will get better helps people now.

When you watch this music video, picture yourself and your family enjoying life in the Bible’s promised future Paradise. Imagine the Time. John 5:28,29

Don’t Let Your Life Go Up in Smoke God . . . gives to all people life and breath. (Acts 17:24, 25) Since life is a gift from God, we should not do anything that would shorten our life, such as smoking. Smoking is one of the main causes of preventable death worldwide. Learn more!

What causes injustice? Injustice comes from those who reject God’s guidance. The Bible shows that true justice comes from God. (Isaiah 51:4) In the Bible, the words translated justice and righteousness are closely linked. (Psalm 33:5) Actions that are righteous, or right and proper according to God’s standards, produce justice. By contrast, injustice comes from sin, which is the breaking of God’s righteous standards. Consider the following examples: Selfishness. Selfish d...esire and sin are closely connected. (James 1:14, 15) In order to get what they want, many take advantage of others by treating them unfairly. In contrast, God wants us to put the advantage of others first.1 Corinthians 10:24. Ignorance. Some may treat others unfairly without even realizing it, yet such acts are still sins in God’s view. (Romans 10:3) In fact, ignorance led to one of the greatest injustices of allthe execution of Jesus Christ.Acts 3:15, 17. Failed human systems. In theory, the political, commercial, and religious systems of the world should promote fair treatment and social justice. In reality, though, these systems are often the source of mistakes, corruption, prejudice, greed, extreme financial inequality, and intoleranceall of which can lead to injustice. Some of these systems are promoted by individuals with good intentions. But ultimately, all human efforts that ignore God’s guidance are deeply flawed.Ecclesiastes 8:9; Jeremiah 10:23.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

How can you protect yourself from virus outbreaks?

What Does the Bible Say About Free Will? Is God in Control? God dignifies us with free will, the power to make decisions of our own rather than having God or fate predetermine what we do. Consider what the Bible teaches. God created humans in his image. (Genesis 1:26) Unlike animals, which act mainly on instinct, we resemble our Creator in our capacity to display such qualities as love and justice. And like our Creator, we have free will.... To a great extent, we can determine our future. The Bible encourages us to choose life . . . by listening to [God’s] voice, that is, by choosing to obey his commands. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) This offer would be meaningless, even cruel, if we lacked free will. Instead of forcing us to do what he says, God warmly appeals to us: O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river.Isaiah 48:18. Our success or failure is not determined by fate. If we want to succeed at an endeavor, we must work hard. All that your hand finds to do, says the Bible, do with your very power.(Ecclesiastes 9:10) It also says: The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage.Proverbs 21:5. Free will is a precious gift from God, for it lets us love him with our whole heartbecause we want to.Matthew 22:37.

What Does the Bible Say About Christmas The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin. Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve... of.Exodus 32:5-7. History of Christmas customs Celebrating Jesus’ birthday: The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.The World Book Encyclopedia. December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice. Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles. The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that all work and business were suspended during Saturnalia. Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes with lights and evergreens of all kinds to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits. Mistletoe, holly: The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.The Encyclopedia Americana. Christmas tree: Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity. One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.Encyclopædia Britannica.