Stop Being Molded by This System of

Things JW Broadcasting Sep 2018

Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................... 1

2. Cecil Goff ............................................................................... 1

2.1 Summary ......................................................................... 6

3. Stop Being Molded by This System of Things....................... 6

3.1 Peer pressure .................................................................. 9

3.2 Enticing advertisements ................................................ 10

3.3 Bad associations ........................................................... 12

3.4 Higher education ........................................................... 14

4. Dramatization: Making better choices ................................. 16

4.1 Video Series announcement ......................................... 18

4.2 Bible principles to help ................................................... 18

5. Proper view of discipline ..................................................... 19

6. Guzel Gainanshina .............................................................. 25

6.1 Summary ....................................................................... 29

7. Young ones who resisted pressure to conform ................... 30

8. Music video: Do Not Be Afraid ............................................ 34

8.1 Summary ....................................................................... 36

9. Greetings from Maraã ......................................................... 36

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1. Introduction

Welcome to JW Broadcasting. What do we have for you on this month’s program? We’ll hear the story of Cecil Goff, an elder and regular pioneer with over 80 years in Jehovah’s service. What valuable lessons from his experience can you apply to your life and ministry? Whether we are young or old, how can we make good decisions when choosing entertainment? In this dramatization, we’ll see how a young brother named Danny learns the value of sowing what is wholesome in his mind. Has a challenge in your life ever been so severe that you felt overwhelmed? When anxiety stirs within us, this new music video can reassure us of Jehovah’s loving support. This is JW Broadcasting for September 2018. We start this month with the story of Brother Cecil Goff.

2. Cecil Goff

Cecil is 99 years old and has served Jehovah for over 80 years. He’s spent many of those years in full-time service. He had the privilege to serve at Brooklyn Bethel, as a circuit overseer, as a Gilead-trained missionary, and as a branch overseer in Cuba.

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As you watch his interview, try to determine why he’s convinced that his life in Jehovah’s service was more rewarding than anything the world had to offer. My name is Cecil Joseph Goff. I began to lose eyesight in the ’70’s. I can’t see to read or anything. I see only peripheral vision. I was playing in a country band at a very young age. Well, I played the tenor banjo, tenor guitar, and I played the mandolin. It was my life. And yet, when I began reading and studying, really, I wanted to stick with that, and I left the band. I started pioneering, and then they assigned me to Texarkana, Texas. Another brother and I were stopped as we were holding the phonograph up, and I was playing it for a lady at the door. Why, here about 15 or 20 men surrounded me. I asked him, “How did you enjoy it?” And he said: “That’s not the question. My question is, Do you salute the flag?” And I said, “Let me explain it.”

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He said: “I don’t want an explanation. I just want to know yes or no; do you or do you not?” I said, “I do not.” He threw me up in the air. I fell on my back in the street there, and then about three of them got on top of me. He said: “You’re going to salute the flag or eat it. Bring me that flag over there.” I was praying to Jehovah to remember me in the resurrection. About that time, several women ran out of the houses on both sides of us: “Leave those men alone. They didn’t bother you. Leave them alone. Let them go.” So they got off of me, and they left us like a bunch of beaten kittens. I was asked to go to Brooklyn Bethel and become a member of the Bethel home. Brother Knorr asked me, “Do you know how to use the typewriter?” I said, “Yes, I can type.” He said: “Well, I’m going to put you on a machine. “It’s called a Linotype. It has three keyboards.” And he said: “And it will take you about two years to learn it. Are you willing to accept it?”

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And I said, “Yes, I will.” So I was put on the Linotype. I got married in the fall of 1945 and left Bethel. Well, we were invited in 1949 to go into the circuit work. We were in the 21st class of Gilead. We enjoyed that course very much. We received an assignment for Cuba, and I was assigned as branch overseer. And in ’63, the police car came up to the branch at about ten o’clock at night. I was told to take my papers, and we went over to the police station, and so forth. And sure enough, soon thereafter, here comes an official. He said, “You have to leave Cuba because you’re not in favor of the Cuban government.” A person asked a policeman standing close by, he said, “Who are these people that are being sent out of the country?” And they said: “Over there,” talking about me, “see that gangster man over there? He’s the head of it.” So then we got on the plane and headed back.

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I got in contact with Brooklyn Bethel, talked to Brother Knorr, and he said, “As soon as you can, in the next day or two, come back to Bethel.” And Brother Knorr said, “You got back just in time “to get back on the Linotype machine to set up a new book we have in Spanish.” So I did that and got on the Linotype. And then Brother Knorr told me, he said, “In 1964, we’re going to have a ten-month course in Gilead for all branch people who have branch experience.” Oh, it was very, very good. We studied a lot, not only the Bible (we studied a lot on the Bible, discourse and everything) but we studied a lot of branch material too. Above everything else, our love for Jehovah should continue to grow. He knows our thoughts, our mind, our heart. He goes far beyond what man can do. And whatever his decision is, I’ve learned to understand that it’s the best decision. I have learned that if we obey what the organization says and what the Bible says, then we’re doing Jehovah’s will; and that’s my concern — no regrets whatsoever, none. Maybe I could’ve done more at times, but I’m certainly glad that I have taken advantage of it as much as I have up until now. And it’s been a happy life.

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And I have seen Jehovah’s hand time and again.

2.1 Summary

Brother Goff has led a full, happy life in theocratic service. But do you wonder, ‘How was he able to persevere for so many years and through so many different assignments?’ Cecil learned the value of letting Jehovah and his organization shape his thinking. But he had to make a choice as a young man, a choice all of Jehovah’s servants have to make. And that’s the basis for our discussion this month.

3. Stop Being Molded by This System of Things

The theme is “Stop Being Molded by This System of Things.” In describing godly wisdom, the ancient man Job recognized it as priceless. At Job 28:17, he said: “Gold and glass cannot be compared to it.” Glass — it has been around for centuries, even back in Job’s day. However, what revolutionized glass production was the invention of glassblowing. By blowing through a hollow tube, a glassblower can quickly mold superheated molten glass into a specific shape.

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Satan’s system has developed the art of shaping the minds of people into fragile glass vessels with little useful purpose. In fact, Romans 9:22 refers to such ones as “vessels of wrath made fit for destruction.” Find with me Romans 12:2. What is responsible for molding and shaping the inclinations of the people of the world? Romans 12:2: “And stop being molded by this system of things, “but be transformed by making your mind over, “so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” To counteract “being molded,” the verse said: “But be transformed by making your mind over.” So the molding of this system is related to our thinking —the shaping of our minds. Well, what evil air is blown down the hollow tube? It’s identified quite clearly for us at Ephesians 2:2, 3. Concerning a Christian’s previous unclean thinking and behavior, verse 2 says: “In which you at one time walked “according to the system of things of this world, “according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” The verse makes clear that this “system of things” has a ruler. Satan is called “the ruler of the authority of the air.” The verse indicates that “the air” is “the spirit” of the world.

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Well, with such a mind-set, what kind of behavior does the thinking of the world lead to? Verse 3: “Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves “in harmony with the desires of our flesh, “carrying out the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and we were naturally children of wrath just as the rest.” For this reason, they become “vessels of wrath made fit for destruction.” Glassblowers often work in groups known as “shops.” An apprentice dips a hollow blowpipe into the liquid glass. By twirling it, he gathers a blob of molten glass. He shapes the blob by rolling it on a smooth surface called a marver. He then passes the tube to the gaffer, or shop master. He blows air into the tube and fashions the glass into a globe. If a wine glass is being made, the tube is then passed to the stem-maker and another gather of glass is attached. It is then shaped by means of long-pointed tongs to form the stem. Then, another gather of hot glass is added to the stem. The craftsman rolls the tube on the arm of his chair. He forms the base of the glass. We will briefly consider four ways that this system subtly tries to shape our mind into Satan’s designs.

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3.1 Peer pressure

The first is harmful peer pressure. Now, often this is just an apprentice in Satan’s shop —maybe fellow students in school, fellow workers on the job. Don’t you think Satan will try to capitalize on these circumstantial relationships? Absolutely! Peer pressure —it can have an influence on our mind. They may make fun of our wholesome morals, our clean speech, our dignified dress. That is pressure. Possibly, they invite us to do things that we know will lead to no good. They are twirling us with their thinking, with their taunts, or maybe with their flattery and temptation. They are rolling things over and over in our mind. Turn to 2 Peter 2:18, 19. And as you read this, can you pick out a word that is equivalent to peer pressure? Let’s read 2 Peter 2:18, 19: “They make high-sounding statements that are empty [like air]. “By appealing to the desires of the flesh and with acts of brazen conduct, “they entice [that’s peer pressure] people “who have just escaped from those who live in error.

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“While they are promising them freedom, “they themselves are slaves of corruption; “for if anyone is overcome by someone, he is his slave.” The verse says that if we are overcome by peer pressure—enticed — we actually become a “slave” of that person. That is scary! It’s dangerous! Peer pressure is deceptively strong. Well, what is another way that the spirit of this system can shape our thinking? You recall that the apprentice passed the glassblowing tube to the gaffer who blew air into the glass, giving it shape. What does Satan and this system next use to mold our thinking?

3.2 Enticing advertisements

Enticing advertisements. Like the air of a glassblower, advertisements often have little substance. For example, that product we decided to buy when we last went shopping. Maybe it was a brand of clothing or a brand of dry cereal we bought for breakfast. Is that always purely a personal, rational decision on our part?

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Or did advertising subtly but powerfully affect our choice? Now, it’s not that all advertising is bad or misleading. But the more we allow ourselves to be influenced by it, the more we are in danger of being led into a materialistic way of life. For example, instead of dry cereal, are we now influenced to buy that flashy-looking sports car? Turn to 1 John 2:15-17. This system inflates our thinking by means of “things.” First John 2:15, 16: “Do not love either the world or the things in the world. “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; “because everything in the world “ — the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes “and the showy display of one’s means of life — “does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world.” Why do we need to resist catering to advertisements that feed the spirit of the world? Verse 17: “Furthermore, the world is passing away “and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” Remember Eve! Satan advertised the forbidden fruit. The scripture says it was “desirable to the eyes, . . . the tree was pleasing to look at.” She succumbed to the advertisement with disastrous results.

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Similarly, Satan used advertisements to try to reshape Jesus’ focus. Matthew chapter 4 says that Satan “showed him all the kingdoms of the world,” offering them in exchange for one act of worship. Jesus simply turned him off. Don’t be overly influenced by advertisements. What’s the next aspect of this system that can distort our minds?

3.3 Bad associations

Bad associations. It is as if the gaffer has now passed the glassblowing tube to the stem-maker. He takes another gather of molten glass and attaches it to our globe. Then he stretches that associated blob into the form of a stem. Well, we already talked about peer pressure, but that often comes from those who are not necessarily our close associates. What we’re discussing now is our decisions about whom we spend a lot of time with. People who don’t love Jehovah can stretch and misshape our minds, providing a stem or a handle for the world to hold us by. Turn to 1 Corinthians 15:33.

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Sometimes we hear the phrase that some of the kids in school are nicer than some of the kids in the congregation. But usually, nicer actually means more fun rather than more wholesome. But let’s look at 1 Corinthians 15:33 in its context. What did the apostle Paul mean when he said to the Corinthians “bad associations”? First Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” But what made these ones bad association? Let’s see it in context. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:12: “Now if it is being preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?” Well, what was the initial problem with these associates? They did not believe the same way. Why would that make them bad associations? Because what an associate believes will eventually affect our thinking, and our thinking affects our behavior. Notice how Paul describes this. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:32. What good is it to endure the rigors of the Christian race for life if there is no resurrection, no future, no hope?

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Verse 32: “If like other men, I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, “of what good is it to me? “If the dead are not to be raised up, ‘let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.’ ” May all of us avoid bad association whether in person, on TV, or on the Internet. What’s a fourth means by which Satan attempts to fashion us, reshaping our thinking?

3.4 Higher education

Higher education. Most of us remember the January 2015 JW Broadcasting program hosted by Brother Morris of the Governing Body. He focused on the value of divine education. But he also reaffirmed the dangers of pursuing higher secular education. Its whole purpose is for learning —influencing one’s thinking. And while a person’s intention might be just to create a stable base for his secular future, his decision could expose him to unscriptural ideas and practices. Back to the glass shop. Recall that another gather of hot glass is added to the end of the stem. The craftsman then rolls the tube backward and forward. He forms the base for the glass.

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Well, we will say no more about this topic other than what Brother Morris has already shared. You might want to go back and review that broadcast. However, we would like to read 1 Timothy 6:20, 21: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you “[that’s divine education], “turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy “and from the contradictions “of the falsely called ‘knowledge.’ “By making a show of such knowledge, some have deviated from the faith.” Unfortunately, in an effort to make a stable base for one’s financial future, many “have deviated from the faith.” In the visuals of a glassblowing shop, we observed the skill of the workers involved. And that shop obviously produces beautiful, useful glass vessels. Satan’s glass shop is also skilled at shaping one’s thinking. But what does it produce? Instead of a person becoming a valuable vessel that Jehovah can use, Satan is actually mass-producing worthless vessels that Jehovah cannot use. What could you do with this misshaped creation? Nothing —it is useless. At the outset, Romans 9:22 was quoted. Those who conform to Satan’s system are referred to as “vessels of wrath made fit for destruction.”

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Jehovah has paid a high price for us. Gold and glass cannot be compared to it. May we make over our minds by applying godly wisdom. Glorify Jehovah as a vessel that he can use. First Corinthians 6:20 concludes this discussion nicely, saying: “For you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in your body.” How else may the world try to mold us? Another way is through the entertainment it produces. How can we choose entertainment that will enhance and not taint our sacrifice to Jehovah?

4. Dramatization: Making better choices

In the following dramatization, notice how a fellow Christian helps a young brother to make better choices. I promised Akil I’d go out in service with him after school. Hey, we’re just waiting in the car. And I kept my word, but my head just wasn’t in it. Akil could tell, so he tried to see if everything was OK. Honestly, at the time, I would have rather been playing video games, but I couldn’t tell him that. I mean, he’s a pioneer, a ministerial servant. He wouldn’t understand.

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Later that week, Akil invited me to go mountain biking with some friends. It was actually really fun. . . . and your croissant. Great, thanks. Please let me know if there’s anything else, OK? All right. Thanks. So, Danny, you’re obviously good at biking. What else do you like to do for fun? OK, so I have this game and it’s called . . . Soon I was showing him my video games. And surprisingly, he liked video games too. But he said he chose to be selective. He began to describe the gladiators in ancient Rome. People would come from all over to watch them fight to the death. And while the spectators weren’t in any physical danger, the real danger came over time. Repeatedly watching the bloodshed and the killing, it was dulling their senses, and they wanted more of it. This was a big test for the Christians who lived back then. Akil helped me to reason on the scripture at Romans 12:9: “Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good.”

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So, Danny, the games may have changed over time, but the violence is still the same. I like video games, but I avoid the ones that promote what Jehovah hates. Jehovah’s people can still have fun. And, yeah, we can even play video games. I just want to make wise choices. I want to show Jehovah that I hate wickedness and make his heart glad.

4.1 Video Series announcement

This video is part of a series of videos. We’re pleased to announce that all 17 episodes will be made available under a new “Principles for Daily Living” category. It can be found in both the “Family” and “Our Meetings and Ministry” sections. As we saw in this episode, our choice of entertainment can affect our worship. We could be exposing ourselves to Satan’s thinking.

4.2 Bible principles to help

If you’re enticed by entertainment that displeases Jehovah, what Bible principles will help you? Chapter 6 of the “God’s Love” book features a box entitled “What Entertainment Should I Choose?”

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Make the scriptures in this feature a matter of prayer and discussion in family worship. They will help you “cling to what is good.” But at times ‘clinging to the good’ includes receiving discipline, which can be painful. How can we look beyond any pain to the benefits of divine correction?

5. Proper view of discipline

At a Bethel morning worship, Brother Anthony Morris, a member of the Governing Body, discussed how a proper view of discipline brings us closer to Jehovah. This morning I thought I’d discuss the matter of how a proper view of discipline keeps us close to Jehovah. Now, in the context of today’s text about Jehovah correcting to the proper degree, he’s talking to his people about being brought back to their land. He was not going to exterminate them or leave them, and it helps us to appreciate that he wanted them to keep their relationship with him. Now, today we receive discipline in various ways. It might be from personal Bible study. And I was excited this morning (I don’t know when it happened, maybe last night) to see that we have in JW Library® where we can put our personal notes, and I got started with some already.

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So that’ll be like thoughts or discipline from Jehovah that is just between him and ourselves — a very beneficial and wise way to go when it comes to discipline. It keeps us from veering off in our relationship with him. It might be something we read in a publication; might hear in a talk at a meeting, at an assembly, or convention; something in a JW Broadcast — various ways, any number of ways Jehovah will discipline us. And we need to remember that he does it so that we remain close to him. The problem is discipline is not easy to take. It requires humility. And the proper view of discipline is found here in Proverbs chapter 3, and this gives us the Scriptural basis to have this proper view of discipline that’ll keep us close to Jehovah God. Now, notice verses 11 and 12 of Proverbs chapter 3: “My son, do not reject the discipline of Jehovah, “and do not loathe his reproof, “for those whom Jehovah loves he reproves, just as a father does a son in whom he delights.” So how might we reject the discipline of Jehovah? Well, put yourself in a position of being counseled. It’s come to the point where overseers and elders have had to sit down with you. Now, for some, as soon as the counsel begins to flow, there’s this quickness to be upset, to justify, to feel picked on.

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Well, Jehovah is saying, ‘Don’t reject this.’ If they’re using the Scriptures and thoughts from publications, view it as coming from Jehovah so that we can stay close to him. Now, to give you an idea, sometimes reading something will bring us close to Jehovah, especially if we veered off and didn’t even realize it. I’m going to go way back to some examples of Jehovah’s sheep reading something in The Watchtower, and it just disciplined them so that they could get close to Jehovah. And it goes way back to 1982, and it had to do with TV serials, or soap operas. Some are saying, “Well, that’s a long time ago.” Well, the fact is nothing has changed. Some of these soap operas are still on that had the name that they had in 1982. They still have it. So many readers personally benefited from the counsel. The counsel still applies that was found there. But I think it’s very touching and commendable for the ones who read that that they recognized it. It impacted their relationship with Jehovah, and they wanted to get close to him. Now, the cover on The Watchtower was “TV Serials—Can They Corrupt the Heart?”

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And in the opening article, we did say: “Millions of women and men of all ages, races and backgrounds will rarely miss a show.” Well, now you can record them and have them anytime that you like. It’s still an ongoing problem and an issue for a true Christian, a worshipper of Jehovah, to make sure we’re not being corrupted by soap operas, or TV serials. Now, after the articles came out, we had some write in to explain what happened to them. And so months later, after this 1982 issue of The Watchtower (that was December 1), we went to the ’83 Watchtower, December 1, and here’s the response from some of the readers. And I found it very commendable. I think you’ll appreciate the humility because it takes humility to accept and have the proper view of discipline. So one of the dangers that the brothers were warned about is that you can get emotionally attached to the characters in the show. So here’s what one wrote: “I had grown up watching this one soap opera “and the character ‘Julie’ was just like my ‘friend.’ . . . “One day ‘Julie’ had an accident “that left her beautiful face badly scarred . . . “I was in front of the TV set every day “to make sure she was going to pull through. “That night as I was saying my prayers, “before I even thought what I was saying, I prayed, ‘And Jehovah, please bless Julie.’ ” Well, she admits: “‘I was shocked. “‘[She should’ve been.

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] “‘This plea to Jehovah for Julie had come from my heart!’ “Realizing how involved she had become, “she stopped watching these programs. “She wrote: ‘If all readers “‘will take your article on TV serials to heart, “‘they will feel a real sense of freedom, since our own everyday problems are enough to cope with.’ ” So, you see, our sister had the proper view of discipline, and she was able to keep close to Jehovah. Now, another one, after expressing appreciation, wrote: “I realized that I was ‘addicted’ to soap operas, “and that I had to do something about it. “I wondered, too, if my relationship with Jehovah could be affected. “How could I have ‘them’ as friends “and also be a friend to Jehovah? “I had to quit all at once —it was the only way, and how hard it was!” she admits. So, what did she have to do to break free? She had to unplug her TV. She’d go outdoors and work in the garden, call somebody —anything to stay busy so that she wouldn’t go back to watching those soap operas. She took time for personal Bible study —that’ll keep you close to Jehovah— preparing for her meetings, and other spiritual things. And then she confesses: “How much better I felt! “It has been over two years now [from this last writing] “since I have seen those so-called friends.

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“I must admit that at times I still wonder “what is going on with them, but I fight it. . . . Perhaps many others who have not yet broken free will now.” She says: ‘Thank you, Jehovah and you brothers, for exposing this “good-for-nothing thing.” ’ Then, finally, this third one says: “I cried when I read the articles, “for I discovered that my heart was no longer complete toward Jehovah. “I promised my God “that I would no longer be a slave to these serials “and asked him to help me to get out of my home “on the day of the program. . . . “Two days later, I was invited to attend a Bible study “on the very day and time of ‘my’ serial. “I happily accepted. . . . “[and notice] I now feel closer to Jehovah, “and my relationship with him is more intimate. How good Jehovah is to discipline us through his Word!” Yes, she had the proper view of discipline. Now, finally, let’s look in Hebrews chapter 12, and we appreciate these sincere comments and the counsel there certainly applies. Any kind of entertainment that has that corrupting influence would be avoided by a true Christian.

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So here at Hebrews chapter 12, notice verse 11: “True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, “but it is painful; “yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” So discipline is painful, but “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” makes it worth it to have a proper view of the discipline and to accept it humbly so that we can remain close to our precious Father, Jehovah. Discipline helps us reshape our thinking and actions, drawing us closer to our Grand Creator. It may come from God’s Word, publications produced by “the faithful and discreet slave,” a parent, or mature fellow Christians. No matter how we receive discipline, always remember what Proverbs 3:12 says: “Those whom Jehovah loves he reproves, just as a father does a son in whom he delights.” But what if the world’s thinking has molded you, not by choice, but by circumstance?

6. Guzel Gainanshina

You’ll appreciate the story of sister Guzel Gainanshina, who was not raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In her youth, Guzel searched for fulfillment through competitive sports. Even though she achieved some level of success, what helped her to find a true purpose in life? I lived in the north, with the glorious dark, starlit sky and the beauty of fir trees.

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I thought it was the most wonderful place in the world. My mom was always drawing my attention to the beauty of creation. And she always told me, “My daughter, it’s so important to live your life in the right way.” And the questions that stayed with me were: ‘So why are we alive? Why is there so much suffering, injustice, pain?’ When I was 18, I took up a form of karate known as Kyokushinkai. Just imagine a large number of people in kimonos, standing in rows bravely and without a shadow of fear, working on improving their blows and striving to progress. I thought: ‘This is it! This is what I’ve been looking for!’ I set the goal of reaching the next world championships, winning a high place, and immortalizing myself so that my name would remain and generations would remember me. Among those sportsmen, although I saw a lot of nice words and slogans, not everything was as pure as I’d hoped for. And then on one occasion, I was sitting down and feelings of emptiness just wouldn’t leave me alone. And for the first time in my life, I talked to God. And then I prayed: “I don’t understand you.

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“Why is there so much beauty in the world “and yet so much suffering? “Is that really what you want —for us to live like this?” I prayed, I guess, for about four hours. You know, the strongest feeling of emptiness and loneliness is that of a creation without its Creator. And I was so lonely at that time. And a while afterwards, there was a knock at my door. It was Jehovah’s Witnesses. I started studying the Bible. It was so wonderful! On one occasion, the sister who studied with me looked up at me, and when she looked at those bruises and those beaten-up knuckles, she took a deep breath and shook her head. I said, “Is there something wrong?” She said, “You know, I’m in great pain.” I said, “Why are you in pain?” She said: “Well, “I’m looking at your hands, your elbows, your battered legs, all of that. Doesn’t it hurt?” I said, “Well, yes.” And she said, “You know, it hurts me to see you in pain.” And I started to understand that Jehovah is the true God and that this really was the truth.

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It was difficult. The pressure from relatives and friends was very strong. But the most difficult thing that I had to battle with was my strong attachment to karate. Just a year remained until the world championships. I had prepared for them. I had been working toward that goal for five years. Glory can seem really sweet when you are the victor, when your opponents fall to the ground. So I flew to the world championships. When I made it to the last four winners and I had to fight for third place, I wanted to ask my trainer to let me stop. Why? Because I couldn’t feel a single live place on my body —everything was beaten up. But he said: “You know, we love you so much. Go for it!” And at that moment, it felt as though I was weighing love —the world’s love and the love of Jehovah’s organization. It seemed to me that the world was saying: “We love you. Now just go and die!” But the love in the organization says, “It hurts me to see you in pain.”

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I realized that the world can’t give you what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t know how to love. But, nevertheless, I went to the fight and became the bronze medalist. And when I stood on the podium of glory, I understood that glory among people who don’t love you weighs no more than emptiness. If a person dedicates his life to glorifying himself, he will always meet with disappointment and emptiness. So I made the firm decision to escape from karate. I started preaching, and I was baptized in 2005 at the summer convention in Kurgan. Later, I started full-time service. I learned the Tatar language so that I could serve in that territory. Now, when in the evenings I look up at the starry sky, I feel not hopelessness, but tremendous joy because I know who is behind it all: our loving Creator, Jehovah God.

6.1 Summary

Guzel had been “molded by this system of things,” but she was “transformed by making [her] mind over.” The literal cuts and bruises Guzel suffered healed with time, but she found true comfort from the One described at Psalm 147:3, who “heals the brokenhearted” and who “binds up” the emotional “wounds” inflicted by this system of things.

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Her example shows that no matter our situation or background, the beautiful truths of God’s Word can change us. It may feel like a leap of faith to leave behind secular pursuits to reach spiritual goals. Some have made this leap after investing years of training, education, and financial resources toward a career in the world. If that’s true for you, rest assured that you are not alone.

7. Young ones who resisted pressure to conform

Our next segment will introduce you to young ones who resisted the pressure to conform to the world’s view of success. Right now I am serving in the Central America branch, and I have the opportunity to work with extraordinary brothers and sisters —both here and in other parts of the world. My name is Rogelio. I’m part of the Art Department, and I’m a digital illustrator. Music really means the world to me. I am Joyce; I’m a pioneer, and I sing alto in the Bethel chorus. My name is Lou-Len, and I serve as a regular pioneer in a congregation where there’s a need. I love doing that. My life is wonderful.

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Seeing people’s faces light up when you teach them God’s name or when you tell them of Jehovah’s promises for us fills me with great joy. My name is Josué Martell. I serve as a regular pioneer and as an elder in the congregation. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved playing soccer, and that was my biggest dream. My goal was to become a professional soccer player. The truth is, setting goals was always difficult for me because I always had two passions, ‘Am I a servant of Jehovah or an artist?’ My goal was to become the best gymnast in the world. At that moment, gymnastics were number one in my life. I played at big festivals. Standing ovations —that was amazing. I was surrounded by non-Witnesses who were using drugs, smoking, and swearing. My trainer had mapped out a complete training program with the Olympics as a goal. This made me feel trapped. I started thinking, ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ More importantly, ‘What does Jehovah want?’ When I was studying design, I was already a regular pioneer.

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It wasn’t easy for me to come to the understanding that the one who really matters is Jehovah. When I was 16 years old, different teams started offering me high-paying contracts. I felt a lot of pressure, and it was a temptation because they would constantly call me and come to my house. I noticed that when the players played the sport, they were happy, but afterwards they weren’t. My mother was in the full-time service, and I saw her happiness. That motivated me because I too wanted to experience that lasting happiness. I felt a little guilty when I thought of how much of myself I was giving to design and art and all of that. So that’s when I made my decision. I decided to leave university and focus on my service. I realized that for a long time I hadn’t been growing spiritually. I prayed intensely to Jehovah. I asked: “Do I know you? Do I live the way you would want?” And after that, I stopped performing with non-Witnesses. I prayed to Jehovah. And then, at the convention, we received the DVD Young People Ask —What Will I Do With My Life?

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That really was Jehovah’s answer to my prayer. In the Bible it says that “the truth will set you free.” That freedom is something I never used to feel. I love working together with other sisters in the ministry and seeing how they share my enthusiasm for making return visits and conducting Bible studies. It’s just wonderful to see! To wake up each day knowing that I am going to do something new for Jehovah is extraordinary. It’s an unbelievable blessing; it’s like living a dream. I feel that I belong to a global organization and we are all going in the same direction. It’s something really wonderful for me. To sing for Jehovah is the most beautiful privilege I could ever imagine. One of the biggest blessings is that I have a real friendship with Jehovah and friendships with my brothers and sisters —young or old. It doesn’t matter. I am really happy that when Jehovah looks at me, I feel his approval. That makes me happy. My trust in Jehovah has grown stronger.

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The way I communicate with him continues to improve. And I also love my assignment of being a regular pioneer, an elder, and being able to support the brothers and sisters. To continue to be among Jehovah’s people, that’s the joy I was looking for — and I found it! The world tries to pass off the thrill of recognition or fame as fulfillment, but do not be deceived. These fine examples show that doing your best for Jehovah leads to real contentment. His smile of approval is worth more than any accolade this system of things could ever bestow. Satan works tirelessly to wear us down physically and emotionally. How can we have the courage to stand up to challenges and pressures to give up? The loving support true Christians give to one another is illustrated in this month’s music video, entitled Do Not Be Afraid.

8. Music video: Do Not Be Afraid

It’s hard to see clear when challenges appear. We get lost inside the emotions we feel. When adversity strikes us down, No need to stay on the ground. Look up; Reach out.

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Do not be afraid, for He is with us, Saving us with His right hand of righteousness. So when it gets hard sometimes, We need to remember we’re not alone. No, we’re never alone. Just pray; Do not be afraid. He gives us friends who stick by our side. Their prayers of faith and love are always right on time. And each day when we read His Word, It gives us the strength to endure. When we’re down, We’ll reach out. Do not be afraid, for He is with us, Saving us with His right hand of righteousness. So when it gets hard sometimes, We need to remember we’re not alone. No, we’re never alone. Just pray. So when those dark clouds come rolling in, Hold your head high. It’ll be all right. Do not be afraid, for He is with us, Saving us with His right hand of righteousness.

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So when it gets hard sometimes, We need to remember we’re not alone. No, we’re never alone. Just pray; Do not be afraid.

8.1 Summary

The heartfelt appeal of that song brings to mind the words of Isaiah 41:10, where we’re encouraged: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. “Do not be anxious, for I am your God. “I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.” Be assured that you will receive help from our heavenly Father, Jehovah, and from fellow believers to resist being molded by this system.

9. Greetings from Maraã

To conclude, we bring you greetings from Maraã, in the state of Amazonas in northern Brazil. Nestled in the Amazon rain forest along the Japurá River, there are no roads leading to this city; it can only be reached by river. For most travelers, reaching the city is a three-day journey, which involves sleeping in hammocks along the way. Around 18,000 people inhabit the area, but because of its remote location, many people have never had the opportunity to hear the good news. With that in mind, along with several other cities, Maraã was included in the Amazonas national preaching campaign.

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The goal of this special campaign was to reach the thousands of people who live in some of Amazon’s most isolated areas. As a result, many willing brothers and sisters moved here to serve where the need is greater. Since the city is completely surrounded by rivers, publishers reach interested ones by boat. Special pioneers have played a large part in cultivating interest by using this method of preaching. One of the 23 congregations that was formed as a result of the special campaign is located here. Today, more than 20 publishers in the congregation are conducting at least 100 Bible studies. And we’re happy to report that in 2017 the first local family was baptized. Our dear brothers and sisters are working hard to help those in the Amazon region to learn about Jehovah, and they send their warm love and greetings to all of us around the globe. Thank you for joining us this month. As always, this is JW Broadcasting from the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses.