Bulletin Articles - 2008
Afraid Of Success
- Neal A. Thurman
- 26 Oct 2008
The Apostle Paul wrote in Col. 4:2-4, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Paul speaks of praying for opportunities to effectively spread the good news of the gospel, and that he might manifest that opportunity. Paul was willing to go wherever, and be whomever (1 Cor. 9:19-22) he needed to be in order to delivery the saving power of the gospel to the lost. He experienced great success, but we would not be telling the whole truth unless we pointed out that he also suffered for his success (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Paul embraced his suffering with joy for the chance to save souls. Beloved, I am concerned that at times we are afraid to succeed. This fear is not based upon the threat of beatings, stoning, or imprisonment, but rather the loss of our comfort and convenience. Success also calls for a greater sense of expectation. When doors of opportunity open the expectation is that we will go through them to carry out the work. If those opportunities manifest into success, the expectation calls for the searching of more opportunities. Brethren, I am afraid that we have grown too comfortable with complaining about how immoral the world is, and how no one wants to hear the truth, and how the Glorify-God-Anyway-You-Want liberals have told people they have no accountability or responsibility to righteousness; and in the end, we do nothing. All the while, we take satisfaction in the fact that we are not like other people. Would anyone suggest that this is the Lord’s plan? Brothers and sisters, let us not settle for not being immoral heretics. We must carry the saving words of the gospel to the world around us. It is true that there will likely be a cost, and it may be severe. Yet, it will not be worthy to compare with our reward, (Rom. 8:18).
It Is Done
- Neal A. Thurman
- 19 Oct 2008
I recently learned of a sad situation in which difficult decisions had to be made. As is often the case, no joyful choice was available. In fact, choosing the lesser of two evils was the best that even hope could expect. And yet, a decision had to be made, and so it was. Objective observers might criticize the choice or question the judgment of the one forced to make it. Yet, the same would very well have been true if the opposite option had been chosen. Perhaps it could be debated without end. Yet, the decision made must be the decision with which those involved must live. We will each have times in our lives when decisions must be made that are not based on good and bad. Sometimes, we must choose the bad over the worst. Perhaps even more challenging to the decision maker is the choice of best over good. Still, whatever the quality of the choices involved, decisions have to be made, and some of them cannot be undone if the result is unsatisfactory. Beloved, what I would like for each of us to consider is living beyond the critical decision. Second guessing does little except bring misery and heartache. We should make the best decisions we can, and then live with what we have chosen. The Apostle Paul decide to give up all the prestige in his life (Phil. 3:4-6), counting it all loss that he might have Christ (Phil. 3:7-8). Because of that decision, Paul five times received thirty-nine stripes from the Jews, three times he was beaten with rods, he was stoned, (2 Cor. 11:24-25) imprisoned, and ultimately executed. Did he make a good decision? He said, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…” 2 Tim. 4:8. Paul said of his ways of life, “...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,” Phil. 3:13. When tough choices are made, make the best of your choice. Look ahead and press toward the goal. Learn from your mistakes and hone your decision making skills, but do not wallow in the pit of self-doubt. Make the best decision you can, take up your cross, and follow Jesus! He will take care of you!