Bulletin Articles - 2010
One of Those Days
- Neal A. Thurman
- 7 Nov 2010
Wouldn’t it be great, if everyday we had the flaming fire of spiritual zeal burning in our hearts and a surging desire to serve the Lord and others in our minds? Just imagine what we could accomplish if thermostat of righteousness was continually set for maximum output and performance. What a church we be if our “potential” accelerator was constantly pressed to the floor. Wow, what could we do, if we could go all-out all the time? Problem? Though if may seem that we preachers often seem to call for such, it is not realistic. We are not going to be absolutely driven all the time. In fact, it probably is not even possible. The truth is that some days it hard to get up for the challenges of the day. Sometimes, it is difficult to find the motivation to fight, run, and keep (2 Timothy 4:7). The apostle Paul was certainly a driven and zealous disciple of Jesus Christ, and he was a very committed Christian. Yet, would we surmise from this that Paul was always ready and willing to face any challenge that might have come his way. This would seem to be quite a leap in understanding. Paul was frustrated with a thorn in the flesh as we read in 2 Corinthians 12:7ff. Yes, Paul did say that he would boast in his infirmity, and did so to the glory of God. Yet, it should not be assumed that Paul never had days when he was lacking in motivation and fire. Yet, perhaps his great achievement was in his willingness to keep fighting and running on days when the flame was a little docile. We will have these days. We may even have days when we feel our efforts are futile or useless. From time to time, we all feel tired and weary. Having such feelings does not mean we are wicked or unfaithful. It means we are human, with all the weaknesses and uncertainties that are ever present. So, when we find ourselves in those moments of lackluster motivation, we simply need to hang on and keep on. Never let fatigue or frustration control the drive in our lives.
Seeking The Opportunity
- Neal A. Thurman
- 8 Aug 2010
It has been my experience through the years that most members of the Lord’s church are more than willing to give help when they are asked. This help comes in the form of physical assistance, financial aid, and emotional or spiritual support. Most are happy to have the chance to share of themselves with their brothers and sisters. In fact, many will count it as a privilege to have the opportunity to help a brother. With this said, we have a couple of challenges that often disrupts our ability to edify and uplift one another when it comes to difficult matters. 1) Most of those who are in need of help are quite committed to informing no one and dealing with their struggles alone. 2) Those who could render assistance get caught up in their own lives and challenges, thus they do not notice those in need. It seems as though challenge #1 has been with us for generations, and it will most likely be with us for generations to come. Whether it is pride or a desire to avoid being a burden to our loved ones, we do not seem willing to change this fact about ourselves. So, perhaps we cannot alleviate this challenge. That leaves us with challenge #2. Each of us to take the time and effort to look outside ourselves and seek out those who need us. We need to quit waiting to be asked. When Jesus entered the city of Nain, he saw a widow mourning the death of her only son, (Luke 7:12). She did not ask for His help, but the Lord “had compassion on her,” (Luk3 7:13). He thus raised her son and offered her comfort. Brethren, we truly need raise our heads from our own lives and see that there are folks us who are hurting or are in need. Especially, we need to see those who are struggling in discouragement. Maybe they feel alone or left out. Maybe their feelings have been hurt. Maybe they have a personal problem and are in need of someone to lean on. If we do not seek to opportunity to help these brethren, we will overlook their struggles and will leave them where they are. I know this is a tall order, but if we love one another, should we not have great desire to be their help?
Weeds In The Garden
- Neal A. Thurman
- 1 Aug 2010
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy to grow grass in a flowerbeds and vegetable gardens? Perhaps even more confusing is the fact that is often difficult to get that same grass to grow or cover bare patches in the lawn. It seems as though the things we want to happen seldom seem to come about with ease. Those things which we desired always require efforts of maintenance. These things are true in our spiritual lives as well as our physical lives. And considering these matters in the spiritual life, I cannot help but think of the words of Paul in Romans 7:13-25 as he considered the struggle of seeking justification by keeping the law. He said, “15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do…19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Though this is not the direct context of this passage, it does to speak to the continuing struggles in life. As long as we strive to live lives of righteousness, we are going to face the weeds that always seem to pop up. This being the case, we need to consider what is necessary to grow beautiful, fragrant flowers and nourishing produce in life. The apostle Paul provides us with effective instruction in the matter, as well. He instructed Titus to admonish the faithful how they should live. In Titus 3:8 Paul says, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” So, the great apostle tells us all that we must work at living faithfully. If we truly consider the matter, we will see that this makes perfect sense. We can prepare the garden carefully and diligently, and plant the hardiest of plants; but as the growing season goes by we will find a need to weed the garden of the grass and weeds that will find a way into the garden. Let us recognize that Paul spoke of maintaining, which calls for constant vigilance. Those weeds need to be plucked before they become rooted into the soil. Accept that the weeds come, and be ready to diligently weed the garden.
In Search of Leaders
- Neal A. Thurman
- 27 Jun 2010
The Apostle Paul’s first instructions in his letter to Titus were, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you,” Titus 1:5. Titus was to set things in order and part of that order was the appointment of leaders. These instructions were then followed by a list of characteristics that were to establish a standard for Titus to use in the appointment of said leaders. Sometimes I wonder if perhaps Titus would like to have asked the old apostle a few questions, or gain a little further explanation in regard to his instructions and the qualifying characteristics provided. Yet, I would suppose that Titus had to do the best he could with what he was given. Today, we face the same challenge. We are blessed to have available also Paul’s similar instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3, as well as, Peter’s instruction to and in regard to elders in 1 Peter 5. Still, we cannot ask the Lord or the apostles for further explanation of any or all of the characteristics necessary to be a scripturally qualified elder to shepherd the flock of God. So, we must use the common sense that God gave us, as well as, the whole counsel of God to do the best we can, much like Titus. So, how should we proceed? First, study and pray, then study and pray, and finally study and pray! Second, let us clear our minds of all personal agendas and even personal relationships. Our goal should be to find leaders that are pleasing to God and are motivated to lead this congregation to always be pleasing to God. Third, we should seek to find men who exhibit the godly characteristics that God desires rather than seeking to eliminate those we believe to be disqualified. We need to see that there is a difference. We need to apply scriptural qualifications seriously, but reasonably. Lest we disqualify everyone. And we should also recognize that two Bible students can read the same passage and honestly come to slightly differing understandings. This should be no place for the Hatfields and McCoys. Fourth, we must be patient with the process and with one another. This is not a venture that ought to be rushed, but should be handled with all soberness of mind. Finally, we need to give the new eldership our respect, honor, and subjection, even if the individuals are not our first or second choice. We all need to work together for the cause of Christ! Such was Titus’ task in the days of old, and such is our task today. Please, pray that we do all in accord with God’s Word. May God bless us as we search for leaders of His flock!