____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 21, 2002 ____________________________________________________ Making Difficult Decisions by Steve Klein Daily life presses us to make decisions. Many are fairly inconsequential, but some have far-reaching ramifications for ourselves and our loved ones. Choices regarding employment, marriage and a place of residence will greatly impact the story of one's life. The local church to which a Christian joins himself may, over the course of a life time, be the difference between making it to heaven's rest or falling short of it (cf. Hebrews 4:1). Just think of the spiritual peril one would have put himself in by deciding to become a member of the church at Laodicea and allowing himself to be influenced by their attitudes (cf. Revelation 3:14-19). Other significant life decisions may relate to choosing friends, disciplining children, and participating in civic or social activities. Such decisions are important. The thoughtful, mature Christian will see the significance of these decisions, but he will not allow the difficulty involved in making them to detract from the joy he has in Christ. I have observed (and the Bible reveals) that there are three practical steps successful Christians regularly take when faced with difficult decisions. #1 THEY PRAY God is ready and willing to hear the requests of His children (1 John 5:14-15). The apostles relied on Him in making the difficult decision regarding who would replace Judas (Acts 1:24). No matter what hard decision confronts us today, we may still, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). #2 THEY CONSIDER THE BEST AND WORST SCENARIOS When faced with the choice of living or dying, the apostle Paul recognized that either scenario was good and would please him. To live on was needful for others and would mean increased fruit for his labor, but to "depart and be with Christ" would be "far better" (Philippians 1:23). Sometimes in life the "worst that could happen" is something we could tolerate if our attitude is right. If we, like Paul, believe that the most important outcome of any decision is how it affects our relationship with Christ and His cause, then we will realize that all the alternative outcomes of some decisions are acceptable. #3 THEY DETERMINE PROS AND CONS BASED ON SCRIPTURE! God's word is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). It is the most practical tool there is for making life's decisions. In it God has provided for the Christian "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). While a few decisions Christians may face are not specifically addressed in scripture, many are! Those that are not specifically addressed are often addressed in principle. The wise decision-making Christian will take all of the truth that applies to his situation and use it to make his decision. He will not make a decision based on what feels good to him or what he likes best. Rather, he will rely upon God's word to make the determination. Specifically, before a decision is made, he will have considered (1) whether or not any option he could choose would hinder his obedience to Christ and (2) whether or not any option he could choose would adversely affect the spiritual condition of others. Even a choice which would not lead oneself into sin may be "a stumbling block to those who are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9, 13). Sadly, there are not a few Christians who fail miserably at making difficult decisions precisely because they do not follow these steps. Often it happens that these individuals will seek advice from others for making tough decisions. When you ask them, "Have you prayed about it?" the answer is, "No, I didn't think about doing that!" Ask them, "Have you considered what God's word says about it?" and you might hear, "Oh, I didn't even know the Bible said anything about it!" Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." The wisdom of an all-knowing God is at our disposal to help us make difficult decisions. We must trust in Him and avail ourselves of it. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, January 6, 2002 ___________________________________________ Getting The Job Done by Robert F. Turner A fellow preacher showed me the church building in a community of middle income people -- the meeting place for 60/80 brethren. Paint was peeling from the trim, the lawn was filled with weeds and needed mowing, shrubbery needed trimming, and trash was blowing about the parking lot. He asked, "If you were preaching here, how would you go about getting the brethren to clean up this place?" I told him I would begin by bringing my mower up there and cutting the grass. Then, at our next meeting, I would ask if any of the members had an edger, and if so, would they meet me here on Saturday and edge the walk while I clean up the parking lot. I'd thank that person publicly on Sunday, and ask if someone would volunteer to trim the shrubbery. All this should get their attention!! Then I would ask the elders, or the next business meeting, if there was any objection to scraping off the old paint, and putting on new, I'd have prices for paint on hand -- and if they said the "church" couldn't afford it, I'd offer to do it myself, with whatever help anyone would give. But my friend played devil's advocate. "What if no one offered to help, or even told you that if it took a neat clean building to get people to come to worship they would be coming for the wrong reason." I would counter that people who looked for a show place weren't coming to that little place; and that the clean-up was not to attract new comers, but was the fruit of self-respect on the part of those who regularly worshipped there. I might suggest a Bible reading of Proverbs 24:30-34. "I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down...." In this day of emphasis upon material things this article seems almost archaic. But this was not written to promote clean neat buildings alone. I hoped you would notice that if something needs doing you begin by doing it yourself. Elders and preachers will not increase personal work, contribution, or other desirable traits by "fussing" at the congregation. We should have scriptural authority for our plea, but even this will fail in the absence of example. Most brethren know what is right, but are not motivated to do as well as they know to do. For the bottom line, it is this mutual edification, encouragement, prompting and correcting that gives meaning to congregational fellowship. -- Via Plain Talk, March 1980 ___________________________________________ "Keep Thy Heart With All Diligence" by Carrol Sutton A long time ago Solomon said: "Keep thy heart with all diligence..." (Proverbs 4:23). This admonition is needed by every accountable person in all generations. WHAT IS THE HEART? It is that part of man that: 1. THINKS. Proverbs 23:7 says: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." Also see Matthew 9:4 & Acts 8:22. 2. REASONS. Mark 2:6 says: "But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts." In v. 8 Jesus said unto them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" 3. UNDERSTANDS. Jesus said: "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matthew 13:15). 4. KNOWS. Solomon said: "For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others" (Ecclesiastes 7:22). 5. BELIEVES. Romans 10:10 says: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness...." 6. TRUSTS. Proverbs 3:5 says: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." 7. LOVES AND HATES. Matthew 22:37 says: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor with all thy heart..." and Psalm 105:25 says: "He turned their heart to hate his people...." 8. WILLS. (Israelites) "...whose heart made them willing..." (Exodus 35:29). 9. CONDEMNS OR CONDEMNS NOT. 1 John 3:20-21 says: "For if our heart condemn us..." and "...if our heart condemn us not...." WHY SHOULD WE KEEP OUR HEARTS WITH DILIGENCE? "...For out of it are the issues of life." Our hearts determine our attitudes and actions. Jesus said (in Mark 7:21-13): "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Only the "pure in heart" shall see God! (Matthew 5:8). Diligence is essential in keeping our hearts! Are you diligent in keeping your heart? -- Via The Instructor, June 2001 ___________________________________________ "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Jesus Christ; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. ...may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:4-8, 13). ___________________________________________ News & Notes Congratulations to Herb and Annette Turner in the birth of their new baby! Michael was born April 21, weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces. Rick and Kelli Fleeman (friends of mine in Ohio) have a baby on the way, that, though the birth has been scheduled for another 5 weeks, the recent contractions are pointing to an earlier date. Let us pray that all will go well in the birth of their little boy. The Gospel Meeting in Marietta, PA, continues through Friday of this week with Gary Eubanks (from Piscataway, NJ) doing the preaching. Weeknight services will be at 7 PM, at the Susquehanna church of Christ. I'll be preaching in Philadelphia at the Mt. Airy church of Christ for this coming Sunday (April 28), and preaching down in Bridgeville, Delaware (as well as teaching the adult class there) May 5. If you would like to take an online Bible quiz on Bible baptism, go to the following link: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/baptquiz.htm For an online Bible correspondence course, with the option of using various Bible translations of your choosing, go to the following link: http://bible-study.jordanpark.org ________________________________________ evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ________________________________________