SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM BROTHER DAVID SPLANE’S TALK on the occasion of BETHEL Igideuma, Nigeria on Saturday February 10, 2018

 Hiring and firing University graduates………lol

 Jehovah likes the word “impossible”

 Deut 2:7 “Jehovah has blessed you… You have lacked nothing”

 Apostle Paul learned to trust less in himself and more on Jehovah

 2 Cor. 12:7 “…that I might not be overly exalted”

 vs 8: “three times I have begged the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh”

 vs  9: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness”

 Paul realized that he’d have to rely on the power of the Christ

If the strength that we have come from God, then we will be strong indeed

Though Paul was dearly loved, he had people who were keen on criticizing him

How did Paul feel?

He felt hurt, he had feelings like us

 Yet he didn’t stop going to meeting neither did he stop loving his brothers

 Perhaps you too have a brother causing you problems

Perhaps he is teaching you useful qualities like empathy

We may have a little problem with someone in the congregation. And then he represents the congregation in prayer.

Paul prayed that the power of the Christ might remain over him like a tent

Whatever problem you’re facing, it’s only temporary like a tent

The back pain, rheumatism, death of a loved one etc, are only temporary

You’re only old once, because you’re going to live forever. So relax and enjoy your old age

Another indication of Paul’s feeling is in 2 Tim 1:4

As I remember your tears, I am longing to see you, so that I may get filled with joy.

 Are you ashamed to tell members of the congregation you love them?

Are you afraid to look your son or daughter in the eyes and say “I love you?”

2 Cor 12:10 “So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in times of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.”

Other things bothered Paul. After doing his best to serve the brothers some also criticize him

2 Cor 10:10 “For they say: “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his presence in person is weak and his speech contemptible.”

 Those men were not spiritual men

How did Paul view persecution?

2 Cor 1:8-10

Paul was not a super hero. He was able to endure because he called on Jehovah for strength

Paul didn’t allow faults of the past to destroy him

1 Cor 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, and I am not worthy of being called an apostle, because I persecuted the congregation of God.

Notice his positive attitude in Vs 10

 But by God’s undeserved kindness I am what I am. And his undeserved kindness to me was not in vain, but I labored more than all of them; yet it was not I, but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me.

You too might have done some bad things in the past. But you should not allow it destroy your zeal. Paul understood the meaning of the term “undeserved kindness”

We have to be careful when thinking about the past because negative thoughts can destroy us

 Thinking it this way:

Think of a person who starts up with drinking one bottlenof alcohol and then the second, the third,  etc

Paul knew what to think about

 Phil 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.

Don’t do the devils work.

How did Paul help his brothers in Corinth?

Paul never wanted to impress anyone

1 Cor 2:1-5

Paul was letting the brothers know that a very simple person can deliver a very simple talk that is yet powerful

So when we prepare our talks are we thinking of how to impress people or show them the power of the Christ?

Paul was victorious because he put his trust and his faith in Jehovah

Paul a man with feelings like us conquered the world. So can we!