How to never regret choosing ministry.
Here are notes and Scripture passages so you can following along or use for your own study.
The results of our good decisions do not always turn out as we expect.
We can find ourselves asking: Was I right to give that money? What about that sacrifice of my time? What about when I answered the call to preach? or to plant a church?
I understand, regrets over wrong decisions, or missed opportunities. The "if only I had made the right decision." Sometimes we even regret the good decisions that1. we have made.
“But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” (Psalms 73:2, 3, NLT).
“I cleansed my heart in vain” (Psalms 73:13).
"Simon Peter said, 'I’m going fishing.' 'We’ll come, too,' they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night” (John 21:3).
The Root Cause of regretting good choices you have made is "second-guessing."
“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD” (Proverbs 19:3 NLT)
There is a story about David where he was mad and regrated making some good and right decisions. While hiding from King Saul, he and his men protected a man's property named Nabal from thieves. When David asked for some supplies for his men, Nabal mocked them. So, David was headed to kill him and all the men on his ranch. When Nabal’s wife found out she went and found David.
“When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, ‘I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. 25 I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the messengers you sent. 26 “Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies be as cursed as Nabal is. 27 And here is a present I have brought to you and your young men. 28 Please forgive me if I have offended in any way. The LORD will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the LORD’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. 29 “Even when you are chased by those who seek your life, you are safe in the care of the LORD your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! 30 When the LORD has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, 31 don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then you won’t have to carry on your conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the LORD has done these great things for you, please remember me!’” (1 Samuel 25:23-31 NLT)
Doing right is not to be regretted.
“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God” (1 Corinthians 4:3-5 NKJV).
“So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due” (1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT).
There are many examples in the Bible of people who regrated make the decision to give their lives to MINISTRY. Paul wrote about Demas:
“Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica” *2 Timothy 4:10, NLT)
Paul wrote to people who might be feeling that way in Philippians:
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT).
Paul may be saying, I’m not going back there I do not have time for second guessing or assuming I would be at a different destination.
You do not want to lose your destiny by regreting choosing God over the world.
The answer is to choose again and again and again to do right.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).
This is what Jesus challenged Peter to do in John chapter twenty-one. Jesus drew him to make the decision again to follow him.
“Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? (Verse 15)
Jesus asked Peter this three times. Three-time Peter said, “Yes, you know I do.” Jesus then let him know how his life would go if he truly followed Jesus.
”I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others[f] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me’” (John 21:18-19 NLT).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
“These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8 NLT)
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith”(Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV).
I leave this challenge with you: Choose again, and again, again to do good.
Larry & Janet Neville