If my life is to matter...

PROVERB:

“Everybody thinks

about improving humanity

but nobody thinks about

improving himself.”

----------------------------------------

If my life is to matter:

            It is necessary that I recognize

            that I’m the only person who

            can use whatever talent that I have.

            I have to recognize that this

            day is the time for me to do

            something worthwhile. After

            all I am younger today than

            I will ever be again.

To keep from being discouraged by my limitations, I can find strength from the realization that I have been created in the image of God.

So I have the choice of asking God to do something THROUGH ME instead of always asking God to do something FOR ME. 

Fallacy or Fashion?

FALLACIES

do not

cease to be

FALLACIES

simply because they become

FASHIONALBE.

If ten million people do a “dumb thing”…it is still a “dumb thing.”

Jesus said:  “Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? …Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire… Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 7:16, 19, 21.

What Will You See Today?

Sight is a faculty;

seeing is an art.

Successful people are those who SEE (notice) carefully. They keenly observe people and things.

EXAMPLES:

Sir Isaac Newton’s important optical discoveries originated from his observation of a soap bubble blown by a child.

Keen observation of initials cut in the bark of a tree contributed to the development of the art of printing.

Jesus was never too busy “to see the energy of children.”  He could always “see the grief etched on the faces whose hearts were breaking.”  He never ceased “to see the needs of the multitudes.”

HE SEES YOU!

Each must ask, “WHAT WILL I SEE TODAY?”

What does it mean to be human?

BEING HUMAN is a magnificent honor.

BEING HUMAN brings an awesome freedom.

BEING HUMAN is to be an inhabitant of time and eternity.

BEING HUMAN means to be created in the image of God.

HUMANS are meant to GROW through life…not just GO through it.

“I expect to pass through this life but once.  If, therefore, there is any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”  Williams Penn

I am only one, but I am one...

“I am only one, but I am one;

I cannot do everything

but I can do something.

What I can do, I ought to do.

By the grace of God, I will do.”

Remember the daily opportunities:

Loss of a loved one is the same

            for all skin colors…

Financial problems can strike in

            any currency…

Natural disasters do not consult

            a map...

Illness doesn't look up names in

            the telephone directory…

And a cry means the same in

            any language!

Personal question: 

“Since I can do something…

am I willing to do it?”

Is this your "poison?"

This is the snake that

poisons everybody:

It topples governments.

Wrecks marriages.

Ruins careers.

Busts reputations.

Causes heartaches, ulcers

and generates grief.

Dispatches innocent people

to cry in their pillows.

Even its name hisses.

It is called GOSSIP.

Office gossip, party gossip,

church gossip.

It makes headlines and

headaches.

Before repeating a story,

ask yourself:

Is it true? Is it fair?

Is it necessary?

If not, SHUT UP!

YOU AND I will profit by reading

the New Testament book of James.

God has given you this day...

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them…every day begin the task anew.”  Francis De Sales

The Apostle Paul constantly examined his life.  He wrote, “…but one thing I do.  Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” 

Remember that God knows your name.  He is patient with you.  He applauds every step that you take in His direction.  He has given you this day.  Also He has made available new strength for the day.  Use it wisely.  

Have you checked on "you" lately?

Before my ship can come in, I must send one out…

A Self-Examination:

Since I want to be treated with respect, how long has it been since I have begun a day by attempting to start an “epidemic of courtesy?”

Since I admire (perhaps grudgingly) someone who is efficient in her/his work, how long has it been since I have examined my life style in relation to “honest to goodness” self-improvement in my skills?

Since I am impressed by someone who is able to face life with courage in spite of circumstances, because of that one’s faith in God, have I taken seriously the words of Jesus, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…?”  Matthew 6:33

What do your habits say about you?

HABITS ARE “TRAIT JACKETS”

A very destructive habit is that of always 

finding fault. This foolish habit will fray 

your nerves, cost you friends and promote 

ulcers.

 The habitual critic usually knows the 

price of everything AND the value of nothing.

CONSIDER:              

Was your first remark this morning one of 

criticism?  Have you expressed appreciation 

to anyone or for anything TODAY?

The Holy Spirit instructs:

“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely,

 gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise,

 think about these things.”   Philippians 4:8

What "color" are your thoughts?

Your soul is dyed to the color of your thoughts,

THEREFORE:

THINK COURAGE.  When an obstacle is encountered, do what the wind does…whistle and keep going.

THINK HUMOR.  The best thing to have up your sleeve is a funny bone.

THINK LEARNING.  You do not “grow old.”  You become old by not growing.

THINK FORGIVENESS.  Remember that you need God’s forgiveness. So practice forgiveness to those about you.

THINK PURPOSE.  The only time that you need PULL is when you lack PUSH.

Maturity Is?

MATURITY IS:

1.      STRENGTH without being a bully.

2.      KINDNESS but not weakness.

3.      BOLDNESS without being rude.

4.      THOUGHTFUL without lacking action.

5.      HUMBLE but not cowardly.

6.      HUMOR without obscenity or seeking to embarrass.

7.      CONFIDENT but not arrogant.

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  Luke 2:52

DON'T WAIT...

If a word of praise or thanks is deserved, 

it had better be spoken now…this life is 

uncertain business, and you may never 

have the chance to speak it again.

A practical poem for everyone:

“If with pleasure you are viewing

   any work a man is doing.

If you like him and trust him, tell

   him now.

Don’t withhold your approbation,

   till the preacher makes oration,

   and the deserving man lies with

   snowy lilies o’er his brow;

   for then no matter how you shout it,

   he won’t know a thing about it,

   for he cannot read his tombstone,

   when he’s dead.”

While we have them, we ought to tell 

them of our love and gratitude.

Do you have trouble hearing or listening?

“Do you have trouble hearing?” asked a teacher of a boy who sat dreamily at his desk.  “No,” replied the student politely, “I have trouble listening.” 

The ability to listen well is not inherited.  To listen well requires a conscious, disciplined effort.  That effort must be practiced daily.

Good Listener Discipline:

1.      Determination and desire are required.

2.      The urge to interrupt must be suppressed.

3.      Patience to let the other person finish speaking must be developed.

4.      A respect for the other must be exhibited.

5.      The good listener is concerned about the speaker’s feelings.

The home and the community can be improved by better listening habits. 

DO YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS?

DO YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS?

Eventually you must decide whether your
goal is to make something FOR YOURSELF
or OF YOURSELF.

Instructions from the HOLY SPIRIT:

  
 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true...
honorable...just...pure...lovely...gracious...
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think on these things."
Philippians 4:8

Your soul will be eternally dyed to the color of
the thoughts that YOU select to direct your life?
God will give you the wisdom and strength if
you allow Him to do so.  

REFRESHING...

Refresh your mind and soul with these words:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

            

AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, he humbled himself and became obedient to death…even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”                            Philippians 2: 5 -11

PAUSE...

Learn to pause occasionally…or nothing worthwhile will catch up with you.

            Jesus was extremely busy.

            However, He took time to pause…to pray…to meditate.

            You and I can learn from Him.

It is easy to have more speed than direction.  The occasional pause allows a person to see more clearly the choices of the near future.

REMEMBER:

A fanatic is one, who having forgotten where the goal is located, doubles the speed of travel.  The result is to become like an octopus wearing roller skates…lots of motion but no direction.

The compass that points to productive living is defined by Jesus: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be yours as well.”  Matthew 6:33.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT...

You can’t turn back the clock but you can wind it up again!

An hour in public worship can be a tremendous investment of your time…it can bring a renovation of your spirit.

Some quiet time in prayer will help you to understand yourself and others more clearly.

The study of God’s book, the BIBLE, will enable you to see life in terms of profitable realism.

It is true that you only live once, but if YOU live well…once is enough.

ALL OF US NEED TO REWIND THE “CLOCK” OF OUR LIVE

                                      FREQUENTLY!

How To Avoid Being Miserable

TO AVOID BEING MISERABLE:

Choose to show love…rather than hatred.

            Choose to smile…rather than wearing an icicle mask.

Choose to build…rather than always tearing down.

            Choose to persevere…rather than giving up.

Choose to praise…rather than being always “quick on the flaw”.

            Choose to heal…rather than hurting another.

Choose to give…rather than being self-centered.

            Choose to forgive…rather than carrying a grudge.

Choose to pray…rather than surrendering to frustration.

            Choose to worship God…rather than constructing idols of emptiness.

How do you defeat "Timelock?"

New words have been invented to 

describe our activities. “Gridlock,” 

for example, designates a condition 

that stops the flow of traffic.

“Timelock” indicates that there are 

so many demands upon our time that 

schedules are out of hand and that 

our productivity suffers.

           To Defeat “Timelock”: 

1.      Examine priorities carefully.  

       This prevents our lives having 

       more speed than direction.

2.      Avoid crowding ever hour with a 

       “task.”  Jesus “went about doing 

       good.”  His schedule was demanding.  

       However, HE MADE TIME TO 

       PRAY.  He called His disciples away 

       from the multitudes to rest.

3.      Avoid becoming addicted to rushing.  

       Determine the difference between 

       “necessary haste” and becoming an 

       impatience addict.  

CONCERNING THE BIBLE...

CONCERNING THE BIBLE…

“THE BIBLE must be considered as 

the great source of all the truth by 

which men are to be guided in government 

as well as in all social transactions.”  

(Noah Webster)

“THE BIBLE is endorsed by the ages.  

Our civilization is built upon its words.  

In no other book is there such a collection 

of inspired wisdom, reality and hope.”  

(Dwight Eisenhower)

“Within the covers of THE BIBLE are all 

the answers for all of the problems men face.  

THE BIBLE can touch our hearts, order 

minds and refresh souls.  (Ronald Reagan)  

Start Now!

“Actions rather than intentions alone
determine the quality of life.  A person
might have a heart of gold…but then
so does a hard-boiled egg.”

            Success always involves two words: 

                           Start Now!

            Begin where you are…but don’t stay 

            there. It pays, of course, to keep your 

            feet on the ground but you must keep

            them moving. It doesn't do any good 

            to sit up and take notice…if you keep 

            on sitting.

God’s call to action for each of us:

            “Bear one another’s burdens, and 

            so fulfill the law of Christ...And let us 

            not grow weary in well-doing, for in 

            due season we shall reap, if we do 

            not lose heart.”  (Galatians 6:2,9.)

Jesus said,”Not everyone who says to me, 

‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of 

heaven, but he who does the will of my 

Father who is in heaven.”

Success Is Not A Secret But...

Success is not a secret but a discipline requiring:

            A good healthy sense of humor.

            Always keep a funny bone up your sleeve.

Seek to understand another whether you are 

understood or not. Better to show a person 

how to get on instead of telling him where to get off.

            Careful daily decision making.

            Do not allow your mind to become 

            like concrete…all mixed up but very 

            thoroughly set.

Learn to live on less praise than you deserve.

So when you feel as overlooked as Whistler’s 

Father, remember that Jesus said, “He that 

would be great must be the servant of all.”

"What Attitude Characterizes Your Life?"

                        Methuseiah lived 969 years; Abraham’s age was 

                        175 years.  Of Methuseiah little is known while 

                        Abraham’s influence directed the mainstream 

                        of history pointing to the coming of Jesus, 

                        the Messiah.

Question for both of us:  What attitude is 

going to characterize my life:  mere existence 

or genuine accomplishment?

I must be honest with myself.  I must examine 

my life style in relation to God and to those 

about me.

I must be willing to demand something of 

myself instead of being indifferent or a 

chronic complainer.

I must not allow the calendar to fool me.  

I have only as many days as I choose to use.

REMEMBER WHAT THE WORLD IS 

COMING TO…DEPENDS UPON WHEN, 

IF EVER, YOU AND I COME TO!

Motto of Success

Motto of Success:  “Don’t die until you’re dead.”

Everyday additional energy is added to the brain.  

This means that you and I can be “more alive” 

everyday.  However, this energy must be used 

on a daily basis…it cannot be stored up.

Instructions for using the new daily energy:

1.      Constructive thought must be added daily.  

Such thoughts are available to each of us 

without charge.  Reading is an excellent source 

of worthwhile thoughts.  Daily Bible reading 

will always yield rich dividends.

2.      Give encouragement with both words and 

actions today.  There are always opportunities.

NOTE TO HUMANS: These instructions will 

prevent the embarrassment of coming to your 

senses one day only to discover that you 

haven’t any.

            

What is you "Happiness" Credit Rating?

“HAPPINESS” Credit Rating:

1.      Happiness is not something purchased…
       it is earned.  (Until I recognize this basic
       principle, my happiness level is below
       ZERO.)

2.      Happiness defined:  The dividend paid
       for the investment made in the well-being
       of others.  (This is God's definition and 
       demonstration.)

3.      Happiness is determined:  A. The daily
       calendar must be sensitive to opportunities.
       B. Seeking to follow the example of Jesus
       of whom it was said, "He went about doing
       good.”

                    ALWAYS REMEMBER

All humans bring happiness wherever they go.
Some by coming – others by going.
              CHOOSE YOUR CATEGORY. 

"How Do I Determine My Level of Wisdom?"

“Ignorance is not bliss…otherwise there would be
more happy people.
Some are wise while others are “otherwise.”

 How Do I Determine the Level of Wisdom?

First, do I consider what I am responsible for
doing?

Second, do I recognize WHEN I am to discharge
my obligations?

            (Remember: “One of these days means
            NONE of these days.)

Third, I must learn the WAY the tasks are to
be done.

            (Remember the WAY of Jesus:
            “My food is to do the will of Him

            who send me and to finish His work…
            Not my will but Thine be done.)

Fourth, to be wise, I must be a “professional”
rather than an “amateur.”

            (Remember:  THE PROFESSIONAL
            DOES THE JOB WHETHER

            SHE/HE FEELS LIKE IT OR NOT.)

Life is a Trust, not a Gift...

Being HUMAN is a PRIVILEGE not an EXCUSE.

            Being a “good egg” in life is not

            enough.  You must hatch or

            you will spoil. 

            BOTH OF US MUST REMEMBER:

“Life is simply a stewardship and not an ownership, a trust and not a gift.  With a gift you may do as you please, but with a trust you must give an account.  Whether it is my talents, my time, my treasure or the temple of my body, in all of these I AM ONLY A STEWARD.”

Where Are You Looking?

“Look up and not down.  Look forward and not back.  Look out and not in, and lend a hand.”  (Edward Everett Hale)

When we look up we can receive encouragement from the God who created us in His image. If we look down we become dizzy because of the numerous possibilities of failure.

When we look forward we use today wisely and we are prepared for tomorrow.  If we look back continually we are either lulled into complacency by previous accomplishments or we are overwhelmed by remembering failures.

When we look out we are aware of this world being a neighborhood that needs to become a brotherhood.  When we look inwardly only we become intoxicated with the wine of self-centeredness. 

Do you say "Yes" to the right things?

Pythagoras, the famous mathematical thinker, said, “The oldest, shortest words, ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are those that require the most thought.”

Say, “Yes” to:

The need of careful preparation for your work…

The importance of being prompt…

The necessity of politeness…

The influence of being sincere…

The respect to God and to His word…

Say, “No” to:

Gossip…careless criticism…indifference to responsibility… selfishness…

Say, “Yes” to:

Loyalty…compassion…truthfulness…service to others…

Is God part of your plans?

Francis of Assisi stated, “You are what you are in God’s eyes and not more.”

God sees what is in our heads.  He is aware of our ambitions and plans.  Each must ask, “Do I have His approval of my plans?”

God sees what is in our hearts.  He knows our hopes and desires. Each must ask, “Does He approve of my dreams?”

God is cognizant of our talents.  He knows what we can do.  Each must ask, “Does He applaud my efforts?”

God knows our failures and weaknesses.  He wants to help us.  Therefore, ask “Will allow Him to do so?”

How many times have you lost your temper?

INSANITY has been defined as doing a bad thing over and over again while expecting different results.

            QUESTIONS FOR BOTH OF US:

1.      How many times have I lost my temper to cause useless hurt and division?  Why do I allow that high temper to continue to be dominant in my life?  Are the results ever going to be good?

                        2.   How often do I “put off” doing the responsibility at hand?                                     (Remember what procrastination has caused!)  What good will                                         the failure to do what I need to do today produce for tomorrow?

GOD REMINDS us that the way to success is to

remember that TODAY is presented as a TRUST,

THEREFORE, we are to use it wisely.  

ARE YOU WILLING TO TRY?

ED BARRETT put on a spectacular performance when his Cedartown football team played Rome, Georgia on October 31, 1930.  In This game Barrett caught four passes and intercepted three.

ED BARRETT WAS A ONE-ARMED PLAYER!

All of us have limitations and obstacles to overcome.

Two choices are available.

I can keep on trying, using my heart and my head, to find a way to accomplish.  OR I CAN QUIT!

If I determine to keep on trying, I might not succeed.  However, by continuing to try, I do something for myself…something that no amount of money can buy…I discover a sense of self-respect that enables me to make my stay upon this earth fully a life rather than a shallow existence.

SUCCESS consists in GETTING UP one more TIME

than I FALL DOWN.