WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOURSELF?

“I do not know what to do with myself” is a common complaint. You can’t do much with other problems until you deal with this one.

What JESUS did with Himself.  He used His life on earth for a purpose that was greater than the moment.

He kept the Father’s will always in mind.  Remember:  “He who sacrifices his conscience for a selfish ambition burns a beautiful picture to obtain the ashes.”

You can decide to correct some destructive habits:  jealousy, temper, etc.  Not easy, of course, but diligent effort will produce amazing results.

Try doing something that you know God will approve.  “All evil is due to unused life.”  (Erich Fromm) e H

Have you found rest for your soul?

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Jeremiah 6:16

Our lives are determined by the choices that we make at the “crossroads” of life.  So we ought to examine the ideas that we are allowing to use us.  The prophet’s advice is to consider GOD, OUR CREATOR.  By honestly considering His word we can learn what He wants us to do.  Then by a willingness to put His commands into practice we find life that is fulfilling and productive…truly
“rest for our souls.”

Does this sound simple?

In fact, it is…quite simple but not superficial!!

There will never be a better time than the present for each of us to consider the commands and blessings of God.

Did you make a difference today?

In the dark days of World War II, Winston Churchill encouraged and challenged his people:

“There is a place for everyone, man and woman, old and young, hale and halt: SERVICE IN A THOUSAND FORMS IS OPEN. From the highest to the humblest task, all are of equal honor; ALL HAVE THEIR PART TO PLAY.”

These principles apply to each of us today.  You and I can make our part of the world better. Remember:  “Service in a thousand forms is open to each of us.”

So you and I must choose: to make a difference for good or to become a tool for evil to triumph by our simply doing nothing. 

Are these your characteristics of success?

Success depends upon our having eager minds rather than being satisfied with just turning the pages of the calendar.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EAGER MIND

1.      Promptness.  The eager mind is known for enthusiasm.  It is better for the pot to boil over than not to boil at all.

2.      Spirit of inner happiness.  This is found through a personal association with the Christ.  Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”  John 6:63

3.      Generous.  After all, “…for God loves a cheerful giver.”

4.      Steady and Persevering.  God will not examine us for medals but for scars obtained in active service.

Who is the center of your life?

“The trouble with the human race is that no one wins it.”

To win the individual has to choose to become mature or to remain childish.

CHILDISH:

Sheds tears over trifles...performs only if attention is received…takes the blessings of life for granted…no intense sense of obligation.  All of this adds up to being SELF-CENTERED.

MATURITY:

Sheds tears of concern…sympathy is your pain in my heart…fulfills the duties whether there is applause or not…maintains a sense of gratitude…recognizes the beauty of duty.  All of this adds up to be GOD-CENTERED.

GOD CENTERED = VICTORY

Want LIFE to CHANGE for the BETTER?

A famous scientist observed, “It takes an unusual mind to comprehend the obvious.”

It is obvious:

That communities would be better when the citizenry is willing to think about the future, to plan for it, and to work diligently for productive goals.

It is obvious:

When you and I look into a mirror, each sees one person who can contribute to whatever changes are needed.

Comprehension of the obvious:

I must be willing to become the CHANGE that I want to see.   

How are you shaping your tomorrow?

In a world that is always seeking to put you down, start each day with a conversation with GOD.  He believes in you.

Choose to make this a productive day.  Not always easy but possible.  God will help if you allow Him to do so.

Practice the art of cheerfully greeting people.  A smile is a gentle curve that sets lots of things right.

Compliment someone close to you.  Do not take for granted the good that is about you.

Remember what you practice today…either good or bad…will be vital in shaping YOUR TOMORROW.

OBSERVATIONS FOR EVERYDAY LIVING

There are two types of people in the world…those who are WISE and those who are OTHERWISE.  You and I choose our category.

The Wise don’t learn the tricks of their trade…THEY learn their trade.

Seldom is too much paid for a TOP PERFORMANCE.  However, a mediocre job is always too expensive.

A TOP PERFORMANCE makes for a good day.  A mediocre one for NIGHTMARES.

JESUS was a carpenter-craftsman.  I cannot imagine His doing a mediocre work.

Are you available?

God never asks about our ABILITY or our INABILITY…just our AVAILABILITY.

“I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’”

OBSERVATIONS:

From Ripley’s BELIEVE it or not…a picture of a plain bar of iron…value $5. 

It can be fashioned: 

A pair of horseshoes -- $50

Sewing needles -- $5,000

As balance springs for fine Swiss watches -- $500,000!

The material is not what is most important.  The development of the material IS!

So it is with each of us…the choice is to be AVAILABLE for God to develop us as He knows best.  

We have hope...

“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

This statement of historical fact gives us hope for the future regardless of the problems of the day.

The “Word” in this reading is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  He came into our world in the flesh to be one of us.  He came to pioneer the way to life for us in this world and in the one to come.

THEREFORE:

He understands us…He cares for us…He will help us…He paid the price for our sins that we might know forgiveness…He has made eternal victory possible for us. 

Do you send for Him?

A sign in a cotton factory:

IF YOUR THREADS GET TANGLED, SEND FOR THE FOREMAN!

A new worker got her threads tangled. The more she tried to disentangle them, the worse the situation grew.  Finally, she sent for the foreman.  He asked, “Why didn't you send for me earlier?”  She replied, “I was doing my best.”  He answered, “No, your best would have been to send for me.”

When we face a tough situation, our first response should be to ask for God’s direction and help.  He longs to be our helper and to be fully involved in our lives. The coming of Jesus into our history is full proof of that.

THEREFORE:

Let us bring our troubles to God:  He will be up all night anyway.  “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3