Instead of counting your days, make your days count. (Anonymous)
It seems to be a universal practice to count the days until some future event or notable day will arrive. As a result, we often discount the value of the present day—what are today’s opportunities and what’s happening right now. Planning for the future is important, of course, but we must make every effort to use today for growth and benefit.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today” (Hebrews 3:13).
Ideas are mere illusions until they take on the form of a living and loving person. (Mark Hatfield, late United States senator)
Writer and speaker Earl Nightingale said, “Everything begins with an idea.” When someone says, “I have an idea,” that’s only the beginning of what might turn out to be a worthy thought. But, as Hatfield points out, even the best ideas are of little value until someone moves on it. It takes a person with vision and effort to pursue an idea to completion.
For I know your eagerness to help . . . and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action (2 Corinthians 9:2).
Ability isn’t as important as availability. (Often stated by many writers)
Ability, affability, and availability are referred to as the “three pillars of excellence.” If silled people are not available when we need them, then they are of little use. On the other hand, it is important that the available person have the needed abilities, of course. We should make ourselves available to use our God-given skills as they are needed.
The Apostle Paul writes of a former slave: “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me (Philemon 1:11).
Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. (Mary Manin Morrissey, motivational speaker and author)
Whatever the cause for not moving forward, Morrissey advises, “Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain.” She asks, “What is it you [should] let go of?” It’s clear that lack of forward progress is often simply the result of personal reluctance. Let go of what’s holding you back, and move on courageously.
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).
If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth. (C. S. Lewis, late British university professor and author)
“What is truth?” Mankind has been looking for that answer since the beginning of time. Today, however, it seems that many people, rather than searching for final answers, merely want to find things that will make them comfortable. They soon discover that comfort is not lasting, but that finding truth results in finding the God of all comfort.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6).
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge. (Dale Carnegie, self-improvement writer)
Some people like to argue; to them it’s like a game. Others avoid arguments at almost any cost. But arguing can be a good thing. A healthy debate over an issue of importance can be a good learning and motivational tool. It is undoubtedly better to argue than to run away from discussion that could be a profitable learning experience.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
The key to suffering is our attitude toward it. (Bernard Schneider, late pastor and author)
We all face difficulties, trials, and hard times at some time or another. Suffering is never pleasant, even when it might be the result of surgery, for example, which ultimately will bring healing. As Schneider suggests, our attitude to the distress of life will go a long way in determining how well we endure the suffering and pain.
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance (Romans 5:3).
Happiness is not easily won; it is hard to find it in ourselves, and impossible to find it elsewhere. (Nicolas Chamfort, 18th century French writer)
We’d like to think that happiness is easy to come by. After all, the right to happiness is guaranteed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. But, as often noted, it really depends on our attitude and choices. Personal choices and responses determine a good bit about our state of mind and emotions. Our relationship with God is critical, too.
To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:26).
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. (Winston Churchill, British prime minister during World War II)
Churchill made his comment well before the Internet was developed with its instant communication by email, Skype, or Twitter. Yet, as he observed, falsehoods and gossip seem to travel with lightening speed, frequently making it very difficult to correct errors and get the truth out. Even then, its impact is often less effective.
Keep falsehood and lies far from me (Proverbs 30:8). Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices (Colossians 3:9).
Gentle words are more powerful than angry words. (Bill Crowder, author)
Most of us would probably have to admit that at some time or other we have hurt someone else by something we have said in anger. It’s an experience we can’t take back. Crowder gives this advice: “In a world where words are often wielded as weapons, may we use our words as tools to build up the hearts of others.”
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious (Ecclesiastes 10:12). The tongue of the wise brings healing. … A gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 12:18; 15:1).
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. (George Washington, 1st president of the United States)
We were created to be social people. God said that it was not good for man to be alone, so He provided a wife for Adam. Ever since, mankind has enjoyed close relationships, some more intimate than others. As Washington, points out, however, we must be on guard about associations with those whose character and intentions are not for our benefit.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).
If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. (Denis Waitley, motivational speaker)
Self-confidence is a characteristic of most successful people. Folks who are unsure of their abilities rarely step “out of the box” to try something new even if they are sure of the soundness of their intentions. Perhaps self-assurance is the result of confidence, not only in your product or idea, but in the One who created and gifted you to be the person you are.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him (Jeremiah 17:7).