People who continue learning, continue to grow, and growth happens on purpose. We can learn things accidentally, but for the most part, growth happens intentionally. We need to put effort into it. Many years ago, I wanted to learn how to be a leader, so I bought books, listened to teachings on leadership, and constantly went to conferences so that I could learn. I was told once, "Learn something every day. Read the newspaper, a magazine, the Bible, but learn something every day.” It's not a secret most successful people are lifelong learners, always working to grow and develop. God has given all of us some type of gift or talent. The way we develop is by growing. If you are a singer, musician or athlete, you practice constantly and learn everything you can about what you do. There is always something else for us to learn. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo or being like everyone else. We never know what doors might open if we continue to learn, develop our skill set, or even if we are willing to learn something that is brand new.

Let’s purpose to be lifelong learners, purposing to learn every day. If that means getting up a little earlier to read or listen to some type of teaching, or taking a class, getting out of your comfort zone, then do whatever it takes to develop your skills and talents. Only God knows what opportunities await those who are learners, striving to do better in life.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Are you the type of person who is always telling people what you believe? If you are and you feel frustrated or maybe even a little condemned at times, it may be that what you say doesn’t line up with what you do or how you act. In our society, we want to deal with what we say more than what we do. The problem with this mindset is, however, that what we do is usually a good indicator of what we believe, because what we really believe will eventually come out in our actions. If I really believe in God (the Father of our Lord Jesus), then I should be following His ways and those beliefs should in turn dictate my actions.

The Bible says it best in contending, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, NKJV). It’s deception to think that what I say I believe is more powerful then how I live, talk and act. If I really believe in the Bible, then my actions should reveal that, by being faithful to the teachings of it. To do otherwise, creates conflict in our hearts and minds. If you want real peace, begin to do what you say you believe. If you believe in caring for people, let it show in what you do, not just in what you say. If you believe something is wrong, work to stop doing whatever it is. People say they love somebody, but at times treat them very badly.

Contradicting ourselves doesn’t do anything but create feelings of guilt and condemnation. If I say I believe in the teachings of the Bible, then those teachings should be very evident in every area of my life. We are not perfect and will make mistakes and blow it from time to time, but the flow of your life is and should be a good indicator of what you truly believe.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Many today talk about how people that don’t agree with them are intolerant. Let’s see what the word tolerant means. Merriam Webster defines it as a capacity to endure pain or hardship, endurance or fortitude, and to allow the existence, occurrence or practice of something that one does not argue with. I tolerate things or those that I don’t agree with. That’s what we are as Christians, we don’t agree with the world’s ideas or morality and because we don’t agree, they label us as haters and bigots. What’s sad is that we do tolerate their way, meaning that we don’t agree with them. They, the world (those who don’t believe in God or His Word), would say that we are intolerant just because we don’t agree with them. Isn’t it ironic that those who don’t know Christ or agree with Him call us intolerant because we don’t agree with them, when the word tolerant means that we don’t agree? I think it’s strange when you realize that either you agree with the world (those who aren’t of God), or you are a bad person or out of touch with reality. However, Christianity allows you to choose to serve God and believe His Word or not. Christians are the most compassionate, giving people on the earth, but a secular media has convinced itself and even the church that we are the bad guys if we believe and act on the Word of God. We are the bad guys, if we disagree with ungodly morals. Let’s be strong, stand up and choose to go against the culture. When you do, it’s an act of love. Why is it an act of love? Because those who follow Christ, love people enough to tell them the truth. God gave us all a free will and you have the right to exercise your free will, but you have no right to expect me to agree with it. Stand for absolute truth that comes from believing the Word of God (the Bible) in its entirety.

Just a Thought,

PSS

One of the secrets to success is giving, not taking. Research done by Wharton Professor Adam Grant suggests that some of the most successful people, not just in business, are in fact classic “givers.” They are people who genuinely try to help those around them. The help does not just come in the form of finances, but also in taking an interest in sharing information and being willing to assist others in their endeavors.

We need to understand that a gracious attitude is needed to be successful. If all you do is take, then you are self-absorbed. On the other hand, if you give, share, or help others get ahead, I believe you will be happier and life will look brighter to you. We should make an effort to comprehend the principle of being generous. You should not expect people to give to you because they have something, but because they are sincerely concerned for you. So many people today are takers and think only of themselves, without any care for others. Givers are more successful than takers, which will you choose to be?

Just a Thought,

PSS

That is a huge question in our world today, even in our Christian communities. Am I allowed to judge? Should I make judgments? Is it right for me to do so? Jason Malec said, “Faith in God will – by definition– grate against a morally ambiguous culture.”

To judge means to separate, pick out, and to pronounce an opinion concerning right or wrong. We make judgments every day, all day. When people say, “Who are you to judge me?” what they are really saying is, “don’t tell me that my morality is wrong.” When you tell someone that you agree with them, you don’t hear them say, “Who are you to judge me?” In reality, you are making as much of a judgment there, as you are if you disagree. People today don’t want, or are becoming unwilling, to be told that they are wrong. The Bible says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:37-45, NIV). If you read it in context, it is telling us to not be hypocritical. In other words, if you are drinking alcohol and trying to tell someone else it is wrong, don’t do it. However, to be able to tell someone that they are wrong in the way that they are living (lifestyle, for example) really is right. We should not do this in a mean way. If we don’t uphold the standard of God’s Word and let people know the standard that God put forth on how we are to live, who will? As Christians, we are to let people know what God’s Word teaches on every area of our lives. That, in and of itself, will cause people to either embrace it, or reject it by saying, “Who are you to judge me?”  Either way, we are obligated to teach God’s Word to everyone.

Just a Thought,

PSS