3/4/2010 - Words Are Cheap

Hello friends,
Our words can be a comforting gift to others.

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Words Are Cheap

Kind words don't cost us a dime—but they often have a huge effect on the person the words are directed toward. The Bible says the right words are beautiful and valuable (Proverbs 25:11). Kind words encourage people and make them feel loved. They also brand us as a kind and caring person. Sometimes we don’t know that our words were encouraging and uplifting to another person. That is not always bad because we should not be looking for thanks or appreciation. We should be using kind words as a part of our daily lives—meaning we always respond with kind words when we can.

Many things in life are expensive and costly, but words are cheap. They cost nothing except learning when and how to use them. Sincere compliments, thoughtful concerns and encouragement are of great value. They cheer the heart. A person with a wealth of wisdom can convey words of kindness. Spend this fortune generously.

Further reading:
Ten Things You Can Say to Make Someone's Day

3/2/2010 - Life and Living

Dear readers,
What’s the key to living a fulfilling life?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Life and Living

Is there a difference between simply being alive and living? A man once stated that we make a living by what we gain or get, but we make a life by what we give. The Bible tells us it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Inherent in that scripture is the fact that somebody has to receive. Obviously when we are babies or little children, we are receivers. As we grow into adulthood and become stronger and more independent, we have the responsibility to give to those in need. Indeed we are our brother’s keeper in a way.

We all need food, clothing and shelter. These necessities are the elements of living that we are able to obtain by what we earn. We also need love, friendship, family and social networks. We cannot buy love or friendship; they are gained by first giving them to others. By giving wisely where and when we can, we develop these priceless avenues of life. We give of our time, our ears, our hearts, our comfort and our sympathy, as well as our wealth. Love is a natural outgrowth, and when it is first given away, it can flourish and develop. In the end, it is the greatest gift life can offer. That is a real life.

Further reading:
Love: The Ground From Which Spiritual Fruit Springs

2/25/2010 - Self-approval

Hello friends,
What do we see when we look in the mirror?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Self-approval

Mark Twain wrote, “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” Like so many wise sayings, it is easy to find its roots in Scripture. Jesus said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 19:19). If we do not love ourselves, we cannot rightly love our neighbor. Of course, this should be based on repentance to God and the commitment to follow His way. Self-approval does not need to be full of vanity and pride; it can be a simple evaluation of where we are at a given moment, and what we have done with what we have been given.

The Bible commands us to do what we can with all of our might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). We do not have the ability to become perfect, but if we have established a way of living that is directed by sincere effort to obey God, then God knows we are striving to reach His goals for us. When a person is confident in God’s forgiveness and love, he is able to produce results, work efficiently, move forward, think more wisely and plan effectively. When you do not like yourself, you will be hit with doubts, fears, uncertainties and hindrances that prevent growth. Look in the mirror and know that there is always going to be room for improvement, but you can learn to like yourself for what you can be. Strive to be the best you can!

Further reading:
Who Are You?

2/23/2010 - Serenity

Greetings readers,
Where can we find inner peace?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Serenity

A wise person once wrote, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things that I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." Those words of wisdom have their roots in the Bible, for example, in Philippians 4:11-13.

Serenity or inner peace is what God offers to those who choose to live His way. Not only are His laws and statutes given for our good, they are also verified in human lives and endeavors. Not many in this world have a lasting peace within their hearts and minds. But if we have our conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ and let our requests be made known to God with thanksgiving, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” will be available to us (Philippians 1:27; 4:6-7).

Further reading:
Peace: The Hunger of Human Hearts

2/18/2010 - Suitcases

Dear friends,
How many “extras” do we need in our lives?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Suitcases

Have you ever watched people collect their suitcases at an airport? It is amazing how people pack differently. Some suitcases are gargantuan in size, some are well worn from being overstuffed numerous times and sometimes a person picks up several bags at once. On the other hand, there are the people who walk off an airplane with carry-on luggage and no more. Sometimes we pack an awful lot of stuff that we do not use. The key is carefully arranging what you want to take and taking only what is needed.

Now imagine life as your suitcase. If we carefully arrange our days and make full use of our time, it is astonishing what we can accomplish. Efficiency is an ability that can readily be learned. We can remove many of the extras and still have all we need.

So pack your bags—and your life—wisely, including what is truly necessary.

Further reading:
Turning Your Own Life Around: Where to Start

2/16/2010 - Spending That Coin

Hello friends,
Here’s an analogy to help us use our time wisely throughout life.

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Spending That Coin

We all know that once we spend money, it is gone from our control. Our life is like money in the sense that once we spend it, it leaves our control. Our young years never come back and our health often does not return when we have been careless in spending it. We can spend money any way we wish—for good or bad. We can also spend our lives any way we wish. We can squander and waste our years, or we can make something valuable out of them.

Our lives are made up of daily choices. We have nobody to blame for our bad choices but ourselves. The Bible is filled with knowledge, understanding and wisdom for the taking (Proverbs 2:10-11). Ask for guidance, and then use the wisdom you’ve received to develop the ability to make careful choices.

Further reading:
Wise Advice for Wise Decisions

2/11/2010 - Holding the Helm

Dear readers,
Who do we look to when times get troubled?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Holding the Helm

Have you ever had a chance to "hold the helm," perhaps on a sailboat? As long as the sea is calm and things are moving slowly, we would not have a problem taking control. It is a different story in stormy seas or in difficult situations. That is when you want an experienced hand on the helm.

When trouble comes, our experience and the character we have developed are measured. Life gives us many opportunities to learn how to navigate troubled waters. Wisdom teaches us not to reach beyond what we are able to control. Little by little, under the guidance of a truly experienced teacher, we can learn to be proficient at controlling the helm of a vessel or vehicle.

Study the wise counsel of the Bible. Listen to wise people as you put your hand on the steering wheel (Proverbs 1:5). These people, who might have experienced the same trials, can give advice as to what decision or reaction would best fit the circumstance.

Further reading:
Got a Decision to Make? Read This First!

2/9/2010 - Did You Finish It?

Hello friends,
Do we have projects that we never seem to complete? Read on for helpful tips!

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Did You Finish It?

People seem to begin new projects in a never-ending cycle. We make resolutions about things we wish to accomplish, like lose weight, change a habit or finish a project. However, all too often we do not move past that resolution. Still, we are measured by the answer to the question, “Did you finish it?” We might begin by asking ourselves how many projects did we start in the last year—and how many did we actually finish? To our embarrassment we might find the list of plans much greater than the list of completed projects.

The Bible instructs us to count the cost before we begin a project lest we cannot finish it and are embarrassed with that (Luke 14:28-30). The things we plan to do may not always be physical. A young man recently said that he thought it was about time he turned his mind toward eternal life and God—and then did nothing after saying those words. Make a list of what you intend to do and develop a method of checking up on yourself. You will be amazed how much you actually get done by focusing on what you said you would do. Finish the job!

Further reading:
Self-Control: Governing Your Life by the Power of God

2/4/2010 - Enthusiasm

Hello readers,
Continue reading to find an important principle to add to your enthusiasm.

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Enthusiasm

Charles Schwab once said “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.” Paul noted that Israel had zeal but were without knowledge (Romans 10:2). We applaud and follow people who are enthusiastic about what they do. It is infectious. We need to feel enthusiastic about the gifts God offers to us and remove the mind-set that we are not deserving of any gift from God. Although that is certainly true, He already knows that and He is the One who offers the gift regardless. We can read about that in Romans 5:6-10.

Zeal is good, but it needs to be properly directed. That requires self-control and the willingness to learn and study. No matter what our life’s endeavors may be, show excitement, but add knowledge to direct your enthusiasm.

Further reading:
The Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ

2/2/2010 - Square Pegs

Dear friends,
God tell us that we are His clay. Are you willing to be molded?

Clyde and Dee Kilough

Square Pegs

Years ago, ships and wooden objects were held together by pegs. The method is still in use in some places today. The saying about “square pegs in round holes” came from the times when one needed to be careful in his choice of pegs. We use this saying today to describe a person who does not seem to fit into the place he occupies. That could be in business, in a crowd or in some walk of life. Pegs can be changed and corrected so they can be used. Humans can also change, and the Bible tells us that without change, we will not be in God’s Kingdom (Romans 6:1-2).

If we are not happy in what we are doing, it may be time for a change. We may be a square peg, and so we either need to change the hole or alter the peg. For eternal life, it is the peg that must be changed.

Further reading:
Does Life Have Greater Meaning and Purpose?