the value of teachers

Teachers' Day is still many months away. I hope the story below will encourage all you teachers out there .......

Source : thought-for-the-day (http://www.tftd-online.com/)
Writer : Pastor Alan Smith
Date : 25 Mar 2009

There is a beautiful legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.

The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor.

The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years.

The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there was something about her - the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.

The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: "You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!"

James wrote, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers" (James 3:1). He points out that teachers will be judged more severely. He could just as easily have said that teachers have a greater responsibility, a greater challenge, a greater opportunity to affect the lives of people in a negative way. It is impossible to teach without using words, and with greater use of words comes a greater danger that the words will do harm.

But thanks be to God that there are those who face that challenge and assume that responsibility and make a diligent effort to use their words as an opportunity to affect the lives of people in a positive way. Those of you who are teachers -- who can begin to measure the tremendous effect that you are having in the lives of the children (and adults) in your classrooms? You may not see the results of your efforts for years. In fact, you may never get to see the results. But you do make a difference.

Those of you who are schoolteachers are teaching not only the basics of education, but you are teaching values and character. Those of you who are Bible class teachers are filling the minds and hearts of our children with stories of faith that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Those of you who are preachers are strengthening the family of God and bringing salvation to the lost.

So, my hat is off to all of you who are teachers because you make a difference!

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach." (Romans 12:6-7)

when God tests us

Source : KneEmail
Editor : Mike Benson
Date : 25 Mar 2009

YOU MIGHT ASK, "Why does God need to test us...?

Doesn't He know everything, including what we would do in every situation?" Yes, God knows--but we don't! God doesn't test us in order to find out something He doesn't already know. He tests us so that we can learn about ourselves and His love, power and faithfulness.

In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Isaac was Abraham's only son by his wife, Sarah -- the son God had promised to Abraham. By demanding that Isaac be sacrificed, God seemed to be nullifying His covenant of making a great nation out of Abraham. How could God's promise be fulfilled if Isaac was dead?

God tested Abraham to reveal whether or not Abraham truly trusted His promise. Yes, God knew what Abraham would do, but He wanted Abraham to know as well. So God put Abraham to the test -- and Abraham passed it. As Abraham raised his knife to sacrifice his own son, God stopped him and provided a sacrificial ram instead.

THOUGHT : Every test involves obedience in one way or another. When God tests us, He reveals the true state of our hearts. (Os Hillman)

"Test me, O Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind."
(Psalm 26:2)

what's most important in life?

Source : Daily Wisdom (http://www.dailywisdom.com/)
Contributor : Daphne Harrington
Date : 12 Mar 2009

the lily & the bluebird

Once upon a time there was a beautiful lily. This lily had a bluebird friend who used to perch on a nearby fencepost and visit with her nearly every day. Together they enjoyed observing the rancher and his family who owned the place where they lived. They watched as, day after day, the rancher and his family worked tirelessly. Though their ranch was profitable and their hard work admirable, the conversation the friends overheard and the things they observed were curious to the pair. It seemed the more profitable the ranch became, the more the family thought they needed.

The bluebird made an observational flight over the rancher's domain, "You know, lily," he said upon his return, "All their hard work is really paying off. They have increased and improved this place substantially in the last few years."

"I know," replied the lily, "But have you also noticed that along with their increase they have less and less time for each other. They have all but quit going to church, and I hear them arguing more and more. And come to think of it," she observed, "I used to see the farmer and his wife taking long walks. Sometimes they walked together, hand in hand and at other times I used to see each of them taking time out of their busy days for a stroll alone in the woods, talking with the Lord. Nowadays however, they are too busy for that."

The bluebird chimed in, "Now they've turned the management of the farm over to the farmhands and have both taken jobs in the city in order to earn even more money so they can keep up the possessions they already have."

"Yes, and they've also bought a second home in Florida so they can have a nice warm place to live when it gets too cold here," said the lily.

The bluebird heaved a mournful sigh, "Lily," he said, "When the rancher and his family went to church, do you think they heard how the Heavenly Father told them to take a close look at you and me and to observe the secret of simplicity in how He takes care of His creatures? It seems to me they are complicating their lives instead of making them better."

To all this, the beautiful lily replied, "Why is it that people go to school and study textbooks and learn many great things, yet they aren't smart enough to read God's textbook on life and apply it?"

"Yeah," said the bluebird, "Then they too could fly and be free."

(You can read more about the Lily and the Bluebird in Matthew chapter 6.)

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them ......... See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these ....... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matt 6:26, 28-29, 34)

feel like giving up?

I used to read RBC's Our Daily Bread as my daily devotional until I switched to RBC's Our Daily Journal since its debut in 2008. ODJ is written for the more spiritually matured Christian (that's my opinion) as its writings are deeper & more thought-provoking. I will like to share what I read today.

#1 and done

Source : Our Daily Journey devotional
Writer : Tom Felten
Publisher : RBC Ministries
Date : Thur 10 Mar 2009
Bible Passage : 1 Kings 19:1-15

"I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life." (1 Kings 19:4)

"I was at the end of the road. I leave with my head held high.”

Tennis star Justine Henin expressed those thoughts during a press conference last year —announcing her immediate retirement from the sport. All athletes eventually hang up the sneakers, but not when they’re just 25 years old and ranked No. 1 in the world!

So why did Justine quit? Personal struggles off the court in 2007 and performance struggles on it during 2008 were likely contributors to her early career closure.

Not many of us will play professional tennis. But we all identify with Justine Henin’s desire to quit. Whether in a difficult relationship or struggling with a dead-end job or depression, we can feel like giving up.

Just ask Elijah. He knew that sinking feeling.

Shortly after the prophet experienced the amazing intervention of God in defeating the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38-40), he was seriously ready to call it quits. Why? A ruthless queen named Jezebel had threatened to kill him (19:2). Things weren’t going his way, and pride caused him to think he shouldn’t have to endure this personal attack (vv.10,14).

So Elijah bolted for the wilderness. Feeling defeated and deeply troubled, he prayed, “I have had enough, Lord. . . . Take my life” (v.4). God responded by tenderly feeding him (v.8), sheltering him (v.9), and teaching him (vv.11-13). His “gentle whisper” (v.12) of instruction revealed that He sometimes does things in amazing ways and other times in quiet ways. God then sent Elijah back to finish the work—Jezebel or no Jezebel.

Are you discouraged today because God hasn’t “come through” in a big, amazing way for you? Be still and turn your eyes to Him. He will help you keep going — though He may choose to do it in a quiet, unexpected way.

press on heavenward

Source : KneEmail
Editor : Mike Benson
Date : 9 Mar 2009

Goal

It was a fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island.

She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions.

The water was numbing cold that day. The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. She swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So she quit ...... only one-mile from her goal.

Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it." It wasn't the cold or fear or exhaustion that caused Florence Chadwick to fail. It was the fog.

THOUGHT : Many times we too fail, not because we're afraid or because of the peer pressure or because of anything other than the fact that we lose sight of the goal.

By the way, two months after her failure, Florence Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance, setting a new speed record, because she could see the land!

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)