June 2022 week 1
Monday
What Is Your Attitude?
Attitude of Love
Lesson Objective: To look at our attitude toward life and how that affects our altitude
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13: 1 and 13: 13
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
It has been said that your attitude will determine your altitude. This is so true both physically and spiritually. Our attitudes can keep us from having eternal life. Some things in life are quite costly and can be a barrier for some. Love is not one. Love is free to both receive and to give. Love is demonstrated in multiple ways to include being polite to others, smiling and things as simple as saying good morning. Love covers a multitude of sins in that it is so much easier to look over wrongs when love is present. True love is unconditional and is never withdrawn but grows stronger regardless of the circumstances.
Thought for today: It is quite simple, love as Christ loves us. How will you demonstrate this love today?
Tuesday
What Is Your Attitude?
An attitude of Truth Seeking
Lesson Objective: To look at our attitude toward life and how that affects our altitude
Scripture: Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Truth-seeking is a very interesting attitude because it can be a two-edged sword. On one edge is the need to always tell the truth and on the other is willing to accept the truth when encountered with such.
Always telling the truth can be a challenge when we are tempted to tell so-called white lies while there is no such thing. A lie is a lie and can never be acceptable behavior. Lies only lead to more lies especially when we forget the first lie (smile). Sometimes lies can be seen as not harmful when we ask questions like “am I fat”. We are asking the responder a question that is not a fair question. We already know that we are gaining weight but we want the person to say no which in fairness means that we are not truth-seeking but encouraging lies. Truth-seeking means that we are willing to hear a truthful answer and not get angry when we are told the truth. It is said that a real friend is one that tells us the truth regardless of whether it is what we want to hear. Honest feedback is necessary if we are to enhance our development.
Thought for the day: Are you willing to hear the truth or do you want it sugar-coated?
Wednesday
What Is Your Attitude?
Attitude of Servitude
Lesson Objective: To look at our attitude toward life and how that affects our altitude
Scripture: Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
One of my favorite pictures is that of a father washing the feet of his father and the son rubbing the back of the father. This demonstrates respect and love and the attitude of serving each other. This is an attitude that is often lost in the world today. We are too busy worried about getting ahead in the rat race of life while unwilling to stop a minute to serve others. Serving has become a distasteful word even though willingly serving is most honorable. Willingness to serve is a definitive sign of humility which is a required attribute of one who is a witness for Christ.
Thought for the day: We are God’s hands here on earth. Who will you serve today?
Thursday
What Is Your Attitude?
Attitude of Action
Lesson Objective: To look at our attitude toward life and how that affects our altitude
Scripture: “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22
This past week I was reading a few quotes from a friend of mine. Charlie was a tremendous motivator and he had several quotes that I will always remember. One was “Nothing works unless you work it”. Simply stated very few things work without effort by us. I also remember a joke where a person began working on Monday and did not see anyone watching him so he just sat under the tree and said “ You think I am working but I am not”. He did the same for the remainder of the week and on Friday he received an envelope and in the envelope was a note that said: “ You think you will be paid but you won’t”. There are very few free lunches in this world so it is important that we have an attitude of action. When Christ healed, he required action on behalf of the one that was healed. After healing the lame man he told him to pick up his mat and stand. The man had to demonstrate his faith by following the instructions of Christ. I like the Nike commercial that says “Just do it”. We are told that we must have a dream but being a dreamer is not enough. We have to work the dream or it will never become a reality.
Thought for the day: It is said that if you want something done, find a woman/man who is already working.
Friday
What Is Your Attitude?
Attitude of Forbearance and Patience
Lesson Objective: To look at our attitude toward life and how that affects our altitude
Scripture: Titus 3:1, 2
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
We have all heard the idiom that patience is a virtue. That is so true in society today where the lack of patience is so prevalent today. How often do you see someone driving behind you and are so impatient that they continually honk their horn to pass. They then speed and then you meet them at the next red light(smile). I often say that we are in a hurry to get nowhere. I have also heard it said we are in a hurry to wait. This attitude is reflected in how we may treat others. We honk our horn when someone is not walking fast enough across the street or we complain about the waitress/waiter not bringing our food fast enough in the restaurant. The internet is not fast enough or any number of other examples that cause us to complain. The problem is usually our impatience. We must begin to think like a good cook who realizes that just because you turn the fire up higher and the food cooks quicker does not mean the dinner will be better. In fact it is the exact opposite. Turning the fire higher usually results in the food on the outside burnt and the inside never fully cooked. Impatience can lead to physical harm to include high blood pressure, increased likelihood of heart problems and ulcers.
Thought for the day: When you are impatient with someone you are allowing them to control your life.