Loading...

Keep improving 

Sunday February 28, 2021
Bob Gass
1 min read

“From everyone who has been given much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48 NIV 

Author H. Jackson Brown Jr. quipped, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backward, or sideways.” If you know you have talent and you’ve seen a lot of motion but few concrete results, you may lack self-discipline. Look at last week’s schedule. How much of your time did you devote to regular, disciplined activities? Did you do anything to grow and improve yourself? If you have been putting these things off and telling yourself that you’ll do them later, you need to work on your self-discipline. A nursery in Canada displays this sign on its wall: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty-five years ago…The second best time is today.” So starting today—discipline yourself using the following steps: (1) Be willing to pay the price to reach the next level. American playwright Sidney Howard remarked, “One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.” (2) Be willing to start with small things. At first your gains will be small, but they will grow. The difference between the gold medal winner and the other contestants is often just hundredths of a second. (3) Get into the right environment. Since improvement always requires some degree of risk and failure, pick a place where growth and experimentation are encouraged. (4) Believe that you can always do it better. Anything you’ve done in a particular way for a given amount of time can always be done better. So with God’s help, you can keep improving.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024


Bible in a Year:

Get daily encouragement straight to your inbox!

Start your day with The Word For You Today—a trusted source of daily encouragement designed to speak right to your heart. Whether you're juggling work, family, or just needing a quiet moment with God, these short, powerful devotionals help you stay grounded in faith and hope. It’s like a gentle nudge from a friend reminding you that God is with you, even in the chaos. Perfect with your morning coffee or during school drop-off downtime, The Word For You Today fits beautifully into your routine and brings spiritual encouragement just when you need it most.
We'll never share your email with anyone else.
You'll get an email each morning and you can unsubscribe anytime!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Your gift to The Word For You Today and UCB Radio helps ensure daily encouragement get to people in their darkest times: 

“I read The Word For You Today every morning before my kids wake up. It keeps me grounded and gives me strength to face the day.”
– Jessica, UCB Listener & Mom of 3

Donate

Get positive, uplifting UCB Radio and The Word For You Today wherever you go with our FREE app. 

Download

Let us stand with you and pray for your concerns.

UCB Radio Prayerline is powered by

Request Prayer

Previous Daily Encouragement

Read Today
Sat February 27

What’s your vision? 

When God gives you a vision, it will change your life. John Sculley, former president of PepsiCo and Apple said, “The future belongs to...

Read more
Fri February 26

Think realistically (2) 

Here are three things realistic thinking will do for you: (1) It will give you a sense of security. When you have thought through...

Read more
Thu February 25

Think realistically (1) 

Reality is the difference between what you wish for and what is. If you’re a naturally optimistic person, you may find it difficult to...

Read more
Tue February 23

Personal growth (2) 

Personal growth involves four things: (1) Environment. You must place yourself in a setting that fosters growth. Certain fish grow according to the size...

Read more
Mon February 22

Personal growth (1) 

Here are three reasons we don’t experience personal growth: (1) We think it comes strictly from experience. Believing personal growth comes only from experience...

Read more

Advertisement

Advertisement