Never stop learning and growing

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “You made it! Now what?

Our Bible verse for today: “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head – Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 4:15 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Never stop learning and growing”

Do you remember Navy Admiral James Stockdale? He was the highest-ranking prisoner of war held by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. He spent eight years in captivity, four of them in solitary confinement, two of them in leg shackles. He was tortured fifteen times, and he was permanently disabled because of it.

Despite his years of captivity in horrifying conditions, and despite the repeated brutal torture, Admiral Stockdale never gave in to his captors. He also assumed command over the other POWs and served as an inspiration to them. After being released at the end of the war Admiral Stockdale was awarded the Congressional Medal Honor. He also continued his career in the Navy – ultimately being promoted to Three Star Admiral before retiring.

I met Admiral Stockdale in 1996. My old friend Sam Tangredi was assigned to be the Commanding Officer of a ship in San Diego. Sam asked me to attend the change-of-command ceremony as his guest. The guest speaker that day was Admiral Stockdale. Sam’s family had been friends with the Stockdale family as Sam was growing up and so Sam had known Admiral Stockdale for many years. At the reception afterwards, Sam introduced me to the Admiral. I got to shake the great man’s hand and spend a few minutes speaking with him.

Admiral Stockdale wrote in one of his books about four attributes that he had observed in the life of virtually every successful person he had ever known – attributes which in his experience are essential elements in any life lived well. When I read what he wrote, I immediately realized that the Apostle Paul teaches these same lessons in his writings:

1. “A successful person is committed to continual self-improvement in all areas of life. Such a person never stops learning and is always striving to improve.” Admiral Stockdale considered this commitment to continual growth and personal improvement the most important element in a successful life. (Ephesians 4:15).

2. “A successful person is known for his or her integrity. This is a man or woman who has learned to be honest, trustworthy, and dependable, and they diligently practice those virtues even when doing so isn’t easy.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

3. “A successful person never gives up, especially in the face of adversity, setbacks, and failure”. (Galatians 6:9)

4. “A successful person is willing to be seen as a leader, and they set a good example for others”. (2 Timothy 2:2)

I’ve said it before and I want to repeat it again this morning, “Attitude is everything”. How we think about life, and how we approach it, determines almost everything else about us. But developing a good attitude and the virtues that comprise it is a continual process of learning and growing, of developing and transforming. I encourage you to never stop growing. Make it your goal in life to learn new things every day and to keep improving in all the ways that really matter.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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