Daily Stop & Thinks

It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. (Nelson Mandela, late South African leader)

There is a Bible story about Moses, the leader of Israel in the Exodus. God had told him to approach the Egyptian ruler to seek the nation’s freedom. Moses began to make excuses about his inability, and God asks, “What is that in your hand?” It wasn’t much, just a stick, but God was making Mandela’s point: use what you have. That’s the place to begin.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

The leader must give up, to go up. (John Maxwell, leadership author)

This is what Maxwell calls the “Law of Sacrifice.” Every successful athlete knows he has to give up an unhealthy diet and free time to achieve his goal. The person climbing the ladder to a career as a business executive or an outstanding salesman has sacrificed freedom of choice in order to follow orders, “pay his dues” on the way up. The cost of leadership involves willing sacrifice.

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).

Great accomplishments are often attempted but only occasionally reached. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

That might sound pretty discouraging, but Swindoll continues, “Those who reach them are usually those who missed many times before.” One mistake or one failure should not be the end of trying. We learn by doing, and we may learn more from our errors, so don’t stop when you make a mistake. Keep working hard, learning as you go, and looking ahead positively.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

Adversity is the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself. (John Wooden, hall of fame coach)

People react to hard times in a variety of ways. Some just can’t seem to lift their heads up and move on. Others struggle without hope. If Wooden is right, those difficult times give us an opportunity to take a look at ourselves and determine that we must be the ones who have to work hard to overcome trying circumstances. With God’s help, we can overcome.

For whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. (G. K. Chesterton, 19^th-20^th century literary and art critic)

They say that people who see the cup as half full are optimists while those who see it as half empty are pessimists. Perhaps that’s true. But maybe it’s a question of natural disposition. The person who is grateful for life and sees the positive in circumstances looks on the bright side. He or she is the one who lives a life of gratitude. Perhaps that nature makes you an optimist.

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks (1 Timothy 4:4).

Life is painting a picture, not doing a sum. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19^th century physician and poet)

Is life more an art or a science? We know that proper nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are factors that can, at least in part, be calculated, and we can pursue the proper equations to maintain life. But, if that’s all there is, wouldn’t that be rather boring and unproductive? Add some color, music, theater, companionship; well, that sounds more enticing, doesn’t it?

It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work. . . . And . . . to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19).

Life presents many choices, the choices we make determine our future. (Catherine Pulsife., author)

Jim Stovall, another writer adds: “Only when we accept the fact that we are where we are because of choices we’ve made in the past can we live every day of the rest of our lives in the certain knowledge that we can do anything we want to do if we simply make the right choices. The biblical leader Joshua illustrates the most important choice you can make.

“As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

The key to order, sanity, and peace of mind. (Elayne Boosler, comedian) Read on.

Boosler writes: “I am thankful [that] the most important key in history was invented. It’s not the key to your house, your car, your boat, your safety deposit box, your bike lock.” What is it? The “delete” key. Her play on words is humorous, but wouldn’t it be great if we could delete some of the things we’ve said or done? Thankfully, God can and will forgive our sin.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults (Psalm 19:12).

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Some people seem to feel that they were destined to be what they’ve become. Their success—or failure—in life was foreordained. Such an idea would remove all responsibility for us to work at achieving some goal if, after all, it’s all been predetermined. Emerson offers a much better philosophy, one that encourages us to set a goal and then pursue it diligently.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny (Psalm 73:24).

I like the dream of the future better than the history of the past. (Thomas Jefferson)

Jefferson was certainly well aware of past history, but his many talents were engaged in working toward a prosperous future of freedom and progress. He hoped to see a group of independent states united in a single nation, and he played no small part in it. He was also the founder of the University of Virginia, so his future hopes were realized for the great benefit of all of us.

A dream fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots. (Marcus Garvey, late Jamaican-born political leader)

History is not often a favorite subject of young students. They live for the here and now, and as they grow, they’re thinking more of the future than the past. How unfortunate! By not knowing our past, we miss out on why things are as they are. An American songwriter known as Quavo said it well, “History repeats itself so you might wanna pay attention.”

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Do we always say what we’re thinking? Sometimes it’s better if we don’t. Do we always do what we say we’re going to do? We should! So, maybe Gandhi makes a good point. If we control our thoughts and think on only what is good and helpful, and if we think carefully before we speak, our lives will find more harmony and joy.

Wise people think before they act. (Proverbs 13:16). A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time (Ecclesiastes 7:4).