Daily Stop & Thinks

Opportunity

Water doesn’t go under the bridge twice. (Author unknown)

We don’t know what the originator of this expression meant, but we can learn at least two things from it. 1) Water will flow under the bridge in only one direction. To change its direction would require significant labor and most likely would not be worth it. 2) Perhaps, it’s another way of saying, “Opportunity knocks only once.” Take advantage of it while you can.

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone. (Galatians 6:10)

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:16)

Offering Help

A hungry man doesn’t have ears. (Stephen Joyce, son of author James Joyce)

A simple statement, but a pungent reminder of how we should consider our offer to help those in need. We may want to scold a homeless man for not looking for a job or “preach” to a down-and-outer about his need for God, but Joyce’s statement should help us learn how better to approach the less fortunate. A healthful meal might be the first need to respond to.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! (Proverbs 19:17)

Investments

A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in. (Investment advertisement)

The mention of investments brings to mind thoughts of money, bank accounts, the stock market, and much more. And yet, there are other investments that are equally—or even more—important. The use of our time and our minds, to mention but two. An investment in education, for example, may far outlast any financial or material gain in the market.

Letting [God’s] Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

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Sensitivity

Sensitivity is exercising my senses so that I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me. (Bill Gothard, speaker and writer)

When we think of a sensitive person, we sometimes picture someone who is easily hurt personally by the comments or actions of others. That’s not what Gothard is speaking of. He’s counseling us, not to think of ourselves, but to try to sense the other person’s “true spirit and emotions.” The question is how can we respond in ways that will uplift and encourage them.

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive. (Romans 15:1)

Encourage each other and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

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Character

You have to work on the person you want to be . . . When people look at you, what do you want them to see? (Toya Holiday, basketball player)

Good advice! Very little shocks anymore. Dress styles, exaggerated behavior, degraded language (both grammatically and coarse)—it all seems that “anything goes.” You might wonder if that’s the way people really want to be remembered. Rather than going along with the excesses of today, work to demonstrate strong character and moral integrity.

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (Psalm 119:2; Proverbs 2:7)

Change

My desire to change became bigger than my fear of changing. (Britney, recovered drug addict)

Change is a fearful obstacle to a lot of people. But, for people who recognize their need to change—whether it’s an addiction or another harmful habit, fear of the unknown often holds them back. What will it be like if I change? When we face such dilemmas, we have to make a firm commitment to pursue change. And, we would do well to seek help from loving friends.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. (Psalm 28:7)

Failure

It’s what you do after you fail that determines who you are. (Paraphrase from Sabaa Tahir, fiction writer)

From the toddler’s fall in his first attempt to walk until the day he or she dies, there will be falls and failures. The toddler gets back up and eventually can walk without falling. We shouldn’t make judgments of others (or ourselves) when we make unintended mistakes. As Tahir says, it’s what we do next that’s important. Get up, correct the mistake, learn, and move on.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

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Preparation

It’s not the will to win that’s important, it’s the will to prepare to win. (Bobby Knight, winning basketball coach)

Everybody wants to win. Do you know anyone who really wants to come in second? Maybe, but the yearning to win seems to be ingrained in us naturally. But, as Coach Knight points out, the desire to win is not enough; after all, the other guy/team wants to win, too. As hard as practice may be, it is essential to winning. Giving your best starts with preparation.

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Kindness

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. (Plato)

Plato’s observation of life way back in the 5^th century B.C. is not much different from what we can observe in 21^st century America. It’s not just the homeless and the jobless that are facing difficulties. Many who pass us in the street or work alongside us on the job or in school may be struggling. Look for ways to encourage them with a kind word or deed.

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Proverbs 16:24)

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Moving Forward

In order to reach your dream, the passion inside your heart must outpace the fear inside your head. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and speaker)

Fear of failure often keeps us from moving forward to achieve the goals we’ve dreamed about. Perhaps it’s the economy or the shortage of the needed resources that prevents us from taking the next step in our hoped-for endeavor. Wise planning is always essential, of course, but so is the courage to step out with confidence as the opportunity presents itself.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Looking Ahead

One thing with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us. (Michael Cibenco, teacher)

We’re well into 2019, and maybe it’s time to evaluate what progress we’re making. How’s it going with you? Have things gone a bit sour so that you’re looking back to last year, wishing things were like they were back then? Well, as Cibenco suggests, looking back may be just the reason that we’re not doing as well as we’d hoped. Let’s begin looking to the future with hope.

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 12:13)

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Gratitude

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. (Johannes A. Gaertner, author)

It’s easy to say “Thank You,” but gratitude should certainly extend to more than just the expected gesture after a kind deed or being generous in giving gifts on special occasions. When our lives begin to reflect a consistent attitude of gratitude, we will have an immeasurable effect on others. What’s more, a sense of well-being will pervade our lives.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)