Daily Stop & Thinks

You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. (C. S. Lewis, late British writer)

When is too old too old? There may be a time, of course, when you can’t physically do some of the things you used to do. Play football or do calculus in your head (could you ever do that?). But, so long as you have some mental acuity, you can continue to learn and share your wisdom and experiences with others. Don’t let the number of years limit your ability to grow.

Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. . . . When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. (Ecclesiastes 7:10; 11:8).

Maturity is not the one with the most knowledge, but the one whose life has been changed the most by what they know. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

Maturity is not just a question of age. Some young people show more wisdom than some older adults. As Suitt notes, it’s not just a matter of gaining knowledge either. Knowledge can inflate one’s ego and doesn’t guarantee a wise use of what you know. Physical, emotional, and intellectual maturity are the result of learning and experience that effect significant growth.

Let us . . . become mature in our understanding (Hebrews 6:1). Those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger (Proverbs 24:5).

You must do the things you think you cannot do. (Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of 32^nd US president)

“I just can’t do it” is sometimes our reaction when we’re faced with either a tough job we don’t feel capable of doing or something we just don’t want to do. That kind of response, however, often stymies our personal growth and, perhaps, an opportunity for advancement. No matter how reluctant we might be in such circumstances, we need to buckle down and do our best.

Don’t try to avoid doing your duty (Ecclesiastes 8:3).

Thoughts control feelings, which control behavior. (Wyatt Webb, therapist)

Youth leader Ryan Hemlock expands on this idea: “The way we think controls the way we act. And the way we act translates to how we perform in our jobs [and] interact with others.” So many people defend their actions with the argument that “If it feels so good, it can’t be wrong.” That kind of thinking leads to disaster. So, first, guard carefully your thought life.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (Proverbs 4:23).

The most expensive thing in the world is trust. It can take years to earn and just a matter of seconds to lose. (Tupac Shapur, actor and musician)

Who can you trust? Our society seems to be more and more political. Most issues are becoming partisan with angry arguments that shed more heat than light. It’s unfortunate that we have to take what anyone says with a little skepticism. How quickly we see the reputations of public figures dissolve in a poorly spoken word or questionable behavior. What a shame!

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. (John W. Garner, late U.S. cabinet member)

Like words, you can’t look back and change the things you’ve done in the past. You may be able to erase words from paper or delete them on the computer, but you can’t treat life that way. It’s critical, then, that we watch our steps—what we do, where we go, how we behave. We need always to be aware of how we’re living and very careful to conduct ourselves honorably.

We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God (Titus 2:12). We want to live honorably in everything we do (Hebrews 13:18).

Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out. (Toby McKeehan, songwriter and recording artist)

As someone else put it, “It’s better to bite your tongue than eat your words.” It is embarrassing to admit that you’ve said something you shouldn’t have. What’s worse, many times there is nothing you can do to avoid the consequences of what you’ve said. Your poor judgment becomes apparent, hurt feelings result, and friendships may be destroyed. Guard your tongue!

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything (Proverbs 13:3).

Watch, lest prosperity destroy generosity. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19^th century social reformer)

It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? You would think that the more we have, the more generous we would be. But that doesn’t seem to be the way life really is. Have you noticed that even though some people have a lot of this world’s goods, they don’t seem to share a lot? On the other hand, some folks with very little are the most generous, sharing with others in need. Why is that?

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:11).

He is a fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. (Jim Elliott, martyred missionary)

Practical jokes on April Fool’s Day are often silly and comical. Everybody laughs (except for the victim of the prank). But Elliott was speaking of something far more significant—something for which he willingly gave his life. He spoke of the folly of trying to gain riches and fame when both are only temporary at best. He challenges us to value the lasting, the eternal.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:26)

What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon. (Denis Waitley, motivational speaker)

Our actions are determined beforehand by our thoughts. Occasionally, we may act instinctively without much thought, but that’s pretty rare. Most of the time, we do what we do because we’ve thought about it—whether it’s good or bad. So, it’s very important that we think right thoughts. What and how we think determines pretty much how we act and what we do.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Our responsibility is not change; it quite simply is choice. (Paraphrased from Josh Grill, psychologist)

When we look around at the world’s turmoil, we may wonder what our responsibility is. How can we change society? How can we bring peace to war-torn nations? In reality, there may be little we can do to bring about change elsewhere. But we can make choices that will effect change—first of all in ourselves; then, with those we may influence. It all begins with choices.

[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time (Hebrews 11:25).

He who is nearest to God is closest to man. (F. B. Meyer, 19^th-20^th century English pastor))

How can knowing God help us know our fellow man? Is it because God created mankind and knows his makeup? Is it because God sees the thoughts and intents of a man’s heart? Or, is it because God made man in his own image? The more intimate you are with God, the more he helps you to understand yourself and how you can better relate to others.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 11:22).