Daily Stop & Thinks

For fast acting relief, try slowing down. (Lily Tomlin, comedienne)

We’ve seen the commercials for some kind of over-the-counter remedy for heartburn or headache, and when you’re hurting, you do want fast relief. Tomlin, however, has hit upon a remedy that would probably help most of us in this fast-paced society we live in. It’s hard to slow down when there is so much to do, but a slower pace would certainly bring relief.

Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. (Psalm 143:1)

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you sow. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19th century Scottish poet, novelist, and essayist)

This is good advice at the beginning of a new year. What we hope to see at the end of 2017 will depend largely on what we do at its beginning and consistently throughout the year. We most likely won’t see a daily harvest, but we must continually sow good seeds of thoughts and actions that will produce good fruit in productive living.

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. (Proverbs 12:14)

Today is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one. (Brad Paisley, singer, songwriter)

The past is gone; the future is here. What will you write on the pages of this New Year? Whether or not you have made New Year’s resolutions, you surely have hopes and dreams—maybe even plans for 2017. Dream big, plan well, work hard, and ask God for guidance and wisdom to see you through the next 12 months.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

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, English teacher)

The year is rapidly coming to an end, and many will be taking inventory of 2016 to find the highlights to celebrate and the low points to forget. Cibenco warns us not to spend too much time looking at the past 12 months or we may find in just a couple of days that the past is all gone. We have a future to invest in so determine to make it a great year.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you (Proverbs 4:25).

The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. (Phil Jackson, professional basketball executive)

Jackson’s comments may seem contradictory, but they are like the proverbial “two sides of the coin.” He had great success as a coach, so his words are worth considering. No one should ever think he can win the game alone; he needs his teammates. On the other hand, he must recognize that his contribution to the team is essential.

Two are better than one . . . If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 19th century English poet)

Today we might add Kindles, iPads, or other devices that we use to read. Surely, the reading of good books is a worthy practice; it enlightens, encourages, and often inspires us. But there’s more in life than just reading that can give purpose and value—and that is a personal relationship with a God who wants such a bond with us.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend [God] who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

So, remember while December brings the only Christmas day in the year, let there be Christmas In the things you do and say. (Anonymous)

This is a good reminder to all of us who celebrated Christmas yesterday. God’s gift was not a miraculous event to be observed just one day in the year. If we have truly understood the purpose and significance of Jesus’ birth, subsequent life, death, and resurrection, we will want to reflect its joy, peace, and salvation in our conduct today and every day.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14).

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. (George Matthew Adams, newspaper columnist)

As you open gifts today, think of these words from Adams: “The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years.” This, indeed, is the greatest of all Christmas gifts!

 [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night, those angels peeled back the sky just like you would tear open a sparkling Christmas present. (Larry Libby, freelance writer and editor)

We celebrate today the angels’ announcement of the birth of the Christ child. Libby describe it this way: “Then, with light and joy pouring out of Heaven like water through a broken dam, they began to shout and sing the message that baby Jesus had been born. The world had a Savior! The angels called it ‘Good News,’ and it was.”

“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you” (Luke 2:10-11).