Daily Stop & Thinks

True discernment means distinguishing the primary from the secondary, the essential from the indifferent, and the permanent from the transient. (Sinclair Ferguson, author and preacher)

Many people today would not remember Sears and Roebuck catalogs. Most products were listed by categories: good, better, and best. The choice was up to the buyer. There’s a lot in life like that. We can settle for something that’s good, passing over options that are better. Our choices should always be for the very best we can be or do.

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

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. (Fred DeVito, physical trainer)

DeVito was probably thinking of people who want to get into better physical condition through exercise and training. But the principle can be applied to many other areas of life. Take education, for example. If learning comes easy, you may not pursue deeper concepts, because that would take some concerted effort. Are you up for a challenge today?

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

Readers are leaders. (Breakpoint)

Reading is an essential skill for successful learning. Volumes of wisdom have been written over the centuries, but that wisdom remains hidden to those who either can’t or won’t read. Technology has sometimes hindered learning because we can access so much at lightning speed. Take time to digest the knowledge of the ages by careful reading.

Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture. (1 Timothy 4:13)

If you want to be successful, know what you’re doing, love what you’re doing, and believe in what you are doing. (Will Rogers, 20^th century humorist)

Three easy steps to success, according to Rogers. But, sometimes we may have to really work hard to figure out what it is we’re supposed to be doing. To fully understand our responsibility may not always be that simple. And sometimes, we don’t really like the task given to us. But Rogers is no doubt right; we must learn to believe our work is really worthwhile.

My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task [God] has given me. (Acts 2:24)

All we need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. (Lucy Van Pelt, “Peanuts” cartoon character.)

We all know that sweets aren’t really a substitute for love. The popular song told us that “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” So, on this Valentine’s Day, it would be good to know what love is. Lasting, God-given love is more than just romantic affection. It wants only the best benefit for the loved one.

Love . . . does not demand its own way. . . . never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. . . . Love will last forever. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

If you don’t have the information you need to make wise choices, find someone who does. (Lori Hil, screenwriter)

When confronted with a number of choices, we’re often uncertain which is the best for us. Trial and error sometimes works, but more often results in disappointment. Hil’s advice is a wise way to go: ask someone who has faced similar choices or who has knowledge that may make your options clearer. Before you move, seek wise counsel from trusted friends.

The godly give good advice to their friends. . . . Those who take advice are wise. . . . Plans succeed through good counsel. (Proverbs 12:26; 13:10; 20:18)

The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships. (Abraham Lincoln, 16^th president of the United States)

Abe Lincoln, who was born on this date in 1809, is known for a lot of things, especially his honesty and persistence in learning. His writing and oratory are full of careful thought. Today’s quote, for example, while quite simple in form, is really profound. What gives life more pleasure and value than association with good friends?

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. (Proverbs 11:30)

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will. (Vernon Howard, late teacher and author)

Even if they act like it, there probably aren’t many people who really “know-it-all.” Most of us have learned that no matter how much we know there’s still a lot more to discover. Sometimes we might think we’ve “arrived” and learned enough about a particular subject. But there’s a lot we don’t know yet. So, let’s focus on learning something entirely new this year.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Be the change you want to see in the world. If we want to see positive change, we must engage and be a part of it. (Jim Hines, physician and gubernatorial candidate)

Instead of lamenting that things aren’t like you think they should be and asking, “Why doesn’t somebody do something about it,” take Hines advice and get involved to bring about the change you want to see. It isn’t always someone else’s responsibility. Live the change you want and recruit others to help you bring it about in the wider community.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5)

There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. (C. S. Lewis, late literary critic)

We have just said good bye to a year packed full of many surprises, and we greet an as-yet-unknown 12 months. We shouldn’t spend too long looking back; we must forget the hard things and, while grateful for the good experiences, it’s time to face forward and focus on the future. If we live faithfully and honorably, 2018 will be an even better year.

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

At some level, there will be discomfort in getting from where you are to where you need to be. (Bart Blair, minister)

Reaching a desired goal or achieving some great accomplishment doesn’t just happen. As Blair suggests, we’ve all discovered that life is not that easy. Someone else has said, “Any change takes big commitment because all change involves some pain.” We may have to remind ourselves that if the goal is worthy, the discomfort is a small price to pay to achieve it.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:18)

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. (Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize winning author)

Many people think, plan, and strategize for where they want to be in ten years, five years, one year. But, as Dillard reminds us, we live life one day at a time. That’s not to discount planning for success. Perhaps she is urging us to think more about daily living in terms of character and behavior. After all, what we are today is more important than what we plan to do tomorrow.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)