Daily Stop & Thinks

Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up. (Warren Wiersbe, pastor, author)

This is one of Wiersbe’s lessons for life, and it may be helpful to learn. Fences are a kind of boundary; they may say “Stay out” or “Stay in.” They may be there to protect those inside from dangers coming from the outside. Or, they may be there to keep those inside from going out into dangerous places. Before you go in or go out, be sure to find out why the fence is there.

We’re sticking to the limits of what God has set for us. . . . As your lives grow in faith, you’ll play a part within our expanding work. And we’ll all still be within the limits God sets. ( 2 Corinthians 10:13-15)

I believe that the best way to be a better teacher is to be open to the idea that there is more to learn. (Rita Platt, teacher)

What is the goal of teaching? A good purpose might be stated this way: “The teacher’s goal is that the student learns and changes.” Wouldn’t any good teacher rejoice when one of his students exceeds the instructor’s best teaching effort and becomes more effective than his tutor? Such a teacher can take pride not just in his own work but that his students are continuing to learn.

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well (Romans 12:7).

You always have to watch out when someone steeples their fingers. (George W. Bush, 43^rd U.S. president)

We may not know for sure what Bush was referring to. Was he thinking of someone whose posture suggested deep and intense thought? Or was he referring to the posture of prayer? In either case, you want to pay careful attention to such people. Deep thinkers can offer good counsel, and people who sincerely pray will always be an asset and encouragement.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16)

Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

There is more available knowledge today than ever before, and with the Internet, that knowledge is accessible to millions of learners. It’s important to be knowledgeable about our areas of interest, but the mere possession of knowledge doesn’t guarantee wise application of its truths. Meaningful achievement requires understanding, wisdom, and upright character for the learner.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge. (2 Peter 1:5)

Yesterday is ashes, tomorrow wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly. (Eskimo Proverb)

As we grow older, we tend to become more nostalgic. We long for the “good old days,” and we rehash the good memories, probably forgetting the less pleasant experiences. Others of us, perhaps the younger ones, are concentrated on the future, concerned about what may or may not happen. Both extremes rob us of today’s opportunities. Work your plan today.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14).

Thinking is one thing no one has ever been able to tax. (Charles Kettering, late engineer and inventor)

On tax day in the U.S., a little humor might help. Will Rogers said, “The income tax has made liars out of more Americans than golf.” But Kettering’s comment is more helpful and challenging. No matter what tax bracket we may be in—or even if we don’t have to pay any income tax—we should exercise our tax-free right of freedom to think widely and deeply.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

You must master your time rather than becoming a slave to the constant flow of events and demands on your time. (Brian Tracy, public speaker and author)

We all have the same number of hours in a day and days in a year. It’s what we do with them that is the critical issue. Some of us struggle with the demands of our lives: work, family, community involvement, to name a few. It’s difficult, sometimes, in the tyranny of the urgent to evaluate the opportunities to prioritize what is really most important and pursue that first.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life (Proverbs 9:11).

The best teachers are those who don’t fear being overshadowed by their students. (Author unknown)

Caring teachers want to see their students succeed; that is often what motivates them to follow education as a career. Successful athletic coaches take pride in their players who move on to stellar careers at the next level of competition. The same is true for leaders in the various arts (music, dance, painting, etc.). We should ask ourselves, “Whom are we grooming for success?”

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. (Luke 6:40)

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. (Jules Renard, French author)

Resting is important. We do need to take time to rest; our bodies need relaxed time to recover energy and strength. But, as Renard suggests, to “take 5” when there is work to be done and time is critical, your resting may just be the laziness he refers to. Be sure to take time to rest, but don’t use excuses for avoiding the work that needs to be done and that you’re capable of doing.

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. . . . Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4)

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. (From a Norman Rockwell calendar)

An acorn may not have had any ability to determine its future, but we do. The nut was safely buried in the soil, but when a sprout emerged and began to grow, it experienced all kinds of opposition like storms, wind, hungry predators, fires, and more, no doubt. The acorn was defenseless, but we can be alert to dangers and hold our ground to grow and be productive.

Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. (Revelation 3:10)

Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend all the care, kindness, and understanding you can. (Og Mandino, late American author)

How would our lives be changed if we followed Mandino’s advice? How would it affect our community, our world? If we knew our death was imminent, would we be more concerned about ourselves or those we engage during our remaining hours? Those are really tough questions, but there is no doubt that we should learn to care and encourage no matter how much time we have.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

It is not what we do that determines who we are. It is who we are that determines what we do. (Charles Ryrie, professor and author)

The saying “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say” suggests that actions speak louder than words. As Ryrie says, it’s a person’s character and integrity that ought to guide his or her behavior. What you do is important, of course, but what you are is essential. Our reputation should be reflected in activity that is wholesome and beneficial to our community.

Be careful to live properly among your . . . neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God . . .” (1 Peter 2:12).