Daily Stop & Thinks

Law and Order

The law is beneficial only if it is obeyed. (Bible study notes from Romans 2)

Laws are sets of rules created to regulate behavior. They are designed to maintain order in society. But what good are they if they are not obeyed? They make the difference between right and wrong clear, but, by themselves, they are helpless to ensure good behavior. A person’s proper response to law and order makes life safe for him and his community.

Whoever obeys the law is joyful (Proverbs 29:18). Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:19).

Priorities

When your priorities are confused, don’t be surprised if you are, too! (author Kenneth Brown)

Why is it that so many of us seem to be confused today when it comes to making decisions and choices?  Could it be because we haven’t established our priorities? The constant barrage of ads in print and the media often is confusing. Selecting a product or service to purchase should be made on the basis of the lasting moral or ethical decisions we’ve already established.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33).

A Written Legacy

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing. (Benjamin Franklin, 18^th century American political leader)

Franklin’s many writings, including numerous pithy adages, and his prodigious work for the American Revolution are certainly worth reading. The volumes he’s written along with the articles about him would fill a library. All are worth reading. What about our own legacy? What are we leaving from our life’s experiences that will be of benefit to our family and community?

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children. (Proverbs 13:22)

Perseverance

Genuine religion is shown by its power of persistence. (F. B. Meyer, 19^th-20^th century British pastor and writer)

One of the many characteristics of a person of “genuine religion” is endurance. His faith is steadfast, not giving in to momentary lapses. He or she is also persistent in reaching and helping those in need, as James describes: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” (James 1:27)

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. (2 Peter 1:5-6)

A Positive Attitude

Better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is almost always right. (Mark Twain, 19^th-20^th century American humorist)

When an outcome proves the pessimist to be wrong, he can always glibly say, “Well, I didn’t want to be right anyway.” It’s important to maintain a positive outlook when difficulties arise. Rather than expecting the worst, look for the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Better yet, turn to the One who can bring good from a bad situation.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Time

The biggest difference between money and time? (Source unknown)

The answer: “You always know how much money you have, but you never know how much time you have.” We all know there are 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day, but no one knows how many hours, days, or years he or she might have left in their limited time on earth. It’s important to use our time well, but even more important to know what comes after this life.

For everything there is a season . . . . A time to be born and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2)
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

Contentment

When we have money and possessions, we have no rest; in poverty, [we have] no peace. (Martin Luther, 16^th century Reformation leader)

Who seems to be the happiest around us—the wealthy or the poor? For the most part, neither group finds peace or rest in the little or much they have. Luther suggests a place for a more contented life: “In the middle is correct, that is, to be satisfied with one’s fortune.” Many people, even the rich, want even more. But satisfaction doesn’t come in possessions.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. (Philippians 4:11-12)

Doing What’s Right

Are you willing to do what is right regardless of the consequences? (A pastor)

Your initial response might be “Yes,” but if you faced a “do or die” situation, what would you do?   To tell the whole truth or to do what we know is the right thing to do could result in personal hurt or cost. How would we decide at that hard moment? At those times we recognize the essential nature of commitment to truth and principle.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:17)
Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical. (Yogi Berra, late professional baseball player)

This is another of Berra’s malapropisms for which he was as famous as he was for his athletic accomplishments. His comment, though mathematically impossible, is not far from the truth. Any sports coach or musician’s mentor will affirm that a proper mental attitude is critical for the achieving of one’s goals. To excel, be physically fit and put your mind to the task at hand.

So be on your guard . . .  Stay alert and be clearheaded. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Discipline

Discipline, like the hazards of the [golf] course, is placed strategically in our path as a reflection of God’s desire for us to grow in his wisdom and love. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers)

The word discipline strikes many of us with a certain amount of fear. After all, who likes to be disciplined—whether physically or not? The term is actually associated with disciple, one who is a follower, a learner. Well intended discipline is always for our good. When we encounter the hazards of life, it’s helpful to recognize that God has allowed them to help us grow as his disciples.

For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He corrects each one He takes as His own. (Hebrews 12:6)

Ill-chosen Words

Don’t mix bad words with your bad mood. You’ll have many opportunities to change a mood, but you’ll never get the opportunity to replace the words you spoke. (Source unknown)

Can you  remember a time when you let your emotions show in a really poor choice of words? Even among close friends, the thoughtless use of  poorly chosen words can have a long-lasting effect. Trying to correct those misspoken words later may not meet with acceptance. Choose your words carefully and be silent when you can’t control your emotions.

The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 10:32; 15:28)

Friendship

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. (C. S. Lewis, late Children’s author)

It’s a precious moment when someone shares an idea that you felt was your own unique thought. You’re asking yourself, “Does someone else really think that way, too?” In realty, of course, we realize that we have probably never had an original thought. We may not remember hearing it elsewhere, but hearing it from your new friend really makes your day.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)