Daily Stop & Thinks

Impulses

If you’re too impulsive, you’ll make unwise choices, so when in doubt, slow down. (2 Minutes a day. 100 Devotionals)

TV commercials often are only 5-10 second sound bites with graphics that move by so quickly, we can hardly identify them. We often respond impulsively or not at all to such flashes of words or activity. Such constant quick responses can make life chaotic. Slow down today, and give yourself time to evaluate your choices.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (Proverbs 14:8)

You’re Valuable

You are valuable just because you exist. (Max Lucado, author and minister)

Lucado continues, “Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are.” We usually judge people by their actions. While some claim that people are good by nature, others argue that not everyone is innately good. Our value, however, is in God’s having created us in his image, and it was his intent that we reflect his nature and character.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Control

Given an equality of strength and skill, the victory in golf will be to him who is captain of his soul. (Arnold Haultain, late British writer)

In solo sports, where you may be competing against other individuals, the real test is how well you are in control of your own game. Whatever the sport, there are multiple challenges to your skill, knowledge, endurance, and even your conduct. Self-control, of course, is a challenge in the daily lives of all of us. Without it, we will surely fail at some point.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (Proverbs 16:32)
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. (1 Peter 1:13)

Falling

Descent is easy. (Virgil, ancient Roman poet)

Walking down the stairs, descending a ladder, falling down a hill—all are much easier than the opposite. It’s the pull of gravity, isn’t it? On the other hand, climbing the stairs, the ladder, or the hill is more difficult because we’re fighting against gravity. In Virgil’s poem, the Aeneid, he was likely alluding to a descent from a posture of loyalty, and that’s an easy fall we must avoid.

O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)

Faith

When we live according to faith, we see life from a different perspective. (William Wilberforce, 18^th-19^th century British parliamentarian)

Wilberforce continues, “We see it (life) through the lens of God’s truth. The unseen becomes seen.” Life is difficult without some guiding principle and purpose. And it’s faith that provides the foresight, based not on what we can perceive naturally, but on what is revealed through a focus on the God of the unseen who willingly reveals his truth to those who trust him.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. . . . And it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

Options

Life is a series of choices between the bad, the good, and the best. Everything depends on how we choose. (Vance Havner)

Only the older generation remembers the Sears, Roebuck catalogs—filled with merchandise and usually with three options: good, better, and best. It was all good, but you could buy better if you could afford it. Life has its options, too. Some are not good at all, and they are certainly to be avoided. The quality of our life, then, will most often depend on the choices we make.

Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. (Psalm 25:12)
A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)

Learning

A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind. (Sophocles, ancient Greet tragedian)

The wisest of men will surely recognize that they don’t know it all. There is still more to discover and learn. Unfortunately, in today’s world where truth is often ignored, minds can be frozen in their own political, religious, or social agenda, leaving no room or inclination to expand knowledge. That’s a failing agenda. Look for ways to learn and grow today.

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

Heart and Hand

The goodness of the heart trumps the evil of the hands. (Pastor Kip Cone)

Does this mean that if your heart is right, it’s okay to harm others? Certainly not! Evil actions reflect what is really in the heart, and a heart that is right with God will not intentionally or regularly do evil. What Cone is probably saying is that the good acts from a godly heart can overcome the hurts done with evil intent.

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. (Romans 12:21)

Creation

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

The intricacies of God’s creation are beyond human understanding, but much of value can be learned from it. In laboratories around the world researchers are discovering how to mimic certain natural features to develop helpful devices like Velcro, for example. Both the numerous stars in the heavens and the countless sands of the seashore, they’re all part of God’s classroom.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. (Psalm 19:1)

Look Up!

Keep looking up. It’s the secret to life. (Snoopy, Peanuts cartoon character)

Have you ever noticed how different people walk? Whether it’s a daily habit, regular exercise, or just casual strolling, their demeanor can be very telling. For some, a grimace might suggest they’re not enjoying it. Others are looking down as if fearful of the next step. Snoopy’s advice could be really helpful. You might see better and enjoy walking a lot more.

Set your mind on heaven above. . . .  Stay focused on what’s above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Words

A broken bone can heal, but the wound a word opens can fester forever. (Jessamyn West, American short story author)

The old saw about rocks breaking bones but words never hurting has long been discarded. Probably every living person has been deeply hurt by intentionally harsh or merely ill-spoken words. The closer to the victim the author of the hurtful expression might be, the deeper the injury. Guarding our thoughts and words is the most loving habit we can develop.

With their words, the godless destroy their friends. (Proverbs 11:9)

[But] Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Proverbs 16:24)

Rest

The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it. (Sydney J. Harris, 20^th century American journalist)

It seems difficult for many people today to find time to relax. Days off are skipped because of the rush of events or duties. We sometimes postpone vacations because of urgent business involvements. And even when a few spare moments become available, we hasten to turn on the TV or fill the void with some activity. God’s order for taking Sabbaticals is ignored to our loss.

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile. (Mark 6:31)