Daily Stop & Thinks

Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare. False friends are like leaves, found everywhere. (Ari Joseph, graphic designer)

The biblical King David complained about the betrayal of a close friend. That really hurts, doesn’t it? True friends will never betray you, but they may confront you with truth that hurts. David had another friend, who faced him directly with his failures (see 2 Samuel 12), and the king repented and served his nation well, thanks to the rebuke of a true friend.

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. . . . Open rebuke is better than secret love (Proverbs 9:8; 27:5).

Let go of the people who dull your shine, poison your spirit, and bring you drama. (Steve Maraboli, motivational speaker and author)

They are the people who may be close friends or more distant colleagues, and they may appear to be trying to help. But, their advice and influence are hindering rather than helping. Maraboli says, “Cancel your subscription to their issues.” People who advance their own causes while hindering ours should be avoided. Seek companions who graciously encourage.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. (Thomas Edison, 19^th-20^th century prolific inventor)

Probably most people would like to be thought of as a genius. Some put a lot of effort into looking for some special inspiration to get them going to create or to do something new and unusual. Edison’s experience, however, demonstrates that perseverance is key. He said it takes a thousand attempts to achieve even one success. So, let’s keep working at doing good.

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered (James 5:11).

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. (Sally Koch, author)

A lot of people seem to be waiting for the “great opportunity” to serve, something that will make a huge change in life’s circumstances or will bring great benefit to multitudes of people. Unfortunately, most of us will not likely have such an occasion, but, as Koch points out, we all have many smaller chances to make a difference. Look for them today.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people (Galatians 6:10).

The only job where you start at the top is digging a hole.

We might wish we could start at the top. We’d like to be the leader, the manager, the CEO, but we don’t want to start at the bottom and work our way slowly up the corporate ladder. Yet, it’s only through the lessons learned, the skills developed, and the experience gained, working at the lower levels that prepares us for moving up. So, be faithful and work hard!

We work hard with our own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12).

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. (J. K. Rowling, British novelist)

We admire talented people—Olympic stars, great orators, and artists of various kinds. We’re often in awe of their accomplishments and think they are the result of their natural talents. But is their athletic or artistic ability the true evidence of their character—who they really are? It isn’t our talents and abilities; it’s how we choose to live that’s most critical.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (Proverbs 11:3).

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back. (Arthur Rubinstein, noted concert pianist)

There are many similar sayings: “Love makes the world go ’round.” “All the world needs now is love…” As Rubinstein suggests, if you have a loving attitude toward others, you will likely receive a kind, loving response. But love is such a misunderstood thing. It’s more than an emotion or a feeling. It ought to be our motivation to act toward others for their good.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

A job well begun is half done. (Chinese fortune cookie)

Many of us are procrastinators; we put off beginning a project for just about any reason. We just don’t want to get started. As a result, sometimes, we don’t ever do the job. What a shame! There is such pleasure in completing a task, and we can even begin to feel good about it once we just get started. A good start can almost guarantee a completed job.

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it (2 Corinthians 8:11).

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other. (Matthew Henry, 17^th & 18^th century minister and author)

Have you heard the saying, “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say”? Isn’t that true? If your life doesn’t live up to what you say, you are a hypocrite, an actor, pretending to be something you’re not. That mixed message will not only harm your reputation, it may do serious damage to those you wish to teach.

You, however, know all about my teaching, [and] my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance (2 Timothy 3:10).

Honesty is a good thing, but it is not profitable to its possessor unless it is kept under control. (Don Marquis, 20^th century American humorist and author)

This quote is really thought-provoking, isn’t it? Why would you have to keep honesty “under control”? Maybe the author is thinking about the harmful effects that truth may have when it is delivered uncaringly, like when you might want to be “brutally frank.” Truth is fragile and should be handled very carefully.

Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Understanding can wait; obedience can’t. (Rick Warren, pastor and author)

Do you remember when your mother or father answered your “why” question with “Because I say so”? It was never a satisfactory answer, of course, but Warren suggests the attitude we ought to have with those who are in authority. We may have to wait to understand, but obedience may well lead to it.

Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22 ).

Change your thoughts and you change your world. (Norman Vincent Peale, late minister and author)

Everyone lives in the same world, but not everyone sees the world the same. Your perspective or worldview causes you to view society and world events quite differently from someone with a different viewpoint. It is encouraging to know, however, that if you can change your mistaken viewpoint, you will see the world in a more positive light.

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view (Proverbs 17:24).