Daily Stop & Thinks

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. (C. S. Lewis, 20^th century British apologist)

For many people the voice of God is rarely heard. In times of worship and prayer, they may have a sense of His presence, but everyday life often crowds out that “still, small voice.”) But when suffering comes into your life, you begin longing to hear from God, begging Him for relief. It may well be the reason for the pain: God wants you to hear Him speak to you.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings (Hebrews 10:22). Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:8).

Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed. (The Bible)

Some people are so independent that they refuse to accept advice from anyone. They think their plans are perfect (“inspired” even) and no one else could add anything of value to their well thought-out ideas. It doesn’t take long, however, for most of us to discover that we will profit when we listen to the counsel of others’ wisdom and experience.

The wise listen to advice. . . . Wisdom is found in those who take advice. . . . Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. (Proverbs 12:15; 13:10; 19:20).

Wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing (Socrates, 4^th century B.C. classical Greek philosopher)

They say that knowledge is increasing exponentially today. That is, we’re learning more and more all the time—so much so that we can’t begin to keep up with it all. Yet, the ancient philosopher warns that we must recognize that in spite of all we may know, there’s much more that we don’t yet know. Wisdom requires a humble spirit of continual learning.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning. . . . Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9).6

To pray, really, to pray is hard work, but it is God’s work and man’s best labor. (E. M. Bounds, 19^th & 20^th century attorney and author)

In the United States we celebrate the first Monday in September as Labor Day, honoring all those hard working citizens who produce the products and services we all depend on. Today’s quote is an unusual “twist” on labor, isn’t it? No doubt, it would be good for us to do our work well but also to pay more attention to our interactions with God.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

You can’t do everything, but everyone can do something. (Max Lucado, best-selling author and preacher)

It’s simple, but true, isn’t it? Yet, we often don’t do anything about the needs around us because they are so great. There are so many hungry, so many homeless, so many disadvantaged—we just can’t take it all in. That excuse wears pretty thin, however, when we may be very close to at least one such sufferer whom we could help if just a little bit.

Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up (Ecclesiastes 4:10). And we urge you, brothers and sisters . . . encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent. (Billy Sunday, 19^th-20^th century American evangelist)

People sometimes feel their lack of achievement is because they don’t have any special aptitude. We see others making advances with their sports, music, or intellectual gifts, and we think we just don’t have similar abilities. The real reason for our lack of accomplishment, however, may simply be that we haven’t yet set any goals for our lives.

So we make it our goal to please [the Lord] (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seed you plant. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19^th century Scottish novelist and poet)

We all like to see the results of our work as soon as possible. Most of us are pretty impatient, so we “can’t wait,” to see the outcome we’ve been working for. But, as every farmer knows, it takes time—and a lot of other elements—to produce fruit. Diligent work and patience are required to see a bountiful harvest.

Be patient . . . See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. (James 5:7)

An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone. (Charles Montesquieu, 18^th century French lawyer and political philosopher)

There is a lot of talk today about “marginalized” people: minority people groups that are often ignored: the elderly, the poor, and those of certain ethnic or religious backgrounds. When one of them is treated unjustly, it may go unnoticed. If not addressed, however, such discrimination will ultimately produce injustice to the larger populace.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity. . . . When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. . . . The righteous care about justice for the poor. (Proverbs 22:8; 21:15; 29:7)

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in. (Greek proverb)

Gardeners and farmers like to see their plants grow and produce in a single season. Landscape architects probably have a more distant horizon in their plans. They think long-term, envisioning a full-grown scene with both perennials and annuals. Likewise, wise people think and plan beyond the immediate future. They hope to make a lasting difference.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

People don’t choose to be courageous; they just decide not to be afraid any more. (Bob Goff, best-selling author)

Courage can be demonstrated only when there is some kind of danger that tests one’s character. Fear of personal harm or just fear of failure will keep many people from moving ahead or taking a chance in an uncertain venture. We can overcome the fear by facing it and determining to proceed regardless of the unknown future. That takes courage.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. (Jamie Paolinetti, TV writer/producer and former professional cyclist)

Someone might argue that we know only what we know. We can’t work or plan beyond our knowledge. But, we can dream, can’t we? That’s where imagination comes in. Progress in science and philosophy are the result of inventors and creators who think “outside the box.” If we ask God for wisdom, we will discover there is more to learn and more to know.

[It is God] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).