Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

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).