Daily Stop & Thinks

The most worthwhile things in life often only come to flower over a long period of time. (Alistair Begg, pastor and author)

Someone else has said, “Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” When we plant a seed, we’d like to see the flower or the fruit quickly. But, life isn’t that way. We need to plan well, work hard, be persistent, and live patiently and actively in anticipation of the harvest that will come and the joy it will bring.

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

Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. (Marie Kondo, Japanese organizing consultant and author)

You may not be disposed to hang on to things from the past, but many are. They just can’t let go of their parents’ or even grandparents’ heirlooms. But things demand time and attention and if they’re valuable, insurance and protection. So, chose those things that mean the most to you and “discard the rest,” as Kondo suggests. You’ll enjoy the freedom.

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes 6:9).

Common sense is in spite of, not as the result of education. (Victor Hugo, 19^th century novelist and dramatist)

Hugo certainly was not against education, however. He also said, “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” Formal education is important, of course, but it must include more than mere head knowledge. Practical experience, trial by error, and hands-on learning are all essential elements in developing both common sense and wisdom.

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge (Proverbs 23:12.)

There is no future in any job. The future lies in the person who holds the job. (George Crane, columnist)

This is commencement time, and graduates are eager to find just the right job, the one that promises security and a successful future. In reality, of course, though having the job that you’re truly fitted for is important, the critical issue is the employee. The job’s success depends more on the character and persistence of the worker than the job description.

“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).

If you buy what you don’t need you might have to sell what you do. (Irish proverb)

Our desire for instant gratification sometimes leads us to credit card purchases or taking out a loan to buy something. The promise of an improved model makes ours seem inferior and we hasten to replace it. Suddenly, we’ve overextend ourselves. It’s wise to stop and think before you spend what you don’t have for something you don’t really need.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. (John A Shedd, author)

Have you ever admired the huge boats moored at a seaside marina? Those big yachts are really impressive, aren’t they? You could enjoy just living on one even if it never set out to sea. But that’s not what they’re built for, is it? Likewise, finding a safe, comfortable place to settle is not what life is all about. Set sail to achieve a meaningful purpose in your journey.

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. (Miles Kington, journalist)

Have you ever known someone who seemed very intelligent—had a lot of knowledge, but didn’t seem to make sense of the simplest things in life? With the unlimited information available through the Internet, it’s all too easy to gain lots of knowledge but not have a clear understanding about how to best use it for personal and community benefit.

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him (Nubiagroup.blogspot).

Some people seem to be in a bad mood most of the time. They are discouraged almost to the point of depression. And when you discover what it is that has discouraged them, you may find it is only a very small issue. How encouraging it is to meet people who are rarely despondent because they think positively and don’t let the little things slow them down.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

A girl’s true beauty is the reflection of her inner happiness. (Anon.)

In today’s society outward beauty seems to be at a premium. Advertisements in print and TV commercials exalt the pretty face and the perfect body, but very little is said or pictured about the real person. Not what does she (or he) look like, but what kind of personality and character is seen by their conduct. After all, beauty is only skin deep. Happiness is internal.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Darkness is the absence of light. Evil is the absence of good. (quoted by Tom Roy, author, sports coach)

Those comments are both obvious and significant. But the preacher whom Roy quoted went on to say, “What about words? Silence is the absence of love.” Many people regret that their father (or maybe their mother) never said, “I love you.” We all need not only the acts of love but the comfort of reassuring words of love. Tell your family today that you love them.

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me (Proverbs 8:17)

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around law. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

Readers Digest used to have a column titled “There Ought to Be a Law” that included common complaints that someone thought could be resolved by making appropriate laws. Well, we have plenty of laws of all kinds, but there still are a lot of law-breakers. People with moral character, however, can live honorably without excessive regulations.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5).