Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Inspiration followed by motivation followed by perspiration improves any life. (Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist and radio commentator)


In his commentary Thomas’ statement was in contrast to the philosophy that tends to provide people’s needs without requiring much on their part. Whether it’s parents, educators, or politicians, Thomas’ counsel seems to be verified by life’s experiences. We usually get out of a project (or life) what we put into it. Intentional effort is vital.


The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

STOP AND THINK – You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)


Sometimes our abilities are hidden because we may think we’re not gifted in any particular area. Everyone, however, has something of value to contribute to society and, as Ziglar suggests, he or she is the only one who can exercise that gift. We must use our talents for the benefit of others and encourage everyone to discover and exercise his talent, too.


We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Romans 12:6). Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).

STOP AND THINK – Crises [break] down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place. (Susan Taylor, editor, writer, and journalist)


Taylor notes “In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change.” Whether a particular calamity is the result of a natural disaster or of some life circumstance, it often produces careful evaluation and planning to handle it. The crisis, then, may result in a very positive and beneficial outcome.


For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).

STOP AND THINK – Never compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. (Rob Lowe, movie and TV actor)


That was Lowe’s response when his son, about to begin his college days, said, “None of the other kids look scared at all.” You may think you’re the only one who has doubts and fears. Others may seem to be confident in their outward appearance. In reality, they may be just as fearful as you are, so don’t be controlled by what you think you see in other people.


Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25).

I’m more interested in what I discover than what I invent. (Paul Simon, singer, song-writer)


Simon’s comment suggests something about the personality of creative people. Certainly, they are proud of what they produce, whether it’s music, art, or a device of some kind. They seem to recognize that there is a lot more to learn, to discover, and build upon. Pride in one’s work is one thing; humility to recognize there is still more to discover is another.


When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).

STOP AND THINK – We read to know that we are not alone. (C. S. Lewis, British scholar and Christian apologist)


Lewis did not say, “We need to know that we are not alone” although he might very well agree to that. He is encouraging his students to read. When he wrote, he could not have imagined the Internet and the great availability of information outside of books. Yet, it is in reading good books that we discover a world in which we are an integral part.


The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone (Romans 14:7).

STOP AND THINK – It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19th century clergyman)


Have you ever faced that dilemma, whether to talk to a friend about his problem? If you’re concerned about damaging that relationship, consider the further word of Beecher, “To love a man so much that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship” (slightly paraphrased).


Wounds from a friend can be trusted (Proverbs 27:6). If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1).

STOP AND THINK – In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. (attributed to Saint Augustine)


Though this expression is often used with regard to theological disagreements, it is applicable to any situation where there are disagreements among people who are living or working together. As James Emery White, suggests, to get along we need to “agree to disagree, agreeably.” Don’t let pride destroy amicable relationships.


I appeal to you . . . that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you (1 Corinthians 1:10).

STOP AND THINK – For me, music-making is the most joyful activity possible, the most perfect expression of any emotion. (Luciano Pavarotti, late Italian opera star)


Pavarotti was a vocal artist; his God-given and trained gifts gave joy to both the listening world and to the performer himself. Whatever one’s gift—music, graphic arts, athletic ability, intellectual acuity—the performer will have that dual pleasure, giving joy to others and having a personal sense of joyful achievement. Question: how are you using your gifts?


Each of you has your own gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).

STOP AND THINK – The two most important days in life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why. (Mark Twain, American author and humorist)


“Why am I here” is one of life’s most persistent and essential questions. Is there some purpose for my life? Mark Twain, pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, no doubt found his purpose in creating real-to-life tales and humorous stories. But there is a deeper purpose to discover for our being here. When we find it, it will revolutionize our lives.


Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21). For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

STOP AND THINK – If you would create something, you must be something. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 19th-20th century German writer and statesman)


Most often artists and inventors do not create something merely from external influences and ideas. There seems to be some inward source that compels them to create or invent. Those who produce great works—whether artistic or inventive—are reflecting, to a large extent, their own character and essence.


The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being (Proverbs 20:27). For in my inner being I delight in God’s law (Romans 7:22).

STOP AND THINK – “Truth” without love is pride, not truth. “Love” without truth is enabling, not loving. (David Gable)


When you are really sure that you know truth, you may fall into a sense of pride, because you know something so certainly and there are others who are less sure. On the other hand, you may have such an emotional attachment to someone that you refuse to see the truth related to him or her. The Bible encourages us to always speak the truth with love.


For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).