Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. (Carl Bard, Scottish theologian)

We sometimes wish that we could just start again. “If I could just do it all over,” we might say,” thinking we would do things differently and have success instead of failure. But, of course, we know we can’t go back. But, as Bard says, we can start again where we are now and, knowing what we know, see a new result.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please (Isaiah 46:10).

STOP AND THINK – It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves. (Sydney J. Harris, late newspaper journalist)

Apparently, our self image greatly influences how we view other people and, perhaps, life in general. If we’re sad and pessimistic, we probably view life as sad and hard to cope with. Is Harris right when he concludes, “If you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others”? If so, we need a spiritual adjustment.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. . . . A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 12:25; 17:22).

STOP AND THINK – Tough times never last, but tough people do! (Robert Schuller, late television preacher and author)

It’s often been said that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” No matter how difficult the present problem, we can be glad that it will eventually pass. And Schuller also encourages us that when those tough difficulties come, “Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines.” In those times, we need to determine to persevere and win.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).

STOP AND THINK – Trust is the foundation of leadership. (John Maxwell, motivational speaker and author)


People may be attracted to public figures because of their music, acting, or athletic skill—or, perhaps, because of their persuasive speaking ability or their success in some public venue. But unless you find that person to be trustworthy, you will very likely look to someone else for leadership. Character and integrity are not built on skill or attractiveness but on trust.


Select capable men . . . who fear God, trustworthy men . . . and appoint them as officials (Exodus 18:21).

STOP AND THINK – A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

After imprisonment for his anti-Apartheid protests, Mandela saw the collapse of that racist policy and was ultimately elected to the highest office in his country. He not only had the necessary intellect (head) for his grand achievements, but he also possessed the compassion (heart) that enabled him to succeed in the most difficult of circumstances.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3).

STOP AND THINK – Love may not make the world go around, but, I must admit it makes the ride worthwhile. (Sean Connery, Scottish actor)


Romantic novels, plays, and movies often picture love as the cure for all of our ills. If we can just find love, we can be successful, happy, and admired. Mankind was created to enjoy healthy relationships of mutual benefit, but too often love is selfish and self-centered. If on the other hand, it is focused on the benefit of the loved one, it will be like God’s love.


Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love (Ephesians 5:1).

By: JDI – Dave Illingworth

When Jesus visited Earth 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people were struggling to figure out how to please God and get Him to send the Messiah to restore Israel to her rightful place in the world.

 
The Sadducees were responsible for running the temple. They were liberal, worked with the ruling government officials, and tried to please God by ensuring things ran smoothly and comfortably while waiting for God to act. The Pharisees considered themselves the spiritual leaders. They were conservative and insisted on strict enforcement of God’s law. If Israel would follow the law, God would be pleased and send the Messiah to restore Israel. The Essenes believed they needed to isolate themselves from surrounding corruption, so to please God they went into the desert to live in solitude. The Zealots believed God demanded action and wanted them to use violence against the idolaters of Rome and anyone who committed sacrilegious acts. Each of the factions hated the other and strongly disagreed with their approach to God, particularly the Sadducees and Pharisees.

 
Jesus arrived on the scene and made enemies of them all because He told them they were all wrong! Jesus announced a dramatic and radical new approach to God that would threaten all their strongly held beliefs, creating intense disagreements and turning their world upside-down and inside-out. Jesus said the way to approach God was to love Him with all your heart, mind, and strength. The way to please God was to love one another.

 
If Jesus were to visit us today in the 21st century, would He again make enemies? There are 2.2 billion Christians on Earth and, according to Christianity Today magazine, 43,000 different denominations around the world. The main denominations are Catholic, Protestant, and Greek Orthodox. Each of these is further divided into liberal (Sadducees?) and conservative (Pharisees?) factions with different rules on how to approach God and how to please Him. Liberals believe we all need to get along with each other, and there are many paths to God—while conservatives believe Jesus is one and only path to God, with strict adherence to behavioral rules that must be followed. Others (Essenes?) withdraw from the world into convents, or isolate themselves like the Exclusive Brethren or, to a lesser degree, the Amish. Still others such as the Army of God (Zealots?) and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation believe that justifiable homicide is necessary to bring about God’s kingdom on Earth.

 
Christians are embarrassed, appalled, and horrified by what other Christians do in the name of Jesus. As Atheists watch in amusement, the non-religious are turned off by Christians criticizing each other and judging everyone else. If Jesus were to visit us today, would He make more enemies? Would He need to remind us all that we are wrong? We are to love God and love one another.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Maybe we should use our relationships to love, forgive, and treat people with respect so that others might come to know God through Jesus and have hope.

STOP AND THINK Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life. (Dr. Herbert A. Otto, author)


There is no doubt that growth often involves a willingness to make changes in your habits and lifestyle. Many people are unwilling to take that risk, fearing failure and embarrassment. And Dr. Otto’s challenge to experiment with life could be dangerous. You need to have a healthy self image and a solid foundation of good behavior.


Teach them [God’s] decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave (Exodus 18:20).

STOP AND THINK: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. (Albert Einstein, noted theoretical scientist)
Bike riders know full well that the slower they pedal, the more difficult it is to stay upright. As Einstein suggests, life is a lot like that. Occasional rest stops are essential for good health, but inertia can make us useless. It’s so much easier to steer a moving vehicle than one at a dead stop. So, keep moving forward to maintain a healthy balance in life.
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion (Proverbs 5:1-2).

STOP AND THINK: Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. (Benjamin Franklin, statesman, inventor, and author of practical maxims)

Most people try to say the right things at the right time, hoping to be helpful and engaged. As Franklin says, however, the greater problem is not saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Some people with a glib tongue, attempting to be humorous, sometimes say things that hurt. It’s hard work to guard one’s tongue, but it can save a lot of embarrassment.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless (James 1:26)

STOP AND THINK: Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century essayist and poet)

Who can you trust? We’re living in a time when it seems difficult to find trustworthy leaders. But when you find a person in whom you can place unlimited trust, you can be assured of his reliability. And those you treat with respect and loyalty will most often demonstrate that your faith is well-placed as they ascend to great achievements.

The Lord . . . delights in people who are trustworthy (Proverbs 12:22). It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).