Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – You don’t feel your way into acting, you act your way into feeling. (Quoted by James Emery White, pastor and author)

Sometimes we don’t do something we know we should do because “we don’t feel like it.” The Bible says we are to act toward others in love, but suppose we don’t feel like it. Are we hypocrites if we do? White’s quote is correct. We learn by doing, and when we do what is right, we begin to feel better about it. So, don’t hesitate; just do it!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

STOP AND THINK – The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable (Ralph W. Sockman, 20^th century radio preacher).

Christmas is just a week away, and we may not have taken time to consider the centrality of Christ’s coming in history. Our calendars are based on the His coming. 2014 A.D. counts the time since His birth. 100 B.C. would point to one hundred years before He came. Indeed, His coming is the hinge of history, so we’d be wise to discover its real meaning.

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son … to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. (Dr. Seuss, children’s author)

What good advice for adults as well as children! When good things we enjoy come to an end—whether it’s a relationship or an activity—we often go through times of sadness and even grief. That’s normal, but if we can recall how great the experience was and give thanks that we had it, our tears will be replaced with a smile.

I will forget my complaint; I will change my expression, and smile. (Job 9:27)

STOP AND THINK – Nobody can afford to look round and to wait for somebody else to do what he is loath to do himself. (Carl G. Jung, 20^th century Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology)

When we see things that need to change, we often say, “Somebody ought to do something about that.” “It’s the government’s responsibility.” But Jung suggests, “As any change must begin somewhere, it is the single individual who will experience it and carry it through.” Instead of looking for someone else to do it, maybe we should ask, “What can I do about it?”

Anyone who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, sins. (James 4:17)

STOP AND THINK – When it comes to making decisions, more often than not, you cannot trust your heart. Instead, you need to trust God. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

Quite often we’re told (especially in romantic novels) to just trust our hearts. But the Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jeremiah 17:9). While we shouldn’t ignore our emotions, we must use our God-given reasoning skills, informed by His Word, to make our choices in ways that will enhance our lives and honor God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

STOP AND THINK – If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen. (Loretta Girzartis, American educator and writer)

In spite of crowded malls, theaters, and sports arenas, a lot of people are lonely today. To be alone when surrounded by people is a difficult experience for anyone. If we will just reach out to such people, as Girzatis says, to “stretch out a hand or whisper encouragement,” trying to understand their plight, we may launch the beginning of a great experience for them.

And we urge you . . . encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

STOP AND THINK – Great gains usually are not achieved by giant steps, but the collection of many small ones. (Quoted by Bill Katip, American college president)

We sometimes think that we will not achieve much without taking big steps, one after another. In reality, of course, that rarely happens. It’s the consistent, purposeful, little steps of progress that help us attain worthy goals. So, be careful not to despise small steps as long as they move forward to achieve the ultimate goal.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:14)

STOP AND THINK – The greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. (F. B. Meyer, 19^th-20^th century English pastor and evangelist)

People sometimes complain that God hasn’t answered their prayers. In might just be that they didn’t understand the answer. Expecting a yes, they didn’t recognize a no, so they think God didn’t answer. As Meyer says, however, the greater problem is that we too seldom seek God in prayer, not just to get something but merely to enjoy a personal relationship with Him.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)

STOP AND THINK – Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! (Hamilton Wright Mabie, 19^th and 20^th century American essayist and lecturer)

Christmas is just two weeks away, but we don’t need to wait until the 25^th to begin to act like we believe in Christmas. As Mabie suggests, this is the season for demonstrating love; but why should it be limited to a day, or a week, or even a month? Christians, who understand the true meaning of Christmas, are to be known by that primary quality, love.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

STOP AND THINK – In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends. (John Churton Collins, 19^th century British literary critic)

When you’ve done really well at something—a rare athletic feat, a noteworthy community achievement, a significant financial advance—you no doubt discovered you had a lot of friends you hadn’t known about. But, when hard times come, than you will likely discover who your real friends are—those who come to help rather than to gain something from you.

Wealth attracts many friends (Proverbs 19:4). Everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts (Proverbs 19:6). A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).

STOP AND THINK – Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath. (William Gurnall, 17^th century English author and clergyman )

Gurnall calls this “the rejoicing of hope.” Even when life brings difficulties into our experience, we can be comforted. We can cry while also having a sense of well-being. Sadness and joy can both be present in the difficult events of life. How? By finding our deepest joy from a strong relationship with God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope. (Romans 15:13)

STOP AND THINK – Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. (John Wooden, late renowned coach)

Living by those three couplets could help us achieve some measure of success. The first and third are related. When we clearly recognize that our abilities are given by God, there can be no reason for conceit. Rather, it’s a humble acceptance of the gift and the determination to use it well. If we achieve some fame, we can be grateful, but we must never give in to pride.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. . . For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 25:9; 149:4)