Daily Stop & Thinks

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)

STOP AND THINK – Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. (Gilda Radner, late comedian and actress)

Radner also said, “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end.” She calls this, “Delicious Ambiguity.” Well, life does have its surprises, and things don’t always work out the way we want, so we need to latch on to the strong anchor that God offers.

We have this hope [in God] as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:9)

STOP AND THINK – Our performance is directly related to the thoughts we deposit in our memory banks. We can only draw on what we deposit. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

It is essential that we put into our minds and hearts character-building ideas and thoughts. As Jesus said, it’s what comes out of the heart that destroys (Matthew 15:18-19). Our world is filled with destructive thoughts conveyed through movies, TV, music lyrics, and visual and oral advertisements. It’s hard work, but we must control what goes into our minds.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public, and maintain a holy appearance, but it is your behavior that will reveal your true character. (Steve Maraboli, author and speaker)

Maraboli’s opening phrase sounds very much like a Bible verse: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). The behavior that “will reveal your true character” most effectively is what the Apostle Paul called love. Loving others is speaking with “spiritual eloquence.”

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

STOP AND THINK – A good conscience is a continual Christmas. (Ben Franklin, early American patriot)

Christmas is just three weeks away, and the stores have been reminding us of the coming holiday for more than a month already. As we anticipate this special day, Franklin’s comment should make us think soberly about our celebration. Instead of trying to be “good” because Santa Claus is coming, we should seek to live in good conscience all year long.

Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. (2 Corinthians 1:12)

STOP AND THINK – Excellence is to be desired, but perfection cannot be required. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

Doing things well is an excellent goal. We should all do our very best at whatever task we undertake. We should strive for excellence and encourage it in others, also. But, to demand perfection is beyond our human capabilities. It is through experiencing imperfections and failures that we learn and grow. Set the standards high and work hard to achieve them.

I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:8)