Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. (attributed to Timothy Luce)

The author may not be widely known, but the quotation is challenging. Some people fear change and are afraid to move “outside the box.” As a result, they may accomplish very little, and their lives go unnoticed. The brave person who takes risks and ventures into the unknown may very well leave a legacy that far outlasts his lifetime.

Be strong and courageous. … Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

STOP AND THINK – Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance. (Samuel Johnson, 18th century English writer and critic)

It’s not only the big and the strong who succeed. We often are amazed at the achievements of smaller and weaker people who accomplish surprising feats, not because of their strength but because they didn’t give up. Life has taken them through hard times and over difficult obstacles. But they persevered.

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. (James 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – The problem with prosperity is that one is never satisfied. (Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist and radio commentator)

When is enough enough? If asked how much is enough, some would answer, “A little more.” If you think having more of something will bring you satisfaction, you are putting too much emphasis on things, and you will soon discover that fulfillment lies beyond mere possessions. Building relationships with people and seeking their good will bring greater satisfaction.

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

STOP AND THINK – We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an
infinite expectation of the dawn. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American Writer, Philosopher, and Naturalist)

Thoreau was not speaking of sleeping sickness or a penchant for “sleeping in.” No doubt, he was thinking of discouragement or even depression—a withdrawal from life, an inability to face life as it is. To keep going with anticipation demands looking forward with expectation, assuming there is something worthwhile to accomplish, some worthy goal to achieve.

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. (Proverbs 20:13)

STOP AND THINK – If you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others. (Sydney J. Harris, American journalist)

Harris wrote, “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.” What we dislike in others is often merely a reflection of what we dislike about ourselves. We’d do well, then, to work on our own improvement before we judge others.

Think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3). Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. (Romans 14:13)

STOP AND THINK – God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage (from a quotations blog).

It’s a simple and encouraging statement, but the promise has a prerequisite. Unless we have a faith relationship with God, we can’t claim that promise. So, we begin by reading God’s Word and committing ourselves to His guidance. True, the journey may not be smooth, but it’s through those tough times that we learn to persevere and to depend upon God’s care.

You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind. (Darwin P. Kingsley, American business leader)

We would probably agree that we “have powers [we] never dreamed of.” Many have urged us to live up to our abilities, to pursue higher goals. It’s true that we are often limited by our thinking, by lacking confidence in our abilities. It is also true, however, that most often we need the affirmation, help, and encouragement of others to achieve even loftier goals.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are. (C. S. Lewis, 20th century Christian apologist)

Lewis’ comments on two perspectives is really helpful. Where you stand in relation to hearing and seeing is important, just as two eye-witnesses see things differently though they view the same scene. Even more important, your personal approach to life will cause you to see things in a way that will likely color your understanding of what you’ve seen or heard.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion. (Proverbs 3:21)

STOP AND THINK – What goes into a mind comes out in a life. (Source unknown)

If this statement is true, what we put into our minds is critically important to the way we live. It’s even more sobering to realize that what enters the minds of impressionable children during their formative years, when they are eager to learn, will affect their lives permanently. Computer whizzes say, “Garbage in, garbage out.” Let’s make sure it’s “truth in, truth out.”

Set your hearts on things above . . . Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

STOP AND THINK – People are usually more convinced by reasons they discovered themselves than by those found by others. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French mathematician and philosopher)

Any good teacher attempts to follow this principle with his students. It’s often easier simply to tell students what they need to learn and know than to let them discover truth on their own. The good teacher will direct their investigations and research, enabling them, not only to discover truth, but also showing them how to follow it.

In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. (Titus 2:7-8)

STOP AND THINK – What sets heroes aside from the rest of humanity is the willingness to assume a personal responsibility for public problems. (Inspiration Line)

We find it easy to complain about the government, politics, and society in general, but few of us take personal responsibility to bring change. Those who do are the heroes, the people who are willing to risk their reputation and sometimes their lives to work for change. If we were to join them, no doubt lasting change would more likely be achieved for everyone’s good.

The Apostle Paul, “I urge that prayers and intercessions be made for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. (paraphrase of 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

STOP AND THINK – Taste buds are proof that God didn’t only want us to survive, but to enjoy the journey. (Randall Smith, American pastor)

It has been said that some people eat to live while others live to eat. Of course, we eat to sustain life, and we should be careful about how we eat for the greatest health benefit. But aren’t you glad for the sense of taste? It’s just another indication of a gracious God who loves us, which means He is always acting toward us in our best interest.

Command those who are rich in this present world . . . to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17)