Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Example is always more effective than teaching. (Samuel Johnson, 18th century English writer and lexicographer)

Are you concerned about today’s youth? Tests have shown that our teens are not doing well academically. And the moral climate has certainly deteriorated as well. Has anyone ever thought that the answer to this enormous problem might be that what students need are good examples? Teachers, parents, friends—all must teach by being examples worth following.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech (Titus 2:7-8)

STOP AND THINK – My wish isn’t to mean everything to everyone but something to someone. (Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 18th and 19th century German writer and politician)

Many people want to live a significant life and influence multitudes of people, perhaps as a politician, entertainer, or athlete. That’s not an unworthy goal, but not many will achieve such stature. But, we all can have influence on someone, perhaps our children or fellow workers. It should be our purpose to stimulate those around us to self-improvement.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)

STOP AND THINK – Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another. (John C. Maxwell)

What makes a person a good leader? We’ve all known people who have risen to high position and have impressive titles, but who in reality are not good leaders. It’s not position but the ability to recruit and wisely use followers that makes for success. The good leader has a positive and challenging influence on those who work with him.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account (Hebrews 13:17)

STOP AND THINK – There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. (Denis Waitley, motivational speaker and author)

Life is sometimes pretty hard. When tough times come, how do we respond? Some feel victimized with a “there’s nothing I can do about it” attitude. It’s easy to give in, but that doesn’t help. How much better to say, “That’s tough, but it’s up to me to work this thing out and find a way to improve this situation.”

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him (James 1:12)

STOP AND THINK – Time is not measured by clocks, but by moments. (Source unknown)

We’re living in a rush-rush society where time is king. We follow rigid schedules; we check timetables and plan everything to the precise minute. As a result, we sometimes miss the opportunity to enjoy the moment. As they say, “Take time to smell the roses.” Later on, when we look back on our lives, it will be moments we cherish, not the time details.

Be very careful, then, how you live . . . making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – It is one of those beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist and poet)

Learning to think of others and their needs and desires before we think of our own is a practice of maturity and difficult to achieve. But, as Emerson suggests, there is a benefit in serving others. Our good intentions and actions may bring greater satisfaction and fulfillment to us than even to those we’re helping.

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up (Romans 15:2).

STOP AND THINK – Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. (Albert Schweitzer, 19th-20th century German/French medical missionary)

The Bible teaches that a gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). It is often difficult for us, however, to reply softly or gently when we’re faced with someone’s anger. We’re inclined to respond in kind, only aggravating a hard situation. How much better it would be if we could all learn to answer quietly.

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12)

STOP AND THINK – Not in the flight of ideas, but only in action is freedom. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 20th century German Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi activist)

Ideas are important. As Robin Williams once said, “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” But Bonhoeffer makes it clear that ideas must be put into action. He continued, “Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of the living.” Pursue your worthy ideas with actions that bring them into reality.

May [God] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4)

STOP AND THINK – If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path. (Mary Webb, 19th-20th century English romantic novelist and poet)

How often do we pass by someone in need, because we don’t want to go out of our way? Our time is important; our task is critical, so we ignore the needy because it’s inconvenient to help. The biblical story of the Good Samaritan tells of a man who went out of his way and used his own money to help someone in need. We would do well to follow his example.

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy . . . whoever is kind to the needy honors God (Proverbs 14:21, 31)

STOP AND THINK – Funny how I judge others by their actions but want them to judge me by my intentions. Maybe not so funny. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

Isn’t that the truth? We are likely to judge another person solely by what we see him do without giving much thought to his intentions. On the other hand, we expect others to know why we’re doing or saying something and to judge us on our intentions rather than our actions. Let’s begin to change that bad habit today.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged (Matthew 7:1)

STOP AND THINK – It’s almost impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside. (Source unknown)

Is that really true? Try it the next time you see someone who seems to be discouraged and unsmiling. See if you can make him or her smile and then ask if he or she feels better. Or, try smiling when you feel sad. You’ll likely begin to feel better right away. Maybe it works the other way, too. Change your attitude; maybe the smile will come.

“If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile’” (Job 9:27).

STOP AND THINK – Boys take, Men give. Boys create problems, Men solve problems, Boys complain, Men figure it out. Boys pout, Men endure. (John Bryson, business executive, former US Secretary of Commerce)

Bryson is speaking about maturity, isn’t he? And, his comments certainly apply to girls and women, too. One way we can evaluate one’s maturity is observing whether they take or give, pout or endure, and so on. Childhood is a fun, learning, and growing time, but it must come to an end as maturity enables a person to make a worthy contribution to society.

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me (1 Corinthians 13:11).