Daily Stop & Thinks

GOD OF HOPE – Nothing is useful which is not honest. (Benjamin Franklin, early American diplomat)

In a day when “might makes right” and “the end justifies the means,” a maxim like Franklin’s seems old-fashioned and out of place. Yet, in contrast to much modern thinking, truth is not determined by circumstance or time. It is objective and timeless. Lasting value and usefulness are the results of honest endeavor.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. (Proverbs 16:13)

GOD OF HOPE – Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers. (seen on a church billboard)

Many people see God as a worthy object of worship and want to please Him in some way, perhaps by doing good deeds. Others, however, look to God, not so much for direction, as for advice to be taken or ignored. That begs the question, how big is your God? Can you trust Him as your advisor?

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)

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers. (seen on a church billboard)

Many people see God as a worthy object of worship and want to please Him in some way, perhaps by doing good deeds. Others, however, look to God, not so much for direction, as for advice to be taken or ignored. That begs the question, how big is your God? Can you trust Him as your advisor?

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)

GOD OF HOPE – Ambition is the fuel of achievement. (Joseph Epstein, American essayist and editor)

Ambition may be a good trait or an evil characteristic. Some ambitious people pursue a goal so vigorously that they run roughshod over others, caring little about whom they might hurt, climbing the ladder to success. Proper ambition, however, moves steadily toward a worthy goal while trying to help others along the way.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

STOP AND THINK – Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. (Winston Churchill, World War II British Prime Minister)

Many things in life are beyond our control: the weather, other people’s behavior, the place we were born, etc. But the most important element that we Bladdra mellan vara onlinesverigecasinon.com spel for direktspelValkommen till PlayMillion Casinos spelsektion – Gillar du casinospel? Det gor vi ocksa och darfor har vi samlat de basta mojliga kasinospelen pa natet for din rakning . can and must control is our attitude. Our attitude will determine how we handle the events of life and the circumstances around us. Keep a positive, kind attitude. It will make a big difference in your life.

For the word of God is alive and active . . . it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better. (John Updike, 20th century American writer and literary critic)

When we continue doing what we do in the same old way every time, it not only becomes routine, but it also may become tiresome and sterile. However, if we try to do it a bit differently, especially with a view to improvement, it will bring better results as well as satisfaction.

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it. (2 Corinthians 8:11)

STOP AND THINK – The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts but of values. (William Ralph Inge, 19th-20th century English author, Anglican priest, and educator)

There are many ways to teach and many theories of education. We say that the teacher hasn’t taught unless the student has learned. But the important question is what has he learned? The student who has merely gained some facts is not yet well educated. Along with knowledge must come wisdom and discernment, resulting in the learning of principles and ethics.

For giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:4, 5)

STOP AND THINK – To teach is to learn twice. (Joseph Joubert, 18-19th century French essayist)

Everyone who has ever attempted to teach a subject that he or she is not thoroughly familiar with has discovered the truth of this statement. Not only do we learn by doing, we learn also by teaching. To prepare carefully to teach is to guarantee that at least the teacher will learn. And the students will very likely learn as well.

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

STOP AND THINK – People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. (James Allen, 19th-20th century writer)

When things are not going well, we usually want to see a change in our circumstances or environment—or maybe in the people around us. Rarely do we consider that the change may have to be within us. Perhaps we are the problem. It’s difficult to acknowledge that we may need to change, and it may be even harder to make the change, but we really need to do so.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

STOP AND THINK – We hide our hurts, and in the process we sabotage our healing. (quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, author and counselor)

Most of us are reluctant to talk about our hurts. They are personal and private, so we try to hide them from the public. Our minds create defense mechanisms and coping strategies to hide the pain. But until we bring it out either to confront the hurt ourselves or to seek counsel from a trusted friend, we will continue to suffer.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6, 7)

STOP AND THINK – – The unexamined life is not worth living. (Socrates, 5th century B. C. Greek philosopher)

Many people seem to be pretty care-free about living. Eat, drink, and be merry might well be their life principle, and their influence is not lasting. But the person whose life has purpose is the one who makes a significant contribution to society. He or she can be scrutinized and examined, and those who look will find evidences of honesty, truth, integrity, and character.

My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. (1 Corinthians 4:4)

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

At this writing, someone has just won a mega-million dollar lottery. The winner will, no doubt, discover that he has lots of relatives’ and friends he didn’t know he had before the payoff. Had he fallen into some kind of tragedy through accident or an act of God, would he have found so many friends? Let us be sure to be constant friends, especially in adversity.

Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. (Proverbs 19:4) A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)