Daily Stop & Thinks

GOD OF HOPE – You must be careful where you walk, and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set. (General Robert E. Lee)

Sunday School children used to sing, “Be careful, little feet, where you go.” Looking for role models, children will follow in the footsteps of parents or peers, unaware where it may lead them. Since kids aren’t discerning, adults, especially parents, need to be careful where their feet take them, not only for their own good, but especially for those who may follow them.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s ME. (Inspiration Line)

This is an interesting change to a familiar saying. And how true it can be! Most often we cannot change others; we have to accept them as they are. Change, most of the time, has to begin with us, with me. What a difference it would make if we were to recognize this truth and practice it!

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

STOP AND THINK – The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible. (Arthur C. Clarke, British science fiction writer and futurist)

Are you content to stay in your “comfort zone,” not stepping outside it to experiment with anything unfamiliar? If you are, it may limit what you can achieve. To accomplish something significant, we may have to disregard our fears and go beyond into the realm of what we may have previously thought impossible.

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:23) With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

STOP AND THINK – Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. (Terry Josephson, motivational speaker)

Such advice was highlighted in the book, The Power of Positive Thinking. It’s an important life principle. When you concentrate on what you think you can’t do, you are almost certainly doomed to failure. But if you consider the great opportunities before you and use your strengths to pursue them, you will more likely succeed.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – Humility is not a personality trait, it’s a choice…to put others and their interests first. (Gary Vet, American pastor)

Some people seem to be naturally humble, often regarding others more worthy or important than they are. This attitude may come naturally to some, but most of us have to work at considering others before ourselves. It’s usually “look out for No. 1.” Humility is a desirable quality that can be the result of an honest, but difficult, choice to put others first.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition . … Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t let success go to your head or failure to your heart. (Bianca Khanna, actress and model)

Good advice! Sometimes people let failures go to their heart, and it takes them into depression and continued failure. Others may let success go to their head, causing them to become proud and over-confident. Too often that leads to failure down the road. Both success and failure are part of life. Do not let either control your sense of well-being.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – Before speaking, consider the interpretation of your words as well as their intent. (Andrew Alden)

We all know how beneficial an encouraging word can be. We also know how hurtful words can be. And, as Alden points out, it’s not just the words themselves or their specific meaning, but their intent is important, too. When we speak, what do we intend? To hurt or to help? We must give careful thought to our words and intentions.

Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

STOP AND THINK – All doubt, despair, and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes love, rather than dependence on love. (Sri da Avabhas)

Everyone wants to be loved. To many, love is some kind of romantic feeling, like spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June. To others, it’s a very sensual emotion that may lead to promiscuity. True love, however, is seeking to serve another in his or her own best interest, doing what is good and right for them.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. (Roger Nash Baldwin, one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union)

The Irish have a similar saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” In other words, don’t talk about what you plan to do, just do it. You can accomplish far more with down-to-earth, practical good deeds than with lofty ambitions.

Good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. (1 Timothy 5:25)

STOP AND THINK – Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them. (Warren G. Bennis, American author and consultant)

It is important to have confidence when you set out to accomplish something worthwhile. When you begin a journey or project, you need to believe that you will achieve your goals. On the other hand, it’s good to realize that little is completed well without the help of others. Be strong but work with others to accomplish mutual goals.

… Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do. (1 Kings 9:1)

STOP AND THINK – If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. (Inspiration Line)

To many people, change is threatening. They like the status quo, to leave things as they are. “I like it the way it is now,” they say. But change can be good. You wouldn’t want to have the Model T Ford as the only choice for your family car, would you? Look at change as an opportunity to grow, improve, and discover something better.

God had planned something better for us. (Hebrews 11:40)

GOD OF HOPE – Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. (Inspiration Line)

It’s a hard lesson to learn, isn’t it? How often we try to “get even” with someone who has wronged us, and we display our anger to our own hurt more than our antagonist. If we could only learn to control our anger, no one would be hurt.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Psalm 37:8)