Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

It would be great, if we could follow Emerson’s advice, wouldn’t it? To begin each day thinking it will be the best day ever would surely prepare us well for whatever might happen that day. But not every day is always great, so to be realistic, we have to remember that every day is a gift from God, and we should enter it with determination and joy.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

STOP AND THINK – Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. (Source unknown)

Almost everybody likes a good hug. It’s a sign of friendship and can be a great encouragement to someone who may be hurting or lonely. Maybe it’s like the ancient Middle Eastern custom of kissing, which is still practiced in many parts of the world. Even the Bible sanctions such behavior.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)

STOP AND THINK – Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. (J. C Ryle, 19th century Anglican Bishop)

Bishop Ryle was speaking of dangers young men face. His language is pretty strong, but is worth serious thought. How much meaningless talk and activity are the result of simply not thinking carefully before acting or speaking? Be careful to think and to think carefully.

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

STOP AND THINK – Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States)

The leader of a great nation might be inclined to look back with pride on his accomplishments. “Teddy” Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was a hero in the Spanish-American War. Some credit him for restoring the presidency to its rightful place of prominence. Yet, to him, character, not accomplishment, was “the decisive factor” of life.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

STOP AND THINK – Millions of spiritual creatures walk the Earth unseen, both when we sleep and when we wake. (John Milton. 17th century English poet, author of Paradise Lost)

Probably many—if not most—people in the West are not aware of the spirit world. Many would deny the existence of spiritual beings. But Milton was merely acknowledging what other societies have long recognized. In fact, the Bible teaches that we must be prepared to fight against spiritual attacks, since humans, also, are spiritual beings.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

STOP AND THINK – You must do the thing you think you cannot do. (Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the 32nd president of the United States)

We are often faced with what may seem impossible to do. And yet, very often there is no one else to do it, and it must be done. In such times, it is only with courage and reliance on God that we can attempt to do “the impossible.” What great satisfaction there is in knowing we tried our hardest and did our best, regardless of the outcome.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed. (2 Timothy 2:15)

STOP AND THINK – Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning how to dance in the rain. (Vivian Greene, American artist, writer, and speaker)

We often spend too much time just waiting for the difficult times to pass. Better, to follow the instruction that when life gives us a lemon, we should make lemonade. Or, as Greene says, “learn to dance in the rain.” So, when you’re going through a tough time, turn up the music and dance.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t be a dark cloud on a sunny day. (Television commercial)

Do you know anyone like that? Things are going well; you’re happy and doing fine, and wham! Somebody comes along and ruins your day with their unhappiness, pouring out their misfortune or bad attitude on you. Wouldn’t you rather be the person who brings sunshine and hope into another’s life? Make it your purpose for today.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

STOP AND THINK – The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself. (Anais Nin, 20th century American author)

Externals are important. What people see of you has value, but people can’t see what’s inside. So, what’s inside is more important. In other words, internals are essential. What you think is what really determines who you are and how you act. What you bring into your mind and meditate on will enable you to benefit others.

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 – Just because you can only do a little does not mean you should do nothing. (Edmund Burke, 18th century Irish philosopher)

When the job seems too difficult and requires much more than we think we can do, we are often tempted to do nothing. After all, our little bit won’t accomplish the desired result, we think. But, if everyone thought that way and did nothing, nothing would be accomplished. We must all do our part, even if it’s only a little.

Therefore, my dear brothers . . . always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

STOP AND THINK – There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. (Soren Kierkegaard, 19th century Danish philosopher)

We are sometimes easily fooled by a brilliant argument or cleverly devised evidence, and maybe we aren’t to blame. But, we are at fault when we won’t accept the truth, perhaps because it brings pain or discomfort. And when it comes to spiritual things, we have to exercise faith, not in the event or the word but in the author of truth.

In him [Jesus] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12).

STOP AND THINK – There can only be true despair when there is no hope. (from Batman, the Movie)

The Bible says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12). In difficult times the circumstances may be hard to cope with, but the problem is so much worse when there is little hope of relief. When you meet someone who’s having a hard time, encourage them and point them to the source of hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)