Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – I think I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others. (Booker T. Washington, 19 and 20th century African-American educator)

“Looking out for No. 1” might well online casinos describe the attitude of many in our society today. Self-aggrandizement and catering to one’s personal desires seem to be the primiary means to be happy. But, as many have discovered, Washington was right. Serving and helping others brings greater fulfillment than serving oneself exclusively.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

STOP AND THINK – Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. (Henri Nouwen, 20th century Dutch-born Catholic priest)

Waiting around for joy to “happen” is a fruitless waste of time. You don’t just get it by accident nor can you expect it to stay with you unceasingly. Like so many things in life, we have to make choices. We can choose to be morose, hoping that something external will bring us joy, or we can determine to find joy in God’s provision.

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

STOP AND THINK – The winds of grace are always blowing; but you have to raise the sail. (Orj Ramakrishna, medical practitioner in New South Wales)

In the physical realm or the area of business practice you would do well to discover where things are going well or where business is flourishing and get involved there. You have to take the initiative and not wait for it to come to you. In the spiritual realm, the same principle applies. God’s grace is offered freely, but you have to choose to accept it.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11)

STOP AND THINK – True happiness is … to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future. (Seneca, 1st century B.C. Roman stoic philosopher)

Some people seem to live in the past, always longing for “the good ole days.” Others are occupied with hopes for the future, “I can’t wait until (fill in the blank). Neither perspective will give much satisfaction, because we can’t live in the past or the future. All we have is right now. We’d do better to make the present the focus of our attention and effort.

Jesus said that those who sacrifice for him “will [not] fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age … and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:30-31)

STOP AND THINK – Peace is the ability to wait patiently in spite of panic brought on by uncertainty. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor and author)

We sometimes think of peace as perfect tranquility in an ideal setting: sunshine, blue skies, cool breezes by the sea, etc. In reality, however, what we really long for is that calmness that comes when everything else is in turmoil, not peaceful at all. It is well illustrated by the picture of a bird on her nest on a rock in the midst of the crashing seas and high winds.

Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

STOP AND THINK – The most likely man to go to hell is the man who has nothing to do on earth. Idle people tempt the devil to tempt them. (C. H. Spurgeon, 19th century British preacher)

Pretty harsh words! Someone has said that what one does in this life is but preparation for the next. No doubt that’s true in some sense, but what about the person who does almost nothing, the idle or lazy person? The old adage, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” reinforces the danger of living life without effort or purpose.

We command you . . . to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

STOP AND THINK – Be silent or let thy words be worth more than silence. (Pythagoras, 6th century B.C. Greek mathematician and philosopher)

It’s hard to be quiet in today’s culture. When people get together, they can’t stand silence. Consider the constant “chatting” on electronic devices—we often fill the airwaves with mindless chatter. The counsel of Pythagoras is wise. How online bingo much better it would be if, while we are talking or texting, we would actually say something worthwhile.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. (Proverbs 17:28)

STOP AND THINK – A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. (Josh Billings, the pen name of 19th-century American humorist Henry Wheeler Shaw)

Perhaps Shaw’s observation is true. It does seem that pets—dogs in particular—often seem to try to please their “master” without much thought of themselves. Whether it’s true or not, it’s a worthy lesson for people to learn. We might find greater fulfillment in trying to help and please others more than simply satisfying our own desires.

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 – Only failure can be attained without effort. (Roadside sign)

Very little of value comes without effort. Whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual, accomplishment requires the expending of energy—sometimes it may be in all three spheres. If it doesn’t take real physical exertion, it at least may require careful thinking or meditation. Otherwise, not much of lasting benefit will be achieved.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. (Jim Brown, American pastor)

In a society where “me first” seems to be the rule, humility is not highly regarded. People say that if you don’t stand up for yourself, who will? And some put on a front of false humility, hoping that others will boost their morale. We don’t need to put ourselves down, we simply need to put others first, willingly taking second place.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

STOP AND THINK – There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. (Epictetus, 1st century Greek stoic philosopher)

The philosopher’s counsel has at least one worthy lesson: worrying about the future will not bring happiness. You can’t control the future by the power of your will. But, is that really all there is to finding happiness? The stoic might find a measure of peace when he can overcome anxiety, but there must be some more positive approach to finding lasting joy.

The prospect of the righteous is joy. (Proverbs 10:28)

STOP AND THINK – Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character. (Albert Einstein, preeminent German-born 20th century physicist)

It’s popular to say that some very simple activity doesn’t “take a nuclear scientist,” as if being a scientist is the personification of intelligence. Apparently, Einstein viewed

it in a different light. A scientist needs to do careful research and experiments and report his findings with honesty and forthrightness, whatever the results.
Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making. (Proverbs 16:11)