Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The world is full of cactus; but you don’t have to sit on it. (Proverb)

Like a cactus forest, the world is filled with thorny situations and bristly people. They can’t always be avoided. Some people seem to dwell on those thorny situations in life; they almost seem to take pleasure in their problems and hurts. The healthier person, however, tries to avoid the bristles and concentrate on the more pleasant aspects of life.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

STOP AND THINK – Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is. (Grace F Bartosz, Christian author)

Some people like to take risks; others won’t make a move if there is any chance of risk or failure. The very thought of “going out on a limb” will make their knees tremble and their heart skip a beat. But, we must all face life as it is, putting our trust in something dependable and sure to minimize or eliminate the risk.

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)

STOP AND THINK – Deciding not to act is deciding to stay exactly where you are. (Kary Oberbrunner, Christian author and motivational speaker)

Sometimes it seems so hard to make a decision that we fail to make one at all. In reality, of course, that in itself is making a decision—often, the wrong one. We’ve decided not to act at all. As a result, we don’t make any progress; we don’t advance or move forward. Life will remain the same, and we will likely regret the resulting stagnation. We must make a choice.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. (Joshua 25:15)

STOP AND THINK – The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important. (Inspiration line)

We rightfully respect the wisdom of years. We have high regard for those who have lived long and fulfilling lives. We often grieve, however, at wasted lives, and mourn the early death of young men and women who seem to have so much to offer. So, it isn’t the length of life that matters so much; it’s what you do with the time you’re given.

Walk in wisdom … making the best use of [your] time. (Colossians 4:5)

STOP AND THINK – [I] always felt that the great high privilege, relief, and comfort of friendship were that one had to explain nothing. (Katherine Mansfield, 20th century fiction writer)

In our world of hustle and bustle, we are often too busy to have a real friend—someone we can spend time with without an agenda. But when you do have such a friend, you can say what you want, or say nothing at all, simply listening or spending quiet moments together. A good friend trusts you, listens to you, and doesn’t demand explanations.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity, … [and] there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24)

STOP AND THINK – Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves. (Timothy Keller, American preacher and author)

It’s a paradox, isn’t it? If you begin to speak about your humility, you will probably lose Sie sollten das auf jeden Fall einmal ausprobieren!Es ist nicht leicht, das Online Casino zu finden, welches den besten Casino Bonus verfugbar macht. it, falling into at least the appearance of pride: “My humility and how I achieved it.” Even it others speak of you as a humble person, you will likely find it difficult not to take a bit of pride in their evaluation. Better to serve quietly and leave the evaluations to God.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

STOP AND THINK – – We grow small trying to be great. (E. Stanley Jones, 20th century missionary and theologian)

Some folks seem dead set on becoming great, accomplishing something that the whole world will notice and applaud. The goal seems more to be self-promotion than an achievement that will benefit society. Jesus had something significant to say about ambition and what greatness really is.

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. (Matthew 20:26-27)

STOP AND THINK – The speech of one who knows what he is talking about and means what he says—it is thought on fire. (William Jennings Bryan, former U.S. secretary of state and renowned orator)

Bryan was a political leader whose thoughts, indeed, were on fire. He knew what he was talking about, and no one doubted the sincerity of his words. In expressing your opinion, you need to have your facts straight, and you must live a life consistent with your words. Then, people will pay attention to what you’re saying.

Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect. (James 3:2)

STOP AND THINK – It’s not what happens to us that matters as much as what happens in us. (Jerry Sittser, college professor and author)

Sittser explains further: “The experience of loss itself does not have to be the defining moment of our lives. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss.” Loss strikes us all differently; it might be a death, job loss, or financial disaster, but the key is not the nature of the loss but the resources we bring to bear in recovery.

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

STOP AND THINK – – The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That’s the essence of inhumanity. (Inspiration Line)

To be ignored is often as painful as to be mistreated. We can be pretty clever at ignoring the suffering people around us. We can walk right past a vagrant asking for help, pretending that we don’t see him or her. Such inaction illustrates the lack of value we place on all of God’s creation. We must recognize that all men are created in God’s image and have value.

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – – It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. (Herman Melville, 19th century American author)

No one likes to be called a “copy cat.” On the other hand, most of us would probably admit that we’ve had very few original thoughts. Our thinking is almost always the result of input from multitudes of teachers, friends, and books. Imitation is not necessarily bad; just be careful whom you imitate and where you get your ideas and thoughts.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11)

STOP AND THINK – Failures are only temporary tests to prepare us for permanent triumphs. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)
When we experience a failure of some kind, we are inclined to stop trying. After all, we don’t want to fail again.

Swindoll goes on to challenge us: “Start doing something that you’ve put off because of the risk of failure.” Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from moving forward in the pursuit of something of lasting value. Exercise your faith. It’s worth the effort!

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)