Daily Stop & Thinks

Champions

True champions compete against only one person—themselves. (Source unknown)

We live in a society where competition is pervasive. When you were a kid, it could have been a chess match or a spelling bee. Adults compete on a much larger scale, even losing thousands on a sports wager. But winnings vanish quickly, and titles are forgotten. Real gains in competition are personal and come from bettering your own score and improving your own game.

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Don’t Just Hear

It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do. (Jane Austen, author)

With all that we hear on TV, radio, and social media, you would think that broadcast speech is all that is important. But, if we hear only what politicians, podcasters, or celebrities say, we may only have a great void in truth. The best test to verify what we hear is to see what the speaker has done. “Actions speak louder than words,” so to paraphrase Ronald Regan, “Listen, then verify.”

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers (1 Peter 3:12).

Plan to Finish

Have enough courage to start and enough heart to finish. (Jessica N. S. Youric, unknown)

Anything of value must have a beginning and an end. Whether it’s a material object or a work project, it’s of little value if left incomplete. You may need to overcome the reluctance to begin a job, fearing that you can’t complete it. Or maybe you’ve started something with promise, but now you’re stalled. Pick up the task again with courage and the determination to complete it.

Finishing is better than starting (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving (2 Corinthians 8:11).

Contentment

The greatest wealth is to live content with little. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)

Have you noticed that many wealthy people who seem to have everything one could want are often not satisfied? Some keep working to accumulate more. Others struggle to be satisfied with what they have. Those who don’t have much but trust in God, however, often live a more relaxed and happy life.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. . . . For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13).

Artistry

Every artist was first an amateur. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century essayist)

Whether it’s an artist, orator, or athlete, most first attempts reveal a lack of experience. A good performance requires concentrated preparation and training. As much as we may wish we could paint a masterpiece or deliver a word-perfect speech, it just isn’t going to happen. Take time and work hard to master your art.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. . . . hard work brings rewards. . . . Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval (Proverbs 12:14; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Sharing

When I get hold of a book I particularly admire, I am so enthusiastic that I loan it to someone who never brings it back. (Edgar Watson Howe, 19^th-20^th century American novelist)

We often tell people about shows we’ve seen, sermons we’ve heard, and books we’ve read that we have especially enjoyed and profited from. We want them to have the same pleasure and benefit. Howe offers a great suggestion for sharing when he emphasizes the willingness to give up something of value for another’s pleasure and growth. That’s part of a life worth living?

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others (1 Timothy 6:18).

Yesterday

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. (Lewis Carroll, English author)

When we long for “the good old days,” we often forget that it’s not only the way of life that’s no longer the same, but we are not at all like we used to be. Our memories often recall yesterday as ideal. The reality is that nothing’s perfect and change is inevitable. So, seize the day! Embrace life’s changes! And try to keep up with the times!

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Identity

If the truth threatens your identity, the problem isn’t the truth. It’s what you’ve built your identity on. (Source unknown)

It’s a good idea to root your identity in the truth, but it must be genuine truth. For many people, truth is whatever feels right to them; there are no absolutes. As a result, their sense of identity may be pretty shaky because truth is so elusive. Make sure that the truth you’re counting on is genuine, not opinions or feelings. Eternal truth is found in the word of God.

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people (1 Peter 2:10).
Jesus to God the Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth” (John 17:17).

It Takes Both

Words without actions are the assassins of idealism. (Herbert Hoover, 31^st U.S. president)

President John F. Kennedy expressed the same idea when he said, “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” Hoover accentuated the damage to high ideals that were the bedrock of American democracy. Kennedy emphasized Hoover’s “actions” in terms of specific goals and aims: what’s the purpose and where are we heading.?

The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.  . . . Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3-4)

A Worthy Inheritance

No legacy is so rich as honesty. (William Shakespeare)

Shakespeare’s literary work covers the wide spectrum of life’s experiences. Though written 300-400 years ago, they offer important lessons to be learned from their settings and themes that are so often relevant to modern times. This quote from All’s Well that Ends Well emphasizes the values of honesty, wholesome character, and integrity in the legacy we can leave.

Honesty guides good people. . . .The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them (Proverbs 11:3; 20:7)

Aim High

Aim high, miss high. Aim low, miss low. (Pastor Chris Suitt)

The artist Michelangelo stated it more fully: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” We hesitate to set our goals too high lest we fail miserably. But good preparation and planning, along with the resolve to accomplish something great, may be the key to even higher achievements.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

October Days

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on and produce so pleasant effect on the feelings, as now in October. (Nathaniel Hawthorne, 19^th century American novelist and poet)

Midway through the fall season, we can appreciate Hawthorn’s comment, although not every day is necessarily as pleasant as he envisions them. For sports fans, it’s the end of baseball and time for football and anticipating basketball. For others, a stroll outdoors in the milder temperatures among the multi-colored leaves brings joy. This month, we have much to be thankful for.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1).