Daily Stop & Thinks

Real change and emotional growth come by facing our weaknesses and personality defects as others see us. (Ted W. Engstrom, late compassion ministry leader)

Engstrom also said, “Backslappers help us feel better about ourselves, but we don’t actually profit by them.” We need the honest evaluation of people close enough to see us as we are but not so close they won’t tell us the truth about ourselves.
But [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What we do is not as important as who we do it for. (Tom Julien, missionary and author)

Another popular adage: What we do is not as important as what we are. Both are clearly exposed by what we do. Julien’s important emphasis points to the question of motivation. Are we seeking to serve self, others, or ultimately God?
Be shepherds of God’s flock … not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve. (1 Peter 5:2)

Be sure no time is so well spent as that which a man spends on his knees.  (J.C. Ryle, 19^th century Anglican bishop)

Unlike faithful Muslims who recite memorized lines several times a day, some Christians pray only before meals and at bedtime, often repeating some thoughtless phrases over and over. Because prayer is conversation with God, it should be as frequent and personal as a talk with a friend or family member—and include careful attention to what He is saying.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

A leader is a man who knows the road, who can keep ahead, and who can pull others after him. (John Mott, YMCA leader and 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner)

Some people aspire to be leaders, but don’t seem to realize that you’re not a leader if no one is following you. To lead you must have a positive influence on those you wish to move ahead with you. And leaders must earn the confidence and trust of their group.
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

Whom you would change, you must first love, and they must know you love them. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

How can we love someone who we think needs to change somehow? We must first understand that true love is to act toward another person in his or her best interest; it’s not just some romantic feeling. If we love that way, we might indeed be able to influence them toward change.

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. (C. H. Spurgeon, 19^th century British preacher)

Do we worry more now than we used to, or does it just seem that way? Has life become so complex and uncertain, that more and more people are anxious about their lives and circumstances?

Life was never intended to be that way.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

The atheist can’t find God for the same reason that a thief can’t find a police officer. (Author Unknown)

That makes sense, doesn’t it? Who ever heard of a thief looking for the police? He’s doing his best to avoid the law. Some honest atheists have searched for God, hoping to prove His non existence, only to discover Him through His revelation, primarily in the Bible.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 53:1)

Stop being so sure that you are always right and others wrong. (J. C. Ryle, 19^th century Anglican bishop, speaking to young men)

It’s characteristic of young people, isn’t it? They’re sure that they are right; rarely will they admit to being wrong. But, maybe it’s not just the youth that demonstrate that kind of

overconfidence. In the political arena, such arrogance is the norm; it’s expected. But it isn’t a desirable personality trait, is it? And God hates pride.

Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. (1 Samuel 2:3)

Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are. (William Hershey Davis, late pediatric physician)

Davis goes on to say, “Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.” So, character is no simple thing. If it is to be what we will be known by, we should pay close attention

to how we build it and realize that it often is developed through hard times.

Suffering produces perseverance [and] perseverance, character. (Romans 5: 4, 5)

Judgmentalism assumes that you have the right to change someone else. Well, you don’t. You only have the right to choose how you will change and behave. 
(Vince Poscente, motivational speaker)

We do think we have the right to judge others, don’t we? At least, we do it a lot. In reality, the only person we should judge is ourselves, choosing how we should behave and not being concerned so much about the behavior of others.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

People are very open-minded about new things—as long as they’re exactly like the old ones. (Charles F. Kettering, American engineer and inventor)

We’re often the victim of our past: “We’ve never done it that way before,” and similar expressions. We accept change but only if it’s within certain strict limits of our experience. Such an

attitude eliminates progress altogether.

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21)

I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life—specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown. (Erica Jong, American author)

Many people apparently live in constant fear, not of catastrophe or trauma, but of change or not knowing what lies ahead. A change of attitude could bring great joy and optimism into one’s

life, anticipating the positive and accepting change for its potential good.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)