Daily Stop & Thinks

Work

Want without will doesn’t work. (Tom Kight, investment manager)

He continues, “If you are not willing to make the required investment . . . to pay the price, if you don’t have an ‘I will’ mindset, you will not achieve what you want.” Success is earned by those who pay the required price. While a few might be born with “a silver spoon in their mouth,” that’s not true for most people. For them, success requires hard work.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life . . .  working with your hands, just as we instructed you before (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Encouragement

We need to be givers and receivers of encouragement in our home, to our friends on the golf course, and to people in the rest of our life. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers)

If you watch professional golf matches on TV, you may wonder how the competitors get along. Are they wishing each other well on their difficult shots or are they, at least secretly, hoping they’ll slice the shot into a sand trap or the water? The authors do well to urge all of us to be encouragers, wishing the best for others and, actually, helping them along the way.

The words of the godly encourage many, (Proverbs 10:21). Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).

“Some Action Required”

Between dreams and reality lies action. (Yvonne Farley, social worker)

The late Dr. Jonas Salk explained it a bit further, “Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” There are lots of dreamers, people who have really good ideas, but there are too few of them who take the necessary action to bring their aspirations to life.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). So, prepare your minds for action (1 Peter 1:13).

Joy

Joy is not a choice, but a result of our choices. (Janine Lansing, author)

Most faces in the crowds today don’t seem to show much joy. Instead, you’ll likely see concern, worry, even fear. It’s not just life’s circumstances which are often difficult; quite often the dour expressions are the result of poor choices in health, family, or financial issues. You can’t just choose joy, you have to make choices all along the way that will allow you to experience joy.  

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. The life of the godly is full of light and joy (Proverbs 3:13; 13:9).

Independence Day

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. (Peter Marshall, late US Senate chaplain)

We are grateful for those who made it possible for us to live in an independent republic where freedom is guaranteed to its citizens. And the truth of Marshall’s comment must be re-learned by every generation. We have seen how freedom is often misused, thinking you can do whatever you want to satisfy your own needs or wants. Let’s return to the fundamental truth of liberty.

For you have been called to live in freedom . . .  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

Children’s Books

No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty . . .  (C. S. Lewis, late British apologist)

Lewis added: “– except, of course, books of information.” A lot of us have probably forgotten most of the books that were read to us as children. We might remember a few. But to rediscover them now in reading to our own children brings back many memories and maybe a bit more understanding. It might be beneficial to find and read those books again.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do (Joshua 1:8).

Truth

Without courage there cannot be truth, and without truth there can be no other virtue. (Sir Walter Scott, 18th-19th century Scottish playwright and poet)

For some people truth seems to be elusive and relative. It means one thing now and another thing later. In reality, of course, there is such a thing as absolute truth, and, as Scott suggests, to stand by it may demand courage in the face of skeptics and scoffers. He further states that every other virtue stands or falls with truth. We’d best give ourselves to finding and defending it.

God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone . . . (2 Timothy 2:19). You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it (Colossians 1:23). 

Power

The power is between your ears. The power is in your heart. (Jim Brown, late pro football legend)

Brown was one of the most powerful runners in college and professional football. He knocked over or simply dragged would-be tacklers with him. Yet, he was smart enough to realize that physical strength is not the real force in life. What a pity that some fight for positions of authority while overlooking power’s true source–wisdom and compassion that come from God.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan (Proverbs 29:2).

Relationships

If we are called to live at one extreme, it is extreme godliness. Beyond that, we must seek balance and moderation. (Beau Stanley, spiritual trainer)

Every year seems to be a political year these days. As a result, we hear loud voices at both extremes of the partisan spectrum. But, as Stanley suggests, extremism is good when it has to do with our relationship with and obedience to God. That very connection with God will lead us into moderation and balance in our application of truth in our relationships with people.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness (Proverbs 16:9),

Be Quiet

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens and nature. (Inspiration Line Newsletter)

With the rising incidence of crime, a lot of people are afraid, and that’s to be expected. Others are lonely in spite of the crowds in the stores and sports arenas. And many people are unhappy even though they have all the toys and amusements one could want. For all who are facing those tensions, the really good advice is: Slow down, go outside and enjoy God’s calming creation.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams (Psalm 23:1-2).

Adversity

Look at every adversity as an opportunity in disguise (John J. Wagner, pastor)

An old forties song told us that “Into each life some rain must fall,” and it seems that the rain always falls at the wrong time, doesn’t it? When we learn to see such things as Wagner suggests, we will look at them differently, seeing them as an opportunity to believe God. With that outlook, we can face adversity expectantly.

But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity (Job 36:15).

Confidence

You must have confidence in your ability to make the shot required. This comes from practice. (Byron Nelson, star professional golfer)

Confidence is important for any athlete or artist. As Nelson suggests, you can gain that confidence only by continual practice of your sport or art. But practice itself is not enough. For, while practice may make perfect, as the saying goes, it also makes permanent, so be sure to practice correctly. Then, you can proceed with confidence in your game or art.

In quietness and confidence [in God] is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).