Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

Forgiving

Know what happens if we don’t forgive? We’ll be chained to bitterness and anger every day of our life. And that’s no life. (Former pastor)

Novelist Anne Lamotte put it this way, “Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.” Of course, when you’ve been hurt deeply, it’s difficult to forget the pain and overlook the offense. Our human nature urges us to expose the offender or to seek revenge and get even. It would be so much healthier to pray as the Lord taught us. . .

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12).

Down to Earth

Sojourners who think the most of the next world are usually those who are doing the highest good in this one. (Joni Eareckson Tada, disability advocate author)

It used to be said, perhaps in a rather mocking tone, that some people “are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” Tada argues just the opposite. Rather than seeing such people as incapable of thinking rationally, she sees heavenly thinking as the motivation for down-to-earth practical, helpful living.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking (Colossians 2:8).

Anger

There are two things a person should never get angry at, what they can help and what they cannot. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher))

Life is full of errors, faux pax, and just plain mistakes. They will happen, so how do we react to them? We could get mad, but Plato suggests if we could have helped it, we shouldn’t be angry. It would be better just to correct the error and do better. If we couldn’t help it—it wasn’t our fault, then why should we be angry, we’ll not be blamed? That should help us avoid a lot of anger.

And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Living Truth

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other. (Matthew Henry, 17th-18th century Bible commentator)

“Do what I say, not what I do” may be the clearest expression of hypocrisy. People who put on an act, talking one way but living another, may be among the least liked in the crowd. Henry states the obvious: teaching one thing as authoritative loses its impact when the same person is teaching something entirely different from the way he lives. Don’t just speak truth, live it!

Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’” (Mark 7:6).