Daily Stop & Thinks

Focus

What we focus on makes all the difference. (Ruth Rupp, grandmotherly advice)

Rupp emphasizes: “We can’t always change our circumstances, but we can choose what we focus on.” How often do we wish we could change things around us? If we just had a different job; if my family would be more understanding; if, if, if…     Keep this simple but helpful advice in mind: be careful about the focus of your attention and life.

The Apostle Paul, “I have not achieved it (perfection), but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 4:13).

World Changer

It’s ridiculous to want to change the world without acknowledging that we need to change ourselves. (Eugene Cho, pastor and author)

Many years ago, a Russian author expressed the same idea: “Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself” (Leo Tolstoy). As you watch or read the news today, don’t you often think of ways you would change things if you only had the position and authority to do so? Start with yourself and then your influence may affect much larger change.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

Our Gifts

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. (Josh Billings, pen name of 19th century American humorist Henry Wheeler Shaw.)

We often wish we had been dealt better cards, that is, that our heritage, environment, gifting, and personality were different somehow. We think that if only we could change those things, we would be and do so much better. That’s questionable, of course, but what is more important, as Billings suggests, is that we work hard to improve and use well what we’ve been given.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).

Independence Day

There [can] be no freedom without each of us discharging our responsibilities. (Paraphrase of Clarence Thomas, supreme court justice)

On this important holiday, we most often think of the liberties and freedom that were won for us by our Founding Fathers at great personal cost. But Thomas points us to the equally important duty of all of us to preserve our freedoms. He wrote, “There [is] always . . . a connection between the things we [value] most and our personal obligations or efforts [to sustain them].

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Stories

Storytelling—in songs, paintings, films, and books—is perhaps the most important way we learn about our world. (Eric Metaxas, radio host and author)

Metaxas has told fascinating stories of men like Reformer Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, World War II pastor and martyr. He also authored children’s books and videos, using stories to teach important life lessons. From bedtime stories of our childhood to current fiction and non-fiction, we are still moved and motivated by good stories. Read one today!

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand (Mark 4:33).

Truth

Truth is so obscure in these times and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

Apparently not much has changed since Pascal’s 17th century observation. We can’t seem to even trust the “fact-checkers” today. Almost everyone has his own corner on the truth, and it’s obvious that opposite issues cannot both be true. We each must be responsible to really want to know the truth and search for and share it carefully.

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment (Proverbs 23:23).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6).

Today

This moment isn’t meant to be a destination but a preparation . . .  (Paul David Trip, author)

Sometimes we think that what we’re doing today is the most important issue of life without realizing what happens today is critical to tomorrow’s success, too. Tripp was thinking of preparation for a “final destination” with an important other world, spiritual application. But it can have a “this world” practical application, too. Be sure you’re preparing with the end in mind.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity (Proverbs 21:5).

Truth

A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by the majority. (Booker T. Washington, 19th-20th century educator)

We are living in an upside-down world today where Washington’s comment may be truer than ever. Whether it’s politics, advertising, literature, or entertainment, we’re faced with untruths and deception often in the name of trying to do good. In other words, the ends justify the means. But such behavior leads only to more of the same. Let’s determine what’s true and firmly defend it!

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

Work Hard

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. (H. Jackson Brown, inspirational author)

We’ve often been counseled not to put off to tomorrow what we can do today. Procrastination has been the downfall of a lot of people who just can’t seem to get started on a project. Brown suggests that when you do finally begin to work, be sure to do your very best. That will prevent having to do the work over and will assure a really good outcome.

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically (Romans 12:11).

Legacy

No legacy is so rich as honesty. (Shakespeare)

We surely want to leave for our children and grandchildren a legacy of generosity and humility (as noticed in previous comments). Those two, however, will probably not be passed on if we don’t recognize Shakespeare’s idea. It’s hard to imagine that any worthwhile quality can be identified as worthy without recognizing a person’s integrity in everyday life.

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich (Proverbs 28:6). If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones (Luke 16:10).

Legacy

It is more important to be generous than to be wealthy. (Paraphrase of Neil Cole, speaker and author)

More and more Americans are becoming millionaires. For some it’s because of their success as athletes or entertainers. Others have achieved that status because of wise investments and careful attention to detail. A few have hit the jackpot from the lottery. In any case, those who are philanthropic in support of worthy projects leave a legacy more valuable than wealth.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. (Proverbs 3:9; 11:24)

Words

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place but leave unsaid the wrong thing. (Benjamin Franklin)

It’s probably true that every living person has said something they immediately regretted. Unfortunately, we recognize our faux pas just after it’s been said. On the other hand, we’re really glad when we’ve said something of value just when it was needed. It’s more difficult, but equally important to learn to keep quiet when silence is better than words.

Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent (Proverbs 17:28).