GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 15, 2025

What’s Best?

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. (the Dalai Lama, Buddhist spiritual leader)

It is commonly understood that the tough times we encounter—the times when we don’t get what we were hoping for—often turn out to be good for us. It’s more than just a “stroke of luck,” however. We have a loving God who protects his children from what he knows will be harmful to them. What we don’t get is often for our very best. That’s a reason to be thankful.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalm 32:8).

Stop & Think: December 14, 2025

Worship

In the end, worship can never be a performance, something you’re pretending or putting on. (Matt Redman, songwriter and worship leader)

Redman continues: “It’s got to be an overflow of your heart. . . . Worship is about getting personal with God, drawing close to God.” You may attend worship services on Sunday, but every day can be filled with personal worship as you talk with and listen to God. The Bible is the great worship book that directs us into that relationship.

Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness (Psalm 29:2).

Stop & Think: December 13, 2025

Giving

As we give our lives away in service . . . we discover the true meaning of our lives in the midst of fellowship and community. (Charles Colson, former presidential advisor)

Colson also said, “In giving we often receive more than we give.” That is the experience of many who share their time, energy, and even their wealth with those whose paths they cross. This kind of community and the relationships it fosters benefit both those who give and those who receive. Colson is right: This give and take is mutually beneficial.

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith . . .  your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Stop & Think: December 12, 2025

Life

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. (Grandma Moses, late American folk artist)

Grandma Moses’ “folk art” depictions of life as she saw it became part of American folklore. Her attitude toward life may have been a bit simplistic, but she saw it as hers to develop, claiming, “it’s always been this way and will continue to be.”  She may have enjoyed a good life, but her philosophy ignored a vital truth: our lives are in God’s hands. The same is true for us today.

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

Stop & Think: December 11, 2025

Two weeks until Christmas

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. (Maya Angelou)

Most of us have had those unpleasant experiences—although some of us enjoy rainy days. But being stranded in a distant airport without your bags can be greatly distressing. And the mess of tangled Christmas tree lights is really aggravating, to say the least. But don’t let that spoil your spirit of love and joy.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him (Romans 15:13).

Stop & Think: December 10, 2025

Wisdom

In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by. (Lucille Ball, late TV actress)

Do you remember Lucy, the bumbling, accident-prone comedian in numberless TV episodes that kept us laughing? There didn’t seem to be much common sense, not to mention wisdom, in those sketches. But life is not a joke. We might gain some knowledge through our everyday experiences and education, but wisdom is harder to come by. Seek to gain it!

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. . . . Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12; 111:10).

Stop & Think: December 9, 2025

Just Do It!

There is nothing impossible to [those] who will try. (Alexander the Great)

Often in life, when we try to accomplish some desired task, we face what seem to be insurmountable obstacles. It’s so easy to give up and simply accept the difficulty, fearing we don’t have what it takes to overcome it. It goes without saying, of course, that if we don’t even try, the task will not be accomplished. So, give it a try!

Be strong and finish the task! (Zechariah 8:9) Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress (1 Timothy 4:15).

Stop & Think: December 8, 2025

A Focus in Life

Something about the certainty of death forces us to focus our lives. (Source unknown)

People find it difficult to talk about death. They use words like “passed away,” “left us,” and other such euphemisms. The reality of death, however, cannot be ignored. It is inevitable for all living beings. Understanding death’s significance should change our perspective towards life, challenging us to live with purpose and to consider God’s offer of eternal life in the gospel.

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Stop & Think: December 7, 2025

Swing Away

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. (Babe Ruth, Hall of Fame baseball professional)

Ruth, “the King of Swat, held the career home run record for many years. Although he hit all those homers and retired with a high batting average, he was also the king of strikeouts, (1330). Had he been fearful of striking out, he likely would have missed hitting a lot of good pitches. The lesson is clear: don’t let the fear of failure keep you from moving ahead with the hard tasks.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Stop & Think: December 6, 2025

Gaining Strength

Adversity not only doesn’t have to destroy us, it may actually strengthen us . . . (Chuck Colson, author)

Colson continues, “. . . if countered with principle.” In today’s world, there are too many leaders who don’t demonstrate the strength of character that adversity develops or the principle Colson speaks of. Consequently, many communities are led by unprincipled men and women, and the results are evident. Let’s hope the result of adversity strengthens our next leaders.

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

Stop & Think: December 5, 2025

Discernment

Making the right choice may be difficult if your desires are stronger than your conscience. (Jesse Deloe, Author)

It’s been said that there are only two things you can control in life. One of them is your choices. Life is full of choices, so it’s important to have as much information as possible and the discernment to evaluate that information. Perhaps even more vital is having the wisdom to know the difference between what you want and what you really need.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1). 

Stop & Think: December 4, 2025

Three Weeks until Christmas

It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. (Mother Theresa)

Some folks have already planned their gift-giving, finished their Christmas shopping, and are wrapping the packages. Echoing Mother Teresa’s comment, Author Toni Sorenson suggests: “Don’t get caught up in the wrapping paper and forget that the gift of the Christmas season is simply love.” That’s good advice. Keep focusing on your love for those you are gifting.

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).