GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: February 24, 2026

Love

Love is very much a matter of actions rather than emotions. (Jerry Bridges, late author, speaker)

In a world flooded with songs, movies, and stories of love, it’s really hard to understand what genuine love is. Many times, it is identified with lust or eroticism. Other times, it is regarded merely as an emotion—something that fosters the idea of “listening to your heart, not your mind.” But real love is thoughtful, unselfish, and results in actions that benefit the one loved.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).

Stop & Think: February 23, 2026

Love

If we love people even when they are unlovable, then we provide an opportunity for them to change. (Ken Blanchard, author and motivational speaker)

Wow! How do you love someone who is unlovable? Blanchard doesn’t tell us how, but he points to the benefit there is in doing so. It’s hard to help people change. Arguing rarely helps. Becoming angry only makes things worse. But if you show them unconditional love, you may be surprised at how they might change.

But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly (Matthew 5:44).

Stop & Think: February 22, 2026

Love

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. (John F. Kennedy, 35th US president)

It’s appropriate to recall Kennedy’s challenge. Many of us say or think about something that we intend to do, but fail to follow through. Never is that more obvious than when we tell someone we love them, but don’t show that love in our actions. Love is an action word—and actions speak louder than words.

 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Stop & Think: February 21, 2026

Love

We become like that which we love. (Bishop Fulton Sheen)

Is it true that people begin to look like their pets? That’s probably just a joke, but there is some truth to what Bishop Sheen says. Over the years of marriage couples do begin to think and act alike. But if we become so infatuated with the things of this temporary life, we will miss out on God’s very best intention for us – becoming like His son, Jesus.

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart,  all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30).

Stop & Think: February 20, 2026

Love

Who is wise in love, love most, say least. (Lord Alfred Tennyson, 19th century English poet)

Many are the words of love. Gifted artists have given us innumerable songs, poems, and prose tributes to the elusive qualities of love. While almost everyone appreciates hearing words of love, the best evidence of caring for someone is not in the quantity of words, but in the thoughtful actions that encourage, benefit, and uplift the loved one.

. . . we must not only talk about loving people; we must show we love people by what we do for them. We must really love them. (1 John 3:18)

Stop & Think: February 19, 2026

Love

Love doesn’t make the world go round, it makes the ride worthwhile. (Franklin P. Jones, late American journalist)

There are many words for love, along with many definitions. Infatuation with the emotion of romantic love might at times make you think that what you are experiencing at the moment is the most important thing in the world. Actually, biblical love is the one that makes the experience of loving relationships fulfilling.

Your love. . . has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God’s people (Philemon 1:7).

Stop & Think: February 18, 2026

Love

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. (Henry Drummond, Scottish writer and lecturer)

The love Drummond spoke about is not the erotic or romantic love that saturates our modern culture. Such love brings only temporary, elusive satisfaction at best. But when we act toward others with biblical love, both the loved one and the one showing love find lasting satisfaction and joy.

Love never fails. . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:8,13).

Stop & Think: February 17, 2026

Love

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. (Antoine de Saint Exupery, 20th century French writer)

There is more to life than meets the eye, isn’t there? We can’t see another person’s thoughts, for example, or know his intentions apart from his words or actions. But we can understand the realities of relationships and love by seeing something beyond what our physical eyes can see. It’s a compatibility of heart and mind that gives life its clearest understanding.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).

Stop & Think: February 16, 2026

Love

Success in marriage depends on being able, when you get over being in love, to really love. (Eleanor Roosevelt, late US First Lady)

Even before Shakespeare took pen in hand, mankind loved a lover. But, as Mrs. Roosevelt suggests, that romantic feeling of newlyweds doesn’t last forever. Then, the test really begins. It’s not an emotion so much as a commitment to show you care by your willingness to sacrifice for your loved one—along with plenty of romance.

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Stop & Think: February 15, 2026

Love

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. (H. L. Mencken, late journalist)

God has created us with minds that can accumulate knowledge but can also soar with imagination and creativity. We have more than just intellect; we have hearts that bring meaning and emotion to our lives. Don’t be satisfied with mere intellectual achievement, but remember that love adds to what is lacking in mere knowledge.

Don’t ever forget [love] and truth. Wear them like a necklace. write them on your heart as if on a tablet (Proverbs 3:3).

Stop & Think: February 14, 2026

Love

A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. (Thomas à Kempis, (German Dutch Catholic canon)

Everyone loves to give and receive gifts. Whether it’s Christmas, your birthday, or Valentine’s Day, it’s nice to be remembered with a gift. With children, the gift often matters more than the giver. But, As we mature, it isn’t the size or the value; it’s the expression of the love of the giver that we cherish.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.… We love because he first loved us (John 3:16; 1 John 4:19).

Stop & Think: February 13, 2026

Love

In our life there is a single color, as on an artist`s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love. (Marc Chagall, late French artist)

We may think of black as the color of evil in contrast to white or red for love. There would, no doubt, be many shades in between to represent the variety of emotions and characteristics within the human heart. Chagall may be on to something. No matter what color says love to you, love God supremely and others selflessly.

 Jesus: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. . . . . [and] Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:27, 29).