GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: September 15, 2024

Silence

Silence is of different kinds, and breathes different meanings. (Charlotte Bronte, 19th century English author)

There may be many reasons for being quiet. Bronte continues, “Silence can be the result of…nothing to say, nothing happening, too much happening, waiting for the right time.” In modern society it seems that almost everyone has lots to say and does so continuously. But it’s good to know when to be quiet and listen before responding with care and purpose.

[There is a] time to be quiet and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
You should clothe yourselves . . .  with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4)

Stop & Think: September 14, 2024

Small Tasks

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. (Helen Keller, late American author and political activist and lecturer)

How did someone who was blind and deaf achieve such outstanding accomplishments as Keller did? Her secret, perhaps, was her understanding that it all begins with the “small tasks.”  When they are regarded as “great and noble,” and are pursued with vigor, they lead to the achievement of the more obvious worthy tasks.

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: September 13, 2024

Words or Actions?

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life . . . (Matthew Henry, 17th-18th century British minister and author)

Henry concludes, “. . . or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.” It’s like the old adages, “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say” or “Actions speak louder than words.” When we’re bombarded with lots of words on social media, podcasts, and blogs, it will pay us to look carefully at the actions to discern the value of the words.

Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. there is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (Proverbs 29:19-20)

Stop & Think: September 12, 2024

Extremism vs. Moderation

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

Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater is remembered for this controversial statement: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Speaking to people of faith, Pastor Stanley notes the higher goal for believers, but also reminds them of the biblical principle of moderation in the normal practices of life.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Philippians 4:5)

Stop & Think: September 11, 2024

Teaching and Learning

The best learning I had came from teaching. (Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor)

Ten Booms’ experience has been shared by many professional teachers. And even those who have simply shared their life experiences and knowledge with others have discovered the same thing. It’s not only in the preparation to teach, but in the teaching itself that we discover the deeper meanings of the subject no matter what it might be.

I am fully convinced . . .  that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. (Romans 15:14)

Stop & Think: September 10, 2024

Communication

A person of faith…must avoid crude humor, selfish anger, discourtesy and any action that blatantly disregards the norms of common civility. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century British philanthropist)

Was there ever a time when Wilberforce’s comment was more relevant? Modern television, podcasts, blogs, and every other means of communication seem to be crude and uncivil at best. And even more personal, private conversations too often reflect the same crude attitudes.  The challenge to people of faith is to speak and write with respect, courtesy, and encouragement.

The lips of the godly speak helpful words. . . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 10:32; 15:28)

Stop & Think: September 9, 2024

People-pleasers

If you try too hard to please people …  you may find yourself making unwise choices. (2 Minutes a day. 100 Devotionals)

It’s encouraging to have others think well of us and show us favor. But, if our goal is to have people like us, how do we gain that attention? Going out of our way just to please someone whose attention we want might lead us to do things that will compromise our integrity. Earning the good favor of others by love and good deeds is the better way.

Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

Stop & Think: September 8, 2024

Go Outside, Look Up

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)

There are a lot of “afraid, lonely [and] unhappy” people around us, aren’t there? Why do you suppose that is? Is it because so many people are focused inward only and don’t seem to be aware of what is all around them? There are people and activities that could lift their spirits, but there is also a magnificent creation that constantly reveals the goodness of God.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. (Psalm 19:1)

Stop & Think: September 7, 2024

Truth or Lies?

It doesn’t matter what they say about you as long as it isn’t true. (Kenneth Brown, author)

In an election year, we will likely hear distortions of truth, half-truths, and probably some outright lies. If what is said is true, be grateful and respond to it properly. But don’t accept everything you hear as the truth. Examine the facts and discern what is true. Furthermore, live your life in such a way that it will reflect only what is true and good.

Fix your thoughts on what is true,  . . . Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
Truthful words stand the test of time. (Proverbs 12:19)

Stop & Think: September 6, 2024

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)

We all need healthy two-way relationships. When a friend drops the ball or has a tough moment, our encouragement may be just the thing to help them move on. And there are times that we may need the same help from someone else. Those occasions can make an immediate positive impact. Encouragement is a vital part of successful living.

So encourage each other and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Stop & Think: September 5, 2024

Just Do It

Your want to do something has to be greater than your fears of doing it. (Payton Christian, Horse Rescuer)

Christian continues: “Otherwise, years or even days from now, your regrets will be greater than the memories.” We might dream of something we’d like to do, but we don’t get around to it. It might just be procrastination that stops us. But maybe it’s just that we’re afraid we’ll fail. If it’s a worthy project, we must courageously take on the task with determination to get it done.

Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. (Proverbs 6:4)

Stop & Think: September 4, 2024

Resilience

Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit. (Bernard Williams, English philosopher)

It’s inspiring to see someone get up after falling or bounce back from an unsuccessful attempt to accomplish something worthwhile. We all have fallen or failed at one time or another, so it’s encouraging to see resilience demonstrated in real life. But there is something even more resilient than the human spirit; that’s the eternal Spirit that God offers all who trust him.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character. . . (Romans 5:3-4)