GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 26, 2024

Direction

The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19th century poet)

Taking a stand for something you believe in is a worthy thing, but Holmes suggests you need to do more than simply stand firm; movement is important. And writer Kathleen Hall adds another challenging thought: “In every single thing you do, you are choosing a direction. Your life is a product of choices.” Take a firm position and choose to move forward to a worthy achievement.

I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. (Psalm 119:59)

Stop & Think: November 25, 2024

Failures

Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try. (Jack Canfield, author)

And then, there are those who try but give up too soon. As inventor Thomas Edison noted: “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Not trying and giving up are hazards we encounter when we begin an enterprise that’s difficult and uncertain. Begin with determination and persevere till the end.

I have fought a good fight. I have finished the work I was to do. I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Stop & Think: November 24, 2024

Roots

Tap into the power of your roots. (Robert Schuler, late televangelist)

Much of the physical and emotional strength you have is because of your roots—what you inherited from your ancestry. To an even larger degree, perhaps, your current position and success may be from those whose shoulders you stand upon—many teachers and colleagues who have poured into your life. It’s that root system that will help you throughout your life and service.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:7)

Stop & Think: November 23, 2024

Meaningful Action

If you want to be enthusiastic, act enthusiastic. (Dale Carnegie, author)

Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, has helped many succeed in their business and personal relationships. Today’s quote embodies a very simple but powerful principle. If you want to be happy, act happy. If you want to be loving, act loving. Many have discovered that they can become what they want just by starting to act in the desired way.

Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18)
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

Stop & Think: November 22, 2024

A Friend

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you. (Elbert Hubbard, American writer)

Unlike the true friend Hubbard refers to, there are, also, what we call “fair-weather friends.” They are the kind who quickly disappear when they discover something about you they don’t like or agree with. You might learn from such a disappointment, but you profit and learn most from friends who stick with you through the rough times and encourage you to move on.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9)

Stop & Think: November 21, 2024

Dignity

No matter what people say about you, no matter how hurtful or painful, it is crucial to retain a sense of dignity about you, a sense of who you are. (Jerry West, late great professional basketball player)

Professional athletes gain a lot of good and bad publicity. A bad night on the court or field will bring both legitimate and hurtful criticism, while a good performance will get praise and adulation. West learned how to accept both. He was confident in his skills, but his sense of worth was not from his publicity but from the dignity of knowing who he was as a person.

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

Stop & Think: November 20, 2024

Humility

Humility is simply accepting the fact that God is God and I am not.

In the still popular 1933 movie Rudy, Father Cavanaugh says, “Son, in thirty-five years of religious study, I’ve come up with only two hard, incontrovertible facts; there is a God, and I’m not Him.” Recognition of an all-knowing, all-powerful God is essential for having a healthy worldview. Thinking you are smarter or have better ideas will always result in failure.

True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. (Proverbs 22:4)
Dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 4:5)

Stop & Think: November 19, 2024

Iron Sharpens Iron

We need to be iron to one another and allow others to be iron for us so we may be shaped and sharpened throughout life. (Source unknown)

The practice of helping each other sharpen our focus and abilities is an essential element in personal growth and effective service to others. Blog writer Jon Cressney counsels: “This has to be done with a spirit of generosity and humility.” Another asks, “Who is friend enough to speak the truth to you in love?” The two working together must have mutual respect and purpose to be helpful.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Stop & Think: November 18, 2024

Focus

Focus on your actions, not the results. (Used by many)

Another writer put it this way: “Focus in on each shot and don’t worry about the outcome.” Whatever the sport – golf, basketball, skeet shooting – you have to “keep your mind and eye on the target, on one thing at a time. When you do this, the rest usually will take care of itself.” The outcome may be uncertain, but it will be the result of your own focus and attention.

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God . . .  is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Stop & Think: November 17, 2024

Glory Ahead

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.  (C. S. Lewis, late British apologist)

It’s hard to give up something we’ve enjoyed so we can move on to something else. But when we do, we discover that the new things are really quite good, and we’re glad we made the change. Lewis, however, is thinking more of spiritual changes, looking forward to what will be so much better when we leave behind life’s earthly joys to enter into God’s eternal presence.

For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

Stop & Think: November 16, 2024

Always Learning

I am always ready to learn although I do not always like to be taught. (Winston Churchill, World War II British prime minister)

Unless we have our heads in the sand, we must realize what’s happening in the IT world. The challenge is to develop the skills to use the devices and, more importantly, to discover how to learn from their use. Employing new devices in our pursuit of learning can be a good thing when used for the benefit of all.

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction . . . whoever learns from correction is wise. (Proverbs 12:1; 15:5)

Stop & Think: November 15, 2024

Change

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist)

Change is all around us. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating all kinds of new devices and techniques that we must adjust to if we are to keep up. We may not be able to stop continued change, but when it comes to the decaying of morality and ethics, we must be the change and return to righteous living to see the changes we hope for.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2)