GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 15, 2022

The Future

We forget that we work today not just for the present but for the long-term future. (Carl Trueman, author)

Trueman observes: “We want results now” which is exactly the reason we often don’t think enough about the implications of our actions. It’s just that we are so involved in immediate or near future results that we don’t think of or plan well for the long-range consequences of today’s work. We must not forget that our actions can have influence for generations to come.

 . . . riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation (Proverbs 27:24)

Stop & Think: June 14, 2022

Flag Day

Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. (James Bryce, 19th-20th century British academic)

Sadly, some people don’t regard the flag as anything special and will go so far as to burn it. But other Americans are proud to fly the flag on patriotic occasions and boast of their pride in their country. Many have served the country in far away and dangerous places to defend our liberty. But, as Bryce points out, an even better loyalty will be found in strong faith and righteous living.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race (Psalm 12:1).

Stop & Think: June 13, 2022

Daring

Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable (Brené Brown, American research professor)

“I dare you.” “I double-dare you.” Do you remember those childhood challenges? They were sometimes a test to see how brave we were. To accept the dare was to make yourself vulnerable to the teasing of your friends and maybe even danger. To face a real challenge in life, indeed, takes courage because you do become vulnerable to ridicule and failure.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:34).

Stop & Think: June 12, 2022

Others

What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other? (George Eliot, pen name for Mary Ann Evans, 20th century English writer)

People today often seem to be so self-centered that we might wonder if Eliot’s observation is really true. From the earliest moments of infancy, children begin to show a selfishness that is difficult to overcome as they grow up because they see it all around them. But trying to live for the benefit of others is certainly a worthy purpose to pursue.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4)

Stop & Think: June 11, 2022

Control

You can’t change or control the world around you. You can change and control the world within you. (Warren Wiersbe, late American author)

After reading the newspaper or watching the evening TV news, do you ever begin to wish you really could “change the world?” Even the most political powerful world leaders can’t make the changes they’d like, though they often try . . . sometimes by wicked methods. It’s best for all of us to acknowledge Wiersbe’s words and do our best to bring change,beginning with ourselves.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Stop & Think: June 10, 2022

Talents

If you’re an eagle at heart, what are you doing on that perch? (Charles Swindoll, pastor, writer)

Swindoll continues: “Do you have any idea how greatly you’re needed to soar and explore?” We all have unique gifts and talents, and they are not given to us simply for our own benefit. They are intended for the good of your community. The challenge, then, is to perfect your abilities and use them to help others become their best, too.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. (Romans 12:8)

Stop & Think: June 9, 2022

Too Much

A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing. (Paul David Tripp, devotional writer)

Can you get too much of a good thing? Many of us have discovered that second helpings of a delicious dish may have unpleasant consequences. So, the answer is yes. Tripp’s observation is a warning to those of us who can’t stop soon enough—whether it’s eating, bingeing on a TV, or the constant use of our phone. When even “good” things control us, it’s no longer good for us.

Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! (Proverbs 25:16) Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

Stop & Think: June 8, 2022

Humility

The first product of self-knowledge is humility. (Flannery O’Connor, 20th century novelist)

It is perfectly natural to think of ourselves first. If we don’t, who will? But as we grow and become more mature in our reasoning, we begin to realize that we may not be as “great” as we once hoped or thought. In fact, in recognizing our weaknesses and failures along with any successes, we cannot help but think more realistically about ourselves.

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3). For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:11).

Stop & Think: June 7, 2022

Humility

Humility is the only soil in which true unity can grow. (Michael Reeves)

Stardom (and even superstardom) is the goal of many youngsters starting out in sports, entertainment, or the arts; It’s all “me first,” or “I’ll do it my way.” Many stars seem to forget how the work and efforts of many others made their success possible. Teamwork is often the key to meaningful progress, and it requires true humility to reach the goal.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13)

Stop & Think: June 6, 2022

Nature

One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books. (John Muir, 19th-20th century environmental philosopher)

Muir was not intending to discredit enjoying and learning from books. Rather, he simply wanted to encourage people to move on from books to personal experience. You can read about the mountains, even watch documentaries on their grandeur, but there’s nothing like hiking the hills and seeing the view from the top.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known (Psalm 19:1-2).

Stop & Think: June 5, 2022

Home

There’s no place like home. Ask any prodigal who has come back.

It’s a familiar thought, often repeated when returning from an extended vacation. People who may be dissatisfied with their job or circumstances sometimes think it would be really good to move somewhere else. Later, they may become discontent with the changes they’ve made and wish to go back home. That is especially true of those whose decisions have cost them dearly.

A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest (1 Peter 27:8) For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14).

Stop & Think: June 4, 2022

Perfection

This life was not intended to be our place of perfection, but the preparation for it. (Richard Baxter, 17th century English Puritan writer)

Although God’s creation was perfect (Genesis 1), after sin entered so did imperfection and hardship. God’s intention, however, is to one day restore his creation to perfection. Learning to live according to his plan will enable us to grow more and more into the people he intended us to be. And that will be complete when he brings us to a restored relationship with him in heaven.

I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (Philippians 3:12).