GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 31, 2021

New Year’s Eve

Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous New Year by believing. (Sarah Ban Breathnach)

Faith and believing—now there are two words worth thinking about on New Year’s Eve. What are we expecting in 2022—world events worsening, taxes and inflation rising, and other unhappy events? Or are we putting our trust—a good synonym for faith and belief—in Someone who already knows the future and wants to guide us into it?

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Stop & Think: December 30, 2021

End of the Year Thoughts

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning. . . (Hal Borland)

He continues “… but a going on with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” The 12 months and 365 days of 2021 have surely taught us something. The gains and the losses, the ups and downs, have all contributed to our growth, and that won’t stop with the turning of the calendar in a couple of days. So, let’s move into 2022, remembering the lessons of last year.

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Stop & Think: December 29, 2021

Smiling

Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart. (Anthony J. D’Angelo, education writer)

The holidays often bring sadness and loneliness. So, it’s a good time to be intentional in sharing the joy of the season. You may meet someone who is having the end-of-the-year blues. 2021 hasn’t been as good a year as they had hoped. Perhaps offering support with an encouraging word of hope—accompanied by a warm smile—may be uplifting and helpful.

When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them (Job 29:24) What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! (Genesis 33:10).

Stop & Think: December 28, 2021

Kind Words

Be kind to everyone, for everyone is fighting a fierce battle. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)

Sometimes we are distressed by the unpleasant behavior of a friend or even a stranger. We may want to respond in a similar unkind way. But Plato’s reminder can be very helpful in situations like that. Don’t be too fast to speak up. If we can be patient and sympathetic to the plight of other people, we may be able to speak a kind word of encouragement.

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24).

 

Stop & Think: December 27, 2021

Together

If we want to go quickly, go alone, but if we want to go further, let’s go together! (Bavon Jonas Aladoum, African pastor)

In the spirit of independence (and hurry), we often try to go it alone. After all, we can do the job more quickly by ourselves. By doing so, however, we can miss a lot. We miss the opportunity for camaraderie, the joy of working together with a friend or co-worker. We may miss the chance to encourage and train someone for a similar job. We may even be able to get a lot more done.

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2i)

Stop & Think: December 26, 2021

After Christmas                  

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. (Harlan Miller)

It’s sad, isn’t it, that the “Christmas spirit” often doesn’t last beyond Dec. 25? Is it because our attention for so long has been on the hustle-bustle of decorating, partying, and gift-sharing? Now that they’re done, we may really be let down and need some rest. If, however, we hang onto the true Spirit of Christmas, the gift of love and peace in Jesus, we don’t have to have a letdown.

My words are always true and always here with you. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

Stop & Think: December 25, 2021

Christmas

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.”  (Dr. Seuss in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.)

Now is the day when we should realize—and teach the children—that true happiness and joy do not come from “a store” where gifts of all kinds can be bought and given. Christmas does “mean a little bit more.” A whole lot more, of course, it’s the celebration of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Thank God for the gift of his grace and peace in Jesus!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Stop & Think: December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve            

It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters. It’s who’s around it. (Charles Schultz, late American cartoonist)

In many homes, Christmas Eve is the time for family to gather for singing Carols, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and opening gifts. For those families who recognize the reason for the season—the coming of God’s Son to provide salvation to all who will trust him, there is even greater joy for members of God’s heavenly family on earth.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Stop & Think: December 23, 2021

Gift-Giving

I always like the gifts I get, but how I love the gifts I give! (Carolyn Wells, 19th & 20th century American poet and writer)

Well acknowledges that it’s gift-giving that gives her greatest joy. As children, we didn’t look at gifts that way. It was always the anticipation of getting what was on our wish list, and disappointment when we didn’t. We were certainly thrilled when we got the gifts we wanted. But growing up brings a more mature attitude about receiving and giving gifts.

Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Quoted in Acts 20:35)

Stop & Think: December 22, 2021

Anno Domini

Christmas is the day that holds all time together. (Alexander Smith, 19th century Scottish poet)

Smith may not have fully realized what he was writing, for Christmas is far more than just a miraculous day of the birth of Jesus. We number our calendar years from the life of Jesus. B.C. – before Christ; A.D. – anno domini, the year of our Lord. Few people may recognize the significance of dating that way, but it should be a reminder of the wonderful gift of Jesus.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Stop & Think: December 21, 2021

It’s Not Funny

I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, “Toys not included.” (Barnard Manning, 20th century English comedian)

It’s a joke, of course, but can you remember when the opposite happened? Toys with no batteries, and the giver had forgotten to provide them? Wow, what a disappointment that was to the children. On a more serious note, how often do we think about the potential reaction to the gifts we’re giving? Will they be useful and enjoyed? We should be thoughtful in our giving.

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Stop & Think: December 20, 2021

Christmas Gifts

Suggestions from Oren Arnold, late journalist and novelist.

“To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” That’s quite a gift list, isn’t it? As we think through these days until Christmas itself, these intangible gifts are surely far more important than glittery, wrapped packages, no matter the monetary value.

Wisdom: “My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!” (Proverbs 8:18)