GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 14, 2024

Growing Up

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. (Sydney J. Harris, 20th century American journalist)

It takes awhile for a child to realize that he or she is not the center of the world. After all, the little boy or girl has been given so much attention it’s no wonder they see others as a way to make them happy. There is only one image in their mirror, but when they begin to see others, as if through a window, life expands to include the rest of the world.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Stop & Think: July 13, 2024

Passion

A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position. (John Maxwell, speaker and author on leadership)

Some people who aspire to be leaders think that the key for successful leadership is to exercise the authority that comes with their position. They may think that as a corporate executive or department manager, they will have all that it takes to achieve success. But, as Maxwell suggests, whatever really drives you when shared with your team will bring the desired end.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

Stop & Think: July 12, 2024

Be Yourself

Stop comparing. Enjoy being you! Cultivate your own capabilities. (Charles Swindoll, pastor, author)

Swindoll wrote that in the following quotation: “Rabbits don’t fly. Eagles don’t swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don’t have feathers. . . . Stop comparing. Enjoy being you! There’s plenty of room in the forest.” What a great variety in God’s creation! His gifting, likewise, makes each of us unique in what we contribute to life in our community.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6)

Stop & Think: July 11, 2024

Just Do It!

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. (Tony Robbins, author)

Robbins’ comment has been noted in many ways. Philosopher George Herbert says, “Do not wait. The time to start will never be just right.” Author Kenneth Brown wrote, “You may regret that you didn’t start sooner. But that doesn’t stop you from starting today.” So, if you’re hesitating, remember that “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” (writer Sally Berger).

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you? (Joshua 18:3)

Stop & Think: July 10, 2024

Thoughts

Be careful what you think. Thoughts become words. (Lao-Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher)

Lao-Tzu continues “Be careful of what you say. Words turn into actions [which] become your habits, [which] become your character” (paraphrased). Speaking before we think happens too frequently for all of us. Ideas or responses pop into our minds, and we blurt them out, sometimes to the harm of ourselves and others. We should learn to be quick to think but slow to speak.

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 15:28)

Stop & Think: July 9, 2024

Wisdom

Wisdom is the fruit of a balanced development. (Alfred Whitehead, 19th-20th century English philosopher)

Balance in life may be hard to achieve, but it is important. Whitehead continues his observation, “It is this balanced growth of individuality which should be the aim of education to secure.” If our life is overcrowded with any one thing—even a good thing—we will likely lose out on other very good involvements that would give us a greater sense of balance and stability.

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24)

Stop & Think: July 8, 2024

Learning 2

Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, many opinions; . . . (Milton,17th century English poet)

Milton explains more about how learning takes place: “. . . for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.“ In a day when political and social division seem to exclude the peaceful sharing of ideas, we may very well be limiting our growth in knowledge, much to society’s great loss.

Let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. (Proverbs 9:9)

Stop & Think: July 7, 2024

Learning

When we stop learning, we stop growing. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

Sophocles, ancient Greek tragedian,  put it this way: “A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more.” If you come to the place where you think you’ve learned all you can on a particular subject, you will likely find it difficult to hear someone who has a new thought about it. Hear him out! Open your mind to more learning and growth.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Stop & Think: July 6, 2024

Friends

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. Henry Ford (early auto manufacturer)

Some friends are really exciting to be with, enjoying sports, entertainment, or just having fun. But hanging around people who cater to your every whim and participate in questionable activities will very likely not improve your character. The best kind of friend is the one who challenges you to be and do your very best, always spurring you on to better things.

An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. . . .  Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 24:6; 27:6)

Stop & Think: July 5, 2024

Reason

It is the mind that is designed to rule the flesh; reason should guide our passions. (Michael Craven, Colson Fellows director)

Craven seems to be stating the same truth in different terms, relating “mind” to “reason” and “flesh” to “passions.” Many today seem to be living with the premise that “if it feels so good, it must be right.” We would do much better if we were to act on the basis of truth determined by a reasoning mind.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6)

Stop & Think: July 4, 2024

Independence Day

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. (Peter Marshall, late US senate chaplain)

This is an idea that seems rather contradictory to modern thought. Americans value their freedom, and some, unfortunately, believe it is their right to do whatever they please if it doesn’t directly harm someone else. This greater understanding of liberty enables us to do so much more of value when it is exercised with others in the pursuit of justice and rights for all.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Stop & Think: July 3, 2024

Next Steps

Life is not a package let down from heaven on a string, but a scroll that is unrolled day by day as we walk through life. (Allistair Begg, pastor and author)

In life’s daily routine, we might wonder, “What is ahead for me? What should I be doing?” Begg’s comment is really helpful because it relieves us of the pressure to know what’s ahead. As the daily “scroll” of our life unfolds, we find the way step by step, and that should be enough to keep us on tract as we walk into the unknown, carefully following the “still small voice” of God.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. (John 16:13)