GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 24, 2020

Best

Good, better, best; never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best (Sterling Shepherd, “Shep,” former professional football player). 

This is one of many motivational statements “Shep” uses in challenging young people to live a positive life of value to themselves and their community. It has been said that the worst enemy of real progress is settling for good instead of pursuing the best. How much better would our communities be if we all sought to be and do our very best, instead of settling for less?

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others (1 Corinthians 10:33).

Stop & Think: March 23, 2020

Changes

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa).

Have you had an experience like Mandela’s? Perhaps he was alluding to his return to civilian life after a long political imprisonment. Probably nothing else had changed as much as he himself had. Life is all about change, of course, but the most important changes are those that happen in us. We must continue to adapt, to mature, to become more productive and encouraging.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:3).

Stop & Think: March 22, 2020

Fear

A life lived in fear is a life half lived (Alan Hirsch, author).

Some people seem to live in fear. And there is a lot to be fearful about today: diseases, threats of war, corruption in politics and business, to name a few. But, as Hirsch suggests, living in fear robs you of enjoying life; you may experience good times, but you’re always afraid it won’t last. Learning to look beyond the fearful things in life can help you live joyfully in the present.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Stop & Think: March 21, 2020

Certainty

Optimism is a wish without warrant (J. I. Packer, Canadian theologian).

Optimism helps a lot of us face the difficulties that arise in our experience with a positive outlook on life, hoping for the best. Packer continues: “Optimism hopes for the best without any guarantee of its arriving and is often no more than whistling in the dark.” He offers a better outlook: “Christian hope is a certainty, guaranteed by God himself.”

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we. . . can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us (Hebrews 6:18).

Stop & Think: March 20, 2020

Don’t Wait!

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. (W. M. Lewis, teacher)

Procrastination seems to be a continuing problem among many people. It keeps them from getting started on something they may really want to do. They keep waiting for “the right moment” or for “the stars to be in a certain alignment.” Whether real or imagined, they are losing today’s opportunity. Don’t wait; plan, prepare, and just do it.

Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest (Ecclesiastes 11:4).

Stop & Think: March 19, 2020

Love

Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love (Socrates, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher).

“Love ya” seems to be the more and more popular expression when parting company with a friend—or even a mere acquaintance. It’s widely recognized that “what the world needs now is love, sweet love” (song lyrics from the 1960s). Most of the time, however, it’s just a lightly-spoken sentiment without deep meaning. Better to demonstrate affection by overt acts of love.

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions (1 John 3:18).

Stop & Think: March 18, 2020

Commonality

We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Despite a variety of national origins, languages, skin colors, economic standing, and other obvious differences, King’s observation is helpful. We are all here together; we experience the same social and political environments—they all affect us greatly, but in different ways, perhaps. Common difficulties should create some sense of unity for us; we’re all in it together.

The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both (Proverbs 22:2).

I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Stop & Think: March 17, 2020

Reading II

Once you have read a book you care about, some part is always with you (Louis L’Amour, 20th century American author).

Books can have an amazing influence in your life. You can probably remember books you heard read as a child and their clever titles (e.g. Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham). It’s important to keep reading and to read books that are more than just entertaining—books with substance. One of those books surely should be the Bible, God’s Word.

But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice (Luke 11:28).

For the word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).

Stop & Think: March 16, 2020

Reading I

Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body (Richard Steele, 17th-18th century Irish playwright).

It might be argued that learning to read is the most valuable skill that a person can master. It’s a tragic reality in some places that illiteracy has doomed many people to a limited range of opportunities. It may be even sadder that those who can read don’t take advantage of the vast array of literature that could help them grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Stop & Think: March 14, 2020

Fear

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong (Joseph Chilton Pearce , late American author).

Many people hesitate to step out to do something original, whether it’s a written piece, a new invention, or a cooking recipe for fear it might not be received well. To paraphrase Pearce, the same might be true of living “a productive life.” Such fear shrinks your ambition, for sure, and it may deprive the world of something very beneficial. Be courageous to step out and share.

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety (Proverbs 29:25).

Stop & Think: March 13, 2020

Be Heard

To have great poets, there must be great audiences (Walt Whitman, 19th century American poet).

If no one hears a tree fall in the forest, is there no sound? Scientists say there is. But Whitman’s comment is even more interesting. The applause of the hearing audience or the acclaim of the poet’s readers isn’t necessary for the poetry to be really great. But, who would know? Who could make that judgment? We should surely do our best work for the benefit of others.

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

Stop & Think: March 12, 2020

Reputation

If we have character, our reputation will take care of itself (Lolly Daskal, leadership coach).

During an election year here in the United States, the candidates are trying to make their case with plans and predictions. But, voters have to consider much more than empty promises. Unfortunately, there is so much confusion about the reputations of those running for office that it’s difficult to discern their real character, which should be a critical factor in our decisions.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).