GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 8, 2020

Work

Like what you do, and then you will do your best. (Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician)

Johnson’s story is fascinating. Overlooked because of her ethnicity and gender, she succeeded because she loved her work and saw its value. She and her team provided essential data that made space flights successful. When we’re stuck in work we don’t like, we often do less than our best, and the results often fail. Pursue work that you love and you’ll enjoy the results.

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. . . To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 2:10; 5:19).

Stop & Think: April 7, 2020

Improvement

I would encourage all of us to think of something we may have done poorly . . . and try to improve on it. (Windows Tips)

The writer was referring to athletics, and he continues, “Sure we might not get the metaphorical ‘first place’ but we might possibly do better, and how great would that feel?” When your initial effort was not good enough, keep trying and working hard to improve. The reward of a better result will encourage you to achieve even more.

I know all the things you do. . .  And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (Revelation 2:19).

Stop & Think: April 6, 2020

Imitation

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. (Judy Garland, late actress)

It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Garland offers a wise caution. Don’t try to be a Kobe Bryant; you’ll most likely never reach his status as a basketball star. Or, cellist Pablo Casals. Be the best yourself you can be; follow the Apostle Paul’s counsel.

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Stop & Think: April 5, 2020

Try It!

I don’t think you know how much you can do until you try. (Chita Rivera, singer and actress)

Do you remember a conversation like this: “Eat your broccoli.” “No, I don’t like it.” “Have you ever tasted it?” “No.” “Well, just taste it.” How can you know if you like it if you don’t try it? Sometimes we respond like that when we’re faced with a new task or challenge. If we’re unwilling to try it, we’ll never know how well we might have done. “Just try it”!

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8).

Stop & Think: April 4, 2020

Change

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. (Maya Angelou, late poet and civil rights advocate)

Many factors in our environment and activities may affect us—for good or bad. They may affect us to the point of personal change. Don’t fear change; respond to it with resolute determination to maintain wholesome behavior and your good character, lest you be, as Angelou warns, “reduced by it.” Change toward good things provides the opportunity for growth.

This same Good News. . . is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace (Colossians 1:6).

Stop & Think: April 3, 2020

Focus

If you focus on the process of climbing, you’ll end up on the summit. (Yvon Chouinard, rock climber)

You must always keep the end in mind—in this case, the summit. But, to reach it, you have to concentrate on where you are and what you are doing in the process of reaching for the top. A false step in the present may defeat achieving the future goal, no matter how close or distant. Be careful to follow the moment-by-moment plan. It will keep you on the path to success.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it. (Philippians 3:12)

Stop & Think: April 2, 2020

Finish

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. (Les Brown, motivational speaker)

Sometimes our hopes and dreams are so big, that we don’t want to even start the project for fear of failing. Brown’s encouragement, however, makes a lot of sense. Failing to start may be the biggest failure of all. Of course, we should do good advanced planning, develop a strategy, and move forward carefully. But don’t let the fear of missing the target stop you from trying.

Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. . .  you should finish what you started (2 Corinthians 8:10-11).

Stop & Think: April 1, 2020

Foolish

A fool knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. (Oscar Wilde, 19th century Irish playwright)

What April Fools joke might you experience today? It may be an extreme prank, but it’s all in fun, of course. Wilde, however, comments on what is a serious mistake that many people make today. Looking for discounts and “deals,” we often fail to consider the real value of what we’re buying or spending our time pursuing. Stop! Be wise in spending your money and time.

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you (John 6:27).

Stop & Think: March 31, 2020

Forgiving

Don’t forget to forgive. Forgiveness can be difficult, but learning how to incorporate it into your life can be good for your health (Erin Johnson).

As Johnson suggests, there may be times when it can be really hard to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. Yet, the personal experience of many has demonstrated that failing to forgive is more painful for them than for their offender. Furthermore, after forgiving someone, the restored relationship may offer long-lasting good for both parties.

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9).

Stop & Think: March 30, 2020

Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it (Edith Wharton, 19th-20th century writer).

Not everyone can be a leading scorer on the basketball or football team or have the lead role in a play or movie. The role of the rest of the team or the cast is to help the “leader” be his or her very best. The primary function of the #2 office person is to make #1 successful. When we do that well, we are the mirrors that make the star’s light even brighter.

If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant. . . For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Luke 11:36; Ephesians 5:8)

Stop & Think: March 29, 2020

Winning

The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated… it is finished when it surrenders (Ben Stein, writer).

Everyone loses from time to time, whether it’s a debate, an investment, or an athletic competition. It hurts, but it’s not the end unless we let it discourage us to the point of just giving up and quitting. In the words of a Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times; get up eight.” Set you mind on being a winner the very next time you compete.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Stop & Think: March 28, 2020

Doubts

Doubt is letting your circumstances get between you & God. Faith is letting God get between you & your circumstances (Mark Batterson, author).

Circumstances are like mattresses. When you’re on top of them, you can be really comfortable. But, when you’re under a mattress (or your circumstances), life can be far more than just uncomfortable. We’ve all discovered that having a friend to stand between us and our difficulties is a great help. Find someone today that you can encourage.

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer (Psalm 94:19).