GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 11, 2020

No Regrets

Giving up is the birth of regret. (Deshanna Barber, USAR officer & former Miss USA)

We’ve all been tempted to give up at one time or another. Perhaps it was a project that wasn’t going well or an athletic event that we didn’t finish well. The decision we make at that point is critical. Barber suggests that if we give up, we’ll eventually regret it. Evaluate your failures carefully. Planning well and starting over may lead to success and no regrets.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).

Stop & Think: April 10, 2020

Good Friday

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. (Victor Hugo in Les Misérables)

Today the Christian world is honoring the day when Jesus died. One might well imagine how his disciples were mourning, thinking that the promise of his coming kingdom was now not to be. In spite of his having warned them of this day, they had not understood, and it was not until Sunday that their joy was restored when the sun rose to reveal that the Son, too, had risen.

Until then [Sunday] they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:9).

Stop & Think: April 9, 2020

Pressing On

There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there; you must go beyond them. (Bruce Lee, actor and martial artist)

Have you ever tried rock or mountain climbing? If you have, you’ve probably looked up to see what looked like the final peak only to find it was merely a plateau and there was a lot more climbing to do. If your goal is to reach the top, you can’t stop on the mesa. You have to move on to achieve your goal. In reality, there may be limits, but press on to reach your goal.

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God . . . is calling us (Philippians 3:14).

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).