GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 25, 2021

Get Back Up

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

No one likes to think of falling, failing to live up to expectations when you’re being counted on. But it happens to everybody and, while we work hard not to fall, we must be prepared to respond well when we do drop the ball. It’s good to have a supporting team that will be there to help, but we have to determine always to get up and move forward as quickly and resolutely as possible.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

Stop & Think: March 24, 2021

Time II

Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. (Charles E. Hummel, former college president)

Hummel addresses a problem that most busy people face almost on a daily basis. There are the phone calls or emails that demand an immediate answer. There’s the unexpected interruption of a visit at your desk. It is often difficult—but always necessary—to set up priorities. Establish in advance what simply MUST be done today and determine to get that done first.

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Stop & Think: March 23, 2021

Time I

Too much time spent on yesterday can lead to regrets . . .  (Chris Suit, pastor)

Suit continues: “. . . too much time spent on tomorrow can lead to worry, so spend time today rejoicing, which can lead to peace.” Samuel Ullman, another faith writer, put it this way, “Time is not a time of life—it is a state of mind.” It can be helpful to contemplate both ideas when life seems to become too difficult to bear. Find reasons to be joyful, and “time” will be easier.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11)

Stop & Think: March 22, 2021

Order

Outer order contributes to inner calm. (Gretchen Rubin, American writer and speaker)

What does your desk or work area look like? Is there a sign on your very cluttered desk that says, “God bless this mess?” Or is it so organized, with every pen and paper in its proper place, that a speck of dust seems out of place? Rubin’s observation is probably mostly true. And order should certainly characterize out conduct as well as our desks.

But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Stop & Think: March 21, 2021

Family

Your success as a family… our success as a nation… depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house. (Barbara Bush, former first lady)

It follows without question that what happens in the White House is a reflection of what’s going on in our homes. What a challenge! Parents have the awesome responsibility of raising children who might one day become world leaders. Maybe we should think twice before telling our children they can be president, since that depends on how well we prepare them.

My children listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. (Proverbs 4:1-2)

Stop & Think: March 20, 2021

Spring

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland, late outdoors author)

The long-awaited spring arrives today. Hallelujah! Of course, in many parts of the U.S. it doesn’t look like spring yet. We may have several days to wait, but the longed-for warmer weather and the anticipation of its arrival are enough to keep us going for a little while longer. The constancy of changing seasons is another evidence of the marvelous creation of God.

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)

Stop & Think: March 19, 2021

Generosity

Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return. (The Bible)

Business people want to know what profit they’re going to get from their investments (ROI). They probably don’t often think of generosity; they’re concerned only about the health of the business. While it can’t be measured in gold, there is a greater ROI when it comes to helping those in need—whether individuals or organizations. That’s where generosity is most important.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: March 18, 2021

Wisdom

God gives men wisdom as He gives them gold; his treasure house is not the mint, but the mine. (Arabian proverb)

We tell our kids that money doesn’t grow on trees—neither does gold. The first you have to earn, the second you have to dig out. Wisdom doesn’t grow on trees either, and it isn’t available from a resource like a precious metal exchange. Like money it can be gained by hard work. In many ways, wisdom is even more precious than money because it doesn’t lose its value.

Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life… For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. (Proverbs 7:12; 3:14)

Stop & Think: March 17, 2021

Uplifting

There’s nothing so bad that it couldn’t be worse. (Irish proverb)

We think of all things Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so this Irish proverb seems timely. Whether it’s the winter weather, Covid-19, or any one of dozens of unhappy circumstances, we do need some uplifting thoughts. But we don’t just want to avoid what’s “worse,” we really long for things to be better. Make it a point today to try to lift someone else’s spirits. It may just work for you, too.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:18)

Stop & Think: March 16, 2021

Common Sense

We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err, because this is more comfortable. (Alexander Solzhenitsyn, late Russian historian and philosopher)

Is common sense no longer common? Our minds are often confused by “thinkers” with an agenda—and not always a healthy one. We might say, jokingly, that the truth is as obvious “as the nose on your face.” Why then, do we ignore obvious truth? Because, as our Russian writer puts it, it sometimes is more comfortable to ignore the truth and accept what pleases us!

God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. (John 3:19)

Stop & Think: March 15, 2021

The Ides of March

“The fault,” dear Brutus, “is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

This is the day that Julius Caesar was stabbed by conspirators who planned and executed his death. Since then, the expression, “The Ides of March,” has conveyed an idea of treachery or, at least, bad luck. But Brutus had it right. Evil deeds, hatred—sin itself—is not a question of luck or astrology. We were born with a sinful nature, and it’s only the grace of God that can cure it.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard… the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

Stop & Think: March 14, 2021

Risk vs. Trust

Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain. (Aamir Sarfraz, Pakistani businessman)

It may be that a proposed business venture promises great success and the accompanying reward. Choosing whether to pursue the project will certainly involve considering available resources of time and finances—and the possibility of unforeseen contingencies and even failure. It’s also important to discern the capability and trustworthiness of the team and its leader.

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. (Proverbs 28:20)