GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: October 10, 2024

Finding God

Men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to who, and why. (James Thurber, 20th century American humorist)

Thurber may be making a humorous statement, but there is an underlying truth that everyone should think about. In a rat race world like ours, it looks like many people are running around looking for something, but they’re not sure what. The “running to” question is most important. There is peace and safety to be found if you look in the right place.

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near . . . The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. (Isaiah 55:6; 65:1) 

Stop & Think: October 9, 2024

Good Citizens

The humblest citizen of all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. (William Jennings Bryan, 19th-20th century American attorney)

Living in a democracy is a privilege envied by many in the world, and often not fully appreciated by its citizens. In some places in the world, any protest—private or public—can be punished by a fine, imprisonment, or worse. Bryan’s observation is an encouragement to citizens to stand up for what is right and just, struggle against injustice, and uphold law and order.

The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do? (Psalm 2:3).  . . . The authorities are God’s servants . . .  . So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:4-5)

Stop & Think: October 8, 2024

Ever Learning

The more I learn, the more I wonder; the more I wonder, the more I learn. (Kayla Craig, writer)

For the person who loves learning, it’s an unending cycle. As children, we began to wonder when we first discovered new things we couldn’t understand. How do gadgets work? What does this word mean? Where did it come from? As we began to get answers (and without knowing we were learning), we developed more curiosity, and the wonderful cycle of learning continued!

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge (Proverbs 18:5).

Stop & Think: October 7, 2024

Who Are You?

Life is not about what you can achieve, but who you can become. (Tony Robbins, author)

Robbins also said that our achievements help us become what we are and that those things give meaning to our lives.  Another way of putting it is that what we are is more important than what we do because what we are determines what we do, which, in turn, demonstrates what we are. Who we are starts and grows with integrity. Pay close attention to the key issues of your heart.

Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. . .Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (Proverbs 4:4; 23).

Stop & Think: October 6, 2024

Get Started!

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. (Zig Ziglar, American author)

Are you often looking for shortcuts? It may be just a quicker way to get across town. Or using cliff notes instead of studying. Perhaps you want to become a musician without taking lessons and putting in long hours of practice. Ziglar has pointed to a truth that should help us understand that we have to begin with intention if we want to accomplish anything of value.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5)  Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress (1 Timothy 4:15). 

Stop & Think: October 5, 2024

Careful Words

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind. (Bernard Baruch, American statesman)

Are we sometimes too concerned about what others think about us? While we should always be careful not to offend others while remaining authentic, Baruch has good advice for us. We can’t be unduly concerned about how people react to our words. If we are truthful and real, that should be good enough. Let’s be careful what we say but always be honest.

[There is] a time to be quiet and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).

Stop & Think: October 4, 2024

Effective Leaders

Don’t dominate the people you lead; don’t stifle them—help them experience joy! (Scott Morton, fund-raising coach)

Whether you worked your way to the top or are the leader by default, it’s important that you treat those who work for you in ways that help them do well while they’re making you look good. The most effective leaders will have success if they keep in mind that their followers are part of a team that has mutually acceptable goals and loves what they do.

Wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability (Proverbs 28:2). Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example (1 Peter 5:3).

Stop & Think: October 3, 2024

Satisfied

I choose to trade safety for satisfaction. I’ll give up guarantees for adventure, and I’ll savor relationship over accomplishment. (Gloria Gaither, gospel poet and lyricist)

How important is safety to you? Do you want a guarantee for every product or service you buy? And how important is achievement to you? Important questions. Gaither has answered them to her own satisfaction with an attitude of confidence. What’s the key? For her, it is a matter of relationships. With whom do you find satisfaction, adventure, and safety?

You satisfy me more than the richest feast  . . . Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. (Psalm 63:5; 90:14)

Stop & Think: October 2, 2024

Law and Order

The law is beneficial only if it is obeyed. (Bible study notes from Romans 2)

Laws are sets of rules created to regulate behavior. They are designed to maintain order in society. But what good are they if they are not obeyed? They make the difference between right and wrong clear, but, by themselves, they are helpless to ensure good behavior. A person’s proper response to law and order makes life safe for him and his community.

Whoever obeys the law is joyful (Proverbs 29:18). Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:19).

Stop & Think: October 1, 2024

Priorities

When your priorities are confused, don’t be surprised if you are, too! (author Kenneth Brown)

Why is it that so many of us seem to be confused today when it comes to making decisions and choices?  Could it be because we haven’t established our priorities? The constant barrage of ads in print and the media often is confusing. Selecting a product or service to purchase should be made on the basis of the lasting moral or ethical decisions we’ve already established.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33).

Stop & Think: September 30, 2024

A Written Legacy

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing. (Benjamin Franklin, 18th century American political leader)

Franklin’s many writings, including numerous pithy adages, and his prodigious work for the American Revolution are certainly worth reading. The volumes he’s written along with the articles about him would fill a library. All are worth reading. What about our own legacy? What are we leaving from our life’s experiences that will be of benefit to our family and community?

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children. (Proverbs 13:22)

Stop & Think: September 29, 2024

Perseverance

Genuine religion is shown by its power of persistence. (F. B. Meyer, 19th-20th century British pastor and writer)

One of the many characteristics of a person of “genuine religion” is endurance. His faith is steadfast, not giving in to momentary lapses. He or she is also persistent in reaching and helping those in need, as James describes: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” (James 1:27)

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. (2 Peter 1:5-6)