GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 30, 2025

Encouragement

Every time we encourage someone, we give them a transfusion of courage. (Chuck Swindoll, pastor and author)

Do you remember a time when you were deeply discouraged, blue, and sad beyond reason? No matter the cause, nothing seemed to work out well for you. How did you get over that funk? Was it someone who came along to lift your spirits by being with you and, as Swindoll says, gave you a “transfusion of courage.” If so, look for ways that you can help others in similar situations.

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: January 29, 2025

Wisdom

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. (The Bible)

From the day we’re born we spend our lives learning. Whether at home, in school, or through life experience, we continue to learn and expand our knowledge.  But knowledge alone is not enough, As the late English preacher, C. H. Spurgeon put it: “To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Stop & Think: January 28, 2025

Choices

Making the right choice is always evidence of true wisdom. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

According to novelist Jim Stovall suggests that “. . .  because of choices we’ve made in the past we can live . . . the rest of our lives in the certain knowledge that we can do anything we want to do if we simply make the right choices.” Gain character and virtue as you grow in knowledge, and you will develop wisdom that will help you make the right choices.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Proverbs 2:11)

Stop & Think: January 27, 2025

Do Your Best

Don’t move anywhere else until you’ve done the best where you are. But don’t stay a day longer than you should. (Cary Oberbrunner, author)

Oberbrunner’s advice is curious, isn’t it—but it might be helpful, too. When life is tough where we live or work, we’re often tempted to move. “Let’s go somewhere else where things will be better,” we think. Rather than moving, try working hard where you are to bring change and improvement. But, when the time is right, be ready to move on and do your best in a new place.

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 so that many may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Stop & Think: January 26, 2025

A Good Way to Learn

Wise people know when they don’t know, and they are not afraid to go to those who do know.

Someone else added, “. . . and they’re ready to learn. Why is it so difficult for some of us to ask for help when we don’t understand something or know how to do a task? Is it pride? We may be afraid that others will think we’re ignorant. In reality, most knowledgeable people regard questioners as intelligent people who want to learn. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser … Wise people treasure knowledge … [They] are glad to be instructed … Walk with the wise and become wise. (Proverbs 9:9; 10:14, 18; 13:20)

Stop & Think: January 25, 2025

What the World Needs

Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong. (Ella Fitzgerald, late singer and songwriter)

There’s an old pop song that observed, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” In fact, the lyrics claimed that “It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” Fitzgerald added inspiration as another element important in not going “wrong.” Following those sentiments would help, no doubt, but what is even more important are integrity and godly living.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him. (2 Peter 1:3)

Stop & Think: January 24, 2025

You Earn It

The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence. (Vince Lombardi, late noted football coach)

High school musicians may enter regional or statewide contests to earn medals and awards, based on a good, very good, or excellent rating. They all work hard to get the big “E,” but not everyone will receive the top award. And the reason may well be, as Lombardi says, in spite of their talent, they didn’t make the necessary commitment. Top awards require diligent work.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence . . . (2 Peter 1:5)

Stop & Think: January 23, 2025

Desire & Reality

All get what they want; they do not always like it. (C. S. Lewis in “The Magician’s Nephew”)

A young lad wanted to do something his mother didn’t approve of. After much begging, she finally relented, but when the boy returned from his adventure, he admitted that he didn’t enjoy it. Why? Because he knew he had offended his mom. It’s true, isn’t it that we sometimes really don’t enjoy what we thought we just had to have or do?  Anticipation is often better than reality.

Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. (1 Peter 1:4)
Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:15)

Stop & Think: January 22, 2025

Bitter or Better?

We can choose to be bitter or better. (Tom Roy, sports and personal coach)

We all have faced difficult times when we’ve been hurt by some harsh experience, and we may have found it difficult to overcome its effects. We can become bitter and carry that hurt for months or even years. Or we can learn to accept those events that we can’t avoid and learn from them. It’s our choice. It can really be life-changing to learn and become better.

Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. (Hebrews 12:15)

Stop & Think: January 20, 2025

Doing your “Small Thing”

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way. (Martin Luther King Jr, late civil rights activist)

Many would note, of course, that King did accomplish some “great things” in his efforts to do away with ethnic inequality. His statement is a challenge to the rest of us to be involved in worthy projects. The total of all of us doing “small things” would achieve a lot more. Mother Teresa adds, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus: “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. (Mark 12:42-43)

Stop & Think: January 19, 2025

Stress

Stress is a powerful motivator. It can help us to focus and achieve our goals. (Fatima’ UK Campaign)

We’re told that Americans consume over a billion dollars a year of anti-anxiety drugs. Yet, there must be a better way to handle the normal tensions of life. Recognizing that stress can be a powerful motivator can help us focus on our goals. Stress is normal and can give us energy and motivation to tackle our challenges and achieve our goals.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Stop & Think: January 18, 2025

Hospitality

Hospitality is a matter of the heart that is revealed in our actions and in our words. (Author unknown)

Is hospitality a lost art today? With the business of life in the 21st century, there seem to be fewer and fewer occasions for inviting people into your home for a visit or a meal. It’s so much more convenient just to meet at a coffee bar or restaurant. Except for a few holiday occasions, we seldom get close enough to others to let them into our hearts as well as our homes.

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Hebrews 13:2)