GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 26, 2021

A Legacy

To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy. (Stephen R. Covey, late businessman and author)

Those four ideas might be a good summary of living a good life. Living is more than just existing, of course; it’s active, productive involvement in life. Loving may be the greatest contribution one can make in another’s life. And for the growing person, learning never ceases! What’s the result? A legacy to pass on to family and all who have profited from knowing you.

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren. (Proverbs 13:22)

Stop & Think: January 25, 2021

Love

All life-changing love is inconvenient. (Tim Keller, current popular author)

Words used too often, too often lose their basic meaning. Love is such a word. For many people it’s merely a sentimental feeling—like spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June. For others, it’s all about physical intimacy. But the real value of genuine love is its motivation to do for others what they most need—and, as Keller says, it is not always easy or convenient.

Love is patient and kind. It does not demand its own way. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7)

Stop & Think: January 24, 2021

Blessings

What I’m looking for is a blessing that’s not in disguise. (Jerome K. Jerome, 19th-20th century English writer)

Sometimes we hear people talk about “a blessing in disguise,” something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later. Maybe you’ve lost a job but then you got a better one. That might really be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps Jerome had had too many of those “blessings,” so he is eager for some obvious blessed experience. How about you?

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:20)

Stop & Think: January 23, 2021

Helping

When you help someone up a hill, you find yourself much closer to the top. (Brownie Wise, 20th century saleswoman)

It is a great pleasure to help someone, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s at a disadvantage to us in the loss of time or opportunity, but we do it because we care. And, as Wise suggests, there often is a great advantage to be gained in assisting someone else in their pursuit. Not only do we gain a sense of satisfaction in helping, but we may also have advanced to our own benefit.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10)

Stop & Think: January 22, 2021

Living Now

I will live in the past, the present, and the future. (Charles Dickens, 19th century British writer)

Dickens’ statement seems contrary to a lot of current advice to suggest that we must live in the present. We can’t go back to the past, and we can’t project into the future. Of course, we all realize that what’s happened in the past does have a great influence on today, and we should not forget it. And we must live today in light of what we hope and plan for tomorrow. That’s life.

What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again. (Ecclesiastes 3:15)

Stop & Think: January 21, 2021

Temptation

God provides the armor to withstand temptation, but we must put it on. (David C. Egner, Our Daily Bread writer)

The old joke was “The devil made me do it.” We always seem to be finding excuses for our sins and failure. And yet God has provided adequate defenses for us to withstand those temptations to do wrong. (See Ephesians 6:10-18.) When I fail, it’s because I choose to do so. Until we are willing to acknowledge our failure and accept God’s help, we have no excuse.

God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Stop & Think: January 20, 2021

Usefulness

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. (John A. Shedd, late business executive)

There are lots of mankind’s creations that bring satisfaction in just their appearance—a fancy automobile, for example, or a well-made formal outfit. Nice to look at but of little value other than as a piece of art. Automobiles are made to ride in; clothes are made to wear for comfort and protection. Let’s use well what we’ve created for the benefit of all and the glory of God.

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. . . The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be. . . (1 Peter 1:5, 8)

Stop & Think: January 19, 2021

Faith

Faith is the bird that sings while it is yet dark. (Max Lucado, author)

2020 was a dark year for a lot of people. Whether it was the pandemic, the economy, or politics, many folks found it difficult to face life and its problems with any hope. Yet, there were others who seemed to weather the storms with tranquility and steadfastness. Lucado’s comment raises the question of the source of faith. Make sure your trust is in something secure and lasting.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) 

Stop & Think: January 18, 2021

Youth

When it comes to staying young, a mind-lift beats a face-lift anytime. (Abraham Maslow, late American psychologist)

Is there any end to the TV commercials promoting face creams and supplements to make you look younger? It always sounds like you can just apply the special products and immediately look younger (at some expense, of course). But youth is more an expression of behavior and attitude than appearance. Keep your mind nimble, and maybe you won’t feel your age.

[The Lord] fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:5)

Stop & Think: January 17, 2021

Be Involved

Participation is more satisfying than perfection. (Ferida Wolff, journalist)

Everybody wants to be a winner, and some work hard to be perfect in their particular pursuit. We’ve all found that winning is really fun, but few are ever satisfied that they’ve reached perfection. Wolff’s suggestion is a great comfort even when you aren’t perfect or haven’t won the contest. There can be a great sense of satisfaction in just participating fully.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. (Colossians 3:23)

Stop & Think: January 16, 2021

Life

For a long time, it had seemed to me that life was about to begin — real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. (Alfred D’Souza, archbishop in India)

D’Souza continues, “Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last, it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.” What a good reminder that wishing and hoping for something in the future is to ignore present reality. What is here now comprises the life we are to enjoy and work in.

Jesus: “I am the bread of life. . . I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 6:35; 8:12)

Stop & Think: January 15, 2021

Affliction

The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. (C.H. Spurgeon, late British preacher)

It’s only natural to avoid affliction and trials as much as possible. Yet, we often find ourselves in trying circumstances, not always of our own doing. It’s in the way we respond to such difficulties that often determines our future success or failure. Spurgeon’s comment suggests that trials may be the very best way to gain strength and perseverance.

My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)