GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: October 22, 2020

Against the Wind

Kites rise highest against the wind—not with it! (Winston Churchill, British WW II prime minister)

A lot of us have not had much success flying kites. To the contrary, often without much effort some kids have kites of all sizes and shapes soaring high into the sky. The rest of us get knots in the string, see the thin paper tear or the wood frames break—and it’s discouraging. In reality, of course, there is some skill in flying a kite, but the biggest reason for success is a strong wind.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Stop & Think: October 21, 2020

You are Blessed!

Forget the day’s troubles, remember the day’s blessings. (Source unknown)

That’s another “easier said than done” sentiment. Troubles seem to mount more quickly and higher than blessings sometimes. But remembering an old church hymn might help. “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” That’s a good placed to start.

The godly are showered with blessings. . . My cup overflows with blessings. (Proverbs 10:6; Psalm 23:5)

Stop & Think: October 20, 2020

Thoughts

Once you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start getting positive results. (Willie Nelson, Country music star)

It seems like such simple advice, but many have found it’s not all that easy. The news about illnesses, civil disruptions, and all the political palaver often make it difficult to think positively about life today. The simple answer—as difficult as it may seem to be –is to focus our attention on the positives of life and their source—the truth that God has given us in the Bible.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

Stop & Think: October 19, 2020

Moving Up

Don’t complain about the bottom rungs of the ladder; they helped to get you higher. (Warren Wiersbe, writer)

Some people are so enamored with their own position in life that they don’t remember how they got there. They’ve forgotten the months and years they worked in entry level positions to achieve the skills that helped them advance to greater responsibility. Wiersbe counsels leaders to have respect for those who are beginning the climb up the ladder and help them advance.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. (1 Peter 4:11)

Stop & Think: October 18, 2020

Leave the Safe Harbor

A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. (John A. Shedd, 19th & 20th century business executive)

Safety may be the primary concern when it comes to shipping, but you won’t have much use for the ship if it does not venture out into the sea to deliver its passengers or merchandise to their intended destination. What is it that keeps us from moving out into the unknown seas of life? Prepare well and use good judgment, then dare to leave port and pursue new ventures.

O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. (Psalm 65:5)

Stop & Think: October 17, 2020

Friendship III

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends whom we choose. (Tehyi Hsieh, 20th century Chinese author)

Most of us don’t live life alone. Even after we’ve flown from the family nest, whether it’s to continue our education, take a job, or pursue some other path, we are usually not by ourselves for long. As critical as our vocation or avocation may be, making friends is equally important. Choose companions who are a positive influence on you. Be reminded that. . .

. . .bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Stop & Think: October 16, 2020

Friendship II

I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends. (Walt Whitman, 19th century poet and essayist)

Among the great blessings of life are those undeserved gifts of grace, benefits we don’t work for or earn. Like the gifts that God offers in response to faith, not achieved by our efforts but out of his heart of love. Earthly friendships are like that, too. When God gives us a friend, it is a gift to be appreciated, cared for, and cherished.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 17:17)

Stop & Think: October 15, 2020

Friendship I

The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters. (Thomas Jefferson, early U.S. statesman)

Jefferson’s comment sees friendship as an opportunity to share—to give something rather than only to receive from others. To create lasting, productive friendships, we probably should think more about what we can do for our friends rather than we they might do for us.  Giving often results in receiving; but the greatest joy is in seeing others benefit from what we can give them.

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

Stop & Think: October 14, 2020

Purpose

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. (C. S. Lewis, 20th century British author)

Life without purpose, goals, or dreams can be drudgery. It is certainly very unproductive. When you’re employed, there always seems to be something to work toward, something worthwhile to accomplish. Retirees who continue to work toward achieving something of value do much better than those who don’t. Set goals, dream, and work toward them diligently.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Stop & Think: October 13, 2020

Confidence

A good leader inspires men to have confidence in him, a great leader inspires them to have confidence in themselves. (Eleanor Roosevelt, late U.S. president’s wife)

You cannot lead far or well if your followers don’t have confidence in you. In fact, you probably won’t even have any followers. Self-confidence breeds confidence, it seems. So, as Roosevelt says, really good leaders develop confidence in their followers, most likely not only by their example, but by giving the team opportunities to develop their skills in action.

I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. . . I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you. (2 Corinthians 7:4, 16)

Stop & Think: October 12, 2020

Influence

There are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along. (Leo Buscaglia, late college professor)

Buscaglia describes the waiting people as those “who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.” Never “underestimate,” he says, “the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a listening ear. . . or the smallest act of caring.” We might just help turn a life around.

Those who fear the Lord. . . share freely and give generously to those in need. . . They will have influence and honor. (Psalm 112: 1, 9)

Stop & Think: October 11, 2020

Life

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first. (Source unknown)

The significant question, however, is “What’s in your cup?” If someone bumps into you while you’re holding a cup of coffee, what spills out? Coffee, of course. When life comes along and shakes you (and it will), whatever is inside you will come out. Life provides the cup; how will you fill it? Live so that when life gets tough, joy, gratitude, and peace will spill out.

[God] produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)