GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 25, 2020

Christmas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old familiar carols play / And wild and sweet, the words repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 19th-century American poet)

In a world that has been continually torn with constant turmoil, repeated conflicts, and threats of war, we pray on this Christmas Day for lasting peace. This is the day we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, who alone can reign sovereignly over a kingdom free from strife. We prayerfully await his promised return to establish just such a kingdom.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Stop & Think: December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve

Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends. (Margaret Thatcher, late British prime minister)

Christmas has so many wonderful traditions, including music.  Hearing the song, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, strikes an emotional chord at this time of year, because we want so much to be with family to celebrate the most unique and wonderful event in history—the fulfilling of God’s promise to send a Savior, whose birthday we’ll celebrate tomorrow.

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son… to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Stop & Think: December 23, 2020

Anno Domini

Christmas is the day that holds all time together. (Alexander Smith, 19th-century Scottish poet)

Have you ever wondered why this year is designated 2020 AD? When it was determined to synchronize calendars around the world, the pivotal starting event was the birth of Jesus. Every year since then is AD “Anno Domini” (the year of our Lord). Time before that is labeled BC (Before Christ).  He is the center of time and eternity.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:8)

Stop & Think: December 22, 2020

Christmas and Easter

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. (W. T. Ellis, Civil War veteran)

So much of the “Christmas spirit” is manufactured by advertising and showy programs, but, as Ellis suggests, the real Christmas spirit comes from the heart of those who understand what it’s really all about. We must understand that Christmas is the celebration of the beginning of God’s plan; it continues with the life and death of Jesus and culminates with Easter.

Christ died for our sins. . . He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Stop & Think: December 21, 2020

Christmas Joy

Christmas is for children. But it’s for grown-ups, too. (Lenora Mattingly Weber, 19th-20th century American author)

With a rather disheartening comment, Weber continues, “Even if it’s a headache, a chore, a nightmare it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts.” It makes you think of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Old Scrooge had a lot to learn. The joy of Christmas can certainly melt the hardest heart in recognizing God’s great plan of redemption coming to earth.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Mathew 1:21) 

Stop & Think: December 20, 2020

Christmas is Coming

For children Christmas is anticipation. For adults Christmas is memory. (Eric Sevareid, late American news journalist)

This is Christmas week, and children are eagerly awaiting the parties and, especially, the opening of gifts on Friday. Although they may try to hide it, adults are likely to be thinking about the sharing of gifts, too. But in just a week, it will all be over, and this Christmas—like every other one before—will be but a memory. To make it memorable, consider what it is really all about.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Stop & Think: December 19, 2020

Arrogance

Arrogance blocks honor either by seeking it or by rejecting it. (Dan Rockwell, fitness enthusiast)

We are often disappointed by someone who is a successful winner but who is arrogant. Pride is a strong turn off for lots of people. Rockwell also says, “Arrogance yields agonizing emptiness,” and he notes this contrast, “Humility welcomes others.” To win friends, shun pride and be humble.

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. (Proverbs 18:12)

Stop & Think: December 18, 2020

Ready for Christmas?

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together. (Garrison Keillor, American storyteller)

In most of the so-called civilized world, Christmas will be observed in just one week even by those who don’t appreciate its significance. As Keillor says, “Everyone will go through it.” But it will be just a holiday for many, including family get-togethers and gift-giving. For others, it will be the celebration of God’s entering into human experience to provide his mercy and grace.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14)

Stop & Think: December 17, 2020

Principles

A principle is an approach you stick with even if you know it might lead to a short-term outcome you don’t prefer. (Seth Godin)

Godin continues, “If your guiding principle is to do whatever benefits you right now, you don’t have principles of much value.” In a day of swiftly changing values, it’s difficult at times to know what is right and best. Unless there is a consistent standard, no matter the immediate benefit, there will be steady decline in the worth of a product or reputation.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. (1 Corinthians 3:13) 

Stop & Think: December 16, 2020

Judgment

We don’t see things the way they are, but the way we are. (Anaïs Nin, 20th-century French-Cuban American writer)

It’s often a question of viewpoint or perspective. We evaluate what we see and make our judgments based on our personal experience and bias. Others may see the same word or activity and make an entirely different judgment. Why is that? We must all learn the important lesson of impartiality and making sound judgments on more than mere appearances.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. (Proverbs 4:7)

Stop & Think: December 15, 2020

Living

One day your life will flash before your eyes; make sure it’s worth watching. (Gerard Way, American singer and songwriter)

Whether it’s true that people see their lives flash before them in moments of extreme danger, the idea is both frightening and challenging. What do you suppose you would see in those fleeting moments? Would it be fearful, or would you be glad for what you saw? In any case, now is the time to focus on living lives of such integrity that you won’t be ashamed at its final review.

. . .so that no one can criticize you, live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. (Philippians 2:15)

Stop & Think: December 14, 2020

Friendship III

Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. (Elbert Hubard, 19th-century American writer)

Friendships can be pretty fragile when there isn’t a firm commitment. Before we discard a friend because we learn something about him or her that upsets us, we should first consider how we might help rather than just give up the relationship. Helping one another builds lasting friendships that can prove invaluable to both.

The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)