GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 2, 2020

Ego

Learn to admire others. It is the first step to overcome your ego. (Ehsan Sehgal, Dutch-Pakistani author and journalist)

We don’t like to think we’re egotistical or proud, but there are times when we realize that we’ve fallen into a “me first” frame of mind. Maybe it’s our impatience at waiting in line at the grocery or scrambling for the best seat on the bus. Sehgal’s suggestion could be helpful. When we respect friends of high character and try to emulate them, we may become less self-centered.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. (Proverbs 11:2; 29:23)

Stop & Think: November 1, 2020

Anger

Anger, resentment, and jealousy [don’t] change the heart of others – [they] only change yours. (Shannon L. Alder, author)

Sometimes when we’ve been wronged or someone has hurt us badly, it feels so good to get really mad and vent our anger somehow. But that good feeling doesn’t last long, and it really doesn’t help the situation at all. As Alder reminds us, our anger doesn’t change the person who hurt us. Rather, it may ruin a relationship and affect us negatively for a very long time.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

Stop & Think: October 31, 2020

Habits

We cling to the familiar and never stop to think… If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we will keep getting what we’ve already got. (Henry Ford, auto pioneer)

“We’ve always done it that way” is just about the worst possible reason for continuing. Albert Einstein called it insanity if you keep doing the same thing, expecting different results. But habits are hard to break. Somehow, we’re more comfortable in bad practices than thinking about trying something new.  Often it’s time to think creatively and try new ideas.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2)

Stop & Think: October 30, 2020

Equality

The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal. (Aristotle, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

From the U.S. Declaration of Independence more than two centuries ago to today’s loud voices and demonstrations, equality is a much used and abused term. Regardless of political viewpoints, from a biblical standpoint, all men are equally sinful and in need of a Savior. That is clearly demonstrated in life today. And God’s abundant grace is equally available to all.

And this is God’s plan: [all] who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. (Ephesians 3:6)

Stop & Think: October 29, 2020

Destiny

We write our own destiny. We become what we do. (Madame Chiang Kai-shek, late Chinese political figure) 

Making choices through life pretty well determines what we become. Choices result in actions; we make a choice and we move on. The sum of those choices establishes our character and our reputation. We are affected by others, to be sure, but their influence cannot control our activity or destiny without our choosing. Stand firm in what is right, making choices carefully.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (Psalm 73:24)

Stop & Think: October 28, 2020

Choose Well

The choice you make, makes you. (John Wooden, successful basketball coach)

Choice and attitude are two of the very few things we can control in life. Whatever the circumstances or environment, we have to make choices, and Wooden argues that those choices really determine who we will be in terms of character and integrity. Wise King Solomon noted, “A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.” (The Bible)

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:10)

Stop & Think: October 27, 2020

Doing Good

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19th century Scottish poet)

We always appreciate a good harvest. When the tomatoes come in, full and ripe, we are pleased with the number and relish their taste. Likewise, when our business plans succeed, and we produce good products and market them successfully, we’re very happy. But, when it comes to living a productive life, Stevenson helps us discover a better way to evaluate our impact.

They [who fear the Lord]. . .  share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.  (Psalm 112:8-9)

Stop & Think: October 26, 2020

What Do We Really Love?

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. (G. K. Chesterton, late English writer)

We do place value on a lot of things, and we probably do have a strong attachment to some—a pet, our close friends, the family Bible. But, do we often take them for granted? How much time do we spend with them? Do we use them a lot?  Could we get along without them? It would be good for us to consider where our important attachments are and how we can nurture them.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Stop & Think: October 25, 2020

Admiration

Learn to admire with the desire to acquire. (Source unknown)

What is this rhyming ditty all about? Surely, it’s more than coveting someone else’s prized possession. More likely, it’s a challenge to pursue the qualities you discover in another person. You might think, “I would really like to have the clear-thinking ability of that person.” Or, “I wish I had her patience.”  It’s good to want to acquire the positive qualities we see in others.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Stop & Think: October 24, 2020

Make a Difference

[People] are willing to follow if given a chance to make a difference. (Sam Ranier, author)

It sometimes seems that some leaders are stuck in a rut, offering the same information and challenges they’ve been offering forever. No one is interested in the “same ol’, same ol.” We’ve heard it all before, and we’re not seeing much change. We don’t want to continue in the same meaningless endeavors. Give us a chance to make a difference, and we’re all in!

Without wise leadership, a nation falls. . . If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Proverbs 11:14; Romans 12:8)

Stop & Think: October 23, 2020

Thinking

An open mind makes a wide-open future possible. (Anonymous)

Some folks are so closed-minded that they can’t even imagine anything different from what they already know for sure. They’re really missing out on opportunities to learn and enjoy new experiences. Clothes designer, Coco Chanel expressed a contrary opinion, “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” Think with an open mind, though.

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. . . The virtuous think before they act (Proverbs 12:15; 21:29)

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)