GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 4, 2019

Success is important only to the extent that it puts one in a position to do more things one likes to do. (Sarah Caldwell, opera conductor)

Many people are working hard to achieve success with the idea, apparently, that once they have achieved it, that’s the end. But Caldwell makes it clear, that success is just another step in the process of moving forward. When you succeed at one project or another, it makes it possible to build on that success and work toward another new and worthwhile goal.

I don’t mean to say . . . that I have already reached perfection. . . . No . . . I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing . . . looking forward to what lies ahead . . . I press on (Philippians 3:12-14).

Stop & Think: May 3, 2019

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. (Bruce Lee, actor)

Knowledge is important; you can hardly have too much of it. But if we don’t apply to life what we know, the information we have is of little value. Likewise, the intention to use our knowledge and put it into our experience is useless if we don’t act on it. Know, act, do—all are necessary to achieve anything worthwhile.

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).

Stop & Think: May 2, 2019

People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day. (Winnie-the-Pooh, cartoon character)

Winnie sounds a lot like Garfield the cartoon cat. Both seem to be content at being lazy, doing nothing of importance. Maybe some of us are like that, too. Life may be comfortable for us, so why move out of our comfort zone to take on a task that would require energy and take us away from our rest? Maybe that’s okay if all you want to be is a character in the funnies

Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God (1 John 3:19). So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control (1 Peter 1:13).

Stop & Think: May 1, 2019

It is easier to act your way into feelings than to feel your way into actions. (Philip Yancey, author)

Yancey might well have said, “If you wait until you feel like it, you may never do it.” Many of us have learned that if we do what we should, we soon develop a feeling of satisfaction and maybe even fulfillment. Yancey’s comment provides a good incentive to move ahead. So, don’t hesitate, just do it.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).

Stop & Think: April 30, 2019

The vow of marriage is not one of unending happiness, but a vow of determined decision- making. (Jeff Bogue, pastor)

When we say “I do” at the altar, what are we committing ourselves to? Living with our companion in never-ending bliss and happiness? Like any other promise, our agreement with another party should always be to keep our commitment even when it’s difficult to do so. Happiness is not the goal but the byproduct of faithfulness.

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through . . .  It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).

Stop & Think: April 29, 2019

Blowing out someone’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter. (Amber Teamann, elementary school principal)

That sounds like a very good principle to teach elementary school children, who often display a “Me first” attitude. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson many adults need to relearn. How many times have you heard people put down someone else in an apparent attempt to make themselves look better? Let’s relearn that primary school lesson to make life more pleasant for everyone.

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves. (Romans 12:2).

Stop & Think: April 28, 2019

The older you get the better you get, unless you’re a banana. (Actress Betty White)

Well, we’d like to think that is true, wouldn’t we? We work with our children, send them to school, and give them every opportunity we can so they can become mature adults, contributing to the welfare of family and community. Unlike bananas that are plucked from the tree, delivered to the market, and have a very short lifespan, children can anticipate years of useful service.

I pray that . . . you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding (Philippians 1:9).

Stop & Think: April 27, 2019

Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless. (Morris Chang, businessman)

Strategy is important, but no matter how carefully planned, a project can still fail. On the other hand, as businessman Naveen Jain says, “Success doesn’t necessarily come from breakthrough innovation but from flawless execution. A great strategy alone won’t win a game or a battle; the win comes from basic blocking and tackling.” It takes both!

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity (Proverbs 21:5).

Stop & Think: April 26, 2019

Demonstrate courage on the outside, even when you don’t feel it on the inside. (Ann Valentine, college president)

No doubt many military men and women who have survived wartime experiences would admit to being scared when the shells were firing. Being frightened in times of peril doesn’t mean you’re a coward; it’s a normal reaction to danger. As Nelson Mandela put it, “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right (2 Chronicles 19:11).

Stop & Think: April 25, 2019

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. (Benjamin Franklin, inventor, writer)

We who live where water is plentiful and relatively inexpensive don’t really appreciate what a luxury it is in much of the world. We just take it for granted. It’s like so many other things in life; we don’t appreciate their real value until we lose them. Then, we begin to appreciate their worth. We should use them wisely and share with those who don’t have what we have.

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life (John 4:14).

Stop & Think: April 24, 2019

Knowledge and character have little value until it (sec.) is applied. (Jacqueline Hodges, educator)

The Bible says that wise people treasure knowledge, and certainly it’s helpful to store up facts and data that relate to life and living. It’s also good to establish a reputation of high moral character. But both of these valued traits, as Hodges suggests, are only of limited personal value if they are not translated into productive and meaningful work.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge . . . and knowledge with self-control. . . . The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be (1 Peter 1:6-8).

Stop & Think: April 23, 2019

Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did. (Sarah Caldwell, opera conductor)

Life is a continual learning experience. Caldwell suggests that the opportunities for learning are everywhere. If we’re not learning, we’re not growing. And we never know when what we’ve learned at any given time will prove to be just what we need to know at just the right time sometime later. So, we must keep our eyes and minds open to those potential learning moments.

Take a lesson from the ants . . . Learn from their ways and become wise! (Proverbs 6:6).