GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 17, 2020

Perspective

Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. (Wayne Dyer, self-help, author)

It’s the old story of seeing the cup as half full or half empty or noticing the mud rather than the daisy. It’s a matter of perspective, isn’t it? The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is often just the way they’ve become accustomed to seeing things. It might take a little effort but developing a more positive attitude will certainly make things look different to you.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Stop & Think: July 16, 2020

Falling

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela, late South African president)

We think nothing of it when a toddler falls and immediately jumps up again. Nearly everyone has fallen short of the expected standard but bounced back to move forward once again. Spectators might be aware of such failures, but most observers will applaud the runner who gets up and moves on.

When people fall down, don’t they get up again? (Jeremiah 8:4)

Stop & Think: July 15, 2020

Troubles

Adversity reveals genius. (Horace, 1st century B.C. Roman poet)

The Greek philosopher Plato put it this way, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” When the need for something becomes imperative, we are forced to find ways to meet that need. According to Horace, the greater the need, the more it takes to meet it. We’re not all geniuses, of course, but who knows what we can achieve when we put our minds into finding solutions.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. (Isaiah 43:2)

Stop & Think: July 14, 2020

Act Now

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. (The Talmud, Jewish religious law)

In a world saturated with troubles within and without, it’s easy to give up in face of the daunting task of achieving peace. Because the problem is too big to solve easily or quickly, we’re inclined not to try at all. But the Talmud continues, “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” We can respond now with love, mercy, and humility.

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)

Stop & Think: July 13, 2020

Honesty

If being a team player requires doing what is wrong, you’re on the wrong team. (Chuck Swindoll, author)

An American teacher overseas was offered an administrative position in his school. In the culture of that nation, it was not uncommon to be less than honest and forthright in relationships between levels of authority. The teacher agreed to serve with the stipulation that he would not do anything unethical. You can imagine how brief his new job was. Author Swindoll is right.

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:21)

Stop & Think: July 12, 2020

Knowing More

Don’t focus on what you don’t know. It’s too heavy for you and will crush your peace of mind. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

For many of us what we don’t know sometimes stymies us to the point where we just can’t move forward. We think we must have that certain piece of information that will help us in our project. But, Suitt is right. There’s far too much of the unknown for us to hope to “know it all” about any single subject. We would all do better to confidently move forward, using what we do know.

To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

Stop & Think: July 11, 2020

Be Still

Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 7:42:23, PST.

We’re more familiar with the similar prayer, “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now!” “That’s ridiculous, we say.” Sure, both statements are absurd, but isn’t that really the way we act too often? It may take a supernatural act of God to bring about that kind of change, but surely, he wants us to use the common sense and abilities he’s given us to live wisely and thoughtfully.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God . . . Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 46:10; 37:7)

Stop & Think: July 10, 2020

Priorities

Let’s do our best to order our lives wisely and keep first things first. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French writer)

Pascal also wrote, “Man’s sensitivity to little things and insensitivity to the greatest things are marks of a strange disorder.” Isn’t it that we are inclined sometimes to major on the minor irritations of life, at least temporarily overlooking what are far greater concerns? It does take some discipline to keep first things first, doesn’t it? But it’s so important!

Jesus said, “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Stop & Think: July 9, 2020

Contentment

Discontentment is an appetite that’s never fully satisfied. (Mike Lee, pastor)

Whether it’s an addiction or just an unfulfilled desire, discontent can lead to habits that can destroy your career and hopes. Haven’t you known someone who never seems to be satisfied? They are always looking for something new and different or just more of whatever feeds that unending yearning. It’s a terrible way to live, but help is available. You can learn to be content.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have . . .  I have learned the secret of living in every situation . . .  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Stop & Think: July 8, 2020

Justice

Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary. (Reinhold Niebuhr, late theologian)

The unruly protests and even violent riots of last month well illustrate both of Niebuhr’s observations. The hue and cry for justice for those who have been treated unfairly by authorities is a legitimate concern of free people. But the resultant behavior, which has become too common, demonstrates man’s need to hear and respond to the righteous demands of God.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Stop & Think: July 7, 2020

Friendship III

I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better. (Plutarch, early Greek philosopher)

Some political leaders seem to have a lot of “Yes-men” around them, always agreeing with the boss and never challenging his or her opinions. Plutarch would argue that they are not really good friends—either to the leader or to the people who follow. It may be difficult to hear correction from your friends, but you soon realize it’s what’s best for you.

Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy . . . The godly give good advice to their friends. (Proverbs 27:6; 12:26)

Stop & Think: July 6, 2020

Friendship II

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Luther’s words seemed appropriate in recent upsets in our society. And they reflect earlier times in history as referred to by holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, “Let us remember what hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander.” The biblical story of the Good Samaritan ought to challenge us to be alert to support neighbors in need.

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)