GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 19, 2025

Crying

Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive. (Charlotte Bronte, 19th century English poet and novelist)

The baby’s first cry is always a welcomed sound. He/she is alive! The baby’s crying thereafter becomes its signal to mom: “I’m hungry,” “I’m wet,” “I’m hurting”—and sometimes it’s just to get attention. We tend to think that when an adult cries—especially a man, it might be a sign of weakness. However, overwhelming emotion, whether grief or joy is a healthy reason to cry.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Stop & Think: March 18, 2025

Living and Learning

I never lose, I either win or learn. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

Really?  How can Mandela say that? He was imprisoned for years because of his opposition to the government’s policies. He clarified, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” He learned well during those difficult years, finally earning, not just his freedom, but the opportunity to serve his country in its highest office.

Whoever learns from correction is wise. (Proverbs 15:5)
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. (Proverbs 9:9)

Stop & Think: March 17, 2025

Kindness

One kind word can change someone’s entire day. (wisdomquotes4u.com)

We all know that a single unkind word can create deep and often long-lasting pain. As someone put it: “Show kindness to unkind people. Forgive people who don’t deserve it. Love unconditionally.” Such behavior will reflect who you are in the most positive way. TV personality Barbara De Angelis said, “Love and kindness are never wasted.”

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! . . . Your kindness will reward you. . .  Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Proverbs 3:3; 11:17; 16:24)

Stop & Think: March 16, 2025

Creation

By a carpenter mankind was made and by a carpenter mankind is remade. (Desiderius Eramus, 16th century Dutch scholar and priest)

Jesus was raised in the home of a skilled craftsman. No doubt he learned how to work diligently and creatively. And his creative ability as both God and man is cause for worship. “For through him God created everything. . . Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). And, when we have a relationship with God, he begins to recreate us to become like him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (1 Corinthians 5:17)

Stop & Think: March 15, 2025

Moral Compass

Conscience is the most sacred of all property. (James Madison, 4th U.S. president)

Someone commented on Madison’s “The Intangible Property of the Conscience” this way: “To James Madison, the idea of religion goes much deeper than how one does or doesn’t pray.” To this founding father, a person’s moral compass is even more important than material possessions. Protecting this essential right is a constant struggle.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)

Stop & Think: March 14, 2025

Prayer

To pray, really, to pray. . . ‘til the mountains of obstacles are removed . . . is God’s work and man’s best labor. (E.M. Bounds, late American author and clergyman)

To many people, prayer is only a Sunday morning church ritual or occasionally saying a rote “grace” at the table. Sometimes it might be a sudden, desperate prayer when you’re in an accident or a loved one is dying. Prayer is appropriate then, of course, but the prayer that “moves mountains,” as Bounds suggests, is a deliberate, forceful effort to secure the blessing of God.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:17)

Stop & Think: March 13, 2025

Words and Bones

The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words. (Irina Swart, quoted by Oprah Winfrey, TV host)

The old saying that “words will never hurt me” is blatantly wrong. It’s true that written or spoken words don’t break bones, but they can—and often do–much greater harm. Innumerable broken hearts and spirits are the result of hurtful words, sometimes spoken quickly and forgotten for the moment. Listen carefully; speak softly and kindly to bless rather than hurt others.

If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. (James 3:2)

Stop & Think: March 12, 2025

Having a Voice

If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. (Shirly Chisholm, former U.S. representative.

Chisholm was most likely referring to the difficulties she had, as the first black woman elected to Congress, in being heard by the other representatives. Her advice could be helpful to anyone who is shut out of taking part in meaningful discussions about life, politics, or spiritual concerns. Christians may have to “pull up a chair” to be heard on topics relating to faith and life.

To the Apostle Paul: “For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.” To all believers: “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” (Acts 22:15; 1:8)

Stop & Think: March 11, 2025

Knowledge

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. (Benjamin Franklin, U.S. founding father)

Every day–sometimes even more often–some people check the Dow-Jones readings. They’re concerned about their investments, hoping for good earnings and fearing the occasional losses. Franklin’s comment may seem less significant to financial investors, but it is a foundational truth. Without good knowledge and the wisdom to apply it well, life will be less rewarding.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. . . .  Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge. . . . (Proverbs 1:7; 18:15)

Stop & Think: March 10, 2025

Priorities

When your priorities are confused, don’t be surprised if you are, too! (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

We probably don’t often reassess our priorities, and that’s not good. We’re content with life in general until we run into perplexing situations. It’s at those times, as Brown suggests, we may become confused. We may continue to fail unless we reset the priorities in our minds to enable us to make better choices.

A wise person chooses the right road. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. (Psalm 25:12)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

Stop & Think: March 9, 2025

Limits

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and speaker)

How much strength and endurance do you have? It’s when we face a task that is more difficult than we had expected that we discover our limitations. That’s a good thing to know. We’ll not likely sprain a muscle if we recognize how far we can go and stop short of hurting ourselves. The same principle applies when we face tests of our character.

When we run into problems and trials, . . . we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character . . . (Romans 5:3-4)

Stop & Think: March 8, 2025

Now and Later

A person has to be careful about things he might regret years from now. (Linus, a character in the Peanuts cartoon)

Charles Schultz used his cartoon characters to remind us of simple but significant truths. Whether it’s an ill-chosen word or an unintended faux pas, its impact may hurt at the moment and recur in one’s memory for months or years. Setting a guard on our words and interactions with people is the best protection from long-lasting hurt.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. (1 Peter 2:1)