GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 1, 2020

Happy New Year!

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “It will be happier.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson, 19th century British poet laureate)

We’ve been waiting for 2020, and now, here it is. As Tennyson wrote, many of us are glad that 2019 is over, and we’re hoping for a better 12 months ahead. Like everything else in life, things happen one minute at a time, then one hour, then one day—on and on it goes 366 times (Leap Year). Be patient; give each day your best effort to make it a good day.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)

Stop & Think: December 31, 2019

New Year’s Eve

Someone asked me when is my birthday? The poet inside me replied, “My birthday is on the last day of the year, It’s 31st December my dear!” (Anamika Mishra, author from India)

That’s an interesting way to look at New Year’s Eve. Every year is the beginning of entirely new experiences, full of surprises and unexpected challenges. As we leave this night, we are starting afresh—almost like we did on our actual day of birth. But this time, we can begin with knowledge, wisdom, and experience so we’re much better prepared. Happy Birthday!

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 3:15-16)

Stop & Think: December 30, 2019

Looking Back

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

We’re approaching the end of the year, and some of us are beginning to think of our resolutions for the New Year. But, before we formulate our hopes for 2020, perhaps we should use this year-end time to reflect on 2019. As Ziglar suggests, it’s not so much what we have accomplished but what we have become. Let’s evaluate our progress: what have we become?

The Apostle Paul: “I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead . . . (Philippians 3:13)

Stop & Think: December 29, 2019

Friendship

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

How many “friends” do you have on Social Media? Are they really friends? Would you feel free to share your most intimate thoughts with them (even in private)? Many of us have lots of acquaintances, but we wouldn’t consider many of them as really close friends. But we do need one or two that we can be completely open and sincere with. They can be strong anchors for us.

A friend is always loyal. . .  The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 17:17; 27:9)

Stop & Think: December 28, 2019

Priceless Gifts

Life, love, and laughter—what priceless gifts to give our children. (Phyllis Campbell)

The gifts we gave our kids a few days ago may be broken or forgotten by now, but as Campbell points out there are those “priceless gifts” that we can continue to give day by day throughout the year. When they’re grown, will they remember the trinkets we gave them as children, or will their lives demonstrate those gifts which formed their character?

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11)

Stop & Think: December 27, 2019

Christmas Joy

Dear God, Though Christmas Day passed, the reason we celebrate Christmas continues every day. (Source unknown)

The prayer continues: “Your gift of love, grace, and mercy to us is never ending. Thank you that we count on that every day of our lives.” We may still be cleaning up after the holiday celebration, and the excitement of the holiday may be passed, but our gratitude should continue, and it should be evident in the joy we express continually.

All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. (Psalm 22:26)

Stop & Think: December 26, 2019

The Day After

Three phrases that sum up Christmas: Peace on Earth, Good will to Men, and Batteries Not Included. (English proverb, from a Norman Rockwell calendar)

We may laugh at it, but if you don’t have the right batteries on Christmas morning, there may be a lot of disappointed children who can’t play with the toys they’ve waited so long for. And for others, who maybe are feeling a little down, it’s good to be reminded of those other common phrases. After all, the coming of Jesus at Christmas time is the reason for real joy.

The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29:19)

Stop & Think: December 25, 2019

Christmas

I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet / The word repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men! (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

In many parts of the western world, steeple bells will ring today. Though we are occupied with family get-togethers, sumptuous meals, and a lot of gift-giving, we must take time to celebrate what it’s all about. The Christ-child has been born, the one promised to redeem God’s people and whose sacrifice for us is the only means of God’s peace for those who believe.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. (John 3:16)

Stop & Think: December 24, 2019

Christmas Eve

Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness . . .  (George F. McDougall, 19th century seaman in the Royal Navy)

McDougall continues, “. . . a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” For one night and day, can we forget the hurts and offenses that we have suffered, and with an attitude moved by God’s love, move toward others with love and forgiveness? What a wonderful time to do so.

Love is patient and kind . . . is not jealous. . . It does not demand its own way . . keeps no record of being wronged. . . . Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Stop & Think: December 23, 2019

Christmas Eve

Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. (George W. Truett, late Baptist pastor)

Truett continues, “He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.” The Bible says that Jesus is to be crowned “King of kings” and “Lord of lords,” a rather astounding pronouncement about this inauspicious birth under unlikely circumstances. In just two days, we’ll celebrate this God-given royal gift.

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 22, 2019

Worship

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts. (Max Lucado, pastor and author)

As we begin this Christmas week, our thoughts often go to that wonderful; historic event of the birth of the baby Jesus. What would it have been like to have been the shepherds who heard that first announcement? Or the Magi who followed that star to find the promised Messiah and give him gifts and worship. We are blessed give our worship and gifts this season in the name of the One who came for us.

[The Magi] saw the child . . . bowed down and worshiped . . . opened their treasures and presented him with gifts. (Matthew 2:11)

Stop & Think: December 21, 2019

Giving

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. (Amy Carmichael, late missionary to India)

It’s the giving season, and our mailboxes are full of pleas for financial help for innumerable worthy causes. Jesus said, “It’s better to give than receive,” but giving just to appease our consciences is an unfulfilling gesture. A much higher motivation, of course, is giving out of a heart of love for God, country, and those whom we can help with a timely gift.

Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)