GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 1, 2020

Foolish

A fool knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. (Oscar Wilde, 19th century Irish playwright)

What April Fools joke might you experience today? It may be an extreme prank, but it’s all in fun, of course. Wilde, however, comments on what is a serious mistake that many people make today. Looking for discounts and “deals,” we often fail to consider the real value of what we’re buying or spending our time pursuing. Stop! Be wise in spending your money and time.

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you (John 6:27).

Stop & Think: March 31, 2020

Forgiving

Don’t forget to forgive. Forgiveness can be difficult, but learning how to incorporate it into your life can be good for your health (Erin Johnson).

As Johnson suggests, there may be times when it can be really hard to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply. Yet, the personal experience of many has demonstrated that failing to forgive is more painful for them than for their offender. Furthermore, after forgiving someone, the restored relationship may offer long-lasting good for both parties.

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9).

Stop & Think: March 30, 2020

Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it (Edith Wharton, 19th-20th century writer).

Not everyone can be a leading scorer on the basketball or football team or have the lead role in a play or movie. The role of the rest of the team or the cast is to help the “leader” be his or her very best. The primary function of the #2 office person is to make #1 successful. When we do that well, we are the mirrors that make the star’s light even brighter.

If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant. . . For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Luke 11:36; Ephesians 5:8)

Stop & Think: March 29, 2020

Winning

The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated… it is finished when it surrenders (Ben Stein, writer).

Everyone loses from time to time, whether it’s a debate, an investment, or an athletic competition. It hurts, but it’s not the end unless we let it discourage us to the point of just giving up and quitting. In the words of a Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times; get up eight.” Set you mind on being a winner the very next time you compete.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Stop & Think: March 28, 2020

Doubts

Doubt is letting your circumstances get between you & God. Faith is letting God get between you & your circumstances (Mark Batterson, author).

Circumstances are like mattresses. When you’re on top of them, you can be really comfortable. But, when you’re under a mattress (or your circumstances), life can be far more than just uncomfortable. We’ve all discovered that having a friend to stand between us and our difficulties is a great help. Find someone today that you can encourage.

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer (Psalm 94:19).

Stop & Think: March 27, 2020

Seeds

You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you can never count the number of apples in a seed. (Karen Jensen, actress)

“Of course; that’s obvious,” we might say. But how seriously have we applied that thought to our daily lives? How can your investment in your children or your encouragement of just a few people produce results far beyond your imagination? Don’t overlook the single person or project; the multiplication of your effort through them could be astounding!

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Stop & Think: March 26, 2020

Opportunity

Having the opportunity to develop our strengths is more important to our success than our role, our title, or even our pay (Tom Rath, author). 

Some people are impressed by titles—professor, CEO, all-star and so forth. Others consider the wage scale a good indicator of advancement—the more you’re paid, the better you must be. Rath argues, however, that the real key to success is the opportunities you have to develop your skill and your ultimate worth in the workplace. That’s were success begins.

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16).

Stop & Think: March 25, 2020

Resources

At the time of our greatest need we tend to forget our greatest resource (Kip Cone, pastor).

When things are going well and life seems good, we aren’t greatly concerned about our sources of help. All is working, and we’re getting along fine with our own abilities and strength. Then, when life changes and becomes tough, we may continue to rely on our own abilities and wisdom. That’s when we need to remember our great resources of family, friends, and God.

Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory (Psalm 50:15).

Stop & Think: March 24, 2020

Best

Good, better, best; never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best (Sterling Shepherd, “Shep,” former professional football player). 

This is one of many motivational statements “Shep” uses in challenging young people to live a positive life of value to themselves and their community. It has been said that the worst enemy of real progress is settling for good instead of pursuing the best. How much better would our communities be if we all sought to be and do our very best, instead of settling for less?

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others (1 Corinthians 10:33).

Stop & Think: March 23, 2020

Changes

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa).

Have you had an experience like Mandela’s? Perhaps he was alluding to his return to civilian life after a long political imprisonment. Probably nothing else had changed as much as he himself had. Life is all about change, of course, but the most important changes are those that happen in us. We must continue to adapt, to mature, to become more productive and encouraging.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:3).

Stop & Think: March 22, 2020

Fear

A life lived in fear is a life half lived (Alan Hirsch, author).

Some people seem to live in fear. And there is a lot to be fearful about today: diseases, threats of war, corruption in politics and business, to name a few. But, as Hirsch suggests, living in fear robs you of enjoying life; you may experience good times, but you’re always afraid it won’t last. Learning to look beyond the fearful things in life can help you live joyfully in the present.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Stop & Think: March 21, 2020

Certainty

Optimism is a wish without warrant (J. I. Packer, Canadian theologian).

Optimism helps a lot of us face the difficulties that arise in our experience with a positive outlook on life, hoping for the best. Packer continues: “Optimism hopes for the best without any guarantee of its arriving and is often no more than whistling in the dark.” He offers a better outlook: “Christian hope is a certainty, guaranteed by God himself.”

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we. . . can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us (Hebrews 6:18).