GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 4, 2024

Faith 3

You can do very little with faith, but you can do  nothing without it. (Nicholas Murray Butler, American educator and Nobel Peace Prize winner)

The British writer, C. S. Lewis, put it another way: “True faith is never found alone; it is accompanied by expectation.” Hope-so-faith is of little value; you don’t really expect anything to happen. Genuine faith, the kind God offers in his Word, is placed in the One who never fails, so the believer’s hope is always expecting God to keep his promises.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23)

Stop & Think: May 3, 2024

Faith 2

You can’t predict the future, so plan for it. (Edward Jones, investment advisor)

Some “advisors” think they have the unique ability to see into the future. On that basis they want to give direction and hope to their patrons. While financial advisors may be able to predict market futures, no one actually knows what tomorrow will bring. It’s better to plan carefully on the basis of knowledge and experience, coupled with faith in a sovereign God.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? . . . What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:14, 15)

Stop & Think: May 2, 2024

Faith

Faith sees the invisible, but it does not see the nonexistent. (A. W. Tozer, late spiritual mentor)

Tozer also wrote, “Real faith is not the stuff dreams are made of; rather it is tough, practical, and altogether realistic.” Faith is only as good or strong as its object. Trust in a broken chair or thin ice would certainly not be well placed. But faith in a tested and proven object or in a person of character and integrity will bring results that are satisfying and fulfilling.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. . .  . [I]t is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

Stop & Think: May 1, 2024

May Day

Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun. (Kahill Gibran, Lebanese-American writer and poet)

To some  people, the first day of May is their first real day of spring. It’s a good day because the flowers are in bloom, and they bring joy to the warmer weather. But, as others have observed, every day is a good day to be alive, whether or not the sun is shining or the flowers are blooming. Let the pleasant expression on your face brighten someone’s life today.

A glad heart makes a happy face . . . As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. (Proverbs 15:13; 27:19)

Stop & Think: April 30, 2024

Happiness 2

Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. (Ben  Franklin)

Franklin continues: “The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.” Few people seem to be content with what they have. Perhaps it’s part of the American dream, not just to reach a level of comfort, but to try to satisfy the desire for more. People who learn to be satisfied with things more important than money, may, indeed, be happy.

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Stop & Think: April 29, 2024

Happiness

Work like you don’t need money; love like your heart has never been broken; dance like no one is watching. (Aurora Greenway, actress)

Some workers would probably like to take their job less seriously—which is hard to do if you lack cash. The heartbroken probably do have a better understanding of what love is and will experience it again. And people who don’t have good rhythm may be happy enough to dance even if they’re not in private. How do you gain this kind of confidence?

[W]hen people [mistreat] you because you follow the Son of Man. . . .  [B]e happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. (Luke 6:22-23)

Stop & Think: April 28, 2024

Love is to Share

The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay – love isn’t love until it’s given away. (Oscar Hammerstein II, songwriter)

Because mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and God is love (1 John 4:8), we were given hearts capable of love. The songwriter was right when he noted that love isn’t meant to remain unshared. Loving others is in the very DNA of one’s spiritual being. To love in the deepest way is to act in the best interest of another, as God works through the lover.

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

Stop & Think: April 27, 2024

Others

Insecurity is often fed by self-interest. (Philip Bryant, community worker)

Perhaps you’ve noticed that some people who seem to have a sense of insecurity are also very self-centered. Maybe it’s continually thinking of themselves that has produced a sense of inadequacy. Giving attention to others may relieve that tension and develop a greater concern for others and how to interact with and help them.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4)
Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: April 26, 2024

Solitude

If we only stimulate our children…that’s not good. A sense of solitude is one of the most beautiful things a parent can give a child. (Henry Nouwen, 20th-century Dutch professor)

In the non-stop life pace for most, this word of caution should be helpful for today’s parents. For example, with the emphasis on children’s sports—involving almost total immersion in the sports world from early childhood, it’s good to consider Nouwen’s words. Like adults, children need some time to be quiet, learning to be still, to enjoy life, and to think— as early as possible.

For everything there is a season, . . .     A time to be quiet and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)

Stop & Think: April 25, 2024

Looking Ahead

Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase. (Ancient proverb)

It’s obvious that planning is important in any project; you’ll never accomplish your purpose and goal if you haven’t thought far enough ahead to know your way. The future is as uncertain as the weather, but though you may not see every move ahead, you have to take one step at a time to achieve your ultimate goal. Pursue your plan carefully, confident that each step is the right one.

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24)

Stop & Think: April 24, 2024

Prayer

It may well be that the deepest form of prayer begins when we run out of things to say. (Darryl Tippens, university professor and author)

It’s very likely that most prayers are either prepared recitations or a list of things we want from “some higher power.” The God of the Bible has promised to hear and answer, so believers often come only when they have needs or when they are at a loss for words. That is the best time to wait and listen to discover what He wants to tell us.

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. (Matthew 6:9)

Stop & Think: April 23, 2024

Backward or Forward?

No one really needs a leader to go backward. (Allistar Begg, pastor & author)

This obvious observation is worthy of more thought. After all, as Begg further suggests, “You can just go back.” How often have you decided that moving forward was too difficult or just not worth the effort, so you turned around and went back? Begg observes, “We need leaders to push us forward.” If you’re tempted to go back, look for someone to challenge you to “go for it!”

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalm 143:10)