GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 3, 2025

Satisfaction

Satisfaction comes not from chasing bigger and bigger things, but paying attention to smaller and smaller things. (Arthur C. Brooks, author and university professor)

Any number of us have failed when trying to accomplish some grandiose project, only to discover that we have “bitten off more than we could chew” as the saying goes. Or perhaps we’re hoping to do something greater than someone else has done. Brooks suggests, however, that we’ll be much happier if we downsize our expectations and succeed the smaller efforts.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. (Galatians 6:4)

Stop & Think: April 2, 2025

Effective Teaching

If to correct you must humiliate, you don’t know how to teach. (Source unknown)

In public debate over differing opinions, we hear far too many cruel comments about people. It’s not just about their opinions and actions—those are fair game. But it goes too far when we call people names and judge their intentions. Those practices only harden the stance of the opposition and cause them to respond in kind. To help someone learn, teach with patience and kindness,

O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies, don’t let me cause those who trust in you to be humiliated. (Paraphrase of Psalm 69:6)

Stop & Think: April 1, 2025

Fool’s Day

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. (Bruce Lee, actor and philosopher)

Did you play a prank on someone today? Or have you outgrown April Fool’s Day? When we think wisely about being foolish, Bruce Lee’s comment is enlightening. Some teachers say there are no foolish questions. Perhaps that’s because a wise teacher can turn the question into a great learning opportunity.

Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. . . (Ephesians 5:15)
Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. (1 Timothy 6:20)

Stop & Think: March 31, 2025

Forgiving

Forgiving is your gift to yourself–the gift of happiness. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author)

In the same vein, Huie writes, “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” We are inclined to think that when we forgive someone, theirs is the great benefit. We have given them something they might not deserve, and they can move forward without a sense of guilt. That may be true, but as Huie says, the one who forgives receives the greatest benefit.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. (Matthew 6:12)
God blesses those who are merciful, [forgiving] for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

Stop & Think: March 30, 2025

Excuses

People who fail in life are people who find lots of excuses. (Ben Carson, neurosurgeon)

“The dog ate my homework” was the childhood excuse. Today it might be, “The computer ate my spreadsheet” or something similar. It is often difficult to admit our mistakes. And there are some who just can’t “get over themselves.” Carson’s advice: “It’s never too late for a person to recognize that he is God’s chosen and have potential in themselves.” No excuses. Just be you.

You are a chosen people. (1 Peter 2:9)
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. (Romans 8:33)

Stop & Think: March 29, 2025

God’s Creation

Until you make peace with who you are you will never be content with what you got. (Doris Mortman, late author)

People who never seem to have enough, or who have plenty but not what they would like to have, are often not content. God may not choose to give us everything we want, but he has made us who we are. The basis for contentment with what God gives us is in realizing and accepting that very fact, appreciating that he has made us to be who we are.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous. (Psalm 139:14-15)

Stop & Think: March 28, 2025

Aging

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. (Franz Kafka, late Austrian-Czech writer)

Kafka began this comparison with “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty.” In Ecclesiastes 12, the Bible reminds the reader of the complications of aging: diming eyesight, weak legs and shoulders, few remaining teeth. Then, the writer says, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Thankfully, the grateful heart, though aging, can enjoy the beauty God provides.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)

Stop & Think: March 27, 2025

Mañana

The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it. (John Maxwell, leadership author and speaker)

It’s called procrastination, and it is a troubling habit of many of us. Our motto seems to be, “Mañana. Don’t do today what you can put off till tomorrow.” Maxwell’s observation is all too true: There is no end to the tomorrows that we think we can wait for to do what we’ve put off again. Whether a leader or a follower, we must learn to act today while the opportunity is here.

Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. (Proverbs 6:4)

Stop & Think: March 26, 2025

Focus

Where FOCUS goes, energy flows. (Tony Robbins, author and motivational speaker)

Have you ever been talking with someone when they kept looking away at something or someone else? It’s rather distracting, isn’t it? It’s obvious that that person’s focus and attention are not fixed on your conversation, and it’s extremely impolite. Keep your focus on what’s at hand and most important. Then your attention and energy will help you keep on track.

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus . . . (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Stop & Think: March 25, 2025

Be Kind

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. (Wendy Mass, novelist)

We would all do well to follow Mass’ advice. Sometimes, we may not respond well to someone because we’re having a bad day, but we should strive to be gracious all the time. It’s always good to be as kind as possible to everyone we meet, realizing that they may be having a difficult time, too. You might even be able to help lift their spirits.

The words of the godly encourage many. (Proverbs 10:21)
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)

Stop & Think: March 24, 2025

Learning

Genius without Education is like Silver in the Mine. (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac)

Whether it’s gold, silver, or other precious ore, it’s of little value buried deep in the earth. Once it’s mined, assayed, and processed, those metals suddenly become very valuable. Poor Richard’s analogy is right on. No matter how great one’s IQ, his or her natural talent becomes even more valuable when coupled with a well-structured continuing education.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Stop & Think: March 23, 2025

Examples

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. (Paulo Coelho, Brazilian novelist)

It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it, that Americans are highly opinionated people? It’s most evident in election years when the political scene is crowded with so many who want their ideas to be heard. The real test of the worthiness of a candidate who is running for office is not so much what he or she says, but their example, how much their lives back up their rhetoric.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:7)