GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

January 20, 2018

Truth without grace is just condemnation; grace without truth is mere license. (James Emery White, preacher and author)

Confronting a family member or friend about his or her improper conduct or attitude can be a really critical moment. As White suggests, we need to approach such an encounter with both truth—facts, not rumors or preferences—and grace, a willingness to forgive and restore upon proper acknowledgement of wrongdoing and a commitment to correct past wrongs.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

January 19, 2018

We become like that which we love. (Late Catholic Bishop Fulton Sheen)

Is it true that people begin to look like their pets? It’s probably just a joke, but there is some truth to what Bishop Sheen says. Over the years of marriage couples do begin to think and act alike. But if we become so infatuated with the things of this temporary life, we will miss out on God’s very best intentions for us. Loving God will improve our character and personality.

You can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. (Romans 6:16)

January 18, 2018

Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it’s addressed to someone else. (T. S. Elliot, late British essayist)

“The writing on the wall” is a biblical phrase that foretold doom for a nation that had subjugated God’s people and desecrated His sacred things. If we see warnings that wrong might be exposed, do we think or hope that it’s someone else’s wrongdoing? If our conscience is pricked by such signs, we had better set things right as quickly as we can.

If you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

January 17, 2018

Most of our suspicions of others are aroused by our knowledge of ourselves. (Quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, motivational author and speaker)

That statement is a bit unsettling. But is it true? Do we question the actions or motivations of other people because we sense that there may be something similar in our own actions and thoughts? It’s a discomforting thought. Let’s not attribute our own shortcomings to others whose motives may be completely innocent.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1, 2)

January 16, 2018

Adversity reveals genius; prosperity covers it up. (Roger Staubach, former football star)

Anyone who stars in competitive professional sports, as Staubach did, has faced lots of physical and mental adversity. Staubach demonstrated brilliance in handling those skirmishes. In life, when things are going really well and there are no great challenges, people tend to relax and fail to give their best effort. As a result, their innate abilities may not be discovered.

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. (Isaiah 30:20)

January 15, 2018

If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not, you’ll find an excuse. (Jim Rohn, late author and motivational speaker)

No matter how busy we think we are, we do manage to find time to do the things we really want to do, don’t we? When we’re asked to participate in a venture we’re not particularly interested in, we will sometimes find a very creative way to say no. So, the choices we make about involvements will clearly demonstrate what is really important to us.

But they all began making excuses. One said, “I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.” Another said, “I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.” (Luke 14:18, 19)

January 14, 2018

Character is tested when a person receives power. (Attributed to Abraham Lincoln by John Wooden, late legendary coach)

Wooden points out that key elements of great character: humility, consideration for others and integrity are sometimes severely tested when a person receives power. He adds, “Maintaining these qualities when we have power requires self discipline. A leader’s most powerful tool is his or her example.” Using one’s authority requires a humble concern for others.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

January 13, 2018

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

Re-hashing our problems, trying to figure out what went wrong and how we got into this situation is often an effort in futility. Einstein might well agree with the popular advice today to “think outside the box.” Considering new ideas and focusing on creative solutions might just be the change we need to resolve some of those nibbling problems.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)

January 12, 2018

The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. (Steven Furtick, pastor)

One of life’s personal dangers is comparing ourselves with others. As Furtick suggests, we see only the strong public images of those we admire, knowing little, if anything, about their everyday struggles. They are probably not much different from us. So, let’s be careful to compare ourselves only to God’s standard to become all that He intended us to be.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. (2 Timothy 2:15)

January 11, 2018

The problem with every good idea is that it eventually degenerates into a four-letter word…WORK. (Tom Julien, author)

The world is full of people with ideas. We all have brainstorms that we think could really revolutionize society if we could just bring them to reality. There’s the rub. Ideas don’t just morph into actuality. Good ones require hard thinking, careful strategizing, and most often deep resources. Julien sums up the reason that many ideas don’t mature; they require work.

Work hard and become a leader. . . . Work brings profit. . . . Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. (Proverbs 12:24; 14:23; 21:5)

January 10, 2018

If everybody agreed with ME, they’d be all right. (Lucy in the “Peanuts” cartoon strip)

It’s not just children, like Lucy, who think “me-first.” Have you noticed that many people in a crowded place are almost completely unaware of those around them? Or have you tried to carry on a conversation with someone who disregards your ideas and continually interrupts you? Listening to others carefully and putting them first will make life much more pleasant.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

January 9, 2018

Respecting another person is much more about who we are than about who the other person is. (Albert Lee, educator)

Lee, also, expressed a common sentiment today when he noted that “[Some] may say that people need to show themselves worthy of respect before we can respect them.” That attitude may limit the opportunity to establish healthy relationships with other people. Keep in mind that all of us were created in the image of God. Therefore everyone has value and should be respected.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings . . .”  So God created human beings in his own image. (Genesis 1:26-27)