GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 8, 2024

Procrastination

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. (Abraham Lincoln, 16th US president)

Many honest people will acknowledge that procrastination is all too easy for them. “Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow,” they say. Lincoln reminds us of the foolishness of such an attitude. We may gain more leisure time and rest, but that doesn’t eliminate responsibility; it makes it only more difficult. As Nike says, “Just do it”; Now!

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. (Ecclesiastes 5:4)
Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. (Proverbs 6:4)

Stop & Think: December 7, 2024

Remembering

Remember Pearl Harbor. (Commander Lewis Preston Harris’ Battle Cry)

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 launched the U.S. into World War II. We remember it today as a symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and American grit and resilience. We dare not forget the sacrifice of those who died to preserve our nation’s freedom. In a few days we’ll be remembering the day God sent his Son to provide not only physical freedom but eternal life.

So Christ has truly set us free. (Galatians 5:1)
He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. (1 Timothy 2:6)

Stop & Think: December 6, 2024

Making a Difference

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. (Jane Goodall, English anthropologist)

Parents want to make a difference in the lives of their children and teachers in their students. Most of us rarely think about the influence we are having on other people, especially those we hardly know. Goodall is right! We should give careful attention to what we do and say and make a positive difference in our community.

[Those who fear the Lord] share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. (Psalm 112:9)

Stop & Think: December 5, 2024

Critics

Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. (Chetan Bhagat, Indian author)

What a helpful challenge! People who live in the western hemisphere tend to be individualistic and socially aware. They find it easy to judge others from the perspective of their own personal worldview and preferences. Thus, they are often critical—and not always helpful. How much better life would be if we could work on self-improvement rather than judging others.

If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. (James 4:11)
I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (Revelation 2:19)

Stop & Think: December 4, 2024

Anticipating Christmas

Don’t let the kids be the only ones anticipating Christmas. (from the Internet)

The big day is three weeks away, and the kids are already asking and hoping for their special gifts. Adults should be looking forward to the celebration, too, but our focus should be on giving to those in need, not the office party or how hectic things can get. Let’s help our families, especially the kids, understand more clearly the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

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

Stop & Think: December 3, 2024

Honor

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. (Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. president)

They say that everyone has his or her 15 seconds of fame. On several occasions each year someone wins the lottery and is given a brief time of recognition. That really has little to do with the winner’s achievement and more with luck or chance. Lasting honor is given to those whose achievements benefit others through generosity, heroism, or other worthy accomplishments.

It’s not good to seek honors for yourself. (Proverbs 25:17)
We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. (James 5:11) 

Stop & Think: December 2, 2024

Capacity to Learn

If we can widen our capacity to listen, to see, and to sense what’s happening around us, we could grow personally and learn to be helpful to others. (Jesse Deloe; thanks to Gloria Gaither)

It isn’t that we don’t listen, see, and sense things around us, it’s just that many of us seem to have such a limited capacity that we miss a great deal. A desire to learn and a proactive mindset would likely help us to be more alert to experience new opportunities and broaden our understanding of life. How much more, then, could we make life better both for ourselves and others?

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. (1 Peter 4:11)

Stop & Think: December 1, 2024

Surprise!

Expect the unexpected, and whenever possible, be the unexpected. (Lynda Berry, American cartoonist)

People are so different! Some do not want anything unexpected to surprise them. Others welcome the unanticipated; it gives life spontaneity and variety. Berry suggests that we be the surprise in someone’s life, assuming it will be positive and encouraging, perhaps even fun. Life is so difficult for many people around us; we should look for those whose spirit we could lift.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Stop & Think: November 30, 2024

Perfection

You don’t have to be perfect to have a perfect life. (Payton Christian, horse trainer)

It’s obvious that Christian is speaking of people, but in reality, no one is absolutely perfect. The pursuit of perfection is easier when we think of it as becoming mature. And growth toward maturity in every facet of life is a worthy goal. Only God is perfect, but he urges his followers to pursue the perfection they will ultimately achieve when they meet him.

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (Philippians 3:12)

Stop & Think: November 29, 2024

Get Started

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. (Walt Disney, late film producer)

During his lifetime Disney produced numerous cartoons and full-run movies. He created Disneyland and Disney World, which are still favorite vacation sites for thousands of families every year. Of course, he had a large team of workers and lots of funding to accomplish all that he did. But he didn’t just dream about his projects. He planned and started working on each one.

It would be good . . . to finish what you started . . . Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. (2 Corinthians 8:10)

Stop & Think: November 28, 2024

Gratitude

To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything. (Thomas Merton, late theologian)

It’s easy to see God’s hand in the good things that happen to us, for example, the birth of a healthy baby, meeting and enjoying new friends, or experiencing a healthy recovery from illness. But life isn’t always like that. It’s a difficult but valuable lesson to learn that even times of suffering in life can be amazing periods of growth and maturing.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Stop & Think: November 27, 2024

Fame or Notoriety?

When you hope to be remembered, please note—you may not be remembered for what you hoped. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

Some people will try some unique stunt, hoping to see it recorded and go viral. Others hope for fame but achieve notoriety instead. One recently deceased professional athlete had set numerous hall-of-fame-type records, but, unfortunately, he is being remembered more for breaking his sport’s no betting rule. What do you want to be remembered for? Fame? Notoriety? or Integrity?

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Proverbs 10:9)