GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 8, 2024

Commitment

We are not one because of our consensus, but because of our commitment to something bigger than our individual opinions. (Gloria Gaither, poet and songwriter)

People may agree on a lot of things. We may agree, for example, that orange is a prettier color than green, but what does that accomplish? Not much unless we’re creating a bouquet. To succeed together, we must go beyond agreement. Unless there is a strong commitment to work together to complete the project, not much of value will happen

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2)

Stop & Think: November 7, 2024

Dreams

If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up. (J. M. Power, author)

Dreams can be frightening, funny, or at times even challenging. It’s comforting to wake up from a nightmare and realize it was only a dream. Sometimes, even while we’re dreaming, we might think, “I can’t wait to wake up to make this vision a reality.” And that’s the key. Even a creative, realistic dream won’t accomplish anything until we wake up and begin to make it happen.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life . . . It is pleasant to see dreams come true. (Proverbs 13:12, 19)

Stop & Think: November 6, 2024

Learning

Teachers must be learners. Only then can we help others to learn. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

Poor is the teacher—and unfortunate are his students—who has reached the place where he thinks he has mastered his material. As professor R. C. Sproul put it, “A great teacher is teachable. If he is not, he will have precious little to teach.” Learning should be an enjoyable exercise, especially if we are prepared to share what we’ve learned with others.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:5)

Stop & Think: November 5, 2024

Election Day

Every election is determined by the people who show up. (Larry J. Sabato, political analyst)

Did you vote today? Or earlier by mail-in or absentee ballot? As civil rights activist Marian Edleman put it, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” It’s a civic responsibility, and a privilege that many citizens of the world wish they could exercise. While our role is important, it’s comforting to know that, ultimately, God is in control.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (Romans 13:1)

Stop & Think: November 4, 2024

Mindset 2

A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Stay positive and keep negativity away. (Lewis Hamilton, British racing driver)

“You’ve got to ac-cent-chu-ate the positive, E-lim-i-nate the negative, [and] Latch on to the affirmative” is a catchy tune from the 1940s. There are people who seem to see the downside of everything—the half empty cup or the mud puddle instead of the daisy within. That kind of life is unhealthy and unpleasant. Develop and practice a mindset that “accentuates the positive!”

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

Stop & Think: November 3, 2024

Mindset

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

When someone who’s naturally negative begins to look at life from a positive perspective, he or she will almost certainly find life going better. Ziglar adds another thought: “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” That should be an encouragement for all of us to pursue a consistent positive mindset.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Stop & Think: November 2, 2024

Election Choices 2

While it’s true that we can’t save the country with a single election; the reality is that we could very well lose it. (Tony Perkins, President, The Family Research Council).

We’d like to think, wouldn’t we, that this (or any election) would bring unity among our citizens and just settle things down for decades to come? History has clearly demonstrated, however, that there may be a brief “honeymoon” period after an election, but people revert to their previously strong divisive opinions, and disunity resumes again. Thankfully, God remains in control!

All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God . . . The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:1, 4, 5)

Stop & Think: November 1, 2024

Election Choices

Instead of not voting or simply casting your ballot for “the lesser of two evils,” vote to lessen evil. (John Stonestreet, The Colson Center)

Nearly every presidential election cycle, we’ve been told: “This is the most important election in the history of our country.” Even though we may think that neither candidate meets the standards we’d like to uphold, it is not only our privilege, but our duty to vote. Let’s consider Stonestreet’s good counsel when we enter the voting booth in a few days.

The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. (Proverbs 16:17)

Stop & Think: October 31, 2024

Honor

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. (Ernest Hemingway, American novelist)

While many people may suffer from an inferiority complex, fewer have a view of themselves as being somewhat superior to others. It may be in athletic or academic comparison, but such people aren’t always pleasant to be around. And Hemingway’s comment is worthy of note. We should all strive for excellence, which could be our most noble endeavor.

Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor . . . True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. (Proverbs 15:33; 22:4)

Stop & Think: October 30, 2024

Originality or Imitation?

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. (Herman Melville, 19th century  American novelist)

Far too many think that Imitation is the way to success. Haven’t you noticed that most popular musical groups are imitations of others; each sounds pretty much like every other one? The styles, harmonies, outfits, and volume look and sound the same no matter which groups you might see and hear. The Bible teaches only one area where imitation is better than originality.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do . . . Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Stop & Think: October 29, 2024

Practice

You must have confidence in your ability to make the shot required. This comes from practice. (Byron Nelson, late professional golfer)

No matter the sport or activity, Nelson is right. The basketball player lining up his free throw shot to tie or win the game isn’t trusting to luck or good circumstances. It’s his or her consistent practice that has brought the player to this point. No one learns to hit the bull’s eye in rifle or bow and arrow competition without practice. Good practice provides the confidence to win.

But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice. (Luke 11:28) Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me. (Philippians 4:9)

Stop & Think: October 28, 2024

Understanding

My task, which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel—it is, before all, to make you see. (Joseph Conrad, late Polish-British novelist)

Writers may express what they hope their work will achieve in a variety of ways. Some use explicit, emotional language to develop strong feelings from the story line. Conrad says his overall purpose is to help his readers “see” something. Whether it’s an argument, a cause, or a simple truth, he’s hoping to bring a new understanding to the reader’s mind.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart (Psalm 119:34). To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. (Matthew 13:12)