GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 14, 2026

Faith

People don’t choose to be courageous; they just decide not to be afraid anymore. (Bob Goff, best-selling author)

Courage can be demonstrated only when there is some kind of danger that tests one’s character. Fear of personal harm or just fear of failure will keep many people from moving ahead or taking a chance in an uncertain venture. We can overcome the fear by facing it and determining to proceed regardless of the unknown future. That takes courage and faith.

So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you (Isaiah 41:10).

Stop & Think: May 13, 2026

Faith

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around law. (Plato)

Readers Digest used to have a column titled “There Ought to Be a Law” that included common complaints that someone thought could be resolved by making appropriate laws. Well, we have plenty of laws of all kinds, but there are still a lot of lawbreakers. People with moral character, however, can live honorably without excessive regulations.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5).

Stop & Think: May 12, 2026

Faith

Faith makes things possible, not easy. (Church signboard)

Everybody has faith in something—religion, hard work, education, a political worldview, and many more options. When someone says, “Keep the faith,” what do they mean? At least, it’s an encouragement to be faithful to what you believe. However, faith is not always easy. The bigger question is not how strong your faith is, but what is the object of your faith?

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence (Ephesians 3:12).

Stop & Think: May 11, 2026

Faith

Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill)

After diligent preparation and hard work, it’s sometimes difficult for a person who has achieved some worthy accomplishment to realize that such an effort is only one step forward. Success in one endeavor is not the end. There is always more to do. Likewise, if you don’t succeed in one area, it’s not the end. You must move on with courage.

[The Lord] holds success in store for the upright. . . . Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (Proverbs 2:7; 1 Corinthians 16:13).

Stop & Think: May 10, 2026

Faith

Faith never knows where one is being led, but loves and trusts the One leading. (Oswald Chambers, Scottish evangelist)

On this Mother’s Day we can remember with thankfulness that our mothers lived lives of faith. While we didn’t know what lay ahead, we trusted her to lead us carefully, providing our physical and emotional needs and teaching us by example how to live by faith. We may not have always known where we were going, but we trusted our mother/leader as she trusted God.

Remember your leaders [mothers] who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Stop & Think: May 9, 2026

Faith

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. (Benjamin Franklin)

A responsible parent or guardian does everything possible to provide for the health of his family by supplying their physical needs. But it takes more than physical provision to make a house a home. That happens when the hearts and minds of the family are intellectually challenged, emotional needs are fulfilled, and spiritual needs are met. That home is both healthy and happy.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (3 John 4).

Stop & Think: May 8, 2026

Faith

Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in. (Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. president)

Jackson played a major role at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, so his advice is worth heeding. Gathering information and making plans are essential, of course, but there comes a time when plans must be put into action. That’s a good lesson for all of us who may hesitate to move forward into the battles of life.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).

Stop & Think: May 7, 2026

Faith

Catastrophes are intended to bring people to God. (Author unknown)

When bad things happen, especially to good people, we often ask, “If there is a God, why does he allow these disasters to occur?” There may be many reasons. Sometimes the bad things are merely the consequences of our wrong choices. At least, such tragic events should awaken us to our need to draw close to God—to renew our faith in His better plan.

We know that God works out everything for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Stop & Think: May 6, 2026

Faith

What you believe must determine how you behave. (Warren Wiersbe, pastor, author)

Why do we do the things we do? What determines our actions and behavior? There may be different influences that cause us to do this or that, but in the end, we most often act on the basis of what we believe. When we think something is true, we’ll move in light of that truth. If, on the other hand, we doubt it, we most likely will not move ahead.

I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge (Psalm 119:66).

Stop & Think: May 5, 2026

Faith

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. (Molière, French playwright)

It’s exciting to win at any contest. But when an underdog team defeats a highly favored opponent, it is even more exhilarating. The fans of the winning team will likely flood the court, and the players will be praised and exalted beyond reason. Such a prospect of winning is a great motivation for tackling even the most difficult problems.

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith (1 John 5:4).

Stop & Think: May 4, 2026

Faith

Fears of what might happen in the future rob us of the joy of now. We miss out. (Jennifer, studio photographer)

Many people seem to be afraid of life. They are often second-guessing themselves, asking “What if . . . ?” Today’s quote also notes, “How easily the what ifs can make us miss out on wonderful things in life.” The worries and fear of the unknown cannot be settled by second-guessing. Finding faith and trusting in God will ease the concerns of the future.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? . . . Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever (Matthew 6:27; Psalm 125:1).

Stop & Think: May 3, 2026

Faith

The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material . . . but rather a legacy of character and faith. (Billy Graham)

Many are working hard to build an estate, accumulating wealth they can pass on to their children. They want their heirs to have advantages they didn’t have when they were younger. That may be a worthy goal, but Graham’s comment speaks of a much greater value. Possessions are temporal; character and faith earn eternal benefits.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth . . . But store your treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).