GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 31, 2024

Words

Kind words are a creative force, a power that concurs in the building up of all that is good, and energy that showers blessings upon the world. (Lawrence G. Lovasik, 20th century religious writer)

Modern fiction—whether movies, social media, TV, or books—is more often full of  foul language and innuendo than kind words. The ill-chosen language detracts from a good story and entices the audience  to continue reading, listening, or watching. And too often they are a “creative force” that instills hatred which leads to violence. Lovasik highlights the value of powerful words that encourage and uplift.

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. (Proverbs 16:24)

Stop & Think: July 30, 2024

Maturity

Definition of maturity: the ability to carry money without spending it. (quoted by Dear Abby)

The popular credit card commercial asks, “What’s in your wallet?” For most people, it isn’t cash! Because of the popularity of sports gambling and mounting credit card abuse, the problem is becoming worse by the day. Teaching our children to use money wisely and being a frugal example ourselves will go a long way to combat wasteful spending.

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Stop & Think: July 29, 2024

Coward or Hero?

The hero & the coward both feel exactly the same fear, only the hero confronts his fear & converts it to fire. (Cus D’Amato, late American sports trainer)

Whether it’s as dangerous as fighting on a battlefield or simply facing a dreaded opponent in the sports world, fear might be the element that determines how one responds. As D’Amato says, both the coward and the brave may face the same fearful obstacle. The result will prove the character of both. Thankfully, faith in God can provide the strength to face our fears.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic . . . . For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:16)

Stop & Think: July 28, 2024

Fear or Courage?

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…. (Eleanor Roosevelt, late U.S. First Lady)

Roosevelt continues: “. . . we must do that which we think we cannot.” The difficult experiences of life—even those that we faced with fear –can prepare us for success in the future, so that, indeed, we can do what we never thought we could. Then, as Roosevelt implies, we can face the difficult and the unknown with courage and confidence.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Stop & Think: July 27, 2024

Feelings or Truth?

We can’t look to our feelings to determine truth. We must look to truth to rein in our feelings. (Lysa TerKeurst, writer)

“If it feels good, it must be right,” seems to be one of today’s mantras. We make a lot of decisions on the basis of how we feel about opportunities or relationships, but feelings are fickle. It’s far better to make our choices on the basis of our priorities and well-thought-out values. Truth and reality must be the foundation for good and effective choices.

Truthful words stand the test of time. . . . Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. (Proverbs 12:19; 23:23)

Stop & Think: July 26, 2024

Change

The only thing one can usually change in one’s situation is oneself. (C. S. Lewis, late British writer)

Are you among those people who resist change? Many of us do, but others in our world today want to make changes that will bring drastic differences in everyone’s life and that is concerning. Sooner or later, most of us discover, however, that often there is not much we can do in such circumstances. We can, however, change our attitudes toward the things we can’t control.

A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. (Romans 2:29)
All must . . . prove they have changed by the good things they do. (Acts 26:20)

Stop & Think: July 25, 2024

Direction

If you board the wrong train, it’s no use running along the corridor in the opposite direction. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 20th century German pastor)

It’s strange how people will sometimes attempt to overcome a mistake by taking a completely unreasonable approach to correct it. Bonhoeffer gives just such an illustration. It would be good for us to discover the direction we’re heading and consider if that’s where we really want to go before “boarding that train.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Stop & Think: July 24, 2024

Happiness

One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory. (Rita Mae Brown, American writer)

Of all the “keys” to happiness, this one is surprising. We look back on our lives and often recall many relationships, events, or holidays when we were happy. But Brown is suggesting that there are times in the past when we were really unhappy, and they keep popping up in our memories. It’s best then to forget those things that are behind, and be grateful for present joys.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13)

Stop & Think: July 23, 2024

Choices

You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice. (Tom Stiglich, political cartoonist)

This sentiment has been expressed in different ways, but the emphasis is always true. We can’t choose to think or act any way we want without facing the consequences. Thoughts create actions, and actions have almost unlimited effects. Wishing things might work out differently doesn’t really work. So, we would all do well to stop to think before we take action.

[God] will repay all people as their actions deserve. (Proverbs 24:12)
Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. (1 John 3:19)

Stop & Think: July 22, 2024

Discipline

Only through discipline may a man learn to be free. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Americans value their freedom above just about anything else. “I can do anything I want to; nobody can tell me otherwise” seems to be the common attitude among many freedom-loving people. Yet, unless there are boundaries, chaos can result when everyone “does whatever seems right in their own eyes” (see Judges 21:25). Knowing and obeying limits is a key to real freedom.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:11)

Stop & Think: July 21, 2024

Pride

Human pride refuses to face the truth. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century British reformer)

In today’s relativism, it’s difficult to agree on the definition of truth. Maybe it’s because, as the old saying goes, “Truth hurts only when it applies.” In other words, truth doesn’t bother me until it convicts me of my wrongdoings. And why is it that I don’t want to face the truth? Because it may hurt. I’m often too proud to admit my error.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Stop & Think: July 20, 2024

Wealth

Our affluence is . . . inadequate for our deepest needs. (Mark Hatfield, late U.S. senator)

While not everyone in our current society would be considered wealthy, it is still true that, in comparison, with most of the world’s population, we likely live in the most affluent nation. But what has it gotten us? Crime, violence, and scandal that dominate the news are evidence that our riches have not satisfied our need for inner peace and joy.

Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. (Proverbs 30:8)