GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 30, 2018

Living in Light

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

Remember what it was like when you were little and wanted a light left on in your bedroom at night? You unreasonably feared monsters under the bed or in the closet. A greater concern today is that some people are living shadow lives, hoping that no one will discover what they’re really doing. Turning to God in repentance is the way to a clear conscience and peace of mind.

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. (John 3:20)

Stop & Think: July 29, 2018

Confidence in God

Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God. (Thomas à Kempis, 15th century German-Dutch churchman)

Many people are so concerned about their self-image that they miss a more important issue. When we are unduly concerned about how people think of us and whether we are perceived as successful, we can become anxious and often less productive. But when our confidence (faith) is in God, we will humbly leave our image issues to Him.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)

Stop & Think: July 28, 2018

Expressing Gratitude

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. (William Arthur Ward, late prolific inspirational writer)

When someone treats us well or gives us a gift, we most often feel grateful and appreciative for the kindness of the donor. But, too many times, we fail to express our thanks promptly—and then, we forget about it. As Ward suggests, the initial thought of gratitude is not enough. For our own good and the pleasure of the donor, we need to express our appreciation soon.

You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well. (1 Corinthians 16:18)

Stop & Think: July 27, 2018

Good Planning

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. (Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady and political activist)

Novelist Lev Grossman wrote, “If there’s a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn’t make it so.” Roosevelt’s statement, then, emphasizes the waste of energy that wishing is. If wishing is all you do, you’ll never see your dreams come true. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Work hard to fulfill your dreams.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. (Proverbs 21:5)

Stop & Think: July 26, 2018

Being a Manager

The primary goal of a manager is to help team members discover their unique talents and then turn these talents into outstanding performance. (Marcus Buckingham, British business consultant)

Many people probably think that the primary responsibility of a manager is to accomplish the job that his bosses want done: produce a product, increase sales, build a widget, etc. That, no doubt, is quite true, but Buckingham suggests that the manager’s first goal involves using his staff to the best of their abilities. In doing so, he will surely achieve the desired goal.

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. (Proverbs 1:3; think of managers)

Stop & Think: July 25, 2018

Innovation

Innovation is not born from the dream. Innovation is born from the struggle. (Simon Sinek, British-American author)

Perhaps this is just another way of saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Put more formally: “When the need for something becomes imperative, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it.” We’d like to think that an inspiring idea is what leads to new and worthy creations, but apparently, developing new and helpful devices comes from the need for them.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

Stop & Think: July 24, 2018

The First Step

He who is outside his door already has the hard part of his journey behind him. (Dutch proverb)

That first step is often the hardest part of any project. After you’ve made that initial move, somehow it’s easier to keep going. Mark Twain concurs; he said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Planning and preparing for a project or journey is important and takes time, but there comes a moment, when action must replace preparation. Get up and get going!

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17)

Stop & Think: July 23, 2018

Good Humor

Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. . . . It is the direct route to serenity and contentment. (Grenville Kleiser, 19th-20th century North American author)

Kleiser also said, “It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression.” In a day when more and more people seem to be suffering from depression, it’s a good challenge for us to be a little more lighthearted and to encourage humor. Ruth Westheimer said, “A lesson taught with humor is a lesson retained.” Whether you’re teaching directly or simply being friendly, try a little humor.

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. … A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 15:30; 17:22)

Stop & Think: July 22, 2018

Parents’ Wisdom

The best time to give advice to your children is while they are still young enough to think you know what you’re talking about. (Evan Esar, late American humorist)

We might regard Esar’s comment as humorous, but there may be a good bit of truth in it. Remember how you thought your mom and dad were the smartest people in the world, when you were a kid? Then you went through a phase where your peers were smarter than your parents. Later, you began to realize how smart they still are. And it’s always best to heed their advice.

My children, listen when your father corrects you. . . . For I, too, was once my father’s son. . . . Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. (Proverbs 4:1-3; 19:20)

Stop & Think: July 21, 2018

Justice

It is inconceivable that we can be bored in a world with so much wrong to tackle, so much ignorance to teach and so much misery we could alleviate. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century English political leader)

Wilberforce was perhaps the strongest influence in his day both against slavery and incivility and coarseness. His concern was not only for the injustices of life (especially slavery) but also that society in general seemed uninterested in addressing such ills. Apparently, for many, life was not challenging. His example should motivate us to stay active in meeting today’s societal needs.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Stop & Think: July 20, 2018

Listening to Your Conscience

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience. (George Washington, 1st president of the United States)

One of the concerns of people who say that “things aren’t like they used to be,” is an apparent lack of conscience in many people, both private and public. To some it almost seems like the times of the biblical judges when “all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). It’s time for all of us to work on that “little spark … conscience.”

Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live . . . (1 Peter 3:16)

Stop & Think: July 19, 2018

Paying Attention

Attentiveness is showing the worth of a person by giving sincere attention to his words. (Bill Gothard, writer and speaker)

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, when you suddenly realized you were no longer paying attention? Such an experience can really hurt your friend, but it’s a good lesson about what seems to be the lost art of listening. Not only do you lose what might have been worth hearing, you very likely have offended a friend. It’s a courtesy to listen well.

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. (Hebrews 12:25)