GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 14, 2024

Is God Sufficient?

He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only. (C. S. Lewis, British apologist)

We sometimes sing, “He (God) is all I need.” That’s a well-meant sentiment of praise and thanksgiving. However, it, appears that some of think we need possessions as well as God. So, we buy more and more “stuff,” take expensive vacations, and have costly hobbies. In reality, of course, it’s just that some of us have not yet recognized the sufficiency of God’s provision.

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:32-33)

Stop & Think: December 13, 2024

Failure 2

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. (George Woodberry, Poet)

No one really wants to fail. Whether it’s academics, sports, or the arts, participants always want to win, to succeed. And some of us don’t even venture into education, athletics, or drama because we’re actually afraid of failure. But, as we learned yesterday, it’s those failures that could be steppingstones to future success. Learn and try again—and again.

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

Stop & Think: December 12, 2024

Failure 1

Everyone who succeeds has failures. Successful people make their failures work for them. (Source unknown)

Lecturer Dale Carnegie put it this way, “Discouragement and failure are two of the surest steppingstones to success. Develop success from failures“. Inventor Thomas Edison wrote about how many hundreds of failures he encountered in the creation of his most valuable works. The old adage still applies: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

Stop & Think: December 11, 2024

A Better Gift

Time cannot be packaged and ribboned and left under trees for Christmas morning. Time can’t be given, but it can be shared. (Cecelia Ahern, Irish novelist)

Two weeks to Christmas. While you’re shopping, wrapping, baking and cooking, you’re thinking of those who’ll be on the receiving end of your generosity. But there is one gift you can give that is more important than what you’ve bought and wrapped: TIME. Spending significant time with family and friends will create memories that will last long after the gifts are forgotten.

This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile. (1 Corinthians 16:7)

Stop & Think: December 10, 2024

Get Up & Get Going

People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity. (Andrew Carnegie, 19th-20th century American philanthropist)

Inertia is a danger. While we’re moving, everything’s okay, but when we’ve settled down for a while, it’s difficult to get up and get going again. Rest is important, of course, but as Carnegie notes, the failure to be purposely active is to settle for less than the best. Maybe we can’t achieve fame and fortune, but we can do our best to accomplish something worthwhile.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Stop & Think: December 9, 2024

Riches

The key to being rich is knowing what counts. (Edward Jones Co., financial advisors)

Financial advisors can give us great counsel when it comes to stocks, bonds, investments, and all that goes with fiscal responsibility. They’ll be helpful as you try to make the most of your resources. But “knowing what counts” goes far beyond finances. Even more important is our investment of time, service, and loving care for others; that’s the way to true riches.

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. … Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. (Proverbs 28:20; 30:8)

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)