GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 25, 2023

Christmas

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Late television writer, Andy Rooney, expresses how the world looks at this sacred day: “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day.” “Glorious mess?” Gifts are wonderful expresses of love, of course, but the real glory is the coming of Jesus to offer the gift of an eternal relationship with God. That’s glorious!

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ( Luke 2:14).

Stop & Think: December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. (Burton Hillis, Pseudonym for William E. Vaughan, 20th century columnist).

The truly happy family will enjoy their physical family and will celebrate with the extended family of Jesus-followers. Many will find fellowship in Christmas Eve services, rejoicing with other believers in the reason for the season, the coming of Jesus as the love gift of the Father. “Glory to God in the highest” for the very best gift!

“. . . eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

Stop & Think: December 23, 2023

Sharing at Christmas

Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is everywhere. Our hands are busy with many tasks as carols fill the air. ( Shirley Sallay, late American poet)  

The last two days before the gift-opening and celebrations can be extremely busy, and, as Sallay suggests, full of happy thoughts. But they also present opportunities to share with the less fortunate: providing meals, visiting the homebound, and making gifts available for the homeless or single-parent children. Sharing the happiness of the season is a joy—and maybe an obligation.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you (Proverbs 19:17). Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! (Acts 10:4)

Stop & Think: December 22, 2023

The Season’s Love

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. (Washington Irving, 18th-19th century short-story writer)

This weekend it will be nice and pleasant to sit by the fire, feel peaceful and thankful. With family and friends around, the spirit of love prevails—and it’s sweet! In that world outside our cozy den, however, it seems there isn’t enough to go around. That’s why this Christmas season reminds us of God’s love that sent Jesus to Bethlehem and sends us to share his love with others.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16).

Stop & Think: December 21, 2023

A Christmas Wish

What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. (Agnes M. Pahro, late artist and poet)

She continues: “It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” In these few days before Christmas, we do find joy in thinking of past celebrations and we can have hope for the future. But the hoped-for peace will come only because of the Christ child who is the intended Prince of Peace.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. . . .  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Stop & Think: December 20, 2023

Christmas Lights

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles . . .  tangled Christmas tree lights. (Maya Angelou. Late American poet)

Whether you put them up before Thanksgiving, or wait until Christmas Eve, Angelou’s right; tangled lights can really test one’s patience! Such things can really spoil the spirit of Christmas: the joy, the sharing, the carol-singing, and especially the retelling of the true Christmas story.

(Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Stop & Think: December 19, 2023

Work

There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. (Henry Ford, early automaker)

Ford was known for his inventions and for being a very demanding employer. Some today may agree with him about work. After all, many jobs require strenuous labor with little relief. Ford is right that you can be happy about your accomplished task. But there ought to be some sense of joy that you have a job that benefits others.

Hard work brings rewards (Proverbs 12:14). It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them (Ephesians 5:18).

Stop & Think: December 18, 2023

Important Things

Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us. (David Cameron, former British prime minister)

One week to Christmas, and the excitement is building—especially among children. Parents want to help their kids enjoy the season with its fun and anticipation, but they should also remind them of the season’s significance. As you take time to share love through gifts, cards, and parties, be sure to remind them of the greatest gift that we celebrate at Christmas.

But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through . . .  Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15). Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Stop & Think: December 17, 2023

The Next Step

If you make your internal life a priority, then everything else you need on the outside will be given to you . . .  (Gabrielle Bernstein, author, speaker, and podcast host)

Berstein continues “. . . and it will be extremely clear what the next step is.“ As we mature, we begin to realize that there is more to life than what can be seen. We sense an inner self that needs to be cared for and responded to. The question is “Who points out the next step?” The first place we turn for the answer should be to the Creator who has his plan and purpose for us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Stop & Think: December 16, 2023

Judgment

I’m going to be gone one day, and I have to accept that tomorrow isn’t promised. (Hayley Williams, musician)

Williams continues, “Am I OK with how I’m living today? . . . . If I didn’t have another one, what have I done with all my todays?” Good questions. Many of us, at least when we are young, don’t think much about the number of our days. But, since there is no promise of long life, we do need to evaluate our days. Will we be satisfied with what we’ve done? Will God?

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Stop & Think: December 15, 2023

Challenge

We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. (Brené Brown, researcher and storyteller)

Well, at least, “not at the same time,” Brown says. We are often challenged to step out of our comfort zone, accepting challenges that may frighten us but that offer some kind of success or advancement. The comfort often comes, then, when we successfully accept and overcome the challenge. Challenges are what makes life difficult but at the same time rewarding.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. . . . God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. (1 John 1:3; 12).

Stop & Think: December 14, 2023

Light

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. (Edith Wharton, American writer and designer)

Shy people avoid the spotlight. Ambitious people often work hard to be seen and heard. But whatever our natural disposition, we all want to have a positive influence on those around us. Often, we are the bearer of good news and enjoy sharing with others. At other times, we can only reflect what we’ve learned or experienced from others. In either case, we are sharing the light.

Jesus: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12). You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:4).