GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: February 18, 2025

Imagination

Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations. (Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut)

Fiction writers need to have a vivid imagination. Writers of children’s stories like Dr. Seuss and C. S. Lewis take us easily to new worlds and ideas beyond our thinking. And we can be grateful that inventors like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison were not hindered by the limited imaginations of those of us who are stuck in our own lack of curiosity.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)

Stop & Think: February 17, 2025

Leaders

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader (John Adams, 2nd U.S. president)

As a very early U.S. president, Adams possessed wide knowledge and demonstrated strong leadership over many years. As a result, he no doubt influenced many others to follow in his footsteps, not the least of whom was his own son who served both as Secretary of State and as the 6th President of the United States.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

Stop & Think: February 16, 2025

Fear 2

Both faith and fear demand you to believe in something you can’t see. You choose. (Tom Roy, sports coach and writer)

Sometimes people of faith are criticized for believing in something that can’t be touched or seen. As Roy points out, the same fault can be attributed to those who may be fearful of what they can’t identify; they’re just fearful. As Roy would point out, no doubt, there is good evidence in God’s Word (and in nature itself) to understand what can’t be seen but can be believed.

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:17)

Stop & Think: February 15, 2025

Fear 1

Fear rises when we imagine everything depends on us. (Elisabeth Elliott, author & radio personality)

Remember the day you gave your first book report? Your mouth was dry, and you were shaking all over! Why?  Probably because you were all alone. Most adults know that even when they are in charge, they didn’t get there alone. It took a team of others who collaborated on the project to produce a worthy outcome. That knowledge should result in confidence and lessen the fear.

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: February 14, 2025

Valentine’s Day

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get — only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything. (Katharine Hepburn, 20th century actress)

This is hardly what you expect to hear from a Hollywood personality. At least, the reputation of many performers suggests that there is more lust than love involved.  But Hepburn said more than she understood, perhaps, about the meaning of genuine, shall we say, biblical love? That’s a love that always seeks what is best for the loved one. May we all strive to emulate that!

Love each other deeply with all your heart . . . Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 1:22; 4:8)

Stop & Think: February 13, 2025

Encouragement

Every time we encourage someone, we give them a transfusion of courage. (Chuck Swindoll, pastor and author)

Courage is a part of our subject word. Giving courage to someone is a great way to boost their confidence and give them the strength to move ahead. This should be one of our strong motivations as we interact with both friends and strangers. All those whom we encourage will, in turn, give courage to others, and, as the saying goes, “what goes around comes around.”

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (Proverbs 12:25)

Stop & Think: February 12, 2025

Democracy

Lincoln famously said, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Winston Churchill’s observation is equally enlightening: “Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” We are grateful to live under a Republic form of government that grants such great liberty to its citizens. Yet, it is not without its problems and abuses. So, a higher citizenship is to be gained by faith.

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

Stop & Think: February 11, 2025

Three C’s of Leadership

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen. (quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker and author)

The first two of these factors don’t surprise us. It’s obvious that to be successful you must have confidence in your ability and plan; at times you will need the courage to make hard decisions; that’s to be expected. But compassion? Who would have thought of that? The great leaders listen well to their team with understanding and are helpful in providing what they need to succeed.

Without wise leadership, a nation falls. (Proverbs 11:14)
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

Stop & Think: February 10, 2025

Ignorance

Education costs money. But then so does ignorance. (Sir Claus Moser, late British statistician)

Suppose a traffic office stops you for talking on your cell phone while driving. What’s your excuse? “I didn’t know it was against the law”? You might get a warning ticket the first time but watch out the next time. “Ignorance is no excuse,” they say. That is especially true of God’s law. Be sure to seek the truth about sin’s penalty and God’s provision to set you free.

Jesus: “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Stop & Think: February 9, 2025

Advice

It doesn’t matter how many people say no to you as long as the right people say yes. (Unknown)

Where do you go to get good advice? Whose approval do you want or need? You really want to find “the right people” to affirm you.  Rejections from many people shouldn’t discourage you if you can secure approval from key individuals who are not only trustworthy but understand you and your purposes. In order to achieve your goals, you must be selective about your counselors.

[Wisdom]: “My advice is wholesome. . . Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” (Proverbs 8:8; 19:20)

Stop & Think: February 8, 2025

Relationships

The most important thing in any relationship is not what you get but what you give. (Eleanor Roosevelt, late US First Lady)

Americans enjoy being with others, whether in an intimate dinner setting or in a crowd at a sporting event or concert. The interaction is likely to include humor and laughter or loud, excited cheering. And sometimes the discussion will be more serious and thoughtful. In any case. Roosevelt’s observation helps us think purposefully about our relationships with friends.

The godly give good advice to their friends. (Proverbs 12:26)

Stop & Think: February 7, 2025

Brrr!

February is the perfect time to plant the seeds of gratitude and watch them bloom throughout the year. (Sarah Ban Breathnach, author and public speaker)

Some say that February is “the breath between winter and spring,” but for most of us it just seems like a short month in a long winter. Breathnach gives us good advice, however, that will make the month more pleasurable for us and others. It’s always good to share an attitude of gratitude that will warm up the chilliest of days.

As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. (Genesis 8:22)