GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 4, 2026

Truth

The 250 Year history of the United States gives testimony to a strong allegiance to essential truth. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

On this Independence Day, we may be reminded of what Peter Marshall, late U.S. Senate chaplain, wrote: “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Our Founding Fathers discovered what is right by pursuing truth, revealed by God himself and proven by the experience of history over many generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . . . The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. (Psalm 33:12; 113:4)

Stop & Think: July 3, 2026

Truth

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. (John Lubbock, 19th-20th century British banker)

Lubbock’s statement should be a warning to the honest student and researcher. When we set out to find answers to puzzles, we begin with preconceived ideas that too often influence the solutions we find. An open mind and disciplined procedures are necessary to discover truth. Make sure you start with reliable sources of information.

Have I not [taught] you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

Stop & Think: July 2, 2026

Truth

Where goodness and truth exist, there you will find beauty. (Pat Sajak, former TV quiz show host)

Sajak continues, “Our purpose is to seek truth in order to discover and to act on what is good and beautiful in this life.” He also quotes the website of Hillsdale College: “The good of anything is found in its ability to accomplish what it was created for.” So, to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder is too subjective. Beauty is objectively displayed in truth and goodness.

[Speak] the truth in love. . . . For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true (Ephesians 4:15; 5:9).

Stop & Think: July 1, 2026

Truth

Truth, though it has many disadvantages, is at least changeless. You can always find it where you left it. (Phyllis Bottome, 20th-century British novelist and short story writer)

This month’s theme for our daily thoughts is Truth, a premise based on fact and reality. Truth is unalterable and independent of one’s personal worldview. Truth sometimes may hurt, but truth is truth. It doesn’t change with the changing ethics of society or personal preference. Pursue truth at all costs.

Truthful lips endure forever (Proverbs 12:19).

Stop & Think: June 30, 2026

Integrity

Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value. (Albert Einstein, noted scientist)

Ours is a success-oriented society. It’s more than just wanting not to fail. From early childhood, we want to be first in everything, and from there to adulthood, we are pushed to be winners in whatever we pursue. Sometimes, winners don’t always exhibit the best conduct. The person of integrity, however, is always a winner in the most important sense.

Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go (1 Kings 2:3).

Stop & Think: June 29, 2026

Integrity

The proper time to influence the character of a child is about a hundred years before he’s born. (William R. Inge, 19th-20th century Anglican priest and author)

If poverty is generational, so can moral integrity and character be. But the development of good character most often begins in the influence of our ancestors. Inge wants us to understand the importance of living lives of integrity that will instill good character into succeeding generations, firmly establishing our grandchildren and theirs. How well are you influencing your posterity?

Put my commandments on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Stop & Think: June 28, 2026

Integrity

Your character & integrity as a leader are much more important to the people who work for you than how much you pay them. (Mike Lee, former pastor)

We live in a society where money seems to rule, and some people are primarily concerned about how much they can make. But it is still true that many people would rather work for an honest boss at a lower wage than for a scoundrel who may pay more. That says something important about leaders who maintain a good relationship with staff because of their high integrity.

Have I not … [taught] you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

Stop & Think: June 27, 2026

Integrity

It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character. (Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th-century German philosopher)

It’s a truth we need to be reminded of often. The character of a person is really not what is on public display; one can put on and take off a persona as he pleases in order to suit a particular crowd. But character is best revealed when you don’t think anyone is looking and you act out of your personal integrity.

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there (I Chronicles 29:17).

Stop & Think: June 26, 2026

Integrity

Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you. (H. Jackson Brown, Jr., late American author)

When someone dies, we take time to stop and remember that person’s life. Those memories are more meaningful to family and friends than the size of the estate or even the great things the deceased may have accomplished. Will your family and friends think of how much you cared, how fairly you treated others, and your life of integrity?

I’m trying my best to walk in the way of integrity, especially in my own home. But I need your help! (Psalm 101:2)

Stop & Think: June 25, 2026

Integrity

The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back. (Abigail van Buren, advice columnist)

How you treat people who can benefit you or those who can’t harm you is not a good test of your integrity. It’s when you act without regard to “what’s in it for me” or “he can’t hurt me no matter what I do” that reveals the strength and consistency of your character. Doing what is right and true is the standard of integrity, not what you can gain or lose by your words and actions.

Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me (Psalm 7:8).

Stop & Think: June 24, 2026

Integrity

Doing what you said you would do is simply an issue of integrity. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

They used to say, “A man’s word is his bond.” That, and maybe a handshake, were all that was necessary for a verbal contract, an agreement between two honest people. Swindoll writes further, “There is no substitute for having the guts to keep your word.” Today’s culture, however, almost demands a carefully worded contract, drafted by lawyers. How sad!

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).

Stop & Think: June 23, 2026

Integrity

Reputation is learned in an hour; your character does not come to light for a year. (William Hershey Davis, seminary professor)

How quickly a reputation can be made—and lost! An otherwise good person can make one big mistake, and his reputation is instantly tarnished. On the other hand, a person can live a very good life, but it takes time before he or she is recognized as a person of integrity. Actually, it sometimes takes a lifetime to establish character.

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there (1 Chronicles 29:17).