GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 22, 2026

Faith

A pure theology and a loose morality will never mix. (C. H. Spurgeon, 19th century British preacher)

Religious people can talk all they want about theology or doctrine, but what they really believe will be demonstrated by how they live. As someone has said, “Words are cheap.” That is, we may be able to speak well and clearly, but our lives will reveal what is really in our heart—what our character and integrity are. So, show your faith by your life.

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? (James 2:1)

Stop & Think: May 21, 2026

Faith

The fear of death is engrafted in the common nature of all men, but faith works it out of Christians. (Vavasor Powell, 16th-century Welsh preacher)

Even though we don’t talk about death much, the fear of death seems to be pervasive. When we’re young, we feel almost immortal, but we must face the reality that, as the Bible says, all of us are destined to die. And after that, there’s a judgment. But the Bible also offers hope to those who put their faith in God.

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Stop & Think: May 20, 2026

Faith

Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct. (Thomas Carlyle, 19th-century Scottish essayist)

We’ve all known someone who loudly proclaimed his or her beliefs, but whose behavior sometimes made us wonder about those strong ideas.  Carlyle might have said, “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say.” We call that hypocrisy, and that is not a strong recommendation for one’s integrity. The Bible puts it in reverse:

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless (James 2:17).

Stop & Think: May 19, 2026

Faith

There is no practical value in believing. The value comes from what we do with what we believe. (Mike Lee, former pastor)

It’s been noted before that belief or faith is only as good as the object of that faith. But, as Lee points out, there’s another factor to consider. It isn’t enough to have faith—to believe in a reliable, trustworthy entity. If that faith doesn’t cause you to change, to act upon what you say you believe, then it brings into question whether you really do believe.

Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

Stop & Think: May 18, 2026

Faith

It always seems impossible until it’s done. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

Life is often filled with what seem to be impossible obstacles. We can’t do what we want to do because there isn’t enough money, time, or people capable of completing the desired task. Many of us are stymied in such situations, but thankfully, there are people like Mandela who persist until the impossible is achieved.

What is impossible for people is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

Stop & Think: May 17, 2026

Faith

When feelings become more important than faith,  people will become more important and God will become less important. (Edward T. Welch, counselor)

Society seems to live by feelings. “If it feels good, do it,” some would say. But feelings are fleeting. Sometimes, they may change several times a day. Other times, our emotions change because we’ve matured, made new relationships, or had a special experience. Author Jerry Bridges’ counsel is wise: “Our emotions must become subservient to the truth.”

. . . let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions (1 John 3:18).

Stop & Think: May 16, 2026

Faith

Vision … is essential for survival. (Charles Swindoll, pastor & author)

Swindoll continues: “[Vision] is spawned by faith, sustained by hope, sparked by imagination and strengthened by enthusiasm. It is greater than sight, deeper than a dream, broader than an idea.” Although we don’t always know what’s ahead, we move forward by faith, trusting God to guide us.

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4).

Stop & Think: May 15, 2026

Faith

You can’t trust what you can’t test. (Bart Blair, church worker)

How many of us have made the mistake of putting our faith in something or someone and finding it or them untrustworthy? Trust or faith is only as good as its object. It would be wise to search for evidence of worthiness before committing to the unfamiliar. Blair says further, “Trust is built in very small increments over a long period of time.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. . . . Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Proverbs 3:5; 29:25).

Stop & Think: May 14, 2026

Faith

People don’t choose to be courageous; they just decide not to be afraid anymore. (Bob Goff, best-selling author)

Courage can be demonstrated only when there is some kind of danger that tests one’s character. Fear of personal harm or just fear of failure will keep many people from moving ahead or taking a chance in an uncertain venture. We can overcome the fear by facing it and determining to proceed regardless of the unknown future. That takes courage and faith.

So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you (Isaiah 41:10).

Stop & Think: May 13, 2026

Faith

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around law. (Plato)

Readers Digest used to have a column titled “There Ought to Be a Law” that included common complaints that someone thought could be resolved by making appropriate laws. Well, we have plenty of laws of all kinds, but there are still a lot of lawbreakers. People with moral character, however, can live honorably without excessive regulations.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5).

Stop & Think: May 12, 2026

Faith

Faith makes things possible, not easy. (Church signboard)

Everybody has faith in something—religion, hard work, education, a political worldview, and many more options. When someone says, “Keep the faith,” what do they mean? At least, it’s an encouragement to be faithful to what you believe. However, faith is not always easy. The bigger question is not how strong your faith is, but what is the object of your faith?

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence (Ephesians 3:12).

Stop & Think: May 11, 2026

Faith

Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. (Winston Churchill)

After diligent preparation and hard work, it’s sometimes difficult for a person who has achieved some worthy accomplishment to realize that such an effort is only one step forward. Success in one endeavor is not the end. There is always more to do. Likewise, if you don’t succeed in one area, it’s not the end. You must move on with courage.

[The Lord] holds success in store for the upright. . . . Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (Proverbs 2:7; 1 Corinthians 16:13).