GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 12, 2023

Life’s Path

If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. (Dolly Parton, singer, songwriter)

Many people seem to be content with their life and see no need for change. But there are some others who feel as if they are pursuing the wrong goals or are unhappy with their current situation. It may not be easy, but Parton’s advice could be the answer to finding contentment in this stage of your life. Set worthy goals, pray and plan, and create a new path.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Stop & Think: April 11, 2023

Decisions

Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach. (Tony Robbins, author and speaker)

It’s often difficult to make a decision when many options are available. Whether it’s job- or family- or career-related, it’s sometimes tough. When you reach a decision, stick with it. But, as Robbins suggests, you may sometimes have to adjust your approach as you live with your choice. Be firm in your decision and flexible in the application of your choices.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you (Psalm 37:5).

Stop & Think: April 10, 2023

Mistakes

He who never made a mistake never made a discovery. (Samuel Smiles, 19th century British author and reformer)

We all make mistakes, but no one really intends to. The fewer risks we take, the fewer mistakes we make. But, as every inventor and learner knows, you can’t make much progress or growth if you are determined to avoid ever making a mistake. As Edison and other inventors knew well, it’s the process of trial and error that ultimately leads to learning and success.

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

Stop & Think: April 9, 2023

Easter

The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends, and love never dies. (Kate Mcgahan, hospice counselor and author)

After three days in the tomb, Jesus was raised to life again. Not only did he defeat physical death, but he also gave the promise of spiritual life for all who trust in him. As cruel as the cross and crucifixion were, there is hidden triumph in that event, because he was restored to his former glory and has made it possible for us to share in the love he demonstrated that week.

It is by [God’s] great mercy that we have been born again because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation (1 Peter 1:3).

Stop & Think: April 8, 2023

Getting What You Want

There are only two tragedies in life; one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. (Oscar Wilde, 19th century Irish poet and playwright)

Remember how hard it was as a child when you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas? You were so disappointed, but you eventually got over it. Can you remember another time when you did get something you had wanted so much for a long time? How long were you satisfied with your long-awaited prize? These are among life’s most difficult lessons.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires (Psalm 37:4).

Stop & Think: April 7, 2023

Errors

From the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own. (Publilius Syrus, 1st century BC Latin writer)

There’s something in the perverse nature of many of us that may cause us to take pleasure in  another person’s mistake. We may laugh or tease the one who made the error. But, when it’s our mistake, we may be embarrassed, and we likely will not react kindly to someone who laughs at us. The best response to errors—whether ours or another person’s—is to learn from them.

Indeed, we all make many mistakes (James 3:2). A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes (Ecclesiastes 10:4).

Stop & Think: April 6, 2023

The Little White Lie

The best way to ruin the truth is to stretch it. (Church signboard)

Maybe we think of it as being something even less than a “white lie.” Just adding a bit of glamour to the story or including something that helps you look good; that can’t be all bad, can it? The church is a good place to emphasize the importance of the “truth and nothing but the truth.” In a world where relativism is endemic, the truth, sadly, becomes the first casualty.

For I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception . . . Truthful words stand the test of time but lies are soon exposed. (Proverbs 8:7; 12:19)

Stop & Think: April 5, 2023

Keep at it!

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. (Frederick Douglass, 19th century American social reformer)

We’ve heard similar ideas, and we’re so used to them that we overlook the sentiment’s value. We may immediately think of physical exercise, but that is too narrow an application. What about learning? Studying may be a struggle, but it is well worth the effort. Or, how about music and art? Again, it takes work and diligent practice to perfect our skills. Keep on keeping on!

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity . . . hard work brings rewards. (Proverbs 21:5; 12:14)

Stop & Think: April 4, 2023

Training

The great test of leadership is what happens in your absence. (Tim Kight, entrepreneur and speaker)

What happens to the organization when a strong leader, perhaps the founder of a new enterprise, steps down? Too often the business and its influence begin to sag, sometimes leading to the failure of the previously successful business. Sometimes, however, the business continues to grow. What’s the difference? As Kight intimates, it’s how well the leader trained his successors.

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher (Luke 6:40).

Stop & Think: April 3, 2023

Influence

It is important to remember that there are no “status jobs” in the Kingdom of God. “Visible” and “significant” are not necessarily synonyms. (Gloria Gaither, writer, songwriter)

Gaither writes, “We see the names and faces of artists, musicians, and speakers on TV, listen to them on car radios, and read their books” (paraphrased). But she reminds us that many who are not widely known have had significant influence in our lives—teachers, counselors, friends—the list may be long. We should be grateful for and to them for their impact on our lives.

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Stop & Think: April 2, 2023

A Reason Why

When you’re in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you’ve been buried. But you’ve actually been planted. Bloom! (Christine Caine, Australian international speaker)

We’ve all had those times when discouragement overtakes us. Whatever the circumstance, we feel we’re in a slump with no light to guide us. Caine suggests another way to consider the difficult place we’re in. Maybe it’s not so much a trial as an opportunity. We’re where we are at that point for the purpose of growing into a vital, useful agent of value and benefit to others.

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (Proverbs 20:24)

Stop & Think: April 1, 2023

April Fool’s Day

Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks, it is seldom necessary to assume it. (H. L. Mencken, 20th century American journalist)

Mencken’s comment is a rather cynical observation. Surely, it isn’t helpful to anticipate that anyone who speaks is a fool. Yet, the point is well taken that after one speaks, it usually becomes quite clear whether the speaker is wise or foolish. The best attitude may simply be to listen with discernment and reserve judgment until you’ve heard the whole story.

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish (Proverbs 18:13).