GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 7, 2023

Wisdom

It is application that turns knowledge into wisdom. (Dr. Kipling Cone, pastor)

We might be surprised to learn how many people around us have earned master’s or doctor’s degrees. Yet, with all that gained knowledge (certified by their graduate schools), why are so many questioning the wisdom of our political, educational, and spiritual leaders? Instead of asking, “What would you do if …?” we should be asking, “What have you done when …?”

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you… [P]rove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 1:5, 3:1;13)

Stop & Think: November 6, 2023

Can Do

Never let what you cannot do stop you from doing what you CAN do! (Inspiration Line)

There may be many reasons that we either don’t start a project or fail to complete it. It may be that we think there isn’t enough time to finish it. Or there are too many things that have to be done first. An even poorer excuse for postponing a project is the fear that we are incapable of completing the job. The quote concludes: “There is no failure except in not trying.”

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people (Colossians 3:23).

Stop & Think: November 5, 2023

Prayer

When we pray, humanity cooperates with divinity. (Barry Black, U.S. Senate chaplain)

For some, prayer is pleading with an unknown god about a tough life situation, hoping he can somehow solve the problem. To others, it’s an act of desperation when faced with a situation that needs a miracle. The Bible reveals a God who responds to those who come to him in faith, trusting him to do what is best.

The Lord . . .  delights in the prayers of the upright (Proverbs 15:8). Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart (Colossians 4:2).

Stop & Think: November 4, 2023

Inner Strength

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th-century American essayist)

Is it the past that fascinates you, thinking of the “good old days”? Or are you contemplating the future, and what could be? Both perspectives offer a lot to think about. But Emerson challenges us to do some introspection that may help us improve on the past and be better prepared for the future. After all, it’s our strength and character that enable us to live and serve well.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Stop & Think: November 3, 2023

Opportunity

I’m not going to continue knocking [on] that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that. (Ava DuVernay, American filmmaker)

Waiting for the “golden opportunity” to knock is most often an unrewarded waiting game. Not only are there many opportunities around us that we miss, DuVernay suggests that sometimes we have to create or discover our own. Where to look? What open doors might there be in your workplace, your church, your service club or neighborhood? What stirs you to action?

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8).

Stop & Think: November 2, 2023

Focus

You become what you focus on and what you focus on only gets bigger. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

Habits begin with small things repeated often enough until we cannot seem to break them. It can quickly become a force in our lives beyond our control, something that we focus our thoughts and efforts on to the exclusion of more worthwhile factors of life. Broadening our interests and focusing on healthful behaviors will produce a variety of fulfilling practices.

I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize. (Philippians 3:13-14) 

Stop & Think: November 1, 2023

Is Good Enough?

Let us be good, but if we can’t be good, then let us be as good as we can. (Henry Holsinger, church historian)

Holsinger knew better than this, but here he expresses the general attitude of society. It’s a sentiment that may be helpful in many situations, but it certainly doesn’t meet the required standard to please God. He demands something more, and he provides what’s needed as a gift in response to faith.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).

Stop & Think: October 31, 2023

Halloween

Just because I cannot see it, doesn’t mean I can’t believe it! (Jack Skellington, a fantasy character in the film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”)

It’s been said that many people spend more to celebrate Halloween than Christmas. All sorts of ghoulish characters and situations are created, and although it’s all fantasy, children may believe that such creatures are actually real. But there is a lesson here. The reference to Christmas reminds us of the reality of the miracle we cannot fully understand but we fully believe.

When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman . . .. God sent him to buy freedom for us . . . so that he could adopt us as his very own children (Galatians 4:4-5).

Stop & Think: October 30, 2023

Authority

A true leader must know the limitations of his authority. (Eric Metaxas, author and talk show host)

A person with authority can use his or her power or influence in positive or negative ways. Giving inexperienced or untrained people authority can be dangerous, as they can so easily misuse their unlimited power. The same is true when those with evil intent are in control. The best leaders recognize that their authority comes with even more responsibility.

All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (Romans 13:1)

Stop & Think: October 29, 2023

Attitude

We cannot control the negative atmosphere of the world, but we can control the atmosphere of our minds. (John Maxwell motivational speaker and author)

We may become so discouraged about the way things are going in our world, or the world in general, that we lose all hope. But Maxwell gives good advice: “Too often we try to choose and control things we cannot. Too seldom we choose to control what we can … our attitude.” Think of what a change to a positive, hopeful attitude could do if it became contagious.

All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude (1 Peter 3:8).

Stop & Think: October 28, 2023

Truth

Your biggest vices are often a result of the fact that you made a little decision that you convinced yourself was no big deal. (Keith Minier, conference speaker)

When we were younger, we often thought that a little “white lie” or a “fib” was okay, especially if we thought the whole truth might be hurtful to us or someone else. Of course, experience has likely taught us that one lie almost always needs another one to keep the truth from coming out. Such is the history of mankind. We need to remember that the truth is always the best way.

Truthful words stand the test of time but lies are soon exposed (Proverbs 12:19).

Stop & Think: October 27, 2023

Worry

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength. (Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor)

The world is full of worriers. They’re always concerned about what will happen—or maybe won’t happen—tomorrow. Most of us have discovered, however, that our fretting about what might or might not occur has little, if any effect on future events. It’s a lot of wasted mental and emotional effort, often depriving us of the strength we will need in our tomorrows.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6).