GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

Stop & Think: March 31, 2023

Failure?

As we try and fail, we learn what not to do, we make adjustments, and we file experiences under a super power column called wisdom. (Malcolm Forbes, late American entrepreneur)

It is probably true that no one wants to fail, but it’s also true that we all do at one time or another and likely more than once. The worst kind of failure, of course, is to simply quit trying. But Forbes’ idea can really be helpful. Make the necessary changes to avoid the same mistakes and learn, gaining that “super power,” wisdom that will help you succeed the next time.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:5). 

Stop & Think: March 30, 2023

Afraid?

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes . . .  is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do. (Henry Ford, inventive car maker)

We are sometimes faced with projects we don’t think we are capable of completing. We may have to admit that we’re just afraid that we can’t do it. The choice we make at that time could well be an important turning point. To prepare ourselves as well as possible and gather the best resources we can may help us overcome the fear that’s hindering our success.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3).

 

Stop & Think: March 29, 2023

Friends

The best mirror is an old friend. (George Herbert, 17th century English poet)

It has been said that couples who have been married a long time tend to become like each other. That may certainly be true in habit and opinions—maybe even looks to some degree. Herbert may be right about long-time friends, too. After all, we probably don’t hang out too long with people who are really different from us. The bottom line is: choose your friends wisely.

There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother . . . The godly give good advice to their friends. (Proverbs 18;24; 12:26)

Stop & Think: March 28, 2023

A Step in Faith

When the road ahead is dark and you don’t know where to go, Trust God and take another step. (From a Stephen Curtis Chapman song)

We have all been at that place no doubt. An adult who has Parkinson’s commented on such dark days and how this song helped him keep moving on. What an encouragement when we begin to worry about the unknown future. It’s not just taking a step, however, it’s taking that step, knowing and trusting the God who will enable you to take the step and move forward. 

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives (Proverbs 37:23).

Stop & Think: March 27, 2023

Lost Love

’Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all! (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 19th century English poet)

This familiar line from Tennyson’s elegy for his Cambridge friend Arthur Henry Hallam, has become a common proverb in the English-speaking world. A love affair may bring heartache when it fails, but you cannot forget the joy that the mutual affection brought. As Euripides, the ancient Greek writer, put it, “Love is all we have, the only way that each can help [another].

Love is patient and kind . . . Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance . . . love will last forever! (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7, 8)