GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: October 26, 2023

Temporary?

Nothing is more permanent than the temporary. (Ancient Greek proverb)

How often have we been told that a particular government program or action (even a tax levy) is temporary, only to see it turn out to be permanent? How about all of those unpacked boxes in our garages that we put aside temporarily to be opened at a later date? Because time is limited for all of us, we should clear up our temporary issues and give ourselves to more lasting goals.

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Stop & Think: October 25, 2023

Putting Off

He who puts off nothing until tomorrow has done a great deal. (Baltasar Gracián, 17th century philosopher)

But there might be one exception. Lisa Kleypas, American novelist is an example: “I’m a great believer in putting things off, in fact, I even put off procrastinating.” Combining those two apparently contradictory thoughts would probably help a lot of us “get off the dime” and make good progress in achieving our goals and dreams.

Remember your Creator now while you are young . . .. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty (Ecclesiastes 12:6, 13).

Stop & Think: October 24, 2023

Focus

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

Podcast host and writer Darius Foroux explains: “What you pay attention to influences your thoughts, which impacts your actions, which determine the outcome of your life.” During the course of our lifetime, our brains change, whether through education or our experiences in life. It’s essential, then, to pay attention to what we’re focusing on; it will affect us for good or evil.

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 for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14).

Stop & Think: October 23, 2023

Talent and Work

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. (Emile Zola, 19th century French novelist)

Viewing an honored piece of art whether an oil painting, sculpture, or pottery, we often marvel at the gifted artist who produced the work. Listening to a classical pianist or accomplished violinist creates the same response. Obviously, the artists are gifted, but we recognize their work is the result of a lifelong habit of practice, involving an immense amount of hard work.

Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  

Stop & Think: October 22, 2023

Do It Now

Doing things at the last minute reminds us of the importance of doing things at the first minute. (Matshona Dhliwayo, philosopher and author)

When we delay completing a task until the deadline is nearly upon us, we sometimes have to scurry to finish the assignment on time. Remember what it was like when you were cramming the night before a college exam? Why didn’t we learn our lesson then? As suggested above, we would really do much better and have peace of mind if we started at “the first minute.”

Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. (Proverbs 6:4)

Stop & Think: October 21, 2023

Truth

Denial of the truth does not change the truth. (Author unknown)

Another unknown source wrote: “Truth does not care what we think about it. It is true, regardless of whether or not we know it, regardless of whether or not we believe it.” As the late US Senator Patrick Moynihan said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts.” Don’t be influenced by intelligent people whose statements don’t add up.

You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Stop & Think: October 20, 2023

Legacy

The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is . . . a legacy of character and faith. (Billy Graham)

Graham contrasted his statement with “[the legacy] is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life.” Today it seems that the goal is to collect all of life’s material goods that you can: real estate, property, investments–all things you can enjoy and pass on to your heirs. Those things will pass away, but a good reputation and strong faith in God will last.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them (Proverbs 20:79)

Stop & Think: October 19, 2023

Hard Work

Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them. (Ann Landers, columnist)

Ambitious people are often waiting for that “golden” opportunity to knock at the door. When it does, it rarely presents itself as something to be taken easily; just pursue it and find that gold at the end of the rainbow. But Landers is right. Most new opportunities are easy to identify, and if diligently worked at, can yield remarkable results. Grab the new chance and work hard at it.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity . . .. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. (Proverbs 21:5; 2 Timothy 2:15)

Stop & Think: October 18, 2023

Service

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. (Mahatma Gandhi, 19th-20th century independence activist in India)

Some young people and dissatisfied adults move away from their normal lifestyle, seeking, as they say, to “find themselves.” Identity crises are in the news today because so many people can’t seem to cope with their inadequacies or feelings of inferiority. Gandhi’s suggestion would go a long way toward helping people recognize their true identity and worthiness.

I plead with you to . . .  be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind [God] will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him (Romans 12:1).

Stop & Think: October 17, 2023

Recognition

Don’t worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition. (Abraham Lincoln)

Most of us want our “15 minutes of fame,” but that alone is not a worthy ambition. Successful accomplishments deserve honor, but Lincoln’s admonition is really helpful. Whether acknowledged publicly or not, living with integrity and humility will be recognized by the One who is our final judge.

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ (Philippians 1:27).

Stop & Think: October 16, 2023

Productive Patience

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. (Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace)

Tolstoy wrote first, “Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow—that is patience.” Impatience is a common characteristic of the young and immature which is rarely outgrown. Of course, patience requires time, which is used for resting, thinking, or planning the important work that precedes fruitful action.

Better to be patient than powerful . . .. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence . . .  with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness. (Proverbs 16:32; 2 Peter 1:5-6)

Stop & Think: October 15, 2023

Kindness

Kindness is thrown away upon the evil. (Aesop’s Fables)

Is this really a good life-principle? Remember that a fable is intended to enforce a useful truth and is sometimes a legend or a story that may or may not be true. This fable may represent too many people who think revenge (rather than kindness) is the best response to evil. But those who live that way miss the joy of seeing how kindness can produce an unexpected, warm response.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them . . .. Never pay back evil with more evil. (Romans 12:14, 17)