GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: September 21, 2024

Friendship

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. (C. S. Lewis, late Children’s author)

It’s a precious moment when someone shares an idea that you felt was your own unique thought. You’re asking yourself, “Does someone else really think that way, too?” In realty, of course, we realize that we have probably never had an original thought. We may not remember hearing it elsewhere, but hearing it from your new friend really makes your day.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Stop & Think: September 20, 2024

Opportunity

Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise. (Kobe Bryant, late professional athlete)

Like any sportsman, Bryant faced many obstacles in his career and life. Fame and fortune do not protect anyone from life’s challenges. In fact, quite often they are greatly increased because of their public status. Bryant’s attitude is a worthy example to follow. Don’t give up in hard times; determine, instead, to make good use of an opportunity to overcome.

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:16)
[W]hen troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2)

Stop & Think: September 19, 2024

Influence

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down. (Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century German philosopher)

And he did exactly that. Nietzsche’s writing conveyed his atheism: “Is man one of God’s blunders or is God one of man’s blunders?” His despair: “Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.” And wisdom: “The mother of excess is not joy but joylessness.” In contrast, be sure you have something worthy to say before you put pen to paper.

Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

Stop & Think: September 18, 2024

Real Faith

There is no great future for any people whose faith has burned out. (Rufus M. Jones, 18th-19th century college professor)

Jones emphasizes the critical importance of faith. Without it, he says, there is not much hope for our future. As a religious writer, he is thinking about faith that is more than an “I hope so” mentality. People have faith in a lot of things: jobs, other people, religion, science; but Jones would no doubt argue that the critical issue is not our faith, but the object of it.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. . . . And it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

Stop & Think: September 17, 2024

Powerful Words

Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging, and life-giving. (Source unknown)

We can all remember times when words really hurt us. It may have been a childhood experience or an even more serious offense when a close friend or spouse said something that wounded us deeply. Even after forgiving the offender, the hurt may remain. So, remember the power of your words; fill your vocabulary with words that build up and encourage others.

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)

Stop & Think: September 16, 2024

Faith and Works

Sojourners who think the most of the next world are usually those who are doing the highest good in this one. (Joni Eareckson Tada, author and leader in disability assistance)

We’ve sometimes heard fervent Christians described as being “so heavenly minded, they’re no earthly good.” Tada is arguing just the opposite. History demonstrates that many hospitals, schools, and social helps organizations were founded by “next world” thinkers. Their faith is practical and down-to-earth while practicing heavenly love and grace in the here-and-now.

How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. (James 2:18)

Stop & Think: September 15, 2024

Silence

Silence is of different kinds, and breathes different meanings. (Charlotte Bronte, 19th century English author)

There may be many reasons for being quiet. Bronte continues, “Silence can be the result of…nothing to say, nothing happening, too much happening, waiting for the right time.” In modern society it seems that almost everyone has lots to say and does so continuously. But it’s good to know when to be quiet and listen before responding with care and purpose.

[There is a] time to be quiet and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
You should clothe yourselves . . .  with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4)

Stop & Think: September 14, 2024

Small Tasks

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. (Helen Keller, late American author and political activist and lecturer)

How did someone who was blind and deaf achieve such outstanding accomplishments as Keller did? Her secret, perhaps, was her understanding that it all begins with the “small tasks.”  When they are regarded as “great and noble,” and are pursued with vigor, they lead to the achievement of the more obvious worthy tasks.

Be strong and finish the task! (Zechariah 8:9).
Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:15)

Stop & Think: September 13, 2024

Words or Actions?

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life . . . (Matthew Henry, 17th-18th century British minister and author)

Henry concludes, “. . . or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.” It’s like the old adages, “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say” or “Actions speak louder than words.” When we’re bombarded with lots of words on social media, podcasts, and blogs, it will pay us to look carefully at the actions to discern the value of the words.

Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. there is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (Proverbs 29:19-20)

Stop & Think: September 12, 2024

Extremism vs. Moderation

If we are called to live at one extreme, it is extreme godliness. Beyond that, we must seek balance and moderation. (Pastor Beau Stanley)

Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater is remembered for this controversial statement: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Speaking to people of faith, Pastor Stanley notes the higher goal for believers, but also reminds them of the biblical principle of moderation in the normal practices of life.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Philippians 4:5)

Stop & Think: September 11, 2024

Teaching and Learning

The best learning I had came from teaching. (Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor)

Ten Booms’ experience has been shared by many professional teachers. And even those who have simply shared their life experiences and knowledge with others have discovered the same thing. It’s not only in the preparation to teach, but in the teaching itself that we discover the deeper meanings of the subject no matter what it might be.

I am fully convinced . . .  that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. (Romans 15:14)

Stop & Think: September 10, 2024

Communication

A person of faith…must avoid crude humor, selfish anger, discourtesy and any action that blatantly disregards the norms of common civility. (William Wilberforce, 18th-19th century British philanthropist)

Was there ever a time when Wilberforce’s comment was more relevant? Modern television, podcasts, blogs, and every other means of communication seem to be crude and uncivil at best. And even more personal, private conversations too often reflect the same crude attitudes.  The challenge to people of faith is to speak and write with respect, courtesy, and encouragement.

The lips of the godly speak helpful words. . . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 10:32; 15:28)