GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 28, 2025

Leaders

[A leader] “should be what he is calling others to be. (John Piper, late pastor and author)

When you’re the leader, it’s expected that your followers will choose to align themselves with your plans and purpose. Singer Dolly Parton suggests how to judge your success: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” Successful leaders reproduce themselves.

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 27, 2025

Truth vs. Lies

Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it. (Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels)

Have you ever noticed that newspapers tend to run sensational stories about celebrities on the front page? It may or may not be verified and very often it’s biased. But, when it’s found out later not to be true, the follow-up story (if there is one) is hidden in a back page somewhere. We’re too often prone to pass on unsubstantiated gossip, and the truth may never be mentioned.

Don’t try to hide the truth. (Jeremiah 38:14)
Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. (Proverbs 12:19)

Stop & Think: April 26, 2025

Humility

True greatness is accompanied by humility. (Ashley Mahendru, actress)

A Christian college’s theme this year is “Humility Reigns.” Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? If it is to be lived out in the community, it will be because the college family understands what Francisco Javier Beltrán wrote: “To be truly great, we must be willing to put others before ourselves and serve them with love and humility,” Sounds like words from Jesus, doesn’t it?

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Stop & Think: April 25, 2025

Life

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. (Mae West, actress)

West’s comment is well received by those who follow the advice to “Eat, drink, and be merry.” It’s a partial allusion to the advice of King Solomon who tried everything and concluded that living that way is meaningless. Meaningful living today seeks to honor God and benefit others. It’s a preparation for an eternal life after death.

King Solomon: “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:8)

Stop & Think: April 24, 2025

Virtue

When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary. (Thomas Paine, U.S. founding father)

Paine, author of The Age of Reason, was one of the political leaders involved in establishing our nation, and for that we should be grateful. Although he rejected Christianity, he was a true patriot. And his quoted comment is worth remembering. Our fathers—recent or long past—may have been virtuous, but we create our own heritage. Be sure yours is one of honor and integrity.

Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it. (Psalm 94:15)
The virtuous think before they act. (Proverbs 21:29)

Stop & Think: April 23, 2025

Life’s Three Tenses

The past is a closed door, the present is an open one, and the future is an approaching one. (Matshona Dhliwayo, Canadian philosopher and author)

It’s a simple, undisputed truth, isn’t it? So, how should we view these three tenses of life? We can’t change the past, but we can and should learn from it. We have to live in today, because what we do today will have consequences in the rapidly approaching future. The challenge is to learn from the past and plan for the future, while living for today.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Stop & Think: April 22, 2025

The Humble Teacher

If you agree with everything I teach, then I have failed you as a teacher. (attributed to F. F. Bruce, 20th century Scottish evangelical scholar)

While there are some students who disregard much of what they are taught, others hold the teacher in high esteem, believing they could do no wrong. Even though their knowledge is extensive, and their study has often led them to the correct conclusions, Bruce’s comment reveals the humble attitude of the true scholar.

If you are a teacher, teach well. (Romans 12:7)
The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. The teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10)

Stop & Think: April 21, 2025

Resurrection Hope

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand. (Ira F. Stanphill, gospel music songwriter)

What an encouraging reminder when life becomes difficult and it’s hard to hold much hope for the future. The song’s lyric includes this line of frustration, “And who knows what tomorrow may hold?”  Today of all days, having just celebrated Easter, the wonderful truth of the resurrection is the certain promise of eternal life for the Christian.

We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)

Stop & Think: April 20, 2025

Easter

I remember it is Easter morn, / And life and love and peace are all newborn, / And joy has triumphed over loss and pain.” (Alice Freeman Palmer, “On a Gloomy Easter”)

No matter the weather, the economic report, or life’s circumstances, understanding Easter should brighten our day and enable us to see beyond today. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof positive that his life and death were accepted by Father God as full coverage for the sin of those who confess it and recognize Jesus as Lord. (Romans 10:9).

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. (Matthew 18:6)

Stop & Think: April 19, 2025

Lies vs. Truth

Man’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth. (Desiderius Erasmus, 16th century Dutch theologian)

Jewish leaders cooked up a story to explain the disappearance of Jesus’ body, and that lie was circulated and believed. It was easier to believe the lie. The Scriptures tell us that even his disciples did not believe the report of his resurrection immediately. People are still believing lies today. Be sure to determine the truth, especially when it comes to your eternal destiny.

He (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. (Romans 4:20)

Stop & Think: April 18, 2025

Good Friday

It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My king yields his spirit. But it’s only Friday. And Sunday is coming. (S. M. Lockridge, late Baptist pastor.)

Christians around the world are commemorating the day when Jesus died on Calvary’s cross. 19th century clergyman Phillips Brooks explains its significance, “We may say that on the first Good Friday afternoon was completed that great act by which light conquered darkness and goodness conquered sin. That is the wonder of our Savior’s crucifixion.”

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Stop & Think: April 17, 2025

Learning from Life

Failure is life’s greatest teacher . . . (Ajayi Jones, author and speaker)

That idea may be difficult to swallow when you’ve just failed in some area of your life. But Jones continues: “. . . and the only way we truly fail is to learn nothing from the valleys we experience.” This idea may also be hard to appreciate, but given a little time, you may very well discover it’s truth. Don’t just fail; learn from it and move on.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)