GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: February 6, 2025

Improvement

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too. (Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist)

Sounds like the popular aphorism: “A rising tide lifts all boats” that is usually associated with a discussion of economics. Coelho’s comment is a challenge to all of us to strive to become and do better not only for our own benefit but for the benefit of others. It’s always worthwhile to seek self- improvement, but how much more valuable it is to see widespread social improvement.

We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. (Romans 15:1-2)

Stop & Think: February 5, 2025

Doing It Well

It’s absolutely true that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly… (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

That seems counter intuitive, doesn’t it? We expect the comment to end with “doing well.” In fact, Ziglar completes the sentence: “—until you can learn to do it well.” In other words, do what you should do even if you can’t do it well to begin with. You can learn through trial and error so long as you work hard at it, knowing it will be worthwhile in the end.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6)

Stop & Think: February 4, 2025

Hurting and Crying

Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do. (C. S. Lewis, British professor)

We all have had our crying times. When we were kids, it was when we fell off the bike and skinned our knee. Later, it might have been when our sweetheart jilted us. Many life experiences have brought us to tears. As Lewis suggested, however, we have to get up and move on with life until the day when all tears and sorrow are removed.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (Revelation 21:4)

Stop & Think: February 3, 2025

Potential

Others might not see the potential. But the real question is, Can you? (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

Do you recall the story of David and Goliath? This young shepherd was confronted with a giant who threatened to annihilate Israel’s armies. In spite of the taunts of others who thought the giant was invincible, David knew what he was capable of and bravely followed his intent to face the giant. And with one skillfully placed stone, he won the battle—in the name of the LORD.

I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies . . . Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. (1 Samuel 17:45-46)

Stop & Think: February 2, 2025

Groundhog Day

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. (English proverb)

The legendary Punxsutawney Phil is said to predict the weather for the remainder of winter. If today is sunny and Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of cold weather. If there’s no shadow, spring has arrived. In reality, of course, winter is just another step in the inevitable weather cycle God set in motion in the beginning. And it’s all under the control of a sovereign God. Whatever the weather, we worship its creator.

You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. (Psalm 104:19)

Stop & Think: February 1, 2025

Your Comfort Zone

To soar toward what’s possible you must leave behind what’s comfortable. (Cicely Tyson, actress)

We often hear the challenge to “get out of your comfort zone.” We may pass it off, thinking it is directed to the lazy couch potato. Most of us, however, have probably settled for the comfortable, well-known present status of things. Tyson urges us to reach for something higher, to move away from the familiar and work toward new and even more rewarding goals.

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: January 31, 2025

The New Year

January is the perfect time to reset, recharge, and renew your focus on what truly matters. (Shutterfly)

That was the challenge on January 1. How is it going now that we’re completing the first full month of 2025? How are you doing with your plans to reset and recharge? If things are going well, praise God! If they’re not, what kind of realistic recalibrations do you need to make on your hopes for the rest of the year? Begin today to pray and plan!

Be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:10)

Stop & Think: January 30, 2025

Encouragement

Every time we encourage someone, we give them a transfusion of courage. (Chuck Swindoll, pastor and author)

Do you remember a time when you were deeply discouraged, blue, and sad beyond reason? No matter the cause, nothing seemed to work out well for you. How did you get over that funk? Was it someone who came along to lift your spirits by being with you and, as Swindoll says, gave you a “transfusion of courage.” If so, look for ways that you can help others in similar situations.

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: January 29, 2025

Wisdom

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. (The Bible)

From the day we’re born we spend our lives learning. Whether at home, in school, or through life experience, we continue to learn and expand our knowledge.  But knowledge alone is not enough, As the late English preacher, C. H. Spurgeon put it: “To know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Stop & Think: January 28, 2025

Choices

Making the right choice is always evidence of true wisdom. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

According to novelist Jim Stovall suggests that “. . .  because of choices we’ve made in the past we can live . . . the rest of our lives in the certain knowledge that we can do anything we want to do if we simply make the right choices.” Gain character and virtue as you grow in knowledge, and you will develop wisdom that will help you make the right choices.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Proverbs 2:11)

Stop & Think: January 27, 2025

Do Your Best

Don’t move anywhere else until you’ve done the best where you are. But don’t stay a day longer than you should. (Cary Oberbrunner, author)

Oberbrunner’s advice is curious, isn’t it—but it might be helpful, too. When life is tough where we live or work, we’re often tempted to move. “Let’s go somewhere else where things will be better,” we think. Rather than moving, try working hard where you are to bring change and improvement. But, when the time is right, be ready to move on and do your best in a new place.

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Stop & Think: January 26, 2025

A Good Way to Learn

Wise people know when they don’t know, and they are not afraid to go to those who do know.

Someone else added, “. . . and they’re ready to learn. Why is it so difficult for some of us to ask for help when we don’t understand something or know how to do a task? Is it pride? We may be afraid that others will think we’re ignorant. In reality, most knowledgeable people regard questioners as intelligent people who want to learn. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser … Wise people treasure knowledge … [They] are glad to be instructed … Walk with the wise and become wise. (Proverbs 9:9; 10:14, 18; 13:20)