GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: March 21, 2024

Words 2

Words are free. It’s how you use them that may cost you.” (Kush and Wizdom, poetry)

We sometimes joke about using 50-cent words like “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from the musical, Mary Poppins. Why would someone use “pulchritudinous” instead of “beauty” except to show off his vocabulary? Too often, words of any size can slip off our tongues without much thought and those words, though free, may cause great harm. Be careful how you speak.

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. (Proverbs 10:11)

Stop & Think: March 20, 2024

Words

No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. (John Keating, sportscaster)

How do you suppose the myriad religious orders and political philosophies began? Undoubtedly, they originated in the minds of some deep thinkers who then shared them with others over whom they had influence. Some were good and helpful, others deadly! The words of Jesus Christ, however, have changed the world for those who believe and live by his teachings.

Jesus: “The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Peter to Jesus: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:33, 68)

Stop & Think: March 19, 2024

Friends 2

The love of my life is the love between friends. (Source unknown)

No doubt the love between longtime friends is warm and comforting. Over time, it develops into  a long-lasting relationship that continues to grow in meaning and depth. For some it may even be the “love of [their] life,” but for most of us there is the deeper love for our spouse and children. And, then the love that we share in a relationship with God is beyond comparison.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Stop & Think: March 18, 2024

Friends

Sometimes you pick your friends, sometimes they pick you. (Steve Klaka, real estate professional)

Many of our friends are people we grew up with in the neighborhood or were fellow students in school. Some of those relationships may last a lifetime; others are over very quickly. Sometimes we choose friends because we have common interests and values. But the really rewarding friendships may be those initiated by someone who wants a wholesome relationship with us.

A wise person wins friends. (Proverbs 11:30)

Stop & Think: March 17, 2024

Choice

The crown of life is the exercise of choice. (Thornton Wilder, 20th century American novelist)

What a privilege Americans have! The United States is one of those unique nations where the people can actually choose their spouse, their school, their job, and much more. They even have the right to choose their leaders. In an election year, that’s a privilege that should not be ignored. Give careful thought to your choices; you have to live with the consequences.

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. (Titus 3:1)

Stop & Think: March 16, 2024

Life

“Life is like an ice cream cone…you have to learn to lick it.” (Charlie Brown, cartoon character in Peanuts)

Sometimes it does seem that life is a battle, and you have to work hard to overcome its many difficulties. Developing the maturity and wisdom to use what we’ve learned through instruction, loving guidance, and from the example of worthy teachers will help us do more than “licking life.” It will enable us to actually enjoy it.

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. (Proverbs 19:20)

Stop & Think: March 15, 2024

The Ides of March

“Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more.” (Brutus in Julius Caesar)

The expression, “The Ides of March” has come to represent an evil day of betrayal. It was on this date in Shakespeare’s noted play that Brutus stabbed Caesar, and the emperor’s reply expresses his dismay at the treachery of a friend. But the killer cites a higher loyalty. We are all challenged to consider our loyalties and how to regard them without resorting to another evil.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6)
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Stop & Think: March 14, 2024

Impossible?

When they say it can’t be done, they only mean, we don’t know how to do it.  (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

We’ve often heard those words from someone who has tried and failed. But many inventors have proved that the “impossible” can be done. The persistent worker will toil long and hard until he or she finds how it can be done. We are the beneficiaries of just such determination. When life is difficult, don’t give up. Ask for help, and keep working at it.

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)

Stop & Think: March 13, 2024

Hopefulness

Hope is the melody of the future. Faith is dancing to that melody right now. (Jim Cress, Counselor)

Hope is an elusive concept which can be powerful, but only when acted upon. If you cling to hope but never act on it, you won’t know the joy of seeing your hope come true. Faith, on the other hand, is an action.  It demands that I do something.  The hope of Christians is positive because it is based on faith in God’s word. So, why shouldn’t we be dancing ?

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23)

Stop & Think: March 12, 2024

Life’s Extras

What shortsighted people we are when we live as though all our “extras” are intended for us only. (A former pastor)

While many people live from paycheck to paycheck, others seem to have a ready resource for the “extra” things that they enjoy. We should realize, however, that what we have is intended not only for us but for the benefit of others. And those who are generous with what God has given them, find great joy in sharing. When that happens, everyone benefits.

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. (Hebrews 13:16)

Stop & Think: March 11, 2024

Quiet

Walking and talking are two very great pleasures, but it is a mistake to combine them. (C.S. Lewis, British Christian apologist)

We may not agree with Lewis’ thought, but hear him out. He continues, “Our own noise blots out the sounds and silences of the outdoor world.” Lewis writes often about his walks, and they are sometimes with close friends when, you can be sure, there was lively conversation. At other times, whether with friends or alone, he marveled at what he could learn from God’s creation.

Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31). I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. (Psalm 55:7)

Stop & Think: March 10, 2024

Character 2

Your character is more important than how good you are at any sport. (Tom Roy, former coach, sportswriter)

Many of today’s youth strive to excel in some sport ~ and why not? College athletes are now able to earn money from their sports activity, and they are often groomed for moving up to lucrative contracts as pros. Coach Roy notes, “Your athleticism is only temporary, but your character, the type of person you are, lasts forever.” And he concludes, “Be the best person you can be.”

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (1 Corinthians 9:2, 5)