GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

January 10, 2013

STOP AND THINK The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. (Vince Lombardi, football coach)

Coach Lombardi’s success proved the validity of this statement. His teams won games because the individual players worked hard at doing their best, whatever their assignment. It almost seems that life today tends toward mediocrity. We must put forth our best effort to become all that we can potentially be. Work at it!
 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. (Colossians 3:23)

January 9, 2013

STOP AND THINK Man is always inclined to be intolerant towards the thing, or person, he hasn't taken the time adequately to understand. (Robert R. Brown)

If we haven’t seen or heard about something before, we’re likely to disbelieve or discount its reports. The same is true of people, it seems. We make assumptions about strangers or people we’ve met only in passing, and we may even misinterpret what they say or do. We would be offended if we were treated that way, wouldn’t we?
 
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. (John 7:24)

January 8, 2013

STOP AND THINK If I could look at myself from God’s perspective, what would I see as my true needs? (Oswald Chambers)

We sometimes speak of peoples’ “felt needs,” the personal requirements that one senses he or she must have. The question might be asked, however, if those are the real basic needs required for life and health. Or, are they simply what one thinks he needs for happiness or pleasure? What really are our basic needs? And where do we go to have them met?
 
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

January 7, 2013

STOP AND THINK Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author)

Forgiving someone who has offended or hurt you is necessary but it is not easy. It’s human nature to be defensive and protective, but learning to get along with others in profitable relationships does require forgiveness. The offender may not change, but at least you will have peace of mind that you’ve done the right thing.
 
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

January 6, 2013

STOP AND THINK What someone is begins to be revealed when his talent abates, when he stops showing us what he can do. (Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century German philosopher and poet)

We most often judge someone by what he or she does and can do. It’s their talents and abilities—their accomplishments that impress us. But what do we see or know of them when their deeds are done and forgotten? What’s left? We are reminded once again that what we are is more important than what we do.
 
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity [and] seriousness. (Titus 2:7)

January 5, 2013

STOP AND THINK They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God. (From J. C Ryle: Dangers For Young Men)

Ryle was writing about a fear of others’ opinions. So often we are unduly influenced by others to disregard our own thinking and training to pursue what might please others. But the ideas of men change with the times, and there doesn’t seem to be a solid, unchanging basis for truth. So, let the truth God has given us in His Word and in His Son guide your life.
 
Jesus: ‘For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)

January 4, 2013

STOP AND THINK Beware of fretting, murmuring, complaining, and giving way to an impatient spirit. The lessons that we learn on a sick-bed, when we are shut out from the world, are often lessons which we should never learn elsewhere. (Author unknown)

These statements were written as a summary of thoughts on what sickness is meant to accomplish, implying that it’s not simply incidental or accidental. Complaining certainly doesn’t make us feel better when we’re sick, but an open and eager mind can make even our down times valuable learning experiences. 
 
Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

January 3, 2013

STOP AND THINK Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average. Which means you've met your New Year's resolution. (Jay Leno, American humorist)

Well, that’s one way to look at it. But should we be satisfied with being average? Are our New Year’s resolutions or, more importantly, our goals in life merely to be average? Shouldn’t we be striving to be and do better? Let’s establish a few realistic, positive projects for this year and determine to do our very best.
 
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed. (2 Timothy 2:15)

January 2, 2013

STOP AND THINK We have opened the book of 2013; it’s called Opportunity. The first chapter was yesterday, New Year’s Day. The year’s pages are blank. We are going to put words on each page ourselves. (Paraphrased from Edith Lovejoy Pierce, poet, 1904-1983)

When you think that we write our own chapters in life, are you hopeful or fearful about this new year? True, circumstances and other people have influence, but we make the choices. So, be careful to make good choices, to write clearly and positively on the pages of 2013.
 
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

January 1, 2013

STOP AND THINK New Year's Day is every man's birthday. (Charles Lamb, English essayist, 1775-1834)

On our birthdays we look back at the past, grateful for what has been achieved, but eager for the next year. So it is with the beginning of each new year: we’re hopeful for good health, better relationships, and exciting new opportunities. This year, let’s focus on the future.
 
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal. (Philippians 3:13-14)

December 31, 2012

STOP AND THINK New Year's Eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe . . . and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. (Hamilton Wright Mabie, American essayist, editor, and critic) 

It’s true, isn’t it? Except for the revelry and parties New Year’s Eve is like every other night. There are just six hours between 6:00 p.m. and midnight—and six hours from then until 6:00 a.m. The earth continues its revolutions; there will still be just 24 hours in the day and seven days in the week. These constants should remind us of the God who created time—and us.
 
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

December 30, 2012

STOP AND THINK Security in 2013 will come from God and not from our new year’s resolutions.

No matter how clever our resolutions or how good our intentions, we really can’t know what the New Year will hold or how we will react to its events. We cannot be satisfied with our ability to foresee what’s coming and be assured we can handle it. Better to put our confidence in the One who knows the future.
 
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 
(Jeremiah 17:7)