GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

December 20, 2012

STOP AND THINK Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard words. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Author unknown)

Peace is not merely a truce where weapons are not fired and bombs aren’t dropped. It’s not just ceasing to use harsh words or to shout obscenities. The Hebrew word “shalom” offers a helpful understanding of peace. It refers to wholeness or to harmony. When people are living together in harmony, there is genuine peace.
 
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy. (Hebrews 12:14)

December 19, 2012

STOP AND THINK We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present. (Marianne Williams, author and lecturer)

Sometimes the failures of the past, or the memories of them, so immobilize us that we cannot function normally. We must overcome that inertia by intentionally working at the present tasks in order to guarantee a better future.
 
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (Isaiah 43:18)

December 18, 2012

STOP AND THINK Christmas reminds us we are not alone. (Donald E. Westlake, American writer)

A week from today, families all around the world will gather. No one wants to be alone on Christmas. The deeper reminder of the day, however, is that God Himself entered into human existence so that mankind would not be alone, but would have someone who experienced life like every man and who would provide for eternal life with God’s family.
 
The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

December 17, 2012

STOP AND THINK There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. (George Matthew Adams, American newspaper columnist)

Though many of us are individualists and like to think that we can do it on our own, in reality we probably have to admit that our best efforts were the result of working with others or being supported by someone. In turn, we should seek to support and encourage others around us, spurring them on to greater achievement.
 
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds . . . let us encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

December 16, 2012

STOP AND THINK If you’re going through hell, keep going. (Winston Churchill)

Life sometimes is very hard, and we may be inclined to give up or to find some way to change our circumstances or environment. But there is much to be gained by perseverance, by sticking it out through difficult times. There may be lessons to be learned that cannot be discovered in any other way. Ask for help and stick with it.
 
Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

December 15, 2012

STOP AND THINK Sickness is meant to prompt us to ask, “Am I ready for my great change if I should not get better? Am I prepared to meet God? (Author unknown)

When we’re injured or sick for a long time, we tend to think more seriously about life. We begin to think about what’s next. What’s on the other side of death? It’s a time for serious soul-searching in light of the biblical statement that all are appointed to die once and then to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
 
Prepare to meet your God! (Amos 4:12)

December 14, 2012

STOP AND THINK Youth is the time when we have generally our most health and strength: death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems to be everything. (J. C. Ryle, 19th century Anglican bishop, speaking to young men)

“Eat, drink, and be merry” seems to be the mantra for many young people. Uncertain of the future, and often unable to cope with today’s life and its economic trials, they live for the moment with no thought for the future. They would do well to follow the counsel of the Bible.
 
For the grace of God . . . teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-13)

December 13, 2012

Your character isn’t manifest by what you prepare to do. It’s manifest by what you’re not prepared for and how you react to that. Your involuntary reaction shows your character. (paraphrased from John MacArthur, American preacher)

 
MacArthur goes on to say that it’s the things that catch us off guard and reveal the weakness of our hearts that show who we really are. We can put on a great front when we have time to prepare, but it’s the unexpected that tests our real character.
 
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Proverbs 11:3)

December 12, 2012

STOP AND THINK Choices, not chance, determine destiny. (From a church sign board)

Some folks like to leave everything to chance. “What will be will be,” they say. However, experience teaches us all too quickly that our choices really do determine what happens. Choices have consequences, so we must be wise and careful when we choose.
 
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:10-11)

December 11, 2012

STOP AND THINK A joy that is shared is a joy that is doubled. (John Ray, 17th century English naturalist)

It’s two weeks till Christmas. Already, children are eagerly anticipating the joy of new toys, gifts from Saint Nicholas, and family fun. Their parents know that such fun makes good memories, but it will soon be forgotten as life returns to normal after the holidays. We should remember that the source of joy is in the real Christmas.
 
Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

December 10, 2012

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. (C. S. Lewis, British Christian apologist))

Because we can’t see into the future, we sometimes are afraid to think about it or to imagine what lies ahead. Yet, we can’t hang on to the past; we must work hard to prepare for the future and expect the good that lies ahead.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:13-14)

December 9, 2012

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. (Frank A. Clark, 20th century writer and cartoonist)

We all discovered early on that life isn’t just one long, smooth road. In fact, we’ve faced all kinds of problems and difficulties—most of which gave us wonderful opportunities for learning. We may follow many paths but we do well to seek the one that leads to a life of fulfillment and service. 

Let us go up to the mountain of the LORD. . . . He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. (Isaiah 2:3)