GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 10, 2026

Integrity

Leadership is not a skill. It’s character. (Mark Divine, American author)

Divine goes on to say, “Successful, happy, and fulfilled people embody core values such as honor, courage, and commitment to personal excellence.” And he emphasizes that “Real leaders command from the heart.” We seem to think that leadership can be learned by applying rules from a book, but it’s deeper than that. It must come from the integrity of one’s character.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. . . . The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 11:3).

Stop & Think: June 9, 2026

Integrity

The garden of the heart must be tended with great care. (William Wilberforce, British statesman)

Wilberforce understood that it’s what is inside a person that determines what he does. He also said, “Life is confusing. What was to be our highest pursuit is lost as our hearts and minds become consumed by lesser issues.” Outside influences can affect one’s heart and mind, so recognize that what is essential is a heart of integrity.

As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person (Proverbs 27:19).

Stop & Think: June 8, 2026

Integrity

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. (J. K. Rowling, British author)

We admire talented people—Olympic stars, great orators, and artists of various kinds. We’re often in awe of their accomplishments and think they are the result of their natural talents. But is their athletic or artistic ability the true evidence of their character—who they really are? It isn’t our talents and abilities; it’s how we choose to live that’s most critical.

The integrity of the upright guides them (Proverbs 11:3).

Stop & Think: June 7, 2026

Integrity

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. (Epictetus, 1st century Greek philosopher)

This ancient principle is much needed in the 21st century. After all, what you are pretty well determines what you do. In that sense, being may be more important than doing. If we were to emphasize character development and integrity, perhaps the people of our generation would involve themselves in more worthy, noble pursuits.

Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect (Proverbs 21:21).

Stop & Think: June 6, 2026

Integrity

There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. (Source unknown)

We’re always looking for keys—the key to success, the key to riches, the key to lasting love, and, of course, the key to happiness. Like so many other doors whose keys we’re searching for, there are no magic formulas, no secret signs. The real key is within ourselves. Develop integrity in a relationship with God, and the door to happiness will open wide.

The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure (Isaiah 33:6).

Stop & Think: June 5, 2026

Integrity

The one thing you can give and still keep is your word. (Church sign board)

It used to be said that “a man’s word was his bond,” that is, you could trust a person to do what he promised to do. It’s a question of integrity and character. There isn’t much in life that you can give away and keep it at the same time. But when you give your word and then keep it, everyone wins. So, keep a guard on your lips and speak with honesty and good intent.

But most of all . . . never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no (James 5:12).

Stop & Think: June 4, 2026

Integrity

Integrity and virtue have to be practiced. What we habitually do shapes us. Small habits become lifestyles. (Augustine)

Those statements make it clear that if we want to be people of good character, we must practice moral and ethical living. Our habits truly do indicate what we are really like—more so than what we say. In addition, Augustine said that we are what we love. So our conduct and our emotional attachments are important when it comes to character and integrity.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Stop & Think: June 3, 2026

Integrity

We become leaders of integrity when we learn to serve without concern for recognition. (Scott Morton, fundraiser)

Entrepreneurs who want to be leaders can be energized by a number of incentives. Some may create a profit-making enterprise by introducing a new means of production or a unique strategy. Others are motivated by ambition and self-promotion. Respected leaders, as Morton suggests, however, are more concerned about their contribution to society’s benefit.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself (Philippians 2:3).

Stop & Think: June 2, 2026

Integrity

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. (Paulo Coehlo, Brazilian author)

It’s probably not true of nations where there’s little media, but in the US, you may hear more rhetoric than you’d like from highly opinionated people whose lives belie their words. It’s then we might think, “Please stop talking so much and show me how you live and act honorably.” Words are important, but only when they are backed up by integrity in one’s behavior.

A person who has a pure and loving heart and speaks kindly will be a friend of the king. . . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak (Proverbs 22:11;  James 1:19).

Stop & Think: June 1, 2026

Integrity

Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. (Chris Karcher, author)

June’s theme is integrity, the quality of steadfastly holding to high moral principles. A person of integrity is honest, truthful, reliable, and honorable. Americans consider individuality and personal freedom important, but they may sometimes make us think and act without regarding the hopes and dreams of others. Make choices on the essential values of family and community.

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Stop & Think: May 31, 2026

Faith

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. (From a quotations blog)

It’s a simple and encouraging statement, but the promise has a prerequisite. Unless we have a faith relationship with God, we can’t claim that promise. So, we begin by reading God’s Word and committing ourselves to His guidance. True, the journey may not be smooth, but it’s through those tough times we can learn to persevere and depend upon God’s care.

 . . . when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3, 4).

Stop & Think: May 30, 2026

Faith

It’s better for a society to hold strong truths weakly rather than weak truths strongly. (R.R. Reno, theologian and editor)

In a day when many reject the idea of absolute truth, people think almost anything is acceptable if you believe it strongly enough. Of course, putting one’s faith in something that is false will result in disaster. The true test of truth is discovering its source. A little faith in a genuine truth is better than strong trust in something that is untrue.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6).