GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 1, 2024

On to 2024

Last year told you what you needed to know. This year is go time! Happy New Year! (Richie Norton, executive coach)

While we don’t want to concentrate on the past, undoubtedly there are lessons to be learned from 2023 experiences. Perhaps this would be a good day to think through last year and jot down memorable events, especially those ideas and activities that could help you face the opportunities of 2024.

I have not achieved (perfection) but I focus on this one thing: . . . I press on to reach the end of the race. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Stop & Think: December 31, 2023

New Year’s Eve

Tonight’s December thirty-first, / Something is about to burst. . . (Ogden Nash, 20th-century poet of light verse)

“. . ./ The clock is crouching, dark and small, / Like a time bomb in the hall./ Hark, it’s midnight, children dear./ Duck! Here comes another year!” We really don’t have to be reminded that a New Year is about to dawn. It’s inevitable. Unlike children who may not have experienced as many New Years as we adults have, we should help them anticipate joyous new experiences.

The hopes of the godly result in happiness (Proverbs 10:28).

Stop & Think: December 30, 2023

The Passing of the Year

Another year filled with blessings, laughter, and love. Thank you, dear year, for all the precious moments. (Source unknown)

How wonderful it is to take a positive look back on 2023. Surely there were good days, memorable events, warm relationships to be grateful for. Let’s spend our time thanking God for them and thanking Him, also, for the more difficult times that He saw us through. As we move into the New Year, we can remember the past with gratitude for God’s help.

 “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!” (1 Samuel 7:12b)  Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (Psalm 37:5)

Stop & Think: December 29, 2023

Finish Well

Every task, goal, race, and year comes to an end… therefore, make it a habit to finish strong. (Gary Ryan Blair, business coach)

Just a few more days, but 2023 isn’t quite over yet. We shouldn’t just coast into the New Year. As Blair says, we need to finish strong. Today may be the last working day of the year for many people, but there’s still lots to do in finishing assigned tasks, and nurturing relationships that have developed through the year. Make 2023 a year to remember and be proud of.

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24).

Stop & Think: December 28, 2023

Pain

Long time gain is more valuable than short term pain. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

Pain is often the clue to problems that need to be cared for. The remedy may sometimes cause pain: surgery, perhaps, or nasty-tasing medicine, or just being laid aside in discomfort for a while. And we’re willing to take that short time suffering because of the gain over a future longer time. Maybe we should regard pain as the discipline that will train us for more productive living.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (Hebrews 12:11).

Stop & Think: December 27, 2023

Light and Truth

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. (Ida B. Wells, American journalist and educator)

Everyone seems to think they have a solution to today’s problems. Politicians claim to have the right answers, but Congress can’t find a mutually satisfactory way to govern. Protestors have a lot of zeal and offer more anger and hatred than light. Wells’ instruction would be helpful if we could somehow discover the truth that is offered for our good.

Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live (Psalm 43:3).

Stop & Think: December 26, 2023

The Day After

Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind. (Miracle on 34th St.)

The Big Day is over, the gifts have been opened, and the gift-wrappings all picked up. But what about the season’s attitude and feelings? Is the holiday all over? Do we have to wait until next Christmas to experience joy and love? If that’s true, what a shame! It’s more than just ”a frame of mind,” of course. Let the love of God through Jesus remain in your heart.

For God … made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Stop & Think: December 25, 2023

Christmas

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Late television writer, Andy Rooney, expresses how the world looks at this sacred day: “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day.” “Glorious mess?” Gifts are wonderful expresses of love, of course, but the real glory is the coming of Jesus to offer the gift of an eternal relationship with God. That’s glorious!

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ( Luke 2:14).

Stop & Think: December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. (Burton Hillis, Pseudonym for William E. Vaughan, 20th century columnist).

The truly happy family will enjoy their physical family and will celebrate with the extended family of Jesus-followers. Many will find fellowship in Christmas Eve services, rejoicing with other believers in the reason for the season, the coming of Jesus as the love gift of the Father. “Glory to God in the highest” for the very best gift!

“. . . eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

Stop & Think: December 23, 2023

Sharing at Christmas

Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is everywhere. Our hands are busy with many tasks as carols fill the air. ( Shirley Sallay, late American poet)  

The last two days before the gift-opening and celebrations can be extremely busy, and, as Sallay suggests, full of happy thoughts. But they also present opportunities to share with the less fortunate: providing meals, visiting the homebound, and making gifts available for the homeless or single-parent children. Sharing the happiness of the season is a joy—and maybe an obligation.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you (Proverbs 19:17). Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! (Acts 10:4)

Stop & Think: December 22, 2023

The Season’s Love

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. (Washington Irving, 18th-19th century short-story writer)

This weekend it will be nice and pleasant to sit by the fire, feel peaceful and thankful. With family and friends around, the spirit of love prevails—and it’s sweet! In that world outside our cozy den, however, it seems there isn’t enough to go around. That’s why this Christmas season reminds us of God’s love that sent Jesus to Bethlehem and sends us to share his love with others.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16).

Stop & Think: December 21, 2023

A Christmas Wish

What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future. (Agnes M. Pahro, late artist and poet)

She continues: “It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” In these few days before Christmas, we do find joy in thinking of past celebrations and we can have hope for the future. But the hoped-for peace will come only because of the Christ child who is the intended Prince of Peace.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. . . .  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).