GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: December 22, 2025

Peace on Earth

Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day. (Helen Steiner Rice, late writer and poet)

At the birth of Jesus, the angels praised God and said, “Glory to God . . . and on earth peace.” At the triumphal entry, Jesus was greeted with similar words: “Peace in  heaven and glory in the highest!” Three times after his resurrection Jesus greeted his disciples with “Peace be with you.” In a world that lacks peace you can be a “person of peace” by living out the Christmas message.

Jesus: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give (John 14:27).

Stop & Think: December 21, 2025

Christmas Week Begins

Worship makes thanksgiving possible (Anna Mow, former missionary).

Just a month ago we set apart a special day to express our thanksgiving for God’s good gifts. Now, we’re approaching that special day when we celebrate God’s greatest gift: his son Jesus. Let’s begin Christmas week by worshipping the God who gave us the gift of eternal life through Jesus.

 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17).

Stop & Think: December 20, 2025

Significance

Living a meaningful life consists simply in embracing the responsibilities and work given to us, whatever they are. (Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship)

This sounds like a good formula for a life of lasting meaning. Such a person is an example that influences others to work hard, prosper, and leave a significant legacy. In spite of such a lofty ambition, many become short-sighted and live only for themselves. To have a loving and helpful life, as Colson suggests, one must work responsibly and faithfully.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done . . . For we are each responsible for our own conduct (Galatians 6:4-5).

Stop & Think: December 19, 2025

Expectations

If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome. (Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player)

Some children were told they couldn’t expect to achieve much when they grew up. They were never encouraged to believe that they could do better in the future. Others thrived as adults because positive direction and hope were instilled in them while they were young. Wherever you are today, don’t listen to negative comments. Determine to do better than expected.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Stop & Think: December 18, 2025

One Week to Christmas

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American philosopher)

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Is there anything left in your Christmas budget? Giving is a means of sharing love and caring for others. But Thoreau’s statement is challenging. More important than spending money and time for gift-giving is spending time in serious reflection on the meaning of Christmas and our relationship with Jesus whose birth we celebrate.

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 17, 2025

Real Life Challenges

The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself–the invisible battles inside all of us–that’s where it’s at. (Jesse Owens, late gold medal Olympic runner)

Owens understood this premise As an African American competing in Nazi Germany, he fought racial discrimination just to compete and won his gold medals against all odds. The years of physical training, combined with the invisible battles he endured, prepared him to be a winner. His example helps us gain a better perspective on life as we realize hard times are for our good.

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control (1 Peter 1:13).

Stop & Think: December 16, 2025

Practice

Champions keep playing until they get it right. (Billie Jean King, former world #1 tennis player)

King “got it right.” This is good advice for anyone who wants to excel in sports or any other worthy endeavor. While she recommends lots of practice at your desired skill, you’ll note she did not say, “Practice makes perfect.” Why not? Because practice makes permanent. It’s the right kind of practice that can lead to a championship.

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice (Luke 11:28).

Stop & Think: December 15, 2025

What’s Best?

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. (the Dalai Lama, Buddhist spiritual leader)

It is commonly understood that the tough times we encounter—the times when we don’t get what we were hoping for—often turn out to be good for us. It’s more than just a “stroke of luck,” however. We have a loving God who protects his children from what he knows will be harmful to them. What we don’t get is often for our very best. That’s a reason to be thankful.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalm 32:8).

Stop & Think: December 14, 2025

Worship

In the end, worship can never be a performance, something you’re pretending or putting on. (Matt Redman, songwriter and worship leader)

Redman continues: “It’s got to be an overflow of your heart. . . . Worship is about getting personal with God, drawing close to God.” You may attend worship services on Sunday, but every day can be filled with personal worship as you talk with and listen to God. The Bible is the great worship book that directs us into that relationship.

Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness (Psalm 29:2).

Stop & Think: December 13, 2025

Giving

As we give our lives away in service . . . we discover the true meaning of our lives in the midst of fellowship and community. (Charles Colson, former presidential advisor)

Colson also said, “In giving we often receive more than we give.” That is the experience of many who share their time, energy, and even their wealth with those whose paths they cross. This kind of community and the relationships it fosters benefit both those who give and those who receive. Colson is right: This give and take is mutually beneficial.

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith . . .  your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Stop & Think: December 12, 2025

Life

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. (Grandma Moses, late American folk artist)

Grandma Moses’ “folk art” depictions of life as she saw it became part of American folklore. Her attitude toward life may have been a bit simplistic, but she saw it as hers to develop, claiming, “it’s always been this way and will continue to be.”  She may have enjoyed a good life, but her philosophy ignored a vital truth: our lives are in God’s hands. The same is true for us today.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Stop & Think: December 11, 2025

Two weeks until Christmas

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. (Maya Angelou)

Most of us have had those unpleasant experiences—although some of us enjoy rainy days. But being stranded in a distant airport without your bags can be greatly distressing. And the mess of tangled Christmas tree lights is really aggravating, to say the least. But don’t let that spoil your spirit of love and joy.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him (Romans 15:13).