GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: October 26, 2025

Artistry

Every artist was first an amateur. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century essayist)

Whether it’s an artist, orator, or athlete, most first attempts reveal a lack of experience. A good performance requires concentrated preparation and training. As much as we may wish we could paint a masterpiece or deliver a word-perfect speech, it just isn’t going to happen. Take time and work hard to master your art.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. . . . hard work brings rewards. . . . Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval (Proverbs 12:14; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Stop & Think: October 25, 2025

Sharing

When I get hold of a book I particularly admire, I am so enthusiastic that I loan it to someone who never brings it back. (Edgar Watson Howe, 19th-20th century American novelist)

We often tell people about shows we’ve seen, sermons we’ve heard, and books we’ve read that we have especially enjoyed and profited from. We want them to have the same pleasure and benefit. Howe offers a great suggestion for sharing when he emphasizes the willingness to give up something of value for another’s pleasure and growth. That’s part of a life worth living?

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others (1 Timothy 6:18).

Stop & Think: October 24, 2025

Yesterday

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. (Lewis Carroll, English author)

When we long for “the good old days,” we often forget that it’s not only the way of life that’s no longer the same, but we are not at all like we used to be. Our memories often recall yesterday as ideal. The reality is that nothing’s perfect and change is inevitable. So, seize the day! Embrace life’s changes! And try to keep up with the times!

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: October 23, 2025

Identity

If the truth threatens your identity, the problem isn’t the truth. It’s what you’ve built your identity on. (Source unknown)

It’s a good idea to root your identity in the truth, but it must be genuine truth. For many people, truth is whatever feels right to them; there are no absolutes. As a result, their sense of identity may be pretty shaky because truth is so elusive. Make sure that the truth you’re counting on is genuine, not opinions or feelings. Eternal truth is found in the word of God.

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people (1 Peter 2:10).
Jesus to God the Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth” (John 17:17).

Stop & Think: October 22, 2025

It Takes Both

Words without actions are the assassins of idealism. (Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. president)

President John F. Kennedy expressed the same idea when he said, “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” Hoover accentuated the damage to high ideals that were the bedrock of American democracy. Kennedy emphasized Hoover’s “actions” in terms of specific goals and aims: what’s the purpose and where are we heading.?

The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.  . . . Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3-4)

Stop & Think: October 21, 2025

A Worthy Inheritance

No legacy is so rich as honesty. (William Shakespeare)

Shakespeare’s literary work covers the wide spectrum of life’s experiences. Though written 300-400 years ago, they offer important lessons to be learned from their settings and themes that are so often relevant to modern times. This quote from All’s Well that Ends Well emphasizes the values of honesty, wholesome character, and integrity in the legacy we can leave.

Honesty guides good people. . . .The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them (Proverbs 11:3; 20:7)

Stop & Think: October 20, 2025

Aim High

Aim high, miss high. Aim low, miss low. (Pastor Chris Suitt)

The artist Michelangelo stated it more fully: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” We hesitate to set our goals too high lest we fail miserably. But good preparation and planning, along with the resolve to accomplish something great, may be the key to even higher achievements.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Stop & Think: October 19, 2025

October Days

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on and produce so pleasant effect on the feelings, as now in October. (Nathaniel Hawthorne, 19th century American novelist and poet)

Midway through the fall season, we can appreciate Hawthorn’s comment, although not every day is necessarily as pleasant as he envisions them. For sports fans, it’s the end of baseball and time for football and anticipating basketball. For others, a stroll outdoors in the milder temperatures among the multi-colored leaves brings joy. This month, we have much to be thankful for.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Stop & Think: October 18, 2025

Nervous?

To control your nerves, you must have a positive thought in your mind. (Byron Nelson, late professional golfer)

People get nervous about a lot of things, don’t they? We all have butterflies at some time or another, even if it’s just taking a driver’s test or making a presentation at work. It’s often the fear of failure and embarrassment that makes us uneasy. But we can relax when we’re well prepared, think positively, and expect good results.

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: October 17, 2025

Change the World

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. (Rumi, 13th century Persian poet)

We have often heard the good counsel that to change anything in our society or environment, we must first change ourselves. Rumi recognized that truth and proceeded make personal change. That’s a challenge to those of us who live in a world where change is often negative. Be a force for positive change.

This same Good News . . . is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace (Colossians 1:6).

Stop & Think: October 16, 2025

Carpe Diem!

The past is a place of reference, not a residence, [a place of] learning, not living. (Roy T. Bennett, author)

Do you know people who seem to be living in the past?  They cling to their memories and may often lament, “This is not the way it used to be” or “Why all these changes?” As Bennett says, the past is where we learned, but we live in the present. It’s best to apply the lessons of the past to make the most of life today! Carpe Diem!

It is a good thing to . . . accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20).

Stop & Think: October 15, 2025

The American Dream

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle. (Napoleon Hill, American author)

What is the “American Dream?” Whatever it is for you, the bigger question is, how do you achieve it? Is it an entitlement promised by the Declaration of Independence, or as Hill suggests, does realizing that dream involve effort and struggle, strengths that come from personal discipline and dependence on the Almighty?

Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine (Proverbs 8:14).