GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 14, 2022

Failure #2

Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something. (Morihei Ueshiba, Japanese martial artist)

Mistakes aren’t final or fatal. For every successful event in a person’s life there have no doubt been numerous failures as we attempt something new. Musicians, athletes, actors—any number of people can testify to that fact. Practice may not make perfect, but it does demonstrate perseverance and determination. We are smarter when we learn from our mistakes and move on.

Indeed, we all make many mistakes (James 3:2). A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes (Ecclesiastes 10:4) 

Stop & Think: November 13, 2022

Failure #1

Everyone who succeeds has failures. Successful people make their failures work for them. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

Failure doesn’t have to be final. Your response to your errors is the key to whether you remain stuck in the failure or use it to move on. Winston Churchill famously said to his people facing war, “Never Give up! Never Give up!” From the depths of severe damage and loss, Britain survived what could have been the end of the Commonwealth. Don’t accept failure; move on!

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26).

Stop & Think: November 12, 2022

Hypocrisy

[A leader] “should be what he is calling others to be.” (John Piper, author)

“Do as I say, not as I do” is the old saw that parents are often accused of. And it is true that a mom or dad may honestly have to acknowledge that their own behavior isn’t what they want their children to emulate. What’s equally disturbing is the hypocrisy of some who preach one thing but live another. Such deceit is shameful because of naïve followers who are deceived.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech (1 Peter 2:1).   

Stop & Think: November 11, 2022

Plain Speech

I know that my plainness of speech makes them hate me, and what is their hatred but a proof that I am speaking the truth? (Socrates, ancient Greek philosopher)

In a highly political time (like ours), plain speech is rare. Sometimes very fancy speech hides deeper meanings to words that are confusing. Other common words may be used, but they often have hidden meanings that are easily (perhaps intentionally?) misunderstood. As with Socrates, some honest speakers will be opposed because their simple speech is accurate and convicting.

Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.  . . . From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. (Proverbs 4:24; 16:23)

Stop & Think: November 10, 2022

Aging Well

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. (Franz Kafka, late Bohemian novelist)

This is not so much a promise of immortality as an observation about growing old with full appreciation of life. As we age, we sometimes become a bit morose, longing for the “good ole days” with memories that are probably better than what life really was like back then. Focusing on the flowers rather than the mud will prolong our sense of beauty in our declining years.

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).

Stop & Think: November 9, 2022

Living

You better live every day like it’s your last because one day you’re going to be right. (Ray Charles, late American singer, songwriter)

Most of us probably don’t live with that thought in mind very often. We go about living as if there is no end to it. We shouldn’t live with some kind of morbid attitude and fear that today might be our last. But, if the Bible is right that “each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,” we should be giving some thought to our eternal future as well life today.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him (1 John 4:9).

Stop & Think: November 8, 2022

Plans #2

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as impossible situations. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

“To do or not to do” might be the question when we have to decide about an opportunity that comes with difficult complications. The potential outlook may be very promising, success with its rewards of financial gain and fame, for example. Or it could result in failure, the loss of income and security. Those are circumstances when good counsel can be invaluable.

Plans succeed through good counsel (Proverbs 20:18).

Stop & Think: November 7, 2022

Plans #1

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  (Robert Burns, 18th century Scottish poet)

This oft-repeated axiom was no doubt inspired by the poet’s having experienced or witnessed the truth he writes about. Careful and strategic planning is important, but it isn’t always perfect. Remember all those great plans for a fun vacation at the beach only to have it rain all week? Knowing that such things happen only intensifies the need for flexibility, with backup plans.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.  . . . We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:3, 9)

Stop & Think: November 6, 2022

Attitude

Attitude is the ‘little’ thing that makes a big difference. (Winston Churchill, late British prime minister)

Your attitude determines how you respond when the boss gives you a new assignment.  Do you jump at it heartily because you like the assigned task? Or do you hesitate as long as possible because it’s a distasteful job. Churchill notes that the difference is a matter of attitude. Since attitude is one of the very few things you can control in life, it’s important to have a positive one.

You were taught . . .  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Stop & Think: November 5, 2022

Life

Time and time again I find myself talking to people whose lives appear to be lived purely on the surface. (Gordon MacDonald, 19th century Scottish author)

He further describes such people as having “no idea about what is happening at all.” If that was true in his day, how much more do we see of it today? Some people are so consumed with social media, sports, or entertainment that they are scarcely aware of life outside those arenas. Learning to interact with “real” life will make it more meaningful and beneficial.

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you (John 6:27).

Stop & Think: November 4, 2022

Value

Knowledge isn’t free. You have to pay attention. (David Heymann, American doctor)

Education is expensive. Whether it’s public schools financed by taxes or private education with tuition, it’s all very costly. But Heymann wasn’t referring to financial cost. He makes the strong point that to learn you have to “pay attention.” We may gather dates and names, but for them to be helpful, we must focus on how to use that information. That’s education of value.

Jesus: “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” (Mark 4:24)

Stop & Think: November 3, 2022

Light

I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. (Og Mandino, American author)

Light was an early part of God’s creation (Genesis 1), and it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without it. In reality, there probably could not be life without light. Just think about that! But the contrast of darkness makes us appreciate light even more. As Mandino suggests, it often gives us an even greater perspective on its importance.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy (Proverbs 13:9. Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:18).