GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: February 7, 2024

Discipline

Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most. (Abraham Lincoln)

We may rightly complain about the lack of discipline in schools, the workplace, and even in our homes. But self-discipline is probably the area most in need of our attention. As Lincoln suggests, we usually succumb to the desire to have what we want and to have it RIGHT NOW. What we too  often neglect to do is consider the wisdom of waiting.

We are waiting for the hope of being made right with God (Galatians 5:5a).

Stop & Think: February 6, 2024

Wasting Time

(The) Word of the day is “Spuddle,” (17th century idiom)

A lot of different words have been used over the years to describe working ineffectively or being extremely busy while accomplishing absolutely nothing. It may mean to work feebly and ineffectively, because your mind is elsewhere or you’re not quite awake yet. We ought to be careful that we aren’t just “spuddling” when we are expected to  accomplish something of value.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people (Colossians 3:23).

Stop & Think: February 5, 2024

Perfection  #2

Perfection: admire it; aspire to it, but don’t require it. (Geno Auriemma, coach of championship college women’s basketball teams)

Coach Auriemma’s teams were often near perfection, winning national championships and losing very few games. He seemed to be pretty hard on his college teams, always urging them to do better, to play as well as they could, and they responded nearly to perfection. It’s a good lesson for us. We will not be perfect, but we should aspire to it, and do our very best.

Let [your faith] grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:4).

Stop & Think: February 4, 2024

Perfection

Strive for continuous improvement instead of perfection. (Kim Collins, Olympic athlete)

Olympic athletes work hard and long to improve their skills. Only rarely does one receive a perfect 10. It’s really difficult to be perfect in anything—using proper grammar, word choices, hitting the right notes, remembering your cues, etc. We should all strive for excellence, improving along the way, and providing an example of perseverance for others to follow.

I don’t mean to say that . . . I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (Philippians 3:12).

Stop & Think: February 3, 2024

Understanding

The questioning mind wants not just to know but to understand. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

With the increased use of artificial intelligence, it might seem that we don’t need to know as much as we used to. After all, so much knowledge is produced for us that we may not even have to study to learn. But, of course, knowledge by itself is not very helpful. We need to discover truth and understand how it relates to life to be worthy, contributing citizens.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

 

Stop & Think: February 2, 2024

Truth

Truth cannot suffer from investigation. (A. L. Garber, 19th-20th century church writer)

Whatever happens, it’s probably being investigated. From Congress to the local PTO, rarely can anything be taken at face value. Sometimes it is evident that we’re not hearing the truth. But lies and cover-ups can never stand the light of truth. And when we discover truth, we never need to fear that someone will overcome it.

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you (Psalm 25:5).

Stop & Think: February 1, 2024

Reactions

The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It’s about what you’re made of not the circumstances (Tom Roy, sportswriter)

It’s an interesting phenomenon of God’s creation, isn’t it? We can be glad it’s that way. I like chilled hard-boiled eggs, but I like my potatoes warm and chewable. Like those foods, we often face circumstances that could make us boiling mad or frozen in bewilderment. Unlike food, however, we respond to circumstances with reactions that will show exactly what we’re made of.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19).

Stop & Think: January 31, 2024

Good Examples

Good performance is contagious; Poor performance is more contagious. (Craig Groeschel, leadership podcaster)

We are inspired when we watch a gifted athlete, or listen to great speakers and musicians. We’d like to be that good, so we may try to imitate them. That’s good if those we copy are good at what they do. It follows then, that when we imitate those who aren’t as gifted, we may not live up to our potential. Be sure to follow those who provide the best quality examples.

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 1:11).

Stop & Think: January 30, 2024

Great Work

The only way to do great work is to love what you do. (Steve Jobs)

How many people are tied up in jobs they don’t like? If they’re young, it may be a steppingstone while they are looking for another job. If they’re older, perhaps they are counting the days until retirement or hoping for an early buyout. The work of these people probably does not reach a high standard. How much better to find work you enjoy and can give your very best.

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

Stop & Think: January 29, 2024

Striving for the Best

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. (Vince Lombardi, late noted football coach)

You wouldn’t think it would be necessary to charge an athlete with Lombardi’s challenge. You assume, if you’re playing the game, you want to win. But maybe the challenge is to many of the rest of us, who aren’t involved in sports but are facing obstacles in our lives. Are we too eager to give up? Winning isn’t everything, to be sure, but striving to do one’s best is essential.

Run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize (1 Corinthians 9:24b-25).

Stop & Think: January 28, 2024

Principle

It is more rational, just, and patriotic to leave a party to stick to principle than it is to leave your principles to stick to the party. (S. H. Bashor, late church leader)

In an election year, Bashor’s comment is most appropriate. Loyalty to one’s party, as to other associations, is commendable, but principle is vital. Integrity requires adherence to higher standards of truth and character rather than personal loyalties. It’s difficult to break rank with long-time associations, but loyalty to truth and principle is essential to maintain one’s integrity.

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. (Galatians 6:15-16).

Stop & Think: January 27, 2024

Talents

It’s not how many gifts you have but which ones you use. (Source unknown)

We sometimes refer to a person as a Renaissance man. In its historical setting, it referred to a cultured man of the Renaissance era who was knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields. A few people seem to have those characteristics today, and they are often multi-talented. But it’s not so important how many gifts you have, but that you use them effectively.

Each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another (1 Corinthians 7:7). In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well (Romans 12:6).