GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 17, 2023

What Is Life?

Life is only an opportunity for usefulness. (From a Puritan prayer)

It’s the question that has been asked from the beginning of time: “What is the meaning of life?” What’s its purpose? The Bible book of Ecclesiastes deals extensively with that issue. It views life from man’s point of view, concluding “Fear God and keep his commandments.” That will result in using life’s opportunities to honor him and benefit his creation and humanity.

Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life . . . Keep the commandments and keep your life. (Proverbs 10:27; 19:16)

Stop & Think: July 16, 2023

Vengeance

Vengeance is having a videotape planted in your soul that cannot be turned off. (Lewis B. Smedes, late seminary professor)

As noted elsewhere, often our natural human response is to try to get even with someone who has offended us. Until we can “get even,” however, we are continually overcome with thoughts about how and when we can do it. Too often the result is that we are far more concerned and worried about the wrong done to us than the offender is. What a waste of emotional energy!

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

Stop & Think: July 15, 2023

Forgiveness

When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive. (Alan Paton, 20th century South African writer.

That causes us to think about our injuries in a fresh way. When someone hurts or offends us, our natural human response is to get even. Perhaps we are waiting for the offender to apologize and ask for our forgiveness. But a great weight in our spirit is relieved when we learn to forgive. Robert Brault said, “Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.”

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13).

Stop & Think: July 14, 2023

Friendship

The friendship that can cease has never been real. (Saint Jerome, 4th century theologian)

We call them “Fair-weather friends,” companions we thought were close but who left our side when things got tough. Those are really hurtful experiences, but we can all recall times like that. It’s a good time to evaluate our relationships. We want to have friends we can trust, who will always support us; and we want to be lasting friends to others, too.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need . . . There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24)

Stop & Think: July 13, 2023

Failures and Learning

Life isn’t perfect, any failures you have are actually learning moments. (Phillipa Soo, American actress and singer)

What is to be learned from our failures? Soo continues, “They teach us how to grow and evolve.” Life’s experiences are not only the result of past learning and practice but also teaching tools for the future. We may stop growing physically, but there is plenty of room for emotional, mental, and spiritual growth as we age. Mistakes provide unique opportunities for learning.

Whoever learns from correction is wise . . . Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 15:5; 18:15)

Stop & Think: July 12, 2023

Gratitude

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19th century social reformer)

Whatever happened to “Yes, Sir” and “Thank you, Ma’am”? Such social graces seem to have been lost in much of today’s world. There was a time when we might say, “Thank you” to the guy who filled our gas tank and washed the windshield. Both the service and the response have disappeared today. But an attitude of gratitude should always be our first response.

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks (1 Timothy 4:4).

Stop & Think: July 11, 2023

A Journey

Every journey begins with a single step. (Maya Angelou, late poet)

It’s a common saying that probably needs to be repeated. Some people seem to be stuck in place because they fear what might lie ahead. There isn’t much of a challenge in such a life nor any prospect of joy in life’s adventure. As author Rachel Anders put it, “The journey of a lifetime starts with the turning of a page.” So, turn the page and take that step to see what’s ahead.

Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you (Proverbs 4:25).

Stop & Think: July 10, 2023

Potential

It is always difficult to measure future potential in the present tense. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

Some people seem to have the ability to judge well the potential in an aspiring actress, musician, or athlete. Baseball and football scouts recommend to team owners the players they think will “surely make it” in the big leagues. Far more important in the long run is assessing the potential a young person has to make worthy contributions in learning, research, and spiritual growth.

 The Lord said to Samuel, “. . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).

Stop & Think: July 9, 2023

Love

Love makes you do strange things. (Charlie Brown, “Peanuts” cartoon character)

The “Peanuts” comic probably had in mind the kinds of crazy things people might do in response to love’s strong emotion. Love songs speak of scaling impossible mountains or crossing oceans to express one’s feelings. In reality, of course, genuine love may lead to sacrifice of time, energy, money, or even one’s life to preserve the life of the one you love.

Love is not jealous or . . .  rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up . . . and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7).

Stop & Think: July 8, 2023

Work

Want without will doesn’t work. (Tom Kight, investment manager)

He continues, “If you are not willing to make the required investment . . . to pay the price, if you don’t have an ‘I will’ mindset, you will not achieve what you want.” Success is earned by those who pay the required price. While a few might be born with “a silver spoon in their mouth,” that’s not true for most people. For them, success requires hard work.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life . . .  working with your hands, just as we instructed you before (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Stop & Think: July 7, 2023

Encouragement

We need to be givers and receivers of encouragement in our home, to our friends on the golf course, and to people in the rest of our life. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers)

If you watch professional golf matches on TV, you may wonder how the competitors get along. Are they wishing each other well on their difficult shots or are they, at least secretly, hoping they’ll slice the shot into a sand trap or the water? The authors do well to urge all of us to be encouragers, wishing the best for others and, actually, helping them along the way.

The words of the godly encourage many, (Proverbs 10:21). Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).

Stop & Think: July 6, 2023

“Some Action Required”

Between dreams and reality lies action. (Yvonne Farley, social worker)

The late Dr. Jonas Salk explained it a bit further, “Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” There are lots of dreamers, people who have really good ideas, but there are too few of them who take the necessary action to bring their aspirations to life.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). So, prepare your minds for action (1 Peter 1:13).