GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: January 3, 2022

Encouragement

You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. (A.A. Milne, 20th century English author)

“Promise me you’ll always remember,” said Christopher Robin to his favorite bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. And his words could be an encouragement to one of our real-life friends in a time of discouragement. That may be all someone needs to help them rise up to overcome the disappointment of their day. This year, try to be an encouragement to someone every day.

 The words of the godly encourage many (Proverbs 10:21). So encourage each other and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Stop & Think: January 2, 2022

Act Now

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. (Alan Cohen, inspirational author)

So often we’re stymied in our plan to start a new project because we think the time isn’t right. It begs the question, then, when is the right time? Cohen suggests that just starting the project, getting it going, may be just the right time. We can’t know what tomorrow will bring, but if we don’t get going now, we may just miss the “perfect” time to start.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Stop & Think: January 1, 2022

Happy New Year!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. . .. The book is called opportunity. (Edith Lovejoy Pierce, late American poet)

Pierce continues: “We are going to put words on them ourselves. And its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”  2021 with all its joys and many disappointments is gone. With memories of the good days and ignoring the bad ones, we take pen in hand to write our journals for 2022. We begin with hope and expectation and endless opportunities. Let’s make the most of each one.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on. (Philippians 3:13-14a)

Stop & Think: December 31, 2021

New Year’s Eve

Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous New Year by believing. (Sarah Ban Breathnach)

Faith and believing—now there are two words worth thinking about on New Year’s Eve. What are we expecting in 2022—world events worsening, taxes and inflation rising, and other unhappy events? Or are we putting our trust—a good synonym for faith and belief—in Someone who already knows the future and wants to guide us into it?

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Stop & Think: December 30, 2021

End of the Year Thoughts

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning. . . (Hal Borland)

He continues “… but a going on with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” The 12 months and 365 days of 2021 have surely taught us something. The gains and the losses, the ups and downs, have all contributed to our growth, and that won’t stop with the turning of the calendar in a couple of days. So, let’s move into 2022, remembering the lessons of last year.

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Stop & Think: December 29, 2021

Smiling

Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart. (Anthony J. D’Angelo, education writer)

The holidays often bring sadness and loneliness. So, it’s a good time to be intentional in sharing the joy of the season. You may meet someone who is having the end-of-the-year blues. 2021 hasn’t been as good a year as they had hoped. Perhaps offering support with an encouraging word of hope—accompanied by a warm smile—may be uplifting and helpful.

When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them (Job 29:24) What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! (Genesis 33:10).

Stop & Think: December 28, 2021

Kind Words

Be kind to everyone, for everyone is fighting a fierce battle. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)

Sometimes we are distressed by the unpleasant behavior of a friend or even a stranger. We may want to respond in a similar unkind way. But Plato’s reminder can be very helpful in situations like that. Don’t be too fast to speak up. If we can be patient and sympathetic to the plight of other people, we may be able to speak a kind word of encouragement.

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24).

 

Stop & Think: December 27, 2021

Together

If we want to go quickly, go alone, but if we want to go further, let’s go together! (Bavon Jonas Aladoum, African pastor)

In the spirit of independence (and hurry), we often try to go it alone. After all, we can do the job more quickly by ourselves. By doing so, however, we can miss a lot. We miss the opportunity for camaraderie, the joy of working together with a friend or co-worker. We may miss the chance to encourage and train someone for a similar job. We may even be able to get a lot more done.

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2i)

Stop & Think: December 26, 2021

After Christmas                  

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. (Harlan Miller)

It’s sad, isn’t it, that the “Christmas spirit” often doesn’t last beyond Dec. 25? Is it because our attention for so long has been on the hustle-bustle of decorating, partying, and gift-sharing? Now that they’re done, we may really be let down and need some rest. If, however, we hang onto the true Spirit of Christmas, the gift of love and peace in Jesus, we don’t have to have a letdown.

My words are always true and always here with you. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

Stop & Think: December 25, 2021

Christmas

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.”  (Dr. Seuss in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.)

Now is the day when we should realize—and teach the children—that true happiness and joy do not come from “a store” where gifts of all kinds can be bought and given. Christmas does “mean a little bit more.” A whole lot more, of course, it’s the celebration of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Thank God for the gift of his grace and peace in Jesus!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Stop & Think: December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve            

It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters. It’s who’s around it. (Charles Schultz, late American cartoonist)

In many homes, Christmas Eve is the time for family to gather for singing Carols, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and opening gifts. For those families who recognize the reason for the season—the coming of God’s Son to provide salvation to all who will trust him, there is even greater joy for members of God’s heavenly family on earth.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Stop & Think: December 23, 2021

Gift-Giving

I always like the gifts I get, but how I love the gifts I give! (Carolyn Wells, 19th & 20th century American poet and writer)

Well acknowledges that it’s gift-giving that gives her greatest joy. As children, we didn’t look at gifts that way. It was always the anticipation of getting what was on our wish list, and disappointment when we didn’t. We were certainly thrilled when we got the gifts we wanted. But growing up brings a more mature attitude about receiving and giving gifts.

Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Quoted in Acts 20:35)