GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 13, 2022

Daring

Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable (Brené Brown, American research professor)

“I dare you.” “I double-dare you.” Do you remember those childhood challenges? They were sometimes a test to see how brave we were. To accept the dare was to make yourself vulnerable to the teasing of your friends and maybe even danger. To face a real challenge in life, indeed, takes courage because you do become vulnerable to ridicule and failure.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:34).

Stop & Think: June 12, 2022

Others

What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other? (George Eliot, pen name for Mary Ann Evans, 20th century English writer)

People today often seem to be so self-centered that we might wonder if Eliot’s observation is really true. From the earliest moments of infancy, children begin to show a selfishness that is difficult to overcome as they grow up because they see it all around them. But trying to live for the benefit of others is certainly a worthy purpose to pursue.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4)

Stop & Think: June 11, 2022

Control

You can’t change or control the world around you. You can change and control the world within you. (Warren Wiersbe, late American author)

After reading the newspaper or watching the evening TV news, do you ever begin to wish you really could “change the world?” Even the most political powerful world leaders can’t make the changes they’d like, though they often try . . . sometimes by wicked methods. It’s best for all of us to acknowledge Wiersbe’s words and do our best to bring change,beginning with ourselves.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Stop & Think: June 10, 2022

Talents

If you’re an eagle at heart, what are you doing on that perch? (Charles Swindoll, pastor, writer)

Swindoll continues: “Do you have any idea how greatly you’re needed to soar and explore?” We all have unique gifts and talents, and they are not given to us simply for our own benefit. They are intended for the good of your community. The challenge, then, is to perfect your abilities and use them to help others become their best, too.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. (Romans 12:8)

Stop & Think: June 9, 2022

Too Much

A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing. (Paul David Tripp, devotional writer)

Can you get too much of a good thing? Many of us have discovered that second helpings of a delicious dish may have unpleasant consequences. So, the answer is yes. Tripp’s observation is a warning to those of us who can’t stop soon enough—whether it’s eating, bingeing on a TV, or the constant use of our phone. When even “good” things control us, it’s no longer good for us.

Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! (Proverbs 25:16) Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

Stop & Think: June 8, 2022

Humility

The first product of self-knowledge is humility. (Flannery O’Connor, 20th century novelist)

It is perfectly natural to think of ourselves first. If we don’t, who will? But as we grow and become more mature in our reasoning, we begin to realize that we may not be as “great” as we once hoped or thought. In fact, in recognizing our weaknesses and failures along with any successes, we cannot help but think more realistically about ourselves.

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3). For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:11).

Stop & Think: June 7, 2022

Humility

Humility is the only soil in which true unity can grow. (Michael Reeves)

Stardom (and even superstardom) is the goal of many youngsters starting out in sports, entertainment, or the arts; It’s all “me first,” or “I’ll do it my way.” Many stars seem to forget how the work and efforts of many others made their success possible. Teamwork is often the key to meaningful progress, and it requires true humility to reach the goal.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13)

Stop & Think: June 6, 2022

Nature

One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books. (John Muir, 19th-20th century environmental philosopher)

Muir was not intending to discredit enjoying and learning from books. Rather, he simply wanted to encourage people to move on from books to personal experience. You can read about the mountains, even watch documentaries on their grandeur, but there’s nothing like hiking the hills and seeing the view from the top.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known (Psalm 19:1-2).

Stop & Think: June 5, 2022

Home

There’s no place like home. Ask any prodigal who has come back.

It’s a familiar thought, often repeated when returning from an extended vacation. People who may be dissatisfied with their job or circumstances sometimes think it would be really good to move somewhere else. Later, they may become discontent with the changes they’ve made and wish to go back home. That is especially true of those whose decisions have cost them dearly.

A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest (1 Peter 27:8) For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14).

Stop & Think: June 4, 2022

Perfection

This life was not intended to be our place of perfection, but the preparation for it. (Richard Baxter, 17th century English Puritan writer)

Although God’s creation was perfect (Genesis 1), after sin entered so did imperfection and hardship. God’s intention, however, is to one day restore his creation to perfection. Learning to live according to his plan will enable us to grow more and more into the people he intended us to be. And that will be complete when he brings us to a restored relationship with him in heaven.

I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (Philippians 3:12).

Stop & Think: June 3, 2022

Wanting It All

Wanting all you can get will keep you from becoming all you can be. (Brent Sandy, author)

Remember the bumper sticker that said: “He Who Dies with The Most Toys Wins!” That does seem to be a constant theme in society yet today. We often judge success by the accumulation of possessions and wealth. Yet, the prevalent anxiety and hopelessness of our society today surely puts the lie to that premise and Sandy’s statement is a challenge to seek something higher.

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Stop & Think: June 2, 2022

Starting Over

Though nobody can go back and make a new beginning . . . Anyone can start over and make a new ending. (Chico Xavier, Brazilian philanthropist)

How many times have you wished you could just start over? You made a big mistake that ruined a project and there was no way to correct it. Maybe you didn’t measure twice before you made that one wrong cut. In many cases, however, as Xavier suggests, you can back up and start fresh. Take a new piece of wood, measure it more carefully, and then make your cut. Move on!

But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over (Jeremiah 18:4).