GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 12, 2025

Vengeance/Forgiveness

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

It’s human nature to want to get back at someone who has hurt us. Sadly, we often don’t only want to get even, we want to do even greater harm. As Smedes notes, however, the revenge-seeker is really the long-time sufferer. But, as the late South African writer, Alan Paton, reminds us, “When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.”

Forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13).

Stop & Think: April 11, 2025

Moving Forward

I am willing to go anywhere, as long as it is forward. (David Livingston,19th century medical missionary)

He may have seemed to be fearless, but Livingston prayed, “God, send me anywhere, only go with me.” Known as an intrepid explorer and preacher, Livingston had his heart set on taking the gospel to the darkest places in Africa. What an example for us and a challenge to use our God-given abilities to advance his message of grace.

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Stop & Think: April 10, 2025

Truth

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. (Ida B. Wells, journalist and sociologist)

We are well aware of wrongs that happen all around us. Whether it’s being mistreated by your employer, experiencing a bad deal in a business exchange, or the evil happening around the world, we long to set the wrongs right. Society tries many ways to bring about correction. Wells is definitely right. Truth is the best way to take a wrong and make it right.

So I am writing to you because . . .  you know the difference between truth and lies (1 John 2:21).
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Stop & Think: April 9, 2025

Reality

Ignoring reality doesn’t erase it. (Aldous Huxley, author)

Our amazing mind can confirm reality or convince us that something is real when it isn’t. Much of our physical body is controlled by what we know, think, and respond to mentally. We can fool ourselves at times, denying what is right in front of us as if we can think it away. But we must face reality and respond to it with careful thought and reason.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6).

Stop & Think: April 8, 2025

Love

The magic words for a great relationship are, “I love you just the way you are.” (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author)

When we were going through courtship days, we might have been inclined to use this sentiment. After a few years of marriage, however, we might not be able to say the same thing honestly. In contrast, the beauty of God’s love is that he loves us just as we are, but he isn’t satisfied to leave us there. He wants us to grow in our love relationships.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding (Philippians 1:9).

Stop & Think: April 7, 2025

Kindness

Kindness is free to give and priceless to receive. (Acts of Kindness Foundation)

Someone else has said that kind people are the best kind of people. Surely, we would all agree that. When you’re down and struggling, a friend’s kind words—or even a stranger’s, for that matter, can turn your day around. It’s a priceless gift when someone treats you kindly. And it costs us nothing to do the same. So, be kind today!

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)

Stop & Think: April 6, 2025

Enough or More?

Be thankful for what you have . . . If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. (Oprah Winfrey, former talk show host)

Winfrey’s observation has been found to be true by many people who want more. But for those who have more than enough, another author wrote: “When we have been blessed with more than we need, it’s not our need God is concerned about; it’s the need of someone around us.” What we have, whether more or less, is given by God both for our benefit and the blessing of others.

Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. (Proverbs 30:8)
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:17)

Stop & Think: April 5, 2025

Harmony

Strong marriages are not built on unison, but on two-part harmony . . .  (Gloria Gaither, gospel songwriter)

Gaither continues, “and the willingness to let and help the other grow toward what God made us to be.” We often confuse unison and unity. The former implies that the couple or group are in lock-step agreement with no differences in viewpoint. Unity, on the other hand, implies oneness in purpose and mindset where differences are harmonious and the two move forward together.

May God, . . . help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5)

Stop & Think: April 4, 2025

Aging

Once you reach a certain age, life is just a delicate balance of trying to stay awake and trying to fall asleep, while slowly getting worse at both. (Source unknown)

We’re all somewhere on the spectrum of life between life and death. Old age sometimes mimics infancy, returning to the weaknesses and physical problems we thought we had left behind. If you’re still young, before you reach your senior years, hear this biblical warning:

“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Stop & Think: April 3, 2025

Satisfaction

Satisfaction comes not from chasing bigger and bigger things, but paying attention to smaller and smaller things. (Arthur C. Brooks, author and university professor)

Any number of us have failed when trying to accomplish some grandiose project, only to discover that we have “bitten off more than we could chew” as the saying goes. Or perhaps we’re hoping to do something greater than someone else has done. Brooks suggests, however, that we’ll be much happier if we downsize our expectations and succeed the smaller efforts.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. (Galatians 6:4)

Stop & Think: April 2, 2025

Effective Teaching

If to correct you must humiliate, you don’t know how to teach. (Source unknown)

In public debate over differing opinions, we hear far too many cruel comments about people. It’s not just about their opinions and actions—those are fair game. But it goes too far when we call people names and judge their intentions. Those practices only harden the stance of the opposition and cause them to respond in kind. To help someone learn, teach with patience and kindness,

O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies, don’t let me cause those who trust in you to be humiliated. (Paraphrase of Psalm 69:6)

Stop & Think: April 1, 2025

Fool’s Day

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. (Bruce Lee, actor and philosopher)

Did you play a prank on someone today? Or have you outgrown April Fool’s Day? When we think wisely about being foolish, Bruce Lee’s comment is enlightening. Some teachers say there are no foolish questions. Perhaps that’s because a wise teacher can turn the question into a great learning opportunity.

Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. . . (Ephesians 5:15)
Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. (1 Timothy 6:20)