GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think – August 23, 2021

Rest

It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone. (The Bible)

Do you know any “workaholics”? They may accomplish a lot on their jobs, but at what price? Some of us have had to learn the hard way that we need to take time off—a day a week, maybe. Or at least a few planned days away from the office or factory. The Bible writer continued, “Don’t you know [God) enjoys giving sleep to those he loves.” How healthful it is to follow reasonable working hours, get sufficient rest, and take extended time off for some “R & R.”

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest. (Exodus 31:15)

Stop & Think – August 22, 2021

Training

The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle. (Scott Klusendorf of Life Training Institute)

It’s probably another way of saying, “No pain, no gain,” What military recruits learn through the tough days of training may very likely make the difference between injury or life and death. The same could be said about civilian life. We must always be prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the unexpected trials of life. Scripture refers to this as putting on God’s armor.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. (Ephesians 6:13)

Stop & Think – August 21, 2021

Limits

Emotionally healthy people understand the limits God has given them. (Peter Scazzero, author)

Most people don’t like limits or boundaries of any kind. “Let me be free to do whatever I want; It’s my life so leave me alone,” they might say. Unfortunately, we’ve seen what that’s done to way too many young people today. Overdoses, suicides, and wild living not only affect them but their family, friends, and the entire world. It’s far better to stay within reasonable limits.

[Warning]: I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. (Jude 1:6)

Stop & Think – August 20, 2021

Remember

We do not remember days, we remember moments. (Cesare Pavese, late Italian novelist)

Husbands are often chided for forgetting their wife’s birthday or their anniversary. In their defense, regarding their wedding day, it could probably be argued that, while they do forget the date, they certainly do remember the occasion. And, really, that is far more significant, isn’t it? Perhaps the answer, husbands, is to celebrate more of your special moments throughout the year. 

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:23)

Stop & Think – August 19, 2021

Work II

We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are. (Oprah Winfrey, TV personality)

Can contentment ever become complacency? That is, if we are really satisfied with what and where we are at any given time, will that stifle possible growth and improvement? There may be so much more we can be and do if we recognize that learning and growth are important—even critical—to becoming all that we are intended to be, especially for the benefit of others.

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 12:24)

Stop & Think – August 18, 2021

Work I

There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There’s only scarcity of resolve to make it happen. (Wayne Dyer, self-help, best-selling author)

Jobs are sometimes hard to find. At other times, there are lots of jobs, but they are often in fields that we have no interest in or are not trained for. Dyer argues that if you are really determined to work at something you care about, you’ll find a way to do it. What a challenge! Work hard to determine your skills and resources and begin to diligently pursue that desired work.

I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. (Ephesians 3:22)

Stop & Think – August 17, 2021

Sacrifice

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice and is never the result of selfishness. (Napoleon Hill, American editor)

Success in life often requires giving up a great deal of time, effort, or expense to reach your goals. The athlete spends hours in the gym or on the track, building up his body and strength in order to win. The musician uses constant discipline to practice his or her skill to become the very best at his instrument. How much am I willing to give to accomplish worthy goals? 

Jesus: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Stop & Think – August 16, 2021

Leadership

Good leaders must first become good servants. (Robert K. Greenleaf, leadership author)

Many people aspire to be leaders, whether it’s in education, athletics, or politics. Few achieve success without learning good principles of leadership. The most successful leaders have learned their role by, first of all, being good followers, having learned what it’s like to be led well and observed the qualities and practices of successful leaders. Note the example of Jesus.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others. . . (Matthew 20:28)

Stop & Think – August 15, 2021

Little Things II

If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things. (Elisabeth Elliot, author and speaker)

Elliot continues, “It is we, of course, to whom things look “little” or “big.” For an all-knowing and all-powerful God there is neither big nor small. He “handles” them all with ease, working out his ultimate plan which involves both kingdoms and nations but people, too, who may or may not be so important in the view of others.

God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in. (1 Corinthians 1:28) 

Stop & Think – August 14, 2021

Little Things I

You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction. (Alvin Toffler, late American futurist)

Many of us tend to disregard “little things,” wanting to concentrate on the “big things” of life. Toffler warns us, however, that the big things won’t work well if we haven’t lined up the little things in a reasonable, logical plan that makes the big things work. Another way of saying it might be that, in a certain sense, “there are no little things.”

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. (Luke 16:10)

Stop & Think – August 13, 2021

Words

The sooner our kids can identify what is in the water they’re swimming in, the better. The best place I know of to start is with the definition of words. (John Stonestreet, worldview writer)

Old ideologies and new ones are being argued all across the United States, and Stonestreet expresses a concern as it relates to our children and their education. He has suggested that the debaters are using the same words and terms, but the meanings are often quite different. It would be helpful to define our terms and make sure they align with truth and reality.

Get the truth and never sell it. (Proverbs 23:23)

Jesus: “I . . . came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” (John 18:37)

Stop & Think – August 12, 2021

Mistakes

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes. (John Wooden, late all-star basketball coach)

No one really likes to make mistakes. We work hard to avoid them. But slipups are a part of life and Wooden suggests that to make a mistake is to affirm that you, at least, are doing something. Elbert Hubbard writes, “The greatest mistake one can make is to be afraid of making one.” So don’t let occasional errors upset you. Learn from them and move on with care.

A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. (Ecclesiastes 10:4)