GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 5, 2022

Life

Time and time again I find myself talking to people whose lives appear to be lived purely on the surface. (Gordon MacDonald, 19th century Scottish author)

He further describes such people as having “no idea about what is happening at all.” If that was true in his day, how much more do we see of it today? Some people are so consumed with social media, sports, or entertainment that they are scarcely aware of life outside those arenas. Learning to interact with “real” life will make it more meaningful and beneficial.

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you (John 6:27).

Stop & Think: November 4, 2022

Value

Knowledge isn’t free. You have to pay attention. (David Heymann, American doctor)

Education is expensive. Whether it’s public schools financed by taxes or private education with tuition, it’s all very costly. But Heymann wasn’t referring to financial cost. He makes the strong point that to learn you have to “pay attention.” We may gather dates and names, but for them to be helpful, we must focus on how to use that information. That’s education of value.

Jesus: “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” (Mark 4:24)

Stop & Think: November 3, 2022

Light

I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. (Og Mandino, American author)

Light was an early part of God’s creation (Genesis 1), and it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without it. In reality, there probably could not be life without light. Just think about that! But the contrast of darkness makes us appreciate light even more. As Mandino suggests, it often gives us an even greater perspective on its importance.

The life of the godly is full of light and joy (Proverbs 13:9. Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:18).

Stop & Think: November 2, 2022

For Others

Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another. (Kristin Adair, former elementary teacher)

We live in a hurting world—whether it’s war overseas or neighborhood lawlessness. We all have friends and acquaintances who are suffering and looking for relief. We can’t always provide all they need, but we can try to see life from their perspective, listen carefully to their laments, and learn to have an understanding heart. Such empathy may lead us to action on our part.

[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Stop & Think: November 1, 2022

Sharing

A problem shared is a problem halved. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

Suitt goes on to say, “This is NOT a sign of weakness, but of strength.” Sharing a problem with a close friend may not immediately solve the difficulty, but your burden will likely seem a little less heavy. Besides, the counsel of the friend might lead to the first steps of a solution. No one should have to bear a burden alone. See a friend and work together to overcome the problem.

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Stop & Think: October 31, 2022

Failure #2

Failure is a part of life. It’s what you do with the failure that matters. (Daniel Marquez, Investment advisor)

We’ve all had our failures—from failing grades to blowing lines in a play; from losing a big contract to letting our friends down—we’ve all been there. We can let failures destroy us or they can be the source of growth and change. A movie script said it this way: “The only measure of success is how we cope with failure.” Don’t let failure define you.

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

Stop & Think: October 30, 2022

Failure #1

Failure isn’t final. It’s necessary. It’s the fuel that allows you to advance, to succeed. (Tim Kennedy, military author)

Kennedy was a success in many arenas, as a soldier, professional fighter, and in heroic rescue attempts in the Middle East. In Stars and Scars he recounts the many times he failed. Each time provided an opportunity to change arenas, start over, and work toward worthy goals. The thought that failure is necessary is a mind-changer. Building on what failure teaches is a key to success.

Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success (Proverbs 15:22).

Stop & Think: October 29, 2022

Investment #2

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. (Benjamin Franklin)

The opening bell at the NY Stock Exchange gives the daily indication of how well one’s stocks are doing, what the return on investment is (ROI). Franklin suggests that there is something even more important than your financial gains or losses. You can lose or earn lots of money when you play the market but adding careful learning to your knowledge will always have a good ROI.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5).

Stop & Think: October 28, 2022

Investment #1

Goodness is the only investment that never fails. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American philosopher)

Goodness, like kindness and generosity, is a character trait. We’ve not usually thought of them as investments, but the idea is helpful. When we are growing in character development, it just makes a lot of sense to be aware of how we can influence others to practice the same kinds of good behavior. Think of the return on investment if we all shared those qualities.

I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them (Romans 15:14).

Stop & Think: October 27, 2022

Dreams

All dreams contain a wishbone. But what they really require is a backbone. (Kary Oberbrunner, motivational author and speaker)

Dreams are not just the wishes of children. All of us have hopes and wishes for the future, but most of them end like our dreams while asleep. We wake up, and they’re gone. Oberbrunner makes the challenge very clear. Wishing isn’t enough. Even the best of hopes demand a lot of work. Determination may be the most important ingredient in pursuing dreams of value.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. (Proverbs 13:19).

Stop & Think: October 26, 2022

Difficulties

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. (Edward Gibbon, 18th century English historian)

Few would want to be sailing on the high seas with equally high winds. It takes skill to manage those elements safely. What would be extremely difficult and dangerous for the amateur is a challenge to experienced sailors. They will know how to use the elements to their advantage. Likewise, learning and experience can train us to handle life’s difficulties with assurance.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown (Isaiah 43:2).

Stop & Think: October 25, 2022

Teamwork

A player who makes a team great is much more valuable than a great player. (John Wooden, late famed basketball coach)

In the sports world we make a great deal over star athletes.  We have most-valuable-player awards and all-star teams to honor them. Of course, without the support of their teammates, no one would reach stardom. We recognize the stars easily, but the success of the team depends on the other players just as much. Be a team player, and you can enjoy the wins, too.

Now he who plants and he who waters work as one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (1 Corinthians 3:8).