GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think – August 5, 2021

Trials II

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

Who could speak more knowingly to hardships than Mandela who languished in prison for 27 years for his role as an anti-apartheid activist? Later, when serving as president of his country, he demonstrated the truth of his statement. If we could somehow learn to view our trials and difficulties in the same light, without doubt we would be better for it and more prepared to live and serve well.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)

Stop & Think – August 4, 2021

Trials I

God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way. (C. S. Lewis, British scholar and writer)

We all have both mountain-top experiences and deep valley trials. When those hard times come, we always want to know why. The Bible tells us that it’s sometimes for our own good, learning how to cope with difficulties and how to trust God during them. But there’s often another reason, too. What we learn can be a great help as we share with others experiencing similar trials. 

[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Stop & Think – August 3, 2021

Leaders

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. (John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. president)

We sometimes like to define our terms in rather restrictive ways, but simple observation is often very helpful, too. As Adams pointed out, you can identify a leader not only by the results of his stated objectives, but also by what has impacted his followers. It should encourage others, who may not see themselves as “formal” leaders, to influence them to do their very best, as well.

The words of the godly encourage many. (Proverbs 10:21)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works . . . [and] encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Stop & Think – August 2, 2021

Take Action

It’s one thing to dream, it’s another to lead people in the fight. (Rebecca Bender, non-profit organization leader)

Sensing the great needs of the world, or just those closer to home, we sometimes dream about what could be done to resolve those problems. But dreaming is only a beginning; by itself, it doesn’t accomplish anything of value. Bender would encourage the dreamer to recruit a team to strategize and work hard to meet those needs head-on. 

Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 2:20; 4:17)

Stop & Think – August 1, 2021

Satisfaction

Happiness comes from what we do. Fulfillment comes from why we do it. (Simon Sinek, author)

Everybody wants to be happy, and we often are. But happiness seems to be transient, dependent on many other events or occasions. So, we often find ourselves dissatisfied and unfulfilled. Sinek offers a helpful explanation. Our emotions and feelings of success are more lasting when we have accomplished or experienced something of lasting value.

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: July 31, 2021

Rules and Regulations

Sin isn’t hurtful because it is forbidden, it is forbidden because it is hurtful. (Jeff Bogue, pastor)

“Thou shalt not . . .” That’s the way a lot of us remember the Ten Commandments. Even as children we didn’t like being told what to do and not to do. And it hasn’t changed much for us as adults. If we could learn ourselves and teach our children that, as Bogue says, regulations are not to withhold pleasure but are to protect us from danger, it would be easier to abide by the rules.

“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” (Exodus 20:20)

Stop & Think: July 30, 2021

Influence

Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch. (Judy Blume, fiction writer)

We may forget our involvements with people of many years ago. So, it’s a surprise and blessing when someone from the distant past phones or writes to relate some precious memories. What an encouragement to hear that your impact on their lives all those years ago has been a life-long blessing to them. Remember, the lives you touch today can be blessed for many years to come.

I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. (Psalm 143:5)

Stop & Think: July 29, 2021

Angry Rhetoric

We must always remember that it is when passions are most inflamed that fairness is most in jeopardy. (U.S. Senator Susan Collins)

Haven’t you found Senator Collins’ comment to be true? The more hot-under-the-collar we get, the more difficult it is to speak, act, or react sanely. Surely, the senior senator from Maine has seen this happen in that prestigious congressional chamber. And we’re seeing it in public all too often whether in city or state counsels, school board meetings, or on the public airwaves.

People with understanding control their anger. But the wise quietly hold it back. (Proverbs 14:19; 29:11)

Stop & Think: July 28, 2021

Ideas II

One person committed to a cause is far more effective than a thousand who are merely interested.” (Bill Brown, educator)

People by the thousands sign petitions of all kinds—many of them for worthy causes. But the signatures do very little to actually address the issue. To a boaster who talks loudly but doesn’t do much, you might say, “Put your money where your mouth is.” It’s a rather crude way of stating an important truth: if you don’t act on your ideas, your talk will have little positive effect.

Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. (Ecclesiastes 5:7)

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Stop & Think: July 27, 2021

Ideas I

Ideas alone can’t change culture. People, committed to ideas, are the ones who change culture. (John Stonestreet, worldview commentator)

What Stonestreet continues to say is most important: “Without people to embrace, articulate, repeat, apply, and embody ideas, ideas will have very little impact.” Very bad ideas, when put into practice, can be most dangerous to society, especially if people with the better ideas are reluctant to enter the culture wars. Believe deeply in what’s right and act directly!

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7)

Stop & Think: July 26, 2021

Noise

Never assume that loud is strong and quiet is weak. (Tommy Shelby, fictional movie character)

It seems that more and more marketing managers think that shouting and machine-gun delivery attracts buyers. That may be true, of course, but there are a lot of potential customers who just turn the volume down (or off) and ignore the product. A more reasoned tone and pace make a far more attractive advertisement. Our world has enough noise in it. Quiet and calm bring relief.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Stop & Think: July 25, 2021

Good Counsel

Without an open mind, you can never be a great success. (Paraphrase of Martha Stewart, businesswoman)

When we’ve made up our minds about something, many of us are so determined that we can’t—or won’t—accept anybody else’s suggestions. We’re so sure we’re right that we plunge ahead even against the advice of friends and colleagues. Suppose Thomas Edison had refused to learn from others. None of us knows it all, so let’s open our minds to helpful counsel.

Plans succeed through good counsel. The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. (Proverbs 20:18; 37:30)