GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: August 14, 2025

Prayer

Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest; the weakest and the most powerful. (E. M. Bounds, 18th – 20th century author)

Bounds continues: “Its results lie outside the range of human possibilities; they are limited only by the omnipotence of God.” Effective prayer is more than the recitation of memorized sayings or the emergency cry for help. As Bounds suggests, it is often a conundrum. It is so because, as he suggests, it’s basically seeking the help of an all-powerful God who alone can answer.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16).

Stop & Think: August 13, 2025

Ordinary People

People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things. (Sir Edmund Hilary, late New Zealand mountaineer and explorer)

Hilary and his Sherpa companion were the first to climb to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. It was an extraordinary venture. But ordinary people can also accomplish extraordinary deeds. In One Drop of Water, author Jim Hocking credits God with using an ordinary guy to accomplish the extraordinary task of providing clean water for thousands in the Central African Republic.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men . . . [but] they also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

Stop & Think: August 12, 2025

Generosity

If you desire to become a more generous person, don’t wait for your income to change. Change your heart. (John C. Maxwell, leadership speaker and author)

We are constantly besieged with appeals for money—help the homeless, the poor, the abused, veterans and suffering animals. The requests are endless and most often legitimate. Real, deep needs do exist. How do we respond? With a good wish but “No”—or “I may have to sacrifice, but I am going to help.”

Blessed are those who are generous (Proverbs 22:9).  
Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). 

Stop & Think: August 11, 2025

Work On!

Every successful man I have heard of has done the best he could with conditions as he found them and not waited. (Edgar Howe, novelist and editor)

Howe’s comment applies to successful women as well. His point is that environment and circumstances should not stand in the way of continuing to pursue worthy projects. We may wish for better conditions, but they may or may not happen. Don’t wait for changes; continue working to achieve your goal.

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:13). 

Stop & Think: August 10, 2025

It’s Free!

You can’t buy happiness, but it’s Sunday, it’s August, the seas are working, your passport is valid, and your tooth doesn’t hurt—that’s enough for the wise. (Djura Kelj, Serbian author)

Kelj’s words are a good reminder of what has been provided for us that can’t be purchased at any price (except for the passport). It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? Rather than complaining about the weather or the economy, take joy in what you have and the availability of so much more to simply see and enjoy.

[Our] trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).

Stop & Think: August 9, 2025

Life’s Joy

The essence of life is not in the great victories and grand failures, but in the simple joys. (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author)

Is the reason you feel great because your team won the Super Bowl or you just landed a big account? Or is life overwhelming because the stock market fell and prices are rising? Then, take a moment to see the beauty of creation all around you or be thankful for your family and friends. God’s creation and the life he offers are really the greatest joys in life.

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: August 8, 2025

Strength

Strength gained from past victories can be used to face the current challenges. (Chris Suitt, pastor)

Difficulties can often cause anxiety and fear, so sometimes, because of our feelings of weakness, we just give in. If that becomes a habit, the result may be more anxiety and failures. Suitt’s observation should help us realize that if we face the problem and overcome it, we will gain strength. Continuing to do so will help us grow stronger and face life with confidence.

So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation (1 Peter 5:10).

Stop & Think: August 7, 2025

The Harvest

Always do your best. What  you plant now, you will harvest later. (Og Mandino, American writer)

Or, as the saying goes, “You reap what you sow.” Using Mandino’s analogy, if you’re planting seeds to produce flowers or fruit, you use the very best seed you can along with proper feeding, weeding, and watering. If you don’t, the result will be a less beautiful or bountiful harvest. So, whatever you do, do it with the same kind of diligence and excellence.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).

Stop & Think: August 6, 2025

Excellence

Celebrate any action. Don’t wait for perfection. (Ann McGee Cooper, late business consultant)

If we’re happy with “good enough,” it’s hard to get along with someone who’s a perfectionist. But it’s not an excuse to be content with the way things are, nor to do less than our best. Our goal is to strive toward perfection by pursuing excellence in whatever we do and celebrating our positive progress.

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge (2 Peter 1:5).

Stop & Think: August 5, 2025

Influence

Your influence in the lives of others depends not on whether you can impress them but on whether you can uplift them. (Chris Tiegreen, devotional writer)

Whether it’s a matter of pride in our abilities or achievements or merely a desire to make friends, most of us want to make a good impression on others. But, as Tiegreen suggests, there is more to it than just making an impression. Our purpose in building relationships should be to influence others for good and that involves encouraging them in every way possible.

Those who fear the Lord . . . share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor (Psalm 112:1, 9).

Stop & Think: August 4, 2025

Criticism

Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from. (Dushka Zapata, communications coach)

Whether you’re an author, a public figure, or totally unknown, criticism—especially negative or mistaken—can hurt. When that happens, Zapata’s advice is helpful. Be careful to consider the source. Is your critic someone you respect and might even go to for advice? Then you can be confident in listening to their evaluation.

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery (Proverbs 28:23).

Stop & Think: August 3, 2025

Happy?

Happy people don’t always have the best of everything. But they know  how to make the best of what they have. (Source unknown)

Have you seen the bumper sticker that says, “He who dies with the most toys wins”? That may be a popular sentiment, but in reality, people with a lot of stuff are not always happy. They often just want more. Many people who have  very little of this world’s goods have learned how to be content with what they have, make good use of it, and find pleasure in doing so.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have (Philippians 4:11).