GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 9, 2022

Living

You better live every day like it’s your last because one day you’re going to be right. (Ray Charles, late American singer, songwriter)

Most of us probably don’t live with that thought in mind very often. We go about living as if there is no end to it. We shouldn’t live with some kind of morbid attitude and fear that today might be our last. But, if the Bible is right that “each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,” we should be giving some thought to our eternal future as well life today.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him (1 John 4:9).

Stop & Think: November 8, 2022

Plans #2

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as impossible situations. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

“To do or not to do” might be the question when we have to decide about an opportunity that comes with difficult complications. The potential outlook may be very promising, success with its rewards of financial gain and fame, for example. Or it could result in failure, the loss of income and security. Those are circumstances when good counsel can be invaluable.

Plans succeed through good counsel (Proverbs 20:18).

Stop & Think: November 7, 2022

Plans #1

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  (Robert Burns, 18th century Scottish poet)

This oft-repeated axiom was no doubt inspired by the poet’s having experienced or witnessed the truth he writes about. Careful and strategic planning is important, but it isn’t always perfect. Remember all those great plans for a fun vacation at the beach only to have it rain all week? Knowing that such things happen only intensifies the need for flexibility, with backup plans.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.  . . . We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:3, 9)

Stop & Think: November 6, 2022

Attitude

Attitude is the ‘little’ thing that makes a big difference. (Winston Churchill, late British prime minister)

Your attitude determines how you respond when the boss gives you a new assignment.  Do you jump at it heartily because you like the assigned task? Or do you hesitate as long as possible because it’s a distasteful job. Churchill notes that the difference is a matter of attitude. Since attitude is one of the very few things you can control in life, it’s important to have a positive one.

You were taught . . .  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24)

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).