GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 21, 2022

Others

If all men knew what each said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

Pascal’s observation is not very encouraging, is it? Could what he thought of 17th century society be true in the 21st? It may be true that we wouldn’t want our private thoughts and opinions of others to be made public, but surely, we don’t have evil thoughts about everyone, do we? It would be so much better to learn to think positively of others and share only those thoughts.

Don’t speak evil against each other (James 4:11). Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Stop & Think: June 20, 2022

Live with Joy

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. (Satchel Paige, late baseball player)

Paige isn’t encouraging hypocrisy—pretending to be something you’re not. He’s proposing that we live our lives with enthusiasm and joyful abandon. It would be great if we could live as he suggests. Think of the encouragement it would be to others who may be going through personal difficulties and feeling discouraged and alone.

Living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible (Proverbs 10:23). You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11).

Stop & Think: June 19, 2022

Father’s Day

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. (George Herbert, 17th century Welsh poet)

Fatherless homes have become a major cause of unhealthy child development. The single-parent family must depend more now than ever on outside help. School teachers are an important part of the mix, but, as Herbert suggests, fathers should be a key proponent, and we should do our best to help raise young men to accept responsibility as fathers.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Stop & Think: June 18, 2022

Worry

Worry is like a rocking horse—it keeps you going but it doesn’t get you anywhere. (Rev. J. Davis Illingworth, Sr.)

Worry and anxiety are far too common in the lives of busy and overactive 21st century citizens. Our deep-seated concerns trouble us all day and keep us awake at night. Tums don’t help our ulcers and sleeping pills often don’t solve those middle-of-the night worry sessions. Seeking counsel from friends and professional advisors can be helpful, but finding divine help is best.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7).

Stop & Think: June 17, 2022

Success

I don’t know the key to success, but I do know the key to failure is trying to please everyone. (TV comedy actor)

In the midst of a variety of possible “keys to success,” it might be helpful to look at just one negative key, the one quoted above. How many politicians have failed because they’ve tried to “please everyone,” changing positions on various issues because of the pressure of different influencers? It’s better to adopt your standards and goals at the outset and stick to them regardless of outside pressures.

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority … It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide . . . Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Stop & Think: June 16, 2022

Rules

Lord, help me follow established procedures today.

In a Myers-Briggs personality type survey, that statement was followed by, “On second thought, make that for a few minutes.” When we respond that way, we are suggesting either that we don’t like the “established procedures,” or we just want to suspend them until we can get through the current activity. We may feel we have a better way, but following the rules is a good practice.

And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules (2 Timothy 2:5).

Stop & Think: June 15, 2022

The Future

We forget that we work today not just for the present but for the long-term future. (Carl Trueman, author)

Trueman observes: “We want results now” which is exactly the reason we often don’t think enough about the implications of our actions. It’s just that we are so involved in immediate or near future results that we don’t think of or plan well for the long-range consequences of today’s work. We must not forget that our actions can have influence for generations to come.

 . . . riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation (Proverbs 27:24)

Stop & Think: June 14, 2022

Flag Day

Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. (James Bryce, 19th-20th century British academic)

Sadly, some people don’t regard the flag as anything special and will go so far as to burn it. But other Americans are proud to fly the flag on patriotic occasions and boast of their pride in their country. Many have served the country in far away and dangerous places to defend our liberty. But, as Bryce points out, an even better loyalty will be found in strong faith and righteous living.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race (Psalm 12:1).

Stop & Think: June 13, 2022

Daring

Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable (Brené Brown, American research professor)

“I dare you.” “I double-dare you.” Do you remember those childhood challenges? They were sometimes a test to see how brave we were. To accept the dare was to make yourself vulnerable to the teasing of your friends and maybe even danger. To face a real challenge in life, indeed, takes courage because you do become vulnerable to ridicule and failure.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:34).

Stop & Think: June 12, 2022

Others

What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other? (George Eliot, pen name for Mary Ann Evans, 20th century English writer)

People today often seem to be so self-centered that we might wonder if Eliot’s observation is really true. From the earliest moments of infancy, children begin to show a selfishness that is difficult to overcome as they grow up because they see it all around them. But trying to live for the benefit of others is certainly a worthy purpose to pursue.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4)

Stop & Think: June 11, 2022

Control

You can’t change or control the world around you. You can change and control the world within you. (Warren Wiersbe, late American author)

After reading the newspaper or watching the evening TV news, do you ever begin to wish you really could “change the world?” Even the most political powerful world leaders can’t make the changes they’d like, though they often try . . . sometimes by wicked methods. It’s best for all of us to acknowledge Wiersbe’s words and do our best to bring change,beginning with ourselves.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Stop & Think: June 10, 2022

Talents

If you’re an eagle at heart, what are you doing on that perch? (Charles Swindoll, pastor, writer)

Swindoll continues: “Do you have any idea how greatly you’re needed to soar and explore?” We all have unique gifts and talents, and they are not given to us simply for our own benefit. They are intended for the good of your community. The challenge, then, is to perfect your abilities and use them to help others become their best, too.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. (Romans 12:8)