ISSUE 7 7
INSIDE this issue A CHRISTMAS Masterpiece...... page 2 GOOD NEWS Life is not about you...... page 3
THE BENEFITS of Breakdowns...... page 5
LIVING BEYOND the Daily Grind...... page 7
... and much more PAGE 1
in this by CHARLES R. SWINDOLL B efore time began, God had in His mind’s This is the message of Christmas: Because ISSUE eye a masterpiece—a beautiful picture of He loves us, God has come to redeem grace that His beloved Son, the second us—to bring life and colour back to our lives, 3 Good news life is not about you 3 person of the Trinity, would illustrate with to expel the darkness of our hearts and from CHARLES R. SWINDOLL His life. our world.
5 The benefits of breakdowns Even before the breathtaking splendour of On a rescue mission designed by His Father CHARLES R. SWINDOLL creation, God sketched out His plan for His before time began, Jesus silently slipped into perfect fellowship with humanity. But not our world, breathed our air, felt our pain, 7 Living beyond the daily grind 5 CHARLES R. SWINDOLL long after He had splashed colour on the became acquainted with our sorrows, landscape, the deep, dark shadows of man’s suffered and died for our sins . . . to show us 9 True teamwork...What it takes rebellious choice to live independently of His the way out of our darkness and into His CHARLES R. SWINDOLL grace obscured the beauty of God’s work. glorious light. Coal black, pitch darkness enveloped the 11 Don’t be Afraid scene, and all creation hung in suspense of This Christmas, may you know the warmth CHARLES R. SWINDOLL what God would do. of the Saviour’s love spreading over you as you never have before. May the beauty of the How could God redeem His masterpiece? season remind you of His intense concern for What could rescue us, the pitiful portraits in every detail of your life and His great, sacrificial CHRIS LITTLECHILD 7 CEO Insight For Living whom breathed God’s breath? love for you. Australia Then, with a heart weeping for His people, Merry Christmas from all of us at Insight for Dear Reader, I hope you enjoy this issue of our Insights God dipped His brush in Calvary’s scarlet ink, Living Ministries. ■ magazine. We have worked hard to provide you with wrote His message on a rough wooden banner, a range of thoughtful articles we hope will inspire and 11 challenge you to grow deeper in your knowledge and and pinned it against an empty sky for all the May Christmas remind you _ faith of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. If you have any world to read. Bold, crimson words: “I love you.” of God’s intense concern stories about your life or experiences you think might be of for every detail of your life. interest and value to our Christian readers, please feel free to send them in to our head office. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND SOUTH PACIFIC • Insight for Living Australia • Post Office Box443 Boronia, VIC 3155 Australia • 1300 467 444 • www.ifl.org.au• Insight for Living USA • Plano, Texas • www.insight.org • CANADA • Insight for Living Canada • Vancouver • UK AND EUROPE • Insight for Living United Kingdom • Dorking • Copyright © 2016 Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide. No portion of this newsletter may be translated into any language or reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Insights is published monthly by Insight for Living, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Insight for Living is an autonomous ministry. • Cover image: ShutterStock • All other pictorial images courtesy of ShutterStock, CanStockPhoto • Australian design - Peter Friend. Printed in Australia. ABN 57813130585.
Insight for Living Inc. is an endorsed DGR on the register of Cultural Organisations under Subdivision 30-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 for the Insight for Living Development Fund. Donations of $2 or more to this fund are tax-deductible. PAGE 3 then He comes to the front where He belongs. humility prevented him from keeping meticulous have some good news for you: God’s goal Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast I His strength comes to our rescue. He is honoured. records of the wrongs done to him in Rome, is not to make sure you’re happy. No matter about my weaknesses, so that the power of It’s all about Him. or anywhere else for that matter. He was in how hard it is for you to believe this, it’s time Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well prison by divine appointment. Paul understood to do so. content with weaknesses, with insults, with You see, the very things we dread and run that God had prepared his situation before- distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, from in our lives are precisely what brought hand, and the apostle willingly submitted to his Life is not about your being comfortable and for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I contentment to Paul. Don’t miss that as you situation. How could he? It was all about God. happy and successful and rich and pain-free. am strong. That’s it! As Paul sought to fulfil read through Paul’s list: Rather, life is about becoming the person the Great Commission in Europe, he faced Do my words find you today in a place you’d God has called you to be. We will rarely hear innumerable trials. He mentioned only a few. n I am content when I lose. rather not be? If you want to learn Paul’s secret that message in much of our consumer-driven Nevertheless, Paul understood what life is n I am content when I am weak. of genuine contentment, the perfect place to Christianity today. All the more reason for me about . . . and he went with it for the rest of begin is by developing an attitude of unselfish n I am content with insults. to say it again: Life is not about you! So then . . his days. We must do the same. humility. Start with your family or friends. n . what is it about? - It’s about God. n I am content when I am slandered. Model it before your employees or clients. When you and I boast of our strengths, we get n I am content in distresses. You won’t believe the impact that sort of selfless How can I say that with assurance? Because the credit . . . and we keep going under our n I am content with persecutions. mental attitude will have on others—and on of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10: own head of steam. Bad plan. But when we n yourself. boast in what Christ is doing in the midst of n I am content with difficulties and our brokenness, inabilities, and inadequacies, pressures that are so tight I can hardly Let me add that this sort of humility doesn’t turn around. by CHARLES R. SWINDOLL turn around. mean we walk around looking like the poster These are contexts of contentment? Seems child for the book of Lamentations. On the impossible! Paul tells us how he did it: because contrary, Paul exhorts believers to have an GOOD NEWS! “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor- attitude of joyful acceptance. That’s right— inthians 12:10). Read that again. Knowing joyful. Paul minced no words about how this truth brought the apostle to his knees, believers should act: ablaze with the flaming oracles of heaven. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; Life is not about you. Paul understood that it wasn’t all about him. so that you will prove yourselves to be blame- It was about God. What a way to live your life! less and innocent, children of God above Content in everything . . . knowing that divine reproach in the midst of a crooked and per- uuh? strength comes at the time when human verse generation, among whom you appear weakness is evident. as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14–15) Paul sought an attitude of joyful acceptance, Quite remarkably, we never read where Paul free of petty disputes, bickering, and whining said to his Roman guard, while he was in prison: —he pled for authentic joy. I urge you to live “I need you to do me a favor. Next time you this way . . . and the results will amaze you. happen to be near one of the emperor’s assistants, urge him to get me out of this After all, it’s not about you. It’s about God. ■ dump. I shouldn’t be here in the first place. I’ve been here for one year, seven months, Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher four days, five hours, and nine minutes, and of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. that’s long enough.” Paul’s attitude of unselfish PAGE 5
W ho would’ve ever guessed it? Out of the himself more wisely than all the servants of blue came this nobody. He had spent his Saul” (18:30). This led to growing popular- youth working for his dad in the quiet, rugged ity, increased favour in the eyes of Saul’s in- outdoors. Now, suddenly, he was the most ner circle, military victories, and enormous famous man in the country. But he couldn’t praise from the public. David found himself wait to retreat to the hills where life was simple sandwiched between public applause and and uncluttered. private horror.
by CHARLES R. SWINDOLL That first night back under the stars must It is easy to forget that two magnificent, lasting have been a restless one as he recalled the benefits were born out of that womb of frightening scene of battle . . . the intimidating woe: first, the deepening of much of David’s sound of the giant’s voice as it echoed across character; and second, the composing of many the chasm . . . the feel of those five smooth of David’s psalms. The traits we remember stones . . . the deadening thud as rock struck and admire as being worthy of emulation forehead . . . the shout of triumph . . . the admiring were shaped, honed, and polished while he look of dismay from the tall Israelite king. lived like a fugitive in the wilderness, and the Now, silence. psalms we turn to most often emerged from a broken heart. Little did the lad know that God would lead Where are you today? Has there been a recent him to more valleys—deeper than he could breakdown? A trust no longer there? A friend have dreamed possible. The events that followed no longer near? A dream no longer clear? A the giant killing defied logic. future no longer bright?
Even though David conducted himself with Take heart! It is in that precise crucible that humility, loyalty, and grace, the man whose God can (and often does) do His best work! face—and life!—he had saved turned against him. Displeased by the boy’s popularity, insecure Some of your best traits and some of your over his own eclipsed public image, King Saul finest works will grow out of the incredibly became a savage, driven mad by suspicion painful periods of your life. and jealousy. How about you? ■ In spite of this tragic twist in their relation- ship, David prospered. Three times in the Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. biographical account we read that fact (1 Sam. 18:5, 14, 15). In addition, “he behaved PAGE 7
I t isn’t pretty, but it’s here to stay. It occurs Psychologists can’t escape one depressed I have in mind a songbook that’s really old. And on those days when we feel forgotten, in every life and in every season of the year. soul after another. Husbands have grass In fact, it’s one of the first-ever songbooks who hasn’t felt assured by, “He who dwells I call it the “daily grind.” to mow and things to fix each weekend. composed, inspired by our Creator-God. Its in the shelter of the Most High will abide in Preachers forever face the ever-present timeless songs were written specifically to the shadow of the Almighty”? That’s the Homemakers face 14-hour days with ever grind of sermon preparation. help us live beyond that grind of daily life. immortal Psalm 91. -present children and an endless grind of That’s right, beyond it. Why else would God responsibilities. Students endure the grind Fact is—let’s face it—the grind isn’t going have inspired those age-old compositions Don’t think that just because summer’s of assignments, classes, deadlines, and away! Instead of fussing about it or dreading it, called psalms? They are timeless songs that ahead that the grind will take a vacation. Not exams. Salespeople have quotas to meet. we must find a way to live beyond it. have yielded delicious fruit in every gener- on your life! It will still be there. But this Musicians must constantly rehearse. How? Songs! But not just any songs. ation. Surely, He realized the lasting value summer, for a change, let’s live beyond it. of each musical masterpiece and therefore preserved them to help us persevere. They Choose some psalms to include in your drip with the oil of glory that enables us to personal reading time this summer. To help live beyond the grind. Here’s what I mean: make them stick, don’t try to digest too great a meal in one sitting. Consider these When frightened, who hasn’t been comforted songs as rich food to be savoured slowly. by, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not Too much too fast would be counterpro- want”? That’s Psalm 23. ductive. Let me urge you to take your time, to read each psalm you select carefully, by CHARLES R. SWINDOLL Who hasn’t felt strangled by guilt and to give your mind time to digest each one found soothing relief from, “According to slowly, and to enter into its practical appli- the greatness of Your compassion blot out cation meaningfully. my transgressions. Wash me . . . cleanse me”? That’s Psalm 51. I believe these time-tested lyrics will add just enough nourishment to our days to enable us to live out the truths of these psalms. Otherwise, our long days would never end and the wearisome road before us would never bend. How grateful I am for these inspired songs!
God’s people need to sing His songs frequently . . . and allow their time-tested lyrics to feed our souls. When we do, we begin to live beyond the grind. ■
Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. PAGE 9 Rather, there is freedom to be, to develop, Jesus’ team of disciples was hardly the epito- to innovate, to make mistakes, to learn from me of success when they got started. If there them . . . all the while feeling loved, support- ever was a “team of rivals,” this was it! One ed, and affirmed. Such a context has been would have wondered why the Lord selected called “management by friendship.” Instead them. The genius of His plan was not imme- by CHARLES R. SWINDOLL of suspicion and putdowns, there is trust that diately obvious. But by the end of the first builds esprit de corps within the team. Stress century, no one would fault His selection. A s a lifelong admirer of President Abraham statement on what he considered founda- is held to a minimum because love flows and Except for the betrayer, they were “comers,” Lincoln, I have devoured more than a few tional to developing a good team. His answer laughter is encouraged. Who doesn’t develop they proved themselves “achievers in their biographies about him. Among the best was was crisp and clear: “Find some people who in a secure environment like that? own field,” and they became “people you can Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a are comers, who are going to be achievers in trust.” Ultimately, they were responsible for volume that presents Lincoln’s brilliant their own field . . . and people you can trust. In another bestselling biography, American turning their world upside down . . . or should political act of enlisting into his cabinet some Then grow old together.”¹ Caesar, William Manchester introduces his I say right side up? Whichever, no group in of the men who had run against him. Surrounded readers to an in-depth acquaintance with history has proven itself more effective than One of the best illustrations of that was the by a team that didn’t believe in the viability Douglas MacArthur. He helps us feel closer that first-century evangelistic team, the in- Billy Graham evangelistic team—the inner of the Thirteenth Amendment and pressured to that strong personality as he digs beneath ner core of Christ’s men. core of people whose names are now legend. by men in his own party to compromise with the intimidating exterior and unveils many In a day of job hopping and a Lone Ranger the South to end the war sooner, Lincoln refused of MacArthur’s magnetic characteristics as Maybe you are in the process of putting a mentality, it is refreshing to remember such to fold. He challenged his peers to rise above well as strange quirks. At one part, the author group together—a special team of people a close-knit circle of capable and gifted people, their doubts, to act upon their shared goal of analyzes the remarkable loyalty that Colonel to accomplish some significant objectives. each one different and distinct, growing old ending slavery in America, and to press hard MacArthur elicited from his troops during Here’s a tip worth remembering: instead of together yet still very much a solid team. against the opposition. In the end, Lincoln’s World War I. How did he pull it off? Here is just going for big names or starting with a convictions carried the day. Against all odds, Don’t misunderstand. Group loyalty is not Manchester’s analysis in a nutshell: He was few hotshots, look for some comers, achiev- clinging to hope against hope, he led this blind allegiance or harboring incompetence. closer to their age than the other senior ers in process, truly trustworthy folks. Love team of rivals to achieve the defeat of slavery. Neither is it nepotistic prejudice which conveys officers; he shared their discomforts and them to their full potential as you cultivate a the idea that everyone else is wrong except their dangers; he adored them in return.² long-haul friendship. Then watch God work. John Stemmons, a well-known Dallas, Texas, our little clique. Nor is it so tight and so Regardless of the man’s well-publicized A team drawn together by love and held to- businessman, was asked to make a brief proud that it appears closed and secretive. egomania and emotional distortions, MacAr- gether by grace has staying power. I suppose thur possessed a major redeeming virtue we could call that growing old gracefully. that eclipsed his flaws in his men’s eyes and
fired their passions: he genuinely and deeply Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher cared for them. of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
1. Alan Loy McGinnis, Bringing Out the Best in People: Nothing—absolutely nothing—pulls a team How to Enjoy Helping Others Excel (Minneapolis: Augs- burg Fortress, 1985), 152. closer together or strengthens the lines of loyalty like love. It breaks down internal com- 2. William Manchester, American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880–1964 (New York: Hachette, 2008), petition. It silences gossip. It builds morale. e-book. It promotes feelings that say, “I belong” Copyright © 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights and “who cares who gets the credit?” and “I are reserved worldwide. must do my very best” and “you can trust me because I trust you.” PAGE 11 eerie Monday morning, but I can vouch for strokes of his pen, the monarch of Israel puts at least three. An unyielding creature called iron in our bones. He meets Fear at the door of Fear and I shared the same seat. Fear. What his home with two questions: a monster! Razor-sharp claws, dripping with the blood of the unknown and unseen. Pierc- Whom shall I fear? ing voice, shouting ugly, destructive words of Whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1) worry. Most of Fear’s statements begin with a quiet, “What if . . . ?” and end with a loud David slams that door in Fear’s face with the “. . . and you’ll be sorry!” One blast of its awful declaration: breath transforms saints into cynics. My heart will not fear; . . . Fear can reverse our entire mind-set. Its bite In spite of this I shall be confident! (27:3) shoots a paralysing venom into our veins, and before long, doubt dulls our vision. As we David then whistles and hums to himself as fall, Fear steps on our face with the weight of he walks back into the family room, kitchen, a massive tank . . . and laughs at our crippled or master bedroom, reminding himself of the condition as it prepares for another pounce. secrets of daily trust: Ever met this beast? Sure you have. It comes in all shapes and every size. Fear of failure. I have asked from PRAYER the Lord (27:4) Fear of heights. Fear of crowds. Fear of disease and death. Fear of rejection about you. Fear of I behold the beauty of the VISION leaving the familiar. Fear of disaster or depth LORD (27:4) or distance. Fear of trusting others. Fear of being yourself. Fear of buying. Fear of selling. I meditate in His temple GOD’S WORD Fear of financial ruin. Fear of war. Fear of the (27:4) T he hour of 1:00 a.m. comes every night, pre-dawn sky, I reviewed every verse I knew unknown. but there’s one 1:00 a.m. I’ll never forget. and confessed every wrong I’d ever done. The In the day of trouble He will GOD’S PROTECTION While you were likely sound asleep, I was closest comparison I can think of is speeding Around every imaginable corner, Fear lurks conceal me / hide me / lift me (27:5) wide awake . . . talking to God like mad! a couple hundred miles an hour down a rush- in the shadows, planning to poison your in- hour freeway with a white bedsheet wrapped ner peace and outward poise. Being a bully, it I will offer sacrifices and MOMENT-BY- I was aboard a small twin-engine plane with across the windshield and the radio turned up relies on scare tactics and surprise attacks. It I will sing (27:6) MOMENT WORSHIP a seasoned pilot, rapidly descending through just beneath the threshold of audible pain! watches for your vulnerable moments, then a foggy, dense overcast sky at 200 miles per picks the lock that safeguards your heart. As I would have despaired REST hour. The pilot was having the time of his life I couldn’t believe how happy and excited my Fear invades, it reduces your spiritual mus- unless I had believed ...... but, frankly, I was scared spitless! At one companion-in-flight really was. His passen- cles to a mass of mental mush. The progno- wait for the Lord (27:13 –14) point he looked over at me, grinned, and said, ger, however, had ten fingernails imbedded in sis, once you’re infected, is neither bright nor “Hey, Chuck, isn’t this great?” I didn’t answer the seat cushion. I stared longingly for some- cheery. Let your heart DETERMINATION since I was praying. thing — anything — through the blanket of take courage (27:14) white fog surrounding us. Our flight record David’s twenty-seventh psalm scratches As our lonely plane cut through the cloudy, may have indicated two passengers on that the fearful where we itch. With broad, bold Oh, how I needed these secrets that night in PAGE 13 the cockpit! Truth be told, I have needed them many nights and days before and since then. 2017 CALENDAR Maybe you have too. Maybe you need them Building Bridges of Insight right now. The Building Bridges of Insight: Insight for Living Ministries 2017 Calendar will help you walk across I’ll share one more secret. Most of our fears, whatever chasm stretches before you by connecting the truths of God’s Word to twelve significant no matter their specific aim, boil down to one struggles we all face. Month by month, you’ll discover thing: fear of the future. Our gut churns with how to: the thought: Who knows what may happen? • Cross over from the cliffs of guilt, bitterness, and despair to places of grace, forgiveness, and biblical contentment Am I describing you? Tell you what — let’s share the same seat and relax for a change. • Build a bridge between where you are and where $ .95 Of course, you might want to fasten your God wants to take you by pondering pertinent verses from God’s Word and meaningful thoughts seat belt. (It could get a little rough before we 12 from Chuck Swindoll code: CAL17A land.) But you can breathe easy. There’s no NEW RELEASE • Journey from problem-focused thinking to a need to fear the future. renewed mind-set that keeps Christ as your focus all year long God is already there . . . and He has never missed the runway through centuries of in- $ .95 timidating fog. ■ 15 Call: 1300 467 444 code: FDGHB Hardcover Book or visit istore at www.ifl.org.au Finding God When the World’s on Fire $ .95 Searching the SCRIPTURES: Strength & Faith for Dangerous Times 2 7 FIND THE NOURISHMENT YOUR SOUL NEEDS When times are frightening and chaotic, when code: STSHC life feels out of control or when the enemy is NEW RELEASE “You are what you eat!” A good diet prevents illness and promotes Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher bombarding us with malicious threats and vitality. What’s true physically is true spiritually. Respected Bible of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. promises of ongoing catastrophe, what we teacher Chuck Swindoll serves up his favourite, sure fire recipe to need most are words of strength and calm. spiritual health with his new book, Searching the Scriptures: Find the Nourishment Your Soul Needs. Best selling author Chuck Swindoll answers the question that so many struggle with today: In this unique guide to biblical nutrition, Chuck will: Where is God? With biblical assurance, Dr • Show you how to dig deep into Scripture and uncover Swindoll reminds us that God is sovereign and profound truths. is still completely in charge of world affairs. And, that the battle is already won. You will • Outline the principles of Bible study that will help you find comfort and peace in the pages of this understand God’s Word, apply it, and communicate small-but-powerful book written in the down- it clearly. to-earth style of one of America’s favourite • Explain how you can prepare your own spiritual meals authors. from God’s Word using the same methods he has cultivated throughout his ministry. IFL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
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