NUMBER FIVE, 2021
In this issue 3
Unearthing Our Walk with Christ
6
Thinking Like Jesus
charles r. swindoll steve johnson
Leaders: Lives and Lessons 8
Joshua and Learning to Follow
11
It Takes Courage
charles r. swindoll
steve johnson
Purposeful Living 12 Purpose to Practise the Presence of God steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14
God’s Invisible Providence
Puzzle 15 Practising the Presence of God Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2021 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
UNEARTHING OUR WALK WITH CHRIST by charles r. swindoll
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n more than one occasion recently on. There you see the same shore where He I've found myself pondering the called some of His disciples to leave their words of Socrates: “The unexamined life nets and follow Him. It’s an amazing feeling to be right there where they were. It’s is not worth living.” That statement rings true because things an eye-opening thrill to see what they saw! Every time we lead a tour to Israel we tend to get complicated over time. We begin our Christian life with utter delight and tie up all our boats in the middle of that simplicity. But as tradition, religion, others' sea. I ask people to bring a small stone on expectations, and too many activities begin board. We let it symbolize some burden to pile on top of what was originally there, they brought with them as they began the tour. After a brief time of worship and the simplicity gets lost. I thought of that several times in a recent teaching, I say to our friends, “The burden visit to the Holy Land. People come to Israel you brought with you, let it be transferred to walk where Jesus walked. They often ask to that stone in your hand...and just let their guide, “Did Jesus walk here?” Unscru- it drop into the sea.” It’s a meaningful moment. Everybody on pulous guides will say, For the longest time each boat stays silent. “Oh, yes, He was in that Breaking the silence church and He probably in my life, I glibly you hear plunk...and saw that building.” But mouthed Christian then plunk...plunk... honest guides pause truths. They never took plunk. It's wonderful! and say, “Come here, root until I began to Burdens sink and hearts let me show you something.” And they walk spend time regularly in are lighter. Almost without exception, the over to a precipice and God's Book. time on the sea remains lean over a fence, “Look down there about 25 feet,” the guide says. each person’s favorite part of the tour. “Do you see those stones? Jesus may have Why? Because we have returned to one of walked there.” Then the traveler begins to the original sites. It’s the simple, uncomrealize that over the passing of centuries plicated place where we pause to pray and and numerous wars, the sands of time have worship. Something that has gotten buried slowly covered multiple feet of the original over the years is recovered and renewed. Has your walk with Christ become bursite. Often, with first-time tourists, there’s a twinge of disappointment. However, I ied? Time has a way of doing that (rememalways look forward to those places where ber, time complicates things). After a series of heartbreaking experiences, overwhelmwe can say for sure, “Jesus walked here.” For example, we know He walked on ing obstacles, and wrong decisions, it’s easy the Sea of Galilee. There’s no way to build to lose your way. That’s why periodically we a church over that! There’s no pile of rub- need to re-examine our lives—and return bish, stack of debris, or rocks for people to to the basics. In a world that has lost its way and in kiss. All the stuff of tradition and religious veneer is conspicuously absent—it’s just a culture that has drifted far from truth, water. It’s the same surface Jesus walked how helpful it is to return to the Bible’s
uncomplicated command, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith...” (Colossians 2:6–7 NASB). Notice the order of Paul’s words; it’s intentional: “having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him....” We can’t grow up in the Christian life until our spiritual roots grow deep. And growing deep means returning to the basics. I’ve noticed a pattern in my 50-plus years of ministry. Everyone who succeeds in the Christian life succeeds in the basics. Everyone who fails has, at some point, let the basics slip. It’s easy to do. For the longest time in my life, I glibly mouthed Christian truths. They never took root until I began to spend time regularly in God's Book. I’m not referring necessarily to reading a book about the Bible or good Christian materials. I’m talking about letting your eyes peer intently onto the pages of your Bible on a daily basis. When you embrace the written Word of God as your guide, you start thinking differently. Like
those ancient sites in Israel, your walk is renewed. And best of all, you live better. The Scripture offers us a promise—a motivation—to unearth our walk with Christ: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). Please read that again—slowly and aloud. Are you deliberately drawing near to the Lord Jesus Christ? I have discovered that the Christian life is a transfer of Christ's life into my life. When I draw near to Him, He draws near to me. It's wonderful! Today's the day to blow the dust off your Bible and to remove the rubble that has buried your walk with Christ. Begin with a fresh, simple commitment to the basics— to spending time in the Word and time in prayer. Toss aside what has held you back— get rid of all that debris! Once all the rubble is gone you will find yourself walking where Jesus walked. In reality, you will find yourself walking in step with Him. Copyright © 2013 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
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THINKING LIKE JESUS by steve johnson
WJD—what would Jesus do? is a popular motto for many Christians who strive to live by Jesus’ example in daily life. While that’s a good guide for us in some things, I suggest something even more basic than that: WWJT—what would Jesus think? The fundamental thing that separates Christians from everyone else in the world is first and foremost how we think and, only second, what we do. When we became Christians, we were given the Holy Spirit to live in us and with Him the mind of Christ. There is nothing more basic to the Christian life than this. Since the mind is where we perceive, reason, think, and understand, everything flows from this. When we have the mind of Christ we have His views, His feelings, His temperament, and we are influenced by His Spirit.
Ray Stedman puts it this way, “We have the very way of thinking about life that Jesus himself had, with that keen ability to observe what was going on around Him, that ability to evaluate the changing standards of men and to come right through to the very heart of the thing. That is the mind of Christ, the ability to know what was in man. He needed no one to tell Him because he understood men. That is the mind of Christ. The mark of it, of course, is that we will behave as Jesus did. In the midst of this present world we will be compassionate when others are severe; we will be severe when others are tolerant; we will be kind to the ugly, the poor, the obscure, the people of no ability or power...That is the mind of Christ.”1 Although we have been given the mind of Christ, we still have the capability of
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“…we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
not thinking according to His mind. We are not true, honourable, right, pure, can set our minds on earthly rather than lovely, or excellent. heavenly things (Colossians 3:1–3). So how For example, we may experience a sigdo we manage our minds so that they con- nificant loss in our life and believe the fact form to the mind of Christ? that it happened therefore means God is In answering that we need to remind not with us or does not love us. This idea ourselves that Scripture is the expression does not conform to Scripture so the of the mind of God. We understand His thinking needs to be reversed by learnmind by hearing, reading, studying, and ing that the Lord said, “I will never fail meditating on the Scripture. This is by far you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews one of the most important life principles 13:5), and changing our mind to believe it. we can ever learn. Unless we grasp this we will not make any Why? Because God’s Word is His thoughts significant or lasting change or progress written on paper for our study and consider- in our Christian life. Significant or lastation. His Word is how He ing change in beliefs or thinks about every situation behaviour depends on a When we have the and subject. Many Chris- mind of Christ we have change of mind first. tians do not tap into the wiswe express His views, His feelings, What dom of the mind of Christ Our mind regulates because they do not know His temperament, and what words and actions their Bibles. And so they we are influenced by we express. We think make decisions based on first, then decide, then His Spirit. feelings, worldly wisdom, or do. Sometimes words or ideas from people claiming to speak for God. actions will be expressed in the belief that To think according to the mind of Christ they are right and good. Yet, they are acturequires that we monitor four things. ally contrary to Scripture. Our minds must What we allow in be changed and renewed (Romans 12:2) so What do you intentionally allow in that we can do God’s will. your mind? What do you look at? Read? What would Jesus think? Let’s aspire to Listen to? Experience? We need to act think like Him. like a gatekeeper or bouncer and guard May the mind of Christ my Saviour our minds! Live in me from day to day, What we think about By His love and power controlling Sometimes we go through unavoidable All I do and say. experiences, or we see and hear things ~ Kate Wilkinson, 1925 inadvertently. How do we perceive, interpret, filter, and process that stuff ? The 1 Ray C. Stedman, The Mind of Christ, Studies in First Corinthians, Discovery Publishing, 1978. answer is that they must be filtered through the mind of Christ—truth of God’s Word. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Things that do not conform to Scripture Living Canada. should be reframed, revised, or reversed. What thoughts we change We all have things in our minds that do not conform to the mind of Christ. They
JOSHUA AND LEARNING TO FOLLOW by steve johnson
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erhaps the most neglected devel- of Meeting” (Exodus 33:11). We never see opment principle of becoming a Joshua aspiring to replace Moses or seekgood leader is that of first being a good ing to climb a ladder of success or pursue follower. We see this important biblical a path in leadership. Don’t ask people to pattern with Eli and Samuel, Elijah and follow you until you’ve humbly followed Elisha, Jesus and his disciples, Paul and someone else. Timothy, and Moses and Joshua. Joshua Commitment Joshua was committed to Moses’ vision became a remarkable leader after he was as the leader. He served and was committed a remarkable follower. What qualities are required to be a good to Moses because that was his assignment from God. A successful follower like Joshua? follower buys into the Humility Perhaps the leader’s vision and this Joshua started out as most neglected the egocentric Moses’ assistant. “So development principle overcomes drive to be the leader. Moses and his assistant of becoming a good Teachability Joshua set out, and Moses The mindset of a climbed up the mountain leader is that of first learner is being teachof God” (Exodus 24:13). being a good follower. able. A learner observes, He wasn’t a follower in the passive sense of the word. He was a listens, and analyzes. Joshua watched as Moses took him up the mountain to follower in that he was an active servant. Joshua didn’t choose to be Moses’ assis- receive the Ten Commandments from tant. He was chosen by God and Moses. God (Exodus 24:13). He observed Moses’ He understood the importance of his righteous indignation when Moses role and was content to be the assistant. smashed the two tablets (Exodus 32:17– His role was needed and significant in 19), and Joshua was witness to the holy and of itself. In humility he sought to communion Moses shared with the Lord add value and make a difference as a as he guarded the tent of meeting (Exodus follower. “Inside the Tent of Meeting, 33:11). He was given privileged access to the LORD would speak to Moses face to Moses’ special relationship to the Lord face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward and soaked it all up because he had the Moses would return to the camp, but the mindset of a learner. In Joshua 1:7, we find the Lord telling young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent Joshua, “Be careful to obey all the instruc-
tions Moses gave you....” Joshua submitted to the Lord and Moses’ leadership and when Moses passed away, it was Joshua’s time to lead. We find him continuing to follow all the instructions he received and learned from Moses. Understanding Unlike Moses who was raised as royalty Joshua started out as a slave in Egypt and came from a long line of slaves. He was born in the tribe of Ephraim making him a descendant of Joseph (1 Chronicles 7:26–27; Numbers 1:10; 7:48). Eventually Joshua would be leading a nation of slaves. He understood and related to those he would lead. The most effective leaders are those who understand what it is like to be like the followers they are trying to lead. Faithfulness Joshua spent almost 45 years faithfully and loyally following and serving as Moses’ assistant. As someone once said, “Don’t expect God to make you a lighthouse somewhere else, if you can’t
be a candle where you are.” We need to be faithful servants where God has us right now. If we want a bigger sphere of responsibility we must be faithful to what God has already entrusted to us. In the end Joshua was chosen to succeed Moses because he exhibited all these godly qualities. “The LORD replied, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him’” (Numbers 27:18). Remarkable leaders are remarkable followers first. Let’s think less about becoming a remarkable leader and more about becoming a remarkable follower. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
Wondering what Insight for Living is all about? Read through our Case for Support and learn why we’re passionate about ministry in Canada at insightforliving.ca/support/case-for-support
IT TAKES COURAGE by charles r. swindoll
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got sick of hearing myself say it! Today eep within, we imagine ourselves I still repeat those three words. as a mixture of Patrick Henry, Davy Crockett, John Wayne, and the prophet 2. “I must not forget.” We must not forget the Lord our God and what He has done Daniel! But the truth of the matter is that for us. most of us would do anything to keep from being different. We’d much rather 3. “I am accountable.” I am accountable to God whether I am in Asia, blend into the woodRather than rugged at the tip of South America, work. One of our greatest individualists, we are or at the North Pole. fears is being ostracized, rejected by “the group.” more like Gulliver of 4. “I get my standard and security from God.” There are other fears— old, tied down and Not from my friend, not fear of being made to immobilized by tiny from my business, not look foolish, fear of being even from within myself. talked about and misun- strands of fear, real or derstood. Rather than imagined. The result is Christ is my surety. Remember. Just rugged individualists, we both predictable and because “everybody’s are more like Gulliver of tragic: loss of courage. doing it” doesn’t mean it’s old, tied down and immobilized by tiny strands of fear, real or either safe or right. You keep flying high imagined. The result is both predictable above the crowd. Up there it doesn’t just seem safe and right, it is safe and right. and tragic: loss of courage. It takes courage to think alone, to resist alone, to stand alone—especially when Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, The Strength of Character: 7 Essential Traits of a Remarkable Life the crowd seems so safe, so right. (Nashville: J. Countryman, 2007), 20–21. CopyLet me suggest four thoughts to help right © 2007 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights bolster your courage: reserved worldwide. 1. “I am responsible.” I said that to myself so many times in the Marine Corps that I
PURPOSE TO PRACTISE THE PRESENCE OF GOD by steve johnson
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he Bible makes it clear that God is everywhere. “’Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:24). But there’s more than just that God is everywhere. Through Christ’s death and Resurrection believers are brought into the very presence of God “because we are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6, 13). We are in Christ and Christ is in us meaning He is always with every believer in a personal way. Our entire life is lived in the presence of God and permeated by Him. “For in him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). Let’s take this even a step further. Rather than merely giving mental assent to those truths or taking them for granted, God invites us to be fully aware of Him and live in His presence. As A.W. Tozer writes, we are to “recognize the real presence of the
One whom all sound theology declares to be already there…The resultant experience is not visionary but real.”¹ This is what is meant by practising the presence of God. Again citing Tozer as he reflects on the omnipresence of God, practicing the presence of God means, “for us to learn to realize this in conscious experience.”² It means keeping in mind that God is with us as we go about our day and making a habit of being aware of and responding to God’s abiding presence. It is walking with God through our day continually conversing with Him from our heart and referring all we do to Him. In some mysterious way God has ordered our minds such that we can be in prayer and worship at the same time as we are going through our daily routine or doing our daily work. We can layer practices into our normal everyday life to allow God’s presence to infuse every moment and detail.
Every person you encounter is an eterPractising God’s presence goes beyond the typical “morning quiet time.” Too often nal being made in the image of God. This after our quiet time, we then head out into infuses all our relationships with a sense of the rest of our day, having compartmental- the eternal. Whenever you think of someized our God-life, leaving our Bible and our one, or meet someone, or see someone, relationship with Jesus on our desk or bed- pray for them and commit them to God. side table. We should take our life with God This life is preparation for the and our awareness of his presence with us next. We are all going to die so let’s not put our everywhere, incorporating practices into our lives that help us keep that awareness right hope in people or things but in God and His Word alone. Display something near you in front of us, throughout the day, every day. The result of doing this is a richly pur- that reminds you of this, maybe an hourposeful, invigorated life that is fuelled glass or candle or flower that will wither. by His power and joy, rather than a life in Tune up first thing each day. Initiate practicing which we’re drained and strained as we sputter In some mysterious the presence of God upon waking. along on our own. way God has Run a passage of ScripHere are some perordered our minds ture through your mind and spectives and practical such that we can make it a prayer for the day guidelines to help us ahead. Suggested passages: be in prayer and practise the presence of God. worship at the same Psalm 27:1; 103:1; 143:8; or Philippians 4:6–7. Talk to We a re tota lly time as we are going God, inviting Him into your dependent on God through our daily day and all your activities. f or e v e ry t h i ng a l l t h e t i m e : routine or doing our Think of every hour as a reminder to be in health, wealth, daily work. His presence. and breath. Each “now” is an opportunity to invite Jesus “holds all things together” (Colossians 1:17 ISV). He said, “apart from me you and welcome God back into what you are can do nothing” (John 15:5). Although He doing in the routines of your day. If you catch yourself “forgetting” God was applying that to fruitfulness it also applies to all of life. Let that permeate your and His presence, remember He is still mind and actions and ask for His help in there. Re-invite Him into your activities. Repeat as needed. everything you do as things happen. Everything matters. Everything can be a reference point to God. 1 A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy (New York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1961), p. 82. There are no tasks too small or menial in which to involve God. Pick any ordinary 2 Ibid. task you do with regularity and each time Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for you do it this week commit it to Him and Living Canada. seek to do it to His honour with gratitude. There are no ordinary, little people.
THE ETERNAL I AM
b y c h apresence r l e s r .issnot win d o l las eloquent as His absence. His voice, “God’s nearly
as important as it is, is not nearly as intriguing as His silence.” — CHUCK SWINDOLL
God’s Invisible Providence
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od’s invisibility in no way nullifies or even hinders His invincibility. He may slip behind the scenes and out of view, but He is always at work accomplishing His will. As the psalmist declared, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3 NASB) and Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (135:6) In the book of Esther, we find the majestic interweaving of God’s invisibility with His invincibility—His silence with His power. Though the name of God is absent in this book, His finger threads every word on its pages. In fact, God often chooses to work in this way today. He may be silent to you right now, but He is there at work just as He worked in Esther’s life almost 2,500 years ago. The author of Esther did not want us to read the book isolated from God’s work in biblical history. He wanted us to remember God’s promises to Abraham, His deliverance in the exodus, and His work
through the kings and prophets. Without other books in the Bible, we wouldn’t be able to see the hand of Providence through both the hard and the happy times of the Jews who remained in Susa. After reading through Esther, we can apply the book through reflection. Be Quiet Because the immortal and invisible One is constantly at work in the world, take time to be quiet and ponder how God has worked in your life. Write down what comes to mind. Be Convinced Not only has the Sovereign Lord worked in your past, but He is currently working in your present. No matter your circumstances, God is God and He is a good God who loves you (Romans 8:31–39). Take a moment to write a prayer of your confidence in Him—whether your current lot be trying or easy—and express your petitions in Jesus’ name.
“God’s Invisible Providence” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
Puzzle — Fill in the Blank
Practising the Presence of God Difficulty ● ○ ○ ○ We will experience God’s presence by keeping in mind that God is with us as we go about our day. Listed below are some phrases describing ongoing practices, not one-and-done actions, picturing how we practice and experience God’s presence. Fill in the blanks with these key statements or phrases. The solutions are phrases that are direct quotes from the NIV Bible translation. 1.
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(John 15:4)
2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
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6.
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7.
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8.
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9.
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(Colossians 3:1)
(Colossians 3:2) (Galatians 5:16)
(1 Thessalonians 5:16) (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
(Hebrews 12:2) (Romans 12:1)
(Philippians 3:12–14)
10. (Philippians 4:8) — — — — — — — — — —
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First and last name
Email address
Phone number
INSIGHT FOR LIVING CANADA PUZZLE CONTEST RULES
21MIN5
Insights magazine subscribers are invited to submit their completed puzzles by mail, email, or fax for a chance to win a Swindoll Study Bible. Each month from January 15, 2021 to October 31, 2021 there will be a new puzzle challenge with another opportunity to gain a contest entry. Completed puzzles received before November 12, 2021 will be entered into a draw. One grand prize winner will be selected by random draw and notified by email or phone. Contest entries are limited to one per household, per puzzle. Open only to legal residents of Canada who are of legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside, and at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Not open to Quebec residents. Not open to Insight for Living Canada staff or their immediate family. Mathematical skill testing question to be answered correctly to win. No purchase necessary. Puzzle solutions will be posted at insightforliving.ca/puzzle at a later date. Mail: 1-30445 Progressive Way Abbotsford BC V2T 6W3 // Email: info@insightforliving.ca // Fax: 1.604.870.8743
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