NUMBER FIVE, 2020
In this issue 3
6
Not Alone: Drawing Near to Christ in a Socially Distant World
charles r. swindoll
How to Stay Rooted in Your Faith
robyn roste
8 Parable
steve johnson
11 What Does “Trusting God” Mean?
Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Bumper Sticker Theology 12 You are Never More Safe Than When You are in God’s Will
steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14 An Aging Father and His Son
Puzzle 15 Characteristics of the Father in the Parable of the Lost Son 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. 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 © 2020 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 Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
Cover & Article Photo: Trent Szmolnik on unsplash.com
n our new coronavirus world, being from him—they were absent. He felt totally together has become a rare and trea- LOST. At last, he heard a faint voice calling sured experience. As the “invisible enemy” from shore. He pointed his body towards named COVID-19 continues its relentless the sound and swam to safety. Perhaps in these weeks of enforced march around our world, we remain apart to curb its spread. “Social distancing” has isolation you’ve started to feel a sensation of utter lostness, a growing sense of become a strange, new norm. I realized recently that there’s a major loneliness and displacement. You may difference between being distant from be closer to panic than you’ve ever been each other and being absent. Distance as the fog of an uncertain future rolls in keeps us from touching one another, on you. In unguarded moments, you may from meeting together. But being distant have entertained an alien thought you’ve doesn’t mean we can’t talk to each other never pondered before: Where is God? or see one another. Take Jesus’ words A similar spirit of Thanks to technolfear, sadness, and ogy, we can do both. personally: “Don’t p a n i c m u s t h ave We may be distant, let YOUR heart be gripped Jesus’ disb ut we’re stayin g connected. That’s not troubled.” Imagine Him ciples when they met saying to you: “Do you together the night nearly as severe as before the crucifixbeing absent. Absence know the way to Me? ion. To their shocking suggests being alone, COME TO ME! dismay, the Master isolated, displaced, told them He would soon suffer and die. lonely...even lost. Absence reminds me of a man I read He would leave them. Talk about disillusioned! They had anticabout who went swimming in a large lake around dusk. While paddling leisurely ipated Jesus’ reigning as King and their about 100 yards offshore, a freak fog sitting alongside Him. But that was not to rolled in. Suddenly, he could see nothing. be! Instead, He would be crucified as the No horizon, no familiar landmarks, no sacrificial Lamb. Later, He said, He would lights or people on the shore. Since the return and reign as King, but He gave them fog diffused all light, he couldn’t even no clue about when that would happen. All determine the direction of the setting they could hear was the terrible news: He sun. For about 30 minutes, he splashed would suffer and die and leave. The disciples felt like many of us feel around as panic took hold. He would start off in one direction, lose today: confused and frightened. Jesus confidence, and then jerk 90 degrees to his looked into their fearful eyes and quietly right or left. He felt his heart racing, beating reassured them: “‘Don’t let your hearts be fast in his throat, before he would blindly troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in strike out again. Others weren’t just distant me’” (John 14:1).
Everything was under God’s control, Jesus promised. His plan could not be shaken or altered. He told them essentially, “Trust Me and don’t be afraid. I’m leaving—but I will return! In the meantime, we’ll stay in touch. You’ll pray...and I’ll answer. No matter how difficult things become, I’ll be in full control. You know where I’m going, and you know how to get there.” Thomas wasn’t so sure: “‘We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’” (14:5). You likely know Jesus’ reply by heart: “‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me’” (14:6). It was a magnificent moment! The disciples sat transfixed, when just moments earlier, they were restless, struggling, filled with questions. Are you feeling that way
these days? Are you filled with questions: How much worse will this virus get? Can I make it without getting infected...can my family? Will we have enough money and food and other essentials to get by? When will all of this end? Take Jesus’ words personally: “Don’t let YOUR heart be troubled.” Imagine Him saying to you: “Do you know the way to Me? COME TO ME! Are you seeking the truth about Me? SEEK ME! Is your life lacking security—are you feeling lost and abandoned? TRUST ME!” The Lord is with you and with me as we journey through this dark coronavirus valley. He is not distant...and He is never absent. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastorteacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
Resolving Those Parent-Child Conflicts SINGLE CD MESSAGE
For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.
he parable of the farmer scattering seed found in Matthew 13 teaches Christians the importance of growing deep so we can stay rooted in our faith when the storms of life come. If you’ve ever faced tough times in your faith life then you understand the importance of having a close, personal relationship with Christ. Here are six ways to stay rooted and grow in your faith. 1. Pray By spending time praying, you learn to recognize God’s voice. He wants to listen as well as speak to you.
One way of practicing prayer is by following A.C.T.S.—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This is an easy way to get started when you aren’t sure what to pray for. When praying, praise God, admit your sins, thank Him, and to ask Him to meet your needs. 2. Write down what God is showing you It’s exciting when God is making a difference in your life. Everything changes and you feel like you’ll never forget the lessons you’re learning. But as time passes...you do forget. Keeping a journal or writing a blog is an excellent way
Image: Maddy Baker unsplash.com
to look back and remember. It’s also a will learn more about Him, what He has reminder of how far you’ve come and an done for you, and His plan for your life. encouragement for those days when you You will also find comfort during difficult times and direction for your problems. To feel frustrated or stalled. 3. Speak with others about your journey continue growing, it is important to know Sharing your testimony, what the Lord is what God’s truth is. There are 66 books in the Bible, divided doing in your life, will inspire and encourage people. The support and prayer you will into the Old and New Testaments. The find from other believers will only help you Gospels, the first four books of the New in times of discontent and encourage you in Testament, are a good place to start reading if you’re new to the Bible. They are times of plenty. similar—all four books follow Jesus’ life, 4. Join a Bible study Many churches offer Bible studies or death, and Resurrection. Many of the small groups and often divide them into stories will be familiar but there is always something new to draw different categories for people who are in similar If you’ve ever faced tough out of the Gospels. If you don’t have a life stages. This is a safe times in your faith life Bible, consider getting place to talk about your then you understand one or downloading a faith and hear how oththe importance of Bible app. If you’re lookers are dealing with life. having a close, personal ing for a traditional verIt also helps create a support network—people in relationship with Christ. sion, try the King James. If you want a more modplace to praise with you when things are good, pray for you when ern translation, consider the New Interlife is difficult, and teach you how to hon- national or New Living Translation. There are also Bible paraphrases, like The Living our God with your life. 5. Listen to sermons at church or on Bible or The Message, which put the Bible in a more western context. podcasts This list is by no means exhaustive but Listening to Bible-based sermons is an opportunity to glean new teaching or infor- should present a launching point to grow mation from someone who has spent years deeper roots so when trouble comes you can stand firm in your faith. studying the Bible. What ways have you found to help you If possible, find a church to attend, one you enjoy so you’re more likely to get stay rooted? involved and make friends. If it’s not possible then still prioritize listening to sermons Robyn Roste is the media and marketing manager at Insight for Living Canada from trusted pastors. 6. Read the Bible on your own The Bible is God's Word. It is the main and most straightforward way to communicate with God. By reading the Bible, you
Parable
any spiritual truths are difficult for us earth-bound people to grasp. We relate much better to things we are already familiar with in everyday life. To help people understand spiritual truth Jesus used parables. And He used a lot! Over one-third of Jesus’ teaching is in parable form. They helped explain truth to those eager to follow God (Luke 10:36– 37) and to keep truth hidden from those opposed to God’s plans (Mark 4:10–12). The word “parable” comes from Greek and Hebrew words used to describe a wide range of non-literal pictorial language and figures of speech. Something physical and tangible is compared to some specific spiritual truth for reflection and self-evaluation. Parables include similitudes, in which a comparison is made using “like” or “as,” (see Matthew 13:31–35; 44–52 for examples), stories with examples to follow or spiritual truths to learn (like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37), and allegories in which details all have meaning (such as the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13). We interpret parables by using the following normal rules of interpretation. 1. Identify the original audience To whom was the parable told? Usually it was the crowd, the religious leaders, or the disciples. 2. Look at the immediate context Sometimes there is a brief introduction in the passage, which affects its meaning (see Luke 12:13–21; 15:1–2; 18:1 for examples). Sometimes parables are grouped thematically and so there is a main
thread that can help understand the overall meaning and interpretation. For example, the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son help us understand the gracious heart of God (see Luke 15 for these parables). 3. Look at the wider context Note which book of the Bible the parable is in, where it appears in the book, and how it fits with the book’s themes. For example, Luke records many parables at the start of the section in which, “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” and the cross (9:51). His followers are also called to “take up their cross and follow him” (14:27). Within this section of the book there is a strong theme of teaching on commitment and discipleship in practical areas of life, so there are several parables about stewardship of finances, like the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21). 4. Consider the cultural background An example of this is the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1–3). This story needs to be understood in the cultural context of Jewish marriage customs at the time of Jesus. He took illustrations from everyday life and spoke about things like people sowing seed by hand, using yeast to bake bread, looking for lost sheep, travelling down the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho, and pouring new wine into old wineskins. These would all be familiar experiences for his original listeners, but not for us today. This can cause a communication barrier between Jesus’ culture and people in our culture, which risks the parable’s impact being lost.
debtor owing 50 pieces of silver. The par5. Consider the Old Testament able would be a message of forgiveness background to the woman (v. 48) and a criticism to Jesus told parables to people who were Simon (v. 46). familiar with the Old Testament. Many of His stories have allusions to passages, 8. Watch for the surprise twist Many parables had what would act as themes, and individuals (see Matthew a punchline to the listener. In the Good 21:33–46 and Isaiah 5:1–7 for examples), Samaritan, the twist is which deepen the meanthat it was not a Jew, but ing of the parables. The word “parable” a Samaritan who acted 6. Look for the main comes from Greek as a good neighbour by characters and Hebrew words stopping and helping Regular features in used to describe the injured man. To the parables are stock charJews, Samaritans were acters and common stea wide range of despised outsiders and reotypes. For example, non-literal pictorial yet Jesus’ story paints the whenever there is a language and figures Samaritan as the hero Master/Judge/King figof speech and an example for the ure in the parables that Jews to follow. signifies God, while It is important to understand that parasheep/servants/workers illustrate folbles as Jesus told them are more than short lowers of God. 7. Determine the different messages of stories. In essence they are illustrations of wisdom. Parables are windows into the the parable Different parts of the parable impacted kingdom of God and show us, in a variety the hearers differently. For example, of ways and from a variety of angles, what it in the parable of the two debtors (Luke means to live as citizens of God’s kingdom 7:36–50), the sinful woman would be and under Christ’s Lordship. represented by the first debtor with the debt of 500 pieces of silver, and Simon Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for the Pharisee represented by the second Living Canada.
Insight for Living’s Bible-teacher Chuck Swindoll has spent more than 50 years emphasizing God’s grace alongside a commitment to practical application. Learn more about our pastor at insightforliving.ca/chuck-swindoll
Source Image: Sandro Gonzalez on unsplash.com
Here’s the conflict: Scripture says that rust is not one of my strong suits. I could try to blame my struggle on there absolutely is someone that trustwornot knowing enough trustworthy people, thy. God’s Word calls us to trust in our heavbut I know the problem is rooted in me...in enly Father without reservation, believing my desire to protect myself and in my fear that He will sustain us and cause all things of getting hurt or let down. I know that not to work for our good (Romans 8:28). My defence mechanism of not trusttrusting others is one of my defence mechanisms. Whenever I’m faced with an issue ing others completely backfired when it requiring trust, I skip right over it and jump came to God. You see, there is no stronger into evaluation mode. I think to myself, “If defence than Him. He is the answer to my I can gain a comprehensive knowledge of struggle with trust—when I follow His call to trust, I discover that the problem, perhaps My defence mechanism His character is fortified I’ll master it and escape with honesty, fairness, trusting altogether.” of not trusting others faithfulness, truthful(Sounds like a guy named completely backfired ness, and justice. He is Gideon, doesn’t it?) My issue with trust when it came to God. You the ultimate example see, there is no stronger of one who is moral, isn’t new; my attempts ethical, and consistent. to grow in this area defence than Him. He is unfaltering. He is aren’t new either. I’ve studied the word trust thoroughly, but my dependable. Each time I trust Him, this studies didn’t make me feel much better truth settles deeper in my heart and my about trusting. I discovered that trust is struggle with trusting grows less. May I say today, I have learned that there about having tremendous confidence in someone or something, depending on is absolute freedom, joy, rest, and peace someone or something for help. A lovely in trusting the sovereign, faithful Lord. I thought but not very encouraging. I want you to know this freedom, joy, rest, also learned that real trust assumes that and peace for yourself. If I can trust God, I bet you can do it too. the one whom we trust demonstrates a fortified character of honesty, fairness, Come on, take the leap! truthfulness, justice, morality, ethics, and consistency. By this time, if you’re like me, Copyright © 2010 by Insight for Living Ministries. All you’re thinking, “There’s no way! No one rights reserved worldwide. and nothing is that trustworthy!”
Bumper Sticker
Theology
“You are never more safe than when you are in God’s will.” Where does this saying come from? Some believers think if God calls you to serve Him somewhere dangerous, you will be protected from harm because He has called you and you are obeying. In our culture, safety implies protection from danger. It implies a life in which risk is minimal and there is little chance of pain, suffering, or injury. Coupled with our own desire for survival and selfpreservation we are tempted to see God's protection as a force field that keeps us away from harm. This idea is also derived from verses like Psalm 34:7 “For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him” and Psalm 121:7–8 “The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over
your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” It also comes from reading stories in the Bible of how God protected His people. For example, the Exodus when the Israelites were being pursued by Pharaoh’s army and God opened the Red Sea for them (Exodus 14), David’s protection from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14), and Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6). And who hasn’t heard or read fascinating stories of present-day believers who were protected from harm and death in miraculous ways? Is the saying “you are never more safe than when you are in God’s will” true then? Does God promise that we will always be kept physically safe if we are doing His will? Is this what we should expect when obeying God’s call? To answer this question, let’s consider some examples. John the Baptist was
beheaded (Matthew 14:1–12). Consider to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. all that the Apostle Paul endured—ship- Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and wrecks, snakebite, beatings, stoning, body in hell,” (Matthew 10:28). In other words, hunger, thirst, sleeplessness, and cold they can kill us but they cannot harm us. (2 Corinthians 11:18–23). Eventually he too God has promised us many wonderwas beheaded. Jesus Himself was whipped ful things as we obey Him and do His will. and crucified as He carried out God’s will Physical safety is not one of them, brutal life (Matthew 27). circumstances are normal in a fallen world. Some were jeered at, and their backs Pursuing God may even lead us into greater were cut open with whips. Others were physical danger. chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, As believers we can be assured that we some were sawed in will be spiritually alive half, and others were and eternally secure What these examples killed with the sword. no matter what danger from Scripture and (Hebrews 11:35–37) befalls us. If we are doing history demonstrate is God’s will, we may not be Ever read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs? It will sicken that sometimes obeying physically safe, but we are you. What do we do God and doing His will secure. Our sanctuary lies with all the martyrs and is deadly. Safety while in the promise that no ill missionaries of the past can befall us but that God doing God’s will and centuries and the thouwho loves us infinitely sands of Christians in our work isn’t a guarantee. allows it. And if He allows day who are persecuted, it and we die, we will be tortured, and killed? Are they being kept ushered into His eternal presence. physically safe? Can anything ever separate us from What these examples from Scripture Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer and history demonstrate is that someloves us if we have trouble or calamity, or times obeying God and doing His will is are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or deadly. Safety while doing God’s will and in danger, or threatened with death? (As work isn’t a guarantee. the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are How then are we to think about God’s killed every day; we are being slaughtered promises of protection in Scripture and our like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, safety when obeying God? overwhelming victory is ours through The answer lies in something Jesus said Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced to His disciples as He prepared them for that nothing can ever separate us from what was to come. In Luke 21:16–18 He God’s love. (Romans 8:35–38) said, “Even those closest to you—your If we replace the word “safe” with the synparents, brothers, relatives, and friends— onym “secure,” we will be stating what is true: will betray you. They will even kill some of “You are never more secure than when you are you. And everyone will hate you because in God’s will.” you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish!” Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for It sounds contradictory but it isn’t. Jesus Living Canada. also said, “Don’t be afraid of those who want
An Aging Father and His Son
“Epochal events remind us that God has His way in life’s storms and shocking moments. We may be stunned in disbelief, but God is not surprised or at a loss to know what to do. His plan is unfolding perfectly.” - CHUCK SWINDOLL Have you ever faced a trial that was so at a disappearing moving van, any who have surprising, unprecedented, and intense that taken a heart-wrenching walk past a coffin it took your breath away? You never saw it understand releasing too. At the end of his sermon, Chuck made two coming, and you had no idea how God would profound statements: get you through...but somehow, He did! Such severe trials are rare, thankfully. But • God never puts us through a test without a purpose. Usually, the purpose is designed they are among life’s most valuable experito make us release what we’re clutching ences because they reveal God’s saving power • When we trust God, He provides solutions in ways we otherwise would not see. that quickly loosen our grip. The rewards of This study is based on an account of an holding everything loosely will surpass aging father and his son: Abraham and anything we could have ever imagined Isaac. After decades of waiting for God to As painful as it is to let go of God’s good fulfil His promise to provide Abraham an heir, Abraham finally realized his dream gifts, the process of releasing opens our when Isaac was born. But then, God issued hands to receive the greatest reward—the a shocking command to Abraham: “Go and Giver Himself! As we internalize this biblisacrifice [Isaac] as a burnt offering on one of cal account, let’s anchor in our hearts the the mountains, which I will show you” (Gen- faithfulness of God who is our Provider. esis 22:2). It was the ultimate test of faith for Centuries after Abraham released his son Abraham and set the scene for an unforget- Isaac on Mount Moriah, our heavenly Father released His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac table, epochal event! Every parent who has choked back tears submitted himself to his father, so Jesus suron a child’s first day of school understands rendered Himself to the altar of the cross. releasing. Every retiree who removed the Only no lamb took Jesus’ place, for Jesus last picture, taped shut the last box, and was the Lamb! His sacrifice atoned for our said the last goodbye understands releas- sin, ushered us into an eternal relationship ing. Any who have felt their life savings slip with our heavenly Father, and became the through their fingers, any who have waved most epochal event of all. “An Aging Father and His Son” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Epochal Events Nobody Expected. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
Puzzle — Code Word
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FATHER IN THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON Difficulty ● ● ○ ○
Luke 15:11–32 is called the Parable of the Lost Son. It could also be called the Parable of the Prodigal Father. “Prodigal” means lavish and extravagant, which is an apt description of the way our heavenly Father loves. Each letter in this puzzle is represented by numerals 1 through 26. Crack the code to discover the words describing our heavenly Father’s heart. Three letters are already in place to get you started. 1. 21 16 8 21 4 22 12 14 22 2. 8 12 22 18 21 14 22
(hint: Luke 15:20)
(hint: Luke 15:14)
3. (hint: Luke 15:20) 4 25 26 8 12 2 2 18 25 14 12 22 21 4. 18 14 18 22 18 12 22 21 2
(hint: Luke 15:20)
5. (hint: Luke 15:22) 9 25 5 24 18 13 18 14 24 6. 24 5 12 4 18 25 10 2
(hint: Luke 15:22)
7. (hint: Luke 15:22) 1 25 14 25 10 5 18 14 24 8. 26 21 5 4 18 9 10 6 9.
(hint: Luke 15:32) 3 25 19 9 10 6
10. 26 25 23 21 6 9 25 5 10 2 1 14
N
2
3
4
5
6
15
16
17
18
19
L
7
8
20
21
E
9
10
11
12
13
22
23
24
25
26
____________________
____________________
____________________
First and last name
Email address
Phone number
INSIGHT FOR LIVING CANADA PUZZLE CONTEST RULES
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, 2020 to October 31, 2020 there will be a new puzzle challenge with another opportunity to gain a contest entry. Completed puzzles received before November 13, 2020 will be entered into a draw. One grand prize winner will be selected by random draw and notified by email or phone. Further details can be found on page 2 of this issue. Mail: 1-30445 Progressive Way Abbotsford BC V2T 6W3 // Email: info@insightforliving.ca // Fax: 1.604.870.8743
online RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
