NUMBER ONE, 2017
S TAR TI NG WI TH
the Basics
In this issue
8
6
12
3 Starting Over This Year charles r. swindoll
Names of Jesus 11 Jesus
6 Jesus Loves Me robyn roste
The Hea[r]t of the Issue 12 Parenting the Prodigal steve johnson
8 When Talking is Tough steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 15 Rules for Running a Rewarding Race
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bible-teaching 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 35 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright Š 2017 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 Laura Vanderwel. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
by charles r. swindoll
One of the most encouraging things about a new year is the word new.
I
love that word! Webster says it means: “refreshed, different from one of the same that has existed previously… unfamiliar.” Best of all, it’s a place to begin anew. To refresh. To change directions. To start over. To go somewhere new, of course, it’s necessary to know where we are. That’s true in a shopping mall or on a freeway—or in life, for that matter. Very seldom do we “just happen” to wind up on the right road. The process involved in redirecting our lives is often painful, slow, and even confusing. Occasionally, it seems unbearable. Maybe 2016 wasn’t your all-time spiritually high year. Am I right? Perhaps you’re tired. Exhausted might be a better word. You may even feel oppressed, guilty, overused, or underappreciated. The enemy of your soul is feeding you the lie, “You’re through. Finished. Forgotten. You’ve been replaced.” It’s time to listen to a new voice. Hearing a new perspective, however, won’t “just happen.” Not as long as you and I keep feeding our minds daily doses of media madness and political pessimism. We need a break. We need a place that encourages us to release our fears and refresh our souls as we relax in the quiet
presence of the living Lord. We need to be reminded again of our mighty-fortress God. But how? Where? Before I answer, let me ask you: What is your final authority in life? I mean, when you’re cornered, when you find yourself really up against it, what do you lean on? Where do you turn? Before you answer too quickly, think about it. Do you realize there are only two eternal things on earth today? Only two: God’s Word and the souls of people. Everything else will ultimately be burned up. Kind of rearranges your priorities, doesn’t it? But of these two eternal things, only one is our source of truth. (Obviously, it isn’t people.) We have no authority more reliable on earth than God’s Word, the Bible. The whole Bible—all 66 books. This timeless, trustworthy source of truth holds the key that unlocks life’s mysteries. It alone provides the shelter we need when storms rage. But wait. How can we get so excited about something that was written by men? Oh, we have no problem with the Giver of truth. He gave it…but wasn’t the relay of truth corrupted when He handed it off to sinful people? How can we be sure that God’s Word is free from error, absolutely true, and
therefore deserving of our complete trust? Great question. Thankfully, Paul provides great help in answering it: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17) Our confidence in the Bible is directly related to our confidence in its divine inspiration. Look closely. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful” (emphasis added). That includes those books of the Bible we seldom read. So our conclusion, based upon what God’s Word tells us, is this: in the Bible, we have the preservation
Laughter, Volume 3
of a completely dependable, authoritative, inerrant text. In response, each of us must ask ourselves: Can I rely on it, especially when I go through life’s chaotic experiences? My answer is—and I pray it’s yours too— absolutely and unreservedly! The wonderful thing about God’s Book? It not only tells you where you are but it tells you where to go. It renews your heart. It gives you stability. No other counsel will get you through the long haul. No other reality will give you strength for each day and deep hope for tomorrow. No other instruction has the power to give new meaning to your life. For those things, you need one thing: the entire Bible. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
SINGLE CD
What better place to learn how to
LAUGH AT LIFE than at home! For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.
by robyn roste
I
used to be obsessed with CD samplers. I loved discovering new and obscure music, so I picked them up whenever I could. A lot of the music was terrible, but there were a few jewels. One song in particular impacted me even to this day. The band’s name is long gone, but the chorus rings in
my head and makes me think, “You must love yourself before anybody else can.” The phrase always bugged me; made me uncomfortable. But now I think I see what they’re getting at: our beliefs impact our actions. When we believe something deep down inside, this belief turns into action. This is
James’ point in James 2:14 when he says, Your love for others is impacted by how “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, much you believe God loves you—since if you say you have faith but don’t show your life reflects your belief and flows out it by your actions? Can that kind of faith of every part of you. What you think about save anyone?” God impacts everything. God is love. I know this from 1 John 4:8, It’s easy to think you’ve done too much but do I believe it enough to let it change wrong and there’s no way God still loves my life? you. But this is not truth. Nothing, nothIn recent days I’ve been challenged to ing, can separate you from the love of God allow myself to believe, really believe, that (Romans 8:35-40). It may not make sense, God loves me deeper and wider than any but that doesn’t make it less true. other person could love me. More than I can comprehend or understand. I need to believe it, because it is by this measure— the measure I believe Jesus loves me—that I know this from 1 John 4:8, I will love God. but do I believe it enough to First John 4:19 says “We love each other because he loved us first.” And Matthew let it change my life?” 22:39 says, “…Love your neighbor as yourself.” If I don’t believe God loves me, I can’t love Him. And if I don’t love myself, I can’t God loves you. And you need to really, love my neighbours. truly believe this so your faith will be living, So I ask this question: Do I believe God active, and effective. loves me enough to let it change my life? If you ask why your only answer will be Do you? “because I love you.” But why? I don’t deserve Chuck Swindoll in his message “The it! Because I love you. Love of God” says what we think about God And He’ll keep saying it until you hear is the most important thing about us. and believe Him. And He’ll keep saying it and He won’t If we shape our thinking from the stop. Jesus loves you. culture around us, our life will remain Let it change your life today. complicated and even become chaotic. But if we allow Holy Scripture to shape Robyn Roste is the media and marketing manager at our thinking, God will emerge in our Insight for Living Canada. minds as He is: real, meaningful, all1. The Love of God, by Charles R. Swindoll, Copyright powerful. What we think about God © 2008, 2016 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights 1 is the most important thing about us. reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
“God is love.
WHEN
Talking IS Tough Guidelines for Having Difficult Conversations
by steve johnson
“How do you discuss difficult topics
in such a way you hear and are heard, maintain your influence in their lives, and avoid alienation?”
aybe the following scenario is familiar to you. Your adult kids are over for a visit and the conversation turns to a sensitive topic like politics or religion or contemporary social issues. Suddenly, you’re in a heated debate and you’re giving what you feel is the biblical perspective while your kids are saying things that make you wonder, “How in the world did they come up with that view? I never taught them that!” It could be a similar conversation around the lunch table at work or with your neighbour over the back fence. You know they aren’t believers but it’s still a difficult conversation. In situations like these, sometimes more heat than light is generated. You experience a real dilemma in sensitive conversations: how do you deal with different values, beliefs, priorities, worldviews, and behaviours while still caring for the person and staying involved in his or her life? The last thing you want is to push your child or friend out of your life because
photo © unsplash.com
M
of the way you relate to each other. If you alienate them you will have no influence in their lives. How do you discuss difficult topics in such a way you hear and are heard, maintain your influence in their lives, and avoid alienation? Here are some basic guidelines for having those tough discussions on sensitive topics when your faith and thoughts are fundamentally different.
General Principles to Keep Reminding Yourself
1. Identity. It might seem obvious but it’s important to remember no two people are alike. And it is all those factors that result in different attitudes, thoughts, and feelings about things. This is true of our family too. While your children have your genes, they think differently because they grew up in a different era than you did. They’re marketed to and impacted by a secular world.
2. Complexity. Life is infinitely complex and there are no simple answers. And when people have strong feelings and convictions, things can get even more complicated. 3. Empathy. You’ll achieve more if you strive to understand others and their viewpoints before trying to get them to understand you.
Specific Questions to Keep Asking Yourself In your discussions you need to be selfaware, asking yourself questions. Here are a few suggestions. • What do I feel about this particular subject and what would I like them to understand? • Do I believe what I am saying or am I speaking from platitudes? • What is my tone, body language, fear, or other emotions? • Am I truly hearing, listening, and understanding or do I need clarification? • Do I have a flexible mindset or tight and rigid one? • What kind of relationship do I want with this person now and in the future? • What can I learn here? • Am I open to, or fearful of, new possibilities? • What are they thinking, feeling, and wanting?
Personal Commitments to Keep Making to Yourself If you are going to have positive interactions without alienating others you need to make some personal commitments to yourself.
1. Control • Stay calm and self-controlled • Don’t interrupt • Listen attentively • Don’t overreact if you or your beliefs are attacked • Don’t exaggerate, be sarcastic, or make it personal • Keep the volume low 2. Conversation • Don’t refuse to talk about things because you have different views • Talk about one topic at a time and stay focused • Don’t assume. Ask questions instead of criticizing • Don’t lecture, preach, whine, complain, or try to manipulate. Just dialogue • Know when to shut up. If the other person’s mind is closed then stop talking. You will only waste your time and risk alienation 3. Competence • Do your research. Whatever you are saying be prepared to back it up • Walk the walk don’t just talk the talk. Do and be good at what you are preaching. Be consistent: your life and your lips need to match • Be confident in your position while staying open, respectful, and humble People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Stay focused on staying loving, authentic, and consistent in your life and communication or you will become an irritation. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
“…And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Origins: From the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning to save or rescue Meaning: “The Lord (Yahweh) saves”—a one-word summary of what Jesus came to do on earth Usage: Jesus’ birth name underlined His humanity, which we most closely relate in our own human struggles (John 4:6; 11:35; Luke 22:44)
Application: Call upon Jesus for salvation. There is no other name by which we can be saved from sin (Acts 4:12) because only Jesus was given authority and power over sin and death (Acts 2:36). He will save us from sin’s penalty, power, and presence if we ask Him to. Call upon Jesus in sufferings and struggles. In His birth and life He identifies with us in our struggles and is ready to help us (Hebrews 4:14-16). He understands our weakness and frailties making Him the perfect One to go to for help. Call upon Jesus for sickness. His name signifies power over sickness and death (Acts 3:16). The same Jesus who walked the earth and healed the sick still does so today. Call upon Jesus for strength. The Spirit of Jesus indwells believers and empowers us daily for godly living and service (2 Corinthians 4:10).
by steve johnson
PARENTING
the
PRODIGAL Y
ou don’t have to look far, perhaps no further than your own family, to see Christian parents with prodigal children. I’m referring to children who turn away from their Christian upbringing, embracing beliefs and behaviours contrary to their parents’. The primary struggle for Christian parents in this situation is coming to terms with what happened and how to relate to their child moving forward.
image by Tim Schellenberg
Here’s Where They’re At As children develop into adults, a necessary individuation process takes place where identities are formed. Part of the individualization process involves re-evaluating the behaviours and beliefs they were raised with while exploring and trying on new behaviours and beliefs. Children in this stage feel vulnerable and this offers them a chance for greater control in their lives. This is a time of major self-centredness and individuation. Often during this time children see some hypocrisy and inconsistency in the faith, or dysfunctionality in the home, by their parents and/or the church. Coupled with feeling a lack of acceptance from Christians, children pull away from their parents and toward those who they feel acceptance from—other prodigals.
Here’s Where You’re At Somewhere along the way you adopted a kind of psychological determinism that believes parenting creates the child and Christian parenting produces Christian children. It doesn’t. There are no guarantees like that. The verse, “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NASB) is not a promise. Proverbs 22:6 is a general observation about understanding the natural inclinations of your child and fostering development in those areas.
Here’s Where Scripture’s At Scripture has many examples of godly parents who have ungodly children. Even the perfect Father, God, had rebellious children. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child....” Sometimes foolishness begets prodigals. In the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) observe that the father neither stops his child from leaving nor follows after him. Instead, this parent stays home and prays. When his child comes to his senses and returns home, he is waiting, watching, and runs to meet him. Until signs of repentance and a change of direction come, parents should keep to their own counsel. Do not support the rebellion, and do not interfere (1 Peter 4:15).
Where To Go From Here • Instead of focusing on whether or not you are parenting successfully, ensure you are living and parenting faithfully. • Learn how to have difficult conversations with your wayward kids, taking care to be authentic and not hypocritical. Now more than ever it’s important to model redemption and not perfection to your children. • Welcome your prodigal home. Your concern is for your child’s heart; don’t create too many requirements for coming home. No matter how broken and alienated your child may be, you always will be his or her parent—you have the unique opportunity to love without strings. • Don’t expect Christlike behaviour if your child is not a Christian or not acting like one. Find ways to connect with your child and always be ready to compliment and encourage. At the same time be sure to have clear boundaries. You and others in your family should not accept abusive or destructive behaviour from a prodigal. • Protect your marriage. Marriages can erode when prodigals become the focal
point of the marriage. Use the crisis to solidify, not divide, your relationship. • Get prayer and emotional support. You need the prayers, counsel, and wisdom of your church leaders. You may need professional counsellors or other advisors. Be open to outside help. • Take your personal pain to Christ who offers sufficient grace. Pray and keep praying for your child. Nothing is impossible with God.
REMINDER:
Ask yourself, “What are they thinking, feeling, and wanting?”
This series provides training on having difficult conversations. How do you discuss difficult topics in a way you hear and are heard, maintain your influence, and avoid alienation? How do you deal with different worldviews while still valuing the person? Read our basic guidelines for having difficult conversations at insightforliving.ca/tough-talk.
On The Air
Did you know Insight for Living airs on radio stations across the country every day? To find the program on your local station visit insightforliving.ca/find-station
RULES FOR RUNNING A REWARDING RACE “The obstacles won’t seem as daunting, and temptations won’t have the same appeal when you focus on Christ.” - CHARLES R. SWINDOLL Are you the worrying type—fearful of the possibilities tomorrow may hold but also grieving the mistakes of the past? As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we must admit we can neither predict the future nor change the past. Trying to do either is a waste of time and energy. We’re all in a race called life. It began when we took our first breath and ends when we take our last. We run our race one moment at a time, one day at a time. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the writer imagined life as a vast arena with the saints who have gone before us filling the stands and cheering on all Christians in their races. The Greek word for race teaches us that the race each believer runs is a struggle requiring endurance. But if we learn the rules outlined in Scripture, we’ll finish well. The Rules of the Race 1. Remember that God has predetermined our race. God orchestrates each person’s race; therefore, no two races look the same. Comparison is foolish. Acceptance is crucial 2. Preparing for the race is our responsibility. Hebrews 12:1 urges believers to get rid of excess weight—negative attitudes, laziness, worry, fear—that hinders our
running, as well as the lack of trust in God that slows us down 3. Keep on running our race with endurance. Each New Year, we start running with stamina but often give up by spring. God calls us to faithfully continue running no matter what 4. Stay focused on Jesus Christ throughout the race. As disciplined runners, believers must constantly turn our focus away from distractions and toward Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) 5. Refuse to concern oneself with the past. The Apostle Paul modelled the Christfocused life by leaving behind both his greatest accomplishments and his vilest sins (Philippians 3:13) 6. Lean hard into the future. Just as Olympic runners strain every muscle striving toward the finish line, Christian runners must expend our energy leaning into the future God has ordained for us (3:14) 7. Never forget that rewards await us. When we have finished our individual races of faith, we will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). The Bible also tells of other rewards that await, not the least of which is fellowship with our Saviour
“Rules for Running a Rewarding Race” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Rules for Running a Rewarding Race. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
THANK YOU Thank you for your faithful partnership with Insight for Living Canada. Your support makes a significant impact across the country. Like Chuck has said, whenever you invest in the work we do, millions of individuals get to experience the life-giving words of Christ. Insight for Living is your ministry...the ministry you receive and the ministry you help make possible. We have ambitious ministry goals for 2017. We ask for your continued prayer and support as we work towards empowering our nation with the truth of God’s Word.