NUMBER SEVEN, 2021
In this issue 3 Contentment
charles r. swindoll
5
How to Avoid Spiritual Decline
steve johnson
Leaders: Lives and Lessons 8
Martha and Discerning What’s Important
steve johnson
11
Act Medium
charles r. swindoll
Purposeful Living 12 Purpose to Live Content in the Lord steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14
Contentment, Generosity, and You
Puzzle 15 Contentment 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.
CONTENTMENT by charles r. swindoll
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aurence J. Peter and I are close friends. No, actually, we’ve never met, but we’ve visited together numerous times. We’ve never even shaken hands, but we’ve been in agreement ever since we crossed paths. Although I’ve never laid eyes on him, I’ve smiled at his comments and nodded at his conclusions...amazed with his remarkable insight into my own life and those around me. The simple and obvious answer to the riddle is this: I own a copy of his book The
Peter Prescription, and you should too! It’s an insignificant looking paperback filled with significant, sound principles. He says it talks about “How to be Creative, Confident, and Competent,” but I think he’s overlooked a better word: How to be Content. Isn’t it strange that we need a book to help us experience what ought to come naturally? No, not really...not when its major theme is contentment...not when we’ve been programmed to compete, achieve, increase, fight, and worry our
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way up the so-called “ladder of success” and carpet layers...artists and waitresses. It’s a curious fact that when people are (which few can even define). Contentment is the unknown “X” in free to do as they please, they usually imilife’s equation. It is as strange to most of us tate each other. As a result, we are rapidly as living in an igloo or eating fried worms becoming a nation of discontented, incompetent marionettes, dangling from strings or raising a live gorilla in our backyard. Face it. You and I are afraid that if we manipulated by the same, stupid puppeteer. Now, listen to John the Baptist: “Be open the door of contentment, two uninvited guests will rush in: loss of prestige content with your wages” (Luke 3:14 and laziness. We really believe that “get- NASB1995). Hear Paul: “I am well content ting to the top” is worth any sacrifice. To with weaknesses,” and, “If we have food proud Americans, contentment is some- and covering...be content” (2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Timothy thing to be enjoyed Face it. You and I 6:8). And hear another between birth and kinapostle: “Make sure dergarten...retirement are afraid that if and the rest home... we open the door of that your character is free from the love of or (and this will hurt) contentment, two money, being content among those who have uninvited guests will with what you have” no ambition. Stop and think. A rush in: loss of prestige (Hebrews 13:5). I warn you: this isn’t young man with keen and laziness. easy to implement. mechanical skills is often counseled against being contented You’ll be outnumbered and outvoted. to “settle” for a trade right out of high You’ll have to fight the urge to conform. school. A teacher who is competent, Even the greatest of all the apostles admitcontented, and fulfilled in the classroom ted, “I have learned to be content” (Philipis frowned upon if she turns down an pians 4:11, emphasis added). It’s a learning offer to become a principal. The owner of process...and it isn’t very enjoyable marchSuper-Duper Hamburgers on the corner ing out of step until you are convinced has a packed-out joint every day and is you’re listening to the right drummer. When you’re fully convinced, however, content. But chances are selfish ambition won’t let him rest until he opens 10 two things will happen: Your strings will other joints and gets rich—leaving con- be cut and you’ll be free, indeed! tentment behind. A man or woman who serves as an assistant or in any kind of Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “Contentment,” in support position in a ministry, company, The Finishing Touch: Becoming God’s Masterpiece or the military frequently wrestles with (Dallas: Word, 1994), 554-55. Copyright © 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used feelings of discontentment until he or she by permission. is promoted to the so-called “top rung.” This applies to homemakers and nuclear scientists...plumbers and cops...engineers and seminary students...caretakers
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HOW TO AVOID SPIRITUAL DECLINE by steve johnson
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ver heard of Murphy’s Law? It states, long time, but we are gradually eroding. To use another analogy, think in terms “If anything can go wrong, it will.” There are also corollaries to that law such of muscles in your body. Physical muscles as, “if there is a possibility of several things are like spiritual muscles. We exercise going wrong, the one that will cause the them and go through the discipline of most damage will be the one to go wrong,” working them to achieve a certain degree or “if everything seems to be going well of strength. If we do nothing, the law of you have obviously overlooked some- entropy takes over and muscles atrophy. thing,” and finally, “left to themselves, We may think we are maintaining but in reality, we weaken as time passes. In order things tend to go from bad to worse.” That last statement is not pessimistic to just maintain our physical strength, we negativity. It is actually a universal prin- have to work at it. Perhaps this explains why in many ciple called “entropy.” The basic theory of entropy is simply that everything churches, the senior saints have far less is always proceeding toward a state of enthusiasm and passion for the Lord than greater disorder and degeneration. In the younger believers. It is not just a function natural realm, it is called the second law of age. Somewhere along the way spiriof thermodynamics. Just take a look in tual entropy sets in, gradually sapping spiritual vitality. your teenager’s bedroom or Spiritual movement It’s easy to deceive at the weeds in your lawn. is either forward ourselves into thinking That should assure you that it hasn’t happened to us. this concept is true! or backwards. As I thought about this There is no middle Those of us who are older in the Lord can comfortprinciple, I related it our “maintenance” mode. ably rest on our spiritual spiritual life. Spiritual entropy is a very real problem for all laurels—to bask in the hallowed glow Christians. The Bible says we are to “keep of yesteryear when we were more active on growing in knowledge and under- in service and more zealous for the Lord standing” (Philippians 1:9) and growing and His Word. Perhaps inadvertently we “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord substitute growing old in the Lord for and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Life growing up in the Lord. All believers, young or old, can be guilty in Christ is to be dynamic, vibrant, and deepening, not static or lethargic. But of this. Lush seasons of growth that came entropy is always operating and, if not about during a recent youth mission trip reversed, results in believers withering or a challenging service project can turn into the drought of inaction. Spiritual spiritually as we age. Spiritual movement is either forward lethargy and sloth can characterize our or backwards. There is no middle “main- souls at any age. So how do we deal with this? Here’s tenance” mode. We might feel like we are maintaining a holding pattern but we are in the key: entropy is stopped and reversed fact slipping backwards. Like a melting gla- when fresh energy is infused. That cier, it may imperceptibly take place over a applies to any endeavour—from cleaning
a room to pulling the weeds. In our spiritual walk entropy ceases as we recognize what’s happening to us and exert the energy to get growing again. Weakening is reversed by repenting of our condition and seeking the Spirit’s power on an ongoing basis. It is fought by heeding the exhortation given to the Ephesian church to begin again to do the work it takes to grow spiritually. “Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:5). In his poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” Dylan Thomas urges his aging father to continue with the intensity for life he had previously. His words apply to our spiritual life and the deadly pull of spiritual entropy. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Every day we have a battle to fight. We cannot go gently into the night of spiritual entropy. We have to rage on against it and the deterioration of our spiritual vitality. We must persistently combat the inclination to be lazy couch potatoes when it comes to our faith. We need to struggle and rage against drifting into spiritual powerlessness letting the light of godly passion die out. If Murphy’s Law and the law of entropy are right, then we are losing ground by doing little or nothing. Don’t go gently. Start raging today. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
Finding Contentment in God’s Sufficient Grace SINGLE CD MESSAGE
Your life’s not a B-rated flop at all. It’s a blockbuster!
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MARTHA AND DISCERNING WHAT’S IMPORTANT by steve johnson
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ot long ago I was talking to my adult strength, and all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Jesus is invited to the home of Mary daughter about when she was young. She made a comment that still pierces my and Martha. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listenheart by saying, “You weren’t around much ing as He taught and it seems Martha is when we were growing up.” I was stunned. interested but is distracted and continuI mentally disagreed and questioned it, but ously dragged away by the self-imposed I also know that at this point my percep- pressure to prepare a big dinner. Finally, tion doesn’t matter. Although we have a her frustration boils over, “‘Lord, doesn’t great relationship now, what matters is her it seem unfair to you that my sister just perception that other things were more sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to important to me than her. We all have limited time and want to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and make the most of it (Ephesians 5:16). upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being But in order to do that, The story is not meant concerned about. Mary we need to distinguish between what is impor- to exalt contemplation has discovered it, and it tant and what is not. “For above action, but to will not be taken away from her’” (vv.40–42). I want you to understand indicate the proper Jesus commends Mary what really matters, so way to serve Jesus. for choosing to listen to that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Him and will not allow Martha to deprive Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:10). This her of the opportunity to do so. Jesus’ is critical for everyone, but especially lesson to Martha was that she had let her leaders since our decisions often have preparations become her priority and too burdensome. Although she wished to far-reaching consequences. There is an instructive story with big honour Him with an elaborate meal it was implications in Luke 10:38–42. The context more important to listen to Him. What leadership lessons can we learn focuses on loving God and our neighbour (vv. 25–29). First, Jesus tells the parable from this? of the good Samaritan, which was about Sometimes the good is the enemy loving one’s neighbour. Then comes the of the best The story is not meant to exalt contemstory of Mary and Martha illustrating love for God, “You must love the LORD your God plation above action, but to indicate the with all your heart, all your soul, all your proper way to serve Jesus. This is by pri-
oritizing Him and His Word. It is about the duty to listen to Jesus and the Word of God. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet as a learner. She was eager to learn from Jesus and this was an opportunity she seized upon. It is possible to have good motives but wrong priorities. Serving Jesus with action is good but not at the expense of spending time with Him and giving attention to His Word. What we deem as important may not be important to Jesus Martha mistakenly thought Jesus cared about the things that were most important to her—being hospitable by preparing a big meal. Some would counter that all that sounds great, but we do need to take care of domestic duties such as making meals, etcetera. They say it is too idealistic to spend all our time at Jesus’ feet. But that is not what is being said. There was nothing wrong with preparing a meal for Jesus. It was how Martha was doing it, not leaving room for the most important thing. In reality while eating is necessary, it isn’t more important than Jesus and His Word. What Jesus says is most important should be most important to us too. His goals need to be our goals. We can too easily be concerned with, and distracted by,
the values of this world, even the things we consider “necessities.” “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33) Our values manifest themselves in our relationships and attitudes toward others Because Martha’s values were wrong, so was her attitude toward Mary and Jesus. She was frustrated with both of them— Mary, because she wasn’t helping, and Jesus because He didn’t seem to see the unfairness. He wasn’t saying to Mary what Martha thought He should. Our attitudes and frustrations with others are a weathervane indicating whether our values and goals are pointed in the right direction. When frustrated with others we need to ask ourselves, “What misplaced values are the cause of my frustrations?” Successful leaders learn to do what’s important. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
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ACT MEDIUM by charles r. swindoll
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he children worked long and hard on their little cardboard shack. It was to be a special spot—a clubhouse, where they could meet together, play, and have fun. Because a clubhouse has to have rules, they came up with three: 1. Nobody act big. 2. Nobody act small. 3. Everybody act medium. Not bad theology! In different words, God says the very same thing: Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2 NASB1995) “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26–27) Give preference to one another in honor. (Romans 12:10) Through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) Regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3) Just “act medium.” Believable. Honest, human, thoughtful, and down to earth. Regardless of your elevated position or high pile of honours or row of degrees or endless list of achievements, just stay real. Junk any idea that you deserve some kind of super recognition for a job well done. Who did you do it for anyway? If you did it for God, He has an infinite number of unseen ways to reward you. If you did it for human glory, no wonder you’re seeking the credit! So easy to draw out that praise for yourself, isn’t it? Ye olde ego is a wily one.
Just “act medium.” Again, what is it Solomon said? “Let another praise you...a stranger, and not your own lips.” Meaning what? Meaning no self-reference to some enviable accomplishment. Meaning refusal to scratch a back when yours itches. Meaning no desire to manipulate and manufacture praise. Meaning authentic surprise when applauded. Like the inimitable Principal Cairns, headmaster of an English school, who was walking onto the platform along with other dignitaries. As he stepped up, a burst of spontaneous applause arose from the audience. In characteristic modesty, Cairns stepped back to let the man behind pass by...as he began to applaud his colleague. He genuinely assumed the applause was for another. Just “act medium.” But one final warning: Don’t try to fake it. False humility stinks worse than raw conceit. The answer is not in trying to appear worthless or “wormy.” The answer lies in consistently taking notice of others’ achievements, recognizing others’ skills and contributions...and saying so. That’s called serving others in love. And that’s what Christ did. Got the rules memorized? “Nobody act big. Nobody act small. Everybody act medium.” Such good advice from a clubhouse full of kids who, by the way, are pretty good at practicing what they preach. Copyright © 2010 by Insight for Living Ministries. All rights reserved worldwide.
PURPOSE TO LIVE CONTENT IN THE LORD by steve johnson
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ere are 10 things that create discontent. Do you relate to any of them? 1. Advertising We’re constantly bombarded with messages designed to create discontent with who we are or what we have. The advertising industry is built on this and most media is built on advertising. 2. Entitlement We are constantly told “Get what you deserve.” Discontent arises because “I’m not getting what I deserve.” 3. FOMO Fear of missing out. 4. Jealousy, envy, and covetousness “My neighbour has a better, bigger, newer ______ than I do!” 5. Greed “A little more is never enough.” 6. Temporal values Valuing material and temporal things above spiritual things. 7. Negativity Your glass is always half empty.
8. Projection Projecting to when I finally get ______ (for example, a house, retire, enough money). 9. Perfectionism Nothing is ever quite good enough. 10. Misguided thinking Focusing on the circumstances and blaming our circumstances for our discontent. Paul was human just like us, yet he wrote that he learned the secret of being content. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13 NIV) When he wrote that he was confined and under Roman guard. Yet how could he say, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”? He says he “learned the secret
of being content in any and every situation,” • Making a deliberate choice to value including all the good, the bad, and the ugly knowing Him above everything else circumstances he experienced. increases our affection for Christ and Paul could write this because he also our affection for the things of the world wrote, “Yes, everything else is worthless decreases. This is because, “wherever when compared with the infinite value of your treasure is, there the desires of your knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21) I have discarded everything else, counting • Like the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” upon Jesus…and the things of earth will (Philippians 3:8 NLT). grow strangely dim” When we boil it all down discontent comes Take the word “deserve” out of your because we are focused on a particular prize— vocabulary having, being, or doing something—but not Stop thinking you deserve something possessing it. Being thwarted somehow cre- because you exist. Remember, everything ates discontent and anxiety. That means dis- this side of hell is grace. content is an inner indication that my mind is Stop comparing yourself and what you set on the wrong things. have to others and what they have The secret to contentment is having Make expressing gratitude a habit a different prize. Paul’s prize in life was It is hard to sincerely give thanks and be knowing Christ. That made everything discontented at the same time. else in comparison so inconsequential he Become aware of discontent when it considered them garbage. The same holds surfaces true for us. When we treasure and value Grumbling and complaining are tellChrist above all, everything else is auto- tale signs. matically devalued. When discontented, repent of it and How can we learn contentment? Here are ask the Lord to lift your eyes, to redisome practical steps. rect and renew your longing for Him Recognize that God is the source and above all provider of everything you have “Since, then, you have been raised with • He gives every good and perfect gift Christ, set your hearts on things above, (James 1:17) where Christ is, seated at the right hand • He supplies needs (Matthew 6:25–32) of God. Set your minds on things above, • He gives the ability to create wealth not on earthly things. For you died, (Deuteronomy 8:17–18) and your life is now hidden with Christ • He is good and kind and gracious to all in God. When Christ, who is your life, (Psalm 145:9) appears, then you also will appear with • Desire the Giver not the gifts He gives him in glory. Put to death, therefore, Make a deliberate decision to value whatever belongs to your earthly nature: knowing Christ Jesus more than anysexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil thing else desires and greed, which is idolatry.” • Focus on Him as our sufficiency (Colossians 3:1–5) • Through Him we can do all things, have all the riches in glory by Him, and be who Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada. He wants us to be
THE ETERNAL I AM
“Contentment keeps you from chasing fads and fancies that promise more and more fulfilment but deliver nothing.”
by charles r. swindoll
— CHUCK SWINDOLL
Contentment, Generosity, and You
Life itself isn’t all that complicated; we make it complicated. By focusing on nonessentials instead of essentials, we lose our way and forget our priorities. When we compare ourselves with others, we never measure up. When we take our cues from our culture, enough is never enough. When we strive for more, always more, our level of stress reaches unhealthy extremes. Mix together these complications and nonessentials, and contentment sprouts wings and flies away. So many of us live in squirrel cages of never-ending pursuits. The results are tragic: disappointment, dissatisfaction, and self-centeredness. Becoming a faithful and generous follower of Christ does not depend on our accumulation of money as much as it does on our attitude toward money. As we will discover in this lesson, the less we depend on material things to make us happy, the more likely we are to model generosity. Hilarious generosity begins with contentment. It’s being satisfied with and grateful for all we have and are able to experience. We must understand what contentment is...and what it is not. Let’s take some time to dig a bit deeper into the biblical definition of content-
ment and discover ways to hang on to it in a world that works so hard at taking it away. The most formalized biblical teaching on contentment is embedded in Paul’s words to Timothy in the context of encouraging wealthy Christians not to trust in material possessions (1 Timothy 6:6, 17–19). In that instruction, the seasoned apostle linked contentment with godliness, elevating contentment to the highest virtue. The net gain of combining a commitment to godliness while fostering a genuine sense of contentment brings about great spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits expressed through a generous and spiritually prosperous life! Here are some lessons we learn from Paul’s instruction to those who are wealthy. Lesson one: Guard against pride. Few things are more intolerable than a person who has much wealth and parades it for all to see. Lesson two: Don’t find security in wealth. We mustn’t trust in our money. We’ve all watched the stock market rise and fall and riches vanish like morning dew. Lesson three: Maintain the right perspective. All things are given by God for us to enjoy and to use to benefit others, for His glory.
“Contentment, Generosity, and You” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Hilarious Generosity. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
Puzzle — Word Jumble
Contentment Difficulty ● ● ○ ○ The objective of this puzzle is to unscramble the letters to form a word or phrase. Word s a re f rom t he N I V t ra n sl at ion a nd fou nd i n Haba k k u k 3:17–19, 2 Corinthians 12:9–19, Philippians 4:11–13, 1 Timothy 6:6–10, and Hebrews 13:5.
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21MIN7
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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