OCTOBER 2015
MENTORS
Make a Difference
In this issue
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6 3
One Person We All Need (and One We Need to Be) charles r. swindoll
6 A Reflection of Christ charles r. swindoll 8
What are the Keys to Answered Prayer?
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11 30 Days to Becoming A Person of Influence steve johnson 15 Beyond the Broadcast: God-Breathed Truth
Three Reasons You Should Have a Mentor robyn roste
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 2015 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
et’s say you’re a patient about to undergo major surgery. Just before they wheel you in, the doctor blurts, “You know, I’ve never actually done surgery before…but hey, we’ll give it the ol’ college try.”
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How would you respond? You’d explode: “Wait! Stop!” That’s because you want somebody who’s been trained. Really trained. You want a skilled and seasoned surgeon, one who has travelled across the country to study under the most outstanding doctors in his or her specialty. You want a professional, one who has learned specific, triedand-true techniques of doing medical work correctly—one who has spent years being guided, observed, confronted, reproved, rebuked, and corrected. In a word, you need someone who has been mentored. In the second chapter of Paul’s final letter to Timothy, we see the importance of mentoring in another realm—an eternal one. What’s more, we discover how that kind of mentoring best occurs:
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB) In other words, Christians are to faithfully mentor those who are coming along in the spiritual life. The verb that gives us this direction is entrust. The term literally means to hand over something to someone…for safekeeping. I like that image. In the same way we’d invest in a trust fund, we pass along a valuable message when we invest the truth of God’s Word into the lives of others. Paul’s words to Timothy outline a process of multiplication that can be visualized in a simple chart:
PAUL TIMOTHY FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN OTHERS ALSO
Paul the Apostle entrusted his heart, soul, truths, encouragements, affirmations—his very life—to Timothy. Timothy was a recipient, much like the second runner in a relay receives the baton from the first runner. Timothy then looked for others to pass that baton on to—those who would be faithful to pass it along to others also. This process has been occurring since Jesus initiated it with His apostles, including Paul. In fact, we are all recipients of Paul’s baton. Why do I say this with such conviction? I, too, am the product of mentoring. There have been men in my life, some of whom you would not know if I mentioned their names, who have made a major difference in my life. I owe much of who I am today to of the lengthening shadow of their influence. Gratefully, I stand on their broad shoulders. How about you? Do I write to any today who feel past their prime and rather useless? Any empty nesters with no one left to influence? Let me assure you: you haven’t lived this long for nothing! There’s a younger generation in the family of God,
many of whom yearn for your time…men and women who need your wisdom…who long for a trusted mentor willing to impart the thumbprint of character on them. Moreover, there are those around the world in need of mentoring. Part of our passion here at Insight for Living Ministries is to impact all 195 countries of the world through mentoring others in the Scriptures and modelling the Word of God to them. It’s not just a vision for us. It’s also something you can be part of. You can have a personal impact by mentoring those in your church and family. Make no mistake, we all need mentors. Furthermore, we all need those we are mentoring. We need to care enough about people to build into their lives. As a result of being mentored, an individual learns the value of being vulnerable, open, unguarded, honest, and, ideally, a person of authenticity.
Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
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A Reflection
OF CHRIST by charles r. swindoll
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oseph’s life offers us a magnificent portrayal of the grace of God as He came to our rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus. So many come to Him, like Joseph’s guilty brothers, feeling the distance and fearing the worst from God, only to have Him demonstrate incredible generosity and mercy. Instead of being blamed, we are forgiven. Instead of feeling guilty, we are freed. And instead of experiencing punishment, which we certainly deserve, we are seated at His table and served more than we can ever take in. For some, it’s too unreal. So we desperately plead our case, only to have Him speak kindly to us—promising us peace in our own language. We then try to fend off His anger by bargaining with Him, thinking our hard work and sincere efforts will pay Him back for all those evil past deeds we’re guilty of. But to our astonishment, He never even considered our attempts important enough to mention. What we had in mind was earning just enough to silence our
guilt, but what He had in mind was overwhelming us with such an abundance we’d realize we can never, ever repay. What a beautiful picture of Christ at the cross, bearing the sins we committed, forgiving us in the process. Isn’t such grace amazing? The One who was rejected is the same One who goes the limit to get us reunited with Him. Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. (Isaiah 30:18 NASB) Do you long for Him? I’ve got great news! In an even greater way—greater than you could ever imagine—He longs to be gracious to you. He is offering you all the things you hunger for. The table is loaded, and He is smiling, waiting for you to sit down and enjoy the feast He prepared with you in mind. Have a seat—grace is being served.
Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives, p. 29. Copyright © 2000 By Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Published by W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.
Three Reasons You Should
Have a MENTOR by robyn roste
“It would be a pity to not take full advantage of someone else’s wisdom because you’re too proud to admit you don’t know everything.”
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© stocksy.com
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hen you’re asked to name a person who has made a lasting impact in your life for the better, who comes to mind? For me it’s Sheri. And the funny thing is, it wasn’t until after she moved to a province far away I realized what I had lost—a mentor. Mentors are people who shape your life, and they’re not always the people you expect. A mentor is someone you look up to, someone who teaches you, someone who keeps you accountable, and someone who advocates for you. Sheri worked at my church and over the years we became good friends. She would do crazy things like meet me after work (often in the middle of the night) for an adventure, or drive halfway across the province with me on a whim. In all the fun she taught me how lighten up, which was no easy task for I was a driven kid. Looking back I see she taught me a lot more than how to have fun. Somehow Sheri also taught me about honouring my parents, making wise choices, and taking God seriously. We’ve lost touch now but I still find myself reflecting on our adventures and am thankful I had someone who cared enough about me to invest time, energy, and a lot of mileage. If you don’t have someone in your life you consider a mentor here are three reasons why you should have one.
1. You should have a mentor because they don’t get personal. In an ideal world your mentor isn’t involved in your day-to-day life, so he or she can offer wisdom, support, and objective advice without the distraction of all your “stuff.” You want a mentor who is far enough removed from your life that it doesn’t affect growth and learning. 2. You should have a mentor because of what mentors are not. Mentors are not: • Teachers • Parents • Doctors/Counsellors • Social Workers A mentor teaches, counsels, and keeps you accountable but in far less formal ways. Teaching often comes through sharing experience and passing on knowledge. Counselling usually takes place in the form of a two-way conversation. And accountability is not enforced, only encouraged. Having an impartial, independent viewpoint in your life is invaluable. 3. You should have a mentor because they know more than you. Not only does your mentor know more than you, he or she wants to share it with you. It would be a pity to not take full advantage of someone else’s wisdom because you’re too proud to admit you
don’t know everything. Think of Proverbs 9:9, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning” (NIV). Of course, mentors don’t always readily present themselves and often it’s not as simple as asking someone to be your mentor. In most cases, mentorship is an organic process, developing out of a relationship. Take a look at your peer group. Are there people in it who help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, introduce you to new perspectives, or challenge you to grow? These are good mentor candidates. Something to keep in mind while you search for a mentor is to develop a healthy relationship you need both give and take. If you are only in it for what your mentor can do for you, it won’t last long. Find ways to contribute value to the relationship. Chuck Swindoll offers this advice for finding a mentor in his message A Tribute to my Teachers. If you’re looking for a mentor to follow, [Jesus] is the place to start. He alone came to give life and to give it more abundantly. There is one God
and one mediator between God and human beings. And that’s the Man Christ Jesus. The most significant One who has invested Himself in me is the person of Jesus Christ who died and paid the penalty for my sins and wrote in His Word truth that I can gauge and guide and guard my life by. And because He’s lived and died and now lives on eternally, I am able to live with purpose and meaning and forgiveness and hope and joy. And I commend Him to you, for without Him all you have are human teachers and mentors. But with Him you have the promise of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins and the only One who can heal diseases no human being can heal. Having a mentor takes the pressure off of you. If you’re thinking about finding one, do it. If you feel challenged to become a mentor, do it. And if you don’t know where to start, follow Chuck’s advice and look to Christ. Robyn Roste is the Media and Marketing manager at Insight for Living Canada.
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TO BECOMING A PERSON OF INFLUENCE
This article is designed to help you become a person of influence. For the next 30 days read the questions, look up the verses, and allow them to spark deeper personal reflection and life change.
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ehemiah exercised great leadership skills when he led the people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-7). The people followed his leadership because he had characteristics enabling him to exercise positive influence. Most of us don’t consider ourselves leaders yet we influence others by who we are and what we do. From Nehemiah’s story we can learn how to become a person of positive influence.
DAY 1
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king (Nehemiah 1:11), a position requiring integrity in order to maintain trust. Why is integrity foundational for an effective influencer? How would you describe your integrity?
DAY 2
Read Nehemiah 1. Hearing of the crisis, Nehemiah responded with prayer. What does his reaction teach you about handling concerns in your life? How does your response to crisis relate to being an influencer?
DAY 3
Nehemiah was God’s man for a special time. Where has God placed you in order to accomplish His purposes? How can you bring about good in the lives you influence?
DAY 4
Read Nehemiah’s prayer (1:5-11). How does focusing more on God and who He is rather than your concerns impact your ability to handle the challenges you face?
DAY 5
Passion for God, His Word, and His people drove Nehemiah’s life and actions. How is prayer a factor in kindling passion for these things?
DAY 6
How does the degree of passion you have affect your influence? Ask God to give you a heart for the people in the place He has placed you, and to feel what He feels.
DAY 7
In Nehemiah 1:6 he takes personal responsibility for Israel’s sins. How is taking personal responsibility a key element to your own personal influence?
DAY 8
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8. For four months, Nehemiah prayed about Jerusalem before speaking to the king about the situation. What spiritual principles can you draw from this?
DAY 9 DAY 10
Nehemiah became a leader by God’s providence. Where has God positioned you to become an influencer?
Besides his devotion to God, Nehemiah was driven by a sense of mission that governed all he did. What is your mission? Does it drive you in the right direction?
Becoming a Person of Influence
DAY 11
Nehemiah sought God in every situation. In Nehemiah 2:12 he referred to His direction as, “what God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.” What are ways you can better seek God for direction in your life?
DAY 12
Throughout the book of Nehemiah, he is engaged in the hard spiritual work of praying. Are you prepared to do the hard spiritual work of prayer required to be a positive influence?
DAY 13
Nehemiah didn’t just pray about challenges; he was a man of action (2:11-15). Which is more influential: being a person of action or being a person of words?
DAY 14
Building the walls around Jerusalem was to protect God’s people from attack. To Nehemiah, people were more important than his project. What is your priority, people or projects?
DAY 15
Nehemiah identified with the people, often using terms like “we” and “us” (2:17, 2:20). How does identifying with the people you influence make a difference to their lives?
DAY 16
Nehemiah had those working on rebuilding the wall work in front of their houses (3:28-30). An influencer understands the role of proper motivation. What is the principle here?
DAY 17
When the rebuilt wall was under attack Nehemiah prayed, but he also set a watch (4:7-9). What does his action teach you about trusting God while also acting responsibly?
DAY 18
When faced with opposition Nehemiah encouraged the people to trust the Lord (4:14). How does your constant confidence in God influence others?
DAY 19 DAY 20
Nehemiah worked alongside the people (4:21-23). What does this example teach you about credibility as an influencer?
Before speaking or acting, Nehemiah thought through the issues he faced (5:7). Why is thinking first and acting later important to the credibility of an influencer?
TIP: Keep your Bible handy and refer to it as you read the questions
DAY 21
Read Nehemiah 5:14-19. Here, Nehemiah makes a personal sacrifice for the good of the people by reducing his income and refusing perks. What is the relationship between sacrifice and influence?
DAY 22
When faced with adversity, Nehemiah remembered he was doing a great work (6:3). What does this teach you about handling adversity and critics?
DAY 23
In just 52 days the city wall was completed, showing everyone that God was in the project (6:15-16). When you give God the glory for your successes how does it impact those in your sphere of influence?
DAY 24
Nehemiah and the people celebrated the wall’s completion (6:15-16; 12:27). Why is it important to the morale of those you influence to celebrate victories?
DAY 25
When Nehemiah was finished the wall project he became governor (8:9). Influencers continue influencing, though their sphere of influence changes. How has your sphere of influence changed through life?
DAY 26
Nehemiah kept the vision and purpose for building the wall before the people (8:10-11; 12:27). Their faith was at stake. What is at stake for those you are influencing?
DAY 27
In Nehemiah 8 the people responded to God’s Word with joy. They had seen Nehemiah’s faith in action. What correlation is there between Nehemiah’s faith and the people’s response?
DAY 28
In Nehemiah 9:5-38 the leaders recount God’s faithfulness in spite of the people’s failures. How has God has been faithful to you through the years?
DAY 29
Throughout the book of Nehemiah he had to confront and correct people. How do you react to the mistakes and sin in the lives of those you seek to influence?
DAY 30
Nehemiah was motivated by the desire for a legacy of faithfulness to God to the end (13:13-31). What motivates you?
Becoming a Person of Influence
GOD-BREATHED TRUTH
“When we place value each day on what God has revealed in the Bible, we are well on our way to finishing well.” - CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
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o runner enters a race hoping to come in second. Runners race to win. And although it’s important how they begin and to maintain a manageable pace, the difference depends on how much “kick” they have on the last lap. What’s true on the track is true in life: the goal is to finish well. If it weren’t, Paul wouldn’t have told the Corinthians to “run in such a way that you may win,” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Paul ran to win (2 Timothy 4:7-8) and he wanted the same for Timothy. But how? Here are four ways to finish well, found in 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 1. Continue in what you have learned (2 Timothy 3:14) Life isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. According to Paul, there are four legs to the journey. If we run each leg well, we’ll finish well. The first leg is: knowing the truth 2. Become convinced of what you know (2 Timothy 3:15)
Knowing the truth starts us off, but we only hit our stride when we become convinced the truth is more than facts. This is the second leg: being convinced the truth is sacred 3. Place value on what God has revealed (2 Timothy 3:16) Now it’s time to quicken your pace. It’s not enough to know the truth or be convinced of its sacredness. This is the third leg: believe the sacred truth is the Word of God and treasure it 4. Allow truth to change your life (2 Timothy 3:17) It’s the last lap; the finish line is in sight. We need one more “kick” as we lunge towards the tape. Now is time for the final leg: applying the sacred truth of God’s Word Timothy finished well (Hebrews 13:23) as a man of God who was a man of the Word of God. We too can finish well if we make a commitment to Scripture— to know it, believe it, treasure it, and live it.
“God-Breathed Truth” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Paul’s Swan Song. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
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