AUGUST 2015
In this issue
6
8 3
Going...Yet Not Knowing charles r. swindoll
6 Saying No to Temptation robyn roste 8
The Incredible Impact of Integrity dr. dave currie
What are the Keys to Answered Prayer?
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11 30 Days to Strengthening Your Personal Integrity steve johnson 15 Beyond the Broadcast: Contentment...and How to Miss it
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
There is a strange statement in Scripture that flashes like a bright neon sign. e see it when the author of the book of Hebrews speaks of Abraham pulling up his lifelong roots from his hometown, Ur, and leaving for—let’s see, where was he going? Abraham didn’t know! There he was, about 75 years old, loading up a camel caravan with his 65-year-old wife and aging father, bound for...somewhere. Hebrews 11:8 puts it straight: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out...not knowing where he was going.” I love those words: Going…not knowing! In a nutshell, that’s the life of faith. Going... not knowing. Who among us hasn’t stepped out in faith, leaving a sure thing, walking away from everything familiar, staring down a long, dark tunnel with no light at the end? And yet filled with unimaginable excitement. Going...yet not knowing. Obeying...yet not understanding. Beginning a journey that is unpredictable, risky, and uncharted. One that appears virtually insane to others...yet is prompted by none other than the Lord Himself. As followers of our Lord, we believe He leads us in a certain direction in pursuit of a precise goal. His leading is unmistakably clear. Not necessarily logical or explainable, but clear. At least to us. So out of sheer obedience, we go. We pack our bags, we pull up stakes, we bid friends farewell, and we launch out, facing a future that is as uncertain as the leading is sure. How strange...yet how typical!
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There isn’t a Christian reading my words who hasn’t been there. And struggled with ways to convince others it is right. And endured the frowns and wellmeaning counsel of those who try to point out why the idea is a fluke...some would say, downright dumb. Are you on the verge of such a decision? Is the Lord loosening your roots, suggesting it’s time you take a drastic leap of faith counting on Him to direct your steps into a future that offers no map? Believe me, I’ve been there. After Cynthia and I moved to California, we assumed that was where we would live out our years. Wrong! God stepped in, loosened our 23-year-old roots, broadened our vision, and led us back to Texas where I would serve as the president of Dallas Theological Seminary—during which time God led us to plant a church on cattle acreage in Frisco, Texas. A few years ago, the Lord provided seven acres of prime land adjacent to our church property where Insight for Living Ministries has broken ground on its first-ever international headquarters. From this permanent facility, the ministry will continue to serve the Lord by helping to fulfil the words He promised to Abraham so long ago: Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; .... And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1, 3 NASB) Two thousand years later, Jesus Christ—a descendant of Abraham, the channel of
God’s blessing to the world—commissioned His disciples in terms that echoed God’s promise to bless the world:
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“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you....” (Matthew 28:19-20) Understand, God’s plan to “make disciples of all the nations” didn’t begin with Jesus’ Great Commission. It didn’t even start with God’s promise to Abraham. It began in eternity past, as God “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4; see also 1 Peter 1:20). As you read this issue of Insights, I urge you to see a broader view of God’s plans to make disciples of the world...through Insight for Living Ministries. But more than that, I urge you to consider what a vital role you can fill in His good work. I’ve
said for years that I live surprised. Just when I think I have the Almighty figured out, He astonishes me with another of His sovereign surprises!
"Is the Lord loosening your roots, suggesting it’s time you take a drastic leap of faith counting on Him to direct your steps into a future that offers no map?" I find it helpful to remember what God calls us: strangers and pilgrims. People on the move, living in tents, available and unencumbered, loose and free, ready to roll, willing to break the mould—whenever and wherever He leads. Going...yet not knowing. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
This Month’s Featured Resource
EXPERIENCE PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY without leaving your armchair
For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.
by robyn roste
few years ago I was transplanted to a remote community for work. To say I was isolated is an understatement—my mobile didn’t work and I only had Internet access when I drove to the closest town for groceries. I had instructions to spend my own money for whatever I needed and submit expense forms to head office for reimbursement. For the most part this arrangement worked well. I kept track of my receipts and even learned to separate my personal and work purchases. But one day I purchased something for work I had to return. Later, when filling in my expense form, I noticed I had already been reimbursed for the original purchase and there was no line for returns. Without being able to contact my office I decided to mail my expenses and include the receipt for the returned item—with a note explaining what happened. Months later, when my adventure was over and I was back in the office, a coworker mentioned in passing I should have kept the money from the returned item since no one would have noticed. My co-worker even went so far to note I was a little weird for not keeping it. The comments caught me off guard. Was I weird? Would most people have kept the money, counting it as a bonus? Truth be told, the thought didn’t occur to me in the moment but since then I’ve caught myself thinking of this experience when new opportunities arise for me to skim a little off the top. “Why not keep it? No one will care. No one will notice.” This temptation—originating from an offhanded comment—is more persuasive
than I’d like to admit. Although I know stealing is wrong I have come up with the most amazing justifications for why it’s not really wrong and, in fact, owed to me. It’s only by God’s grace I am able to say no to temptation. On my own I am weak and prone to failure. In his message On-the-Job Integrity, Chuck Swindoll says what keeps us from giving in to temptations like this at work is integrity. A display of our character, integrity is what we are when no one around to check up on us. In my experience saying no to temptation is tough every time. But it’s a lot easier than trying to say no after you have compromised.
"It’s only by God’s grace I am able to say no to temptation. On my own I am weak and prone to failure." How do we stay honest? Here are three suggestions. 1. When you know you’re facing temptation give the struggle to God and ask for strength 2. Admit your battle to a confidant who will keep you accountable 3. Once you’ve identified an area you’re consistently tempted in, take steps to remove yourself from the temptation Chuck says as we age we become “proficient” at dishonesty and “learned” at compromising integrity. My goal is to never stop pursuing integrity, which means I must continue saying no to temptation no matter what. Robyn Roste is the Media and Marketing manager at Insight for Living Canada.
"With integrity—nothing else matters. Without integrity—nothing else matters." (Author unknown)
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person of integrity is entirely trustworthy. As love is to the virtues integrity is to character—the greatest of these. This life transforming integrity is implanted by sincere faith in God and inspired by embracing His Word. In his psalm I call the Psalm of Integrity (Psalm 15), David lays out four ways integrity is revealed in our lives. 1. Integrity Influences Character Integrity is revealed in who we are. David describes people with integrity as, “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart” (Psalm 15:2 NIV). Being blameless is a tall order—when no one is watching are you the same person as when you are on public display? I remember this kind of character in a coworker when I coached Christian college hockey. One day I found him painstakingly scraping tape off the rubber flooring in our dressing room—and the tape wasn’t from our team! When I asked why he said, “My Dad told me to always to leave the place cleaner that I found it. Besides, imagine the rink manager of this non-Christian institution if every time we play here, they never have to clean our dressing room.” This is the kind of integrity you should look for and hire. I did seek him out to work for me—his integrity sealed the deal. Let integrity shape your character.
2. Integrity Improves Communication Integrity is revealed in what we say and even what we choose not to say. We all remember learning the phrase, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” As David described, a person with integrity is someone “whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others” (Psalm 15:3). “Slander” means never sharing any words that would lower a person’s reputation in the eyes of others. I distinctly remember my mother’s rebuke after I justified a derogatory story I had told her because I believed it true. She said, “Would you like that said about you even if it were true?” She was right, but it’s so hard to practice. Once when preparing to preach on integrity as a pastor, I tried to make it through the week leading up to the message without slandering anyone. I only made it one day. Can people actually trust what you say about them when they are not around? Would you say what you have said if they were standing there? Let your tongue utter no slander. 3. Integrity Increases Connections Integrity is revealed in how we treat others. Simply, if you know the Lord, you treat others well. No excuses and no exceptions. When God has first place in your life, the by-product resulting from character growth is your relationships improve. The one who has integrity before
"By keeping promises and honouring vows we display integrity." God “...does no wrong to a neighbor.... who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind”(Psalm 15:3-4). Others feel safe around people of integrity. They feel respected, encouraged and honoured as they seek to follow the Lord. A person of integrity isn’t afraid to call out people who are off-track but does it in a winsome way. By keeping promises and honouring vows we display integrity. When we reflect the character of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit, our relationships are dramatically and forever changed. We can’t be sensitive to God and insensitive to people. 4. Integrity Invades Commerce Integrity is revealed in how we work. Do you do your job with God as your boss? David describes a person of integrity as
someone who “...keeps an oath even when it hurts, who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent” (Psalm 15:4-5). People who model integrity have a reputation of being fair and trustworthy. God loves it when integrity goes viral in business dealings! My long-time friend conducts his business with integrity. In fact, he’s known in his industry as “honest Larry.” I never wonder why he has a no problem getting customers—his faith shapes his business practice. Integrity has invaded his commerce. While we all fully rely on the grace of God in our lives, the true measure of integrity is when a person is at peace in the Lord’s presence. His actions, words, relationships, and business dealings all work together to honour the Lord. I’ll let David have the closing remarks about the person of integrity, “Whoever does these things will never be shaken” (Psalm 15:5).
Dr. Dave Currie is the president at Doing Family Right.
Wondering what Insight for Living is all about? Read through our Case for Support and learn why we’re passionate about ministry in Canada at insightforliving.ca/why-donate.
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TO STRENGTHENING YOUR PERSONAL INTEGRITY
This article is designed to create a better understanding of integrity. For the next 30 days read the questions and allow them to spark deeper personal reflection and life change.
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ntegrity is the most important character trait you can develop. It means behaving and thinking in a way consistent with your personal values and beliefs. As Christians, we believe we have been set free from sin and are new creations in Christ. In this context, integrity takes on a new level of significance. It means being consistent with who we now are in Christ.
DAY 1
Read Romans 6:1-4. Upon faith in Christ the Holy Spirit has placed us in Christ. We have died with Christ and are new creations in Him. What does having a new identity mean to you?
DAY 2
With an identity change comes an ownership change. We don’t belong to ourselves, God bought us with Christ’s death. In this light, what is your obligation to God? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
DAY 3
Along with a change in position and ownership comes our responsibility to live so our lives match our identity. What is your responsibility toward the goal of integrity?
DAY 4
Although we’re changed to being in Christ once we’re saved, our behaviour isn’t automatically changed. What are some ways you sense the inner conflict between who you were and who you are becoming?
DAY 5
Paul instructed Timothy to give careful attention to his behaviour and beliefs, ensuring they matched (1 Timothy 4: 15-16). What do you find when you examine if your behaviour matches your beliefs?
DAY 6
Because we are still sinners we are not completely whole. But we should continue making progress. What are some signs you’re seeing with the integration of behaviour and belief in your life?
DAY 7
Integrity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by intentionally purposing in your heart, like Daniel, to pursue integrity (Daniel 1:8). What are some ways you can be more intentional about pursuing integrity?
DAY 8
Daniel’s life of integrity was rooted in his consistent and continuous choice to make God his priority (Daniel 6:10). How can you make your relationship with God your main priority?
DAY 9
Developing integrity begins with intentional transformation in our thoughts, allowing our sinful ways of thinking to be reshaped by God’s Truth. What are you doing to reshape your thinking with God’s Truth?
DAY 10
The Lord is always with us and He’s aware of our thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes (Proverbs 9:10). What effect does this awareness have on your life?
Strengthening Your Personal Integrity
DAY 11
Joseph was conscious that his life was lived before God and his sin was ultimately against God (Genesis 39:1-10). How did this awareness help Joseph maintain sexual purity?
DAY 12
Joseph’s temptation came after obvious success (Genesis 39:1-6). What is the connection between success and the temptation to compromise?
DAY 13
Joseph was able to remind himself of his responsibilities, which helped him to flee temptation (Genesis 39:9-10). What responsibilities can you remind yourself of when tempted?
DAY 14
Joseph shows us how to deal with sexual temptation regardless of the cost (Genesis 39:6-12). What is the price you have to pay in order to maintain distance from sexual temptation?
DAY 15
One purpose of a new identity is to live a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:5-11). From Ephesians 5:18, what are some ways you live your life under the influence of the Holy Spirit?
DAY 16
The Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in us (Galatians 5:22-23). We are to cultivate this. What evidences of the Holy Spirit do you need to cultivate in your life?
DAY 17
Integrity is not only what we don’t do. It is also about what we do. What are you doing to pursue high standards in relationships, vocation, speech, stewardship, and spirituality?
DAY 18
Pursuing high standards for every aspect of our lives leaves less room for poor integrity. How can you use models of integrity you think of to pattern your life after and pursue greater integrity?
DAY 19
Proverbs 4:23 says “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” What boundaries have you set for your eyes and ears to protect your heart and mind?
DAY 20
Boundaries protect our integrity by establishing what we won’t do. Job set a boundary not to look with lust at a young woman (Job 31:1). What boundaries have you set to protect your moral integrity?
TIP: Keep your Bible handy and refer to it as you read the questions
DAY 21
Pursuing excellence and high standards in every area of life requires boundaries for those areas including how we relate to others. What boundaries have you set for relationships?
DAY 22
Think of your friends and consider their influence on your integrity (1 Corinthians 15:33). What are character traits you need to look for in your closest friends to help you continue developing integrity?
DAY 23
Integrity in our vocation requires boundaries for what we will not allow ourselves to do. What boundaries for integrity and excellence have you set in relation to your vocation?
DAY 24
Integrity in our speech means saying what we mean, meaning what we say, and doing what we say we will do (Psalm 39:1; 141:3). What boundaries have you set to ensure integrity in your speech?
DAY 25
Stewardship integrity requires us to set boundaries for how we will use the resources God has given us. What boundaries have you set regarding the financial and physical resources God has given you?
DAY 26
Sin in our life is the essence of a lack of integrity. Ask the Lord to show you any sin in your life (Psalm 139:23-24) and confess and repent of it. What are some ways you can set boundaries to prevent those sins from resurfacing?
DAY 27
Read Psalm 15. It lists 10 characteristics of integrity and their reward of fellowship with God. Does experiencing unbroken fellowship with God motivate you to be a person of integrity?
DAY 28
God has recorded our works and we will be rewarded in heaven based on our integrity (Revelation 20:12; 1 Samuel 26:23). How does anticipating a heavenly reward motivate you to greater integrity now?
DAY 29
Envy, jealousy, and greed are desires, which can lead to sinful behaviour and undermine integrity (Philippians 4:11). What can you do to cultivate contentment in order to counteract these desires?
DAY 30
Being a person of integrity in every area of our lives means making choices that others may not like but that God will reward us for. What are some choices you need to make in order for integrity to be your lifelong pursuit?
Strengthening Your Personal Integrity
CONTENTMENT...AND HOW TO MISS IT
“We miss contentment if something other than food, clothing, and shelter becomes essential to our physical lives.” - CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
Contentment is so valuable because it’s so rare. It doesn’t rain down like loonies from heaven—in fact, money may be the hindrance to contentment, though it need not be. The trick is to possess it regardless of your possessions. We all agree contentment is the key to happiness. We just don’t want to go through what we have to go through to learn it. This is what Paul meant when he said he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances (Philippians 4:11). Learning is hard. Here are three surefire ways to miss contentment found in 1 Timothy 6. 1. You’ll miss contentment if something other than food, clothing, and shelter becomes essential 2. You’ll miss contentment if your thoughts are consumed with having more money
3. You’ll miss contentment if keeping money rather than releasing it becomes your goal in life A good way to think about contentment is Christ-sufficiency, not self-sufficiency. The context from Paul’s instructions on living contented lives centres on false teachers who believed ministry was a means of financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5). Therefore, Paul’s focus has to do with people in the ministry first and all believers second, especially the rich. Out of these two general concerns arise four specific themes: contentment and godliness (6:6), contentment and possessions (6:7-8), contentment and riches (6:9-10, 17), and contentment and character (6:18-19). Brainstorm specific ways you can guard against missing the joy of contentment as you pursue your life and financial goals.
“Contentment...and How to Miss It” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series: Excellence in Ministry: Finishing Well—Doing What’s Best in the Challenges of Ministry, A Study of 1 Timothy 4-6. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
online RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Grandparents have lived enough life that they can see beyond the daily crises and moments of discipline and offer an encouraging perspective, a listening ear, and, of course, constant prayers. Find inspiration to continue creating a God-centred legacy for your family on our topical page! Visit insightforliving.ca/grandparenting for relevant articles, audio messages, and more.