Insights Magazine: Issue One, 2025 by Insight for Living Canada

In This Issue

Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Pastor Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

God doesn’t expect us to go it alone. So, fill up your boat and choose your crew wisely.

Charting a New Course

by Charles R. Swindoll

When a new year begins, it can feel like you’re headed into open seas—excitement mixed with uncertainty, adventure coupled with the unknown. Seasoned sailors insist nothing compares to those exhilarating moments. The bow of the vessel slips out past the breakwaters and takes its first plunge into the wild waves of the wide ocean.

Sounds both wonderful and challenging, doesn’t it?

Life often feels like that...especially a life of following the Lord. Before heading out into the uncharted waters of a new career, an exciting new relationship, a new city, or a difficult cross-cultural ministry, it’s important to “trim the sails” of your spiritual life.

Here are three essentials for charting your new course this year:

First, check your compass . James wrote: “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22). There is no more reliable compass for charting a new course in this new year than the Word of God. But you dare not glance at the Scriptures and then point your boat in the opposite direction. If you really believe what you say you believe, then why would you continue sailing in a direction that does not square with the Scriptures? Make obeying God’s Word in 2025 your fixed point. It will keep you on an even keel when the seas of doubt intensify... or the waves of hardship churn...or the fog of discouragement rolls in.

Another wonderful thing about using God’s Word as your compass for the new year? It removes the guesswork. You won’t have to wonder if you’re on course. God’s written compass will keep you sailing in the right direction.

Second, stock up on necessary supplies Jesus said, “‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life’” (John 4:13–14). You don’t want to run low on spiritual reserves when you get out into the depths of 2025. Store up those principles and promises you can easily turn to in your Bible as the winds of trouble increase. Confidence and hope will emerge as you pray, participate in corporate worship, and glean wisdom from your own personal study of the Scriptures. Like living water, these things will energize and stabilize you during those inevitable storms that the new year will include.

Third, assemble a trustworthy crew Never venture into open waters alone. Ever. Cultivate close relationships with “seasoned sailors”—mature believers who really know the Bible...people you trust to journey with you in prayer and to provide calm wisdom and reliable counsel. In heavier seas, individuals who know the ropes can help you stay the course. Whenever I grow weary sailing against a headwind, I look to Hebrews 3:12–13 as a mainstay: “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are

not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God” (emphasis added).

Isn’t that great? God doesn’t expect us to go it alone. So, fill up your boat and choose your crew wisely. I recommend you include a couple “old salts” to help you avoid those hidden reefs that can result in personal shipwreck.

Once you’ve checked your compass, prepared your supply list, and gathered your crew you’re ready to weigh anchor and head out. Let me add a shout: GOOD FOR YOU! Too many Christians choose to remain safely

moored in the shallow waters of life’s risk-free harbour. I’m glad you’ve chosen to launch out into the deep and chart a new course in the next 12 months. (Don’t forget to sing some songs and have some fun along the way!)

Finally, remember this: Whatever it is you are about to do, be assured of the Lord’s presence. With Him as your skipper, you never sail solo.

Bon Voyage!

Filling the Shoes of Moses single CD message

Stepping into big shoes

Four Ways You Can Reflect the Truth

by Charles R. Swindoll

Think about your typical morning. After you roll out of bed, it probably isn’t long before you’re staring into a mirror. If you’re like me, most days your hair looks like an explosion from a mattress factory, your face resembles one of the Seven Dwarfs, and your breath is...well, let’s just be glad mirrors don’t reflect odours.

Let’s say you observe all this...but you do nothing. You ignore all the mess and just leave the house to start your day. Unthinkable! For most of us, such a scenario would be a crisis. In reality, we all come before the mirrors to do business! We gaze hard in that painfully honest reflection with the purpose of doing something

about what we see. We look for what needs correcting, and we don’t leave the house until we change what needs changing. Otherwise, why look at a mirror?

The same is true of God’s Word. It is a divine mirror that reflects not our outside but our inside. Yet, how often do we read in the Bible, in effect, “You need to pay attention to this area”? Do we then close the book and leave unchanged? The apostle James used this exact analogy to drive home his point: “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22).

So, how can we make the needed changes? How can we reflect the truth?

I have discovered a major part of the answer in the ancient writings of Ezra, the scribe. In the book that bears his name, we read: “Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

I find in this verse four ways we can reflect the truth.

1. Make a personal commitment.

According to this verse, “Ezra had determined” or, literally, “set his heart” on it. I have never seen anyone make a difference for Christ who didn’t begin by making up his or her mind. I urge you to start there. It is your decision to meet with the Lord and get serious about your walk with Christ. Nobody in your family or church can do it for you. The truth will never stick if you do not set your heart on walking with God. That’s where it begins.

character, like honesty, kindness, and purity. It’s never enough simply to know the truth. You must put the truth into action in order for it to stick. But there’s one more step.

4. Share the truth with someone else.

Ezra “determined...to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10). You know who learns the most in a classroom? The teacher. Guess who learns the most from a Sunday morning message? The pastor. You will learn more of the Scriptures than you’ve ever imagined if you’ll commit to sharing the truth you’ve discovered with someone else.

Stop and think. Chances are good you know more of the Bible than most people will ever learn in their lives! What a tremendous privilege you have had.

2. Become a loyal student of the Bible.

Ezra made the commitment “to study...the Law of the Lord.” As a scribe, Ezra knew the Law. Yet he remained a keen student of the Bible. You must discipline yourself in your own time and in your own way to study God’s Word for direction—just like you do in front of your mirror. You come for business. That’s the second secret. But don’t stop there.

3. Put the truth into action.

Return to verse 10: “Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord” (emphasis added). If you want to reflect the truth, you have to practice it...you must put the truth into action. Obedience is not inclination but demonstration. When Ezra set his heart to do what he had learned, surely he came to terms with issues of

Stop and think. Chances are good you know more of the Bible than most people will ever learn in their lives! What a tremendous privilege you have had. You have learned enough truth to change the atmosphere of your home by your attitude...to impact your social circles with love... to be a witness for Christ in your workplace by your integrity. You have all the truth you need right now if you’ll just build on it. What a difference it will make!

I urge you to see your true reflection in your Bible. Then, make a personal commitment to become a loyal student of it. Next, put the truth into action. Refuse to keep it theoretical! Once you take that challenge and decide to be a different kind of person, you begin to share what God is teaching you.

It’s amazing how much benefit you’ll find in the truth you’ve begun to live.

Best of all, you will genuinely reflect it.

Crucial Questions: Gaining Biblical Insights

by Steve Johnson

How do I gain insight from the Bible without using a commentary?

There are two things I would suggest: learning how to read Scripture and learning how to observe. These two skills, when mastered, will help you unlock many Scriptural truths and gain biblical insights. Reading the Bible is unique because its words are living and carry a depth and purpose unlike any other text. When reading Scripture, we practice the following:

Begin with prayer for understanding, and then read with a prayerful heart. Since the Bible was given by God, it takes the Spirit of God to illuminate the truth in its pages. Start by asking the Lord for eyes to see, a mind to understand,

and a will to obey. We need to have the proper mindset that concentrates, searches, and focuses on unearthing the hidden treasures of Scripture. Then, approach it as if for the first time. Several things can help with this. First, use an unmarked text without study notes, as previous markings and notes can sometimes be distracting or hinder fresh insights. Second, try using a different translation, which can help you see key insights with fresh eyes and bring out nuances in the text. You can easily access many free Bible transitions by visiting biblegateway.com on your computer or the YouVersion app for your smartphone. Third, I would suggest reading it out loud or listening to it read. Because much of the Bible was originally intended to be read aloud, listening to it can reveal truths you may have otherwise missed.

Next, read slowly with a questioning and active mind. Most of us read too quickly, glancing over words without truly comprehending them. Approach Scripture like a detective searching for clues. Continually ask: who? what? where? when? why? and how? It takes time to read and ask these questions, but they are the questions that unearth the true meaning of Scripture. Pay attention to details.

Continue by reading a passage repeatedly, seeking to discover the main idea the author was trying to convey. Pay special attention to different words each time. Mull them over. Meditate on key verses, taking notes and reflecting on their meaning throughout your day.

Observe key words, phrases, themes, or patterns that are repeated. They are clues to the author’s intended meaning.

Most of us read too quickly, glancing over words without truly comprehending them.

Approach Scripture like a detective searching for clues.

Third, we identify relationships between ideas, such as general to specific, question to answer, and cause to effect. Do we see contrasts indicated by words like “but” and “however”? Are there sequential connections introduced by words like “therefore” or “then”? Are there any figures of speech, such as similes, metaphors, or hyperbole? Often, it’s these small yet significant words and expressions that we tend to overlook, but they play a crucial role in understanding the message.

Finally, read purposefully. Rather than picking random passages, work through an entire book of the Bible. In addition to your slow reading, try reading through the book in one sitting at least once. This will help you grasp the big picture and the author’s intended purpose.

Besides learning how to read Scripture, we also must learn how to observe it. The two go together. Learning to observe Scripture is necessary because the Bible is unique and requires a different approach to observation than any other writing.

When observing Scripture, we look for the following:

First, we look for the immediate and larger context that came before and follow the passage. Context is the key determiner of meaning and understanding of what is being said. Observing context helps determine factors that impact meaning, such as geographic location, time frame, people involved, and reasons for the writing. Without understanding the context, we cannot understand what the author was trying to say.

Second, we examine things that are emphasized. Repetition in Scripture is for emphasis.

Finally, take notes of your questions, observations, and key takeaways. This is a good way to keep our mind fully engaged, clarify our thinking, and encourage personal reflection on the application. The difference between reading and studying often comes down to having a pencil and paper. Keeping these notes as a reference for comparing with other passages will provide even more benefit to your overall understanding of God’s Word.

Scripture has a depth unlike any other book, offering endless insights to discover and learn. This richness is meant to be read and understood so that it can transform our lives. While tools like commentaries are helpful, it’s essential that we personally engage with Scripture, learning to read and observe it ourselves.

Steve Johnson is the executive director and pastor at Insight for Living Canada.

Threads: From Darkness to Light

by Steve Johnson

Most are familiar with email threads—a series of connected emails where each message includes the previous one. These threads help everyone involved see the full context of the conversation.

Throughout Scripture, there are images, themes, motifs, and patterns, which I call threads. These threads appear and are woven throughout, with each instance building on the overall biblical message. They help us weave together the larger story of the Bible and unpack what it means for our lives.

“Light” and “darkness” are key threads in Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, these threads communicate significant truths about God, salvation, and His people. In Genesis 1:1–3, we are introduced to the themes of chaos, darkness, and light.

In the ancient imagination, the sea and darkness were synonymous with gods of chaos and death, so the creation of light and the separation of light and darkness in Genesis communicate God’s dominance over (the gods of) darkness, death, and chaos. When light appears, chaos is averted. God conquers the darkness by commanding light into existence. This sets the stage for the entire storyline of Scripture—God dispelling the darkness through His light.

Light comes from God. Darkness is an absence of light. It is as if darkness is what

exists apart from God. Thus, darkness is a problem that needs to be contained. It is from here that the concept of light as good and dark as evil is born.

We also observe that light gives order to creation and makes biological life possible. Light is necessary for life to thrive and flourish. The separating and ordering of night and day allowed life to flourish on earth. The simple connection between light and life comes to refer not just to biological life or existence but to the fullness of life. Light in life indicates vitality and prosperity. Darkness, conversely, connotes death (Psalm 56:13; Proverbs 13:9).

In the Genesis account, we see that it is God’s Word—God’s very speech—that ushers in light. Light is connected to the words of God. What God speaks is true and real. God’s speech is light that illuminates and makes known. Hence, God’s Word is described as a light and a lamp (Psalm 119:105). Light is a metaphor for vision, for sight and truth, and for knowledge and wisdom. In contrast, darkness indicates ignorance and blindness.

Though light wins the day at the beginning of creation, it is not long before threads of darkness start weaving themselves into God’s new creation. Adam and Eve are invited to sin and walk in the ways of darkness, thereby plunging the world into a spiritual darkness.

This battle of light and darkness is woven through the entire redemptive story.

But the God of light weaves Himself again and again into this dark world to provide salvation to those who will come into His light. He is the God of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–6), the provider of light when all has gone dark (Exodus 10:23), the pillar of fire that lights the way (Exodus 13:21). He is the God that shines His face upon His people in their wilderness wanderings, in their worship, and in their pain (Numbers 6:25; Psalm 4:6, 44:3; 89:15; 118:27). He promised that one day He would eclipse the sun with His own brilliant light and bring an end to night forever (Isaiah 9:2; 60:19–20).

into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9). We were darkness, now we are light (Ephesians 5:8). God “rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). He transformed people of darkness into people of light (Ephesians 5:13–14) and welcomes us to fellowship in His light (1 John 1:1–9).

The Christian life is the life lived in the light of God.

The Old Testament told of the day when the “Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). The Messiah, Jesus, is a light to the Gentiles and Israel (Luke 2:32). Thus, light accompanies the angels at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9). A bright star lights the way for the Magi (Matthew 2:9–10). With the incarnation of Christ, the light had come in ways never before imagined (John 3:19). John the Apostle writes of the Word becoming flesh and applies the symbol of light to Jesus (John 1:4, 5, 7–9). The Light of the world was living among men. His every word and deed brought light to this dark soil. And Jesus referred to Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12).

Since God and His Son are light, light becomes a natural symbol for salvation and the new life (Psalm 27:1). If God is light, to come to God is to come to the light and receive life. Those who follow Christ are defined as people who “won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12). Believers are those who have been called “out of the darkness

Light is to characterize our life within the Church. “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light is holy living, and the hallmark of holy living is love. “If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble” (1 John 2:9–10).

The Christian life is the life lived in the light of God. Followers of Jesus are those who live in the kingdom of light, who heed the command to live as children of the light. Jesus tells us we are the light of the world, and we are to let our “good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

The community of light, the Church, is portrayed as the possessor and giver of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5). The Church is the mediator of His light to the rest of the world (Matthew 5:14–16). Sharing the Gospel is so that eyes will be opened and people will turn from darkness to light (Acts 26:18).

The true light, Jesus, promised He would return once again and that His coming would be the final demise of darkness. When He comes, there will be no more night. He will reside with His people, retire the sun, and be our light for eternity (Rev 21:23, 22:5).

The final threads of light we find in the Bible relate to visions of the new age in the book of Revelation. The new Jerusalem “has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” (Revelation 21:23). “And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them” (Revelation 22:5). In that time, God will be with us, and among us, there will be no more darkness, evil, ignorance, or death.

The verse that connects creation and the new creation, the Old and New Testaments, and the

physical with the spiritual symbol—capturing this woven thread of light—is 2 Corinthians 4:6. “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Steve Johnson is the executive director and pastor at Insight for Living Canada.

Beneath the Surface: Learning to Observe Scripture

by Insight for Living Canada

You might think I’m strange, but hermeneutics—the science of Bible interpretation—has long been one of my favourite fields of study. Of all the things I’ve learned about understanding the Bible, one of the most valuable insights was learning to truly observe Scripture. Many Christians don’t realize it, but the majority of biblical truth can be revealed by focused, intentional reading and careful observation of Scripture. This kind of study doesn’t require the use of extensive study tools. Commentaries have their place, but it is far more

The Bible is not a collection of random sayings. It is a library of books that have been carefully constructed in their grammar and literary structure.

exciting to discover truths for yourself first before looking at someone else’s observations. The more skilled you and I become at focused, intentional reading and observing, the more insight we will gather from the pages of Scripture. Perhaps it’s my particular interest in Bible interpretation that makes me more aware of what I see as a growing biblical illiteracy among Christians and the common struggle to truly observe Scripture as they read. Biblical illiteracy might be understandable if we lacked the ability to read, had limited access to Bibles, or if they were only

available in the original languages. But today, we have more Bibles and Bible translations than any other time in history!

We all acknowledge the importance of Bible study—some of us even attend Bible study groups. But how many are engaged in personal study for themselves? And when we gather for Bible study, what happens? Are we merely listening to the observations of others, or are we personally digging in to discover what God has said? I ask this because instead of truly observing, it seems many Christians today are keener on bringing their own experience to bear on Scripture than bringing Scripture to bear on their own experience.

In all fairness, perhaps this approach is due to a lack of knowledge and ability. In that case, all it takes to reveal truth is learning to observe. What do we need for that?

The first thing we need is the right mental attitude. Many times, I look at a passage but I don’t truly “see” because my mental attitude isn’t right. I am not mentally engaged. I do not have an inquiring posture. I’m not thinking like a detective hunting for clues. These are the things that are first required to unearth scriptural gems. The mindset we need is described in Proverbs 2:2–4 (italics for emphasis):

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Once we have that mindset, we can ask, “What are the most important elements to learn to observe and gather insights from?” Here are four elements:

1. Literary Forms

Let me illustrate a fundamental but often overlooked aspect of observation. If you picked up a storybook that began, “Once upon a time, long ago and far away in an enchanted land…” you’d likely be reading a fairy tale

based on its literary style. Similarly, we need to observe the different literary forms of the Bible because it contains historical narrative, poetry, epistle, allegory, parable, and apocalyptic. Different “rules” govern how each of these must be handled. It is important that we know what we are reading so we don’t mishandle it.

2. Terms

We must learn terminology. Key words are crucial to understanding what is written. For example, when you read through John’s gospel, you will see that he uses the word “believe” no less than 79 times, always as a verb and never as a noun. Every book of the Bible is the same. Terms are the building blocks with which meaning is constructed.

3. Structure

Another important element to observe is structure. The Bible is not a collection of random sayings. It is a library of books that have been carefully constructed in their grammar and literary structure. By observing simple grammatical elements like nouns and verbs and literary devices like questions and answers, cause and effect, and patterns in the language, we will understand so much more.

4. Atmosphere

The final important element to observe is the atmosphere or tone of what you are reading. When Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always” from the depths of a stinky Roman prison, it takes on a different tone. When he scolds the Corinthians for their carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1–9), the atmosphere of the writing conveys that. Engaging our imaginations to observe the tone helps the text come alive to us.

Yogi Berra, the colourful one-time player and coach of the New York Yankees, said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” I love that. When it comes to understanding God’s Word, I say, “You can see a lot by observing.” Words to learn by as you gain skills in focused, intentional reading and practice observing Scripture.

Thank you for supporting the Bible-teaching ministry

of Pastor Chuck Swindoll.

Our mission is to share with believers and non-believers alike the great truth that the Lord took on human flesh to bring us to God. They need to hear and believe that God’s Word is true, that they can have assurance of salvation, and that Jesus is with us always.

Because of people like you, Insight for Living Canada will continue sharing this truth across our needy country.