NUMBER ELEVEN, 2016
DON'T BE AFRAID!
In this issue
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6
11
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Don’t Be Afraid… It’s Just Your Future charles r. swindoll
11 30 Days to Cultivating a Servant Heart steve johnson
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Serving is Showing Up jennifer pinkerton
Beyond the Broadcast 15 What Happens When We Pray?
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Prayer—Strength in Numbers? steve johnson
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 © 2016 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 cover image © stocksy. com certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
DON'T BE AFRAID … IT’S JUST
Your Future by charles r. swindoll
W
hile you were likely sound asleep at the eerie hour of 1:00 a.m., I was wide awake… talking to God like mad! I was aboard a twin-engine Aero Commander with a seasoned pilot, and we were rapidly descending through a foggy, dense overcast at 200 miles per hour. He was having the time of his life…but, frankly, I was scared to death! At one point he looked over at me, smiled, and said, “Hey, Chuck, isn’t this great?” I didn’t answer. As our lonely plane cut through the overcast pre-dawn sky, I was reviewing every verse I knew and confessing every wrong I’d ever done. It was like speeding a couple hundred miles an hour down a rush hour freeway with a white bed sheet wrapped across the windshield and your radio turned up just beneath the threshold of audible pain! I couldn’t believe how happy and excited my companion-in-flight really was. His passenger, however, had 10 fingernails imbed-
ded in the seat cushion. I stared longingly for something—anything—through the blanket of white surrounding us. Our flight record may have indicated two passengers on that eerie Monday morning, but I can vouch for at least three. An unyielding creature called Fear and I shared the same seat.
FEAR.
Ever met this beast? Sure you have. It comes in all shapes and every size. What a monster is fear! Its claws are sharp, dripping with the blood of the unknown and unseen. Its voice is piercing, shouting ugly and destructive words of worry. Most of its statements begin with a quiet, “What if…?” and end with a loud “… and you’ll be sorry.” One blast of its awful
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breath transforms saints into cynics as it reverses our entire mindset. Its bite carries a paralyzing venom into its victim, and it isn’t long before doubt dulls our vision. As we fall, it steps on our face with the weight of a Sherman tank…and laughs at our crippled condition as it prepares for another assault. Fear. Ever met this beast? Sure you have. It comes in all shapes and every size. Fear of failure. Fear of heights. Fear of crowds. Fear of disease and death. Fear of rejection. Fear of unemployment. Fear of what others are saying about you. Fear of moving away. Fear of height or depth or distance. Fear of trusting others. Fear of being yourself. Fear of buying. Fear of selling. Fear of financial reversal. Fear of war. Fear of business success. Around every imaginable corner it lurks in the shadows, planning to poison your inner peace and outward poise. Being a bully, it relies on scare tactics and surprise attacks. It watches for your vulnerable moments then picks the lock that safeguards your security. As it invades, it reduces your spiritual muscles to a mass of mental mush. In a nutshell…it’s a fear of the unknown future. The prognosis, once you are infected, is neither bright nor cheery. David’s 27th psalm scratches the fearful where they itch. With broad, bold strokes of his pen, the monarch of Israel puts iron in our bones. He meets Fear at the door of his home with two questions: Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1 NASB) David slams that door in Fear’s face with the declaration: My heart will not fear;… In spite of this I shall be confident. (27:3) David then whistles and hums to
himself as he walks back into the family room, kitchen, or bed chamber, reminding himself of the secrets of daily trust: PRAYER I have asked from the LORD (27:4) VISION I behold the beauty of the LORD (27:4) GOD’S WORD I meditate in His temple (27:4) GOD’S PROTECTION In the day of trouble He will conceal me / hide me / lift me (27:5) MOMENT-BY-MOMENT WORSHIP I will offer sacrifices and I will sing (27:6) REST I would have despaired unless I had believed… wait for the LORD (27:13–14) DETERMINATION Let your heart take courage (27:14) Oh, how I needed these secrets that day in the cockpit! Truth be told, I have needed them many days since then. Maybe you have too. Maybe you need them right now. Fearful of your future? Tell you what—let you and I share the same seat and relax for a change. Of course, you might want to fasten your seat belt (it could be a little rough before we land). Why fear the future? God is already there…and He has never missed the runway through the centuries of fearful fog. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
by jennifer pinkerton
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y hospital bed was my prison, my ill body the warden. For an entire summer I encountered concerned health-care workers, endured multiple surgeries, and was forced to rely on others to accomplish even the smallest task. My sister-in-law braided my hair since my arms wouldn’t reach above my shoulders. A friend spent a day cleaning my house. Another drove me to and from appointments. Gone was my independence, gone was my dignity, gone was my confidence.
Although only a season, my days felt like unending strings linked by weakness. It was all I could do not to melt into self-pity. During this time, I wrestled deeply with God, questioning His purposes. I mourned the loss of my health and battled bitterness and despair. I wasn’t losing my faith, but I did doubt God’s plan for me. C.S. Lewis said it better than I can, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”1 In an attempt to hide my struggle I wore a mask of cheerful disposition, but I
wrestled nonetheless. As the body of Christ ministered to me with acts of kindness, it reminded me anew of God’s grace-filled love for me. Over time, my frame of mind changed. From this experience I’ve learned an important truth when it comes to the value of being a servant. No matter how insignificant an act of service may seem, it’s not. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you,” (Matthew 7:12) is a mantra I’ve heard for years but through my illness this Golden Rule has become alive in my life. From this verse I’ve learned three principles for doing unto others and choosing to serve. First, serving is simple. When I was in the hospital people served me in all kinds of simple yet amazing ways. Mothers with young children delivered meals for my family, a cancer patient in the hospital with me visited me at my bedside, a friend brought a stack of books for me to read. Each person used their unique talents, gifts, and abilities to serve me in their own individual way, living out God’s call on their life and allowing Christ to work through them. Whenever I’ve driven someone to an appointment or helped clean up I haven’t thought much of it so I don’t expect these servants to understand how much their efforts meant to me. In fact, I still marvel at their active care. God used these acts of service to encourage my heart in a difficult time. Second, serving is powerful. It was at this time I witnessed the body of Christ living out Colossians 3:23-24: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you
were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." The kindness I received was a gift from God and my heart became thankful. And their actions impacted more people than me—the nurses marvelled at the selfless kindness of my many visitors.
As the body of Christ ministered to me with acts of kindness, it reminded me anew of God’s grace-filled love for me. Third, serving may not be comfortable. Seeing how impactful acts of kindness were in my life, I resolved to do the same for others. I’ve learned sometimes serving others feels awkward. Most vivid in my mind is the time I went to visit a church acquaintance in the hospital. Other than the odd greeting we’d never had an actual conversation before I took a bouquet of flowers to her bedside. When I arrived she’d just come out of surgery and at first our conversation was stilted. But guess what? I walked away from that visit feeling encouraged, challenged, and blessed. Serving isn’t always easy or fun but it will be good as we follow Christ and serve Him by serving others. I am called to serve. The results are up to God.
1 C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis (Orlando: Harcourt Books, 1966), 477. Jennifer Pinkerton is the development manager at Insight for Living Canada.
by steve johnson
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isaster strikes. The call for prayer goes out. Church prayer chains rattle with activity; emails blitz and phone lines buzz requesting intercession for those involved. If you have been a Christian for any length of time you’ve likely experienced a similar scenario. Many good things come about as a result of this practice. When believers pray for the same thing it creates a sense of unity—the Holy Spirit knits us together in a unique bond of fellowship found nowhere else in life. It gets us on the same page and we become mindful of seeking first the kingdom of God. Struggling believers are encouraged by the concern expressed for those in need and we learn to love others as we intercede for them. While intercessory prayer is certainly biblical, I wonder whether some of our assumptions and motivations behind this kind of prayer are unbiblical. How would you answer the following questions?
• Does the number of people praying make a difference to God as to whether He will answer affirmatively or not? • Does prayer have a greater chance of being answered when more people are asking for the same thing? • Is the probability of a prayer being answered affirmatively proportional to the number of people praying? • Is prayer like magnetism where if you have one magnet the power is minimal but if you have 10 there is 10 times the power? • Is it our numbers God responds to? • If the answer to these questions is no, why do we often act like it is yes? There is nothing in Scripture to suggest praying multitudes are more powerful or effective in moving the hand of God than individual prayers. So why do so many believers think this way? I suggest it is because they have wrong conceptions of prayer. Some equate prayer with “getting things from God” and it becomes primarily an occasion to recite a list of wants.
"While intercessory prayer is certainly biblical, I wonder whether some of our assumptions and motivations behind this kind of prayer are unbiblical." Others wrongly understand the power of prayer. It is often said, “Prayer changes things.” But, isn’t it God who changes things? You might think I’m splitting hairs and playing word games. But if we believe the power to effect change is in the act of prayer itself and not the God to whom we pray, then it makes complete sense to have more people praying at one time. The equation looks like this: more people + more prayer = more power. This reduces prayer to some sort of cosmic transcendental force in itself. Matthew 18:19-20 is often cited as the biblical basis for soliciting multitudes to pray. “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” These verses come from a larger passage, which addresses the procedures to be followed in the case of church discipline of a sinning member. The reference in verses 19
and 20 to “two or three” reflects the “two or three witnesses” in verse 16. Deuteronomy 17:6-7 says the two or three witnesses of a sinner in the act are to be the first to cast stones, and here the contrasting command is for those same people to be the first to pray in seeking the restoration of the sinner. And as the shekinah glory of God was in the midst of His people in the Old Testament, Jesus who is “God with us” will be in our midst. To misinterpret these verses as promising believers a blank cheque for anything they might ask God for violates the context of church discipline. It also denies the rest of Scripture, especially the sovereignty of God and the many commands for believers to submit to God’s will—not the other way around. Believing some kind of magical power boost is automatically applied to our prayers when two or three gather together is nonsense. Of course Jesus is present when two or three pray, but He is equally present when a believer prays alone. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). It is our faith, not our numbers God responds to.
Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
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/case-for-support.
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TO CULTIVATING A SERVANT HEART
This inductive study is designed to help you better understand how to cultivate a servant heart. For the next 30 days read the questions and allow them to spark deeper personal reflection and life change.
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isciples of Christ are commanded to be servant-minded. The world, the flesh, and the devil would have us reject that and be self-serving, putting our self-realization, self-expression, and rights ahead of others. Christ shows what it looks like to be a servant and Scripture gives us truth to help us cultivate it.
DAY 1
Read Matthew 20:25. What is the natural human tendency when it comes to the choice between serving and being served? Where do you see that tendency in your life?
DAY 2
Read Philippians 2:4. Should you neglect your interests for the sake of others’ interests? What is the mandate for believers regarding their personal interests?
DAY 3
Read Philippians 2:1. Paul asks four questions to which the answer is yes. How should the comfort and encouragement you find in Christ motivate and encourage you?
DAY 4
Read Matthew 20:20-28. What does Jesus say is the requirement to be a disciple of Christ? What does He say you need to be in order to become a leader?
DAY 5
Read Matthew 20:25. Whose model of leadership were James and John following? What makes that model incompatible with leadership in Christ’s kingdom?
DAY 6
Read Matthew 20:24. What caused the other 10 disciples to be indignant? What does this reveal about their hearts? What can you learn from power struggles like this?
DAY 7
Read Matthew 20:28. Based on Christ’s example what is the purpose of being a servant? How can you set others free to love and serve God instead of serving you?
DAY 8
Read Mark 10:45. How does the phrase “even the Son of Man” capture the characteristic of humility evident in Christ? What positions and rights could hinder you from serving others?
DAY 9
Read Matthew 23:11-12. What is one of the greatest hindrances to servant living? What will eventually happen to those who exalt themselves?
DAY 10
Read Luke 22:24-30. Christ was preparing to go to His death and the disciples seemed oblivious. How does preoccupation with selfinterests ruin your capacity to properly relate to Christ?
30 Days to Cultivating a Servant Heart
DAY 11
Read Luke 22:24-30. What interpersonal issues arose when the disciples failed to be servant-minded? How can a servant mindset help avoid church disharmony today?
DAY 12
Read John 13:1-17. Why didn’t the disciples offer to wash each other’s feet in this story? How can you be more aware of service opportunities?
DAY 13
Read John 13:1-17. In this story the disciples demonstrated an “I’m here to be served” mentality. What are ways you can avoid this attitude?
DAY 14
Read John 13:1-17. What are some barriers to biblical servanthood? How can the desire for status or to feel important keep you from serving?
DAY 15 DAY 16 DAY 17
Read John 13:1-17. Jesus lays aside his garments and puts on a towel. Why is this a fitting analogy of His assuming a role of a slave?
Read John 13:1-3. Why was Jesus confident to become a servant? How does this relate to your identity and faith in Christ and becoming a servant to others? Read John 13:12-15. If the One you call Master humbled Himself to serve you and others what does that require of you?
DAY 18
Read John 13:16-17. What is the promise to you if you understand you are a servant and follow the example of our Master? How will you experience that?
DAY 19
Read 2 Corinthians 4:15-18. One hindrance to servant living is the desire to be served right now. How is staying focused on future reward a key to effective service?
DAY 20
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How does serving for joy in the future, like Jesus did, help you live as a servant now?
TIP: Keep your Bible handy and refer to it as you read the questions
DAY 21
Read Philippians 2:1-2. What four blessings are true for you because of the work of Christ? How are they to be a motivation to Christlike servant living?
DAY 22
Read Philippians 2:1-2; Matthew 23:11-12. What is the secret to becoming great? What should your motive be when serving others?
DAY 23
Read Matthew 23:11-13. What are some of the consequences of hypocritical or wrongly motivated service?
DAY 24
Read 1 Peter 5:5. What is one consequence of failing to exercise humility and take on a servant attitude? What effect could that have on your life and ministry?
DAY 25
Read Philippians 2:3-4. In order to serve others, what is the fundamental attitude you need? What attitudes could hinder you from becoming a servant?
DAY 26
Read Philippians 2:5-11. Christ set the example by giving up His divine rights and privileges and submitting to the Father. How can you follow His example?
DAY 27
Read Isaiah 53. In this passage Christ is portrayed as the suffering servant. How does this relate to your life? What can help you through suffering?
DAY 28
Read Romans 12:1-2. What does every believer need to surrender to God and why? Why is this a prerequisite to effective service? How can you do this daily?
DAY 29
Read Romans 12:3-8. What is the relationship between being a servant and the exercise of your gifts for the body of Christ? What steps can you take to do this?
DAY 30
Read Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16. What do these verses indicate are necessary for you to overcome your self-centredness and become servant-minded?
30 Days to Cultivating a Servant Heart
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PRAY? “Prayer is one of the deepest subjects we can study.” - CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
We’ve heard it said that we never stand taller than when we kneel before God. But what actually happens when we offer our prayers and petitions to God? Does He change His mind? Can we alter His plan or reverse His course? If not, then why pray? According to James 4:2-3, there are two ingredients in prayer: the petition (the request itself) and the desire (the reason for asking). The petition is what we ask for; the desire is why we ask for it. In this message we zoom in on Abraham’s passionate intercession on behalf of Lot and his family in the face of the imminent destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33). By analyzing Abraham’s prayer, we can understand the struggle that occurs between the petition and desire and gain insight into the important role prayer plays in our lives. As we do, we’ll learn to pray with confidence before the throne of grace. When Abraham approached God with his request, he had no idea how the Lord
would answer in this particular situation. Likewise, we cannot know how exactly God will respond when we pray. However, as we reflect on various prayers throughout Scripture, we see four ways the Lord responds to humans’ petitions and desires. • Petition: “Yes”...Desire: “No” • Petition: “No”...Desire: “Yes” • Petition: “Yes”...Desire: “Yes” • Petition: “No”...Desire: “No” Abraham’s life was one of prayer. Through his example and our reflection on the Bible’s teaching on prayer, we learn that we may experience three possible answers to any prayer. 1. God can (and often does) say yes! 2. God can (and often does) say no! 3. God can (and often does) say wait! Recall a time when God said yes! to your prayer in just the way you petitioned. Write this experience down as a constant reminder that God often does answer when you call on Him.
“What Happens When We Pray?” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Abraham: One Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith.You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
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