by Charles R. Swindoll

Matthew 6:1-16

Ours is a tough, rugged, wicked world. Aggression, rebellion, violence, cutthroat competition, and retaliation abound. Not just internationally, but personally. What is true in the secret council chambers of nations is also true behind closed doors of homes. We are stubborn, warring people. Outside of riots and war, studies have concluded, the most dangerous place to be is in the American home! With domestic violence and child abuse on the rise in our hard, hostile society, one might wonder what possible influence the servants of Christ can have.

What impact—how much clout—do the poor in spirit, the gentle, the merciful, the pure in heart, or the peacemakers actually have? Such feeble-sounding virtues seem about as effective as pillow fighting in a nuclear war.

Can our presence do much good? Isn’t it pretty much a wasted effort?

Jesus, the One who first painted the servant’s portrait, both in words and with His own life, did not share this skepticism. But neither did He deny the battle. Remember these words!

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad; for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12)

Our Lord admitted that the arena of this world is not a friend of grace. Nevertheless, strange as it may seem, He went on to tell that handful of Palestinian peasants (and all godly servants in every generation) that their influence would be nothing short of remarkable. They would be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” And so shall we!

So far-reaching would be the influence of His servants in society that their presence would be as significant as salt on food and as light on darkness. Neither is loud or externally impressive, but both are essential.

Without our influence this old world would soon begin to realize our absence. Even though it may not admit it, society needs both salt and light.

God has called us to be light-and-salt servants
in a dark-and-bland society.

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

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by Charles R. Swindoll

Galatians 2:20

Back in 1958 when I was a young marine stationed on the island of Okinawa, I became closely associated with a man I deeply admired. His name was Bob Newkirk.

I didn’t know what it was exactly that first drew me to Bob. More than anything else, I guess, there was something refreshingly unpretentious about him. He was devoted to the things of the Lord, no question, but it was never on parade, never for the purpose of public display. And I loved that.

I never got the idea that Bob was interested in making big impressions on me or other people. He was what he was, plain and simple—far from perfect, but authentic. Real.

I remember dropping by his home late one rainy afternoon to pay an unexpected visit. His wife met me at the door and informed me that he was not home. She added, “You’ve probably noticed lately that he has been under some stress. I think he may be down at his office. I’m not really sure. But he told me he just wanted to get alone.”

I decided to try Bob’s office, a little spot down in Naha. I caught the three-wheel jitney that took me from the village where the Newkirks lived down to the capital city of the island. It was still raining lightly, so I stepped around and over the puddles as I made my way down a street, across an alley, then another alley until I came upon his unassuming, modest office.

Before I arrived, however, I could hear singing in the distance . . . “Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace.” It was Bob’s voice! I’d know it anywhere.

I stood outside in the rain for a few moments, listening, as my friend continued singing the simple hymn. Then, I confess, I peeked in the window and saw a candle on a table, my friend on his knees, and not another soul around. He was spending time with the Lord . . . all alone.

As I stood outside, the soft-falling rain dripping off my nose and ears, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Bob never knew I came by that evening, but without his knowing it, I got a glimpse of authentic Christianity that night. Not piety on parade . . . not spiritual showtime, but a man “in the shelter of the Most High.”

In the back streets of Naha I learned more about simple faith than I would later learn in four years of seminary.

When it comes to faith,
there is no substitute for the real thing. 

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/bgxOwmaU6wA/the-real-thing.html

by Charles R. Swindoll

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

“A word fitly spoken,” wrote the wise Solomon, “is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11, KJV).

Like Jell-O, concepts assume the mold of the words into which they are poured. Who has not been stabbed awake by the use of a particular word . . . or combination of words? Who has not found relief from a well-timed word spoken at the precise moment of need? Who has not been crushed beneath the weight of an ill-chosen word? And who has not gathered fresh courage because a word of hope penetrated the fog of self-doubt? The word “word” remains the most powerful of all four-letter words.

Fitly spoken words are right words . . . the precise words needed for the occasion. Mark Twain, a unique wordsmith himself, once wrote: “The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

One set of words purifies our thoughts, transplanting us, at least for an instant, to the throne room of God; another set of words ignites lust, tempting us to visit the house of a harlot. Some words bring tears to our eyes in a matter of seconds; others bring fear that makes the hair on the back of our necks stand on end.

Now, let’s return again to more choice words from the pen of Solomon: “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd” (Eccl. 12:11).

J. B. Phillips correctly assessed the impact of such words when he wrote: “If words are to enter men’s hearts and bear fruit, they must be the right words shaped cunningly to pass men’s defenses and explode silently and effectually within their minds.”

The finest examples of that are the words and phrases of Jesus Christ. His choice of words. His placement of words. His economy of words. Even His eloquent turn of a phrase. The life-changing message of Jesus.

Being the ultimate wordsmith, Jesus wrapped up some of His most significant words in a brief statement we commonly call the Golden Rule: “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”
(Matt. 7:12).

What a classic example of “apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Are your words fitly spoken? 

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/uxZRn_l_zb0/words.html

by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 139:1-6

Even in the midst of disappointment, surprise, and mystery, you will discover an amazing thing. You will discover how very reliable and trustworthy God is—and how secure you are in His hands. And oh, how we need that in this day of relativism and vacillation, filled with empty talk and hidden behind a lot of semantic footwork. In the midst of “Spin City,” it is the Lord who talks straight. It is the Lord who has preserved Truth in black and white in His Word. And it is the Lord who has the right to do as He wishes around us, to us, and in us.

Puzzling as the process may be to us, He stays with His plan. There is no need for us to know all the reasons, and He certainly doesn’t need to explain Himself. If we’re going to let God be God, then we’re forced to say He has the right to take us through whatever process He chooses.

Let Him have His way with your life, for nothing is worse than resisting and resenting the One who is at work in you. 

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/SE0i4shCmE4/god-doesnt-have-to-explain-himself.html

by Charles R. Swindoll

Hebrews 10:19-25

Several years ago my family and I were invited to spend Thanksgiving weekend at a picturesque ski resort in Colorado with about five hundred single young adults, most of whom were staff personnel with Campus Crusade. I spoke all week on the subject of servanthood, emphasizing the importance of believers being those who help, encourage, affirm, and care for others.

By Friday of that week I decided to take a break and hit the slopes (emphasis on hit, since it was the first time I had ever attempted to ski). It had snowed all day Thanksgiving, so the ski areas were absolutely beautiful and in perfect condition. I struck out on my virgin voyage with a positive mental attitude, thinking, “I’m going to be the first person who learns to ski without falling down. Guinness Book of World Records will hear of this and write me up!”

Don’t bother to check. I’m not in the book. Working with me that humiliating day was the world’s most encouraging ski instructor (yes, I had an instructor!) who set the new world record in patience. She is the one Guinness needs to interview. Never once did she lose her cool. Never once did she laugh at me. Never once did she yell, scream, threaten, or swear. Never once did she call me “dummy.” Never once did she say, “You are absolutely impossible. I quit!”

That dear, gracious lady helped me up more times than I can number. She repeated the same basics time and again—as though she had never said them before. Even though I was colder than an explorer in the Antarctic, irritable, impatient, and under the snow more than I was on it, she kept offering words of reassurance.

That day God gave me a living, never-to-be-forgotten illustration of the value of encouragement. Had it not been for her spirit and her words, believe me, I would have been back in the condo, warming my feet by the fire, in less than an hour.

What is true for a novice on the snow once a year is all the more true for the people we meet every day. Harassed by demands and deadlines; bruised by worry, adversity, and failure; broken by disillusionment; and defeated by sin, they live somewhere between dull discouragement and sheer panic.

All of us, even Christians, need encouragement. All of us need somebody to believe in us. To reassure and reinforce us. To help us pick up the pieces and go on. To provide us with increased determination in spite of the odds.

We all need encouragement . . . and we all need to be encouragers.

The beautiful thing about encouragement
is that anybody can do it.

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/gAlg4hIAd70/helping-each-other-up.html

by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 116:1-7

It’s baaaack!

The age-old yuletide season is about to slip in the door once again. Better not shout, better not pout, for the malls will be playing “Jingle Bells” several thousand times between now and December 25. If you’re not careful, the crowds and commercialism will weigh you down like that fourth helping of stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. And there’s nothing worse than a jaded attitude that resists the true spirit of the season.

Although this has been a challenging year in numerous ways, we have a practical reason to look back over it with gratitude for God’s protection and grace to each of us. This reflection sets in motion the ideal mental attitude to carry us through the weeks ahead. In other words, a sustained spirit of humble gratitude will make the period leading up to December 25 an integral part of the Christmas celebration rather than a dreadful marathon run toward the finish.

We live in a world fraught with evil—one in which innocent people are gunned down as they go about their business, where world governments seem powerless to stop those whose intent is to control through fear. But we cannot afford to end the year in frustration. I—like you—have seen and experienced God’s hand of protection and mercy, even in the toughest moments.

During this holiday season, let’s pledge not to let ingratitude become our creed or cynicism our stumbling block. As we consistently remind ourselves of God’s provision in our lives and the lives of our loved ones, the holidays will become a special time of spiritual enrichment, personal renewal, and genuine gratitude.

Sometimes, though, it can be a challenge to give God daily praise and look for His hand, even when we possess the knowledge of His love and faithfulness. If you find yourself in this situation, often the Psalms are a great source to get you back on track.

Psalm 116 is an extraordinary expression of love—addressed to God! “How do I love Thee, God?” the psalmist seems to ask. In his answers, he sets forth several magnificent truths about God’s goodness and deliverance.

I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
The cords of death encompassed me
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!”
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
(116:1-7)

How do we love our God? We love Him by counting the many ways He has been good to us and, as the psalmist did, by sharing His goodness with others. What does God desire? Our humble thanks. Our heartfelt gratitude. He wants us to be hungry for life, to treasure every day He entrusts to us. When you have a quiet moment, read the entire psalm, expressing your own heart of gratitude to our loving Lord.

Let the wonder of the season wash over you again. God loves you and me with every bit of His heart, to the extent that He gave us the very best gift: life, wrapped up in the form of His Son. It’s this life—the abundant life—that Jesus promised. This is the true spirit of the season.

Let’s be humbly grateful.

Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “A Season for Humble Gratitude,” Insights (November/December 2002). Copyright © 2002, Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/eNjcV4TEjBM/a-season-for-humble-gratitude.html

by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 27:8; Psalm 91:1

The psalmist said, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1).

Do you have a place of shelter where you seek only His face? Do you spend time in that secret place?

Have you given prayer the priority it deserves? And when you pray, do you remember that it is the Lord’s face you seek?

It is possible to be engaged in the work of ministry, in the work of the church, yet be in secret very seldom. There is this great tendency to think our best work is done at our desk or on our feet . . . but it’s really done on our knees.

It is easy to become so caught up in people’s needs (which are endless and usually urgent) and to be so preoccupied with meeting those needs that we miss “the shelter of the Most High.”

It is so easy to emphasize all the involvements of being with people, rather than being alone in a secret place with Him. And I do mean alone with God, as though there is not another care, another need, another person . . . only “the Almighty.”

I have begun to realize the value of this. As a result of time invested in the secret place, we gain an invincible sense of God’s direction and the reassurance of His hand on our lives, along with an increased sensitivity regarding iniquity in our lives.

Being alone with God is not complicated, but it is tough to maintain. Nevertheless, we need secrecy, especially in this hyperactive, noisy, busy world of ours.

Consider the beauty, the wonder, the magnificence, the awe-inspiring times of praise in the secret place! There is nothing to be compared to it. As great as corporate worship may be, with a magnificent pipe organ and full orchestra and a congregation singing at full volume, it cannot compare to the secret place where our best work is done and where God’s best work is accomplished in us.

When Jesus was instructing His disciples regarding prayer, He said, “Pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matt. 6:6).

Our best work is done on our knees.

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DailyDevo/~3/4WxYzPwsXe0/the-secret-place.html