Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

All this leads me to a terribly important subject I have been wanting to address. I’m unable to restrain myself any longer . . . and I especially have in mind those of you who can’t stand coming in second because you face a great temptation.

The problem is that human achievement results in earthly rewards, which fuels the fire for more achievement leading to greater rewards. “Problem . . . what problem?” you may ask.

I am reminded of three categories of special people and how we are to respond to them. First, there are still a few Timothys left on earth, thank goodness.

Since none of us is a whole, independent, self-sufficient, super-capable, all-powerful hotshot, let’s quit acting like we are. Life’s lonely enough without our playing that silly role.

Old habits are terribly hard to break. As soon as you attempt to bring some necessary balance into your life, you are going to have a fight on your hands.

We need to model lives that are not like the majority. A positive attitude makes a major statement in our “crooked and perverse generation.” We don’t need to shout it out or make a super pious appearance; just don’t grumble or dispute.

As I consider Paul’s counsel, three practical ideas emerge that may help us cultivate an unselfish attitude. First, never let selfishness or conceit be your motive. Thais right, never. That is Paul’s advice, isn’t it?

As I have pored over Luke’s descriptions and observations, looking for insights into the Savior’s life, I have been intrigued by His responses to others. How could any man be as patient as He was? How could He keep His cool under constant fire? How could He demonstrate so much grace, so much compassion, and at the same time so much determination?

So many live their lives too dependent on others. Such clinging vines draw most, if not all, of their energy from another. Not only is this unhealthy for the clinger, but it also drains too much energy from the clingee!

When we arrive at dilemmas in life and are unable to decipher the right direction to go, if we hope to maintain our joy in the process, we must (repeat must) allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Strength, our Wisdom—our all! It

When Christ becomes our central focus—our reason for existence—contentment replaces our anxiety as well as our fears and insecurities. This cannot help but impact three of the most prevalent joy stealers in all of life.

Those are the words of a man whose image was secure and whose reputation was not in need of being protected, massaged, or defended. His mind was firmly fixed on essentials, so much so that nothing brought him anxiety.

Interestingly, Philippians is a letter from servants to saints. “Paul and Timothy . . . to all the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi, including oversees and deacons” (Philippians 1:1 NASB).

THERE IS A STRANGE STATEMENT IN Scripture that flashes like a bright neon sign. Paul made it while he was saying good-bye to a group of friends standing near him. It was a sad moment heavy with emotion.

DISORIENTATION IS THE PITS. When you travel a lot (like airline personnel) you must deal with it.

TUCKED AWAY IN THE FOLDS OF Hebrews 11 is a two-word biography worth a second glance: "He endured" (11:27, NASB). The Living Bible says, "[he] kept right on going."

WEBSTER DEFINES THE WORD "cordial" as of or relating to the heart: vital, tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate, heartfelt, gracious. That's really a mouthful; in fact, that's worth a few minutes of our time together.

PAUL WANTED TO BE IN HEAVEN but needed to be on earth. In a temporal sort of way, this time of year, I share his frustration.

THERE IS ONLY ONE YOU. In our overly-populated, identity-crisis era it is easy to forget this. Individuality is played down. We are asked to conform to the "system."

YEARS AGO, when I pastored in California, an usher met me as I was leaving the church. He had been involved in counting the morning offering.