How to Cling to God When the World Caves In

Step into the time tunnel with me and let’s travel together back to the distant land of Uz. . .

A Mighty Fortress: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently, I led a tour through the ancient city of Jerusalem. Early one morning, I looked out across the skyline and read Psalm 46. You may know the first verse by heart:

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

Why We Praise the One We Can’t Comprehend

The culture in which we live, work, and play complains that God makes no sense, so how can He be trusted? They refuse to worship a God they can’t comprehend.

My thought is the exact opposite.

Strength and Dignity

Esther exhibited a grace-filled charm and elegance.

Erosion

I remember only two things from my high school chemistry class. First, I got rid of a wart on the back of my right hand through applications of sulfuric acid for thirty-three consecutive days. Second, I watched the slow death of a frog in an unforgettable experiment.

Grandparents

Isn't God good? Generation after generation He provides a fresh set of grandparents . . . an ever-present counterculture in our busy world.

Don't Take It Easy

I keep meeting these wonderful people whose lives belie their age. Their enthusiasm is contagious, their zest for life captivating. They're still thinking and dreaming, determined not to miss out on the fun, and they're definitely not interested in planting themselves in a rocking chair and watching sunsets.

Three Ways to Fill Your Museum of Memories

You have a museum in your mind. It's a museum of memories.

Anniversaries. Birthdays. Graduations. Holidays. Longstanding traditions. Life's milestones. Even recoveries from serious illnesses. Each memory hangs in its place, firmly fixed in your mind . . . and in the minds of your children.

Celebrating the Songs of the Resurrection

It comes as a surprise to no one that I love music. Choral music, instrumental music, popular music, as well as classical stuff . . . folk tunes, ballads, fun songs, and serious works . . . country western and bluegrass, as well as the patriotic and romantic. For me, music is a must.

The Philip Approach to Evangelism

There are several reasons most of us are reluctant to witness for Jesus Christ. One is the feeling of ignorance. We don’t really know how to go about it.

Count Your Blessings

Sometimes when you don’t feel like praying, or you’re consumed with needing to speak to the Lord but can’t gather the words, try that old standby—count your many blessings, count them one by one. 

Creating a Legacy: Preparing the Stones

A passage in Joshua prompted me to think of three words. First, create. God wants us to go to the trouble of establishing historic markers. Notice I said, “Go to the trouble.” Creating legacy reminders is not easy. These were big stones. They needed to be chosen, hauled, stacked, and then maintained as a lasting reminder of God’s faithfulness. 

Why You Can Have Confidence in the Bible

What is your final authority in life? Before you answer too quickly, think about it for a few moments. When you're cornered, when you're facing an intimidating obstacle, when you're forced to deal with reality, upon whom or what do you lean? 

How Can I Discover God's Will?

"I'm totally confused. How in the world do I find the will of God for my life?" I cannot number how many times through the years I have heard that question.

I could probably list at least ten ways that God leads His children today, but I will limit myself to the four that I think are the most significant methods of God's leading.

A Hope Transfusion

The special day never arrives without its refreshing reminder that there is life beyond this one. True life. Eternal life. Glorious life. Those who live on what we might call the "outskirts of hope" need a transfusion. Easter gives it.

Back to the Basics

The late football strategist Vince Lombardi was a fanatic about fundamentals. Those who played under his leadership often spoke of his intensity, his drive, his endless enthusiasm for the guts of the game. Time and again he would come back to the basic techniques of blocking and tackling. 

Fakes

A friend of mine ate dog food one evening. No, he wasn’t at a fraternity initiation nor a hobo party . . . he was actually at an elegant student reception in a physician’s home near Miami. The dog food was served on delicate little crackers with a wedge of imported cheese, bacon chips, an olive, and a sliver of pimento on top. That’s right, friends and neighbors; it was hors d’oeuvres a la Alpo.

The Only Thing Incapable of Error

Ever since I was knee-high to a gnat, I have been taught and have believed in the infallibility of Scripture.

Cultivating a Tender Heart and a Tough Hide

For as long as I have been in the ministry I have asked the Lord for a balance between a tender heart and a tough hide. It isn't an easy balance. In fact, the latter is more difficult to cultivate than the former. In order to be fully engaged in ministry, job number one is to have a tender heart. The challenge is developing a tough hide.

Being Knowledgeable

Slice it any way you wish; ignorance is not bliss. Dress it in whatever garb you please; ignorance is not attractive. Neither is it the mark of humility nor the path to spirituality. It certainly is not the companion of wisdom.

What the Resurrection Gives Us

When I was growing up in Houston, our family lived across the street from a widow named Mrs. Roberts. Her husband had recently died from a sudden heart attack. Alone, afraid, and facing an unknown future, her grief knew no bounds.

Seven Leadership Lessons That Apply to You

When most folks hear the term leader, they think of presidents, pastors, teachers, and CEOs. But very few think of themselves. And yet, it’s true. You are a leader. As a Christian, you are an influencer for Christ, an ambassador for the Lord, and a change-agent for the gospel of God’s grace. In fact, I have discovered in the book of Nehemiah seven principles of leadership that apply to you. Nehemiah’s example offers principles you can apply immediately to your sphere of influence.

You Can Make a Difference

Overwhelming odds can make cowards of us all.

Because there is so much to be done, we can easily lose heart and do nothing at all. Because there are so many people in the world to reach, it is easy to forget that God wants to use us to touch those within our sphere of responsibility.

Needed Today: A Ministry of Encouragement

Will you allow me, in this private chat with you, to pick out one "unlovely characteristic" frequently found in Christian circles . . . and then to develop it from a positive point of view? I'm thinking of the lack of encouragement in our relationships. To illustrate the point, when did you last encourage someone else? Be honest: when was the last time you said something or gave something or wrote something or did something with the single motive of encouraging someone else? I firmly believe that an individual is never more Christlike than when full of compassion for those who are down, needy, discouraged, feeling unappreciated, or forgotten. How essential is "the ministry of encouragement"!

Christ's Return

As time passed the balance of that evening, I kept returning to the reality, “He is coming back. What a difference it will make!” It is remarkable, when you stop and get specific about it, how many things we take for granted that will suddenly be removed or changed. Think about that . . .

Is God Really in Control?

Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Does God really have things in hand here, or is my life spinning out of control?” I have. Trusting in Jesus Christ at age 18, I soon concluded that if I simply did enough of the right things, my Christian life would be a steady climb toward maturity. Numerous setbacks and failures later, I still believed God was in control and had a purpose through it all.

Time with God

I was raised to believe in the importance of a "quiet time." To the surprise of some, the original idea of that concept did not come from the late Dawson Trotman, the founder of The Navigators, but from the Lord Himself.

What God Wants from You

The New Year is only one month old, and already the pressures of life have returned. Sixty-hour workweeks. Razor-thin balances in the checkbook every month. Children and/or grandchildren who call for unending, boundless bursts of energy. Sound familiar?

Character: It's Been Buried Long Enough

Consider the words of Solomon: "He who walks in integrity walks securely, / But he who perverts his ways will be found out" (Proverbs 10:9). Before reading on, go back and read that again.

Reading the Old Testament for All It's Worth

We never outgrow our love for a good story, do we? There is something compelling, something magnetic, and something altogether unique about the best stories. They engage, both our minds and our hearts. They allow us to empathize with the experiences of other human beings. They also create opportunities to learn from the lives of others.

Seven Building Blocks for Leaders

I can’t think of a better model of leadership than Nehemiah. I once sat down and looked over Nehemiah’s shoulder for a couple of hours, reviewing the things this ancient Jewish leader recorded while rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. As I read, it dawned on me that his journal is a storehouse of leadership insights. The first six chapters of Nehemiah ought to be required reading each year for all leaders as well as those who wish to be.

True Teamwork: What It Takes

As a lifelong admirer of President Abraham Lincoln, I have devoured more than a few biographies about him. Among the best was Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a volume that presents Lincoln’s brilliant political act of enlisting into his cabinet some of the men who had run against him. Surrounded by a team that didn’t believe in the viability of the Thirteenth Amendment and pressured by men in his own party to compromise with the South to end the war sooner, Lincoln refused to fold. He challenged his peers to rise above their doubts, to act upon their shared goal of ending slavery in America, and to press hard against the opposition. In the end, Lincoln’s convictions carried the day. Against all odds, clinging to hope against hope, he led this team of rivals to achieve the defeat of slavery.

Defining Liberty

There was a time in my life without Christ when I had no freedom from the urges and impulses within me. I was at the mercy of my master Satan and sin was my lifestyle. When the urges grew within me, I had nothing to hold me in check, nothing to restrain me. It was an awful bondage.

A Tiny Gift . . . Wonderfully Wrapped, Silently Delivered

Since the first Christmas celebration, one word has crossed everyone’s lips more than any other this time of year. It isn’t the word carol or tree or food . It’s gift .

How Do We Know That Jesus Is God?

Question:
I recently read the book, The Da Vinci Code. I know that it is fiction, but it has caused me to question everything that I’ve always believed about Jesus. How do we know that Jesus is God in the flesh and not simply a good teacher?

Answer:
For two thousand years, critics have chipped away at the cornerstone of Christianity — Jesus Christ. Yet Christianity has stood firm not because it has successfully covered up a conspiracy, as Dan Brown asserts throughout his fictionalized account, but because it has stood strong in its reliance on the truth of the deity of Christ.

How Does the Death of Jesus Save Me?

This article was written to answer this specific question, and it explains clearly the theology behind Jesus’s substitutionary death to pay the penalty required for our sins. It explains how God’s holiness and righteous standard require justice and cannot merely overlook our sin. And it helps us understand exactly what Jesus went through when He died to secure our salvation.

Reading Revelation

No matter how difficult it is to comprehend the mind-blowing visions presented in Revelation, we must not forget that it is part of God’s Word.

In the End, God Wins . . . and We Win . . . When God Wins!

If you like stories that end well, you'll love Christianity. One of the great themes of our faith is triumphant hope—an unshakeable assurance that things will end right.

Scriptural Support for Christ's Return

These facts from biblical prophecy about Christ's return may surprise you.

Discover a Friend Worth Following: A Close Look at Jesus' Friendships

Know that Jesus is your friend indeed.

The Winsome Witness

I remember a fun 'n' games night around the supper table in our house. It was wild. First of all, one of the kids snickered during the prayer (which isn't that unusual) and that tipped the first domino.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

If news networks had been invented in 1809, they would’ve covered one story: Napoleon sweeping across Austria like a wildfire. Napoleon was the talk of the world, on the move from Trafalgar to Waterloo. Everything was about Napoleon.

The Church Awakening: A Discussion about Chuck Swindoll's New Book

Recently, Chuck sat down and discussed the importance of his new book, The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal.

A Month for Love

There is something extra special about February. Valentine’s Day. Hearts ’n’ flowers. Sweetheart banquets. A fresh and needed reminder that there is still a heart-shaped vacuum in the human breast that only the three most wonderful words in the English language can fill.

At the Threshold of an Open Door

When I was growing up, I never knew cursing, drinking, divorce, or what people commonly call "the wild life." And believe it or not, at the time I didn't know the rest of the world was any different.

A Battle for Integrity

I must tell you that I have been troubled regarding the face of things in our country and within the family of God. My major battle has had to do with one word, one concept. My battle has to do with integrity.

A Reflection of Christ: A Lesson from the Life of Joseph

Joseph's life offers us a magnificent portrayal of the grace of God as He came to our rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus.

The Gift for the Person Who Has Everything

In our pocket of society where pampered affluence is rampant, we are often at a loss to know what kind of gifts to buy our friends and loved ones on special occasions.

God Owns It All

Joyful Generosity

My Grace Awakening: How God Made My Marriage Bloom

When I wrote The Grace Awakening almost 30 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the book’s widespread impact. People still write to tell me how it changed their lives and even their marriages. Little do they know that, in part, the book originated from my own “grace awakening.”

Don’t Be Afraid . . . It’s Just Your Future

The hour of 1:00 a.m. comes every night, but there's one 1:00 a.m. I'll never forget. While you were likely sound asleep, I was wide awake . . . talking to God like mad!

How to Waste Your Time This Year

With the dawning of a new year comes a deluge of resolutions, reminders, and exhortations.

Solitude: A Vital Factor in Growing Closer to God

I often smile when I read the Gospel of Mark. He loved the word "immediately." It appears again and again.

Not Forgotten: A Lesson from the Life of Esther

God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence.

Giving and Living the Gospel

One of the most effective evangelists I have ever known was a fellow who ran a service station on Arlington Avenue just outside Boston.

The Cemetery Evangelist

When I was growing up in Houston, our family lived across the street from a man and woman who had married later in life.

God IS Fulfilling the Great Commission!

When I heard the numbers, I could hardly believe my ears!

A Season for Humble Gratitude

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.

Sanctity of Life

Just how widespread is the practice of abortion? Are we making much ado about nothing, or do we have a full-scale issue deserving of our immediate attention?

Deepwater Faith

A funny thing happened in Darlington, Maryland, several years ago. Edith, a mother of eight, was coming home from a neighbor's house one Saturday afternoon. Things seemed too quiet as she walked across her front yard. Curious, she peered through the screen door and saw five of her youngest children huddled together, concentrating on something. As she crept closer to them, trying to discover the center of attention, she could not believe her eyes. Smack dab in the middle of the circle were five baby skunks.

Seven Impossibilities Jesus Made Possible

Impossible!

Has this word crossed your lips lately as you peer at an unsolvable problem? The dictionary defines impossible as “incapable of being done, attained, or fulfilled: insuperably difficult.” 1

Matthew

Who wrote the book?

While Matthew did not sign his own name to “his” gospel, the early church uniformly attested to the apostle’s authorship of the book. As early as AD 140, a Christian named Papias wrote that Matthew had compiled the sayings of the Lord in Hebrew (presumably before Matthew translated them into Greek for a larger audience).

Giving with Gusto

Contentment

Laurence J. Peter and I are close friends. No, actually, we’ve never met, but we’ve visited together numerous times. We’ve never even shaken hands, but we’ve been in agreement ever since we crossed paths. Although I’ve never laid eyes on him, I’ve smiled at his comments and nodded at his conclusions . . . amazed with his remarkable insight into my own life and those around me.

Sharing Your Testimony

A time-honored, effective method of evangelism is the giving of your personal testimony. No big deal. Just telling about your spiritual pilgrimage. How you found bread as a beggar.

Unearthing Our Walk with Christ

On more than one occasion recently I've found myself pondering the words of Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Innovative Planning

Joseph had an innovative plan, something that had never been done before.

Grace Is Life

God's nature exudes grace. We can rely upon that truth because we can see that God's deeds exude grace, both in our lives and in Scripture.

Amazing Grace on Display

The word grace means many things to many people.

The Power of a Story

When he had to confront King David, Nathan told a story. When Joshua urged Israel to choose whom they would serve, he told a story. When the Son of God wanted to reveal truth to His followers, He too told a story.

Alternatives to Grace

If I choose not to risk, if I go the "safe" route and determine not to promote either salvation by grace or a lifestyle of grace, what are the alternatives? Four come to my mind, all of which are popular these days.

A Reason to Smile

Joy—it makes people wonder at your secret. Yet joy is no secret to the trusting Christian. When we choose to grow closer to God, resting in His character and provision, joy spills over into our lives so that others can’t help but notice.

Let's Get Reacquainted with the Spirit

Let’s face it; most of us are intrigued by the Holy Spirit. Like moths, we are attracted to the warmth and the light of His flame. Our desire is to come closer . . . to draw nearer, to know Him more fully and intimately, to enter into new and stimulating dimensions of His workings . . . without getting burned. I know that is true of me, and I suspect you often feel the same.

Seven Ways to Cultivate Joy

Want more joy in your day? Cultivate it! Joy springs from viewing the day’s events from eternity’s perspective. With this intentional focus, you’re sure to see today differently—with more joy and conviction that God is at work in your life.

Mother's Day

If there's one attitude families are guilty of more than any other when it comes to mothers, it's presumption...taking them for granted...being nearly blind on occasion to the load moms carry.

The Enduring Value of a Mentor

There we sat, a cluster of six. A stubby orange candle burned at the center of our table, flickering shadows across our faces. One spoke; five listened. Every question was handled with such grace, such ease—each answer drawn from deep wells of wisdom, shaped by tough decisions, nurtured by time. And pain. And mistakes and mistreatment. Honed by tests, risks, heartbreaks, and failures. Decades in the same crucible had made this man's counsel invaluable.

Forgotten Side of Success

We are a success-saturated society. The telltale signs are everywhere. Each year dozens of books and magazines, scores of audio and video, and hundreds of seminars offer ideas, motivation, techniques, and promises of prosperity.

It's Not About You

I need to underscore a foundational fact: God’s goal is not to make sure you're happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it's time to do so. Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It's about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. Unfortunately, we will rarely hear that message proclaimed today. All the more reason for me to say it again: Life is not about you! It's about God.

A Gift Too Wonderful for Words

Long ago in a quiet, crude place where animals sleep, Mary gave birth and felt the soft, human skin of her firstborn. The humanity of this scene appropriately pulls us in for a closer look.

What Does "Trusting God" Mean?

Trust is not one of my strong suits.

I could try to blame my struggle on not knowing enough trustworthy people, but I know the problem is rooted in me . . .

Authentic Ministry: A Lesson from the Life of Paul

In this article, Chuck Swindoll describes the life and ministry of the apostle Paul as one that was steeped in and driven by the truths of God's Holy Word. Holding fast to his beliefs was what gave Paul strength through times of great opposition and persecution. Chuck encourages us to similarly prepare ourselves for future ministry by making time spent in God's Word a top priority.

Everything Is Under Control

At the heart of life’s major struggles is a theological issue. Putting it in the form of a question: “Is God in charge or is He not?”

An Invitation to Touch the Skin of Infinite God

Childbirth is enough of a miracle on its own, but this time of year adds a completely new dimension. Long ago in a quiet, crude place where animals sleep, Mary reached down and felt the Life from her body—she reached down and felt the soft, human skin of infinite God.

Unquenchable Hope

One of the first weddings I performed as a young pastor had all the promise you could hope for in a marriage. Both in their mid-twenties, both believers, he was a medical student, she was a nurse. It should have been a model marriage filled with peace and joy. Struggles would come, of course, but an enduring hope would get them through the dark days. 

It Takes Courage

Deep within, we imagine ourselves as a mixture of Patrick Henry, Davy Crockett, John Wayne, and the prophet Daniel! But the truth of the matter is that most of us would do anything to keep from being different. We’d much rather blend into the woodwork. One of our greatest fears is being ostracized, rejected by “the group.”

Suffering

Of all the letters Paul wrote, Second Corinthians is the most autobiographical. In it the great apostle lifts the veil on his private life and allows us to catch a glimpse of his human frailties and needs. You need to read that entire letter in one sitting to capture the moving emotion that surged through his soul.

Character: It’s Been Buried Long Enough

Call me old-fashioned or idealistic if you wish, but my passionate plea is that we unearth and restore the importance of character. It’s been buried long enough.

Reading the Old Testament for All It’s Worth

We never outgrow our love for a good story, do we? There is something compelling, something magnetic, and something altogether unique about the best stories. They engage, both our minds and our hearts. They allow us to empathize with the experiences of other human beings. They also create opportunities to learn from the lives of others.

How to Recognize a Healthy Church

Are you looking for a church? Just any church? Or a truly healthy one?

Five Promises from a Shepherd to His Flock

A number of years ago, a friend dropped by my study. He’s a true friend, one who knows me well . . . and loves me, warts and all. He also speaks the truth in love, which is exactly what he did in the last twenty minutes of our visit that day.

Moral Purity

Holiness sounds scary. It need not be, but to the average American it is. Our tendency is to think that holiness would never find its way into the office of a salesperson—certainly not that of an aggressive and successful athletics coach. Nor would a mother of small children be that concerned about holiness, nor a teenager involved in a busy high school, nor some collegian pursuing a career with his or her eyes on great financial goals. Let's face it, holiness is something for the cloistered halls of a monastery. It needs organ music, long prayers, and religious-sounding chants. It hardly seems appropriate for those in the real world of the twenty-first century. Author John White seems to agree with that.

The Why, Where, and How of Worship

Some things just don't mix! Oil and water always separate, no matter how much we shake them. An open fire and a can of gasoline don't go together. And alcohol and driving should never coexist!

Why We Praise the One We Can’t Comprehend

The culture in which we live, work, and play complains that God makes no sense, so how can He be trusted? They refuse to worship a God they can’t comprehend.

My thought is the exact opposite.

How to Cling to God When the World Caves In

Step into the time tunnel with me and let’s travel together back to the distant land of Uz. . .

A Mighty Fortress: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently, I led a tour through the ancient city of Jerusalem. Early one morning, I looked out across the skyline and read Psalm 46. You may know the first verse by heart:

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

Hope: The Anchor for Your Soul

It was a phone call I'll never forget. It was from a young woman whose life lay shipwrecked on the California beach from where she was calling. She had a terminal disease, leukemia. Her husband had left her. Her child had recently died at only two and a half months old. Her friend had just been killed in an auto accident. Wave after wave of loss had crushed this woman's spirit, and she couldn't take another day of pain. In whispered tones, she told me that she held a loaded revolver and wondered why she shouldn't use it to end her misery.

The Secret of Letting Go

I'll never forget the day my brother Orville dropped by my parents' house before he and his family headed to South America as missionaries. Now, you have to appreciate the kind of man my father was. Look up the word responsible in the dictionary, and I'm surprised his picture isn't there! To him, risks are for those who fail to plan. Responsible people leave nothing to chance. As far as he was concerned, faith is something you exercise when your three backup plans fall through and you have run out of every other option.

Forgive . . . and Sing the Song of the Soul Set Free

I haven’t been able to get the subject of forgiveness out of my mind.

Perhaps the reason is that there is so much unforgiveness in our world. Violence headlines our news with the same revengeful message: “You hurt me, so I will hurt you.”

Tragic, isn’t it? The cure to conflict is so obtainable. Yet people would rather hold a grudge than reconcile, “get even” than forgive.

A Conversation with Chuck Swindoll and Mark Young

Sometime ago, Chuck Swindoll sat down with Dr. Mark Young, president of Denver Seminary. Mark served as professor of World Missions and Intercultural Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, and was senior executive pastor for Missions at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, before accepting his role at Denver Seminary. In this conversation, the two longtime friends discussed the timeless treasure of the Bible and Chuck's growth as a preacher throughout the years.

Let’s Get Reacquainted with the Spirit

Let’s face it; most of us are intrigued by the Holy Spirit. Like moths, we are attracted to the warmth and the light of His flame. Our desire is to come closer . . . to draw nearer, to know Him more fully and intimately, to enter into new and stimulating dimensions of His workings . . . without getting burned. I know that is true of me, and I suspect you often feel the same.

Why God Shakes Your Spiritual Tightrope

Some years have required me to have the skill of a tightrope walker to stay balanced. If you're like me, sometimes it seems we barely keep steady on our spiritual tightrope . . . and then something—or someone—shakes the rope!

Lifesaving Strategies for Resisting Depravity’s Undertow

It’s impossible to exaggerate our world’s moral erosion.

Culture has reached an all-time low. Our cities have laws that forbid open sewers and unsafe cesspools, but we lack laws that forbid obscenity and pornography. Unrestrained, immorality parades through every public square in a brazen display of depravity akin to Sodom’s.

How God Gives You Wisdom

I'll never forget a lunch I had with a Christian businessman. As we discussed many of the responsibilities connected with his vocation, the subject of wisdom kept sliding into our conversation. He and I were agreeing on the value of certain qualities that cannot be learned in school—things like intuition, diligence, integrity, perception, consistency, loyalty . . . and he, again, mentioned wisdom. Wisdom is hard to define because it means much more than knowledge and goes much deeper than awareness.

Gut-Level Authenticity

In 1991 James Patterson and Peter Kim released The Day America Told the Truth, a study based on an extensive opinion survey which guaranteed the anonymity of its participants. And the truth was shocking! Let me give you a brief sampling of their findings: Only 13% of Americans see all Ten Commandments as binding and relevant; 91% lie regularly, both at work and in their homes; most American workers admit to goofing off for an average of seven hours—almost one whole day—per week; and half of our workforce admits that they regularly call in sick when they feel perfectly well.

Strengthening Your Grip on Prayer

I should tell you up front that this is not going to be your basic religious-sounding statement on prayer. Sorry, I just don’t have it in me.

No, I’m not sorry.

Faith in the Workplace

You invest more than one-third of your life at work. Punch the clock, turn on the computer, start your engines at 8 a.m., rest a few minutes at noon, but keep your mind and body in gear till the sun has set. Then tomorrow—repeat. Sound familiar?

Satan Around Every Corner?

The Power of a Story

When he had to confront King David, Nathan told a story. When Joshua urged Israel to choose whom they would serve, he told a story. When the Son of God wanted to reveal truth to His followers, He too told a story.

Conforming or Transforming

Jews focused all of their attention on the ethical, public behavior of a person, which is good in many ways. However, Jesus was not satisfied with mere external, physical obedience.

Ten Essential Characteristics of a Healing Church

Have you ever walked through your house at night in the dark and jammed your pinkie toe into the side of the sofa? That little toe, the one you never think about, is suddenly your primary focus as you jump up and down because it’s screaming in pain—and your whole body feels it. Amazing—one small appendage can reduce a grown man or woman to a writhing mass of tears.

Strength and Dignity

Esther exhibited a grace-filled charm and elegance.

God Is Faithful

Why did God propel the young girl named Esther to the position where she alone could influence the fate of the Jewish people? Chuck Swindoll suggests that it's because God knew Esther had a teachable heart and a humble and obedient spirit. He knew she would not be swayed by the trappings and all the temptations of kingdom life but would remain grounded in the teachings and faith that Mordecai had modeled to her. How would you do today if God tested you? Would you have a teachable spirit as Esther did?

God Knows Your Ways

“God has the whole world in His hands.” Remember the old gospel song? He’s got the wind, the rain, the tiny little baby, yes, even you and me in His hands. How easy it is to forget that! And it isn’t limited to our geography or our culture, you know. He’s got the Middle East in His hands (that’s a relief, isn’t it?), not to mention North Korea and Iran, Cuba and India, Indonesia and Russia—all right there in the palms of His sovereign hands. And while we’re at it, He’s got our future, our children, our circumstances, our friends, and our foes in His hands . . . within His grasp . . . under His control. Even when imaginary fears slip in like the morning frost to blight our faith. He’s there—in charge.

How to Make Zero Progress This Year

With the dawning of a new year comes a deluge of resolutions, reminders, and exhortations. They all follow similar how-to themes—how to increase your efficiency, how to make every moment count, how to lose weight, how to invest your time wisely and productively.

Well, just for fun, I’d like to take the opposite tack. I’m going to tell you how to make zero progress this year. That’s right, if you follow this advice, the year ahead will be a huge waste of time. Let’s get started, shall we?

Charting a New Course

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?