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Insight for Today

Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.

Articles of this Type

Playing Second Fiddle

Date:
October 24, 2024

Read Philippians 2:3–5

I remember reading of Leonard Bernstein, the late, legendary conductor of the New York Philharmonic, giving an insightful answer in an informal interview. Following a televised performance, one admirer asked: “Mr. Bernstein, what is the most difficult instrument to play?”

With quick wit and without even a thought he replied:

“Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm...now that’s a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony.”

The Origin of Self

Date:
October 23, 2024

Read Genesis 3:7

To fully understand the battle against “self” we must go back, way back, to that ancient scene pictured for us in the second and third chapters of Genesis: the Garden of Eden. What a splendid setting! Beautiful beyond description, a perfect, pollution-free atmosphere, luxurious foliage, fragrant flowers, crystal-clear water—that Garden would make Tahiti look like a pigsty by comparison.

Learning to Be Last

Date:
October 22, 2024

Read Matthew 20:26–28

I’ll never forget a trip I took with my older son to shoot the rapids on the Rogue River in Oregon. While our group was receiving instructions from the guide, I began to study the canoes. Some were old and worn, but a few were obviously new. Being selfish, I wanted Curt and me to get the new ones, so I whispered in his ear:

“Curt, start moving over to the left.”

“Why?”

“Just do as I say, Son. The two canoes on the end are new. Let’s get ‘em.”

Appraising Your Life

Date:
October 21, 2024

Read Ecclesiastes 12:6–7

It's been a while since you took stock of where you are going, hasn’t it? And how about an evaluation of the kids? Or your marriage? Or your own future? You know what I mean: trimming off the fat of lazy thinking and taking a lean, hard look at your remaining years.

The Forgotten Side of Success

Date:
October 20, 2024

Read 1 Peter 5:5–7

Maybe we should confess that one reason we find it so hard to set selfishness aside and adopt the spirit of a servant is that we’re driven by dreams of success. We want to be winners.

Curiously, however, most people admit they never realize what they truly desire in their pursuit of success: contentment, fulfilment, satisfaction, and relief. On the contrary, the roads that are supposed to lead to success are not only rocky; they’re maddening.

I, Me, Mine, Myself

Date:
October 19, 2024

Read Matthew 16:23–24

Those four words stood out in bold print.

They appeared as if they were forming an enormous monument, each letter seemingly chiselled out of granite. At the base of this strange “monument” were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people with their arms stretched high, as if worshipping at a shrine. And then, in very small letters, this caption appeared at the bottom of the editorial cartoon: “Speaking of American cults...”

Surrounding the borders of this picture were four familiar lines from well-known commercials:

Absolute Honesty

Date:
October 18, 2024

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1–2

Let's think about an essential mark of following Christ: absolute honesty.

Remember these words?

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

And how about these?

An Enduring Mercy

Date:
October 17, 2024

Read 1 Timothy 1:12–14

Even toward the end of his life, the apostle Paul had not gotten over the great mercy he had received from Christ:

Where the Real Power Resides

Date:
October 16, 2024

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

The great apostle Paul was just like you and me. He had a love for God blended with feet of clay. Great passion...and great weakness.

The longer I thought about this blend, the more evidence emerged from Scripture to support it. Read Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

Who’s on First?

Date:
October 15, 2024

Read Colossians 1:15–16, 18

In many churches, Christians tend to get so caught up in a success-and-size race that the primary calling of following Jesus gets lost in the journey. We have skidded into a pattern where the “haves”—the most influential or financially successful individuals in life—and not the “have-nots” call the shots. Truth be told, it is difficult to follow when you’re used to being out front leading the pack.

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