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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

A Probing Question

Read John 14:12; Romans 12:1–2 

“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12 NASB)

After relating the shocking, supernatural changes that resulted from the Spirit taking up residence inside the early followers of Jesus, I’m compelled to ask you: Is the Spirit of God being allowed to transform your life? In case you think that’s an irrelevant question, read the opening words of Romans 12:

Invincible and Joyful

Read Acts 5:27–32 

Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” (Acts 5:27–29)

From Trembling to Confident

Read Acts 1:8, 4:13

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The original disciples were a handful of unlikely misfits. But the remarkable fact is that they were the same ones who later “turned the world upside down,” according to the testimony of people in the first century. How can anyone explain the transformation?

Removing Our Resistance

Read Acts 5:28–32, 41–42

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:41–42)

His Permanent Presence Within Us

Read John 14:1–6, 16–18 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

(John 14:1–5)

From Head to Heart

Read John 10:10

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)

Think Theologically

Read Romans 8:26–28

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:26–28)

Gold in the Making

Read Proverbs 20:24; Job 23:9, 23:10

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?  (Proverbs 20:24)

Focus on God, Not Circumstances

Read Colossians 3:2; Isaiah 26:3

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)

There is a mystery, an aura, about the living God that is designed to force us to trust Him, even when we cannot figure Him out (which is most of the time). Why? Because He is inexplicable. He is unfathomable. He is infinite.

Accepting a Closed Door

Read Revelation 3:7

What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. (Revelation 3:7)

If you’re struggling with a closed door, I have four guidelines to share with you—guidelines that have helped me in my own process of dealing with the doors Christ has opened and closed.

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