TANGLED IN THE TANGIBLES - You may be one who lives your life pursuing fame and fortune, depending on the applause of others. Bad plan. To begin with, fortune has shallow roots. The winds of adversity can quickly blow it all away. And fame is as fickle as the last response from the crowd. When you're praised and applauded, don't pay any attention. And when you're rejected and abused, don't quit. It wasn't human opinion that called you into the work you're doing. So don't let human responses or criticisms get you sidetracked. Keep going. Don't get tangled in the tangibles! Scriptures: When Paul was rejected, he didn't quit. As my good friend and wise mentor, Howie Hendricks, often says, "Where there's light, there are bugs!" The brighter Paul's light, the more the bugs. And in that situation, those bugs had stingers filled with poison. What grit! Paul didn't back down an inch in his response to open rejection. The result? Not surprisingly, the Gentiles in the crowd rejoiced in the good news he had for them. How exciting! What started as a smoldering ember of religious curiosity burst into flames of faith. Why were Paul and Barnabas able to persevere? Neither man set his affections on temporal things. What discipline. If you want to get caught in the net of disillusionment, allow yourself to get tangled in the tangibles. You'll not only run shy of courage, you'll sink like a rock in a country pond.

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Tangled in the Tangibles

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You may be one who lives your life pursuing fame and fortune, depending on the applause of others. Bad plan. To begin with, fortune has shallow roots. The winds of adversity can quickly blow it all away. And fame is as fickle as the last response from the crowd. When you're praised and applauded, don't pay any attention. And when you're rejected and abused, don't quit. It wasn't human opinion that called you into the work you're doing. So don't let human responses or criticisms get you sidetracked. Keep going. Don't get tangled in the tangibles!

by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Insight for Today

 

Scriptures: Acts 13:45–48

When Paul was rejected, he didn't quit.

As my good friend and wise mentor, Howie Hendricks, often says, "Where there's light, there are bugs!"

The brighter Paul's light, the more the bugs. And in that situation, those bugs had stingers filled with poison.

What grit!

Paul didn't back down an inch in his response to open rejection.

The result? Not surprisingly, the Gentiles in the crowd rejoiced in the good news he had for them. How exciting! What started as a smoldering ember of religious curiosity burst into flames of faith.

Why were Paul and Barnabas able to persevere?

Neither man set his affections on temporal things. What discipline.

If you want to get caught in the net of disillusionment, allow yourself to get tangled in the tangibles.

You'll not only run shy of courage, you'll sink like a rock in a country pond.

Why? Because others' opinions will start to mean everything.

When you allow their responses to be the ballast, then their applause becomes essential to keep you afloat, and their assaults drag you straight to the bottom.

That formula for failure can be found in all people-pleasing ministries. You're doomed to disillusionment if you don't focus on the eternal.

Lee lacocca, not long after leaving the automobile business, said, "Here I am in the twilight years of my life still wondering what it's all about. I can tell you this: fame and fortune is for the birds."

You may be one who lives your life pursuing fame and fortune, depending on the applause of others.

Bad plan. To begin with, fortune has shallow roots. The winds of adversity can quickly blow it all away.

"Riches certainly make themselves wings," writes Solomon, "they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:5 KJV).

And fame is as fickle as the last response from the crowd.

Learn a dual lesson from this fine man who had wisdom far beyond most of us.

When you're praised and applauded, don't pay any attention.

And when you're rejected and abused, don't quit.

It wasn't human opinion that called you into the work you're doing.

So don't let human responses or criticisms get you sidetracked.

Keep going.

Don't get tangled in the tangibles!

Charles R. Swindoll is the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. But Chuck's listening audience extends far beyond a local church body, as Insight for Living airs on major Christian radio markets around the world. Chuck's extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide, and his leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry. Chuck and his wife, Cynthia, his partner in life and ministry, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/tangled-in-the-tangibles1

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Acts 13:45-48 English Standard Version

⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. ⁴⁶ And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+13%3A45%E2%80%9348&version=ESV

WHEN THE WORLD CAVES IN - Job knew God's sovereignty is interwoven with His love. Job counted on God's promise of resurrection. Job looked ahead, counting on his Lord's promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond - He knew that eventually all pain, sorrow, tears, adversity, and death would be removed. Job endured the brokenness of today by envisioning the beauty of tomorrow. He rested his adversity with God without feeling forced to answer why. Perhaps you are beginning to get bruised by falling rocks. Maybe the avalanche has already fallen . . . maybe not - God's power in Job's life is the same power you can draw on in your life. Wherever it was, Uz had a citizen who had everyone's respect, because he was blameless, upright, God-fearing, and clean living. He had 10 children, lots of livestock, plenty of land, numerous servants, and a substantial stack of cash. No one would deny that he was "the greatest of all the men of the east" He had earned that reputation through years of hard work and honest dealings. His name was Job, a synonym for integrity and godliness. Within a matter of hours, without announcement, adversity fell upon Job like an avalanche of jagged rocks. He lost his livestock, crops, land, servants, and — if you can believe it — all 10 children. Soon thereafter he lost his health, his last human hope of earning a living. I plead with you, please stop reading.

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When the World Caves In

How to Cling to God When the World Caves In

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Job knew God's sovereignty is interwoven with His love. Job counted on God's promise of resurrection. Job looked ahead, counting on his Lord's promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond - He knew that eventually all pain, sorrow, tears, adversity, and death would be removed. Job endured the brokenness of today by envisioning the beauty of tomorrow. He rested his adversity with God without feeling forced to answer why. Perhaps you are beginning to get bruised by falling rocks. Maybe the avalanche has already fallen . . . maybe not - God's power in Job's life is the same power you can draw on in your life

by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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

Wherever it was, Uz had a citizen who had everyone's respect, because he was blameless, upright, God-fearing, and clean living.

He had 10 children, lots of livestock, plenty of land, numerous servants, and a substantial stack of cash.

No one would deny that he was "the greatest of all the men of the east" (Job 1:3 NASB).

He had earned that reputation through years of hard work and honest dealings.

His name was Job, a synonym for integrity and godliness.

Within a matter of hours, without announcement, adversity fell upon Job like an avalanche of jagged rocks.

He lost his livestock, crops, land, servants, and — if you can believe it — all 10 children.

Soon thereafter he lost his health, his last human hope of earning a living.

I plead with you, please stop reading.

Close your eyes, set your imagination free, and identify with that good man who was crushed beneath the weight of adversity.

Now turn to Job 1:21, to an entry he made in his journal soon after the rocks stopped falling.

With a quivering hand and a grieving heart he wrote:

"I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!"

Following this incredible statement, Scripture adds:

In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. (Job 1:22)

Right about now, I'm shaking my head.

I'm asking myself, How in the world could he handle so calmly such a series of ordeals mixed with grief?

Think of the aftermath: bankruptcy, pain, 10 fresh graves . . . and the loneliness of those empty rooms.

Yet we read that Job worshiped God; he did not sin, nor did he blame his Maker.

The logical questions are: Why didn't he?

How could he keep from it?

What kept him from bitterness or even thoughts of suicide?

At the risk of oversimplifying, I suggest three basic answers, which I've discovered from searching through the book that bears Job's name.

First, Job claimed God's loving sovereignty. He believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21).

In his own words, Job stated such:

"Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (Job 2:10)

He looked up, claiming his Lord's right to rule over his life.

Who is the fool that says God has no right to add sand to our clay or marks to our vessels or fire to His workmanship?

Who dares to lift a clay fist heavenward and question the Potter's plan? Not Job!

He knew God's sovereignty is interwoven with His love.

Second, Job counted on God's promise of resurrection. Remember his immortal words?

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!" (Job 19:25–26)

Job looked ahead, counting on his Lord's promise to make all things bright and beautiful in the life beyond.

He knew that eventually all pain, sorrow, tears, adversity, and death would be removed.

Knowing that "hope will not lead to disappointment" (Romans 5:5), Job endured the brokenness of today by envisioning the beauty of tomorrow.

Third, Job confessed his own lack of understanding.

What a relief this brings! Job didn't feel obligated to explain why. Listen to his honest admission:

"I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. . . I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me." (Job 42:2–3)

He looked within, confessing his inability to put it all together. He rested his adversity with God without feeling forced to answer why.

Job's story reminds me of many Insight for Living listeners whom we hear from regularly — people who've endured much and write to tell us thank you for helping them build the firm, biblical foundation they needed when calamity arrived.

In particular, John and Lynn Hampton come to mind. These believers survived extreme adversity by drawing strength from God's "righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10 NASB).

Perhaps you are beginning to get bruised by falling rocks.

Maybe the avalanche has already fallen . . . maybe not.

Adversity may seem 10,000 miles away, as remote as the land of Uz. That's the way Job felt a few minutes before he lost it all.

So, review these thoughts as you turn out the lights tonight, my friend . . . just in case.

God's power in Job's life is the same power you can draw on in your life.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. Since 1998, he has served as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry.

https://insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/how-to-cling-to-god-when-the-world-caves-in

WEATHERING THE STORMS OF LIFE - When adversity strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in prior crises. Only the present situation seems real. As our minds spin with future implications, troubled emotions can inhibit clear thinking. While your current trial may be a new one, you can look back to see the Lord’s unchangeable nature over the years. The disciples experienced many “mountaintop moments” in their time with Jesus: The synagogue ruler’s daughter was brought back to life; two men had their sight restored; the mute was enabled to speak; and the demon-possessed man was set free. But when the storm came that day on the sea, fear invaded their hearts. Their minds could not recollect the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of the One they followed. Even the appearance of Jesus walking on the water did not bring them immediate relief. When adversity strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in prior crises. Only the present situation seems real. As our minds spin with future implications, troubled emotions can inhibit clear thinking. Reading Scripture regularly is a key to remembering biblical truths.

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Weathering the Storms of Life

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When adversity strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too. We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in prior crises. Only the present situation seems real. As our minds spin with future implications, troubled emotions can inhibit clear thinking. While your current trial may be a new one, you can look back to see the Lord’s unchangeable nature over the years.

DEE LOFLIN

Faith Matters

Matthew 9:18-33

The disciples experienced many “mountaintop moments” in their time with Jesus: The synagogue ruler’s daughter was brought back to life; two men had their sight restored; the mute was enabled to speak; and the demon-possessed man was set free.

But when the storm came that day on the sea, fear invaded their hearts.

Their minds could not recollect the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of the One they followed. Even the appearance of Jesus walking on the water did not bring them immediate relief (Matthew 14:26).

When adversity strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too.

We struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in prior crises.

Only the present situation seems real. As our minds spin with future implications, troubled emotions can inhibit clear thinking.

Reading Scripture regularly is a key to remembering biblical truths.

Another important resource is a spiritual journal.

As a written record of your pilgrimage with the Lord, it will contain the specifics of how He has previously worked in your life.

It serves as a map to trace where you’ve been and how He has helped you along the way.

While your current trial may be a new one, you can look back to see the Lord’s unchangeable nature over the years.

As Christians, we have an enemy who wants our focus diverted from the Lord Jesus.

Let’s thwart the adversary’s strategy by spending time in the Word and by keeping a journal.

Doing so will help us remember how Jesus has provided for us personally and protected us with His divine power.

https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v3vg/Daily-Devotional--Weathering-the-Storms-of-Life

Matthew 9:18-33

English Standard Version

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

¹⁸ While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. ²⁰ And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, ²¹ for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” ²² Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly^[a] the woman was made well. ²³ And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, ²⁴ he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. ²⁵ But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. ²⁶ And the report of this went through all that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

²⁷ And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” ²⁸ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” ³¹ But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak

³² As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. ³³ And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

a.         Matthew 9:22 Greek from that hour

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