Rejoicing is clearly a spiritual command. To ignore it, I need to remind you, is disobedience. Charles R. Swindoll More Quotes by Charles R. Swindoll More Quotes From Charles R. Swindoll An anniversary says, "Think of the dreams you have weathered together. They are intimate accomplishments." Charles R. Swindoll marriage inspirational romantic At least one indication of unbelief is the tendency to measure life's challenges against our own adequacy instead of God's promises. To enter our Sabbath rest, we must put an end to self-reliance - trusting in our own abilities to overcome difficulties, rise above challenges, escape tragedies, or achieve personal greatness. Charles R. Swindoll greatness self challenges We gain the ability to rejoice under pressure through a carefully monitored training program directed by the Lord Himself. Charles R. Swindoll training gains pressure Wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view. You look at life's difficulties and tests as God looks at them. You look at family life and child rearing as God looks at them. You interpret current events as God would interpret them. You see the truth even though all around you are deception and lies. Charles R. Swindoll views lying children While I was raised around churches and had gotten to know a few preachers fairly well, the thought never entered my head that I would one day stand and deliver. Not only was I not interested, I lived with a major struggle: I stuttered. Charles R. Swindoll one-day church struggle Without a quest, life is quickly reduced to bleak black and wimpy white, a diet too bland to get anybody out of bed in the morning. A quest fuels our fire. It refuses to let us drift downstream gathering debris. Charles R. Swindoll fire white morning In the wilderness, God's covenant people struggled with a choice between feeding their bellies and nourishing their souls. God provided manna-a breadlike food that fell to the ground during the night-to sustain the wandering Israelites and to teach them how to value His Word more than physical fulfillment. Charles R. Swindoll choices night people More than once Jesus deliberately addressed certain issues that quickly diminished the number of onlookers. It was commitment that thinned the ranks. Charles R. Swindoll numbers commitment jesus Jesus never commanded believers to produce fruit. Fruit is the purpose of the branch, but it is not the responsibility of the branch. The branch cannot produce anything on it's own. However, if it remains attached to the vine, it will receive life-sustaining sap, nourishment, strength, everything it needs. Charles R. Swindoll fruit responsibility jesus Worry is a complete waste of energy. It solves nothing. Charles R. Swindoll waste energy worry When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you're right in the center of His will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss. Charles R. Swindoll encouragement religious mean Cults use our vocabulary, but they don't use our dictionary. Charles R. Swindoll cult vocabulary use I let people see the cracks in my life. We can't be phony. We've got to keep it real. Charles R. Swindoll cracks real people There is only one you. God wanted you to be you. Don't you dare change just because you're outnumbered! Charles R. Swindoll be-you dare wanted When we have God in clear focus, His powerful presence eclipses our fear. Charles R. Swindoll powerful christian god Nothing is more bothersome to me than retiring. Weird things happen when you disengage; first you get negative, then you start telling people about your latest surgeries, and eventually you lose touch. I want to stay in touch. Charles R. Swindoll want people negative If our perfect Lord is gracious enough to take our worst, and ugliest, our most boring, our least successful, and forgive them, burying them in the depths of the sea, then it's high time we give each other a break. Charles R. Swindoll successful inspirational life Noise and crowds have a way of siphoning our energy and distracting our attention, making prayer an added chore rather than a comforting relief Charles R. Swindoll energy prayer comforting God uses those who seem ill-fitted for a significant life. Charles R. Swindoll significant ill use Take charge of your thoughts! Charles R. Swindoll