Charles R. Swindoll famous quotes

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Family #Friday #Mother

Your call will become clear as as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God's Spirit. The Lord never hides His will from us. In time, as you obey the call first to follow, your destiny will unfold before you. The difficulty will lie in keeping other concerns from diverting your attention.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Lying #Reading #Destiny

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Attitude #Impact #Realizing

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational #Motivational #Inspiring

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Differences #Details #Attention

Make a plan now to keep a daily appointment with God. The enemy is going to tell you to set it aside, but you must carve out the time. If you're too busy to meet with the Lord, friend, then you are simply too busy
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Enemy #Busy

Encouragement is awesome. Think about it. It has the capacity to lift a man's or a woman's shoulders. To breathe fresh air into the fading embers of a smoldering dream. To actually change the course of another human being's day, week, or life.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Dream #Encouragement #Thinking

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Pain #Attitude #Believe

Anything under God's control is never out of control.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#God #Jesus #Christian Inspirational

The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Motivational #Happiness #Attitude

Do you want to be wise? Choose wise friends
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Wise #Want

The past is over... forget it. The future holds hope... reach for it.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Past #Forget #Our Future

Choose to view life through God's eyes. This will not be easy because it doesn't come naturally to us. We cannot do this on our own. We have to allow God to elevate our vantage point. Start by reading His Word, the Bible...Pray and ask God to transform your thinking. Let Him do what you cannot. Ask Him to give you an eternal, divine perspective.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Reading #Eye #Thinking

We aren't just thrown on this earth like dice tossed across a table. We are lovingly placed here for a purpose
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Purpose #Earth

People who soar, are those who refuse to sit back and wish things would change
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Attitude #People #Wish

Joy is a deeply felt contentment that transcends difficult circumstances and derives maximum enjoyment from every good experience.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Joy #Contentment #Difficult

The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Beautiful #Adventure #Beautiful Things

To be used of God. Is there anything more encouraging, more fulfilling? Perhaps not, but there is something more basic: to meet with God. To linger in His presence, to shut out the noise of the city and, in quietness, give Him the praise He deserves. Before we engage ourselves in His work, let's meet Him in His Word... in prayer... in worship.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Prayer #Cities #Giving

A teardrop on earth summons the King of heaven.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Kings #Heaven #Earth

A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Family #Everyday #Principles

Walk by faith! Stop the plague of worry. Relax! Learn to say, "Lord, this is Your battle."
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Worry #Battle

If I ever wrote a book on preaching, it would contain three words: Preach the Word. Get rid of all the other stuff that gets you sidetracked; preach the Word.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Book #Three #Stuff

I want to preach till the last breath in my lungs runs out.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Running #Want #Lasts

One of the worst things you can give to your people is someone you're not.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#People #Giving #Worst

I'm not against screens, or new songs, or innovation. I just don't like the gimmicks. I want to know when worship is over that that leader's sole purpose was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Song #Jesus #Leader

If you want to stop an argument, close your mouth.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Mouths #Want

God does not dispense strength and encouragement like a druggist fills your prescription. The Lord doesn't promise to give us something to take so we can handle our weary moments. He promises us Himself. That is all. And that is enough.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#God #Encouragement #Giving

Don't be afraid of outgiving God. It is impossible to do that.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Charity #Impossible

Love has been called the most effective motivational force in all the world. When love is at work in us, it is remarkable how giving and forgiving, understanding and tolerant we can be.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Love #Marriage #Giving

When the Lord makes it clear you're to follow Him in this new direction, focus fully on Him and refuse to be distracted by comparisons with others.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Focus #Lord #Clear

Don't expect wisdom to come into your life like great chunks of rock on a conveyor belt. Wisdom comes privately from God as a byproduct of right decisions, godly reactions, and the application of spiritual principles to daily circumstances.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Spiritual #Godly

Jesus' plan called for action, and how He expressed it predicted its success. He didn't say "you 'might' be my witnesses," or "you 'could' be my witnesses," or even "you 'should' be my witnesses." He said "you 'WILL' be my witnesses.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Jesus #Might #Action

If you allow it, [suffering] can be the means by which God brings you His greatest blessings.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Mean #Blessing #Suffering

With vision there is no room to be frightened. No reason for intimidation. It's time to march forward! Let's be confident and positive!
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Positive #Vision #Rooms

Believing in grace is one thing. Living it is another.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Believe #Grace

If the pace and the push, the noise and the crowds are getting to you, it's time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Pace #Crowds

Prayer is an investment. The time you dedicate to prayer isn't lost; it will return dividends far greater than what a few moments spent on a task ever could. If we fail to cultivate this discipline, prayer winds up being our last resort rather than our first response.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Prayer #Wind

I know of no realm of life that can provide more companionship in a lonely world or greater feelings of security and purpose in chaotic times than the close ties of a family.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Family #Lonely #Ties

People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh and wish things would change. They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their minds that they are not quitters; they will not allow life's circumstances to push them down and hold them under.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Dream #People #Mind

My order of priorities reflects the level of my commitment to Christ. Whoever or whatever is in first place, if it isn't the Lord Jesus, is in the wrong place.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Jesus #Commitment

Nothing speaks louder or more powerfully than a life of integrity
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Integrity #Christian Inspirational

I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, than simply being who you are.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational #Inspiring #Business

People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Bridges #People

Have you ever studied Jesus's approach to talking with people? He didn't always fill the space with answers for them. Let's learn to do that with our fellow learners. Let's give them room to think and answer for themselves.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Jesus #Thinking

Envy is one of the great enemies of active spirituality. It keeps us from loving our neighbours, from functioning with others in community, and from affirming people's unique worth. It also steals contentment from the heart. Is there anything or anyone you are envious of?
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational #Heart #Unique

The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you've made up your mind -jump in.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Procrastination #Joy #Mind

Jesus kept it simple. The lesson wasn't complicated. 'I speak; you believe My word; your son will be fine.' We complicate what God has made simple by seeing the world through human eyes. We want to see in order to believe and presume that our limitations are His.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Jesus #Believe #Eye

Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Courage #Pain #Real

God never asked us to meet life's pressures and demands on our own terms or by relying upon our own strength. Nor did He demands that we win His favor by assembling an impressive portfolio of good deeds. Instead, He invites us to enter His rest.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Winning #Demand #Deeds

God presents the Sabbath rest as a shelter we can enter. (Hebrews 4:1-11)
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Shelter #Hebrew #Sabbath

Patience is a bitter plant that produces sweet fruit.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational #Sweet #Fruit

The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it's a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Life #Thinking #Secret

Fortunately, God made all varieties of people with a wide variety of interests and abilities. He has called people of every race and color who have been hurt by life in every manner imaginable. Even the scars of past abuse and injury can be the means of bringing healing to another. What wonderful opportunities to make disciples!
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Leadership #Hurt #Healing

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Excellence #Littles #Matter

Today is unique! It has never occurred and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Unique #Opportunity #Forever

Oh, how horrible our sins look when they are committed by someone else.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational Life #Looks #Sin

Stand still... and refuse to retreat. Look at it as God looks at it and draw upon His power to hold up under the blast.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Power #Retreat #Looks

The lens of fear magnifies the size of uncertainty.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Lenses #Size #Uncertainty

Alleged 'impossibilities' are opportunities for our capacities to be stretched.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Opportunity #Capacity #Impossibility

The Promised Land was a tangible representation of God's ultimate desire for His people, but they failed to comprehend His gift for at least three reasons: It was unconditionally promised, it was outrageously generous, and it was absolutely free. None of those make sense in the world as we know it...
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Land #People #Desire

Friends make life a lot more fun.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Friendship #Fun

Vision is the ability to see God’s presence, to perceive God’s power, to focus on God’s plan in spite of the obstacles.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Focus #Vision

When God is involved, anything can happen. Be open. Stay that way. God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Beautiful #Optimistic #Broken

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Friendship #Fun #Live Life

When you have a sense of calling, whether it's to be a musician, soloist, artist, in one of the technical fields, or a plumber, there is something deep and enriching when you realize it isn't just a casual choice, it's a divine calling. It's not limited to vocational Christian service by any means.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Life #Positive #Christian

The benefits [of the resurrection] are innumerable. To list a few: Our illnesses don't seem nearly so final; Our fears fade and lose their grip; Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished; Our desires to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated... Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: 'He is risen, indeed!'
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Easter #Grief

When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Positive #Attitude #Optimistic

Grace has to be the loveliest word in the English language. It embodies almost every attractive quality we hope to find in others. Grace is a gift of the humble to the humiliated. Grace acknowledges the ugliness of sin by choosing to see beyond it. Grace accepts a person as someone worthy of kindness despite whatever grime or hard-shell casing keeps him or her separated from the rest of the world. Grace is a gift of tender mercy when it makes the least sense.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Kindness #Humble #Grace

In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him...that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him - totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Spiritual #Prayer #Thinking

Deep, contended joy comes from a place of complete security and confidence [in God] - even in the midst of trial.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Joy #Contentment #Trials

Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hopes. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Dream #Attitude #Fire

The size of a challenge should never be measured by what we have to offer. It will never be enough. Furthermore, provision is God's responsibility, not ours. We are merely called to commit what we have - even if it's no more than a sack lunch.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Responsibility #Lunch #Challenges

Encourage one another. Many times a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept people on their feet.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Inspirational #Appreciation #Cheer

I am often the brunt of my own humor.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

When we arrive at dilemmas in life and we are unable to decipher the right direction to go, if we hope to maintain our confidence in the process, we must (repeat must) allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Strength, our Wisdom - our all!
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Faith #Lord #Guides

Of all the things God created, I am often most grateful He created laughter.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Happiness #Laughter #Grateful

The skeptic may deny your doctrine or attack your church but he cannot honestly ignore the fact that your life has been changed.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Life #Church #Doctrine

God's forgiveness extends to the worst offenders and to anyone who wishes to receive it-not because of who we are, but because of who He is.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Forgiveness #Wish #Who We Are

Allow me to offer a simple definition of wisdom. Wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Wisdom #Simple #Views

Please, put aside all excuses and ask yourself, "What should I be doing?" Yes, you alone can make a difference. The question is, will you?
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Wisdom #Differences #Making A Difference

To be used of God. Is there anything more encouraging, more fulfilling? Perhaps not, but there is something more basic: to meet with God.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#God #Used #God Is There

Good listeners believe they can learn something from everyone.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Wisdom #Believe #Good Listener

If we want the advantages of love, then we must be willing to take the risks of love. And that requires vulnerability. Of course, we can refuse this path and trod another one devoid of openness. But the toll on such a road is extremely high.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Love #Risk #Tolls

Only you can determine your choice of attitude. Choose wisely, choose carefully, choose confidently!
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Confidence #Attitude #Choices

Grace releases and affirms. It doesn't smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals. It doesn't destroy. Grace supports and encourages. It isn't jealous or suspicious.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Jealous #Support #Grace

Jesus has prepared the way and has made following our destiny possible, whereas we are helpless by ourselves. We can find and fulfill our purpose by responding to the clear, simple call of Jesus Christ: "Follow Me." He is the doorway to fulfilling our destiny, where our divine design and God-ordained purpose live in perfect harmony.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Jesus #Simple #Destiny

Good intentions and earnest effort are not enough. Only Jesus can make an otherwise futile life productive.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Jesus #Effort #Good Intentions

Worry and faith just don't mix.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Christian #Worry #Religion

Sometimes we are to guard our heart...protect it from invasion and keep things safe and secure. Sometimes we should give our heart... let certain qualities out and release them to others
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Heart #Giving #Quality

For there to be true maturity, people must be given room to grow, which includes room to fail...
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Maturity #People #Coaching

We shouldn't deny the pain of what happens in our lives. We should just refuse to focus only on the valleys.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Pain #Focus #Valleys

God never calls His people to accomplish anything without promising to supply their every need.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#People #Needs #Accomplish

Faith itself cannot accomplish anything, yet without faith, no one can fly.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Accomplish

Man is the only animal that when you pat him on the head, his head swells up.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Animal #Men

We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Believe #Needs #Discernment

In our rough and rugged individualism, we think of gentleness as weakness, being soft and virtually spineless. Not so! Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity. Instead of losing, the gentle gain. Instead of being ripped off and taken advantage of, they come out ahead!
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Self Esteem #Taken #Thinking

Boldness in the course of a noble fight is worth the risk... If you stand on truth, you'll only regret your timidity later, but you'll never regret being bold.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Regret #Fear #Fighting

Those who feed on rumors are small, suspicious souls.
-- Charles R. Swindoll

#Soul #Rumor

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

#Morning #Fire #White

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

#Night #People #Choices