Category Archives: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Praying Past Our Attitude

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Proverbs 16:5

When it comes to our ability to hear God’s voice, few things have more impact than our attitude. If we come to Him in rebellion, self-sufficiency, or pride, what should we expect to receive? The truth is, we’re not going to hear much of anything because our mindset is completely slanted away from the Lord. We can’t expect to see Him if we’re looking in the opposite direction. So we need to reexamine the way that we approach God. Specifically, we should be mindful of three crucial areas.

First, we must come to our Father submissively, bowing before Him in humility and thanking Him for His accessibility. As today’s verse indicates, pride is something that God absolutely hates. He will not allow us to enter His presence with arrogance in our hearts.

Second, we must trust God, knowing that He will guide us in the right direction and never steer us down a wrong path. Remembering His past faithfulness can grow our trust.

Third, we must be thankful in our speech and mindset, showing Him we recognize and appreciate the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us. We should demonstrate, as the saying goes, an “attitude of gratitude.”

When we come to the throne of God in submission, trust, and gratitude, we are going to hear the truth from our caring Father. But if these characteristics are not present in our life, we may miss His message. Prayerfully consider your attitude with regard to these three areas, asking the Lord to realign your heart and mind with His perfect will.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Rewards of Time Well Spent

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Psalm 63:1-8

Communicating with God is always a blessing: The believer who spends time alone with his Father can expect rich rewards. For example, King David’s psalms often speak of the stillness of soul and renewed energy that he experienced from time in God’s presence. Our spirit is quieted in prayer so that worry and frustration are soothed away. As the Lord refreshes us inwardly, we can feel the tension seeping out of our muscles. Not even a poet like David can explain how it happens, but the result of our worship is divine energy surging through these human bodies.

Our emotions are renewed as well. When I go home after a Sunday morning sermon, I’m quite tired. The perfect remedy is to sit down with the open Word and ask the Lord for a fresh sense of His presence and love. He answers every time. Those divine responses—as well as little nudges from the Holy Spirit—serve to strengthen our faith.

In spite of the great rewards that result from spending time in God’s presence, many Christians avoid it—especially when they are trying to ignore sin in their life. But He is determined to purify our hearts so we can be conformed to the image of His Son. If we are afraid of His correction and resist the transformation process, our relationship with Him will weaken. On the other hand, a desire to deal with anything that interferes with our connection to the Father will lead to a closer personal walk and bring blessings that go with being His beloved child. Time spent in His presence is always rewarded.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Forgiveness of Our Sins

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Psalm 103:1-5

Over the years I have heard Christians say, “I think I have committed an unpardonable sin.” Their body language showed the tremendous burden of guilt they carried. Perhaps this describes you or another believer close to you.

Based on the authority of the Bible, I can tell you without reservation that God loves you, and He forgives everyone who trusts Christ as Savior. Scripture says:

• With His blood, Jesus paid our entire sin debt and obtained our full pardon (Matt. 26:28). Every sin—without exception—is covered (Col. 2:13-14).

• Forgiveness is given to everyone who believes in Jesus (Acts 10:43) and remains available to all believers (1 John 1:9).

• Our pardon for sin is based on the riches of our Father’s grace, which always exceeds the offense (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:20).

• God doesn’t count past, present, or future sins against us (Rom. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:19).

To reconcile us to Himself, God sent His Son to die in our place. He accepted Christ’s sacrifice as payment in full for our transgressions. He offers forgiveness solely on the basis of our relationship with Jesus, not on our behavior. Because of our faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross, we can be assured that we have received and will continue to receive His divine mercy.

Scripture assures us that no transgression is beyond the scope of God’s pardon. This isn’t license to sin—far from it! Divine forgiveness should instead motivate a passion for holiness. If you’re struggling to accept God’s forgiveness, reread the verses above, and be thankful for such a great gift.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Escaping the Performance Trap

1 Comment

Charles Stanley

 

A treadmill is one of the most effective tools for burning calories, despite the fact that the person exercising stays in the same place. Similarly, many workers worry and grope through each day, without actually making headway. Isn’t it ironic that in both pursuits, people must give great effort without really going anywhere?

So it is with people who try to work their way to righteousness. Many Christians grow stagnant in their faith because they expend tremendous energy trying to attain some lofty ideal of the “Christian experience.” They usually understand that grace is what saved them but believe they must pay God back with good works in order to remain saved.

Have you become a modern-day Pharisee? Do you maintain a mental or psychological checklist to ensure that you do what you should and resist what you should not? Are you closer to living under the law than under God’s grace?

When you act outside of God’s will, your life runs on finite “fumes”: your own strength. The result can be exhaustion, withdrawal, and bitterness. The real Christian experience requires only that we have faith in Jesus Christ and abide in Him, the true Vine (John 15:5).

You can’t do anything to make God love you more. Nor can you do anything to make Him love you less. This is a liberating truth! Your heavenly Father isn’t keeping score—we can’t pay Him back for His grace. In fact, no amount of good works can pay the debt of love we owe. The apostle Paul wrote, “The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Gal. 3:24-25). He explained that there is no way we can keep God’s moral code perfectly. We need a Savior.

Even after we become Christians, God doesn’t want us to add law to His grace. He wants obedience, of course. But obedience is the overflow of a heart full of love, not legalism.

When Jesus tells us to keep His commandments, He emphasizes that obedience shows others we love Him (John 14:31). The moral law shows us our need of a Savior. But we cannot obey the Lord Jesus without His help. We are children wanting to please the Father because we love Him. This delivers us from legalism and keeps us grounded in grace, not only for salvation, but also for living the Christian life.

Living by Grace

The Scriptures compare our relationship with God to a race. Paul calls us to run so that we may win (1 Cor. 9:24)—and the author of Hebrews adds that we are to do so with endurance (Heb. 12:1).

Only by running on the wings of grace can believers triumphantly finish the course God has assigned for each one of His children. The legs of performance eventually grow weak. The muscles of legalism and religion weigh us down and become rigid hindrances. Our main problem is that we can understand the need for grace in salvation, but we tend to rely on other means for process of sanctification.

How can you cease striving, get off the performance treadmill, and learn to walk in grace? Here is the key: the more you humble yourself before God, the more you will receive the fullness of His grace.

God “gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Not to the strong, but to the weak. Not to the self-sufficient, but to the dependent. Grace belongs to the poor in spirit—in other words, those who humble themselves by recognizing God’s majesty and worshipping Him. The more you adore and praise the Savior, the more highly you’ll think of Him.

Humbling yourself won’t reduce your self-esteem or diminish your worth to God. Rather, it positions you to receive your sustenance from the source of all good things, Jesus Christ. As a humble believer, cast yourself on the grace of God, leaning on Him with your full weight. Draw all your strength, peace, joy, and security from the sufficiency of the Holy Spirit living within you.

Be strong in grace. Throw off the chains of works and “religion,” and receive the remarkable power of God’s merciful lovingkindness.

Adapted from Charles F. Stanley’s “Into His Presence” (2000) and “Handbook for Christian Living” (1996).

 

Resources About Your Salvation

Related Video

I Am Saved—Now What?

Have you ever wondered what happens after you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior? Or, do you ever wonder what really happens to a person once they are saved? In this message, Dr. Stanley shares with us what really happens when a person invites Christ into their hearts. (Watch I Am Saved—Now What?)

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Something Has to Change

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Ephesians 4:22-32

Why is it challenging for us to follow a godly path? As we mentioned last weekend, two conflicting tendencies exist within every believer: the patterns of the corrupted old self—or “the flesh”—and the righteousness of a new nature in Christ. The characteristics of these opposing inclinations are vividly portrayed in today’s verses. The quality of forgiveness, or the lack of it, will largely determine which tendency prevails in our lives.

The inevitable result of unforgiveness is anger, bitterness, and malice. By refusing to forgive, we allow the old flesh nature to dominate and produce its poisonous fruit. Every area of our life is affected when we refuse to extend to others the pardon Christ so generously extended to us—in essence, we are treating those around us as we would never want the Lord to treat us. Thankfully, His mercy toward us has no limit.

Although the pain and injustice of an offense can break our heart or damage our sense of self-worth, a refusal to forgive denies God the opportunity to redeem the hurt. We want Him to change the offender and make him sorry for what he has done, but the Lord wants to transform us. Forgiveness frees us to live in our new Christlike nature and enables us to see others through eyes of grace and mercy.

Look again at verses 31 and 32. Which one describes you? As believers, we all long to exhibit the qualities of our new nature, but the Lord can produce them only if we are willing to exchange offenses and grudges for tender hearts that forgive. Something has to change—let it be you.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Gift of Forgiveness

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Colossians 3:12-17

Webster defines gift as “something given to show friendship, affection, support, etc.” Using this definition, it seems logical to give gifts only to people we love, not to those who hurt or abuse us. Yet Scripture clearly tells us to offer one of the greatest possible gifts—forgiveness—to those who mistreat us.

To forgive means “to give up all claims to punish or exact a penalty for an offense.” No strings or conditions can be attached, or else it ceases to be a pardon. Ephesians 2:8-9 expands on this by contrasting the gift of salvation with works. Neither salvation nor forgiveness can be earned; both must be freely given. God granted us forgiveness, which we did not deserve and could not earn. And in much the same way, we are to release every offender from any form of penalty.

Unforgiveness is emotional bondage that consumes minds with memories of offenses, distorts emotions with revenge, and fills hearts with churning unrest. Its tentacles reach deep into the soul, affecting both spiritual and physical health. But the one who chooses to put on love and offer forgiveness is ready to receive the peace of Christ. Let God’s Word help you release hurt and anger into His caring hands—then watch as vengeful thoughts are transformed into praise and gratitude to the Lord.

Thankfully, the gift of pardon is not something we have to manufacture in ourselves. This present is wrapped in the love of God and tied with the red ribbon of Christ’s sacrifice. It is freely given to us by the Savior, and our job is simply to pass it on to others.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Who Is Your Master?

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

James 4:7-10

No man or woman is absolutely free. Romans 6:16 says we are slaves of whomever we obey—slaves either of sin or of obedience to the Lord. Because every human is born with a fallen nature, being the master of our own life is the same as being enslaved to sin.

Our heavenly Father’s prescription for this unhealthy situation is submission to Him. But we often think to ourselves, If I give the Lord control, then I lose it—and that’s scary. God could lead me somewhere I don’t want to go.

When fear seeps into your heart, stop and consider the Lord’s character and motives. He is holy and sinless; He has infinite wisdom, perfect knowledge, and an eternal perspective; He loves you and has the power to work all things for your good (Gen. 50:20). Now compare your credentials to His. Who do you think would make a better master of your life?

If the Lord is to have full authority, all rival rulers must be dethroned. The Holy Spirit will not fill believers who tolerate sin in their lives. The grace of God covers the guilt of our transgressions, but it cannot be used to excuse continued disobedience (Rom. 6:1-2). We grieve the Spirit when we say yes to sin and stifle Him when we say no to God (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).

Don’t let yourself be discouraged by the magnitude of this call to submission. None of us can attain sinless perfection on earth, but each time we take a step of obedience, sin’s hold on us will lessen. Press on—you’ll soon begin to live in the freedom of enslavement to the most amazing Master you’ve ever known.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Meaning of the Cross

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Matthew 16:21-27

The theme of God’s redemptive plan runs through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. At its heart is Calvary, the place where Jesus died so we could be forgiven. As we read the Scriptures, we see that the cross symbolizes . . .

Salvation. Jesus bore our sins upon the cross and died in our place so we could be reconciled to God and receive eternal life.

Sacrifice. Christ, who was “in very nature God” (Phil. 2:6 NIV), chose to leave the perfection of heaven and live among sinful people. Laying aside His divine authority, He was born a helpless baby, completely dependent upon others. His first 30 years were spent in obscurity, without recognition of His messiahship. During His public ministry, He faithfully carried out God’s plan all the way to His death on the cross. Jesus’ days on earth are an example to us of the sacrificial life (Rom. 12:1-2).

Service. Jesus said He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Christ’s supreme act of service was dying on the cross so we might have eternal life. Our Savior calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him through sacrificial service to others (Luke 9:23). As we embrace a lifestyle of humility and servanthood, we will bring glory to our heavenly Father.

In our culture, success is based on achievement. We admire those who succeed in athletics, business, and the arts. But greatness in God’s kingdom is found in a life of obedience. Are you following His plan and helping others as Jesus did? Have you shared with them the good news of Christ?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Centrality of the Cross

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

John 19:17-22

In Jesus’ day, crucifixion was used by the Roman government as a method of executing criminals. God transformed the cross into a symbol that unites Christians everywhere. It stands at the heart of what we believe and serves as a central focus of the gospel message. When we consider the cross, we will think about . . .

Jesus and His perfect life. Our Savior left heaven to dwell on earth and become one of us. While here, He obediently accomplished the work His Father had given Him (John 5:19). Because of His perfect life, He alone was qualified to be our substitute and bear God’s judgment for our sins.

Crucifixion. Christ went to the cross in order to reconcile us to God. He suffered a painful death on our behalf, and through His sacrifice, our sin debt has been paid. God’s justice was fully satisfied at Calvary. Nothing else is required for our salvation.

Resurrection and ascension. Three days after Jesus was buried, God raised Him from the dead. The Savior’s sacrifice on the cross was accepted as payment for our sins, and the way to heaven was opened for all who trust in Jesus. Our resurrected Lord, having appeared on earth to many people, ascended to live forever with His Father. Jesus conquered death and made it possible for us to dwell in heaven with Him someday.

Every Sunday I invite people to place their faith in Jesus Christ. Because of the cross and what happened there, such an invitation has great value to the hearer. In fact, the events of Calvary continue to be relevant to Christians of all ages. Take time today to thank the Lord for the cross.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Grace to Overcome

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Lord declares that His grace is sufficient for every painful situation we will ever encounter. Because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for us, we do not have to succumb to discouragement, give up hope, or walk away from His plan. We will know God’s grace is working in us when . . .

We have the strength to persevere. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, God releases His supernatural power into our life so we might endure (Acts 1:8).

A spirit of confidence in Him is ignited within our hearts and minds. Grace helps us believe that God will bring good from our troubles (Rom. 8:28).

We sense His presence with us. When grace is at work, we will be conscious of the Spirit’s abiding support.

Our focus shifts from our trials to the Lord. Grace helps us shift attention from our situation and emotions to God’s sufficiency.

We trust that God will bring us through this—and not just barely through, but with deeper intimacy and greater faith at the end.

We are assured of God’s sovereignty. The Lord knows our frailties. So He has promised to limit our trials to what our weaknesses, strengthened by His power, can bear (1 Cor. 10:13).

The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonment, and beatings—difficulties far worse than what most of us face. Yet he didn’t quit, because he drew on God’s grace and found it sufficient for every circumstance. Where do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Freedom in Christ

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

To those outside our faith, Christianity often seems like a religion of “dos” and “don’ts.” Many believers also fall into the trap of following a set of religious guidelines instead of enjoying a relationship with their heavenly Father.  Others believe that if Christ died for our sins, we are free to indulge in sinful pleasures—without fear of punishment.

What does it mean that Jesus came to set us free? Let’s look at some liberties we’re granted as believers.

1. Freedom from the bondage of sin.

Many times, behaviors that begin as an exercise of freedom turn into bondage. The thing we once did because we wanted to, we now feel compelled to do by our own desire.

  •  Read Romans 7:19-20. What areas of habitual temptation do you struggle with?

Sin ultimately brings spiritual, relational, emotional, and possibly physical death (James 1:14-15).

  •  What areas in your life have suffered “death” because of sinful thoughts, habits, or other behaviors?
  •  Read Luke 4:17-19. Are you in bondage to an area of sin? If so, ask God to show you how to be set free from that sin’s power in your life.

If nothing comes to mind, pray for a friend or loved one who is struggling with bondage to sin.

2.  Freedom from guilt.

Not only are we set free from the power of sin, but we can also be released from the guilt associated with it. The feeling of guilt results from both real and imagined transgressions. (For instance, someone may feel false guilt for taking a reasonable break from work.) Guilt is also a spiritual condition: those who refuse Christ’s gift of forgiveness remain in a guilty state before God (Rom. 6:23).

  • How does God see us if we have accepted His gift of salvation (2 Cor. 5:21)?
  • Do you ever struggle with feeling at fault for things that are not wrong in God’s eyes?
  • Explain why believers don’t have to feel guilty after confessing a sin (1 John 1:9).
  • Do you have a hard time accepting Christ’s forgiveness? If so, why?

3. Freedom from fear of death.

The average person is afraid to die. But as believers, we can look forward to the afterlife.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. [Note: the writer uses the phrase “fallen asleep” instead of saying “passed away.” From other passages, we know that when believers die, their spirits go immediately to heaven (2 Cor. 5:8). In a sense, their bodies “sleep” here on earth.]

  • What makes a believer’s grief different from that of the world (v. 13)?
  • Why would Paul think these words were comforting (vv. 17-18)?
  • Can you relate to this sentiment? Why or why not?

Good medical care and healthy living can lengthen life expectancy. However, only faith in Christ gives us eternal life (John 3:16).

4. Freedom from ceremonial law and man-made religious traditions.

Just like our salvation, the process of becoming more Christlike is a work of the Holy Spirit. We participate by submitting to His control, but it’s not something we accomplish in our own power by following religious rules.  

  • The Galatians were being told that as Gentiles, they still had to follow the Jewish tradition of circumcision in order to be saved. What advice did Paul give them (Gal. 5:1)?
  • Read 2 Corinthians 3:17. Have you ever felt in bondage to man-made religious rules or traditions?  Give an example, and explain how you responded to it.
  • What are believers supposed to do with the freedom they enjoy in Christ (Gal. 5:13)?
  • What does verse 13 inspire you to do?

Pastors and other spiritual leaders sometimes attempt to play the role of the Holy Spirit, defining spirituality by a set of rules. This doesn’t mean you should flaunt the reasonable guidelines they set. But it does mean that your growth isn’t necessarily contingent upon your ability to follow religious standards set by others.

5. Freedom from deception and false beliefs.

Most people believe that more money, success, or pleasure will bring them happiness and satisfaction. The truth is, fulfillment in life is found in relationship with the Lord and in following His will.

  • Read 2 Timothy 2:22. What heartaches have you avoided by seeking God’s will?
  • Read John 8:32. Explain a few ways that biblical truth has set you free.

In Christ, we can find freedom from prejudice, worldly perspectives, and harmful beliefs—to name just a few.  

Prayer: The liberties mentioned in this study are a sample of the many we enjoy as children of God.As you finish, thank the Lord for the freedoms He has given you. Include those covered in this study as well as any others that come to mind.

 

Related Resources

Related Video

The Truth That Sets Us Free

God wants to deal with your bondage. Are you ready to be set free? How can you truly be free? (Watch The Truth That Sets Us Free.)

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Grace to Keep Going

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Romans 16:17-20

“I can’t take it.” “I give up.” “I quit.” These are powerful words which, when we act on them, deeply impact others’ lives as well as our own. Let’s look at three key things that could cause us to express such sentiments.

First, Satan and his fallen angels’ influence can be a factor in our choice to walk away from God’s plan. Their involvement in our goings-on can tempt us to stop waiting on the Lord for solutions and instead seek a more immediate way out. But running ahead of God is the same as declaring that His promises don’t hold true. This is what the devil wants—he tries to redirect our focus away from hope in Jesus Christ and onto our negative emotions. His tactic is to make us feel discouraged and helpless so we will be less effective for the kingdom.

A second reason we stop following God’s plan is the influence of our culture. Ungodly people are always ready to give believers advice, and too often we find the world’s methods and “wisdom” attractive. Divine direction is needed if we are to set ourselves apart from nonbelievers’ thinking and yet stay close enough to be able to share God’s viewpoint and message of hope with them.

The inclinations of our natural self—known as “the flesh” (Rom. 8:8)—conflict with our new nature, tempting us to abandon God’s way. Sacrifice isn’t comfortable; our innate tendency is to do what feels good and benefits us or those we love.

God declares that His grace is sufficient to keep us going in every situation. That means we need never give up. How does this apply to your life today?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Gift of Freedom

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:1-14

Every time I celebrate Independence Day, I am reminded of the freedom Christ accomplished for us on the cross when He paid the penalty for our sins. Now all who believe in Him have been liberated from the destructive power of sin. But sadly, many Christians don’t live in the freedom He won for them.

That’s what happened to the Galatians. They’d been saved through faith in Jesus, but some false teachers told them they also had to keep the Law of Moses to maintain their salvation. Adding requirements to the finished work of Christ can make people uncertain and insecure about their spiritual standing.

When I was saved at the age of 12, I was immediately held in bondage to the rules my church established for me. The list of condemning sins included going to movies, wearing cuff links, and reading the comics on Sunday. That was a real problem for me because I loved Dick Tracy. Every Sunday I had to confess to the Lord that I had sneaked a peak before delivering the papers on my route. In time, I lost much of my childhood joy because I was plagued by guilt. I never knew if I was destined for heaven or hell. Every night I’d climb into bed and beg God to forgive me because I hadn’t been able to obey the rules.

If you’re struggling with feelings of guilt and condemnation, I want you to know there is freedom in Christ. When He cried out on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), that’s exactly what He meant. Nothing else is needed. He paid in full for your salvation and promises to complete the good work He began in you (Phil. 1:6).

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Casual View of Sin

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Romans 6:1-7

Believers recognize the depravity of sin, but many continue to have a careless attitude about it. We hear people argue, “Everyone sins at times, so don’t worry about it. Confess, and God will forgive.”

If we are honest with ourselves about the nature of disobedience, we know the issue isn’t that simple. God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9), but His gracious provision isn’t designed as license to transgress. Commandments are in place to protect us from enslavement, which is the natural result of persistent wrongdoing. Each choice to break God’s rules, even for “little” sins, adds another link to our slavery chain, which eventually is long enough to wrap tightly around our heart. When that happens, it hinders us from enjoying the Lord’s blessings.

Any sin, no matter how insignificant it seems, is rebellion against the Lord. God didn’t come up with the idea of scales for wrongdoing; we did. We think a lie weighs only a little, whereas stealing is heavy; we view adultery as hefty but less substantial than homicide. Likewise, we reason that a lie needs only a small bit of forgiveness and grace, while murder requires generous amounts of both. Yet God’s perspective differs from this man-made notion. Jesus still had to die on the cross to forgive a lie. Though different sins cause different amounts of damage, it takes the same sacrifice to pay the penalty for theft as it does to pardon murder.

We are privileged to have a Father who breaks our human chains. However, we are not freed so that we can disobey; rather, God offers us freedom from the domination of sin.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Failure to Listen to God

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

2 Timothy 4:1-4

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul solemnly charges him to preach the Word and to reprove and rebuke with great patience (2 Tim. 4:2). A pastor could hardly have a more difficult assignment than this, because few people respond well to correction. What you do when you are criticized is a good indication of the maturity of your faith. The Bible tells us that “he who neglects discipline despises himself” while “he who listens to reproof acquires understanding” and “will dwell among the wise” (Prov. 15:31-32).

Every time criticism comes our way, we stand at a crossroads of possibilities for good or evil. We can either embrace correction and grow up or reject it and start down the slippery slope described in 2 Timothy 4. In this passage, Paul outlines the behavior of those who become tired of reproof. He says they will reject sound doctrine and instead embrace the teaching of those who “tickle” their ears (v. 3). This means they’ll hunt for churches or religious teachers who fail to apply the whole counsel of God. Then they “will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (v. 4). Most people in this state probably couldn’t trace how they went from truth to myths, but it may have started when they rejected some hard saying from the Bible or ignored good advice from a critic.

We can’t afford to “turn away our ears”—not even from critics who are immature, ignorant, or evil. Remember, if God spoke through Balaam’s donkey (Num. 22:28), He can speak through anyone. Be mindful to keep your ears open to God’s voice, regardless of the form it may come in.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Filling God’s Gaps

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Genesis 16:1-6

Has God given you a vision that is as yet unfulfilled? Has He assigned you a task that remains incomplete, though you’ve done everything you know to do?

When the Lord creates “gaps” in our life, such waiting periods are designed for His specific purposes. Sometimes they are meant to prepare us for His pre-ordained answer. He may be waiting to fulfill His plan, because in the meantime there is something He needs to take care of—perhaps a rough edge that must be smoothed or a relationship that must be restored—before He will fully accomplish His purposes. He may also be testing our faith by plumbing its depths and expanding its borders so He can prove Himself faithful. Or He may be using a dry period as an occasion for correction: God will not reward a saint who is living in rebellion.

Oswald Chambers advises us to wait upon the Lord while He prepares us for His answers. It is imperative that we pray and trust God during these periods. We should not act until we’re certain that we have heard from Him. In fact, it can be dangerous to listen to others instead of the Lord. Even people with godly intentions can be wrong—look at Abram’s poor decisions after listening to the seemingly solid logic of his wife. The result was that Sarai’s handmaiden Hagar conceived Abram’s child, which certainly was not part of the Lord’s preferred plan.

Anything other than God’s plan carried out God’s way and in God’s timing amounts to self-reliance. Depend on His Spirit when deciding how to proceed; any other course of action can lead to serious and lasting repercussions.

Charles Stanley

 Charles Stanley – Staying on Course

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Christian life can be likened to a race with a predetermined course and a finish line in eternity. Each child of God has a personalized route specially designed by the Lord. Our goal is to stay on track and run with endurance, but the path can be discerned and navigated only by focusing on Jesus. Because He ran the race perfectly and finished His course, He can show us the way.

As with any long-term race, the course is full of obstacles that threaten to trip or sidetrack us. Temptations lure us to what we imagine are lush green pastures, while busyness can lead us down rabbit trails that end in exhaustion. Worry and fear grab hold of our minds, and emotions take us places the Lord never intended for us to go.

Although sins present the most obvious hindrances, other obstacles and detours are subtler. Anything that takes precedence over our relationship with the Lord can send us down the wrong path. Because involvement in the daily activities of earthly life is necessary, we can easily let our families, jobs, and pleasures distract us from a wholehearted pursuit of Christ. Surprisingly, even God’s blessings can become obstacles in the race if we start to pursue them more than we do the Lord Himself.

We must remember that the goal is not to focus on the path or to try and find our own way. Instead, we’re to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is not only our guide but also our destination. And He will welcome us home with open arms when we finish the race and cross into eternity.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – What steps can I take to apply the truth to my life?

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

John 1:12

God wants us independent of everything but Him.

Once you know the truth of your position, personage, and possessions in Christ, how do you make practical application of this information in your daily walk?

Here are four steps:

You must choose to be free. You simply must make up your mind that you believe God’s Word and that you will break free from the bondages that have enslaved you. You made a conscious decision when you accepted Christ, and you can make another to believe the truth you have learned and throw off the old thought patterns and behaviors that haunt you.

You must continue in the Word. You cannot abide in God’s Word by memorizing a few verses or by zipping through it five minutes before bedtime. You must seek to absorb the deep riches of Scripture and ask God to show you how it applies to your life.

You must believe God’s Word to be true. Satan will acknowledge that God’s Word is true, but then he’ll whisper that it doesn’t apply to you. Yes, it does! God’s Word applies to everyone, and God will speak to you specifically through it.

You must claim by faith what rightfully belongs to you. You are a saint of God because of your faith in Christ and His work on the Cross. Your position, personage, and possessions are all in Christ and come only because of the Cross. Claim them with confidence, and trust God with the results.

Excerpt from In Touch magazine. Subscribe to In Touch magazine free here.

 

Related Resources

Related Audio

How The Truth Can Set You Free

What are the steps you can take to apply the truth to your life? (Listen to How The Truth Can Set You Free, Part 9.)

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Teaching Kids About Work

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Mark 1:16-20

Jesus’ call to be fishers of men extends to modern believers. In order for anyone to achieve and become all that God has in mind, it is crucial to learn the right attitude toward work, whether it relates to vocation or service to the Lord. As parents, we must teach our children these additional lessons from fishing:

A fisherman must be industrious. The Bible tells us that Zebedee had some hired help (Mark 1:20). He didn’t settle for simply catching enough fish to feed his own family; he built a successful business that could also sustain his employees. It is likely that Zebedee taught his sons to aspire to reach their full potential instead of accepting “good enough.”

A fisherman must be disciplined. He doesn’t have the option of sleeping late or leaving the water early. Even though he is tired after a long shift, he recognizes that he must clean the nets to keep them in good repair. Zebedee’s sons learned responsibility and self- control on their father’s boat.

A fisherman must be persistent. The best catch is often made after everyone else gives up. Zebedee undoubtedly taught James and John not to quit until they gave their fullest effort. This ingrained attitude was essential when Jesus sent the disciples out to evangelize the world.

The order to spread the gospel is still in effect. The church needs committed believers who teach and demonstrate a biblical mindset. Parents who model industry, discipline, and persistence are most likely to raise children determined to win the world for Jesus Christ.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Dealing With Heavy Burdens

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Psalm 116:1-7

Today, let’s look more closely at Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV). The prophet’s wisdom offers timeless practical advice on how to handle burdens.

1. “Stand at the crossroads and look.” In a time of turmoil, our minds race ahead to think of all that could happen in the future. We ask ourselves lots of “what if” questions and frequently fall victim to unfounded worry. To “stand” means to turn our mind from its troubling thoughts of the future and to focus on God. It’s similar to being at an intersection with signs pointing many different ways. We wait, not moving until we know in which direction to head.

2. “Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is.” The road of trouble has been well traveled by the saints of the faith, and their footsteps have made it into a path of glory to God. Meditate on the cries of King David in the Psalms or on the prayers of others in the Bible. Ponder their responses as well as the way they reveal their faith and trust in God, even while suffering greatly. Accept the Spirit’s revelation of the ancient path of faith and the good way of trust. Then pray for courage to walk those paths as Jesus did.

3. “Walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.” With eyes firmly fixed on our Jesus Christ, resolve to walk down this road of suffering in a way that is honoring to Him. Draw deeply on the Holy Spirit’s strength for the next step, and seek to be obedient in thought, word, and deed. You will discover that as you follow Him, sweet, soul-satisfying rest will be found.