Category Archives: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Shield of Faith

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 6:14-17

The apostle Paul wrote about spiritual warfare so we might know our enemy and how to fight him. He compared the armor and weapons God has given us to the outfitting of a soldier: a helmet to protect our minds, a breastplate to cover our hearts, special shoes to help us stand firm, a belt of God’s truth to encircle us, the mighty sword of the Spirit, and the protective shield of faith.

Roman soldiers carried large rectangular shields, which covered the entire body. When facing an attack of flaming arrows, the warriors would stand shoulder to shoulder, with neighboring shields touching. Then, as the enemy’s arrows flew toward them, they would kneel in unison with their shields held above them, still in contact with the ones on either side. Nothing could pierce that defense.

This is a picture of how we are to fight when Satan sends flaming darts our way. They enter our life in the form of temptations, doubts, or anxieties—the devil’s combatants shoot these silently and swiftly towards us in the hopes of finding a vulnerable spot. When we maintain our shield of faith in an upright position, the attack fails. However, if we should lower it or fail to stand together as the body of Christ, the missiles penetrate.

Our heavenly Father has provided all we need for life on a battlefield. He has secured the victory through Jesus Christ, canceled sin’s power over us, and given us armor to wear. Our part is to walk by faith, believing God moment by moment. Remember that your faith is your shield. Keep it in good order.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Faith to Hold Out

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 12:3-11

Sometimes our life can seem like a long, dark tunnel. Perhaps we are unable to discover a solution for a problem, or we cannot find relief from pain. Regardless of the direction we turn, we can’t find hope for anything better than our present circumstances.

Thankfully, we serve a God who feels our pain and knows our limitations firsthand. Jesus Christ walked through the valley of the shadow of death and cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34). This means that when our faith is stretched to the breaking point, our strength is exhausted, and our dreams are shattered like glass, Jesus understands. And He asks us to hold on, even when everything in us screams to give up.

Giving up means abandoning God’s help for our own strength. We try to manipulate a situation or simply avoid pain. In essence, we are choosing to believe that Satan in his worldly power is stronger than Christ within us—which is the exact opposite of what the Bible says is true (1 John 4:4). Of course, the devil is not more powerful, but we let him win a battle if we give up on the assurance that God will see us through difficulty. When we have that attitude, we miss the Father’s blessing and limit our usefulness in His kingdom.

Even when we cannot detect His presence, God is working every moment on our problem. But we must trust His perfect timing for revealing the answer. Your Father knows your hurt, and He will bring you through that dark tunnel. Do not give up before receiving His blessing.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Success Blockers

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 12:1-2

While everyone wants to feel like a success, many—if not most—people do not see themselves that way. You may find this surprising, but a lot of Christians don’t consider themselves successful either.

One culprit is fear. We may think we lack ability or have insufficient experience to achieve a task God has given us. As a result, fear can become a dominant emotion. Instead of seeing ourselves as moving forward, we begin to visualize our failure. Might that be the case with you when you picture your future?

Another block to success is doubt. It makes us question our thinking, our God-given abilities, and even His direction. If we do not know what the Lord says in His Word, we may find it hard to understand what He is asking of us personally. Doubt can cause us to question whether or not the direction is from Him. Furthermore, past failures and guilt over prior mistakes can create doubt, just as critical comments from others can impede us. Has doubt slipped into your thinking?

Success can also be hindered by the excuses we offer for not doing what God has asked. Adam blamed Eve; Eve blamed the serpent. Moses said he was not good at public speaking. What excuses have you been offering lately?

There are ways to remove success blockers. Counter your fear with the truth of Scripture; remember you have received a spirit of power from the Lord (2 Tim. 1:7); and invest time in deepening your relationship with God so you will believe His instructions and obey.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Success and Money

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Charles Stanley

Luke 12:13-21

There is a prevailing deception today, one so powerful it makes people risk their families, their health, and their integrity. The deception is that success is defined by our material wealth. Many of us decide we are a failure without it. And with it, we somehow believe we are automatically successful. To uncover the truth, we need only ask ourselves, What is the Lord’s view of us?

God sees that some of us have an idolatrous attitude toward riches. Life revolves around the topic of money—getting it, keeping it, having enough of it, and bemoaning our lack of it. A godly view of wealth sees money as a medium of exchange given by God so we may provide for others and meet our basic needs. Riches are not to be worshiped; only God is.

The Lord warns us about our attitude toward treasure (Matt. 6:24). The pursuit of wealth can set us adrift from Him or choke off the power of Scripture in our lives. It can even enslave us as we try to gain financial security. The Lord states that He—and not the pursuit of riches—is to be the center of our lives; our security is to be found in Him alone. We are urged to take steps to protect ourselves against the temptations that come with desiring or having treasure.

None of us are immune from the lure to pursue wealth or the temptation to define ourselves as successful when we have it. Pray that God will reveal your attitude toward money and success. Then confess any ungodliness. He can use our money for the good of His kingdom if we surrender all we have to Him.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Momentary Pleasure

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 13:5-6

There are all sorts of ads on television and radio. Frequently when it gets down to the fine print, the announcer speaks so fast that you can’t keep up with him. Why does he speak quickly? Because he’s reading the part the company would rather you didn’t hear. The message they want you to absorb is, Buy it now.

Satan makes a similar presentation: Don’t worry about the future; you can have immediate fulfillment now! The strength of his temptations is that worldly things are available immediately. You can have them—for a price—and they will provide temporary gratification.

The enemy doesn’t bring up tomorrow. Because he wants us to forfeit our future, he invites us to demand instant fulfillment of our desires. But there’s nothing you or I “must have” now that’s worth stepping out of God’s will or losing the privileges and opportunities He has prepared for us. The Lord has a plan for our lives, and there is absolutely nothing that can compare with His will, His purpose, and His goals.

Our relationship with God is the most important aspect of our existence. No experience at any time in our lives compares in the slightest with knowing Him. Yet every day, because we think we “must have it now” we’re tempted to choose what Satan has to offer.

We sacrifice our future when we make irrevocable decisions during times of emotional weakness. Jesus Christ can help us face any temptation or trial Satan can throw our way. The Lord is there for us, and He will never leave us or forsake us.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Challenge: Forgiving Ourselves

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Charles Stanley

1 John 3:20

Have you ever heard someone say, “I know God has forgiven me, but I’ll never be able to forgive myself”? While such self-condemnation can spring from several sources, it is, in any case, an enemy the Lord has already defeated. Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This encouraging statement covers all condemnation, including self-recrimination. How, then, should we deal with those condemning voices?

First of all, we need to distinguish between remorse and guilt. We are right to feel sorrow and remorse for past deeds, but to carry guilt for them is not necessary. The Bible assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Any lingering feelings of guilt after this are enemies trying to rob us of our freedom in Christ.

Sometimes these feelings of guilt stem from the mistaken notion that we still must pay for our sins, so we unconsciously embrace perpetual remorse as a way to make restitution for past wrongs. Such a practice suggests the faulty idea that Jesus’ precious blood wasn’t sufficient to cover all of the sins from our past, present, and future. Once we finally realize that He has stamped “paid in full” on our account, then we must never dare to side with those who would have us believe otherwise.

Since our heavenly Father has given us His Word, we can reject all accusing voices and rest on His promise: “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:20 NKJV).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Teaching Children to Focus on God

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 Charles Stanley

Listening to God is one of the most important skills we can ever acquire. When believers know how to hear Him, they become much less vulnerable to temptation. Early childhood is the ideal time for someone to learn how to focus on the Lord. If children don’t start this training as kids, it becomes more difficult as they go into their teen and young adult years.

Here are some practical ways to train your children to focus on God, an important step in learning to hear His voice.

Preschool Children

Encourage preschoolers to pray throughout the day. This will set a pattern of daily communication with the Lord. But because their attention spans are short—usually just one minute per year of life—guide them toward short prayers of gratitude. For example:

“Thank You, God, for the pretty flowers.”
“Thank You, God, for the yummy ice cream cone!”
“Thank You, God, for our family.”

Prayers like these lay a foundation of thankfulness to God as the wonderful Creator of good things. Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (emphasis added). You will find that most preschoolers love to express thanks to God.

Find a good Bible geared to preschoolers, and read it to your children regularly. Kids love listening to stories and looking at pictures from an age-appropriate, well-written Bible storybook. For ages 1-3, try The Beginner’s Bible, and for older pre-schoolers, try The Jesus Storybook Bible. Once your children are past the book-tearing phase, you can let them look at the pictures and “read” the Bible on their own. A good children’s Bible will help them develop a love for God’s Word.

 

Elementary Students

Elementary school kids should also have their own copy of the Scriptures. Look for a children’s Bible in an easy-to-comprehend translation designed for elementary students. (NIV Adventure Bible is a great resource.) Even before children become Christians, they can read the Word and ask God to help them understand it. You may want to guide your children to passages with clear application so they don’t get bogged down in difficult sections of Scripture.

Give them their own prayer journals. Then encourage them to ask God to help them understand a particular Bible passage and how to apply it to their lives. Have them write down anything God reveals. (But don’t expect too much—early
elementary students might write just one to three sentences.)

When you pray with your child before bed, get on your knees with them. (Also let them “catch” you on your knees in prayer during your times alone with God.) Kneeling helps us concentrate on Him and hear Him better, and is one way we can demonstrate humility before the Lord.

Encourage kids to write down some of their prayers. Have them begin with simply keeping a list of requests and the ways God answers. As children mature, you can encourage them to write out their prayers as letters to the Lord.

Last, don’t forget to pray for your children as they begin the life-long journey of listening to God’s voice. It’s not always easy to focus on the Father’s message to us, but it is definitely worth the effort!

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How to Love Your Mother

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

As children, we showed Mom love with hugs, drawings, and cuddles. But now that we’re adults, some of us are uncertain how to demonstrate love to her. At times this is because the relationship is challenging: Meeting her needs as she ages can be emotionally draining and time-consuming. Or perhaps resentment over experiences of conflict, mistreatment, or rejection in childhood have created a barrier.

Yet despite past histories and present challenges, we cannot ignore the Bible’s command to honor our parents (Eph. 6:2). Let me suggest four ways to respect and love your mother regardless of what has happened in your relationship.

1. Love her patiently. There are no perfect mothers. We all make mistakes and carry emotional baggage that shapes our actions and responses. Just consider how patiently God deals with you, and do the same with your mom.

2. Treat her kindly. Rudeness only reveals our own imperfections and does nothing to benefit Mom or improve your relationship with her.

3. Act unselfishly. We are called to follow Christ’s example of selfless service instead of seeking convenience or our own comfort.

4. Remember that love requires forgiveness. Holding a grudge not only poisons us; it also prevents a good relationship from developing.

Now, all this sounds impossible, and it is—apart from Christ living His life through you. He knows exactly how to love your mom. And He will guide and empower you to respond as He would, if you will yield control of your life to Him.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Kindness: An Admirable Quality

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Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Yesterday we read about the fruit produced in a Spirit-filled life and noted that all the other qualities are expressions of the first one—love (Gal. 5:22-23). Author Ray Stedman explains, “After all, joy is love enjoying itself; peace is love resting; patience is love waiting; kindness is love reacting; goodness is love choosing;faithfulness is love keeping its word; gentleness is love empathizing; and self-control is love resisting temptation.”

Let’s focus on kindness, which he says is how love reacts. It is revealed in . . .

• Generous thoughts that look for the good first.

• Sensitive words that are spoken to the unruly for discipline and the well-behaved for praise.

• Considerate responses that are made in the face of anger or injustice.

• Intentional actions that benefit others without personal gain.

Think of your responses over the past week. Might there be any irritation, impatience, or words you wish you could take back?

Kindness is not something that we put on for certain occasions, like a piece of jewelry; rather, it is an attribute of God’s that He desires to reproduce in us. Take time to bow your head and acknowledge how kind your heavenly Father has been to you. Confess any acts of unkindness, and receive the forgiveness He promises (1 John 1:9). Then ask Him to continue working through the Holy Spirit to develop the fruit of kindness in you. Tell Him you know that is one of the qualities He delights in and you desire it to be evident in you.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Impossible Love Made Possible

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Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:22-23

When a lawyer asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus’ answer was, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He also quoted a second one: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37, 39). What an overwhelming assignment!

In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but God has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.

Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grapevine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us so that we, in turn, can pass it on to others.

Agape—or divine love—is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us; it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous and weighty, God’s grace is enough to make it possible.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Pattern of Powerful Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Colossians 1:9-14

If someone should ask the question, “How can I pray for you?” would you be able to give a clear answer? Oftentimes we simply do not know what to say. The same thing can happen when we ask that question of friends—frequently we get only a vague answer. Learning to pray for one another does not come naturally; we must be taught.

That is why the Bible includes many patterns for effective prayer. One is found in Paul’s epistle to the saints at Colossae. He prayed that they would be “filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will” (Col. 1:9). The fact that the apostle prayed this means we can come to know what God is doing in our lives. When we understand His will, that knowledge is both satisfying and precious.

Paul’s prayer also included additional requests on behalf of the Colossians. He asked the Lord to bless them with an understanding of what is right. What’s more, he prayed they would walk in a manner worthy of Christ and be strengthened with all power (vv. 10-11). Often, when that happens in the life of a believer, onlookers are attracted by what they see. Some may even come to recognize the Lord at work as a Christian displays the Father’s power to forgive sins and walks before Him in holiness.

These are the specific requests you should make when praying for others. In fact, you would be wise to ask the same things for yourself. And you can count on this powerful prayer being answered, because it is in accordance with the will of God.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Praying in a Crisis

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Charles Stanley

Numbers 21:6-8

When was the last time you got on your knees and cried out to God about something other than personal issues? We’re often so involved in our own lives that we fail to see the crises facing others. I’m talking about situations that don’t affect our family at all—even more unrelated to us than, say, the deployment of a soldier we know or a terrorist attack on our land. But whether circumstances touch strangers or hit “close to home,” doesn’t it often feel as if such matters are just too big for one person’s prayer to make a difference?

Well, don’t believe it. The enemy wants us to assume that cataclysmic or tragic problems are too vast for our petitions to have any effect. But Scripture assures us that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). And the next verse gives a powerful example: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.”

Almighty God is able to heal, bring peace, and change circumstances. And He allows His children to participate in the process through prayer. He instructs us to talk with Him about everything (Phil. 4:6) and promises to hear when sin does not obstruct our communication (Ps. 66:18).

The next time you hear of a tragedy or problem—regardless of whether it affects strangers or people you know—resist the temptation to distance yourself from it. You can have an impact on the lives of others when you intercede on their behalf. So let news of a crisis become a catalyst for prayer.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Your Hope Journal

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Charles Stanley

Deuteronomy 7:17-19

Like a deer paralyzed by the sudden appearance of headlights, we can be brought to a standstill by unexpected emotions or circumstances. We stare blindly at the unforeseen event, unable to think or move—helplessness has moved in with us. It is in those initial moments, when our mind is blank and our emotions frozen, that we are most vulnerable. Satan and his cohorts stand ready to whisper lies into our mind and distract us from the truth.

The Bible is essential in many ways, especially in its ability to point us to the truth. The Scriptures are a record of God’s relationship and work in and through the nation of Israel and the New Testament church. We are blessed as we read how He worked in people’s lives. It is important to develop a habit of Scripture reading so that when we face a crisis, our automatic response will be to turn to God’s Word.

A personal diary or journal is also invaluable. Why? Because it is a record of how the Lord has worked in our own life. If not recorded, many details would be forgotten. These details give a marvelous testimony to God’s presence in our life and His intervention on our behalf.

In the Old Testament, Israel was often instructed to remember what God had done. Writing down how He’s made Himself known to you personally will help you recall His goodness. It will also assist you in fighting the lies of the enemy, who says that you are helpless. God’s Word and your recorded testimony of His work in your life form a powerful weapon to make helplessness flee.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Teaching Children to Serve the Lord

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Charles Stanley

God wants us to live strong lives of serving others for Him while we live on this earth. How can your family show love to people in your neighborhood? Children enjoy sharing happiness with others and including them in your plans for ministry is a sure way to ramp up their excitement about serving God.

Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:

  • Bake and take cookies to new neighbors you notice have recently moved in nearby.
  • Share a pot full of warm soup (and all the fixings) with an elderly neighbor who has a difficult time getting out of her home.
  • Offer to pick up pinecones or leaves from the yard of a single mother who lives near you.
  • Babysit free of charge for a young couple this week who may not have the financial ability to go out very often. If your children are close in age, this could naturally become a play date for the kids.

Psalm 100:2 reminds us to, “Serve the Lord with gladness.” That’s a Bible verse that your children can easily remember as you guide them in serving God in fun ways this week.

 

Related Resources

What are the top four things Dr. Stanley’s son Andy learned from him?

How can I pass on my faith?

What is the best way to train my children?

How can I leave a godly legacy?

How do I influence my children in a way that honors God?

More Resources About Servanthood

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When You Feel Helpless

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Charles Stanley

2 Chronicles 20:5-12

Yesterday, we saw what Jehoshaphat did when he found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation. Today, let’s extract another principle from the story as we learn how to handle helplessness.

In verses 5-12, Jehoshaphat is still focused on the Lord, which should also be our first response to fear. Yet notice what he does in this prayer. He is not looking forward, stating his fears of what might happen. Instead, he is remembering the past, recounting the times in the nation’s history when God brought Israel through similar “helpless” situations.

How often has the Lord done a mighty work on your behalf when all seemed lost? He is actively involved in our lives today. Sadly, we often thank Him in the moment but then forget what He’s done for us. Later, when we are fearful again, it’s far too easy to forget how He has already proven Himself in our lives.

We all need encouragement when we feel powerless. At such times, it helps to be mindful of what the sovereign Lord has achieved throughout history and in the world today. Not only that, but it’s also extremely valuable to recall the ways our loving Father has worked in our own lives.

God knows our faith is strengthened when we take His track record into account. That’s why the Bible so often instructs us to remember what the Lord has done—and to share that information with our family members.

In thinking about His many blessings, you view God’s work from a new perspective. You’ll start to see how He’s weaving the individual threads of your life to create a beautiful tapestry—for His glory.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Handling Helplessness

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Charles Stanley

2 Chronicles 20:1-4

Have you ever felt totally helpless? Can you remember facing a situation or emergency in which you were completely powerless? It’s a sobering experience for anyone. Even people who claim to be wholly dependent on God still like to feel as if they have some control over their circumstances.

Jehoshaphat faced a moment like that. In today’s verses, the good king was confronted with dangerous news: Three different armies had joined forces to destroy Israel. As he listened to the report, “a great multitude” of attackers were already on their way (v. 2).

What was the king’s response? Verse 3 tells us he was “afraid”. That makes perfect sense—he no doubt felt utterly powerless. However, even in that moment of helplessness, he knew exactly what to do. Scripture doesn’t say, “Jehoshaphat was afraid and ran away” or “Jehoshaphat was afraid but charged headlong into battle.” Instead, the Bible tells us that “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD” (emphasis added).

That was the perfect response to a helpless situation. The king knew that this was neither the time to give up nor the time to take action motivated by fear. Instead, he did the only wise thing he could—he prayed. More than that, he asked others to pray. And suddenly, the whole situation changed because God had been brought into a hopeless situation.

When we feel helpless, the first word out of our mouth should be “Father”. From then on, helplessness isn’t an issue, because God will provide what we need.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Standing Before God’s Open Door

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

In today’s passage, Paul wrote about open doors—he used the figure of speech to signify great opportunities to preach the gospel. Those “doors” were important because physical, technological, and geographical limitations hampered his work considerably.

Just think about how different things are for evangelistic efforts today. We’re living in the most opportune time to reach the entire world for Jesus. We have the technology to penetrate every country and impact every culture.

In times like this, we should be asking where we personally fit into God’s plan. It’s inappropriate to sit back and act as if this job were intended only for preachers and missionaries. There may be all kinds of reasons why we consider ourselves unqualified, but it is time we got past our excuses. All of us can read and study the Bible and then begin to share it with others. If you have trusted in the Savior, then you’ve received eternal life from Him and are indwelt by His Spirit. So you should be able to talk about Him.

This is the time to impact the entire world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can no longer think in terms of just “my workplace,” “my city,” or “my country”; the whole world matters. We begin at home but are not to stop until we’ve reached all people groups on earth.

Jesus died to purchase men from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Don’t discredit yourself or count yourself out. You can walk through the open doors God has placed before you and have a significant part in reaching the world with the good news of Christ.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Because He Came, We Must Go

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Charles Stanley

John 20:19-23

Can you imagine how intense the emotion was when Jesus appeared to His disciples in today’s passage? After days of hiding, afraid for their lives and mourning the loss of their Master, the followers of Christ were stunned to see Him standing before them in a locked room.

If the shock of His appearance wasn’t enough, think about the statement He made: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). The weight of that comment must have seemed overwhelming. After years of hearing Jesus talk about His divine purpose, the disciples were given a similar commission. Just as the Father had sent Jesus, so now Jesus was sending them into the world to spread the gospel, heal the sick, serve the needy, and glorify the Father.

Many Christians read that passage and think, I’m sure glad I wasn’t there to receive those “marching orders.” But guess what—you were. That room didn’t house just the 11 remaining apostles. Luke 24:33 reveals that other followers were “with them.” So in John 20:21, when Jesus said, “I also send you,” He was talking to the whole body of believers. Two thousand years later, this commission still applies to you and me.

Jesus’ command to make disciples “of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19) is too big a job for a handful of individuals. It’s a call for every believer, in every country, in every generation to accept the mission anew. Christ is sending you somewhere for a purpose, whether in your backyard or halfway around the globe. Are you ready to go?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Equipped to Do His Will

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Charles Stanley

Exodus 3:1-14

I’ve met people who know God has called them to do something, but they are so focused on their perceived ability that they keep telling Him, “I just can’t.” Did you know that’s a form of rebellion? It amounts to telling the Lord He isn’t powerful enough to equip you, and His will being done on earth depends upon your natural ability.

On being called to lead the Israelites out of slavery, Moses complained that he was the wrong person for the job and offered an excuse of not being a good speaker (Ex. 4:10). God’s response underscores that not only was He more than able to equip His chosen leader, but He also planned to accomplish His purposes with or without Moses.

It is the Lord who gives us the ability to live within His will. He has promised that if we believe Him and move forward in obedience, He’ll show us what He wants us to do and then energize us to get it done. Philippians 2:13 says that God Himself “is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” There’s nothing to fear-—you never have to take on His work in your own strength, and He won’t ask you to do anything that He will not enable you to carry out. He is committed to equipping His children to do whatever He asks.

As a follower of Christ, you have a personal responsibility to say yes when God calls and to let Him achieve His purposes through you. He won’t let you down. Watching Him work through your life will strengthen your faith and further the process of being conformed to the image of His Son.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Baptized into New Life

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Charles Stanley

Romans 6:1-7

The self-help section of the bookstore wouldn’t be so crowded if more people accepted God’s solution for their well-being. His provision for man’s redemption isn’t self-improvement but rather a complete replacement of the old “flesh” nature.

From God’s perspective, those who receive Jesus as Savior and accept His sacrifice for their sin are crucified right alongside Him. Their old self, puffed up with pride and riddled with sin, is put to death, and a new spotless Spirit takes up residence within. Baptism is a symbolic act representing that transition from death to life. Not only does it symbolize Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; it also reflects our own experience of being buried with the crucified Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.

In our new life, we are free from bondage to sinful habits, harmful attitudes, and hurtful speech; the power of sin is cancelled. But daily life doesn’t always reflect spiritual reality, and we’re left wondering why. When we can’t seem to meet godly expectations, we try harder to do right. At times we return to the self-help section when what we should do is turn to the Deliverer. In redeeming us, Christ became our life. He lives in us through His indwelling Spirit, and He will live through us if we allow Him to do so.

People can’t fix themselves. Jesus calls believers into a relationship wherein they are remade. When He’s the center of our life—when we eagerly read Scripture, pray that His will be done, and seek to follow in His way—we change for the better. That is “walking in newness of life.”