Category Archives: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Obstacles to Righteousness

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Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:16-17

Just because something is natural or “only human” does not mean it’s right or beneficial for us. In fact, we actually hinder the things of God in our life when we set our mind on things of the flesh—which can include sinful attitudes, ideas, and habits or even common worldly aspirations like money, sex, prominence, and power. The reason is that the natural man does not receive the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14).

Notice that there is nothing wrong with eating, but the Scriptures categorize gluttony as sinful (Prov. 23:20-21). Nor is there anything immoral about sexual intimacy when it is practiced within the God-given parameters of marriage. As long as our desires and appetites are subdued and brought under subjection to the Holy Spirit, our fellowship with God can continue harmoniously. But when yearnings are unrestrained, our closeness and communication with the Lord are obstructed.

In order to give the Holy Spirit control of our life, we must be persuaded that we cannot live righteously in our own strength. Most of us realize that it’s a struggle to live in a God-pleasing manner; to do so requires that we surrender our entire being to Him—mind, will, emotions, and conscience. Ask God to reveal areas of weakness, and then give Him each frailty as it comes to light. This needs to be done not just one time, but daily. Every morning when you wake up, it’s wise to pray, “Father, today I’m totally Yours. I can’t live the Christian life on my own, but I pray that You will live through me.”

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Shutting Our Ears to the Lord

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Charles Stanley

James 1:22-25

When we fail to listen to God, we pay attention to wrong voices, fall prey to deception, and refuse to submit to the Lord. All three negative results are evident in Adam and Eve’s decision to eat from the forbidden tree. What other consequences result from shutting our ears to God?

First, we will make decisions based on their appeal. To entice Adam and Eve to disobey, the Devil twisted God’s words and misused legitimate desires the Lord had given to the couple. We have the Holy Spirit to teach us how to keep our appetites and desires in check.

Second, we will excuse our wrongdoings and blame others. Adam pointed a finger at Eve, and she blamed the serpent. Satan can tempt us, but the responsibility is ours if we consent.

Third, we will experience divine discipline. Not only that, but others will also suffer when we disobey. The first man and woman were cast from God’s presence, and their lives became much harder. Sin entered their family and led to strife and death—their son Abel was murdered by his brother Cain. Adam and Eve’s choice affected all future generations as well. Through them, sin entered the world and resides in us (Rom. 5:12).

Fourth, we will miss out on God’s best. The first humans lost both Eden’s splendor and perfect communion with the Lord. Unconfessed sin will separate us, too, from fellowship with the Father.

Closing ears to God’s voice can happen in a moment’s time. Safeguard yourself. Commit to genuine listening: hearing, remembering, and doing what God says.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Strengthening God’s Church

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Charles Stanley

The church is in danger of growing weaker every day. False doctrine, apathy, and a lack of discipline work together to diminish the local congregation’s influence in the community and the world. But the apsotle Paul reveals three simple ways to strengthen the church.

1.Be alert to false doctrine. There is no more effective church-killer than wrong spiritual beliefs. We are living in a culture of immorality and iniquity, and some philosophies mix a bit of truth with falsehood. Believers not firmly planted in God’s Word are susceptible to those lies. Standing firm requires that pure Scripture must be preached from the pulpit and studied by individual church members.

2.Appreciate God’s servants. Too often church members criticize their leaders more than encourage them. Certainly ministers and others in authority can make mistakes or fall into sin—they are human. But these Christians have devoted themselves to ensuring that people hear and understand Scripture.

The congregation is responsible to show support and love; those who know the Lord most deeply will appreciate the pastor. God will not reveal Himself to those who can’t be bothered with caring for His chosen servant.

3.Accept one another. Since we are a fellowship of believers, we are to develop a spirit of oneness. Everyone is loved by God and shouls be welcomed. This truth is based not on performance, but on the fact that each believer is the Lord’s child with a unique role in this life.

The church’s great potential lies in its members. Begin today to practice these strength-building exercises

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When We Cry Out to God

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 57:1-3

Crying out to God is the spontaneous response to an urgent need. It differs from typical prayer, which involves

periods of worship, petitioning, and intercession; this distraught call focuses entirely on one difficulty. The problem can be heartbreaking news, a dangerous situation, physical pain, or spiritual confusion. Whatever the cause, we seek immediate relief from God.

Like Peter sinking into the sea, we’re saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:30). We call out desperately when bad news comes, because we acknowledge that only God has power to change circumstances. And when we are walking obediently with Him, He will respond: if He does not alter the situation, He will replace fear with courage and confidence.

A cry to the heavenly Father is rooted in faith that He will answer His children. Believers expect God to respond with clear direction, and without fail; He is trustworthy to answer. Exodus 17 details how the Lord demonstrated His faithfulness at Horeb. When the wandering Israelites again grumbled against their leader—this time because of thirst—Moses called out to God, “What shall I do to this people?” (v. 4). Instantly, the Lord replied with a solution that satisfied both the Israelites’ thirst and Moses’ despair.

Whether we are sinking in a sea of pain or anxiously seeking a taste of God’s living water, the Lord hears our cries. And He says again, “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him” (Ps. 91:15).

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Fighting Anxiety with Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Luke 11:1-4

The value of prayer was something Gideon knew well. He had a lengthy discussion with the Angel of the Lord about who He was and what God was doing. He also had conversations with God, trying to resolve his doubts. Then, as the battle was drawing close, more communication took place while God gave him instructions. Through prayer, he experienced intimacy with the Lord, answers to his questions, and direction for his life.

Just as He did for Gideon, God invites us to talk over our worries with Him. He longs to replace our anxious burdens with His peace, which surpasses all comprehension. We have several advantages over Gideon when we pray. First, we have the Bible—God’s instruction book for living—which is full of information about who the Lord is and what He is doing. The more we believe His Word and understand His plans, the more confidently we will talk to Him. Second, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us into the truth of God’s Word and interpret it for us. As we discover how relevant the Scriptures are to our situation, we will learn to pray from God’s perspective. Our prayers will be more about what He wills than what we want. And third, Jesus, our risen Savior, is interceding for us, and the Holy Spirit is praying on our behalf when words fail us. We do not pray alone.

Through our communion with God, we can experience His presence as Gideon did. It is here that our spiritual needs are met and we are freed from anxiety so we can live a life of trust.

 

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Handling Our Anxieties

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 11:25-30

Gideon was a man who experienced great anxiety. Convinced God had abandoned the Israelites, He had to thresh grain in a winepress to keep it hidden from his enemies, the Midianites. He believed that his family was one of the weakest and that he himself was one of the least of men.

God then called Gideon—who in no way regarded himself as a man of strong capability—to lead the fight against the Midianites. Imagine his stress! But he obeyed and gathered his men, only to have the Lord send most of them home before the battle. Though this turn of events would give anyone anxiety, Israel was victorious because it was the Lord who won the battle. In the process, Gideon learned just how powerful and personal his God was (Judg. 6-7).

As Gideon discovered, knowing God intimately is one of the keys to dealing with worry. Those who handle anxiety well—inwardly and outwardly—know the Lord in a deeply personal way. They are the ones who calmly proceed while others are drowning in stress. When asked how they do it, they usually will respond, “Read the Word. Pray. Trust God.” These simple statements point to a way of life rather than a method. That way of life is centered on Jesus Christ and is spent learning to know Him in His fullness.

Man’s methods for handling anxiety serve only to distract or numb us from stress. God’s way is to reveal who He is through the Holy Spirit’s teaching and, in the process, replace our fretfulness with His peace.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How to Claim a Promise from God

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 1:20

God’s promises declare His intention to graciously bestow blessings. They fall into several categories, and understanding the difference will help us know how to claim the blessings our Father has in store for us.

Some biblical promises are general, but others are limited. This means certain pledges involved a specific person, time, or purpose but may not apply to us. For instance, Genesis 18:10 assured Sarah a son. We cannot simply claim that promise, assuming God will do likewise for us. He certainly can use such a passage to impress upon your spirit His desire to bless you in that way. But we must guard against grabbing promises randomly, expecting them to be fulfilled no matter what.

Scripture contains many unconditional promises—assurances whose fulfillment requires nothing on our part. For example, God has said He will bear our burdens daily (Ps. 68:19), He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and He will come again (John 14:3). We also find many conditional promises, which are guarantees with an “if . . . then” stipulation (Prov. 3:5-6; 1 John 1:9).

God delights in meeting His children’sneeds and desires, and His promises are for their benefit. But He also makes one promise to unbelievers: When a lost person requests forgiveness of sins and receives Jesus as Savior, that individual will be saved (John 3:16). Have you acted upon that promise? If not, don’t delay. Once you accept Christ, there are many more promises waiting for you to claim.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Sovereignty of God: Reason for Our Assurance

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Charles Stanley

Since eternity past and throughout history, almighty God has ruled with supreme authority. Nothing is hidden from His knowledge or beyond the scope of His control. Because of His sovereignty, we who by faith in Christ are part of His family can live with assurance that:

• God works for our good. Scripture declares that God has the power to work every circumstance in our life into something that is beneficial in His eyes. He has the knowledge and power to accomplish it, as well as the desire. God promises to do this for those who love and belong to Him. Our part is to believe.

• God protects us every day. Scripture declares that “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps. 34:7). Apart from His permissive will, nothing can touch God’s children. When our Father allows painful things to happen, we must trust in His unchanging nature and enduring promises. People and circumstances change, but the Lord’s good and loving character does not.

• God has control over our future. He’s fully worked out a plan for the body of Christ and each of its members—a plan so good that it is beyond imagining (1 Cor. 2:9). We can entrust our future to God because His character and plans are perfect.

Resting in the Lord’s sovereignty will free us from fear and anxiety. If you lack assurance about any of the points listed above, confess your unbelief to the heavenly Father. Ask His forgiveness, and commit to meditate on His character and promises. Then you will experience the strengthening of your faith.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Facing Your Fears

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Charles Stanley

Fear is the uneasy feeling that we are inadequate. It is an alarm that goes off when we feel threatened. It keeps people from the attainment of their goals.

I’m not talking about normal, natural fears—such as the fear of falling or the fear of walking onto a busy highway. I’m talking about a gripping, paralyzing fear that is truly a spirit of fear. Paul wrote to Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Let me give you an example of this type of fear. Imagine a person who believes strongly that the Lord desires him to take a new job. He starts with confidence and enthusiasm. Soon he realizes that has much to learn about how to succeed in this new role. The whole project begins to seem insurmountable and overwhelming. He begins to take to heart the criticism of others. He feels as if he is a failure and will never succeed at this new position. He says, “I don’t have what it takes. I’m scared of taking any more risks.” The longer that trend in thinking goes unchecked, the more he moves in to sheer panic until he just wants to flee completely. Fear wins out and he does not accomplish God’s goal for his life.

When fear strikes you, face fear head-on. Ask yourself, What am I really afraid of? Break down the nature of your fear. Are you afraid of failure that will lead to criticism? Are you afraid of failure that will lead to rejection from someone you love or admire? Are you afraid that your weaknesses and inadequacies will be exposed? Are you afraid that others will withdraw from you or perhaps even punish you?

Admit the fears to yourself and to God. And at times, you may be wise to admit the fears to others. Then turn immediately to the matter of your faith. Faith is the solution for fear. Do things that build up your faith.

The first and best move you can make to build up your faith is to get your eyes off your problem and off yourself and onto Jesus. He is the Source of all your supply. He is utterly reliable and possesses all knowledge and all authority. Speak aloud the words of Hebrews 13:6 until they sink deep within your spirit: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

People may criticize, reject, ridicule and persecute, but they can’t take away your salvation, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your eternal home in heaven, or the joy, contentment, and inner strength the Lord imparts to you.

Second, ask the Lord to give you the help you need.It is one thing to say, “The Lord is my helper,” and another to say, “Lord, help me today,” or “Lord, help me right now in this situation.” You may need an answer to a problem, friendship, a good mentor or teacher, wise counsel, or extra energy and strength. Be specific in your requests.

Third, encourage yourself by memorizing the Word of God and quoting it as often as you need a fear-buster of inner strength.Take Isaiah 41:10-13 to heart. In this passage, the Lord promises to give us His presence; give us His power, which is vastly superior to his strength; give us His provision, which is more than sufficient; give us His protection against all of our enemies. What more could you need? Remind the Lord often of His fourfold promise to you.

And, finally, ask others to pray for you. Ask them to uphold you daily in prayer and in turn, pray for them and their success. We read in James 5:16, “Pray for one another so that you may be healed.”

What might the man in the example have done as he took his new job? He might have said, “I don’t know all about this job, but the Lord knows. He will help me get the information I need so I can be successful.” Instead of being overwhelmed, he could have chosen to see the job as a mountain to be climbed, step by step. When he failed, he might have confessed error to the Lord, and asked God to help him learn from his mistakes.

Every person alive has suffered loss. But if we continue to move forward in pursuit of God-given goals, He will give us victories in areas where we have struggled in the past. He will turn all things to good (Rom. 8:28).

Don’t be surprised when fear emerges. Nothing good in life comes without a struggle against fear. The key is to run headlong at fear with your faith in Christ Jesus and your confidence firmly set in Him. You can overcome fear!

 

Related Resources

Related Video

Victory Over Fear

Dr. Stanley explains what causes us to be afraid and explains the consequences of living in fear. He also shares how many of the negative emotions we experience in life are rooted in fear and that we can be free of this stressful emotion. (Watch Victory Over Fear.)

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Sovereignty

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 103:19-22

Do you believe that the Lord has absolute control over our universe—including all the people in it? The best way to know the truth about the Lord is to see what He has inspired men to say about Him in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). God declares He is sovereign over . . .

• Nature. Psalm 135:6 says, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.” God causes the rain to fall, the grass to grow, and the land to bring forth food. There isn’t a single aspect of nature over which the Lord lacks control.

• Nations. “He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away” (Job 12:23). God’s rule is certain and sure. He keeps watch over the nations (Ps. 66:7), knows all that is happening, and maintains His authority over both good and evil governments (Rom. 13:1).

• Natural man. God has control over unbelievers as well as believers. “He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25 niv). He forms us in our mother’s womb, knows the number of hairs on our head, and determines the appointed times and places of our lives (Ps. 139:13; Luke 12:7; Acts 17:26). Spiritual life as well as physical life is under His complete control (John 6:44).

When we believe God is sovereign and experience this truth in our lives, we will be filled to overflowing with peace and joy. We will rest secure in the knowledge that no matter what is happening in our world, our God reigns. His will shall be accomplished. Does your life show trust in God’s sovereignty?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Testimony of Faith

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Charles Stanley

Acts 8:4-39

Yesterday, we listed the three facets of a Christian’s personal testimony. Today, let’s take a look at a biblical figure who exemplified these qualities. In Acts 8:5-6, Philip brought the good news of Jesus Christ to Samaria, and the crowd there listened intently. It must have been thrilling for him to see such warm receptivity to the gospel. In spite of this, he demonstrated obedience to the Lord by immediately following instructions to leave and take the message to Gaza. Philip’s godly character was evident in his sensitivity to the Lord’s call and his willingness to obey at once, no matter the cost.

We also see that Philip’s conduct matched his character. He allowed right principles to guide him, and his actions lined up with his beliefs. Had Philip chosen to disobey the Lord, or if his faith had not been genuine, his behavior would have revealed ungodly motives, and his testimony would have been worthless.

Whether Philip was addressing large crowds or speaking to an individual, his words pointed to Jesus Christ. In verses 25-39, he taught Scripture to a traveler and then baptized the man. Philip considered his words carefully and made sure that his conversations directed others to the Savior.

Philip is an example of a believer who trusted in Christ, regardless of the situation. His devout, unwavering faith revealed itself in the way he testified with his life. As you approach different situations throughout the day, try to be like Philip—let the Lord guide your character, conduct, and conversation.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Importance of a Sincere Testimony

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 78:1-7

What is a testimony? Some believers think that it’s just a brief account of the way God has worked in their life. While that may be true, our testimony is much more than simply a short story.

One important aspect of our testimony is our character, which should include a spirit of obedience. Do we follow God’s instruction on occasion but ignore Him the rest of the time? An obedient spirit follows His guidance, no matter what. At times our actions may outwardly display obedience, but nobody except God knows what lies within our heart. He sees our true character, and it should line up with the story we tell others to glorify Him.

Our conduct—in other words, what we do—is another facet of our testimony. If what we say conflicts with our behavior, then we cloud our witness, and unbelievers may consider us hypocritical or doubt the genuineness of our faith. The way we act should confirm who we are in Christ.

Finally, a third part of our testimony is our conversation. As Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” This gives us an opportunity to tell others what God is doing in our lives. Our words can be significant to an unbeliever who doubts the existence of God or the divinity of Christ.

When our character, conduct, and conversation fail to match who we are in Christ, we hamper our ability to reach others with the gospel. A testimony can make the difference between doubt and faith in the life of an unbeliever. How authentic is your personal testimony?

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Lord’s Rescue Plan

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Charles Stanley

Romans 3:10-26

The Creator placed two people with clean souls in the Garden of Eden, but when Adam and Eve chose to disobey, their hearts became sinful. God had told them that the penalty for their sin was death (Gen. 2: 17).

Mankind’s first parents bequeathed their sin nature to the entire human race. So we are all born with hearts rebelling against God. Like a toddler who defies his parents by touching a forbidden item, we disobey our heavenly Father because we prefer to follow our own desires.

It is not our wrong conduct that condemns us, but rather the fact that our nature is corrupt. Whether good or bad, our deeds don’t determine where we will spend eternity. Apart from the Lord, no one is righteous—not a single person has done enough good to earn a place in heaven. But the Father loves us and wants us to live with Him eternally. So, before the creation of the world, He planned a solution.

The rescue plan was simple—a perfect sacrifice had to be made for mankind’s sin so that everyone could be blameless before a holy God. By accepting this sacrifice on his or her own behalf, any individual would receive a new nature to replace the corrupted one. In addition, the Holy Spirit would indwell that person to provide truth and guidance.

The sacrifice was Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, bearing all our sin. When we trust Him as Savior, our “flesh” nature dies with Him. The Holy Spirit comes to make our hearts new so we can find joy in obeying God. We are rescued and set free!

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Ultimate Rejection

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 7:13-27

There is nothing that strikes deeper into the human psyche than rejection. The knowledge that someone considers us unwanted, unwelcome, or unqualified cuts to the core of our sense of self-worth. A rejected manuscript, failure to be accepted at our college of choice, or loss of a job—such things litter the landscape of our lives. Fortunately, most of us find we can handle this type of occurrence, though the experience is anything but pleasant.

The Bible speaks of a different kind of rejection, which is quite another matter. It is hard to grasp the ultimate horror that will be experienced by those who turn down God’s loving offer of salvation. They will hear these three words coming from the mouth of Jesus: “Depart from Me.” More than once, our Lord speaks these words in the gospels, anouncing the doom of the disobedient. These individuals will find their lot in the agony of eternal separation from God.

Many people have stumbled over the apparent harshness of Jesus’ words. They fail to recognize that this ultimate rejection is actually an appropriate response to the unbeliever’s refusal to receive the Lord’s solution for mankind’s sin problem. Yes, this rejection is the end of the road, but it’s a road paved with a lifetime of choices that left God out. Every decision to go it alone is a choice to embrace that final verdict of the Savior. Or as G. K. Chesterton expressed it, “Hell is God’s great compliment to the reality of human freedom and the dignity of human choice.”

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Strong Servant of God, Part I

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Charles Stanley

How do you know if you are a strong believer? Among other things, you willingly serve God and other people. In other words, you are obedient to the Father’s commands, and—following His leading—you respond to people in need. Although this description will characterize strong believers, God desires for all of His children to be His servants.

As Christians, we are called to a life of serving God and others.

Most people are more than willing to let others do dirty, uncomfortable, and difficult tasks. Those without Christ may at times manipulate circumstances and hurt other people to get the positions they desire and avoid having to serve anyone.

But as followers of Jesus, we are called to be different from the world. Our Lord said, “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:27-28). These were shocking words to people oppressed by Rome, and they are no less surprising today. Human nature wants to be first, not last. We enjoy being in control.

Consider the powerful example our Lord set for us while He walked this earth. At the Last Supper, He willingly washed the disciples’ feet—something usually done by the lowest servant in the household—to demonstrate how they should treat each other. Even more significantly, He laid down His life in the ultimate act of service so that you and I can have fellowship with the Father (Matt. 20:28).

Following Jesus’ example, Paul, Timothy, James, and Peter—leaders of the early church—referred to themselves as bondservants or slaves of Christ. In their letters to the churches, they chose not to emphasize their leadership positions, but focused instead on humility and service to the Lord.

What does all this mean for today’s believer? As God’s people, we no longer have the right to live our lives as we please. We were saved, in part, to become servants of the one true God (Heb. 9:14). You and I are called to serve the Lord in whatever ways He leads us. Thankfully, Christ does not expect us to serve Him in our own strength.

Jesus, who lives within us, wants to empower us to serve God.  

Have you ever felt too weak to serve God? Maybe you feel needy or inadequate, and wonder how you could possibly be a blessing to someone else. It might surprise you to learn that you don’t have to feel strong to be a good servant of the Lord. No one is strong enough to serve God in his own ability.

The Holy Spirit wants to equip you to be an excellent servant of God. Whatever the Lord calls you to do, He will enable you to do it. He will provide for you, energize you, strengthen you, direct you, and give you wisdom and guidance. In the following verses, notice the emphasis on God working through us: “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13) and “Faithful is He who calls you…He also will bring it to pass” (1Thess. 5:24).

Another way to say this is Jesus wants to live His life through you. In His power, you and I are strong enough to serve the Lord. When He tells you to do something difficult, ask Him to enable you to make the right decision and to strengthen you as you follow His instructions. Christ will be faithful to provide all that you need to be obedient.

Our real master (or boss) is God, no matter whom we are serving humanly speaking.

Paul encouraged us, “Do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23-24). When you trust God to reward you for your service to an earthly boss, your perspective on work will be transformed.

Knowing you are working for the Lord should affect…

  • Your attitude toward authority. Regardless of how your supervisors treat you, you should respect them, obey them, and act righteously. (Of course, if they ask you to do something unethical, illegal, or immoral, you must instead follow what God teaches in His Word.)
  • The quality of your service. If you knew Jesus was going to be at your office tomorrow morning, you would probably not show up late, groan about your assignments, or put off your workload. Instead of complaining, you would tackle your tasks energetically and with excellence. As servants of the living God, we need to strive to do our best on every assignment. 
  • Your motivation. We should never take a job without first confirming it is God’s perfect will for us at that time. When you are sure the Lord has called you to do a certain job, you will have an easier time doing it with all your heart. Think of your work as an opportunity to show your love for God. This will motivate you to do your best out of love for Him, rather than duty or the desire to get ahead.

As believers, we are called to serve the Most High God. So try to find opportunities in your everyday life to serve Him. You can serve Him as a mother or grandmother, raising children to love the Lord. You can serve as a sanitation worker or a restaurant employee. You can serve him as a CEO or president of a company. When we stand before Jesus one day, it will not matter if we impressed other people. What will matter is whether we did our tasks as unto the Lord. So, whatever He asks you to do, be obedient, serving Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Continue this study with “A Strong Servant of God, Part II.”

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Purpose of Pain

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 16:24-27

“God, if You love me, then why must I endure pain?” This question preoccupies many believers in their darkest hours of need. While pain takes different forms and has different durations, suffering always comes with an objective greater than our comfort, pleasure, or personal goals. If we seek the Lord’s purpose for grief, we will find both His peace and His deep love for us.

Pain instructs. Christ’s sufficiency is more apparent during times of suffering than in the midst of blessing. Discovering God’s faithful provision strengthens our resolve to endure.

Pain purifies. Counterfeit faith cannot withstand hardship’s flames. Like gold in a refiner’s fire, suffering believers experience the burning away of impurities until only things of value remain. Trials bring into focus the truth about the world we live in, the nature of people we meet, and the incomparable worth of our Father.

Pain motivates. Pain drives us to God. How often do we hear testimony from people who discovered Him during their worst trial? In His wisdom, the Lord knows whether we require motivation from blessing or from distress.

Pain opens us to intimacy with God. At the end of our own resources is the Lord’s boundless strength. Running into His arms guarantees us the comfort and energy that is available only through an intimate relationship with the Father.

Living an easy life doesn’t earn rewards. Though our instinct is to sidestep pain, suffering helps us to find intimacy with God and the great purpose He sets for our life.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Protecting Against Satanic Attack

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 4:1-11

As soldiers in God’s army, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. To hold our ground, we must be arrayed in battle gear every day.

Be sure your feet are shod with the gospel of peace. Roman military boots had metal cleats to help soldiers stand firm in battle. Similarly, our spiritual “shoes” provide the solid footing of assurance—the certainty that we have peace with God and are safe in Him (John 10:28).

Carry the shield of faith. The most powerful asset we have as believers is our faith. It helps us to resist the Enemy’s temptations by thinking, I know I have this need, but I trust in God. So I’ll wait for the Lord to provide for it in His way and in His time. We are well protected behind the shield of faith.

Wear the helmet of salvation. The mind is Satan’s battlefield; it needs to be conscientiously and effectively guarded. In a spiritual battle, our assurance that we are saved will help repel the Enemy’s lies, which might cause us to question God or to think contrary to Scripture. With such certainty, our minds are able to remain steady.

Carry the sword of the Spirit. God’s Word is both an offensive and defensive weapon. It makes inroads for the gospel (Heb. 4:12) and also protects us. As Jesus proved in His desert temptation, the Devil cannot stand against it.

The spiritual battle raging around us is real and fierce (Eph. 6:12). We are not in the reserves, simply waiting to be called up. We are in the war. Soldier of God, are you fully dressed for battle?

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Withstanding Satan’s Attacks

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 6:10-11

The Enemy’s attacks against our minds are skillful. By watching how we live, he can determine when and where we are defenseless. While he is not omniscient, he knows enough to work against us.

For instance, he directs our attention to something we want, causing us to get so wrapped up in perceived needs that we forget the many wonderful things our Father has already provided. Once we have narrowed our focus to a desire for satisfaction, Satan steps in to meet our craving with what he wants us to have—something that will ultimately draw us away from God.

By observing us, he knows the times and situations when we’re most likely to say yes to temptation. He will do anything in his power to get our minds off the Lord and will distract us even during prayer. In addition, he understands our emotional climate and looks for fatigue, loneliness, and other vulnerabilities that he can exploit. Satan urges us to “want it now” and tries to hide from view any future consequences.

The Enemy works to create doubt in our minds. He wants us to question the truth of the Word, and even to feel unsure about our salvation. Once disbelief sets in, as it did for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-6), our minds will start to rethink the interpretation of Scripture in order to justify our conduct.

Though we may be susceptible to his schemes, we’re not helpless against Satan (2 Tim. 1:7). Since our Father protects us, our Savior intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit guides us to truth, “resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4: 7).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Satan’s Strategy

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Charles Stanley

John 8:42-47

We who follow Jesus Christ have an enemy, and his name is Satan (Mark 1:13). A created being, Satan is loose in the world but limited in what he can carry out against us (Job 1:12). Many people consider him nothing more than a figment of the imagination, which allows him to work undetected. While he is a defeated foe (John 16:11), he pretends otherwise.

Let’s look at some of Satan’s objectives:

1. To draw us away from God through both direct and subtle means.

2. To thwart God’s purpose in our lives by getting us out of our Father’s will.

3. To deny God His rightful glory and honor, which results from our choosing to live obedient lives.

4. To destroy us in this world.

The Father of Lies (John 8:44) uses falsehood, deceit, and temptation as tools for achieving his goals—and he has chosen our minds as a battleground. Why? Because faulty thinking leads to disobedient behavior, which impedes God’s purposes for us. Erroneous ideas produce vulnerabilities like worry or fearfulness, which Satan can exploit to hinder our spiritual progress.

Although setbacks may occur, believers will not be overcome, because “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Scripture says, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5 niv). Offer a prayer of surrender: “Lord, I offer You complete control over my mind. Reveal any thinking that does not agree with Your Word, and teach me Your truth. Amen.”

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Peace With One Another

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Charles Stanley

Romans 14:19

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of peacemakers (Matt. 5:9)—the passage almost sounds as if they are a special breed with unique abilities. Some people do have a way about them that brings peace wherever they go. All of us, however, can become peacemakers because, according to 1 Corinthians 7:15, “God has called us to peace.”

Unfortunately, though, success in this area oftentimes eludes us, and the reason is that we quit too soon. With certain people, it is necessary that we go the extra mile and not only seek peace but also pursue it (Ps. 34:14). Such a pursuit can be very costly at times, but apparently God expects some pretty heroic attempts in this area, because He tells us to “pursue peace with all men” (Heb. 12:14).

In addition to this, Romans 12:18 instructs us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Sometimes we try too hard to analyze the words “so far as it depends on you.” We can get bogged down trying to figure out whether we should take the initiative to be reconciled to someone or wait for the other person to approach us.

Jesus made it clear that unity within the church is a top priority. It doesn’t really matter whether we have offended others or they have offended us—in either case, we should take the initiative to be reconciled with our brothers. Even if a brother will not listen, we can still “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Rom. 14:19).