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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Devoted to Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Colossians 4:2-4

The Savior was devoted to prayer. He met with God in the early morning, sought Him in the midst of busy days, and slipped away for nighttime fellowship with Him. His actions testify to the central place prayer is to have in the lives of believers.

Prayer seemed to come naturally to Jesus, but most of us have to work at maintaining regular communion with God. We find ourselves easily distracted by the details of life, our own desires, and the demands of people. The road to a deepening prayer life begins with the firm commitment to develop a habit of talking with God and to make it a high priority in our day. We follow through by setting aside a daily time with the Lord and by identifying a location that minimizes interruptions. Sacrifice will be necessary to make this happen—we might have to accept less sleep, give up a favorite activity, or use our lunch hour for prayer. And parents might have to ask friends for help with the kids in order to have alone time with God.

In addition, our prayer life must be undergirded by Scripture, which teaches us about God’s character, promises, and priorities. The Bible turns our thoughts from worldly cares and pleasures to a focus on the Lord. Reading it daily will remind us that He is supremely important to our life and our desire should be to please Him. Then, we’ll be ready to make requests according to His will—and to hear what He has to say.

Evaluate the current state of your prayer life, and commit to improving at least one area described above.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Signature of the Spirit

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Charles Stanley

Walking in the Spirit involves moment-by-moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But is there an objective standard by which we can measure the vitality of our relationship with Him?

Yes, there is. Fruit is the telling sign. It is not simply one mark of a Spirit-filled life; it is the preeminent mark—the public testimony to a believer’s sensitivity to and dependency on the Holy Spirit.

Those who walk in the Spirit possess the following nine virtues: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). I believe there’s a reason Paul simply listed these virtues and moved on. They aren’t goals to pursue. Why? The fruit of the Spirit was never intended to be a demonstration of our dedication and resolve. Instead, it’s the evidence of our dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit.

How else can we characterize believers who walk in the Spirit? The closer you get to them, the better they look. They radiate integrity and trustworthiness. They don’t rely on personality, intimidation, or trumped-up enthusiasm to win you over. They accept themselves as they are and accept you as well. They’re the people you want to be like because of the depth of their character.

We’re not talking about perfection. They still have the flesh to contend with. They can be as unkind and insensitive as anybody else. But when they realize their sin, they are quick to apologize. They are aware that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they can rise above their sinful desires. Tuning in to His presence results in spiritual fruit that remains even during difficult times.

Unconditional love in a marriage or friendship shines brightest in the midst of our differences; in a similar way, the fruit of the Spirit demonstrates its divine source when circumstances and relationships take a turn for the worse. Then it becomes most apparent that the source of the Christian’s abiding character is something that lies deep within. When all the crutches and props are kicked away, and the believer is still standing, no one can argue that his uniqueness was simply a by-product of his environment.

Spirit-filled believers don’t win every battle. Doubt, temptation, hurt, and disappointment trip them up from time to time. But they don’t dwell on their missteps. They refocus their attention on the big picture, acknowledging the truth that their peace is from the Lord. Then they move on. They know “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).

The fruit of the Spirit is just that: fruit produced by God. When we abide in Christ and allow Him to live His life through us, the result is character that endures despite the chaos of life.

The fruit of the Spirit includes:

Love—for those who do not love in return.

Joy—in the midst of painful circumstances.

Peace—when something you were counting on doesn’t come through.

Patience—when things aren’t going fast enough for you.

Kindness—toward those who treat you unkindly.

Goodness—toward those who have been intentionally insensitive to you.

Faithfulness—when friends have proven unfaithful.

Gentleness—toward those who have handled you roughly.

Self-control—in the midst of intense temptation.

It is not uncommon for the Spirit’s fruit to take us by surprise. I have seen this happen many times, especially in the lives of new believers. When we shift our focus from self to the Holy Spirit, He can work freely in our lives. The results are uncharacteristic character, true change, and fruit that remains (John 15:16).

That is the nature of fruit. We don’t produce it; we discover it. As you begin walking in the Spirit, you will finish a debate with your kids and realize you didn’t raise your voice. You will walk away from a heated conversation and think, Wow, I didn’t lose my temper. You will be asked to go somewhere you have no business going, and you will hear yourself saying, “No, thank you.”

Eventually you will overhear someone make a comment to the effect of, “I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he’s really different.” And you will realize that person is right, though not because you set out to change. Transformation will happen only when you surrender to the promptings of the Spirit. Remember, fruit is not something you work to attain. It’s something that can take you by surprise as the Holy Spirit produces it in your life.

Adapted from “The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life” (1992).

 

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Walking in the Holy Spirit

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Special People

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Charles Stanley

1 Peter 2:9-10

Sometimes, even believers have trouble remembering their purpose in life. In the busyness of our day-to-day activities, it is rather easy to forget how wonderfully and purposefully designed we are in the eyes of our Creator. Yet 1 Peter 2:9-10 brings our focus back to God, showing us that He made us to be . . .

  1. A chosen race. You did not have to fight for a place in the house of the Lord. Instead, He chose you. The God of the universe actively sought you out because He wanted an unending relationship with you. You were selected by God Himself!
  2. A royal priesthood. In the days of the Old Testament, a king could not be a priest, and a priest could not be a king. The two offices were separate and distinct. However, in Christ, God has called every believer into a new category. We are now sons and daughters of the King, and we have unrestricted, intimate access to almighty God. We are royal priests.
  3. A holy nation. The word holy simply means “set apart.” The Holy Spirit has sealed all believers as children of God (Eph. 4:30), and nothing can ever dissolve their relationship with the Father.
  4. God’s own possession. Do you realize how valuable you are to the heavenly Father? You are worth so much to Him that He purchased your eternal salvation at great cost: the life of His only Son (1 Cor. 6:20).

Nothing about you takes our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God by surprise. He made you to be His representative in the world and therefore knows you completely. Does your life reflect your God-given position?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God Is Good to All

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 118:1-4

The world is corrupt, but God is good, and non-Christians often experience His kindness (though they may attribute it to luck or hard work). Yet we who follow Christ sometimes feel unbelievers don’t deserve benefits of prosperity or good health, particularly if we’ve been faithful but find ourselves struggling. However, no matter how great our service to God, we’re no more deserving than anyone else.

Our omniscient God takes many things into consideration when deciding what is truly good for an individual and how best to bless that person. He bases His determination on His knowledge of each heart. For instance, a $10 tithe may not seem like a huge amount to a young person, even though he earns just $100 a week. A few years later the same person, now successful and wealthy, may decide he can’t afford to give $1000, even though that figure represents the same percentage of his paycheck.

At times the Lord refrain from pouring out blessing because He knows that too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. Or He may be selective about what He bestows so we won’t be tempted to worship the gift instead of the Giver.

In fact, unless we’re wise stewards, the Lord may withdraw certain benefits. To be fully blessed, we must heed what the psalmists teach: God unleashes blessing on those who walk uprightly, take refuge in Him, and obey (Ps. 84:11; 34:8-9).

Every good thing comes from the Lord (James 1:17), and we must seek Him to better understand His plans. Our part is to walk according to His will and follow His ways.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Knowing and Trusting the Lord

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 9:7-10

How much do you trust God? Before you answer, think about these scenarios: Do you really trust the Lord when everything seems out of control and He appears absent? When He has called you to move in a certain direction that seems illogical and risky? When painful circumstances continue, making you wonder if the Lord really cares?

We all have times of doubt when our expectations of God are dashed by the reality of our situation. Many of us want to trust Him more but aren’t sure how.

David reveals that the key lies in knowing the Lord (v. 10). Distance in our relationship with Him results in a lack of faith, but those who are intimately acquainted with Christ find it easier to trust Him wholeheartedly.

Whenever you are tempted to doubt, remember these essential truths about the Lord:

  • He is totally sovereign (Ps. 103:19). God has everything in His control even when we can’t perceive it.
  • He is infinitely wise (Rom. 11:33-36). God knows every side of the situation (inside and out) and every event (past, present, and future).
  • He loves perfectly (Ex. 34:6). Without exception, He always chooses what is best for us, even if it’s not easy.

We grow in faith, not by trying harder to believe but, rather, by pursuing the Lord. This involves doing all we can to get to know Him—in particular, spending time in His Word and talking with Him in prayer. Then our trust in Him will grow as we learn that He never forsakes those who seek Him.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Walking Through God’s Open Door

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Man’s redemption has always been of supreme importance to God. But because of our sin, divine justice had to be satisfied—that is, sin’s penalty needed to be paid. In addition, forgiveness had to be provided for everyone guilty of sinning against the Lord. The solution was costly: To redeem mankind, the Father sacrificed His one and only Son, who died in our place. All who believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ have received incalculable blessing. They’ve been reconciled to the Lord, made part of His family, and given eternal life.

God has charged believers to spread the good news of salvation around the globe and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). When He opens doors of service for us, we can walk through them confidently. We have His indwelling Spirit to strengthen, guide, and equip us. We will be able to carry out our assignment because of His amazing divine power (Rom. 8:11; Eph. 3:16).

So why should we ever be reluctant to do as God asks? Many times our perspective is shortsighted: Perhaps we cannot see how to add one more task to our schedule, or we allow insecurity about criticism, failure, or finances to drive our decisions. None of these things prove an obstacle for the Lord, however. He can open up windows of time, stretch our paycheck, and give us victories in ways we couldn’t imagine in our human thinking.

God is waiting for His children to accept the high calling of serving Him as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. What answer will you give Him?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Standing Before God’s Open Door

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Uppermost in God’s thoughts is man’s salvation. He expects Christians to have the same mindset. We’ve been charged with advancing His kingdom by sharing the gospel and discipling others. As His servants, we’re to focus on His agenda, not preoccupy ourselves with earthly concerns (2 Tim. 2:4).

To achieve His plan, God will open doors of service for each of us—in local churches, neighborhoods, workplaces, or foreign lands. Our part is to watch for opportunities and be ready to take an active role. Spiritual preparation includes prayer and a daily quiet time, plus accountability with other believers. Whether God assigns us major tasks or smaller ones, we must be in position and all set to say yes. When we answer His call, we will discover He has equipped us with everything that we need to fulfill our mission (2 Pet. 1:3).

The most important work in our world is to help with the Father’s redemptive plan: He is rescuing people from the power of sin, adopting them into His family, and transforming them from rebellious, self-centered beings into reflections of His obedient and loving Son Jesus. Those of us who have been the beneficiaries of God’s saving work have an obligation to assist in His plan to rescue others. We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves—by surrendering our desires for His, committing to know Him better, and obeying His directions.

The Lord has prepared work for each of us to do (Eph. 2:10). How is He asking you to use your spiritual gifts and abilities to fulfill His plan?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Lord’s Financial Best

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Charles Stanley

Malachi 3:8-12

The most basic step in a wise financial plan is biblical giving. If you present the church with a sum that feels comfortable but falls short of what the Lord would have you offer, it amounts to robbing God (Mal. 3:8). The Old Testament tithe, which remains a principle for giving, was instituted for three reasons:

  1. Providing. Christians’ combined 10 percent helps kingdom work continue. Without regular funding, programs for aid and evangelism diminish, church doors close indefinitely, and full-time staff must seek other employment.
  2. Testing. God invites believers to test His faithfulness (v. 10). Through giving, we discover an important principle of faith: The Lord can make our remaining nine-tenths go farther than our hoarded ten-tenths. We may have to sacrifice some things, but our needs will never go unmet. Offerings that amount to less than 10 percent lack the convicting evidence of His reliability to provide for us.
  3. Honoring. By tithing, believers honor the Lord as the source of all they possess. What we own, whether little or much, comes to us through Him. If an important official came for dinner, we wouldn’t dare to serve yesterday’s leftovers, but that is precisely what we do to God by holding back our finances. Spending as we see fit, stinginess, and reluctant giving prevent the Lord from proving His faithfulness.

God’s children should desire to please the Father by acting on their faith in Him. When we give biblically to the Lord, He promises to care for our every need and abundantly bless us as well.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Choosing to Pursue Wisdom

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Charles Stanley

Do you ever find yourself stunned by the circumstances of your life? Perhaps you’ve been genuinely surprised by the negative consequences you experience as the result of unwise decisions. When things go wrong, it’s common to wonder, What happened and what did I do to deserve this?

Many times, people don’t ask the Lord to reveal wisdom on a matter before they act. Or they fail to take positive, precautionary measures. Still others choose to associate with individuals who are an influence for evil rather than good.

Foolish choices often lead to a snowballing effect of worsening circumstances. One bad decision leads to another, and the end result is costly. The sad news is that we suffer the consequences of our unwise actions whether we recognize our foolishness or not.

The apostle Paul wrote this challenge to the Ephesians:

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-17).

In these two verses, God makes three things clear:

We must choose to pursue wisdom. It’s up to each of us to determine how we will walk through this life. Wisdom is not something a person stumbles into or acquires automatically. It must be sought out and pursued.

We must seek God’s plan. The person who walks in wisdom is aware of how he affects the world and how the world affects him. He recognizes that every person faces three enemies in life: the world system, the Devil, and the flesh. He seeks to know God’s plans and purpose––not only for his personal life, but also for every situation involving the people around him.

Those who love and search for wisdom have God’s promise that they will find it. Personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs, Wisdom says, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me” (8:17). Jesus affirmed Solomon’s counsel when He said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8).

We must take responsibility for applying wisdom to our lives. The person who walks in wisdom feels a responsibility for his actions and use of time. He knows that he has been given a limited quantity of minutes, hours, days, months, and years. He is aware that that those hours must be spent in a way that produces the largest amount of good. God has entrusted him with certain resources that must be used to further His kingdom.

The Christian who walks wisely is acutely aware of the Enemy of his soul, who seeks to ensnare him through temptations and enslave him through the world’s system. He lives with soberness and caution, saying “no” to anything that undermines God’s will.

Wisdom is something we choose to live out, not a vague entity. It is related to the concrete, material world and is applicable to every life circumstance.

God calls us to be wise in every decision of our lives. We need His wisdom in our business dealings, health choices, relationships, parenting, finances, and our walk with Him. No area of life is beyond need, ignored by God’s Word, or off-limits to His wisdom.

Not everyone can become famous, wealthy, or educated. But the good news is, anyone can become wise. No matter who you are or where you live, you can reverence God, receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and submit your life to the Lord on a daily basis. Will you accept God’s challenge to become wise and walk in His wisdom daily?

Adapted from “Walking Wisely” by Charles F. Stanley, 2002.

 

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Holy Spirit Empowers

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Ephesians 1:19-20

Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life—one that is contrary to the world’s thinking. In our own strength, it is very difficult to say no to ungodliness, because our flesh yearns to say yes. To live the Lord’s way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, believers need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseverance.

God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out His strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.

When we are too weak to withstand temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord’s plan, we must persevere in prayer. Doing so will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us. Then, as we praise our Father for His almighty nature, proclaim His sufficiency for every circumstance, and declare His goodness, His Spirit will help us move past our weaknesses and fears to a place of strength.

Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence on our culture as our lives often reflect the world’s values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. When we do, He will empower us.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Power of the Holy Spirit

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Charles Stanley

Acts 1:1-5

The week before He would die by crucifixion, Jesus talked to His disciples about what was to come: After His resurrection, they would receive a Counselor—the Holy Spirit—who’d be with them forever (John 14:16). He would indwell each believer, providing His power to make it possible to live a victorious Christian life. The Lord will also empower us with His divine strength if we cultivate certain Christlike qualities:

  • Purity of heart. Prior to our salvation, sin separated us from the Father. When we received Jesus as Savior, God washed us clean (Titus 3:5), clothed us in Christ’s righteousness, and purified us so we could become His people (2:14). Now, our part is to pursue holiness so we can become more like the Lord. Regular confession of our ungodly thoughts and actions brings forgiveness and purifies us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
  • Obedient spirit. Before we were adopted into God’s family, our nature was in rebellion against His authority. But since trusting in Christ, we have both freedom from sin’s power over us and the ability to choose obedience. While we will live imperfectly, the Lord looks to see if our minds and hearts are committed to following Him. Our sincere effort to obey Him brings a release of His power as we carry out His work.

When we make holiness a priority and demonstrate obedience to the Lord, we’ll receive supernatural strength to choose righteousness. Each day, we will be filled with power as we confess any areas of sin (Ps. 51:1-2, 10), maintain our commitment to God, and follow the Spirit’s lead.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Lessons on Impossibilities

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Charles Stanley

John 6:1-14

God’s Word is a treasure for many reasons—one being that it’s so practical. The stories and principles found in the Gospels are just as applicable today as they were in Jesus’ day. We’ve all experienced times when our backs are to the wall, our problem seems to have no solution, and we don’t know what to do. When that happens, we need to remember that impossible situations are opportunities for the Lord to teach us valuable lessons that we’d never learn any other way.

God’s supremacy trumps human resources. When Jesus asked, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” (v. 5), Philip quickly recognized his own inadequacy. Although Christ knew all along what He would do, He was teaching His disciples that the perfect plan and the power to implement it come from God, not from human solutions and resources.

The Lord often invites our participation. Though Christ could have spoken bread into existence, He chose to use people to achieve His purpose. Andrew scouted around for something to eat, a young boy gave up his small lunch, and the disciples organized the crowd and distributed the food Jesus handed them. Each step required trust and obedience, especially since Christ’s method seemed so illogical.

God knows how to solve your problem, but He may choose to require your cooperation, possibly even asking you to do something that seems unreasonable. But remember that whenever we yield our flawed solutions and meager resources to Him and step out in obedience, He does great things in us and through us.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When Things Seem Impossible

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Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 32:17-22

What is your initial reaction when you encounter a difficult circumstance—one that looks impossible? Some people go into overdrive searching for an answer or a way out. Others curl up in defeat or withdrawal, either declaring the situation hopeless or trying to avoid it altogether. Hopefully, as a Christian, you turn immediately to the Lord, seeking His guidance. But what you ask Him is very important.

  • O Lord, what am I going to do? At first glance, this seems like the right thing to ask, but is it really? The problem with this question is that even though we are seeking the Lord’s guidance, the focus is on our actions. That means the way we think about how to handle the situation is limited to our abilities, resources, and understanding. Often, our minds begin to devise possible plans, and we soon resort to manipulating and maneuvering in an attempt to fix the problem.
  • God, what are You going to do? This is the right question because now the focus has shifted to the omniscience and omnipotence of almighty God. He blows the sides out of any box that confines us and untangles any situation we find baffling. He has the power to carry out His plans, which—unlike our solutions—are perfect and always bring Him glory.

To truly pray the second prayer, you must be willing to surrender all your plans into His hands. Not only does He know what to do and how to accomplish it, but He can also make a way through any impossibility. Your job is simply to trust Him and be obedient by following His directions.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Passion to Know God

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 3:7-12

As Christians, we should desire to be centered on knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:9). What does that kind of ardent desire look like?

First, we’ll have an eagerness to know the Savior. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, Bread of Life, and True Vine. He invites us to discover who He is in each aspect of His character. Complacency—resting on what we already know—has no place in the Christian life.

Second, we’ll demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the Lord. That dedication will have an enduring influence on our finances, workplace, friendships, and home. Building a close relationship with God is a lifelong pursuit with no shortcuts.

Third, our top priority will be knowing Christ and loving Him (Jer. 31:34; Mark 12:30). When He has first place in your heart, quiet times with the Lord will be sought after and precious. Our days will be structured around receiving and obeying instruction from Him. Prayer will be as much about listening to Him as about speaking.

Finally, any desire that interferes with or supersedes our fervent longing to know the Savior will be laid aside. Turning away from ungodliness and worldly pursuits will appear a small price to pay for the blessings of intimately walking with God. Over time, as we maintain both a strong desire and a firm commitment to know God, keep Him in first place, and replace our desires with His, our passion for Him will grow. Who do you see when you look in your spiritual mirror—an ardent believer or a lukewarm one?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Living Triumphantly

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Read | Matthew 4:18-20

The man who stepped forward to preach at Pentecost was flawed and known to be impetuous. Peter had not only disagreed with Jesus but had even denied knowing Him. Yet he’d developed into a man whose impact for the kingdom surpassed his impulsiveness.

When studying Peter’s life, believers often focus on his negative actions—the doubt that nearly drowned him when he walked on water, and his aforementioned rebuke and denial of Jesus. But Peter is also an example of triumphant living. An uneducated fisherman who likely had few other skills, Peter put down his nets and followed Jesus the instant he was asked. He was the first to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). And after the Lord’s resurrection, Peter’s spontaneous nature led him to leap into the water and swim for shore when he noticed his Savior waiting there (John 21:7). The disciple’s devotion cannot be questioned.

Peter is an inspiration for us today. God does not choose servants who are solid rocks with no cracks or crevices. Instead, He selects people who have weaknesses, failures, and a need to be forgiven repeatedly. The Lord looks for believers who are teachable, willing to repent, and prepared to surrender to God’s greater will—folks who are a lot like Peter.

Too many Christians have already decided how much the Lord can do with them, based on education, personality, or talent. But God isn’t interested in qualifications. He seeks willing followers who echo Isaiah’s call, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:8). That’s triumphant living.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Key to the Christian Life

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Life Principle 24

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

Galatians 2:20

Many Christians today seem content to live what they think is an adequate Christian life. They believe that if they go to church, read their Bibles occasionally, and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God. Occasionally, they may be inspired to go above and beyond their normal routines and volunteer to serve others as ushers, members of a church committee, or even go on a short-term mission trip. Though they go through the motions of being a “good Christian,” they do not enjoy the power, peace, and joy that should come with the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). Eventually, the counterfeit Christian life they are living becomes a burden and does not comfort them when the storms of adversity assail.

This was not what you were created for. God does not call you or any believer to a marginal Christian life characterized by chores and rituals. He desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations. With every step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought you entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to shine in your life—with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents, traits, and personality as you walk in obedience to Him.

In other words, to live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. That is why Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).

How do you allow Jesus to do so? In what way does He live in and through you? If these two questions seem difficult or confusing to you, you aren’t alone. Many people never realize how powerfully Christ could demonstrate His life through them. This is because many believe that the key to living the Christian life starts with pious acts, when it really begins with a deep, intimate relationship with Him.

Therefore, to answer the first question: How do you allow Jesus to do this?—you must realize the answer comes by working on your relationship with Christ. You do this through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways.

The answer to the second question: In what way does He live in and through you?—is as unique as each believer who follows Him. This is because He has a special purpose for your life, and the most important thing you can ever do is simply obey Him—no matter what He tells you to do. God will allow situations and troubles in your life that only He can solve. This is so He can demonstrate His glory, power, love, and wisdom through you.

Is there anything distracting you from having an intimate relationship with the Lord? Have you failed to trust God’s sovereignty? Are you worried that you’re not doing enough to deserve a relationship with Him or that you could lose the eternal life He has given you? Then you need to return to the basic truth that your salvation is through faith in Christ and not by works. There is absolutely nothing you can do to earn it or be worthy of it. Therefore, there is nothing you can do or fail to do that would cause you to forfeit it either.

The issue is not your salvation but the impact of your life for Christ and the joy and fulfillment you receive from Him. God does not call you to an adequate life—He wants it to be extraordinary. However, for you to experience the life He planned for you, you must stop being distracted by peripheral issues and focus your attention completely on Him. Can you do it? Can you trust Jesus to live His life through you and take care of all that troubles you?

Of course you can! The God who redeems you can teach you how to live for Him. The Savior you trusted for your eternity is more than capable of taking care of all the matters that burden you daily and shining through you brightly so that others can know Him and be saved. Therefore, die to your notions of what the Christian life should be so you can experience true life in Him.

Adapted from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, © 2009.

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Charles Stanley – Your Body: God’s Temple

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1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The world’s primary interest in the body is how it looks on the outside: How can it be shaped differently? How can it become more attractive or gain more attention? Regrettably, by worldly standards, success is often dependent on the condition of our bodies.

In contrast, how do you think God views the human body? Do you believe that He is interested only in the soul and spirit, or would you expect Him to also be concerned about our physical bodies?

Despite many popular misconceptions, the Lord is deeply concerned about our human bodies. In today’s passage, Paul confirms this truth when he writes, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you.” Again, in 2 Corinthians 6:16, the apostle describes the human body as the temple of God. The context of this passage reveals many of the same errors in thinking that are common today. The Corinthian people had a low view of the body. They believed that it was unimportant and even described it as a tomb in which the soul is incarcerated.

Paul’s response is dynamic. He essentially cries out, “No! The body is not a tomb—it is a temple!” It merits our respect and esteem in the same way that the most holy place of worship deserves upkeep.

The viewpoint of Scripture is crystal clear: Your body is the temple of the living God. This should say something to you about its value and the way you ought to treat it. Furthermore, you should take God’s words as a warning against abusing, misusing, or ignoring your own body.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Prevailing Peace During Conflict

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Charles Stanley

John 14:27

Conflict is part of every person’s life. A common problem today is that most people don’t know how to deal with conflict—nor do they understand the source of real peace. As a result, we have become somewhat ignorant. We see the issues around us, but we often choose to ignore them. It seems that most people have a common goal of avoiding conflict at all cost.

People tend to define peace as the absence of hostility and anxiety, but the biblical term actually refers to something far broader. The Greek word eirene means “to bind together.” So in today’s verse, peace has the sense of wholeness or inner completeness that brings stability to a person’s walk, regardless of what is happening in his or her life. Jesus spoke not of the kind of peace that comes today and goes tomorrow but of prevailing, or undefeatable, peace.

The key to lasting peace is found in a relationship. If you want tranquility that is unending, you need to build a relationship with Jesus Christ. We, too, can enjoy the oneness that He and the Father experienced. When the Lord says, “My peace I give to you,” He is not referring to a loan. His peace is a free gift, available to every one of His children.

If we focus our attention on the Son of God, He will give us perfect peace (Isa. 26:3). That does not mean we are immune to sudden shocks or occasional times when we are thrown off balance by circumstances. But the power of the Lord’s prevailing peace is adequate to carry us through anything He allows us to experience.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Letting Go of the Past

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

John Newton worked in one of the vilest businesses of his day—slave trading. But later, after receiving Jesus as his Savior, he penned the now familiar words to “Amazing Grace” as well as these lines: “In evil long I took delight / Unawed by shame or fear / Till a new object met my sight / And stopped my wild career.” Faith in Christ separated Newton from his dark past. The hope of a bright future is also ours if we accept God’s offer of new life.

No sin is so great that God will not forgive. Certainly some sins wreak havoc on our life as the consequences are played out. We will have to deal with whatever fallout our wrong choices bring, but we don’t have to live with guilt and shame. And when there are repercussions, we don’t have to face them alone.

First, we must accept responsibility for our sin. Confession and repentance mean we must drop our guilt burden at the foot of the cross. Only when we are willing to lay aside the sin and its accompanying shame can we take the second step—accepting forgiveness. We could never do enough to earn God’s pardon, so He freely offers mercy to anyone who will receive it. Christ’s death at Calvary bought every person a life free from the weight and wages of sin, but each individual must accept that salvation gift for him- or herself.

Our newfound liberty is maintained by taking a final step: believing we have a new life in Christ. If we will face our sin, accept forgiveness, and look toward the future, we cannot be weighed down by wrongs of the past.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Call to Repentance

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 4:13-16

How often have you been caught in a “guilt cycle”? This involves confessing the same old sin, telling God you’re sorry, and promising not to do it again (knowing that you probably will). Around you go, over and over. You’ve come clean dozens of times but still have no victory. Yet there is a biblical promise that states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, emphasis added).

Friends, God is holding up His end of the promise. It’s people who fall short— we have turned confession into a rote recitation of our shortcomings. The attitude is, I’m disappointed in myself, but I am weak. God knows that. True confession, which means agreeing with the Lord about sin, is inseparably linked with repentance; they’re two sides of the same coin. To repent is to turn away from wrong. By looking at our sin from God’s perspective, we’ll see a vile, wicked habit with terrible consequences and will want to run from that as fast as possible.

In practical terms, to confess and repent requires the intentional decision to say, “By the Holy Spirit’s power, I’m turning away.” Satan will still tempt you, and failure remains a possibility. But God can break the chains of your sin, and He wants to set you free.

Victory can be immediate, or it can be a process of trading wrong choices for right ones. In some cases, temptation involving habitual sin never goes away. Then it becomes necessary to face each day in God’s strength. When you forsake sin, the power of heaven is there to help you.