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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Freedom in Christ

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Charles Stanley

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

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

1. Freedom from the bondage of sin.

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

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

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

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

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

2.  Freedom from guilt.

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

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

3. Freedom from fear of death.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Freedom from deception and false beliefs.

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

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

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

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

 

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The Truth That Sets Us Free

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Grace to Keep Going

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Charles Stanley

Romans 16:17-20

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

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

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Gift of Freedom

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Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:1-14

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Casual View of Sin

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Charles Stanley

Romans 6:1-7

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Failure to Listen to God

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Charles Stanley

2 Timothy 4:1-4

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Filling God’s Gaps

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Charles Stanley

Genesis 16:1-6

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

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

 Charles Stanley – Staying on Course

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

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

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Charles Stanley

John 1:12

God wants us independent of everything but Him.

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

Here are four steps:

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

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

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

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

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

 

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How The Truth Can Set You Free

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Teaching Kids About Work

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Charles Stanley

Mark 1:16-20

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

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

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Dealing With Heavy Burdens

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 116:1-7

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When Burdens Weigh Us Down

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 37:5-7

When we are overburdened, the world seems a colder place. The sun may be shining, but our heads are bowed low, so we don’t notice. The birds sing, but our ears are filled with the cries of our hearts—exclamations of pain, sorrow and weariness. We put distance between us and others as our problems absorb our time and attention. Perhaps we are weighed down by unmet expectations, sudden trauma or death, or simply too much responsibility. Another possibility is that sin is causing our heaviness of heart. Whatever the cause, however, the result is the same: We are burdened by a crushing weight.

Into our bleakness comes the voice of almighty God inviting us to draw near and find rest in Him. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls . . .”’ (Jer. 6:16 NIV).

Won’t you look up to your heavenly Father right now? Jesus offers living water; take time to drink until your soul is strengthened enough for you to ask the way. With the Spirit’s help, take one step, then another down that ancient path of obedience, and He will give you the promised peace.

Jeremiah 6:16 ends with God pointing out the Israelites’ response: “But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.”’ It is only when we trust in the Father’s plan that we will find relief from our burdens. Let us stand, look, ask, and walk so that we might find the rest which the Lord has promised for our souls.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Acquiring Spiritual Discernment

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 119:97-99

Spiritual discernment is the ability to see from the Lord’s viewpoint. God’s Holy Spirit works in our lives so that we are able to see beneath the surface of things. This is necessary if we are to know the difference between . . .

• What is error and what is truth.

• What is good and what is best.

• What is God’s will and what is man’s.

Because our heavenly Father wants us to know these distinctions, He provided the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us. God’s Spirit discerns perfectly because He knows everything that the Father and Son know (John 16:13).

We often struggle in our spiritual walk. For example, in our prayer life, we are unsure what to pray; in our decision-making, we wonder whether a particular choice is God’s will; and in our relationships, we question how to be an effective witness for Christ.

But as we mature in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord, we will be able to pray confidently to perceive God’s will and to share our faith. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to help us. He will guide us into all truth. Our part is to cooperate with the Spirit and learn from Him (John 14:25-27; 16:5-15); to study the Word of God (Heb. 4:12-13); and to put into practice what is revealed to us.

Just as it takes time and perseverance to develop strong physical muscles, acquiring discernment requires persistence and patient submission to the teaching of the Spirit. But this is our Father’s desire for us. Why would we want anything less?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Passion to Obey Him

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Charles Stanley

Luke 11:37-52

The school of obedience has many courses and many exams. As we progress through its lessons, we often move from fearful or feigned obedience to more heartfelt compliance.

God’s people heard the Word thundered at Sinai’s “classroom,” but the way they obeyed was stained with constant rebellion. Centuries later, however, a new course was offered. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, the people began to catch on—they saw it was possible to become obedient from the depths of their hearts (John 1:14; Rom. 6:17).

Jesus had a great deal to say on this subject, and His words were powerful because they came from a fully obedient, sinless life. His testimony was that He had come down from heaven to do the will of the Father (John 6:38). Knowing full well the beauty of the surrendered life, Jesus admonishes us to become like Him: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).

The Lord also had harsh words for those teachers of the Law who refused to obey its commands. He accused them of weighing men down with heavy burdens and not helping to carry the load. In other words, they taught what should be done but were unwilling to do it themselves. Jesus went on to identify obedience as “the key to knowledge” (Luke 11:52).

When we obey, doors of understanding will open in front of us, and we will be able to see as never before.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Refueling Your Soul: Time Alone With God

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Charles Stanley

Have you lost your spiritual motivation and drive? Has ministering to the needs of others become a chore rather than the joy it once was? Do you feel bored at church? If so, you may need to renew your commitment to spend time alone with God.

Jesus knew that time alone with the Father was essential. As busy as our Savior was with His mission, He often withdrew to pray. In those private and intimate moments, Christ found strength for what He knew lay ahead.

Many believers call these one-on-one meetings with God “quiet times” or “devotions.” They are a basic ingredient in a maturing relationship with the Lord. Quiet times change our approach to God from intellectual, detached, and “religious” to relational. When we give Him an opportunity to do so, the Father will speak to us through His Word and times of prayer in a real, personal way.

One by-product of a healthy devotional life is a heightened sense of accountability to God. Spending time regularly with Him is strong motivation to keep sins confessed and bad habits in check. It is also a powerful incentive to resolve broken or damaged relationships. Holding a grudge against someone makes it impossible to have genuine intimacy with the Father.

When We Don’t Draw Near to God

As with any relationship, communication is the key to knowing the Lord better. Where there is no communication, there can be no relationship. Where there is no relationship, there can be no trust. And the less you trust someone, the harder it is to follow that person. So a Christian with no devotional life generally struggles to have faith and obey the Lord.

Christ came not only to reconcile all people to God (2 Cor. 5:18-20), but also to establish oneness between mankind and Himself. Without a devotional life, the relational side of the Christian faith fades away.

Practical Steps for Effective Quiet Times

Here are some things that make my devotional life richer:

1. Schedule time with God.

Like anything else you intend to do, devotional time usually won’t happen unless it is planned. How often have you said to a friend, “Hey, let’s get together,” but failed to follow through? If you are like me, those plans seldom materialize. When I’m serious about getting together with someone, I make an appointment.

Specifically, before you go to bed, try to decide on a time and place to be alone with the Father the next day. Personally, I find mornings to be the best time to meet with God. I enjoy getting up early and beginning my day listening to and talking with Him. There is something extraordinary about focusing on the Father first thing.

2. Choose a place.

If possible, conduct your quiet time in the same location every day. Eventually, this spot will take on special significance. Being there will affect your mood and your ability to concentrate. It will create an attitude of expectancy in your spirit.

Choose a place off the beaten path of your daily activities. It may be a spare bedroom, your living room, or even a closet. You need a place where the only thing you do there is meet with God.

I know a man whose special place is under the stairs in his house. A college student I know pulled his bed away from the wall and made that his spot. For me, it is a corner in my study at home. No matter where you live, you can find a spot to be alone with God.

3. Use a variety of methods.

People often tell me that their personal devotions have become dry, routine, or even boring. God is certainly not uninteresting. And chances are, you are not dull either. So if spending time with Him becomes monotonous, the culprit is probably your method. The cure is to modify your routine. For example, if you’ve been reading a devotional book, put it down, and instead, journal your thoughts and prayers. If you’ve been following a plan for reading through the entire Bible, take a break and read straight through one book of your choice. If you have been praying, supplement your prayers by memorizing Scripture. If your devotions have become in-depth Bible studies, find a devotional book to lighten things up for a while.

Remember, this is a relationship. Look for ways to keep it fresh, and your quiet times won’t grow stale.

Adapted from “Charles Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living,” 1996

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Where the Battle Is Won

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 26:36-46

If you want to experience victory in the conflicts and tough decisions facing you, consider what Jesus did. Before He got to the cross, the Lord fought a crucial, pivotal battle in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He wrestled with what lay ahead.

For our Savior, the weight of sin He would bear was overwhelming. He was about to experience complete spiritual separation from the Father. He went out to a peaceful and quiet place of prayer, where He got alone before the Father and cried out to Him. When Jesus left that garden, He walked out a winner. He would still drink the cup of suffering and separation, but He knew that in the end, He would triumph over it (Heb. 12:2).

Jesus’ example reveals that the key to winning life’s battles is to come before the Father—alone with Him and fully surrendered to His will. Godly counsel is important, but you cannot depend exclusively on others to tell you what to do. If you don’t spend time alone with the Lord, wrestling things out until you know what He is saying, you’ll never be sure you’re doing the right thing.

By making it a habit to spend time alone in God’s presence, you’ll be able to discern His perfect will as you come to major decisions with significant or even lifelong consequences. When you fully surrender to Him, you place the consequences of your choices into His most capable hands. After all, where could your decisions—and your future—be safer than in the control of our all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God?

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Running With Endurance

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 12:1-3

Nobody wakes up on the morning of a marathon and suddenly decides, Hey, I think I’ll go down and run the race today. Long-distance running requires training, and lots of it. The typical marathon runner spends months preparing for the race. He pulls himself out of bed early and hits the street. Focusing on his goal, he pushes through physical and mental exhaustion. He watches what he eats, gets plenty of sleep, and runs—regularly. The main goal of all of this training is to build endurance. While not easy, the discipline is essential to running 26.2 miles.

Since Scripture compares the Christian life to a race, we can assume that endurance is essential for our success as well. And what builds spiritual stamina? The apostle James points out that dealing with trials strengthens us. In fact, in James 1:2-3, he even tells us to welcome difficulties because “the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

He is talking about the inner strength that allows us to face any difficulty without quitting. A runner needs such strength for a race. So even though the training hurts, he conditions his body to be able to reach the finish line. For believers, the process is similar, except that our training comes through trials. As we face different challenges in the power of the Spirit, God builds us up more and more.

Are you facing a hardship today? God wants you to trust Him and then ask yourself, Am I willing to go through this intense workout today in order to win the race tomorrow?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Experiencing Loneliness

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 13:5

All of us feel alone from time to time. Poor health, a jam-packed work schedule, or trying circumstances can make it hard to stay connected. Moving to a new location, job, or school can also bring a sense of isolation. Once this season passes or we adjust to the new place, the feeling goes away.

But loneliness is different from aloneness—it involves a sense of separation from people and can intensify over time. In this state, we find it harder to reach out and easier not to be around others. When our mind starts telling us no one’s interested in what we have to say or do, we build a wall around our heart and allow access to very few. The more we withdraw, the worse we feel. Peace of mind eludes us, and loneliness weighs us down.

God never intended for us to live disconnected from one another. From the beginning, He purposed that we should enjoy an intimate relationship with Him and each other. First He established a personal relationship with Adam and then provided him with Eve. Our Creator knew it was not good for us to live in isolation (Gen. 2:18).

Note the order: Intimacy with God precedes intimacy with anyone else. In the absence of a personal relationship with Him, one is never truly at peace. The only way to be connected to the Father is by trusting Jesus as Savior (John 14:6). Whoever places faith in Him receives a new nature, becomes a member of God’s family, and experiences His peace (1:12; 14:27). If you’ve never accepted Christ’s invitation, you can pray right now to become God’s child.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Why Does God Allow Us to Fail?

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Charles Stanley

Romans 8:29-30

Yesterday we noted how the Lord at times works our circumstances to humble us. By doing so, He reveals how dependent we are on Him for victorious living. This is how He eliminates the idol of self-effort from our pursuit of holiness. It is also His way of achieving other purposes in our lives.

Our heavenly Father has more in mind than simply exposing the weakness of our flesh—that is simply a means to something greater. He intends to put us on display for all eternity as examples of His grace and goodness. He wants the angels to see the body of Christ and stand in awe before this dazzling demonstration of His handiwork.

What would you and I need to do to qualify for this purpose? Is there any way we can possibly understand the full scope of His designs for our lives? What must be done so that we may live in the fullness of everything He has in mind for His children?

We don’t have all the answers to these questions. As a result, we have difficulty understanding why God at times allows us to fail. If we could only see the glorious final product He has in mind, we would gladly abandon our self-effort and yield to His transforming power. But instead, we often insist on doing things our way. And as long as we remain in this mode of thinking, God will allow us to fail.

There’s a better way. It is simply to live by faith, trusting the Holy Spirit within us every moment of every day to conform us to the likeness of God’s Son Jesus Christ.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Failure: The First Step to Victory

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Charles Stanley

Romans 7:15-21

The Christian life involves encountering certain paradoxes that challenge our thinking. A prime example is Jesus’ comment that “the last shall be first and the first, last” (Matt. 20:16). Hard sayings like this may seem illogical and confusing until we remember that we’ve been called out of this world into a new way of living.

Self-effort, which is standard operating procedure for the natural man, must be abandoned by the Spirit-filled believer. That is why the Lord sometimes allows us to experience failure in our pursuit of holiness. He wants to show us how totally dependent we are on Him. When seen in that light, our human failures can actually be viewed as friends to instruct us rather than enemies to be resisted.

This perspective is not easily obtained. From earliest childhood, we are urged to work hard, strive for excellence, and do our very best. We are told to set goals and then pursue them with diligence and determination. While these virtues are useful when conscientiously employed, they can actually betray us by suggesting that our salvation lies in them. They whisper to the human ego, “You have all that it takes to be successful.” Gradually, if we pay attention to these voices, our confidence begins to shift from trusting in the Spirit to relying upon the flesh.

God will not accept our dependence upon anything or anyone besides Him. If necessary, He will engineer circumstances in order to defeat our best efforts and humble us until we fully learn to live by faith—in total reliance upon Him.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – To Believe or Not to Believe

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Charles Stanley

I have a friend whose heart was broken when his son decided he no longer wanted to be married. The father prayed that God would reconcile that broken relationship, but soon the divorce was final. My friend felt as though the Lord had let him down.

After Christ’s death, Thomas struggled with a similar issue. He had envisioned his Messiah ruling as King of the whole earth—but now Jesus was dead, and Thomas’s hopes were buried with Him. Had he believed a lie? Why had his Lord not done what the biblical prophecies said He would do?

When the other disciples reported that the Lord had risen from the dead, Thomas refused to believe unless he could actually see Christ’s wounds of crucifixion (John 20:25). Having been disappointed after putting faith in Jesus before, he hesitated to do so again without tangible proof.

Our trust in God can take a nosedive when expectations of what He will do are unfulfilled. Perhaps you can think of a time you asked the Lord for something and believed with all your heart that He would do it—but then He didn’t. What are we to do when it looks as if God has failed us? Keep believing! Jesus said, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (v. 29).

Thomas’s huge disappointment—Christ’s death—ultimately led to the greatest hope for mankind. When we feel that the Lord has let us down, we need to realize that in His great wisdom, He is doing something even greater than we asked.