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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Impacting Others for God’s Kingdom

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Charles Stanley

Colossians 4:6

In our desire to impact people around us, we often look to the example of individuals who have positively influenced our own lives. Many of us have known men or women who created a hunger in our soul to know God better. Seeing what a difference they made in our life, we may wonder if we could ever have that kind of influence on others.

The answer is yes, because God’s Spirit indwells every believer, making it possible for any of us to be effective in significant ways. One way is by simply speaking words of kindness. When you notice that someone is depressed or deeply troubled over circumstances in his or her life, you have the opportunity to say, “I just want you to know that I love you and appreciate you. I know things look black right now, but I’m lifting you in prayer. You are going to make it.” It may not sound eloquent or profound, but just imagine yourself receiving such encouragement in a time of need. Then you’ll get an idea of how meaningful such comments can be.

Another way to make a significant impact is through the church that you attend. Every week, when you contribute to the ministry of Jesus Christ in that fellowship, the Lord utilizes your offering in ways you’ll never be able to measure. He knows how to multiply your gift so it goes much further than you realize.

Because God wants all believers to have impact for His kingdom, He expects you to use the abilities and opportunities He has given you. Where do you begin? Right where you are—start by brightening the corner where you live.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Circle of Our Impact

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 5:14-16

One of today’s great tragedies is that so many people live chaotic lives with no real purpose. We would expect this from non-believers, but Christians should live out the knowledge that God has a very specific purpose for each person. When we consider what He has invested in us, it is no wonder that He wants to see us bear fruit in the lives of others. We can powerfully impact those in our circle of influence, much the way a stone tossed into a pond will make expanding concentric ripples.

In today’s passage, Jesus describes believers as light and calls us to reflect Him in a sin-darkened culture. Like the moon reflecting the light of the sun, we are to let the truth and beauty of the indwelling Christ shine out through our conduct, conversation, and character. In doing so, we must put away sin because it diminishes our light, as does soot on the globe of a lantern.

Our influence on others should be purposeful rather than haphazard. We ought to ask ourselves which people we are impacting. Are we in fact making a difference in anyone’s life? The truth is, we can turn our “ripples” into powerful waves for God that affect wide circles of individuals. For instance, consider the impact of prayer. There’s no end to its possibilities—your influence can extend to the remotest places on earth when you are on your knees before the Lord.

Don’t ever underestimate the scope and circle of your influence when you are obedient to God. By following Him, you live out what it means to be the “light of the world.”

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Making a Lasting Impact

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 5:13

All of us would like to be remembered as individuals who left a good and lasting imprint on the lives of others. The problem is that we tend to be so self-centered that few of us deeply impact even our closest neighbors.

How well we succeed in touching the lives of others is usually determined by our character. And ultimately, it is our spiritual impact that our heavenly Father is concerned about.

To illustrate the influence we should have on others, Jesus used the example of salt, a familiar household item that alters whatever it touches. The Lord taught that salt must maintain its purity and integrity in order to have lasting impact. In a similar way, we must guard our purity by walking in newness of life instead of loving the things of this world (1 John 2:15). Then, when people witness our transformed lives, they will be powerfully influenced.

Salt flavors and preserves food. When we sprinkle it on something flavorless, the food becomes much more enjoyable. We’re to flavor the lives of people around us by using our actions and words to point them to Jesus. If we are just like them, we’re not going to have any impact. Salt doesn’t change itself. It enhances only that which is bland or void of any real taste.

Never forget that you have an influence on others—either for good or for bad. Salt makes a positive difference on whatever comes in contact with it. Because we are followers of Christ, it is our job to flavor the world around us so it will be impacted in positive and God-honoring ways.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God Reveals His Presence

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 42:1-5

How does the Lord make His presence known in the lives of His children? Although this question does not have a simple “one size fits all” answer, there are several general ways in which God chooses to reveal Himself.

For example, He may wake you from a deep sleep in the middle of the night. Many times I have sat straight up in bed, knowing for certain that Jesus was right there with me, giving me answers to some serious questions from the day. Did I see Him or hear a voice? No. But did I know He was there? Absolutely.

God also makes His presence known by giving instantaneous guidance. Each step of the way, decision after decision, He leads us where He wants us to go.

And quite often the Lord will show Himself by giving such a clear word that you know beyond any doubt that it was from Him. How many times have you been reading a Scripture passage when suddenly a light seemed to flip on in your mind? God’s Holy Spirit can bring sudden understanding of a new truth, or clearly reveal the solution to a hard decision.

Another way that God reveals Himself is through life’s tragedies. Can you think of a time when you were so sorrowful that you couldn’t even move—but then somehow found the strength and courage to go on, despite the pain? You may even have marveled at discovering your strength and wondered where it came from. It was from the One who is always within, always empowering. All we have to do is say, “Lord, I need You at this moment.” And He is there—always.

 

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Wise Decision Making

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Charles Stanley

Some choices should be based solely on Scripture. We don’t need to pray about whether or not to commit adultery, steal from our employer, or avoid paying the taxes we owe. For each of these, God has clearly laid out instructions for us in His Word. But on areas where Scripture is silent, the Holy Spirit desires to guide our steps along the specific path the Father has chosen for us.

For instance, whom should you marry? Which career should you pursue? What home should you buy? True, the Bible gives a few guidelines on these topics. It tells us to marry only fellow believers, to steer clear of jobs that require unethical behavior, and to avoid overspending. But we also need specific guidance from God in these areas.

The Prompting of the Holy Spirit

After we have received Jesus as our Savior, the His Spirit dwells within us to direct our steps—the choices and decisions we should make, the work we should undertake, and the new attitudes and opinions we should adopt. Jesus said that one of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

When God wants to clarify the next move He has for us or lead us in a new direction, He often uses what I call a “prompting.” This is like a flash of lightning in a person’s spirit that creates an almost immediate knowing of which way to turn, what to do, or how to respond. It comes with a deep assurance and confidence that the choice or decision is right.

Whenever we sense the Holy Spirit’s prompting, our all-wise God is communicating that He loves us enough to direct our steps in a particular situation. Much of what the Spirit directs us to do involves a potential loss or gain of something we deem important—either for ourselves or for others.

There are things we should avoid, discard, ignore, or put away. There are things we should reach out and receive, pay attention to, or act upon. On occasion, the Spirit also prompts us not to act or speak. At times I have clearly felt the Holy Spirit instructing me, “Sit down and don’t say a word.” Because His guidance differs moment by moment and person to person, it’s vital for each believer to look to Him for guidance.

How do you develop sensitivity to God’s leadership? Ask Him to increase your ability to discern His will in each situation. It’s His work, not yours, to impart sensitivity. When you experience His prompting, act on it immediately. Don’t second-guess what God tells you to do. Those who fail to act on the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudges never learn how to follow His leading.

If you have heard correctly, you will feel a growing peace and confidence regarding your choice. If you have heard incorrectly, you will feel unrest in your spirit. As with most things in life, we learn by trial and error.

An Example of God’s Prompting

I knew a young woman who was facing a decision about which college to attend. She had narrowed the choices to four Christian schools. When she visited the first two, she sensed a clear “no” from the Holy Spirit. After just a few hours on each campus, she felt ill at ease. Although these were good schools with excellent reputations, she knew in her spirit that they were not right for her. It wasn’t anything a specific person did or said; she just felt restless in her heart.

The last two colleges, however, seemed almost equal. She finally decided to attend the college that was closer to her home. Right before bed one night, she announced her choice to her family. She later recounted what happened: “I was awake most of the night. I tossed and turned and felt miserable. I had a nagging sense that I was making a mistake.”

The next morning, the young woman confessed to her mother, “I think I made the wrong choice. I’m changing my decision.” She felt peace all day long, and by evening, she knew she had made the right choice. After one semester at the college, she wrote a letter to her parents, saying how happy she was at the school and expressing gratitude that instead of deciding for her, they had encouraged her to seek God’s direction.

This young woman had experienced a series of promptings that led her to the final decision, which was God’s best for her. Now let me ask you: Do you believe this young woman has a much clearer understanding about how the Holy Spirit speaks in the human heart and prompts a person to move into right actions or decisions? Absolutely. She has learned a tremendous lesson about what it means to hear from God and to walk wisely.

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives inside you to provide step-by-step guidance into God’s personalized plan for your life. Will you sometimes misunderstand His guidance? Yes. But if you seek daily to obey God’s still, small voice, you will experience His very best.

Adapted from “Walking Wisely: Real Guidance for Life’s Journey” (2002).

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – His Empowering Presence

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Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 1:6-10

When was the last time you felt God’s presence? I’m not talking about an intellectual understanding that the Lord is with you because He’s everywhere. Instead, what I’m asking is, When was the last time you experienced a heartfelt realization that He personally and intimately abides with you?

If you’re like many believers today, it may have been a while since you really felt His presence. Too many people go about their daily life without a genuine sense of God’s closeness. What a tragedy!

In the Scriptures, when God called someone into service, the first thing He did was to remind that person of His enduring presence. We see examples of this in the stories of Moses (Ex. 3:11-12), Joshua (Josh. 1:1-9), Gideon (Judg. 6:12), and Jeremiah (Jer. 1:6-8), to name just a few. Every time God called one of His servants into action, His message was, “You can be strong and courageous because I am with you. Victory isn’t about your abilities, your strength, your skill, your armor, your gifts, or your dedication; it is completely centered on My presence. You can be strong because I will be strong in and through you.”

God repeatedly assured His followers of His presence so they would remember the reason they could have confidence. And He wants to do the same for you.

The Lord knows how difficult life can be, and He’s aware of the details of each struggle you’ll ever face. As believers in Christ Jesus, we can trust that our heavenly Father will keep His word. He is with us right now, and He always will be (Heb. 13:5-6).

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – What Keeps Grace from Flowing?

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Charles Stanley

James 4:1-6

We know from the Bible that God continually showers His children with blessings. However, most believers don’t always feel as though He’s pouring His favor upon them. What could be blocking the free flow of divine grace?

Proverbs 6:16-19 provides a list of seven things that God hates. Certain attitudes and behaviors are categorized as detestable to Him, and the first thing mentioned is pride.

Nothing will interfere with spiritual growth as much as a proud spirit. That is why God considers it an abomination. Pride misaligns priorities in such a way that we—and not the Lord—become our own priority.

We can find many examples of pride throughout Scripture. For instance, the serpent convinced the first woman that if she ate of the forbidden fruit, she would “be like God” (Gen. 3:5). That sounded good to Eve, who apparently thought she deserved this high honor. So she and Adam ate the fruit, thereby bringing all manner of destruction and pain into the world.

If you have been struggling to feel God’s hand of blessing in your life, a wise first step is to humbly pray and ask the Lord to reveal any hidden areas of pride in your life. His arms are full of blessings that He desires to give you. As the preacher D. L. Moody once observed, “God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” Will you choose instead to be full of God? You can start by laying your pride at the foot of the cross. Then your life can overflow with blessings.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Seeking the Lord

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Charles Stanley

Colossians 3:1-2

Most people have the idea that Christianity is defined by praying, giving, sharing their faith, and being good. But genuine faith is also a daily yearning for more knowledge of and intimacy with the Lord. A believer’s spirit can be wholly satisfied with the presence of Jesus Christ living within, and yet still remain thirsty for deeper communion with Him. One of Christianity’s basic principles is that the more we know of the Lord, the more we want to learn of Him. If we’re to seek God rather than worldly riches, then our desire for Him must be stronger than any other longing we have.

Yesterday, we learned that we gain life’s “good things”—what God wills for us— by seeking Him. A mind set on finding material success will miss the spiritually fulfilling path. However, pursuing the Lord doesn’t imply abandoning plans and dreams; it simply means we prayerfully subject our hopes to His will. As we strive to know God, our desires change to reflect His. Our Father in turn takes responsibility for His children and puts our goals within reach. He gives us all the good things our God-shaped heart wants.

How does a Christian go about seeking the God who will supply his or her needs? By studying His Word and asking for His revelation. Every believer who genuinely wants to be trained in the Father’s ways can expect His instruction. When we receive new knowledge of Him, our desire for God will be kindled like dry twigs touched by a flame. And the more we seek to learn about Him, the more we will want to know.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Receiving the Good Things in Life

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 34:8-10

Two conflicting opinions about material wealth exist among believers. One says that to be truly spiritual, a Christian must keep few worldly goods. Proponents of the opposite idea think that prosperity is a sign of God’s favor and, therefore, a desired possession can be claimed by faith. Bewildered, many followers of Jesus wonder, Which of the two is the correct approach? But neither answer gives the full picture.

A hindrance to answering the question is our common view of what constitutes “good things”; usually these are defined as items and experiences that make us feel happy. From God’s perspective, however, the good things in life are those that fit into His individualized purpose and plan for us. His will could include prosperity, robust health, talents, and opportunities. But more than likely, the Lord’s plan involves some periods of trouble and need, and He considers those times valuable too.

When our vision of what is truly good clears, we are ready to understand how to receive God’s blessings. The key to receiv- ing life’s good things is to seek the Lord Himself rather than just the treasures He has to give. We often approach God with an empty basket rather than an open heart; we tell Him what we need and wait for the bin to be filled. But an open heart says, “God, I just want more of You.”

According to Psalm 34:8, God is good, and James 1:17 says that He is the source of “every good and perfect gift.” Giving blessings from His storehouse is in God’s nature, but He wants His children to seek Him above all else.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Wisdom for Good Health

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

God cares deeply for the physical bodies that He’s given His children. Let’s review some simple ways to look after yourself physically.

First, pay close attention to what you eat. Your body will use whatever food you give it—whether good or bad—as fuel. The decision about what kind of fuel to consume is yours alone. When you fill your body with the wrong things, you are limiting its efficiency, energy, and overall potential.

Second, exercise is vital to a healthy body. You may say, “Well, I just can’t do that.” Yes, you can; it is a matter of discipline. You may not enjoy exercise, but your body needs it. If all you can do is walk, then walk!

Third, wisdom about health requires examining your attitude. How’s your outlook regarding yourself, your life, and other people? A positive attitude affects the body by freeing it of stress.

Finally, spending time in prayer and Bible study affects physical well-being. You were created to be in relationship with God; it only makes sense, then, that actively engaging in this relationship and realigning your mind and spirit toward Him can have beneficial effects on the body He created for you.

Many people attempt to separate spiritual life from the physical. This is not what God intended. If you truly believe your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20), then you must realize that failing to maintain your health is both a physical and a spiritual problem. What is the Lord saying to you about the way you care for your body?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Suffering Alone

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 88:8, 18

Have you ever been in the midst of a personal crisis, only to feel that your friends have disappeared? Even if you did forgive them for abandoning you in a time of need, they still may not have come back to offer support. In situations like this, it’s important to remember the One who promises to be there for you all the time.

When Paul was suffering from a “thorn in the flesh,” the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:7-9). In other words, He was telling the apostle, “I’ll take care of you.”

During our most trying moments—when we have nothing left to sustain ourselves—we can find strength in God. He doesn’t set aside a reserve of grace and assistance to help us six months from now. We get exactly what we need when we need it. Our Father has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Heb. 13:5 nlt) and He has no intention of breaking that promise.

We may never know why the Lord allowed friends to forsake us when we needed them, but here’s one possibility: He might have been trying to teach us how to rely on Him. At times the only way we will learn to lean on God is by finding that all other supports are gone.

At some point, we all experience the heartache of abandonment. But one thing is certain—Jesus Christ will be standing by our side to strengthen and deliver

us in our time of need. One day we’ll have the privilege of looking back over our lives and seeing how He proved His faithfulness over and over again.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Trust and Obey

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Charles Stanley

When I was a teenager Proverbs 3:5-6 became my spiritual compass. Whenever I faced a difficult decision, I always turned to it for assurance. God etched its simple but profound truth in my mind and heart. It continues to be a signpost along life’s road, ever pointing me to the bottom line for all decisions: trust and obey God. It is an eternal combination that always makes one a winner.

Why? Because God is trustworthy. He is dependable. He is sovereignly working everything together for his glory and our good.

His wisdom is given to those who look to him, lean on him, rely on him. The more we depend on our Father for instruction, strength, hope, and guidance, the more abundantly he confers on us his divine wisdom.

We cannot receive wisdom from God apart from a relationship with him. God is not interested in teaching his ways to those who have no desire to please him or follow him. He does yearn, however, to teach men and women who are bold enough to believe his promises and carry out his commands.

Trusting in the Lord means that we place our present and future circumstances in his hands, confident in his ability to orchestrate people and events to achieve his will. This whole-hearted trust brings a secure peace of mind and contentment. Putting our full emotional and volitional weight on the faithfulness of God activates his promises.

There is one catch, however. We must first admit our inadequacy: “Lean not on your own understanding.” That was Solomon’s attitude when he confessed, “But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties” (I Kings 3:7).

This is where many Christians falter. We can do many things quite well without an apparent need for God’s wisdom. We can repair items, invent machines, program computers, hike trails, and perform multitudes of other activities with very little sense of God’s participation.

Yet we have been created by God to work in a world he fashioned with his own hands. Our lives, our very breath, is in his hands; our minds and bodies are his gifts. His wisdom is displayed in everything, even when we fail to recognize him.

God has given you talents and skills. However, they are maximized for eternity when you trust him to direct and use them for his plans. The question is, Will you lean on your own understanding or depend on God?

The wise choice is obvious when we understand that God knows the end from the beginning and sustains all things in between. Trusting him is the wisest decision we can make. Depending on our frail discernment limits us to a narrow, finite control. Relying on God’s wisdom adds a supernatural dimension that cannot be matched by anything on earth.

Excerpted from “A Touch of His Wisdom,” by Charles F. Stanley, 1992.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Standing on God’s Word

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Charles Stanley

Ezekiel 13:1-6

The United States Marine Corps is always on the lookout for what they call “a few good men.” The eyes of the Lord are likewise scanning the earth in order to find godly men and women who will step forward and use their influence to exalt righteousness in the land. That is what we see in Ezekiel 22. God says, “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it” (v. 30).

A “gap” in this sense is some place where error or falsehood has crept in, allowing Satanic confusion and inviting the judgment of God. Sometimes these gaps are so serious that they imperil entire nations and carry them to the brink of destruction. Israel was facing such a time following the Exodus, but the Word of God records this remarkable statement: “Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them” (Ps. 106:23).

In all likelihood, not too many of us will ever be called upon to save a nation. But we can nonetheless build up the walls of protection around our families and churches by drawing wisdom from the whole counsel of God. We can resist the Devil daily and refuse the sensuality and perversions of this present age. God has called His children into His service and will equip them in righteousness. In Moses’ day, one man made all the difference. Why not be the one who makes a difference today?

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Requirements of a Godly Influence

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 1:25-31

Have you ever wondered what God’s human history textbook might look like? Who would appear on its pages as the principal movers and shakers of world events? First Corinthians 1:27-28 provides a clue when it tells us that the Lord has chosen the weak and the foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise. This principle is woven throughout the fabric of biblical history.

A prostitute named Rahab makes a right choice and becomes the ancestor of the Messiah. A widow named Ruth chooses the God of Israel and becomes the great-grandmother of King David. An infertile wife named Hannah pours out her soul to God and becomes the mother of Samuel the prophet. A man called Abram responds to God, leaves his relatives behind, and becomes the father of all who believe. A woman named Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ head and gains for herself an eternal monument in the stream of history.

Who are the truly influential people on this earth? Don’t be deceived by outward appearances. The ones with impact are those who leave all to follow Jesus—the men and women who have proven themselves to be “blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [they] appear as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

You may not think that your light is very bright by this world’s standards, but when the Lord calls you a luminary, you can agree with Him and keep on shining.

 

 

 

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Charles Stanley – Wise Reactions to Criticism

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 2:1-11

How should we face the upsetting comments of other people? What is the right response to criticism?

First, when criticism arises, maintain a quiet spirit. Do not become defensive or loud, and restrain any outburst, though that may feel right at the moment. Some people will use the excuse, “I just have a short fuse. That’s how God made me.” This is a poor argument; we can’t blame the Lord when we fail to control our own bad temper. Such responses are unhelpful, unhealthy, and unacceptable.

Second, we should not attempt to defend ourselves immediately. Pride, not genuine honesty and reflection, usually motivates this response. Whenever possible, it’s wise to allow time for the initial shock and irritation to pass before offering any defenses or theories.

Third—and this is a tough one—we must ask the Holy Spirit to show us if the problem is our fault. Are the accusations true? Is it possible that a loving friend was led by God to reveal something unpleasant about us? We do not like to think that we are ever wrong; however, we know that as sinful men and women, we cannot be right all of the time. For this reason, there is always a chance that a conflict in our lives may actually be our fault. When people care enough to confront us in this way, we should be gracious about receiving and considering their perspective.

The Lord often speaks to us through other people. If He is trying to communicate something to you through a brother or sister in Christ, challenge yourself to be open to His message—even if it hurts.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Unwise Reactions to Criticism

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Charles Stanley

1 Peter 2:23-24

No one likes personal criticism. Sometimes it seems that we go out of our way to help and encourage others, only to be met with a harsh word or accusation. Too often, when that happens, our protective shields immediately go up. But what do we do with the remark that has already been said? What is our normal, human response to criticism?

First, we might respond by repressing the matter. That is, we acknowledge there is a problem but don’t want to do anything about it. In such cases, we may answer, “Thank you for sharing your feelings. I understand what you are saying.” And yet we may not understand. We might feel grievously hurt by the comment but do not want to deal with the hardship of exploring or discussing it further.

Second, we may respond by suppressing the conflict. We may act as if nothing ever happened, completely ignoring the situation to the extent that we actually become unaware that anything is wrong. Far from being a cure, this only delays and exaggerates our eventual reaction to the problem.

Third, we might respond by blaming someone else. We can be quick to point the finger at others, while denying any personal responsibility in the matter.

Selfish tendencies serve only to alienate us further from those who have challenged us in the first place. True, a word of criticism can hurt, but there may be something within the remark that is worth examining. Are you strong enough to face criticism with humility and godly confidence?

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Participating in Great Works Through Prayer

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Charles Stanley

John 16:23-24

Divine miracles occur daily: when closed minds open, the spiritually blind suddenly see the gospel’s truth, and rebels surrender and become God’s children. Jesus promised that we who believe can have a part in great works like these by making requests in His name.

Our heavenly Father waits for us to draw near with our big petitions. He looks to see that we are asking based on the merits and reconciling work of Christ, that we have confessed all known sin, and that we firmly believe He’ll do what He has said. In other words, we are not to doubt; our Father wants us to have faith that He will both keep His promises and respond for our good. He delights in giving His children gifts (Matt. 7:11).

God answers our requests when they are in alignment with His plan. And we know He won’t act in a manner inconsistent with His character. So by searching the Scriptures, we can discover whether our desires line up with God’s nature and promises. We might also learn about someone with a similar dilemma, such as: Elisha, who was exhausted and in despair; Ruth and Naomi, who were poor widows in need of the Lord’s help; or David, whose life was in danger. Their interactions with God—and the ways He responded—will provide guidance on how we can speak with our Father about our difficulties. And we can be certain the Holy Spirit will help us (Rom. 8:26).

God alone knows the perfect actions to take and the right time to do so. But He invites us to ask in faith—and to keep on asking (Matt. 7:7 ISV).

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Making Big Requests of God

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Charles Stanley

John 14:9-14

Jesus often spoke about the role of prayer for the believer and the church. He guaranteed His presence when two or more gather in unity to pray. He also promised to act whenever believers speak to God in the authority of Christ’s name. Jesus taught that God is to be the focus of our petitions, and He showed by example that the basis for ministry is communion with the Father.

If we want God to release His power into a situation, it’s important that we do two things:

First, we must depend solely on Jesus’ merits and mediation. Our new life as children of God began when we acknowledged our helplessness and accepted Christ’s substitutionary death on our behalf (Rom. 5:6). He acted as our mediator and reconciled us to the Father (1 Tim. 2:5). If we want God to do mighty works in and through us, we must continue in that same spirit of dependence on Christ (Gal. 2:20).

Second, we must separate from all known sin. At the cross, when the Savior paid our penalty for transgression, sin’s controlling power over us was broken. However, its presence remains in this world and also lingers in us. Gossip, laziness, gluttony, and selfishness are commonplace occurrences. The remedy for every sin is to confess it to God, turn away from that attitude or behavior, and receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). He uses cleansed vessels.

If we are going to make big requests of God, we must come to Him with clean hearts and hands—that is, solely on the merits of His Son Jesus.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How do I maintain my hope in the midst of adversity?

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Charles Stanley

Maintaining Hope

Have you ever felt ignored by God? Have you wondered why others are blessed, while the Lord continues to allow suffering, disappointment, and hardship in your life?

Scripture records the stories of faithful believers who were able to maintain their hope in the midst of painful circumstances. The apostle Paul is a perfect example. He experienced persecution, beatings, unfair trials, imprisonment, and sickness, among other frustrations. Let’s explore what he discovered about rising above adversity.

  1. Fulfillment in life does not hinge on our circumstances.
    A. A change in scenery will never bring lasting joy. Some people believe that personal contentment is linked to one’s circumstances. Consequently, when they become frustrated with life, they might quit their job, sell their house, divorce their spouse, or buy a new car. A little while later, they begin to feel unsatisfied again.
    • Have you ever believed a certain circumstance would bring you contentment, and then been disappointed when it arrived and didn’t satisfy? Describe the situation and how you felt.
    • From this experience, what did you learn and how can you apply that to your current circumstances?

B. Paul discovered that the “secret” to contentment was not found in things, but in a Person (Phil. 4:11-12). As believers, we find joy in our relationship with the Lord, not in our circumstances.

    • What hardships did Paul experience, according to 2 Corinthians 11:24-27?
    • Having experienced all that, why did Paul say he was content? Read 2 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 15:13.

God can show us how to be satisfied, regardless of our circumstances, if we will rely on Him. When we don’t find our joy in the Lord, we’ll spend the majority of our time trying to improve circumstances (or escape trial) rather than serving Christ.

  1. God’s grace is sufficient during adversity.
    A. Paul discovered that God’s power is most evident when we are weak. God did not remove Paul’s thorn. But what the Lord gave him was far better in the long run. God granted Paul the grace he needed to endure his hardship victoriously (2 Corinthians 12:9). Weakness forces us to depend on God’s power.

    • Have you ever experienced God’s power at a time when you had little strength of your own? If so, describe that situation.

B. God’s grace is more than sufficient for anything we will encounter. Paul left his home and family to plant churches in hostile environments, and as a result, he was persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and left for dead. Yet, somehow he was content.

    • In what area of life do you need God’s strength?
    • Write a prayer, asking God to show you how to depend on His strength to overcome this difficulty or weakness.
  1. The key to advancing through adversity is to view it as suffering for Christ’s sake.
    A. Paul understood his purpose in life—to bring glory to God by preaching the gospel.     Therefore, anything that happened to him in the process of obeying God was really for Christ’s sake. He wrote:

Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:10).

    • Think about a recent hardship or disappointment in your life. How does the point above give you a new perspective on that trial?

B. Like Paul’s mission in life, yours is to glorify God through spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily serve God full-time vocationally. But when you become consumed by His call, everything will take on new significance. You will begin to see every facet of your life—including pain—as a means through which God can work to bring others to Him.

    • God may choose to delay your deliverance so He can use your suffering for His sake—either now or in the future. What hardship are you currently experiencing?
    • How can others see Christ in you through that situation?

Closing: God’s grace is sufficient for whatever you’re facing. If you’ll draw near to Him, suffering will ultimately bear spiritual fruit in your life and in the lives of others. As part of the Father’s divine plan, you can experience hope and joy, regardless of your circumstances.

Prayer: Father, how grateful we are that You accept us where we are. You can use every experience of our lives. Teach us to find hope in You. Make us effective vessels through whom others will find You as their Savior. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

________________________________________ This study was adapted from “How to Handle Adversity” by Charles F. Stanley. 1989. pp. 162,164-168.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Having Increased Faith

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Charles Stanley

Genesis 22:1-14

We’re determined to make spiritual progress. No longer content with little faith, we are removing our gaze from ourselves and putting it onto the Lord. We are reaching for greater faith.

We start by becoming students of the Bible who have a compelling desire to experience the Lord’s presence, develop greater intimacy with Him, and be conformed to Christlikeness. A second characteristic of deeper trust is a heavy reliance on the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the habit of looking to Him before making decisions. Third, we demonstrate the willingness to wait on God and trust what He says. The Lord commended the centurion for his strong convictions. Trusting in the person and character of Jesus, the soldier believed Christ’s words were all that was required (Matthew 8:5-10).

But there is an even higher level of faith, where unbelief is cast out and only trust in God remains. Abraham displayed such flawless confidence when the Lord commanded him to sacrifice Isaac. Little faith would never have cut any wood or saddled donkeys to make the trip. Great faith—though it may have balked about putting Isaac on the altar—would have traveled as instructed, believing in God to work things out. Complete faith will act as Abraham did: he believed what the Lord had promised him yet carried out the divine instructions, even though they appeared to contradict God’s pledge.

May complete faith be the prayer and aspiration of your heart. The Holy Spirit is always ready to help you reach that next level of faith.