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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Levels of Faith in the Believer’s Life

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Charles Stanley

Mark 9:14-24

The theme of faith permeated Christ’s ministry. Jesus highly esteemed complete trust like Abraham’s, and He commended strong confidence in God, such as the centurion’s. He also urged those with weak convictions to believe. Many of us fall into this last category—over and over, we wrestle with doubt and worry.

Five times in the book of Matthew, Jesus pointed out examples of little faith. First, He mentioned people who felt that their resources were insufficient (6:30). Like them, we can become anxious when we think we have too little time, energy, or money.

Then there was the terrible storm—Jesus slept through it, but the disciples were afraid (8:23-26). Constant fear shows lack of trust.

Next, Peter allowed doubt to take over. At Jesus’ command, he started to walk on water but then sank when unbelief set in (14:31).

Another incident involved the disciples’ failure to reach a correct conclusion about Jesus’ teachings and actions (16:5-12).

In the fifth example, the disciples—who’d previously cast out demons—were unable to do so in the current situation (17:14-21). Because their faith was so small, they lacked the divine power to carry out a harder task.

In order to grow stronger spiritually, we must take our eyes off our circumstances and look to the Lord. By trusting in His character and believing in His promises, we can overcome anxiety and develop greater faith. On whom or what are your eyes fixed?

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Blessings of Inadequacy

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 2:15-17

Most of us assume that feelings of inadequacy are enemies to be subdued rather than friends to be employed. In some cases, though, these feelings can prepare us for great accomplishments. That is what the apostle Paul discovered when he set out to preach the gospel to all creation. In spite of his great learning and varied gifts, Paul acknowledged that he was not sufficient in himself to minister for the Lord. By taking that attitude, he was able to step out beyond his own personal limits and tap into supernatural power.

Many times, we fail to follow suit because we so easily surrender to our inadequacies. We may use our limitations as an excuse for not taking on difficult assignments—all too often we say, “I can’t do this” or “I don’t want that responsibility” when faced with God’s call to serve. But our excuses are unacceptable because the Holy Spirit will empower us for any task the Lord assigns.

Unless we claim God’s supernatural power, we run the risk of multiplied failure. First of all, we miss out on the joy, peace, and contentment derived from stepping out in faith to answer the Lord’s “impossible” call and watching His enablement. In addition, our hesitancy may deprive other people of the benefits of our service.

Perhaps you feel that you don’t have a lot to offer, but if you are a child of God, He has equipped you with all that you need for serving Him. Never underestimate the impact of one person who has learned how to depend upon the adequacy of Almighty God.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Relying on Our All-Sufficient God

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Many people would scoff at the idea of inadequacy as a way the Lord blesses believers—the feeling can be so disheartening that it seems illogical to think in terms of benefit. Yet Christians can use shortcomings as stepping stones to blessing:

1. Our inadequacy forces us to do our work in the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything that puts us on our knees and drives us to God has to be good.

2. Awareness of our limitations can relieve us of the burden of trying to do God’s will in our own strength. Without the Holy Spirit, we will be crushed by weights we cannot carry.

3. Another blessing is that such awareness “frees” the Lord to use us to the maximum of our potential. When we are lowly enough to feel our need, then God will raise us to great heights.

4. Acknowledging our shortcomings allows God to get all the glory for His work. Spiritually minded people can tell when something is of God—and when it’s not. If you are in the Spirit, the glory will rightfully go to the Lord.

5. Inadequacy can enable us to live in contentment and quietness of spirit. Either we will give God our burdens and cease striving, or we will proceed in our own strength and become overwhelmed.

Like the apostle Paul, we should not claim competence in ourselves but rather acknowledge that our adequacy is from God (2 Cor. 3:5). What area in your life are you trying to manage in your own power? Relinquish control and anticipate God’s blessings, knowing that He desires good for His children.

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Does God Love Me?

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 145:7-9

Life can hit us with unexpected and undesirable circumstances. When that happens, shock and pain can make us wonder, Does God really care about me?

First of all, Scripture tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8), which means His very nature is characterized by compassion and concern. Love originated with the Lord, and He is our greatest example of how to express it. This truth, combined with His holiness, means His love is perfect—He’ll never make a mistake in the way He loves us.

Second, we know God loves us because He calls us His children. “To those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” writes John in his gospel (1:12 niv). Sadly, some people don’t have a mother or father who shows them love. But God is the perfect parent. It would go against His character to treat His children with anything less than unconditional love.

Finally, the Lord gave the supreme demonstration of His love at the cross. We were all dead in our sins, but Christ went to the greatest lengths possible to give us life: He came to earth as an expression of His Father’s infinite love, and in giving His life on our behalf, did what no one else was able to do.

After considering these facts about God’s love, how could we not expect Him to take care of even the smallest details of our life? Look for ways He is expressing His love to you, and remember Jesus’ own words on the subject: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (15:13).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Knowing God as Our Father

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Charles Stanley

1 John 3:1-3

When we hear the word “father,” what images come to mind? Couch potato or hardworking? Stern or enthusiastic? Available or absent? No matter what strengths or weaknesses our earthly dads may have had, we have a heavenly Father who is perfect.

Jesus’ life provides us with a picture of God as our Father. We see the Savior tenderly holding children, ministering to the sick, and showing compassion to the undeserving. Christ’s words tell us of a heavenly Father who loves people, listens to the prayers of His children, and freely offers forgiveness.

Jesus also revealed that there are two spiritual fathers in this world: Jehovah and Satan. Only those who have been spiritually born into God’s family may call Him “Father.” This rebirth (John 3:3) takes place when a person accepts Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice for his or her own sins. Those that reject Christ—the only way to God (14:6)—consequently choose the Devil as their spiritual father (8:42-45). They have believed the Father of Lies and rejected the one true God as revealed in the person of Jesus. Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy (10:10), but Jesus came that we might have new life and be reconciled to God the Father.

God is aware of every need we have, and He has promised to provide His best for us. He delights in giving good gifts to His children and doesn’t hold our mistakes against us. With Him, we find intimacy, security, and satisfaction. Child of God, how well do you know your Father?

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Freedom of the Cross

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Charles Stanley

In these tough economic times, many now recognize the cost of freedom. Perhaps you feel trapped in debt, unemployment, or personal heartache. And even if you are currently fortunate enough to be without trial, there is a bondage we all face: sin.

Breaking free from sin’s penalty and power comes at a great price. Your symbol of true freedom—liberty from the chains of self—is a costly one. It is soaked in the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

The Cross

The agony of Jesus’ crucifixion is well known, even to non-Christians and adherents of other religions. The actual event, however, was far more than mere historic melodrama. Its significance lies not in the emotional experience of the participants and onlookers, but in what God accomplished through His Son’s death.

The cross of Calvary is the extraordinary instrument of liberty where our eternal fate is secured. You see, our freedom cannot be purchased with a social revolution or a majority vote. The source of our oppression is spiritual—not political, economic, or cultural.

Yet many people today dismiss the contemporary relevance of the cross because of its apparent weakness. We are strength-conscious people. Businesspeople meet for “power” lunches. Politicians strive to gain ever-increasing legislative influence. Individuals with common causes group together to wield more clout. The military spends billions to develop and deploy Armageddon-scale weaponry. But there has never been—and never will be—anything that rivals the awesome power of the cross.

The Cost

Despite the world’s skepticism and ridicule, the very core of Christianity is Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is the central truth of Christian doctrine and experience. In the words of Paul, the cross is both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).

You see, we are born sinners, separated from the life and liberty of our Creator. We are imprisoned by the darkness of sin, chained by its grip of selfishness and under the influence of Satan. Only Christ’s sacrifice has the power to liberate us from this bondage.

The gospel of the resurrection has the ability to deliver us—body and soul—from the grave. Because Christ paid the penalty of sin and emerged from the tomb, His sacrifice is the only power that can unshackle humanity from the chains of eternal, spiritual death. It is the only thing that can transport you from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of life and light (Colossians 1:13).

The cross is God’s wisdom because there is no other means by which sinful human beings can be reconciled to our holy and perfect Creator. Because God became flesh, He could die as our substitute, bearing the divinely decreed penalty for our rebellion against Him.

The crucifixion has the power to radically alter every aspect of your life. Jesus’ sacrifice empowers you to reorient your life toward selfless giving, loving, and serving instead of self-dominance or self-protection. Christ calls us to follow Him by dying to ourselves—to give up our lives so that we might find them in relationship with Him (John 12:25-26). Doing so transforms the heart and releases evil’s grip on our lives.

Freedom

Our only hope for freedom is to be rescued by the One with the power and right to liberate us from sin’s reign. That is exactly what Christ did at Calvary. Through the cross, the wrath of God the Father was spent on His Son. Jesus paid the supreme price by laying down His life.

Since Christ tasted the bitterness of death and rose again three days later, sin no longer rules over those of us who trust in Him. He triumphed over the grave, and all who place their faith in Him share His victory. The grace of the Lord is marvelous. But it is yours only because Jesus bore the penalty of sin: death (Rom. 6:23). He made it possible for us to be reconciled to the Author of spiritual liberty— Jehovah God.

Is the cross of Christ the center of your faith? There is absolutely no way to God except through the Son (John 14:6). The gift of freedom is available to all who are willing to receive because of His crucifixion—the greatest, eternal sacrifice for the world God so dearly loves.

Adapted from “Enter His Gates” (1998).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Privilege of Knowing God

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 3:7-11

God wants people to know Him. If He had preferred anonymity, He wouldn’t have inspired the writing of a multi-author book about Himself. But since He did, our becoming devoted followers and friends of the Creator requires us to delve deeply into Scripture.

First, we learn about God from His Word. In reading the Bible, we accumulate facts about His character, principles, and ways of operating. Unfortunately, churches are full of men and women who stop at this step. They know much about religion but haven’t developed their faith.

The second step is to meditate on Scripture by thinking about God’s words and allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret them. The only way to rightly understand this divinely inspired text is with the Spirit’s guidance.

Finally, we must apply what we learn. Suppose you read that God is a very present help in times of trouble (Ps. 46:1). Then, when trouble shows up, you will rely on Him for aid. When He answers—and He will answer, although not always as expected—you will learn something about God: He helps you by responding to your trust and dependence with a custom-made solution to your problem.

I frequently admonish believers to read the Bible, but by that, I do not mean for anyone to skim its pages and walk away with only facts. Scripture is a living document that will tell you how to practice faith in daily life, but you must do what it says. Only then can you see God as He truly is—not some ancient deity full of rules, but a vibrant Friend who wants to connect with His children daily.

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Advancing Through Adversity

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Charles Stanley

Deuteronomy 4:7

There are many people who get stuck in life’s hard spots, too scared or too bitter to move through the difficulty. Instead, these folks wait for the Lord to remove the trial, and yet He doesn’t always work that way. But God wants His children to trust Him so they can advance through their adversity.

The way that a person responds to hardship reveals his or her true character. And tough situations are the times when God’s children most need to match actions to words. It’s easy to say, “I trust the Lord” or “My God is faithful” when life is good. But unless believers recognize that He is sovereign even in adversity, they may be tempted to complain and seek pity. Christians who trust in the Lord’s faithfulness and supremacy will steadfastly focus on Him and as a result will see their anxiety and doubt subside.

In order to conquer adversity, we must begin moving through it. Even though we may not know what God’s purpose is, it’s essential for a suffering believer to surrender to His will. We certainly won’t like the pain, and we’ll definitely want the situation to change—fast. But giving the Lord free rein allows Him to mature our faith, conform us to the likeness of His Son, and fulfill His unique plan for our lives.

Surrendering does not seem like a way to advance anywhere. But in reality, we’re just handing over the controls to God and saying, “You guide me where You want me to go.” Doing so requires a lot of trust, but we serve a Lord who is worthy of our faith and confidence.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Preparation for Spiritual Warfare

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Charles Stanley

Ephesians 6:10-13

Believers are caught in a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, but the Lord has provided everything we need to stand firm against the forces of evil. Why, then, do Christians fail so often and give in to temptation and sin? I think there are a number of reasons.

• We are unaware of the battle. Even if we know about spiritual warfare, during everyday life, it’s easy to forget an invisible war is raging around us. Our inattention makes us prime candidates for an attack.

• We are ignorant about the Enemy. Satan will hit us with one scheme after another when we don’t recognize his tactics or understand his goals.

• We are untrained for battle. Believers are soldiers whether they want to be or not. God’s Word is the training manual that gives instruction for discerning deception, resisting temptation, standing firm in faith, and walking in integrity.

• We allow Satan a foothold. The primary battleground for Christians is the mind. If we begin to listen to the Tempter and consider the benefits of his suggestions, he will gain a foothold into our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Left unchecked, the foothold will become a stronghold, and we’ll soon find ourselves mired in sin.

The time to prepare for warfare is now. You cannot be complacent and unaware of your Enemy, or you will become his victim. Begin filling your mind with God’s Word, and obediently listen to the Spirit’s inner warnings. That’s the way to experience the joy of victory in Christ.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Can You Get Away with Sin?

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Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:19-25

If you planted several apple seeds in your front yard, what would grow? Apples, of course! It is foolish to plant apple seeds but then expect to reap a crop of oranges, isn’t it?

Now, let’s take that little question a step further. If you planted seeds of sin in your life, what would grow? Sadly, the result is just as logical as the consequence of sowing apple seeds.

Why, then, is the answer so obvious when we’re talking about fruit, yet so elusive when we’re dealing with sin in our own life? Many people who freely engage in wrong activities are shocked and dismayed to discover the disastrous results that always follow. Why are they surprised? It is probably because they never actually think of themselves as planting seeds of sin; rather, they see themselves as simply “having a good time.”

This is a trademark maneuver of Satan’s. With temptation, he always offers us one thing but then delivers something completely different. The good we think we are getting turns sour before we can fully enjoy it. That is because the Devil can offer no lasting joy; he serves up only lies and destruction.

Read today’s passage and ask yourself, Am I planting seeds of the flesh or seeds of the Spirit? Do I want to reap the consequences of sin, or do I want a harvest of spiritual fruit?

There is simply no comparison between the two options. As a matter of fact, you might say it is the difference between apples and oranges.

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Obstacles to Righteousness

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Charles Stanley

Galatians 5:16-17

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Shutting Our Ears to the Lord

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Charles Stanley

James 1:22-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Strengthening God’s Church

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Charles Stanley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – When We Cry Out to God

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Charles Stanley

Psalm 57:1-3

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

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Fighting Anxiety with Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Luke 11:1-4

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Handling Our Anxieties

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Charles Stanley

Matthew 11:25-30

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

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

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

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

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How to Claim a Promise from God

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Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 1:20

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Stanley – Inheriting God’s Promises

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Charles Stanley

Hebrews 6:11-12

The Lord wouldn’t have made all the promises in the Bible if He didn’t want to give His children great blessings. Yet we cannot be presumptuous and simply assume such benefits automatically belong to us. So how can we claim God’s promises with the expectation that He will take pleasure in answering our petitions?

There are certain questions we must ask in order to test the needs we bring before our heavenly Father. These include:

• Does this promise meet my personal need or desire?

• Am I asking with a spirit of submissiveness to His will?

• Can God fulfill this request without harming another person or interfering with His will in someone else’s life?

• Does the Holy Spirit bear witness to my spirit that the petition pleases God?

• Will God be honored by fulfilling this?

• Does my request to claim this promise contradict God’s Word in some way?

• If God fulfills this promise, will it further my spiritual growth?

Once we have satisfactorily answered these questions, inheriting God’s promises depends on three requirements. First, we need to have faith. Our Father wants us to trust Him, and He rewards those who do (Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:6).

Second, we must be obedient to whatever we know is His will for us—we’ll never attain His best if we knowingly disobey. And third, we must have patience and be willing to wait for the Lord’s perfect timing. Doing these things is well worth our while, considering the blessings He longs to give us.

 

 

Charles Stanley

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

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Charles Stanley

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

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

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

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

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

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Facing Your Fears

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Charles Stanley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Victory Over Fear

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