How to Advance Through Our Adversity

Romans 8:18, 26-28

What would happen if we approached a fork in the road and found two signs, one reading “Road of Comfort” and the other, “Road of Adversity”? We would veer onto the Road of Comfort with a sigh of relief, wouldn’t we? None of us wants to experience even one single unnecessary moment of pain, disappointment, or loss. Yet God’s Word tells us affliction is inevitable. (John 16:33) The good news, however, is that for the believer, there is always purpose in it. (Romans 8:28)
Purpose #1 Adversity reveals our view of God. If we feel like victims in the trial, then our belief in His sovereignty is not solid. If we become fixed on our negative circumstances, then our faith in His good purposes is shown to be shaky. The more clearly we understand who God is, the deeper and stronger our faith will be. Strong faith will keep us steady.
Purpose #2 Adversity teaches us the truth about ourselves. Many of these truths could not be learned any other way. For example, through financial loss, we learn the true priority of material things in our life – we may find our identity has been wrapped up in our jobs or bank account. If our suffering is due to another person’s words or actions, we discover how willing we are to forgive. We also learn about our capacity to endure in the face of great difficulty.
Scripture exhorts us to use our adverse experiences wisely so that we will progress in Christian maturity. As we become like Jesus – in both our view of God and our character – we will please our Father greatly.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

Filled with All Peace and Joy

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13(KJV)

I went through a particularly difficult time several years ago when there was absolutely no joy or peace in my life. Every time I made a mistake, I was quick to condemn myself, angry that I couldn’t be the “perfect Christian.”

Then one day, I came across Romans 15:13: May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing… That was it. I got it!

I realized that I had plunged into doubt and unbelief, allowing the devil to torment me with negativity, anger, and impatience. In the process, I had forgotten that believing in God and trusting His Word brings peace and hope and overcomes my weakness.

God’s Word gave me the answer. Jesus loved me so much that He not only forgave all my sins from the past but also looked ahead and forgave me for those moments of weakness when I’d fail in the future. I don’t have to allow Satan to sneak in with questions or unbelief, and you don’t either.

Know today that peace, hope and joy are right in front of you. Go to His Word and let it stir up your faith.

Prayer Starter: Lord, every time I start to believe the enemy’s lies, remind me of the truth in Your Word. By believing in You, I receive peace and joy today.

Renewal or Relapse

1 John 1:5-9

Whether we have recently become believers or have followed Christ for years, our enemy the Devil seeks to attack our faith and cause us to relapse into disobedient ways. We are warned to be alert because our enemy is like a roaring lion seeking to harm us. (1 Peter 5:8)
His intentions are to enslave us to sin. When we succumb to temptation, Satan presses in to trap us so that we will feel estranged from God. Our enemy tries to convince us we cannot return to God in our current state. Some of us become so miserable that we buy the lie and embrace the world’s ways.
Since our heavenly Father knows the Devil’s tactics and our weaknesses, He has planned an escape for us. It is called “confession.” Genuine confession means telling God what we have done and agreeing it is wrong – we express sorrow over it, acknowledge we cannot rescue ourselves, and declare our heartfelt desire to turn from our sin and live for Him again. God promises to forgive us and cleanse us so that we might be restored to fellowship with Him. (1 John 1:9)
To prevent entrapment by Satan, we are to take our “everyday, ordinary life . . . and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:1 THE MESSAGE). We should avoid becoming “so well-adjusted to [our] culture that [we] fit into it without even thinking” (Romans 12:2 THE MESSAGE). Most importantly, we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us so that our external conduct and communication matches our new internal nature.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

What Is Faith?

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4(KJV)

Faith is a word that we use a lot, but sometimes we can make it too complicated. Faith simply means ‘belief or absolute trust’; the word also implies loyalty and commitment.

Faith isn’t a huge, complicated concept that we have to stress over. Genuine faith in God simply acknowledges that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection is absolutely true. It happens when we say, “Not only does it make sense to me, but I’m willing to stake my life on it.”

The Bible says that the uncompromisingly righteous shall live by faith and faithfulness. One way to think of the uncompromisingly righteous is to think of those who are made right by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Through faith we are made right, and God treats us as His own beloved children.

Today, I encourage you to get back to the basics of faith. Know that when you put your faith in Him, you are made right. Live by your trust in the God who reaches out to you with loving and open arms, ready to receive you and love you just as you are.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I am so thankful that I can put my faith in You and become ‘uncompromisingly righteous.’ Today, I live by faith in You.

Renewal or Relapse

Romans 12:1-2

We all falter occasionally in our Christian walk, but some believers go back into their old lifestyle and stay there, almost as if they had never been saved. It could be a few weeks after salvation or years later that they turn away from God. What causes a person to go from pursuing Christ to following the ways of the world?
We know that when we are saved by grace, we have a new birth experience. (2 Corinthians 5:17) God creates something original within us – a brand new nature – and it is so wonderful we look forward to telling others about it. Then we return to our old environment, where people who know us have not changed. Over time, they will use enticements to get us to interact as we once did – to laugh at their jokes, to read worldly books and magazines, and even to agree with commonly held opinions. We are often frustrated at their response to our faith and our lifestyle, but because God wants us to lead others to Christ, He leaves us in our old surroundings.
What results is a fork in the road. Some Christians endure the snide comments and ignore the temptations. But other believers find themselves weakening until they make the decision to join the crowd “just this one time.” One time leads to one more, and so on.
Where do you stand – with your feet firmly planted on God’s path? Or are you poised at the precipice, leaning toward the other side? Beware! Danger is only one step away.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

How to Handle Difficult Circumstances

Philippians 1:12-20

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi was written during his Roman imprisonment. Chained continuously to a guard while awaiting trial, he wrote encouraging the Philippians not to worry over him, because he was learning some valuable lessons. “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am,” he told them. (Philippians 4:11) Notice the verse does not say that he was always happy; happiness depends upon circumstances. Contentment, on the other hand, indicates we are so anchored in God that we can thank Him in the midst of pain. Paul was sitting in one of the worst places in the world, but he scarcely mentioned his surroundings. Instead, his focus never wavered from God. (Philippians 1:20; 3:10)
Paul did not see himself as a victim. He believed himself to be under the sovereign hand of the Living Lord – in God’s place at God’s time for God’s purpose. All around him, Paul saw the good result of his time in prison. The entire Praetorian Guard, the elite soldiers who guarded Caesar, had heard about Jesus from either Paul or another soldier, thanks to the apostle’s consistent witnessing. In addition, his imprisonment was having the opposite effect of what his enemies had planned. Instead of driving other Christians into hiding, Paul’s example of contentment in the face of trying circumstances made them bolder.
Like Paul, we must choose our response to pain and hardship. We can become resentful and bitter, consequently allowing a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth to defeat us. Or we can turn to God, cry out for help, and be victorious.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

Thankful in the Midst of Suffering

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18(KJV)

The Bible encourages us to always be thankful. That’s easy when God answers prayer and delivers us from problems. But it isn’t always easy when things go wrong. So how can we remain thankful in the midst of suffering?

We have two choices to make. The first is to praise God in spite of what’s going on in our lives. Or another way to say that is, in the midst of our troubles and hardships, we can rejoice over the things that are not wrong in our lives.

The second choice is to ask, “God, what can I learn from this? What do You want to teach me through this so that I may be closer to You and rejoice more fully in Your goodness?” Those are not easy questions, and the answers are often hard to hear.

Sometimes we can only grasp the important lessons in our lives when we go through difficult times. Thank God that the hard times will lead you to better things.

In the midst of suffering, give thanks to God and trust Him to lead you to bigger and better things.

Prayer Starter: God, I’m thankful for Your love and Your presence. Forgive me for grumbling when things go wrong, and remind me of how many things go right in my life. I want to rejoice in You always.

Your Three Best Weapons

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3(KJV)

Through careful strategy and cunning deceit, Satan attempts to wage war against you and keep you in a mindset of defeat. But God has given you spiritual weapons to use against him. Here are the main three spiritual weapons you can use to fight off the enemy:

1. God’s Word: Receive it through preaching, teaching, reading and private Bible study. Continue in the Word until it becomes revelation given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

2. Praise: This defeats the devil faster and more efficiently than any other battle plan, but it must be genuine heart-praise, not just lip service or a religious ritual.

3. Prayer: Prayer is relationship with the Godhead. It is communication with God, asking Him for help or talking with Him about whatever is on your heart. To have an effective prayer life, we must develop an intimate, personal relationship with the Father. Know that He loves you and that He wants to help you.

There is a war going on, but God is fighting on your side and has given you the weapons you need. Use them to send Satan running!

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You so much for giving me the spiritual weapons I need to fight my enemy. With Your help, I know that I can win the battle today!

What Now?

Matthew 5:13-16

God’s purpose for each of us is to make a lasting impact. We are to have a spiritual influence in the lives of the people we meet. This is not an option; it is a command. And the power of our impact is going to be determined by the character of our life. The Bible uses a very common item to describe what our character should be – we are to be like salt.
Food is flavored by salt. We are to season the lives of the people around us in such as way that they will come to know Jesus Christ. Salt also creates thirst. When we enjoy a big slice of hickory smoked ham for breakfast, we need a glass of water to go with it! When we are at work or among friends, people notice our joy and contentment and desire to have those things for themselves. Their heart thirsts for God.
Salt has unique healing properties. One treatment for a sore throat is to dissolve salt in warm water and gargle with the soothing solution. In the same way, we can be a healing element in the lives of others. Take a moment to listen to people’s hurts, and you will have their attention. Then you can share with them the truth that heals a broken heart.
Salt loses flavor when it becomes mixed with impurities. In other words, when we let sin into our life, we lessen the strength our witness. So to preserve the power of our “saltiness,” we must guard the way we live. Then our impact can be strong and lasting.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

Stir Yourself Up!

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6(KJV)

God’s love is unconditional and everlasting. I remember how amazed and excited I was when He revealed His love to me. I felt like I was going to burst!

But after awhile, I got used to the fact that God loves me, and I didn’t feel the same passion.

Are you experiencing the same thing? If so, I believe there is something you can do about it.

Paul told Timothy to stir himself up, to fan the flame and rekindle the embers of the fire he once had. Paul’s message to Timothy is God’s message to you today: Stir yourself up! Stop living life being tired of the “same old, same old.”

We need to remember this: Passion is a decision about how we will approach life before it becomes a feeling.

So make a decision today to wake up every morning excited about the relationship you have with your Creator. Stir yourself up and live amazed by Him!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to always be amazed by You! I will not live without passion. Knowing You is amazing, and I choose now to life with passionate about my relationship with You.

The True Test of Spiritual Maturity

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6(KJV)

We are to have genuine, pure, fervent love for others above everything else we do. If we can manage only one thing in our lives, it should be to love other people.

Many people think great faith is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. But I believe that walking in love is the true test of spiritual maturity, and I know that it energizes our faith walk.

The Bible teaches that faith works through love. Galatians 5:6 says that what really counts is “faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.” Love is not talk or theory; it’s action.

Trying to walk in faith without love is like having a flashlight with no battery. We must keep our love battery charged at all times, otherwise our faith will not work! I believe Christians can run into problems when we do not diligently pursue walking in love as a vital part of our faith and relationship with God.

So pursue a life of love, and watch your faith strengthen and grow. When God’s love comes first, everything else follows.

Prayer Starter: God, I know my faith is useless without love. Help me live a life overflowing with Your love. Guide me as I receive Your love and give Your love to others.

What Now?

2 Chronicles 7:11-14

Scripture is true and reliable. When we read about how the Lord related to His people in Bible times, we should look for application to our own lives. Too often, Christians allow themselves to think divine judgment could never happen today. But what does the record show?
Today’s passage reveals that judgment could, in fact, befall those God loves. These verses concern “My people” – not some pagan nation – and turning away from the heavenly Father would result in pestilence and drought. But verse 14 also reveals God’s plan to rescue a nation under judgment. We believers are to:
Humble ourselves. We must acknowledge God’s right to rule over us.
Pray. This describes heartfelt crying out to the Lord (Psalm 34:17) rather than simply a bringing of requests before Him. We are to pray out of a sense of desperation and helplessness.
Seek His face. We are to have a longing in our hearts to know God’s will for ourselves as well as for our nation.
Turn from our wicked ways. Wickedness encompasses everything that is opposed to God, including immorality and all manner of corruption. If we join hands with the wicked, whether by actively participating or by doing nothing to remove them from a position of influence, we ourselves are guilty before God.
God wants to heal our land, which is ignoring biblical principle and turning to its own ways. He is the only one who is able to protect our nation. Christians, call upon Him!

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

Learning To Live With Life’s Loads

2 Corinthians12:1-10

We don’t know the nature of Paul’s affliction, but it wasn’t a pleasant one. Perhaps it was physical. Perhaps it was emotional. But we do know it was painful. Three times Paul went before the Lord, begging Him to take away this burden. And three times, Paul was denied.
Are there burdens and afflictions in your life? Do you wonder why you must experience them? Rest assured that if God allowed a trial in your life, you will be able to withstand it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
When we ask God to take these burdens and trials away, we must analyze our requests. Are they because we just don’t want them around? Can we not go on anymore? Are our burdens simply uncomfortable?
No matter how heavy the load seems, God is there with you. He will use the burden or trial to transform you, to change you, to use you.
The answer Paul received as to why his burden wouldn’t disappear was this: “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
In his weakness, Paul was made strong, stronger than he would’ve been had he not suffered. In your weakness, you also will be made strong through Him.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

Be a True Worshiper

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23(KJV)

Worship is so much more than just singing songs. It is a condition of the heart and a state of mind. We can even worship God passionately without singing a single note. Our worship for God is born in our hearts, it fills our thoughts, and it is expressed through our mouths and through our bodies.

The world often thinks of worship as “religion,” which could not be further from the biblical concept of worship. It’s about a personal relationship, spiritual intimacy and passionate expressions of devotion from people who love God with all their hearts. This is true worship.

The Bible says that God is seeking those who worship Him ‘in spirit and in truth.”

I find it interesting that He does not want just anybody to worship Him. He wants true and genuine people. He does not want to be worshiped out of fear, obligation or religion.

True worship is a result of intimacy with God. Worship God today with your whole heart, and be a worshiper in spirit and in truth!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I don’t just want to offer You lip service. Instead, I give my life to You as a true worshiper, intimately connected with You. You are so good to me and I want to worship You ‘in spirit and in truth.”

The Troublemaker Within Us

Galatians 5:19-25

When we set our minds on things of the flesh – those sinful attitudes, ideas, and habits in our life – we are decreeing death to the things of God. What makes such desires hard to resist is that they are natural and involve common worldly aspirations like money, sex, prominence, and power. But Scripture says the natural man does not receive the things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Just because something is natural or “only human” does not mean it is right.
Notice that there’s nothing wrong with eating, but the Bible considers gluttony sinful. (Proverbs 23:20-21) Nor is there anything immoral about sex when it is practiced within the boundaries God gave us. As long as appetites and desires are subdued and brought under the subjection of the Holy Spirit, our fellowship with God can continue harmoniously. When yearnings are unrestrained, however, our closeness and communication with the Lord is hindered.
To give control of our life over to the Holy Spirit, we must be persuaded that we cannot live righteously in our own strength. Most of us already know we are struggling to live in a God-pleasing manner; to correct the situation, we must surrender our entire being to Him – mind, will, emotion, and conscience. Ask Him to reveal areas of weakness, and then give each frailty to the Lord as it comes to light. This is something that needs to be done not once, but every day. Each morning when you wake up, it’s wise to pray, “Father, today I’m totally Yours. I can’t live the Christian life, but You can live through me.”

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries

You Must Develop Patience

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4(KJV)

When you and I say to God, “Change me,” we better know what we’re saying because we are not just going to wake up different the next morning. Instead, what God is going to do is give us an opportunity, through opposition, to grow as we change.

James 1 tells us how important it is to have patience when we’re changing and facing opposition. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that only develops and grows under trial, and it’s something we need. Scripture tells us that when we have it, we’re perfect and entire, lacking nothing. However, there’s just no way to get it without going through something to receive it.

If we really want to be victorious Christians who serve God and make a difference in the world, then we are going to have to go through some challenging things. The devil will try to scare you off, but God can see you through any challenge.

So today, choose to let God work through you, even in the face of opposition. As your patience grows and develops, you will step into a life of great victory.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want You to change me, and I know that means I’ll have to go through challenges. Give me Your strength to endure and be steadfast when I’m going through trials so I can have patience and be fully developed in Christ.