Video Bible Lesson - The Body of Christ by Dr. Charles Stanley

The Body of Christ

by Dr. Charles Stanley

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

1/15/2020

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Storms of Life

Storms of Life
Streams in the Desert

And there arose a great storm (Mark 4:37).

Some of the storms of life come suddenly: a great sorrow, a bitter disappointment, a crushing defeat. Some come slowly. They appear upon the ragged edges of the horizon no larger than a man's hand, but, trouble that seems so insignificant spreads until it covers the sky and overwhelms us.

Yet it is in the storm that God equips us for service. When God wants an oak He plants it on the moor where the storms will shake it and the rains will beat down upon it, and it is in the midnight battle with elements that the oak wins its rugged fibre and becomes the king of the forest.

When God wants to make a man He puts him into some storm. The history of manhood is always rough and rugged. No man is made until he has been out into the surge of the storm and found the sublime fulfillment of the prayer: "O God, take me, break me, make me."

A Frenchman has painted a picture of universal genius. There stand orators, philosophers and martyrs, all who have achieved pre-eminence in any phase of life; the remarkable fact about the picture is this: Every man who is pre-eminent for his ability was first pre-eminent for suffering. In the foreground stands that figure of the man who was denied the promised land, Moses. Beside him is another, feeling his way -- blind Homer. Milton is there, blind and heart-broken. Now comes the form of one who towers above them all. What is His characteristic? His Face is marred more than any man's. The artist might have written under that great picture, "The Storm."

The beauties of nature come after the storm. The rugged beauty of the mountain is born in a storm, and the heroes of life are the storm-swept and the battle-scarred.

You have been in the storms and swept by the blasts. Have they left you broken, weary, beaten in the valley, or have they lifted you to the sunlit summits of a richer, deeper, more abiding manhood and womanhood? Have they left you with more sympathy with the storm-swept and the battle-scarred?
--Selected

The wind that blows can never kill
The tree God plants;
It bloweth east, it bloweth west,
The tender leaves have little rest,
But any wind that blows is best.
The tree that God plants
Strikes deeper root, grows higher still,
Spreads greater boughs, for God's good will
Meets all its wants.

There is no storm hath power to blast
The tree God knows;
No thunderbolt, nor beating rain,
Nor lightning flash, nor hurricane;
When they are spent, it doth remain,
The tree God knows,
Through every tempest standeth fast,
And from its first day to its last
Still fairer grows.
--Selected

Seeking God's Will

Seeking God's Will

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 John 5:14-15

Parents train their children to do many tasks—from knowing which clothes match to handling money. Perhaps the most important skill we can teach is how to follow God’s direction.

We are blessed that our omniscient and mighty Father is willing to make His way known to us. He wants to reveal exactly what to do in every situation. In fact, He promises this: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8). Let’s explore how to discern God’s will at each crossroad of life.

The first step is to make sure that we have repented of all sin. Listening to God while holding onto iniquity in our heart is like using a foggy and unreadable compass. After confessing and repenting, we can ask for direction.

Next, we should read Scripture regularly with a seeking, open heart. The Bible is like a lamp on a dark path (Ps. 119:105). The last step involves God’s indwelling Holy Spirit—the wonderful gift that the heavenly Father has given each of His children. The Spirit provides truth and guidance as we read the Word and pray. We should listen patiently for His leading, which is often communicated quietly to our hearts as we spend time with Him.

When asking the Lord to reveal His will, we shouldn’t expect instant answers. The discipline of waiting builds character, and besides, rushing the process may lead to a path that misses God’s best. Take the time to seek Jesus’ plan for your life, remembering He'll provide all you need to follow Him.

When Peace Feels Impossible

When Peace Feels Impossible
LYSA TERKEURST

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Looking to our feelings to steady our souls instead of Truth is dangerous ground.

 If you and I were able to spend some time digging into the book of Isaiah together, we would discover that Isaiah 26 focuses on the strength God gives His people so they can accomplish His purposes. Where does this strength come from?

First, we need to know that one of the keys to understanding this chapter of the Bible is the realization that the prophet Isaiah is looking forward to the end of all things (Revelation 21:1 - 22:5). Isaiah knows while things may not look good right now, God promises us His plans are good. He is moving us toward that day when death will be swallowed up, and He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Isaiah 25:8). He has ordained our peace (Isaiah 26:12).

But we aren’t just promised peace on the other side of eternity. Isaiah tells us how we can experience and walk in strength and peace today:

“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV).

The Hebrew word for the phrase “stayed on” that’s used in this verse is samak, which means “to brace, uphold, support.” Amazing, huh? In other words, those with minds fully braced, upheld and supported by Truth and trust in God will be kept in perfect peace.

The English phrase “perfect peace” means an “all-embracing peace.” It is God, by the power of His indwelling Spirit, giving us the strength internally to face whatever comes our way externally.

This doesn’t mean our circumstances will feel peaceful. It doesn’t mean all our relationship troubles and hardships suddenly get better. Nor does it mean the prayers we pray suddenly all get answered. But what it does mean is our mind can be steadied with Truth instead of overrun with thoughts of fear, anxiety and worst-case scenarios.

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (ESV). The same God who rescued David from Saul, who split the Red Sea so the children of Israel could safely pass through, and the One who promises strength to His people through Isaiah — He is the same God you can trust with your life.

John Piper says, “There is no power in the universe that can stop God from fulfilling His totally good plans for you.” Words confirmed by Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (ESV).

God is always doing more than you know — working toward a good you’ll one day rejoice in.

Dear Lord, help me keep sight of Your goodness in the brokenness of this world. I realize now more than ever I must keep my eyes fixed on You and the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for the peace You give me. I want my security to be found in You — my unchanging, undeniably good and unquestionably loving God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 26:12, “LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” (NIV)

Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” (NIV)

How We Know That God is Good

How We Know That God is GoodBy: Carrie Lowrance

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.” Luke 18:19

God is good in so many ways--the way he provides for us, guides us, and watches over us--but it goes even deeper than that. God's goodness is who he is, and we are created in his image, so, therefore, we share his goodness.

God’s goodness shows up in our lives every single day. Although we often think of his goodness when something big happens, his goodness abounds all the time--in every hour, minute, and second of the day, in the smallest of things around us. Here are five examples of his goodness in our everyday lives.

1. Waking Us Up

Every day that God wakes us up is an example of his goodness. This means we are still working towards the purpose and gifts he has given us. It shows us that he isn’t finished with us yet and that we still have a mission to fulfill. We shall not grumble and complain about getting out of bed and going to work. We should be happy that we are still breathing and living for him. Many are worse off than us who need to see our light shining in the world every day.

2. Pouring His Favor on Us

On the days when we are surrounded by the smallest and most significant of blessings, we know that God is pouring his favor on us. This can be anything from your coworker bringing you your favorite coffee to your boss calling you in their office to discuss a raise or promotion. We need to pay attention to all the little things in our day, both big and small, that are a blessing to us. A lot of times, it’s the little things that mean so much.

3. Protecting Us

We have all heard about the woman who had car trouble and missed being in a massive pile-up on the interstate. We have heard about the disease/cancer detection that almost did not happen due to a practically-missed appointment. These are the significant ways he protects us, but he works in the smaller things too: for example, the gossip that is going around that never reaches your ears or the coworker that is trying to sabotage you but your boss, instead, sees the honest and hard work that you do. These are all ways he protects us on a daily basis.

4. Speaking to Us through Prayer

Prayer is our most powerful connection to God. It is how we express our thanks and gratitude, make our petitions known, and intercede for others. Sometimes we get an answer of “yes,” sometimes, “no” and sometimes, “wait.” Sometimes, he gives us specific instructions and, sometimes, he is silent. Other times, he speaks to us and provides us with an answer in the most surprising of ways. No matter what, he always answers, and we need to look for those answers every day. In issues big and small, he will often nudge our hearts and draw our attention in the right direction.

5. Guiding Us

We make a thousand little decisions a day, everything from deciding whether we will do our job well or whether or not to take on a client. Sometimes, we have to determine whether an opportunity is right for us and if we should follow a particular path. In these moments, God is guiding us. We need to stop, take a breath and pay attention. How do we feel in our hearts? How do we feel in our gut?  We need to be still and listen to that small voice we know so well. Listen to him whispering to our hearts about what choices are right for us. Pay attention to the signs he sends us. This is his way of guiding us and nudging us to our best selves, so that we may live in the gifts we have been given and the purpose he has for us.

A Prayer of Encouragement for Your Work

A Prayer of Encouragement for Your WorkBy Theresa Ceniccola

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17).

What do you pray for? I pray for my family, my marriage, my health… for friends and total strangers who are going through a difficult experience… for abandoned children and prisoners of war. Those are probably some of the same things you pray for. But I also talk to God about my business. I ask for divine direction and wise counsel.

If God has blessed you with a business or ministry, you should remember to pray for it as well. May this prayer help you remember to keep the faith in the work environment.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the blessing of my business or ministry. I am grateful that you planted a seed in my heart and gave me the resources and opportunity to use my gifts to serve others.

Lord please show me what you want me to do next with the gift of my work. Teach me to make wise decisions and keep my eyes focused on the path you set before me. Help me avoid temptations and distractions that lead me astray.

Lord, please help me to be a better steward of the many blessings you have bestowed on me. Teach me to be financially responsible and generous with my time, talent and treasure.

Lord, give me the courage and faith to follow your call – even when it means taking risks. Protect me from the doubts and fears that prevent me from fulfilling your purpose for me. Help me to trust in you and feel your never-ending love and presence.

Lord, when I’m filled with doubt about my abilities or qualifications, please cover me with your peace and fill me with confidence. Help me to remember that I am serving you through my work and that you will equip me to fulfill your call.

Lord, please fill me with faith and resolve to keep moving forward when I feel like giving up. Remind me of your will for me and give me the patience and endurance to stay the course, despite the many obstacles I face.

Lord, this business or ministry is a wonderful learning experience for me. Please teach me everything I need to know in order to succeed in your plans. Give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding, so that I may please you and glorify you through my work.

Amen

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other. — Anonymous

Researchers have determined that advertisers bombard us with approximately 2,000,000,007 messages a day telling us to buy, buy, buy. Then, there’s the news channels telling us to worry, worry, worry. And there’s all the other things we hear from teachers, bosses, spouses, kids… Wow! No wonder we have a hard time with New Year’s resolutions. We have so many people telling us what to do, we barely have time to think for ourselves… let alone think about what God thinks.

So if there is one resolution that I might offer as a valid one for someone who is in Christ, it would be this:

This year, just listen up. 

Ask Christ to create a quiet spot in your soul where just the two of you can meet, and talk, and rest as you go about your days. Sure, reach for the stars and plan for the future if you wish, but ask Him to make His presence a deeper reality as you go about life. 

You can claim the same promise that the prophet Isaiah gave Israel during some very difficult and noisy days of their own:

Your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!” (Isaiah 30:20-22, ESV)

Where might this lead? I have no idea. But God does. If you are aware of who He is in you, and if you reflect on the truth of His Word and listen to the Spirit, all the details will work themselves out step-by-step.

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are with me, that You are in me. Resolutions might come in one year and go out the other. Open my ears this year, so that I can hear You and enjoy You at every junction, when You tell me to turn right or left. Amen.