Video Bible Lesson - A Caring Church by Dr. Charles Stanley

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

5/22/2020

A Caring Church

Dr. Charles Stanley

Luke 10:25-37Do you realize that believers should not have to look beyond the body of Christ to have their needs met? We are meant to be a self-sustaining body. After several decades in ministry, I have seen only one way for the church to function as it should: believers must commit to give of themselves on behalf of others.For example, a man determines to pray and struggle alongside a hurting brother until the burdensome situation is resolved or peace returns. Or a woman makes herself available to answer a new Christian's questions about the weekly sermon--the two ladies search the Bible and fill their minds with Scripture. And there are countless other ways to serve others, such as driving an elderly member to the service, teaching a Sunday school class, or visiting a weary single mom and listening to her concerns.Before you become overwhelmed by the variety of needs in your church, let me remind you that loving each other is meant to be a body-wide effort. One person cannot meet every need. But suppose you commit to serving a small group of folks whom God brings into your sphere of influence. If, in order to care for them, you surrender self-focused preferences about resources and time, the Lord will bless you with more joy and contentment than you've ever known.To serve others before serving yourself is to practice authentic Christianity. I'm certain that if believers commit to meeting as many needs as the Lord brings to their attention, then a lazy church can be transformed, becoming a true body of believers who function together for the glory of God.

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

Streams in the Desert

He worketh (Ps. 37:5).

The translation that we find in Young of "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass," reads: "Roll upon Jehovah thy way; trust upon him: and he worketh." It calls our attention to the immediate action of God when we truly commit, or roll out of our hands into His, the burden of whatever kind it may be; a way of sorrow, of difficulty, of physical need, or of anxiety for the conversion of some dear one.

"He worketh." When? Now. We are so in danger of postponing our expectation of His acceptance of the trust, and His undertaking to accomplish what we ask Him to do, instead of saying as we commit, "He worketh." "He worketh" even now; and praise Him that it is so.

The very expectancy enables the Holy Spirit to do the very thing we have rolled upon Him. It is out of our reach. We are not trying to do it any more. "He worketh!" Let us take the comfort out of it and not put our hands on it again. Oh, what a relief it brings! He is really working on the difficulty.

But someone may say, "I see no results." Never mind.

"He worketh," if you have rolled it over and are looking to Jesus to do it. Faith may be tested, but "He worketh"; the Word is sure!
--V. H. F.

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me (Ps. 57:2)

The beautiful old translation says, "He shall perform the cause which I have in hand." Does not that make it very real to us today? Just the very thing that "I have in hand"--my own particular bit of work today, this cause that I cannot manage, this thing that I undertook in miscalculation of my own powers--this is what I may ask Him to do "for me," and rest assured that He will perform it. "The wise and their works are in the hands of God."
--Havergal

The Lord will go through with His covenant engagements. Whatever He takes in hand He will accomplish; hence past mercies are guarantees for the future and admirable reasons for continuing to cry unto Him.
--C. H. Spurgeon

The Impact of Prayer..... Dr. Charles Stanley

The Impact of Prayer

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.

Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us.Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.

Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.

In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.

Chosen

Chosen
ANITHA ABRAHAM

“… And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him, for this is he.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward …’” 1 Samuel 16:12b-13b (ESV)

Have you ever felt like you were the default?

Sure, you got the job, promotion or opportunity, but was it because they really wanted you to have it? Or because the person they actually chose couldn’t or just didn’t want to take it?

Yes, it’s yours … but it seems like a half-win at best.

That’s exactly where I was, so I vented to my sister, Binu, about the situation. I told her it was hard to embrace my role when I felt like they didn’t want me there to begin with. I acknowledged feeling like the default.

Her response was immediate. “That’s not how I see it at all.” She went on: “I see man didn’t choose you for it, but God did.” Then, she reminded me of the story of David.

Her perspective changed everything for me.

When God wanted a new king for Israel, He sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town saw him coming, they were concerned. A visit from the prophet of God meant God was up to something.

With that in mind, the fact that Samuel showed up at Jesse’s house must have been a big deal. Samuel even invited Jesse and his sons to participate in a sacrifice to God. However, Jesse didn’t include his youngest son, David, who was working as a shepherd out in the field.

Then, Samuel began the selection process for King Saul’s successor. He took one look at Eliab and said, “‘Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him’” (1 Samuel 16:6b, ESV).

Samuel was wrong.

Jesse paraded seven of his sons in front of Samuel. He assumed one of them would be God’s chosen king for Israel.

Jesse was wrong.

“Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here’” (1 Samuel 16:11, ESV).

If Samuel hadn’t asked, would Jesse have included David? Even when Jesse mentions David, he doesn’t send for him. Samuel suggested that, too.

I wonder what David thought when he heard what had transpired before he arrived … the fact that he was an afterthought. He probably felt like a default, too.

But he would have been wrong.

While Saul was still on the throne, God chose David.

While he was still in the field, God chose David.

Though he didn’t look the part, God chose David.

Though no one saw it coming, God chose David.

David could have approached his role as king with the mindset that man didn’t think he should be there. Or he could choose to believe and see that God did. History shows us David became the greatest king of Israel.

So, maybe I wasn’t the first choice, but now I choose to see myself as chosen … maybe not by humans, but by God.

Not bad for a default.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me to be Your child. Because of that, I can walk boldly knowing You have ordained my steps. My confidence isn’t based on human approval but Yours alone. May You receive all of the glory in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (ESV)

God Will Make a Way Where There Seems to Be No Way

God Will Make a Way Where There Seems to Be No Way
By Debbie McDaniel

“…I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

He will make a way where there seems to be no way. In the toughest of situations, this seems to be God’s specialty. And aren’t you thankful?

God has it all figured out. So we don’t have to worry.

He’s working on our behalf even when we can’t see it all. He has a plan and purpose in whatever we walk through. He can cut a clear pathway through anything.

And in seemingly hopeless situations where we can’t see any way out, God’s power has the opportunity to shine the greatest. It’s in those times when we come to the end of ourselves, where we know we can’t depend on our own abilities, on anything we have, or anyone we know, but instead are reminded that we are totally and completely reliant on Him - it’s those times that are the most powerful of all.

He can make a way through the wilderness and cause streams to rise up, bringing refreshing even in the desert times.

He can split the sea, move mountains, or any barrier before us, and allow us to walk through on dry ground.

He can conquer any giant, and bring victory to His children.

He can close the mouths of lions, providing safety.

He can open prison doors, setting us free.

He can protect us from the flames of adversity.

He can carry us through any storm.

He’s the God of miracles. He never changes. For He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And He fights for you today.

Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: God is always working on your behalf, even behind the scenes where you can’t fully see. In that place where you see no way out, in that struggle where you see no solution, in that problem where you have no answer, lay it before Him. Every worry. Every care. Be reminded that He is with you today, He knows your way, and has a plan. Trust Him.

Further Reading:  
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 43:16-21
Exodus 14:13-31

Recognizing False Teaching in Church

Recognizing False Teaching in Church
By Betsy St. Amant Haddox

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths," - 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of teachers and preachers eager to give the people what they want to hear—and usually, they end up making a large sum of money off it. From feel-good prosperity preachers, to teachers who deny the literal existence of eternity, to religious leaders of the popular earn-your-way-to-heaven efforts; false prophets are everywhere. False teaching has been around since the serpent led Eve to believe a lie in the Garden of Eden.

The Bible warns us not to be bitter about this, but to be wise and discerning. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."

Being able to detect a false teaching is important for believers, but sometimes it’s difficult to know in the moment when we’re confronted by it.

False teachers will lead their congregation to believe that God wants them to be happy and wealthy. Some teachers even take it further, and declare that if a Christian isn’t financially rich, or isn’t emotionally and relationally prosperous, they just “aren’t praying hard enough” or “need to increase their faith”. This type of teaching is dangerous and inaccurate. The Bible clearly states otherwise about the expectations of what this world has to offer.

Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Another red flag to look out for is how a particular teaching looks at sin. False teachers don’t like to offend anyone, so they gloss over sin in order to keep their fans happy. They often do this by stating a particular controversial sin such as homosexuality, fornication, adultery, gluttony or greed isn’t a sin after all, so there’s no need to worry or change.

The Bible teaches that sin is a real issue—and a big one. It’s what separates us from God. It’s what condemns us to hell. Without the intercession of Christ, we would have never been able to get to Heaven or to a right relationship with God. This is the message of the Gospel.

Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

These are a few things to keep in mind as we encounter teaching.

A Prayer for the Spirit to Work in Your Life.....Dr. Charles Stanley

A Prayer for the Spirit to Work in Your LifeBy Dr. Charles Stanley

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." – Acts 1:8

God's Spirit works in every believer. He does not limit Himself to pastors and missionaries. If you've received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then residing within you is the same great power that raised Christ from the dead (Rom 8:11) The Holy Spirit pours His energy into creating godly character in all who follow the Lord.

The fruit of the Spirit is so named because it is the character and conduct that the Holy Spirit produces in believers. These are qualities that we can't generate consistently on our own. The most powerful message we can give isn't a testimony or sermon; it is the life we live when the pressure is on, temptation is tremendous, or we are buried under an avalanche of problems.

What the world most needs to see in this modern culture is godly families loving one another, business people working with integrity and frugality, and young men and women who choose moral purity. In a word, the world needs to be exposed to believers who are obedient.

By showing peace instead of anxiety or practicing patience rather than speaking a sharp word, a Christian bears witness to the beauty of the gospel. We attract unbelievers to Christ through our words and deeds. They may turn down a doctrine, but they cannot ignore a righteous life.

The strongest gospel message does not come from a pulpit. The most powerful witness for Jesus Christ where you work, where you live, and where you relax is you. Submit to the Holy Spirit's work, and He will produce a great harvest of spiritual fruit in your life.

Dear Lord, as we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your spirit. Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness. Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. Thank you for always going before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Help us to love our neighbors and our enemies, so that your name is glorified above all others. Amen.