His dad was the Associate Pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta when the senior pastor was asked to resign. Charles Stanley was asked to preach on Sundays until a suitable replacement could be found. As he preached, the pews began to fill, young couples started to return, the youth ministry started to grow and volunteerism grew to an all-time high. There was a new excitement in the church.
Yet some of the longtime members of the church resented Charles Stanley's growing influence and popularity. It didn't help that there was a grass roots movement started to elect him as pastor. The old guard thought he was too young, too evangelistic and too spiritual, emphasizing a personal relationship with Jesus.
The powerbrokers started to politic to have Charles Stanley removed. People started to take sides. Two weeks before the vote to hire or fire Charles Stanley, Deacon Myers walked up to the pulpit as the Wednesday night service began. He started to talk about the growing controversy and as he did, horror upon horror, he used the word damn.
Charles Stanley calmly walked to the pulpit and said, Now you need to watch your language. With clinched fists the man responded, You need to watch yourself or you might get punched. Charles Stanley didn't back down or step away and then all of sudden Deacon Myers reared back and punched his dad.
His dad didn't retaliate. It was his dad's response to all this that marked Andy for life. He stepped right back up and stood by Deacon Myers. Andy Stanley said, In that moment I wanted to be that kind of man. From that moment on, it didn't matter what anybody said. Because actions speak louder than words.
That event revealed his dad's character. When we open the pages of scripture, we discover that character is defined by the very nature of Jesus Christ- a stumbling block for some but a rock solid foundation for others. Character is the will to do what is right, as defined by God, regardless of personal cost. Andy Stanley SermonCentral
Monday, February 21, 2022
Wisdom For Life's Trials: Dr. Charles Stanley On What It Means To Count It All Joy
Sunday, February 20, 2022
From Disappointment And Confusion To Triumph
In Psalm 44:1-26, we see that God's people endured disappointment and confusion just like we do, but they triumphed in God.
It's so important to read The Word everyday and not only start each day with prayer, but to talk to God throughout the day. Through these practices, we build strength to hold on and continue to believe through similar circumstances like what they endured. We should always stay close to God because nothing here in this earth is sure.
What we consider to be God's special blessings to us can turn at any time. What's here today can be changed or gone tomorrow. Does that mean it did not come from God? No.
I don't know about you, but I'm always thanking God for all good things. However, things change. God changes things at his will and he allows things to change. God is god of all and most of the time we are not able to understand why he allows or does certain things.
As David shared in the Psalms, one day we're on top and the next it seems like the whole world is against us. God allows things that are incomprehensible and mostly he doesn't tell us why. As we grow in him, we can sometimes discern a track that he has us on and that helps us to perceive that all is well.
Our job and best mental and emotional attitude is to cling to him, whether we are up or down, prosperous or lacking, successful or struggling. Whatever the circumstance, our faith is not to be placed in those day-to-day shiftings.
It is difficult sometimes, when we're struggling in various ways, but our hope and faith is to be in God himself. We can also ask him for relief at any point. David did that many times while professing his faith and devotion to Our Father.
No matter what he was suffering, mental or emotional anguish or physical attack, he took his disappointment and confusion to his God. In the end, he triumphed because he never gave up on Our Heavenly Father. He stayed with God.
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Remembering Christ At All Meals
Monday, February 14, 2022
Faith That Crosses The Line: Bishop T. D. Jakes On When God Is Silent
Even though I don't mind boisterous preachers, I unfairly judged him as being a bag of wind with nothing of significance blowing out. How wrong I was!
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Stop Anxiety In Its Tracks!
What should you do if you’ve divorced and currently remarried? How do you truly repent from this? Should you divorce a second time -the person that you’re currently with? And what about the children involved?
Simply ask God to forgive you for any wrong decisions that you have made. Believe that he has forgiven you through the Blood of Jesus and it is done. Ask him to lead you on how to proceed but stay where you are for now. Don't hurt any more people, including yourself, by making decisions and taking actions that you don't yet understand. Love your children. Stay where you are until you get direction otherwise from God. Accept where you are and continue to build yourself up in your most Holy faith. Blessings to you, your family, friends and to everyone in your circle.
I try to remember to take the advice that I am always giving to others, and it is this:
If you don't know what to do, pray and turn it over to God. Then, if you don't know what to do, do nothing. If you're not sure what to do, but you must make a decision, do what makes the best sense to you while waiting on God.
We are always to wait on God, but often a decision must be made immediately. We can't help that. God will give us an immediate answer, or he won't. One thing that he has already instilled in us is common sense. If we must make a decision and we don't yet have clear direction from God, we must use our common sense.
If we are afraid and must make a decision, we have to do it afraid if we don't have clear direction from God. An ideal situation would be for us to not have to make a decision yet. Whether we make a decision or not, whether we make a move or not, whether we choose one way or another, we are always dependent upon God.
So, stop anxiety in its tracks! Pray and give it to God. Right now. Do nothing if you don't know what to do. Do what makes sense to you if you have to make a decision now.
Keep stopping anxiety in its tracks by reminding yourself often that it all is in the hands of Our Father. Remember that because we love and trust him and have a prayer session of giving the issue to him, we can't hurt his plan for us through any decision that we make.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Christian Products: Jesus The Christ Printable
Jesus Christ Artwork, Romans Scripture On Salvation
Jesus The Christ Was Delivered Up Because Of Our Offenses And Raised Because Of Our Justification Romans 4:25
I read so many beautiful scriptures during my daily Bible reading. I jot down the ones that I want to use in designs. This one from Romans has such a lovely flow and the message is so very poignant and striking. I love being reminded of just what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has done for us!
You Will Receive 5 (five) PDFs In A Zip Folder, 300 Dpi Image Files For Crisp Printing. Contact me if you need another file type/size. I'll make a reserved listing or email free of charge.
Print as often as needed. Always PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL when used in your crafting projects.Most text and designs are interchangeable. Just ask!
Jesus Christ Artwork, Romans Scripture On Salvation
Please do not resale the files that you receive nor the prints that you make. These products are for use by the purchaser only. Please send anyone interested to Draw Nigh To Hope Shop.
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My products are always PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL when used in your crafting projects like digital designs, scrap-booking, paper-crafting, altered-art, book arts, gift-wrapping and other crafts.
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