Listening to God
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
One of the most important lessons in life that you and I can learn is how to listen to God. In our complex and hectic lives, nothing is more urgent, nothing more necessary, and nothing more rewarding than hearing what God has to say to us, both as bodies of believers and as individual people.
Our God is not a speechless God. Our God is alive and active in our world. He speaks! Furthermore, He doesn’t speak to us in veiled terms, riddles, or mysteries. He speaks to us plainly. The goal of any communicator is not to speak well but to be heard. God speaks in a way that we can hear Him, receive His message clearly, and understand with precision what He wants us to do.
Top Highlights
“Your faith is based on what God says, not what you feel.” (source)
“Persevere in your believing once you have heard God speak to you. Endure until you see the fulfillment of God’s word.” (source)
“Always, however, God’s Word is for your transformation. It is intended to change you in some way.” (source)
“He doesn’t speak to you in idle terms. He expects you to respond to His voice, heed His Word, and act on it.” (source)
“The third time, the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Don’t let yourself get scared or discouraged. Remember that the Lord is with you.’ Fear and discouragement are subject to your will. You can command fear to leave you in the name of Jesus.” (source)
Charles Stanley, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs by providing practical biblical truths for everyday life. By 1982, In Touch Ministries was incorporated and began radio syndication. "In Touch" programs penetrated almost every major market in the United States during the 1980's, reaching more than one-million households with the message of Christ's sufficiency for life's demands. Stanley has also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984-86) and first joined the NRB's board of directors in 1982.
In 1988, he was inducted into the National Religious Broadcaster's (NRB) Hall of Fame for the consistent excellence of his broadcasts and his leadership in the realm of Christian television and radio. Religious Heritage of America named him Clergyman of the Year in 1989, an award that recognizes pastors who strive to make Judeo-Christian principles part of America's daily life. In 1993, the NRB honored "In Touch" with the Television Producer of the Year award; and in 1999, with the Radio Program of the Year award. Just this year, Thomas Nelson Publishing recognized Dr. Stanley for selling more than 6.5 million copies of his books.
Dr. Stanley's messages tackle such issues as parenting, finances, personal crises, emotions, and relationships. Instructional teaching for personal spiritual growth focuses on prayer, the character of God, fellowship through the Holy Spirit, and the Person of Jesus Christ. Dr. Stanley fervently believes the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, a belief strongly reflected in his teaching.
The goal of Dr. Charles Stanley is best represented by In Touch's mission statement: to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church. Dr. Stanley's heart's desire is to get the gospel to "as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God."