Sharing the Gift of Encouragement
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
In Sharing the Gift of Encouragement, Charles Stanley teaches that God's sovereignty over all of life is the foundation of hope and comfort in the midst of life's storms. He shows you how to have lasting peace and how to share the gift of encouragement with others. This study guide will take you through the gifts Jesus gives you, and will encourage you to share those gifts with others.
Top Highlights
“Above all, encouragement is grounded in unconditional love.” (source)
“Before you can share encouragement with others, you must come to a firm resolve within yourself regarding what you believe about four things: (1) God’s nature, (2) Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, (3) the relationship that God desires to have with His children, and (4) the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today. Encouragement flows from what you believe. It is always an expression of your faith in God.” (source)
“Encouragement has a very basic message: Your past and present do not need to continue into your future. What is a reality today does not need to be what will be the reality of tomorrow.” (source)
“How we respond to storms is more important than determining what caused a storm. We are not called by God to understand why storms come our way as much as we are called by God to respond to storms in a way that causes us to grow in our trust of God and to witness to others of God’s presence in our lives.” (source)
“Furthermore, the encourager bears the message: ‘Not only can God do these things, but I believe that He will!’” (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."