Practicing Basic Spiritual Disciplines
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Athletes know that to become strong they must follow certain disciplines. The same is true of the spiritual life. Charles Stanley helps you develop a stronger and more consistent walk with God through the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, witnessing, church attendance, service, and obedience. As you learn to live out the basic spiritual disciplines highlighted in Practicing Basic Spiritual Disciplines you will be more likely to hear from God, experience His love, joy, and peace, grow in the effective use of your talents, and receive blessings that overflow like living water from your inmost heart out into the needy world.
Top Highlights
“A spiritual insight is something that produces a new degree of understanding.” (Page 2)
“Listen. Discuss. Talk about what the Scriptures say and mean to you. But be very careful not to judge or to condemn others for their spiritual immaturity or difficulties in maintaining spiritual discipline.” (Page 4)
“The Bible is a blueprint on which we can rely with absolute confidence.” (Page 1)
“Sharing experiences is important for your spiritual growth. Not only do you benefit from hearing the experiences of others, but you also benefit from sharing your own experiences. Your ability to verbalize what you believe is strengthened, and in the process, your abilities to witness, teach, and counsel are enhanced.” (Page 4)
“Of one thing we can be certain today—the Lord intends for our faith as Christians to be ‘rock-solid.’ At no time do we find the Lord calling His people to be weak in spiritual power, wavering in purpose, or wandering aimlessly through life. We are called, rather, to be strong in faith, certain of our salvation, and sure of our direction and eternal destiny.” (Page v)
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."
