Relying on the Holy Spirit
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
There is no such thing as an average Christian life. Either you are living a vibrant Spirit-filled life, or you aren’t. You are in forward motion or in a pause position. You are living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, or you aren’t.
You likely have some preconceptions about the Holy Spirit and how He works within a person’s life. I encourage you to lay them aside and approach these lessons with a wide-open heart and mind.
Top Highlights
“The Holy Spirit literally burns sin out of you so that you won’t burn in your sin.” (source)
“Many Christians are content to live an adequate Christian life.” (source)
“Maintain your ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit. Talk to Him daily, just as you might pray to God the Father. Recognize His presence. Ask for His help. Invite Him to lead and guide you into right paths and right decisions.” (source)
“Be aware of new directions He may be prompting you to pursue. God desires to get you into His Word so He can get His Word into you, and in turn, so you can share His Word with others. Real spiritual growth comes as you understand and apply God’s Word to your personal life and relationships.” (source)
“We struggle in staying obedient to God’s Word. We are fragile in our bodies, frail in our resolve, and failing in our courage. We are weak creatures apart from the Holy Spirit.” (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."