Goal setting is key

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Success requires choosing steps that are specific, reasonable, and measurable. For example, if you want to know Christ more intimately, you might start by spending 15 minutes each day praying and reading His Word. After developing your plan and the steps to accomplish it, put your desire into action. If you don’t take the necessary steps, it will simply remain a wish. No one develops intimacy with Christ through good intentions; it takes commitment, diligence, and perseverance. Unless you set some specific goals and work to achieve them, you’ll drift through life and miss the reward – knowing Christ intimately.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 6, 2019.

God’s deliverance

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When affliction is lasting longer than you want, ask, What fruit is God producing in my life? and How is He working in other people’s lives through this situation? You can trust the Lord, no matter how He chooses to deliver you.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 21, 2019.

I can do all things through Christ

Consider God’s divine viewpoint when you have a need. Our problem is not that the Lord won’t provide for us, but that we so often fail to understand what our deepest needs are. God sees from an unlimited perspective and works for our eternal good, providing for us according to His good purposes from the limitless supply of “His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). Instead of pleading with God to take away a difficulty, ask Him for strength and a new perspective. Although he may not always deliver you from trials, you can count on Him to help you learn contentment, no matter what your external needs may be.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 23, 2019.

Bearing Others’ Burdens

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Bearing other people’s burdens is difficult, particularly when we have cares and struggles of our own. Nevertheless, we should not try to wait until all of our problems are solved before deciding to emulate the work of Jesus Christ. God’s grace is more than sufficient for both. People all over the world are hurting deeply today. The Lord knows how you can be a servant to someone who needs your friendship. Ask Him to use you as a healing salve to bring another person freedom from burdens.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, May 4, 2018.

Developing Godly thinking pt. 2

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The apostle Paul gave us a measuring stick to help us determine what is worthy of our attention. He said to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can filter our thoughts through this list. So ask yourself, what fills my mind? and give priority to things in these categories. As your thoughts align with Christ’s, you’ll begin to recognize what is right, good, and wise – and your life will more closely reflect His.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 10, 2022.

Real success

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Image commentary from, The Truth about Lies, by Tim Chaddick.

Escape

Paul understood the importance and role of prayer, and he had supreme confidence in the Spirit.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Philippians 1:19.

Prepared to stand in the real world

Many people waste their lives trying to be someone else. Rather than imitators of Christ, we imitate someone we admire. Rather than following Christ as the pattern for life, we pattern ourselves after some celebrity or person we look up to. We become caricatures or copycats of someone else, not the person God saved us to be.

Commentary from the Power of Purpose Bible study by Michael Catt.