Everything you need for success

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Be strong and courageous, because you will encounter obstacles that challenge your obedience. Such boldness isn’t something we muster within ourselves. It’s developed through reliance upon the Lord. Courage comes when our faith is stronger than our fear. Everything you need to succeed in life is provided for you by God. But these provisions are available only when you choose to follow His plans. If you ignore the Lord and set your own goals without His direction, you may get what you want, but it won’t be true success.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 5, 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.

Where is your focus?

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In Ecclesiastes chapter 1, we read about a disheartened Solomon bemoaning how meaningless his existence had become. What Solomon didn’t realize is that our focus determines our level of satisfaction. Those who stay young in spirit continually look for evidence of the Almighty – ways that He’s working, providing, loving, and guiding. Without this perspective, the pain and problems of life take center stage, which can then lead to discouragement and grumbling. These are burdens that believers are not meant to bear.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, April 7, 2022.

Leader of Your Life

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Ephesians 3:20

Our Provider

The Lord gives us what we need in order to go where He guides us, yet it can still be disorienting and tiring. Stay close to Him. He’ll help you balance your labor, rest, learning, and service.

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

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True Security

When you look at your paycheck, do you think of it as your hard-earned money? It’s tempting to view money as a result of our own efforts, but this perspective encourages us to act as if all our resources belong to us instead of to God. The truth is that God is the one who enables you to profit from your labors.

Thinking we have control over our assets gives the illusion of safety, but our sense of security quickly evaporates with the loss of a job or a bout with serious illness. True security is found only in the Lord, who knows all things – not in our monetary stockpiles or marketable skills. Knowing that God is in charge of our resources, whether we have much or little, should give us peace of mind because He is our provider and protector.

Recognizing that the Lord is in control of our material wealth helps with two things: It frees us from the discontentment of greed and allows us to be generous, because we never have to fear that we won’t have enough. He promises to supply enough for our needs as well as enough to share with others (2 Corinthians 9:8-10).

Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, June 4, 2021.

Held Dear

Obviously this in no way advocates a sinful kind of idleness (Proverbs 19:15).  Birds are not idle either.  But it is God who provides them with food to eat.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Matthew 6:26.