Updated on September 2, 2014
The Spirit-Filled Life by Charles F. Stanley (A Review)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. – John 14:26
Much has been written and spoken—and argued!—about the Holy Spirit and what it means to be filled with the Spirit. Charles Stanley cuts through the confusion and introduces you to a living Person as real and active as God the Father and Christ the Son. Through personal stories, biblical exploration, and insightful explanation, he will help you discover:
- who the Spirit is—and how to develop a relationship with Him
- who the Spirit isn’t—and how to avoid damaging misconceptions
- how being “filled” with the Spirit actually works
- what the Bible really teaches about spiritual “signs” such as speaking in tongues
- how the Spirit can increase your capacity for faith, hope, love, and personal transformation
- what it means to “hear” the Spirit’s voice
- how to make the most of your unique spiritual gifting to build up Christ’s body
- what happens when the Spirit’s power is unleashed in your workplace, your family life, your friendships, and every other area of your life
In The Spirit-Filled Life Charles Stanley reveals how to recognize and begin to live with the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
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I did appreciate the care Dr. Stanley gave in proving that the Holy Spirit is an active, living part of the Trinity and God-head. I loved reading about how he came to this realization in his own life. My favorite part was when he recognized that all that was necessary to connect with the Holy Spirit was TRUST. That was awesome.
In my review of this book, I was very hopeful that it would be one I would want to give away and share with others. However, I encountered so many of what I consider to be biblical inaccuracies, that I cannot in good conscience recommend it. The doctrine of Eternal Security and Premillennialism are scattered throughout, and scripture does not support these.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on August 31, 2014
For That Is What We Are
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
– 1 John 3:1
photo credit: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer via photopin cc
Have you ever had to get through something difficult and didn’t know how you were going to do it? Sometimes that feels like every day, right?
What about the times you’ve made it through something horrific and people wonder how you did it? Another common occurrence for those who live with chronic illness and disability.
As a mother, I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon. I notice it from my mom, too, when I was growing up. This causes me to think it’s a Parental Love kinda thing.
As my children prepare for something that makes them nervous, I help them to rehearse. We go over it, and over it, and over it, and… well, you get the point. So invested am I in their happiness that I find myself sitting in the audience and mouthing along with them. Mimicking any necessary facial expressions. Holding my breath, sitting on the edge of my seat. I find myself ready to give any support or clues I can to ensure their success.
Seriously, I know every word to “All-American Girl” and I’ve recently learned some finger-tutting.
I think God does that, too.
…for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
The people who don’t know Him don’t recognize us as His children. That’s why they’re always amazed that we could make it through what would crush them.
We do recognize Him, but sometimes we forget that we are His children. His children.
When you’re reciting for the 50th time the list of diagnoses and medications for a new specialist, He’s the one mouthing the words right along with you. As you convince yourself to get out of bed this morning, He’s on the edge of His seat, nodding encouragement. He holds His breath as hear the news of the latest test results, when you’re sure you just can’t take anymore.
He is how we get through it. He helps us to go over it and over it and over it… as many times as it takes. He has it all memorized already, but He smiles encouragement as we step up to do the hard just one more time.
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
Holy Father, stay. Stay right here beside me, no matter how many times I go back through the same old fears over and over and over. I love you. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on August 31, 2014
The Importance of Your Labor
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
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All this talk of what to do and what we can still do, when to do it, how we’ll do it, where or why or how long… that’s all just so much chatter. God will show us, if we’ll only listen. I know because He’s shown me countless times. He’s led and prodded and provided.
Even the patient enduring we do is labor for Him. It’s pointing the way to His glory.
Things are listed in the above verse and are called “ministry”. They are things that we have no control over, and sometimes they are things we wish to avoid at all costs. Beatings, prison, mobs, exhaustion, hunger.
For myself I might say pain, sleeplessness, disability, and invisibility.
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.
How? How can we show ourselves ministers when we feel much more like victims?
Through purity, understanding, patience, kindness. Through the Holy Spirit within us. Through sincere love and faithful preaching of the truth.
God’s power is working in us.
This laboring that you are doing, right this very minute, when you feel worthless and abandoned, this is of utmost importance. How you face it is of utmost importance. It speaks to the world as nothing else can. What message are you sending out?
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Dear God, be at work within us. Help us to feel as if we are laboring for You. We long to be useful in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on August 29, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 8/31/14
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
– Hebrews 4:8-10
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Shelly
Updated on August 29, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Recycled You
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But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand. – Isaiah 64:8
Do you feel expendable? Maybe thrown away?
No matter what condition you are in, you still make beautiful music.
You have a purpose.
You can be recycled in the Master’s hands.
And without you and the music you bring,
someone’s life wouldn’t be worthwhile.
You matter.
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
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Shelly
Updated on August 28, 2014
Happy Anniversary to Joni & Friends! #JAF35Years
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians
I vividly remember the moment I realized that I was not going to get well. I remember the fear, the grief and especially the anger. I was angry with God, and I had no idea what to do with that, so I pretty much shut down. And then one day I downloaded a free book from Amazon onto my kindle. The kindle I needed because I could no longer read anything but very large print, and large print books were just too heavy to hold up. Feeling pitiful, I was determined not to lose my joy in reading.
I downloaded this book:
A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty by Joni Eareckson Tada
Wrestling. That’s what struck me. I read the first chapter and then I wondered, who is this woman who seems to be writing from inside my own soul? How can she speak from such a place? I wanted to know more about her. And so I went online.
Wow.
I discovered that Joni Tada is the most qualified person to address the topics of pain and suffering, fear and grief, or loss and acceptance. But she is also the most humble servant heart who points ever and always back to our Sovereign God. She blows me away.Since finding out about Joni & Friends, I have been nourished by her books, her blog, her art and her YouTube Videos. Joni & Friends has touched so many lives in deeply personal ways. They have healed the broken spirits of people who are barely clinging to hope. They infuse grace and peace and empathy into every circumstance.My children are just enamored with the Kids’ Corner website, and have even participated in contests held there. It’s great for them to know that there are other kids out there like them, growing up with a disabled parent.
I encourage you today to please visit Joni & Friends website today. Tell them Happy 35th Anniversary!!! Find out how you can get involved in the great works they do for ill and disabled people around the globe. You’ll be so glad you did!
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Shelly
Updated on August 27, 2014
NIV Streams in the Desert Bible (A Review & A Giveaway)
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert. – Isaiah 35:6
Book Description
At some point, every Christian encounters the trials and deep mysteries of the Christian faith. And when that happens they become a thirsty traveler; what hey most desire is hope, comfort, and encouragement to burst forth like a sparkling, clear river.
The hopeful daily readings in the NIV Streams in the Desert Bible promise to revive and refresh today’s generation of faithful sojourners by providing daily devotions in modern, easy-to-understand language that beautifully captures the timeless essence of the original. These devotionals are presented alongside Scripture using the popular New International Version of the Bible, and this hardcover edition will be a lasting, elegant resource.
While the devotions in this Bible were originally written by L. B. Cowman-a pioneer missionary in Japan and China from 1901 to 1917-this devotional Bible has been edited by James Reimann. It maintains the beauty of the original Cowman writings while making the devotionals more accessible for the readers of today.
Features:
- Complete text of the clear, accessible NIV Bible
- 365 daily readings of strength and encouragement from L. B. Cowman
- Foreword by Jim Reimann
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Honestly, I could not believe how beautiful this bible is when I received it. It is sturdy and easy to navigate. While the print was a little small for my poor eyes, a magnifier fixed me up nicely.
The devotionals are perfectly interspersed within, to be relevant to what you are reading in the scripture each day. This means that if you wish, you can combine the devotionals with a daily bible reading simply by reading from one devotional to the next. You will finish the bible in a year and have thought-provoking study, to boot!
Each devotional is designed to give hope and good news to weary readers.
I cannot say enough good about this wonderful book and Bible combo. I can however, give it away. 😀
NIV Streams in the Desert Bible
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Shelly
Updated on August 25, 2014
The Gaze
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes – 2 Peter 1:16
photo credit: Salvatore Tessitore via photopin cc
I’ve had moments that felt really out of control. You?
I’m talking about snot dripping, sob-inducing, hyperventilating moments when I’m sure my gaze was flitting and a little crazed. Moments when it all came rushing in, all at once, and swamped me with… well, it just plain swamped me, stinky black water and all.
I was lost. Utterly lost. The end of my tether had come and it left me breathless. Hopeless. Frantic. Alone.
And then someone was there. They looked me right in the eyes, grabbed my shoulders and snapped me back. Just the look in someone else’s eyes was all I needed to calm me. I don’t understand it, but I know it to be true.
It steadies, the anchoring of that eye contact. It says, “I’m with you. I’m not going anywhere. We can do this.”
WE can do this.
This message, it’s what the Gospel is all about. The apostles, the writers of the New Testament, they had seen His power with their own eyes. They had witnessed His glory and His love for us, firsthand.
The Spirit, He knew we would need their testimonies. He could see that 2000 years into the future, I would need that steadying gaze. He saw into my moment of despair and panic, and He stepped in to lock eyes with me.
He whispered, “I’m with you. I’m not going anywhere. We can do this.”
And suddenly there was calm. Not solutions, not healing, not a tangible change in my circumstances. Just the life-altering gaze of the one who can focus me. Just the steadying of breath by the Lover of my soul.
And that’s enough.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant presence and involvement in my life. Your love sustains me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on August 24, 2014
Have You Reached the End of Your Endurance?
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – Colossians 2:6-7
Oh, how many times have I said, “This is it. I can’t take it anymore.” Countless.
Each time I was certain…
Will you come and finish this post?
I’m over at Rest Ministries today. I just love it there!
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Shelly
Updated on August 22, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 8/24/14
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
– Colossians 3:16
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Shelly
