Christmas: A Time for Giving

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas is one of the happiest holidays because during this season, people are more generous than at any other time of the year. The practice of giving is not a recent innovation—it began on the first Christmas when Jesus was born. Everyone in the story had something to give.

• When Mary submitted to God's plan, she gave her body to be the first home of the incarnated Savior (Luke 1:30-38).

• She also surrendered her good reputation in order to fulfill the Lord's calling for her life.

• Joseph offered his love and protection to Mary and the child who was not his own (Matt. 1:18-25).

• An angel gave an announcement of the Messiah's birth to some lowly shepherds who were watching their flocks at night.

• A heavenly host of angels offered praise and glory to God.

• The shepherds shared the first personal testimony about the Messiah.

• The wise men relinquished the comfort of home to seek the newborn King and give Him gifts worthy of royalty (Matt. 2:1-11).

At first glance, these gifts may seem to pertain only to the first Christmas, but they each have application for us today. Believers are called to give of themselves to the Lord and to one another in similar ways.

Look at this list again. What gifts could you give to Christ today? Maybe you need to submit to His will in a difficult area or endure misunderstanding in order to obey Him. And how about others? Who needs your protection, love, or perhaps the good news of salvation in Christ?

In Touch, Dr. Charles Stanley

Inseparable from Christ

Romans 8:18-39

When pain and adversity enter our lives, it's easy to conclude that God has abandoned us. After all, we think,if He were there, He would have done something by now. However, today's passage says that nothing can separate us from Christ's love. Let's consider the vast scope of this promise.

No events. Not a single distress can remove us from divine love, but rather, we can "overwhelmingly conquer through Him who love us" (Rom. 8:35-37). Today's verses also teach that our present sufferings cannot be compared to the coming glory (v. 18) and that God's good purpose is our transformation into Christ's image (v. 29). When we understand this, we gain a victorious eternal perspective, which produces hope and perseverance (vv. 24-25).

No time. Nothing we have gone through in the past, are dealing with at present, or will encounter in the future can take us away from Christ. He is with us every step of the way (v. 38).

No power. The unseen powers of evil that try to deceive and entrap us are no match for the Lord, who holds us securely in His omnipotent grasp (v. 39).

No created thing. Only our triune God is self-existent, and if He calls you His own, nothing and no one—not even you—can break that relationship (v. 39).

This promise of security in Christ isn't a license to sin without consequence. Instead, it should motivate us to fall on our knees in gratitude and praise. As we truly grasp the greatness of this gift, our love for Christ will increase and result in obedience and perseverance, no matter what difficulty we face.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org

Gratitude in Affliction

Psalm 119:65-72

At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings. But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change? A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks. By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.

Believe and trust the Lord. Only by viewing life from a scriptural perspective can we understand His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.

Accept the situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed. If we truly believe He's working for our good (Rom 8:28-29), we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then we can say "Thank You."

Submit to God in the circumstance. Although we may not like the situation, knowing that God "[is] good and does good" (v. 68) allows us to confidently place our lives under His authority.

Draw from Him the strength to endure. No one has the ability within himself to endure hardships with gratefulness. Only by relying on the Lord can believers go through adversity with an appreciative heart.

Now, think about that circumstance you would like changed, and with a new mindset, offer this prayer to God: "Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority, and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude."

In Touch, Dr. Charles Stanley

Liberated to Live

Psalm 22:5

History is replete with stories of slaveholders who dominated the helpless, and wicked rulers who tyrannized entire people groups. These are obvious cases of bondage. Less evident--but damaging nonetheless--are the widespread instances of enslavement to emotional wounds and sinful acts, habits, and attitudes. People oppressed in this way cannot break free.

Thankfully, Christ came to earth to release us from captivity to sin. He said of Himself: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . He has sent me to . . . to set free those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18, 21).

How can you take advantage of this terrific offer of freedom? The first step is to recognize that you are controlled by a spiritual problem known as sin. Second, trace its roots, if possible--ask, Why do I indulge to the point that I am mastered by this temptation? Some possible answers are insecurity, fear of failure, pride, and past abuse. Third, choose freedom. Trust the Lord to help, and believe that His Holy Spirit will enable you to do whatever is necessary. God does not want His children enslaved; He wants them free to live (John 10:10). Fourth, cry out to Him for help.

God will answer by acting in your best interest. Perhaps that means freeing you immediately. Or He may decide that the best process for you will take time, in which case a struggle might lie ahead. Either way, you can be certain that the Father knows what is optimal for each of His children. His chosen course of action will enable you to experience freedom and abundance.

Living in Bondage

John 8:31-36

Freedom is one of humanity's most prized possessions. That's why Patrick Henry's famous declaration, "Give me liberty or give me death," resonated with the colonists. His sentiment ignited a revolution and helped bring about the birth of our free nation.

Yet many inhabitants of this land are in captivity. You see, people aren't simply physical beings; they're also spiritual. And they can be enslaved spiritually as well as physically.

Jesus said that anyone who commits sin is in bondage to it (John 8:34). He was referring to continuous wrongs that become a lifestyle, even for the believer. Almost anything--including the pursuit of power, money, or relationships--can develop into a pattern of sinful living.

Usually, ungodly habits begin in a way that seems innocent and fulfills a desire or need. For example, a person might justify working too much in order to take care of his family. Over time, he may become desensitized to any guilt he originally felt. As he gradually senses less conviction by the Holy Spirit, the habit becomes a comfort and eventually controls him. Though he may hate it, he is powerless to stop. Ironically, people in this state often say and believe that they could stop the behavior
if they so chose. But they are deceived.

Neither human determination nor effort can overcome the bondage. Yet what man is unable to do, God can achieve (Luke 18:27).

Take an honest look at your life's motivations. Is there some habit, emotion, or dream that "owns" you? Jesus --and Jesus alone--can set you free.

Rekindling the Fire

John 10:10

The Lord created us to live passionately for Him. In that way, we enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with our Creator. But there are other benefits as well. Just as the warmth and beauty of flames draw people toward the fireplace, God also uses our passion to draw others to Himself.

So, not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others, we must be careful not to let our fervor toward God fade. Thankfully, the indwelling Holy Spirit nudges believers who start to head in the wrong direction. If you sense this to be the case, you can take several steps to realign yourself with Him.

First, evaluate where you are spiritually--ask God whether your fire has grown cold. Second, acknowledge any distance you have allowed to separate you from your heavenly Father, and repent. Third, refocus your attention on Jesus; meditate on how He teaches His followers to live. Spend quality time in Scripture daily, asking the Lord to speak to you through His Word. Pray, not by using fancy words but by crying out earnestly and seeking God's face. Fourth, rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you back to an intimate and exciting relationship with the Father. Finally, love and serve God by worshiping Him and reaching out to others.

What occupies your time and attention? Do your thoughts and conversation tend to revolve around worldly topics or the things of God? If your fire for Christ has dwindled, take the necessary steps today to renew your passion. Living closely with Him is well worth the effort and discipline.

When Your Fire Grows Dim

2 Timothy 1:1-11

Do you feel yourself growing cold toward the Lord? Though we, who are children of God, can never lose our salvation, it is possible for our spiritual passion to cool.

Today's passage reveals that even Timothy experienced a decreasein his excitement for God. That's why Paul wrote, encouraging the young pastor at Ephesus to fan the flame of his faith.

Spiritual "cooling" can happen to any Christian. Oftentimes, it starts when tragedy or disappointment diverts one's attention. Instead of crying out to the Lord and finding shelter in Him, the believer slowly ceases reading the Bible. The Word of God is like wood in a fireplace: the flames can be kept alive only when there are logs to burn. As less time is spent in Scripture, other aspects of the relationship with God are affected: church attendance diminishes, giving becomes sporadic, and prayer--which seems increasingly stale--is used only for emergencies.

No longer willing to stand up for what he once deemed important, the Christian soon starts to compromise. He may feel plagued by guilt and become defensive about the way he is living. Finally, the joy, contentment, and peace from God are replaced by worry, doubt, and fear.

A believer who allows himself to drift will miss out on the joy and fulfillment of a rich relationship with the Lord. Think back. Is your excitement about the things of God stronger than ever before? Or has it diminished over time?

Living by Faith

Romans 1:16-17

In Scripture, we read that strong faith is essential for facing life's uncertainties. It prompts us to look beyond our trials to the One who's promised to guide and sustain us.

As trust in the Lord increases, obedience becomes a higher priority than pleasure or profit. Moses' life illustrates this--he chose to forsake the advantage of Egyptian royalty in order to be identified withGod's people. Placing his future in the Almighty's hands, he became the Israelites' leader and gave precedence to the Lord's interests over his own.

As devotion deepens, a second outcome is spiritual discernment--believers develop an ability to look beyond the external appearance to see things as God does. The attractiveness of sin will decrease, and its offer of satisfaction will be recognized as false. At the same time, eternal matters will become more valuable to us. Moses left his livelihood of 40 years to become God's appointed leader. Pursuing the Lord's plan became more important than anything else in his life. Despite his misgivings and sense of inadequacy, he placed trust inhis heavenly Father.

Finally, a growing faith will not permit misunderstandings and criticisms to deter us from pursuing God's plan. The Hebrew slaves didn't make it easy for Moses to lead, but his beliefs enabled him to move forward.

The Hebrew leader's faith became the defining quality of his life. The Lord wants the same to be true of you. By trusting God deeply, you, like Moses, will be able to meet each day's challenges with courage and determination.

Facing Life's Unknowns

Hebrews 11:23-29

Uncertain circumstances characterized Moses' whole life. He was born in Egypt, at a time when the growing Hebrew population was seen as a threat. The king enslaved the community and had their male infants killed (Ex. 1:22; 2:1-4). To protect Moses, his family let others raise him as an Egyptian.

As a grown man, he had to flee the land and live far from home (Ex. 2:11-15). Later, in a personal encounter with God, Moses learned that he was the Lord's chosen leader of the Israelite slaves (Ex. 3). Inthis new role--for which he felt ill-equipped--he had to approach Pharaoh to request his people's release. And then imagine how he must have questioned his ability to lead more than a million people while contending with their ingratitude and rebelliousness.

Yet Moses steadfastly carried on. Scripture tells us that what enabled him to persevere was faith, which Hebrews 11:1 defines as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (niv). Moses had learned how to see "Him who is unseen" (Heb. 11:27). As a result, he was able to grasp the reality of his invisible God's character and promises. Since encountering the Lord at the burning bush (Ex. 3:2), he viewed life differently: his new purpose was to rely on God and follow His plan.

Though Moses did not live perfectly, the Scriptures commend him for walking by faith. From his example, we can learn how to persevere through life's unknowns. And with the Holy Spirit's help, we, too, can become people of great faith.

Sharing Our Faith

1 John 4:14-15

We live in a world that seeks to function apart from the Lord. Its attention is centered on man and his desires. The tragedy is that people without Christ are under God's judgment for all eternity. This includes those who attend church but do not have a personal relationship with the Savior (Matt. 7:21-23).

As Christ's ambassadors, believers are to be prepared to share the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). Here are five words to help us remember key points about God's good news:

Need--Because of sin, everyone starts out separated from the Lord (Rom. 3:10). The need is for someone who can correct this impasse and reconcile us to the Father. It is crucial for people to recognize that something is seriously wrong between them and God--and infact, that without divine intervention, sin is an insurmountable problem.

Provision--Once the need is recognized, we can talk about God's provision. He sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior. Only Christ could pay the debt we owe for our sins.

Cost--For man, salvation is a free gift. But it was costly to God, who had to sacrifice His Son upon the cross in our place (Rom. 6:23).

Faith--Trusting in Jesus is the only way to salvation. There are no substitutes (John 14:6).

Assurance--At salvation, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Through Him, we have the absolute assurance that we are God's children and will spend eternity with Him.

Regularly take time to speak to others about what matters most. The most important issue in life is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Confusion in the Church

Confusion in the Church
1 John 5:12-13

Numerous people believe in God, attend church, and are convinced that they will someday go to heaven. But of these, far too many are misinformed about salvation.

Some believe that a person's eternal destiny depends solely on how much good he accomplishes in his lifetime. Others accept that Jesus died for us but think we have to contribute toward salvation through works. Both views are incorrect. Scripture clearly teaches that we are saved only through a personal faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). What He did--namely, living a perfect life and dying for our sins--is what makes us right with God. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, His completed work is credited to our account. Our sin-debt is paid by His blood, and His righteousness is applied to us. Remember, we are saved not by what we do but by whom we trust--we can't add to or take away from Christ's finished work on the cross (John 19:30; Acts 4:12).

There is another common area of misinformation: many are convinced that belonging to a church, reading the Bible, and praying are evidences of being a Christian. These are important, but they're not what establishes us as God's children. We are adopted into His family when we acknowledge the insufficiency of our own efforts and embrace what Christ did for us. At that moment, we are set apart for the Lord and belong to Him.

It is essential that our faith be grounded in biblical truth. Receiving forgiveness of our sins, belonging to God's family, and dwelling withHim forever depend on it. Do your beliefs agree with Scripture?

Promises for Painful Times

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Yesterday we learned about brokenness as a tool the Lord uses to mold us into His likeness. As believers, we should desire this outcome, and yet the process is a painful one. That's why our heavenly Father gives encouragement in a number of ways.

First, the Lord breaks us in love. Believers are His children; as parents lovingly redirect their sons and daughters, God does so with us. He never allows suffering out of anger.

Second, He sets a limit on our suffering, controlling the pressure to be sure it's never more than we can bear (2 Cor. 4:8). Our Father knows exactly what is needed to break our stubbornness, rebellion, and selfishness, but He will never break our spirit.

Third, God brings clarity through difficult times. As we learn that His ways are higher than ours, we gain greater understanding of His amazing attributes. At the same time, our self-awareness starts to sharpen, and old, unproductive thought patterns begin to fade.

Fourth, God promises that He will never desert us. Brokenness can feel lonely and empty, as we are losing the things that once captured our loyalty. But our Father replaces those with Himself--and He is vastly more satisfying and dependable.

Fifth, the Lord is always patient. He knows our background and deeply rooted thought patterns. Yet He also sees the end result and knows that the journey is worth it.

When you face hardship, remember God's promises and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. He has your best interest in mind, so seek His lesson for you.

When Life Seems Out of Control

Romans 8:28-30

We all have experienced seasons when life just seems to spin out of control. Sometimes people don't cooperate with us and become an obstacle to our goals. At other times, we are squeezed by overcommitment. Perhaps an illness interrupts our plans or an unexpected situation throws us off balance. None of these things take God by surprise. Our all-knowing heavenly Father will use the events of life to shape us internally and externally (Ps. 147:5).

Let me give you an analogy to show how the Father works. Imagine a chess game in which one contestant is a master and the other is an amateur. The champion chess player wants to teach the other person how to play. But he never forces the beginner to move a particular piece. Instead, he allows the amateur to make his own decisions and then responds accordingly. The inexperienced player knows only some simple strategies and lacks the experience to see several moves ahead. He makes many mistakes along the way. The champion understands the game so well that he can anticipate the result of every move. In this way, he is able to guide the game to the conclusion he has chosen.

In our case, the Father desires to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus. He knows we are beginners who will make some right choices and some poor ones. But He is the master with the knowledge and ability to work all things together for our good. Because of this, we need not be discouraged. The Lord is always at work for our benefit.

A Perfect Sacrifice

Leviticus 22:17-21

In the Law, God gave the Jews strict rules about sacrificial animals. Each was to be without defect, or He wouldn't accept it--in fact, when the Israelites offered blind, lame, and sick animals, the Lord angrily called them to account (Mal. 1:8). The early system of spilling blood to cover sin foreshadowed the Father's ultimate redemption plan: He gave His Son to die in the place of corrupt men and women (John 3:16).

To be acceptable, the final sacrifice had to be perfect too. The Father's plan required that a man be sacrificed; however, only a member of the Trinity could remain sinless in life on earth. The other dilemma was that a being is either divine or not--divinity could not be bestowed on a child after birth. That is, the sacrificial Lamb had to be both God and man from the moment of conception (John 1:29). So Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, since His earthly father could not be human.

The virgin conception and birth preserved Jesus' divine nature. His shift from heaven to the womb happened in an instant and was done without human intervention. Therefore, unlike every child born of a woman and a man, Jesus was not corrupted by Adam's sin.

Jesus was the perfect Lamb, unblemished in every way. Therefore, God accepted Christ's sacrifice. The way we lay claim to the offering made on our behalf is by trusting in Him.. Denying that Mary was a virgin is not an option for believers. Our salvation depends upon Jesus' flawless nature because, as God made clear to the Israelites, only a perfect sacrifice will do.

Abandoning the Self-Life

Jonah 4

The believer's self-life is composed of the habits, attitudes, and relationships he or she is unwilling to surrender. Keeping those things from the Lord gives people a sense of independence, which is highly prized in our current culture. However, by following "self," we interfere with God's purpose. He wants every aspect of our life submitted to His will.

Jonah mistook rebellion for freedom. The fourth chapter of his story paints a vivid picture of the prophet sweltering in the sun--and in the heat of his hatred. His blood boiled when God showed mercy to the Ninevites. "I have good reason to be angry, even to death," he ranted (v. 9). God had used him to save more than 120,000 souls, but he was angry because he desired their destruction.

Freedom is not the same as autonomy. There is only one true liberty: walking in full obedience to the Lord. Jonah obeyed with his body but not with his heart. And his bitterness shows that stubbornly clinging to our self-life is a snare for the spirit. Unhealthy routines, like thick weeds in our path, prevent us from moving forward. So God is determined to break us loose from any hindrance.

Sadly, Jonah resisted the Lord's every attempt to crack his pride. Believers have the right to choose self over submission, but the cost of doing so is high. We may steep in emotional turmoil like the prophet. Or God might deny us ministry opportunities. Whatever the consequences, one thing is certain: autonomy will cause us to miss the blessing of intimacy with the Lord--and nothing we value is worth that.

Sent to Serve

- John 17:18

Too often, people fall into a belief that they have no real purpose in life. They get up, go to work, come home, and zone out in front of the TV. Then it's time to go to sleep and start all over. Where in this routine are they making time to fulfill their true purpose? This isn't the model that Jesus set for us.

When we look at the life of Christ, we can clearly see His coming was no accident. His time was not wasted. He lived His life "on target."

Scripture shows without a doubt Jesus was sent to serve. Many times in the Gospels, Jesus refers to having been "sent" by the Father. That word implies focus and intent. Our Savior didn't stumble upon the earthly scene. His coming wasn't an accident or a happy coincidence. The idea is not that Jesus just "appeared". He was sent and to the world for a purpose.

Matthew chapter 20:28 reveals Jesus came not to conquer, but to serve. His life reveals a clear mission. Everything He does in the Gospels points back to a four-part purpose: to reveal the Father, die for sin, save the lost, and provide abundant life.

No matter where He was, who He was with, or what He was doing, the Lord always kept His eye on His purpose. Just as Jesus was sent by the Father, so we are sent by Christ to carry His message of hope throughout the world. Is this purpose evident in your daily routine? Pray for clarity and focus as you serve the Lord today.

Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch

The Power of Prayer

- Matthew 7:7-11

Jesus knew the importance of prayer and practiced it regularly. He often slipped away from the crowds to commune with God. He would receive the guidance and strength necessary to carry on His Father's work. In teaching about the power of prayer, Jesus promised that God will answer. He used three words to help us pray effectively.

First, we must ask. We are to come to God with our requests. In doing so, we are acknowledging both our need and God's ability to meet it. Jesus assures us that every request will be granted in accordance with our Father's best for us and others.

Next, we should seek. Sometimes the Lord asks us to get involved in the situation that we're praying about. We may be petitioning for Him to help us find a new job. He wants us to seek His wisdom and guidance. God also wants us to take practical steps to find what is available. When we obey His directions, God promises to provide the answer.

Finally, knock. In carrying out the Father's plan, we'll encounter obstacles along the way. Persistent praying may be required. Knocking implies a level of force being applied so a door will open. Once God presents the solution, we no longer need to ask. When He opens up a path, we should walk on it.

Prayer engages the Lord in the personal lives of men and women and in the affairs of government. It is the way we experience oneness with our Father and receive the essentials we need to carry out His work.

Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch

The Awesome Privilege of Prayer

- 1 John 5:11-15

Something amazing happens when we reach out to our Father through prayer. We enter into God's presence and can access His power on behalf of a lost, hurting world.

Jesus Christ made it possible for us to have communion with the Father. All of us inherited a sin nature through the first man, Adam. We've been separated since birth from holy God. Our sin nature placed us under a death sentence with no appeal. To give us access to Himself, God sacrificed His Son Jesus. God counted His death as payment for our sins.

When we make a commitment to Christ by receiving Him as our personal Savior, our sins are no longer counted against us. In God's "accounting books," our transgressions have been transferred to the Lord. His righteousness is credited to us. John chapter 14:13 says with our sins forgiven, we have a new position in Christ. We are free to approach God with the confidence that He will hear and answer our prayers.

The One who listens to our prayers also has the power to answer them. His authority is unlimited. Job chapter 42:2 confirms no individual or government is mightier. No one can stop His plans. Through Jesus' life, we see God's absolute power over nature, disease, and man's plans. After the Savior's death, God used His divine power to resurrect Jesus and bring Him to heaven. This same power is available to us when we pray.

Prayer is a key spiritual discipline in the Christian life and an awesome privilege. It opens the door for us to approach God and involve Him in our lives.

Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch

A Peaceful Heart

- Philippians 4:4-7

Many of us are at war with ourselves and don't realize it. Some people experience inner turmoil because they've never made peace with God. That's corrected by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. Those of us who already believe may at times feel anxious. Inner serenity comes when we accept who God made us to be. Acts chapter 17:26 says our Father chose the time and place we would be born. He determined what we'd look like. God gave us our personality, talents, and spiritual gifts. Fussing over what He has chosen for us will keep us unsettled. Understand His purpose for our life. Proverbs chapter 3:5-6 reminds us that embracing God's unique plan for us will bring satisfaction and peace.

Know that we belong to Him. Feeling disconnected can irritate us. You should remember that adoption into God's family is permanent. It'll keep us steady. The bible says in John chapter 10:28 that nothing can change the fact that we are His.

Maintain a clean conscience. When we are headed in the wrong direction, our conscience acts as a warning signal. We feel a sense of guilt or shame that troubles our mind and keeps peace away. Once we confess our sin and turn from ungodliness, our conscience becomes clear once again. Inner turmoil is replaced with calmness.

Keep a Christ-centered focus. Taking our eyes off ourselves and steadily looking to Jesus will give us a quiet spirit. A peaceful heart will become a reality when we embrace who we are in Christ, confess our sins regularly, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch

Experiencing Inner Peace

- Luke 8:22-25

John chapter 14:27 says Jesus promised to give us His peace. It's the same peace that enabled Him to sleep through a fierce storm. Without it, we'll be like the disciples who felt helpless and afraid. With it, we'll experience inner calmness during life's troubles.

To experience the peace of God, we must meet certain conditions. The first requirement is to receive the Lord as our personal Savior. Before salvation, we were by nature opposed to God. But our redemption changed that.

Romans chapter 5:10 says we now have peace with Him and are members of His family instead of His enemies. A major reason that we lack peace is fear of death. This view evaporates as we comprehend the glorious truth that we will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Believing in God's sovereignty is a second condition for having a tranquil heart. In this troubled world, personal safety is a major concern. To combat fear, we must trust that God controls all things. Knowing that He's in charge will protect us from anxiety and give us peace.

Philippians 4:19 highlights the third thing we must do. Understand that God knows our needs and has promised to meet each one. He's a loving Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. We may not receive all we want. He'll give us everything that's necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.

Once we've received Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit will remind us that our future is secure. Our loving, sovereign God will provide everything we need.

Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch