A friend of mine recently assisted some of her friends in downsizing their home. They had a large library of Christian books for which they could not find room in their new smaller environment so they offered several boxes of these books to my friend. Being a generous friend she offered some of those books to me as well as to other friends.
For my choices I picked out two of Charles Stanley’s books. I had not read anything by Dr. Stanley previously and I thought this would be a good opportunity to see if I enjoyed his writing.
I am pleased to say that I was totally hooked while reading the first book which was “The Spirit-Filled Life.” It was an excellent reminder to keep my eyes on the One who knows me best and how important it is to listen to God through His word, teachings, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I highly recommend this book to every Christian new and old.
Because I appreciate when someone recommends a good book to me, and because my home is too small to maintain them, I too enjoy passing books on to friends who may also find pleasure in them. In this way the books of faith keep moving to encourage others.
The second book by Dr. Stanley is “When the Enemy Strikes” with a subtitle of “The Keys to Winning Your Spiritual Battles.” I am still working my way through this one. This book speaks to wearing the armor of God. The armor of God isn’t worn by God, it is armor prepared for us by God to protect us from the devil’s schemes.
The actual armor is listed as: The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness that is the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Interestingly, this passage ends with the words, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
In the past few months I have received two books, which I now know was no accident but by the wisdom of the Spirit. How interesting that both books are intertwined in a manner to prepare me for the building up of the Spirit to be used during the trying times in my life. They both say to me that to depend upon myself is of no help at all but to depend upon my God for love, wisdom and protection is the wisest decision for me. I am also reminded to be in continual prayer – seeking wisdom from the Father.
There is no such thing as a random coincidence in my life. My life is given over to God’s care and direction every morning and so He alone guides my feet on the paths where I should go. All that to say that during my Bible study each day I have been reading from the book of Job.
Job was a wealthy and devout man with many children and assets. One day Job lost everything but his wife. Job himself then is afflicted with sores and boils and yet he remained a fearful servant of God.
Of course, when we read this story everyone feels sorry for Job. He has been tried to the nth degree and yet he holds fast to his faith. Oh that I would be so strong. I absolutely love this account of Job and his trials, terrors and redemption. It is a beautiful Jewish poem and I don’t think anyone reading it would not find some portion of Job’s story that doesn’t pull at the heartstrings. Ah, but the ending… I won’t spoil it for you. You must read it for yourself.
So as fitting as these two books of Dr. Stanley’s are, on how to depend on God and live my life filled by the Spirit, and then how to depend on that same Spirit when the devil shoots his flaming arrows, by adding Job as a third reading all this has solidified my faith that God’s love never fails no matter what happens.
Both of Dr. Stanley’s books are excellent for training and reaffirming what I have been taught but then when Job came in from the sidelines to show me what a man of great faith can forbear I do wonder what my future holds. Yet, as Job, I trust the Lord my God with everything that occurs in my life and I know He is with me until the end and then I will see His face in heaven.
ED. NOTE: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.
