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Charles Stanley
Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
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Charles Stanley preaches on the consequences of trying to run from God, using the story of Jonah as an example. He highlights how people often run from God out of selfishness, fear, or a desire to avoid obedience, not realizing the high price of turning away from the Lord. Stanley emphasizes that running from God not only brings personal consequences like embarrassment and guilt but also inflicts pain on innocent people, such as children left fatherless or motherless. Despite the heavy price of rebellion, Stanley also emphasizes God's forgiveness and the countless chances He offers for repentance and restoration.
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Lessons From a Man on the Run
Psalm 139:1-10 In the light of God's omniscience and omnipresence, it is easy to wonder why Christians still attempt to run from Him. Jonah certainly demonstrated that it could not be done, and yet people insist on trying. Why? Sometimes they act out of pure selfishness. It seems that we have an unlimited capacity to believe we know what is best for us, no matter what God thinks or says. Sometimes we balk out of simple fear: we are afraid that we might not succeed; we are concerned that others will be critical of our efforts; or perhaps we fear obedience might be too costly. What we often fail to recognize is the high price of turning aside and fleeing from the Lord. Jonah paid dearly for his rebellion. Not only did he suffer embarrassment, terror, and guilt, but he also jeopardized the lives of innocent men. You cannot run from the Lord without inflicting heavy punishment on innocent people. How many fathers and mothers walk away from their children and say, "I can do what I want. It's my own life." No, it is not. You cannot leave little children fatherless or motherless without reaping lifelong pain and suffering. Nor can you sin against the Lord without paying a terrible price yourself and hurting others in the process. In spite of this awful reality, it is also true that God is forgiving—He offers a second or third or fortieth or millionth chance. (Jonah 3:1) He kept after Jonah as long as it was necessary, and He will be faithful to you as well.
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Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”