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In Step With God: Understanding His Ways and Plans for Your Life

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What is God like? Can I trust Him? Does He know me and can He help me tackle the challenges I face?


There is a good chance you do not know God the way He desires and certainly not the way He knows you. Most people know a little something about Him, but their knowledge of who He is and how He works stops just past the point of an initial introduction.


Why is it so important to know the One who knows all about you? The answer is simple: when you come to a point where you understand His ways, your life takes on new meaning. You stop looking at old problems and feeling defeat, fear, and anxiety. Suddenly, you realize that the Person who gave you life and breath is also the One who has set an amazing course for your life to follow.


In Step with God offers steps that lead not only to a deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ but also provides the insight you need to live each day. In a simple, clear way Dr. Charles Stanley, one of America’s most loved and trusted pastors, encourages and challenges you to approach life and its decisions—both big and small—by first knowing and considering God’s character. Inside you will learn how to


▪gain greater intimacy with God


▪understand how He uses trials to build you up


▪learn the signs of God’s goodness in day-to-day life


▪cling more firmly to His love and forgiveness


▪discover God’s relentless commitment to your well being.


“The nearer I draw to the Lord,” writes Dr. Stanley, “the more I will know about Him—His love for me and His good plans and desires for my life. Plus, the more intimate I become with God, the better I understand His ways, and this understanding leads to a deeper longing to know God better. I learn how to discern His will not only for my life but also for the situations I encounter.”

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 1997

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About the author

Charles F. Stanley

553 books668 followers
Dr. Charles F. Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than fifty books, and has sold more than nine million copies. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.

However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.

Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”

Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Cherie Hill.
7 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2009
I was convinced that Charles Stanley could never write a book more powerful for one's faith in God than he did through "The Source of My Strength"- I was wrong. "In Step With God" is a book that you will need to read over and over again in order to grab hold of the fantastic truths that will transform your life and increase your faith in our sovereign and loving God.

The thing that I love most about Charles Stanley is that he walks with God AND He writes his books! It is sad to see so many who succumb to hiring ghost writers to compile their sermons and somewhat organize them in a book. It is evident through Charles Stanley's books that He first sits down with God and then sits down to write. It is truly a great blessing to all who follow his teachings.

"In Step With God" is what everyone needs in order to get their priorities straight and their faith focused. You'll not only feel the heart of Charles Stanley pouring out to you, but the heart of God as well. This book was written for the well established believer as well as the lost soul who is begging for help and answers. As we all struggle for answers to our daily struggles, Charles Stanley takes us deeper into God's plans and purposes and prepares our hearts for God to show up when we least expect Him. Charles Stanley fills the pages with wisdom for your everyday life by using Scripture to show the work of God in the lives of His people in Biblical days. The hand of God cannot be denied and you cannot help but find yourself in one of their shoes at some point; as a result, you find yourself with great hope and peace as you realize that God is with you always.

I can assure you, that if you will apply the principles that are laid out in "In Step With God," you will find yourself walking more closely with God than you ever imagined and your life will never be the same. Don't miss out on this fantastic message from God- I am confident you will hear His voice speak to you through it!
Profile Image for Read1000books.
823 reviews24 followers
September 26, 2010
I have read several of Dr. Stanley's books but this is one of his best. Deep but practical. Strikes you where you live while making you think. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kathy C.
10 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2011
ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book, set my feet on a new path, my mind in a new direction, my heart in a new place, my walk with Christ and my faith renewed, my life turned around. Amazing read!!
108 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2023
Truly one of the best books I've read for helping me to understand God a bit more - and the type of relationship He wants with me. Some things I can remember just off the top of my head...
Obedience will always result in blessing.
Suffering is part of growing and maturing in Christ.
Learning to surrender my way and what I think I want - and trust that what He does in my life, what He gives me, and what He allows to happen - is the best - because it flows from His hands and His amazing, loving heart. And if I don't get my way - or something I want to happen... then it is not His best. I don't want to settle for less than His best.

I will be re-reading this book several times to be reminded of the beautiful and foundational truths within. Charles Stanley is (was) such a gifted author, with a love and devotion for God that is completely obvious. The writing style of this book is everyday language and does not trip you up with big words - or mega themes. He writes the Truth about Jesus.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to understand God's ways a bit better, which will result in a deeper relations with Him.
Profile Image for Thomas Q..
205 reviews
May 16, 2020
Another great...!

Another great read from Dr. C. Stanley! Well written and very insightful bringing God's Word in an engaging way. I'm continually encouraged to live my life for God each time I read Dr. Stanley's books!
Profile Image for Shana.
472 reviews12 followers
January 29, 2019
This is just a really good read about how God loves us, and how to know His plans for our life.
Profile Image for Darrah Grays.
13 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2020
It's amazing how it's essential for us to keep in cadence with God. Truly God is the Master Drum Major who orchestrates the ultimate plan for our lives and helps us to understand His ways.
Profile Image for Endira77.
279 reviews11 followers
April 4, 2013
In honor of my struggle with codependency and my non-anniversary with my husband this Thanksgiving.

So far, the book is directly addressing a desperate desire and the frustration of not knowing how to fulfill it.


1,208 reviews
October 1, 2011
This was a good book but had alot of information and bible verses. It was like a bible study and took alot of time and attention. Have tried to read this book twice. It talked about living a life for God and waiting for him to direct your path.
Profile Image for Mitzi Adkinson.
35 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2012
Loved it...it was like sitting in church on a Sunday morning listening to Charles Stanley preach! So well-written, easy to read and understand, encouraging, but tough love approach.
Profile Image for Srilata.
26 reviews5 followers
September 3, 2013
Clears the mind of spiritual misgivings and straightens out misconceptions.....helps to focus on the most important part of human life.....Our relationship with God.
60 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2013
Such confirmation and encouragement for the journey God has me on right now.
Profile Image for Kat.
182 reviews12 followers
May 30, 2014
Well written and insightful. Refreshing for my mind and kept me focused. He is a great motivator. I would really recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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