Archive for the ‘Billy Graham Advice’ Category
Integrity
“Many people ask, what is integrity? It means a person is the same on the inside as he or she claims to be on the outside. A man of integrity can be trusted. He is the same person alone in a hotel room a thousand miles from home as he is at work or in his community or with his family. We have seen the tragic results of moral breakdown and shattered trust in people – from leaders in business and government to well-known sports figures, to husbands, wives, and families and, yes, even the church. The erosion of basic moral and spiritual values seems to be getting more serious at every level of society…It’s easy to point the finger at prominent people accused of corruption. We can easily see their sins and the results. But a careful look reveals that the same poison of self-gratification and greed exists in our hearts as well. We all make decisions based on what we truly believe. Many people today wonder if there is absolute truth. They say there is only perspective, that truth is whatever you perceive it to be; whatever works for you. If that is the case, then there is no right or wrong, only differing opinions, and one is as good as another. But God’s standard is expressed in the Bible, and the ultimate example of that standard is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). When we live by this truth, we possess integrity…I believe integrity can be restored to a society one person at a time. The choice belongs to each of us.” - Billy Graham
Won’t Being in Heaven Be Boring?
 Won’t Being in Heaven Be Boring?
Q: I’m not sure I want to go to heaven when I die. It sounds kind of boring, just floating around on a cloud all day with nothing to do. Or do I have a wrong idea about heaven? — L.L. A: Yes, you do have a wrong idea about heaven, because the very last thing heaven will be is boring! The idea that we’ll float aimlessly around on a cloud simply isn’t true; Heaven will be endlessly fascinating and full of wonder. In fact, the Bible tells us that God will have work for us to do in heaven — and yet we’ll never be tired, nor will our work be a burden or curse (as it can be now). The Bible says, “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb (Jesus) will be in the city, and his servants will serve him” (Revelation 22:3). Instead of working to survive, we’ll be working for God, and that will bring us endless joy. We can barely picture this, of course; heaven’s joys are far greater than anything we can imagine. But heaven also will be a place of rest, where the burdens and sorrows of this life will never touch us. But most of all, heaven is the place where we will be with God — and just as He is infinite, so our joys and experiences will be infinite. The most important truth about heaven, however, is that you can go there! Only one thing keeps us out of heaven, and that is our sin. But on the cross Jesus Christ took upon Himself all our sins, and He died in our place. Don’t let another day go by without Christ, but trust Him for your salvation and commit your life to Him today. ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
Why Didn’t God Destroy the Devil When He Had the Chance?
Why Didn’t God Destroy the Devil When He Had the Chance?
Q: Why didn’t God destroy the devil before he had a chance to do anything evil? And where did the devil come from anyway? Did God create him, or has he always existed? – F.N.
A: No, the devil hasn’t always existed; he had a beginning, and some day his work will come to an end. Only God is eternal.
Where did the devil come from? The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about the devil – but it does indicate that before the worlds began God created a host of mighty angels who were to serve Him. Satan was one of them – but pride and greed consumed him, and he led a rebellion against God, hoping to overthrow God and take His place as ruler of the universe. The prophet Isaiah recalls this event: “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven…. I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).
His rebellion failed – but Satan continues to oppose God and lead people astray. And he will continue to do so until the end of time, when he will be bound forever and ever (see Revelation 20:10). Don’t be deceived by his temptations, no matter how attractive they seem!
Never doubt that the devil is real, or that he is powerful. But he also is a defeated foe, because by His death and resurrection Jesus Christ overcame the powers of sin and death and hell. Make sure of your commitment to Christ, for when we give our lives to Him, God frees us from Satan’s grip and makes us part of His family forever. The Bible’s words are true: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).
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Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
How Do I Know When Someone is in a cult?
| How Do I Know When Someone is in a cult?
Q: Some people came to our door recently and offered to explain the Bible to us, which we let them do since we’d never thought much about God. But how do I know if they are a cult? I don’t want to get sucked into a cult, but they’re friendly and have interesting ideas. – R.B. A: I’m thankful you and your wife now want to find out about God. He has put this desire in your hearts, and I pray you won’t be satisfied with anything less than knowing Him. Jesus’ promise is for you: “Seek and you will find” (Luke 11:9).
But I also pray you won’t take the wrong road in your search – which you’d be doing if you allowed yourself to be led astray by a cult. How can you tell if this group is a cult? For one thing, cults often claim that the Bible isn’t sufficient, and they add other books to it (usually written by their founder). Cults also claim that they, and they alone, know the way of salvation, and you must be part of their group in order to be saved. The most serious disagreement between Christianity and cults, however, concerns Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was God’s unique Son – fully human and fully divine – sent from heaven to save us from our sins by His death on the cross. As the Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord“ (Romans 6:23). Cults, however, deny this. The most important step you will ever take is to turn to Jesus Christ and by faith commit your life to Him. Then ask Him to guide you to a church where you can learn more about Jesus and His great love for you. God bless you. ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
How Should I Give My Life to God?
| How Should I Give My Life to God?
Q: I just got out of the hospital after a serious heart attack. I told God that if He’d let me live, I’d give my life to Him, but now I’m wondering what this means. I’ve never been religious, but God must be giving me a second chance for some reason. – J.H. A: Yes, God has given you a second chance, and I pray you won’t take this lightly. May you never forget God’s mercy to you, but follow through on your vow to live for Him. Why did God spare you? I don’t know all the reasons, but I do know this: God’s will is for you to come to know Him by turning in faith to Jesus Christ and committing your life to Him. You see, only one thing separates you from God, and that is your sin. But God loves you, and Jesus Christ came into the world to take away your sins by giving His life for you on the cross. Ask Christ to come into your life today – and He will. Then ask God to help you grow in your faith. Just as a newborn baby needs nourishment to become strong, so you need spiritual nourishment to become strong in your faith. Make the Bible part of your life every day. Ask God also to lead you to a church where Christ is honored and His Word is taught. Learn too to commit every problem and decision you face to God in prayer. The Bible says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” (Colossians 2:6). ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
How Do We Know Heaven Exists?
| How Do We Know Heaven Exists?
Q: How do we know heaven exists? Sometimes I think it does, but then I wonder if it’s just something we dreamed up. Maybe this life is all there is. – L.C.W.
A: One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that you and I weren’t made for this life alone. We were made for eternity – an eternity with God in heaven forever. And down inside, most of us sense this, even if we don’t know much about God. As the Bible says, “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). But we also know heaven is real because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This life is not all! Put your faith and trust in Christ today, for He alone is “the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies“ (John 11:25). Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
Are the Ten Commandments Out of Date?
| Are the Ten Commandments Out of Date?
Q: I’ve heard of the Ten Commandments all my life and been told I ought to obey them but aren’t they out of date? After all, they were written thousands of years ago, and the world has changed a lot since then. – K.W. A: Yes, the world has changed greatly since God gave the Ten Commandments to His people almost 3,500 years ago, but if anything, that makes them even more important to us today, not less so. Why do I say this? One reason is because we live in a time of great moral confusion – and all around us we see the results of that chaos. To put it another way, we’ve lost the meaning of right and wrong, and we make up our own rules for how we’ll live. But those “rules” will never bring us lasting happiness because they only lead to instability and conflict. Isn’t it time for us to turn back to the solid and unshakable laws that God has given us? Since He made us, doesn’t He also know what is best for us? Of course. But there is a deeper reason why the Ten Commandments are still valid for us today. Yes, times change – but God doesn’t change, and neither does our basic human nature. We need His guidance just as much today as people did thousands of years ago. The Bible says, “Keep his decrees and commands… So that it may go well with you and your children after you” (Deuteronomy 4:40). Don’t be misled by those who say we don’t need to bother with God or His rules for living. Instead, open your heart and life to Jesus Christ, and then make it your goal to follow God’s will every day. His way is always best – without exception. ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
Should We Take Our Four-Year-Old to Church?
| Should We Take Our Four-Year-Old to Church?
Q: My parents always believed that children couldn’t understand anything about God, so they never took me to church until I was 10 or 11. But our 4 year old keeps asking questions about God, and we wonder if we ought to begin taking him to church. What do you think? – D.McL. A: Our children may not understand everything we can about God – but they can understand something, and you should take this seriously. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). What can a child understand about God? For one thing, our children can understand that God is real, and that He made the whole world – including them. They also can understand that God loves them. They know what love is, because they experience it every day from their parents – and in the same way, they can understand that God loves them, and they can pray to Him. In addition, they can understand that Jesus was a real person who walked on this earth many years ago, and that He came from heaven to show us that God loves us. And they can understand also that God knows what is best for us, which is why we should follow His rules for living. Let me encourage you to bring your son to church, and also to any classes your church has for children his age. But most of all, put Christ at the center of your family – and your life. Then let your son see that Christ makes a difference to you – as you pray before meals, as you read stories from a children’s Bible to him, and as you let Christ influence your actions every day. ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
If God Can Answer ‘No,’ The Why Bother to Pray?
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If God Can Answer ‘No,’ The Why Bother to Pray? Q: If God sometimes says “no” to our prayers, then why bother to pray? I admit I have a hard time trying to figure out when to pray and when to just keep quiet — although if something looks hopeless, I really don’t see any reason to pray about it. — C.D.F.
A: One reason we pray is because God has commanded us to pray — and we ought to take that command very seriously. We may not know what the outcome will be — but we don’t need to know. All we need to do is obey His command to pray. The Bible says, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is a great privilege — and it is possible only because Jesus Christ tore down the barriers between us and God when He died on the cross for our sins. He did this because God loves us — and because He loves us, we know He hears us when we pray. ======== Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |
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Why Do You Ask People to Come Forward During Your Crusades?
Why Do You Ask People to Come Forward During Your Crusades?
Q: Recently I’ve been watching some reruns of your crusades, and I’m thankful for your clear preaching. But why do you always ask people to come forward at the end of your messages? Can’t people put their faith in Christ wherever they are, not just in a stadium? — M.F.
A: Yes, God certainly can speak to people anywhere, and people can respond to Christ anywhere. The important thing isn’t the place, but the sincerity of their response to Christ’s call to believe in Him and follow Him.
In fact, over the years we’ve received countless letters from men and women who responded to the Gospel in the privacy of their homes, or in a hotel, or even while briefly watching a telecast sitting in a bar. God is able to break through the defenses of even the most hardened heart, because there is power in His Word. I am often reminded of the Bible’s words in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit….”
At the same time, whenever Jesus called someone to follow Him, He did so publicly. When we take a public stand for Christ, we are making a clear break with our past and are declaring our commitment to follow Him. Jesus said, “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).
The real question, however, is this: Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ — clearly and openly? Christ died for you openly. Now live for Him openly — at work, at home, at church, everywhere. May you be able to say, “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12).
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Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
| Why Do You Ask People to Come Forward During Your Crusades?
Q: Recently I’ve been watching some reruns of your crusades, and I’m thankful for your clear preaching. But why do you always ask people to come forward at the end of your messages? Can’t people put their faith in Christ wherever they are, not just in a stadium? — M.F. A: Yes, God certainly can speak to people anywhere, and people can respond to Christ anywhere. The important thing isn’t the place, but the sincerity of their response to Christ’s call to believe in Him and follow Him. In fact, over the years we’ve received countless letters from men and women who responded to the Gospel in the privacy of their homes, or in a hotel, or even while briefly watching a telecast sitting in a bar. God is able to break through the defenses of even the most hardened heart, because there is power in His Word. I am often reminded of the Bible’s words in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit….” The real question, however, is this: Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ — clearly and openly? Christ died for you openly. Now live for Him openly — at work, at home, at church, everywhere. May you be able to say, “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12). Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org. |