Answers and Inspiration from Billy Graham

In response to thousands of letters from concerned, everyday people, Dr. Billy Graham, the world’s most widely known evangelist offers guidance for finding answers to the most often asked questions about ourselves and our lives.  In his book “Answers to Life’s Problems: Guidance, Inspiration, and Hope for the Challenges of Today,” Dr. Graham points the way to the Source for advice on issues regarding the Bible, spiritual concerns, human relationships, ethical issues, psychological problems, and more.  The book is fascinating and answers over 100 questions that can assist the world in knowing and following Christ while improving the lives of those who suffer or those that need knowledge and truth to overcome their circumstances.

The following are a sampling of paraphrased questions and answers from Dr. Graham’s book.  May these points create in you a need for a Savior and compel you to pursue God, the only One who can ultimately help you. 

Does God really exist?

God has not left us guessing about His existence or what He is like.  God has shown Himself to us in a way that staggers our minds.  He did it by taking upon Himself human flesh and becoming a human being—Jesus Christ was God in human flesh and he became the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, 19).  Christ confirmed that He was the Son of God by rising from the dead after His death on the cross.  I invite you to look with an open mind and heart at Christ as He is found in the New Testament.  When you do, you will discover that God loves you, and He has done everything possible to remove the barriers between God and humanity.  Then commit your life to Christ and discover for yourself that “to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Is the Bible accurate and relevant today since it was written so long ago?

The Bible deals with problems we all face in our everyday lives.  It is true because it is God’s Word to us—it is not a book of human ideas and advice.  It is given to us by Him to teach us how to live.  God knows what we are like, far better than we know ourselves, and He knows what we need if we are to live as we should.  Keep in mind that man does not change.  Yes, we live in a different world than biblical times, but man is the same.  Our greatest need is to be reconciled to God, who created us, and in the Bible we discover the wonderful truth that this is possible through faith in Jesus Christ.  We also need to know how to live, what is right and wrong, how to love others and get along with others.  The Bible shows us the way.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).  It can guide you in your daily living and you will discover the wonderful truth that God—the Bible’s author—loves you and wants you to be His child through faith in Jesus Christ.  God has made Himself known to us through the Bible.  The most important discovery you will ever make is that God loves you and you can know Him personally by committing your life to Jesus Christ.

I don’t think God will accept me because of my sin

Salvation is not based on personal merit but on the merit of Jesus Christ.  It is impossible for us, in our lifetime, to store up enough merit to enter Heaven.  We must trust Christ, for He is able to save all who come to God through Him (Jesus).  He died on the cross and pre-paid our debt to God.   Ask God to forgive you and start turning from your sin.  The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  We are not judged by human standards, but by the holiness of God—Christians accept this view and follow the only sinless person the world has known:  Jesus Christ.  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  We cannot enter Heaven without His righteousness.

I am old and alone because I don’t get along with people

God made us with the plan that we would find happiness in our relationships.  Pray for yourself and ask God for wisdom about ways you can overcome your loneliness.  If you don’t get along with others, can you honestly say it was all their fault?  Or did you contribute to these problems by stubbornly insisting on your own way when you could have been more willing to adjust to others?  Has an unforgiving spirit on your part kept those splits alive?  Face these questions through prayer and then deal with them by seeking His forgiveness and the forgiveness of any you have hurt across the years.  You probably have bitterness or resentment in your heart.  Get rid of it by reaching out to others around you who may be lonely too.  Be a friend to them and realize that Christ is with you if you have committed your life to Him.  When you know Christ, you are never alone.  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

I am an unwed mother in need of God’s forgiveness

God forgives unwed mothers and fathers as well as married and single persons, whether they are parents or not.  But His forgiveness cost Him the life of His Son, Jesus Christ.  The wonderful news is that God’s forgiveness is available to all who ask for it.  But you must ask.  God does not forgive everyone automatically—that would devalue the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for your sins and mine.  Before asking for forgiveness from God, you must turn from the behavior and lifestyle which led you to become an unwed mother.  Then you will be forgiven and God will give you the strength you need for you and your child to face the future.

I have a lot of problems.  Is it really true that if you have enough faith then all your prayers will be answered?

God promises several important things: that He will be with us to help us and strengthen us.  That He may give us special wisdom to deal with a situation.  That He may give us a special measure of spiritual courage and strength.  Then He promises to give us peace in the midst of life’s storms (Isaiah 43:1-2, 5).  When we place our trust in His hands, we need not be anxious or worried by the outcome of our situations (Philippians 4:6-7).  God hears our prayers and we can trust that He will answer in the right way and at the right time.

I lost both my sister and my mother to cancer during the last year, and I miss them very much.  Why did God let this happen to them?  They both had faith in God healing them.

We are limited as human beings, and we don’t always understand fully why some things happen to us.  If you can focus more on what Heaven must be like and on a God who loves your sister and mother so much that He brought them home to be with Him, rather than see them suffer, you will begin to see God’s graciousness toward them and toward you.  Look beyond your present grief to Jesus Christ.  God knows what it is like to suffer and even experience death because His Son died on the cross.  God loves everyone and He did this so you and your loved ones could have forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16).  Your mother and sister were evidently women of great faith, and right now they are with Christ in Heaven, completely free of the pain and sorrow of this life.  Let this help you to turn to Christ and renew your commitment to Him if there is any anger in you about this.

How can a person know for sure if he is a Christian?

The Bible suggests ways in which we can be assured of our salvation:

· We know because of a change that takes place.  The Bible says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

· We know by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The Bible says “Hereby know we that dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13).

· We know because love becomes the dominating force in our lives.  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and they know God…for God is love” (1 John 4:7, 8).

· We know because we find it in our hearts to obey God. “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).

· We know because we receive Christ. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to those that believe in His name” (John 1:12).

Is spending time in prayer each day important?

Yes, it is important to talk to God each day, and allow Him to talk to you through His word.  God wants to bless you spiritually as you meet with Him every day.  This does not have to be complicated or lengthy but each of us can profit from time alone with God.  Let me suggest 4 guidelines that can help:

· Have a purpose – pray for yourself and for others.  This practice can strengthen you spiritually because you are creating fellowship with God.

· Have a time – Intentionally plan a specific time for Bible study and prayer so that other things cannot easily crowd it out.  Make it a priotiy.  Set aside a time when you are alert and will not be disturbed, even if it’s only for a few minutes to begin with.  Expand it over time when possible.

· Have a plan – thank God for His blessings, bring your needs to Him and remember the needs of others.  Keep a list if you find it helpful.  Then spend time reading the Bible.  It is far better to read a few verses and get their meaning than to read larger sections and not get much out of them.  Start with one book (such as the Gospel of John) and move through it day by day.

· Apply biblical concepts once you understand them – Know what each Bible passage says about God or about how we should live.  And in what ways your life should be different as a result of what God is showing you as you read the Bible.

When we know Christ, we can have fellowship with Him at any time.

Excerpts taken from the book “Answers to Life’s Problems” by Billy Graham.  Other topics included in the book:  Finding love, helping a withdrawn spouse, advice for single moms, wedding conflicts/dilemmas, how to guide children toward Jesus as their foundation for living, dealing with a multitude of issues (rebellious kids, job loss, ridicule, illness, loss of a child, suicide, forgiveness, etc.)

This book can be purchased in book stores or on Amazon.com.