Clare De Graaf's Blog, page 15
March 26, 2018
The Sin of Doing Nothing!
“Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17 I’ve been reading the Book of James for my morning devotions. In that book, James comes right out of the chute hard on obedience. James cannot imagine a lukewarm, or disobedient Christian. To him that term is an […]
March 19, 2018
The Kingdom of God – The “Family Business” – Part II
(If you’ve not read last week’s blog, you’ll want to or this one may not make much sense.)
The Kingdom (the family business) is the whole enterprise of God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the angels and all true believers (God’s sons and daughters), living on earth and presently living with God. It’s everything that the family of God has done – is doing – and will be doing for all eternity to accomplish the ultimate purposes of God.
When I use the term family business, I don’t want in any way to diminish the majesty and the glory of God, or the seriousness which surrounds the unimaginable power by which he simultaneously manages both the whole universe, as well as what is about to happen to you and the flowers in your garden in the next few minutes. But, think of it this way.
The Kingdom (the family business) is the whole enterprise of God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the angels and all true believers (God’s sons and daughters), living on earth and presently living with God. It’s everything that the family of God has done – is doing – and will be doing for all eternity to accomplish the ultimate purposes of God.
When I use the term family business, I don’t want in any way to diminish the majesty and the glory of God, or the seriousness which surrounds the unimaginable power by which he simultaneously manages both the whole universe, as well as what is about to happen to you and the flowers in your garden in the next few minutes. But, think of it this way.
March 12, 2018
The Kingdom of God – The “Family Business” – Part I
Have you ever thought of the kingdom of God as the family business?
What I’m about to cover in this and next two week’s blog is the basis for my biblical worldview on why you and I exist and what it means to actually follow Jesus in real life. These two blogs are longer than normal, so get a fresh cup of coffee and let’s get to it.
In my previous worldview as a religious Christian, prior to my own spiritual re-birth some thirty years ago now, I had a Sunday school understanding of the gospel and the kingdom. Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection was all about me – getting me and others out from underneath this problem with sin, which we had with God. Once that was done, I had my promise of heaven when I die, and living with God in his kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.
But, here’s where I missed it!
What I’m about to cover in this and next two week’s blog is the basis for my biblical worldview on why you and I exist and what it means to actually follow Jesus in real life. These two blogs are longer than normal, so get a fresh cup of coffee and let’s get to it.
In my previous worldview as a religious Christian, prior to my own spiritual re-birth some thirty years ago now, I had a Sunday school understanding of the gospel and the kingdom. Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection was all about me – getting me and others out from underneath this problem with sin, which we had with God. Once that was done, I had my promise of heaven when I die, and living with God in his kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.
But, here’s where I missed it!
March 5, 2018
Is Your Prayer Life Boring?
When I was a kid, my parents told me to, “fold your hands and close your eyes before you pray.” And so when we had children, we told them the very same things. But where in scripture has God said to the affect, “thou shalt fold thy hands and close thine eyes when praying?”
I’m guessing the idea of children closing their eyes and folding their hands, so they are not distracted makes some sense. For kids. But how about for adults?
In other words, where did we get those ideas and other ideas about prayer, and does God care one way or another about how we pray?
I’m guessing the idea of children closing their eyes and folding their hands, so they are not distracted makes some sense. For kids. But how about for adults?
In other words, where did we get those ideas and other ideas about prayer, and does God care one way or another about how we pray?
February 26, 2018
A Divorced Woman’s Response To My Blog
Last week, I blogged about the unintended consequences of divorce, whether you are in the innocent or guilty party. I received the following comments from Yvonne, a divorced Christian, who has given me permission to share what I think everyone should read.
February 19, 2018
Thinking About A Divorce? Think Again.
“I’ve had it! Our marriage is a sham. I really believe it would be better for the kids to not be exposed to the constant tension in our home. I just want to be done with it.”
I’m guessing that you’ve also heard these pain-filled words from a family member or friend and found yourself at a loss as to what to say. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be passing to you some ideas others and I have used to help our friends make wiser and more biblical choices.
Setting aside for a few minutes what the Bible has to say about divorce, and who’s to blame for the disintegration of the marriage. Here’s my response to this statement; “I just want to be done with it (or her, in this case) and move on.”
I’m guessing that you’ve also heard these pain-filled words from a family member or friend and found yourself at a loss as to what to say. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be passing to you some ideas others and I have used to help our friends make wiser and more biblical choices.
Setting aside for a few minutes what the Bible has to say about divorce, and who’s to blame for the disintegration of the marriage. Here’s my response to this statement; “I just want to be done with it (or her, in this case) and move on.”
February 12, 2018
Re-thinking What It Means to be “Devoted to Doing Good.”
I just finished reading the short book of Titus. In chapter three, Paul uses a slight variation of this phrase three times, “devote yourself to doing good.” The opening verses of Titus say this:
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:1, 2
The first time I read those familiar verses, I blew right past them. “Sure, I know that! All Christians should devote themselves to doing good. Next!” But when I ran into that phrase “do good” twice more in the same chapter, I had an impression from the Holy Spirit to stop and reflect on them. So, what does it actually mean to devote yourself to doing good?
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:1, 2
The first time I read those familiar verses, I blew right past them. “Sure, I know that! All Christians should devote themselves to doing good. Next!” But when I ran into that phrase “do good” twice more in the same chapter, I had an impression from the Holy Spirit to stop and reflect on them. So, what does it actually mean to devote yourself to doing good?
February 5, 2018
Seven Reasons Christians Shouldn’t Play the Lottery
I’ve never blogged on the subject of gambling and the lottery, because specific prohibitions against both, in the Bible are rather thin.
However, the other day, I ran across this blog by Pastor John Piper who does a great job of making a case against playing the lottery, using a number of general biblical principles that I believe apply. So, if you are a lottery player, or you know another Christian who is, carefully consider John’s wisdom.
Americans now spend more than $70 billion dollars annually on lotteries. That’s more than the combined spending on books, video games, and movie and sporting-event tickets. Lotteries are legal in 43 states.
“That’s more than $230 for every man, woman, and child in those states — or $300 for each adult,” reports The Atlantic.
I agree with the report that this is a great shame on our nation. From time to time, the Powerball or Mega Millions lotteries rise to unusually high numbers and get fresh attention in the news.
Here are seven reasons, among others, I have often rehearsed to make the case that you should not gamble with your money in this way.
However, the other day, I ran across this blog by Pastor John Piper who does a great job of making a case against playing the lottery, using a number of general biblical principles that I believe apply. So, if you are a lottery player, or you know another Christian who is, carefully consider John’s wisdom.
Americans now spend more than $70 billion dollars annually on lotteries. That’s more than the combined spending on books, video games, and movie and sporting-event tickets. Lotteries are legal in 43 states.
“That’s more than $230 for every man, woman, and child in those states — or $300 for each adult,” reports The Atlantic.
I agree with the report that this is a great shame on our nation. From time to time, the Powerball or Mega Millions lotteries rise to unusually high numbers and get fresh attention in the news.
Here are seven reasons, among others, I have often rehearsed to make the case that you should not gamble with your money in this way.
January 29, 2018
There Are Some Things You Should Never Trust Jesus For
That was a statement I made standing before 150 high school students one Sunday morning at my church, a few years back. I didn’t throw that line out just to get their attention. I meant it.
In the weeks preceding that Sunday, I’d had two different conversations, which troubled me.
The first was a forty-something man, I didn’t know all that well, who was unemployed. After some small talk, he told me with great enthusiasm about this job he’d applied for. “I’m really trusting Jesus to get me this job”, he gushed hopefully. “Would you pray for me?” I did, of course, but alarm bells were going off.
The second was a high school girl in a small group at my church, whose parents were going through a messy divorce. She, too, was “trusting” Jesus to put her parents’ marriage back together again.
Now, I know what each of these people meant when they said they were trusting Jesus. They were asking God to do something they desperately wanted done in their lives. That’s fair. I do the same thing all the time.
But, here’s what bothered me and this is how I addressed it that Sunday morning.
In the weeks preceding that Sunday, I’d had two different conversations, which troubled me.
The first was a forty-something man, I didn’t know all that well, who was unemployed. After some small talk, he told me with great enthusiasm about this job he’d applied for. “I’m really trusting Jesus to get me this job”, he gushed hopefully. “Would you pray for me?” I did, of course, but alarm bells were going off.
The second was a high school girl in a small group at my church, whose parents were going through a messy divorce. She, too, was “trusting” Jesus to put her parents’ marriage back together again.
Now, I know what each of these people meant when they said they were trusting Jesus. They were asking God to do something they desperately wanted done in their lives. That’s fair. I do the same thing all the time.
But, here’s what bothered me and this is how I addressed it that Sunday morning.
January 22, 2018
Most Christians Don’t Have a Sabbath Anymore!
There was a time in my lifetime that Christians observed Sabbath Day, a day of rest and worship – no work. It felt a little legalistic and boring, but it was a day different from all others and we knew why – we were Christians!
Oh, we still have Sundays, and most Christians still worship on it, but very few Christians still have a day of rest – mental, spiritual, physical and emotional rest. (More about that later)
It’s interesting to note that when God established the Sabbath, he did not require his people to do anything on it except not work. No where in scripture does it say “thou shalt go to church or synagogue on the Sabbath.” As an elder, deeply committed to the church, I believe worship on Sunday with others who love God as I do, is one of the joys of being a believer, but it’s not a “thus sayth the Lord” issue. God never even commanded Israel to pray or meditate on him on the Sabbath. Nothing. Rest only.
Why a day of rest?
God doesn’t entirely explain why he established a day of rest. Of course God rested on the seventh day of creation, but he doesn’t tell us why he wants us to rest. So, here’s what most theologians believe.
Oh, we still have Sundays, and most Christians still worship on it, but very few Christians still have a day of rest – mental, spiritual, physical and emotional rest. (More about that later)
It’s interesting to note that when God established the Sabbath, he did not require his people to do anything on it except not work. No where in scripture does it say “thou shalt go to church or synagogue on the Sabbath.” As an elder, deeply committed to the church, I believe worship on Sunday with others who love God as I do, is one of the joys of being a believer, but it’s not a “thus sayth the Lord” issue. God never even commanded Israel to pray or meditate on him on the Sabbath. Nothing. Rest only.
Why a day of rest?
God doesn’t entirely explain why he established a day of rest. Of course God rested on the seventh day of creation, but he doesn’t tell us why he wants us to rest. So, here’s what most theologians believe.
