Clare De Graaf's Blog, page 16
January 15, 2018
Will You Have the Lord’s Favor in 2018?
There are essentially three kinds of Christians:
Carnal Christians: These are people who believe themselves to be Christians, who are still slaves to sin. They don’t just struggle with day-to-day sin like we all do. They’ve given into serious sins and have come to the conclusion doing much better is either too much work, or unnecessary. Many are in the 1 Corinthians 6 camp and may not be saved in the end.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Carnal Christians: These are people who believe themselves to be Christians, who are still slaves to sin. They don’t just struggle with day-to-day sin like we all do. They’ve given into serious sins and have come to the conclusion doing much better is either too much work, or unnecessary. Many are in the 1 Corinthians 6 camp and may not be saved in the end.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
January 8, 2018
What If There Is No God?
I’ve been asked these questions many times, “Clare, what if you’re wrong? What if, after death there is nothing – no heaven, no hell? Think of all the pleasures you’ve denied yourself and the money you gave away to evangelize others, wasted? Or even worse Clare, that there is an after-life but it’s not your God who is in charge, but Allah and you end up in Allah’s version of hell for following a false God?”
Have you ever had questions like that yourself? I don’t know a Christian who hasn’t had some fleeting doubts about God. So, here is how I generally respond when asked these types of questions:
Have you ever had questions like that yourself? I don’t know a Christian who hasn’t had some fleeting doubts about God. So, here is how I generally respond when asked these types of questions:
January 1, 2018
A New Year’s Resolution, That Will Literally Change Your Life
I run into very few men who memorize scripture anymore. It’s just a whole lot easier to open your phone and find whatever verse you need. Here’s the problem with that idea; you and I don’t always know what wisdom from God we need as we move through life. So store some up this year!
Downloading Wisdom
Information technology people have a saying, “Garbage in – Garbage out”. That means you can’t expect good results from bad input. The inverse is also true. Good in – Good out. This principle holds true in the Christian life as well.
The “remind you” ministry of the Holy Spirit is one I find fascinating. Like a spiritual Google search, the Holy Spirit brings to mind truth we’ve read or memorized from scripture and actually helps interpret those truths for our use in real life circumstances. But, for that to work we first have to download biblical truth into our minds and hearts.
Therefore, I’ve chosen twelve verses or passages of scripture I’d recommend every Christian memorize this year, or at the very least, meditate on deeply and often. I’ve also selected some of the most important historical creeds and prayers every Christian ought to know and teach to their children. In some cases, I’ve noted why I selected these verses.
At the end of this blog, I’ll be asking you to weigh in with other verses you believe every Christian should know as well. But, here are mine!
Downloading Wisdom
Information technology people have a saying, “Garbage in – Garbage out”. That means you can’t expect good results from bad input. The inverse is also true. Good in – Good out. This principle holds true in the Christian life as well.
The “remind you” ministry of the Holy Spirit is one I find fascinating. Like a spiritual Google search, the Holy Spirit brings to mind truth we’ve read or memorized from scripture and actually helps interpret those truths for our use in real life circumstances. But, for that to work we first have to download biblical truth into our minds and hearts.
Therefore, I’ve chosen twelve verses or passages of scripture I’d recommend every Christian memorize this year, or at the very least, meditate on deeply and often. I’ve also selected some of the most important historical creeds and prayers every Christian ought to know and teach to their children. In some cases, I’ve noted why I selected these verses.
At the end of this blog, I’ll be asking you to weigh in with other verses you believe every Christian should know as well. But, here are mine!
December 25, 2017
Christmas Isn’t Just for Christians
The following is a blog I edited slightly, by Amy Hauptman, that I thought was relevant to my blog last week on evangelism. Let her counsel seep into your bones this Christmas day.
Jesus did not come for Christmas pageants, Christmas trees, or cookies. And he didn’t come for Advent wreaths, live camels, gingerbread houses, or Christmas light shows in sync with the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Jesus’ Mission Statement
Jesus told us why he came. He came into the world for this:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)
It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:17)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. . . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:7, 9-10)
So, Here’s a Thought
Jesus did not come for Christmas pageants, Christmas trees, or cookies. And he didn’t come for Advent wreaths, live camels, gingerbread houses, or Christmas light shows in sync with the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Jesus’ Mission Statement
Jesus told us why he came. He came into the world for this:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)
It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:17)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. . . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:7, 9-10)
So, Here’s a Thought
December 18, 2017
Jesus Hung Out With Sinners So Often, He Was Accused of Being One!
Decades ago, after the Holy Spirit lit my fire for God and evangelism, I intentionally began hanging out with non-Christians. Once I was on a very large boat owned by a man I’d known from childhood, who had a terrible reputation. We were coming through a channel out into Lake Michigan and wouldn’t you know it, but my mother-in-law and a group of her church friends watched, stunned as I passed them, not 100 feet away, out on the deck, with a drink in hand!
Of course the next time our family was together, she just had to know what I, a Christian was doing hanging out with this guy and his friends on a party boat. I tried to make light of it by reminding her that as an evangelist, that boat was a “target rich environment.”
“Well, be careful. You hang out with people like that and ‘other people’ (meaning good, church-going Christians) will think that’s the kind of person you are.” I didn’t want to argue with my mother-in-law, so I just dropped it.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Matthew 9: 10-13
So why blog on this topic, at Christmas?
Because many of us are going to office Christmas parties, or gathering with non-Christian friends and neighbors in the next few weeks. So, I’ll share some advice with you, that I gave our grandson Max when he headed off to the University of Michigan.
Of course the next time our family was together, she just had to know what I, a Christian was doing hanging out with this guy and his friends on a party boat. I tried to make light of it by reminding her that as an evangelist, that boat was a “target rich environment.”
“Well, be careful. You hang out with people like that and ‘other people’ (meaning good, church-going Christians) will think that’s the kind of person you are.” I didn’t want to argue with my mother-in-law, so I just dropped it.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Matthew 9: 10-13
So why blog on this topic, at Christmas?
Because many of us are going to office Christmas parties, or gathering with non-Christian friends and neighbors in the next few weeks. So, I’ll share some advice with you, that I gave our grandson Max when he headed off to the University of Michigan.
December 11, 2017
Just Stop It!
If you haven’t seen this famous video of “psychologist” Bob Newhart yet, you’ll want to.
Obviously, not all fears and phobias can be erased by an act of the will. My fear of snakes won’t just go away instantly if I “just stop it!” But, the reason that video “works” is because we all know many of our bad habits or sins can “stop” – must stop! But here’s the crux of the problem;
The primary reason believers continue to sin is because we’ve not decided to stop!
Here’s why: Most Christians have come to terms with an acceptable level of sin in their lives and feel it is either unnecessary, too difficult, or too costly to be much better. This attitude is rooted in this truth: Each of us subconsciously measure ourselves based on our observations of other Christians or people we know, and once satisfied that we are at or above the “average,” are content to stay there. But how can Christians break from good enough?
Obviously, not all fears and phobias can be erased by an act of the will. My fear of snakes won’t just go away instantly if I “just stop it!” But, the reason that video “works” is because we all know many of our bad habits or sins can “stop” – must stop! But here’s the crux of the problem;
The primary reason believers continue to sin is because we’ve not decided to stop!
Here’s why: Most Christians have come to terms with an acceptable level of sin in their lives and feel it is either unnecessary, too difficult, or too costly to be much better. This attitude is rooted in this truth: Each of us subconsciously measure ourselves based on our observations of other Christians or people we know, and once satisfied that we are at or above the “average,” are content to stay there. But how can Christians break from good enough?
December 4, 2017
Respecting Women: A Few Simple Ideas to Teach Your Sons or Grandsons
Last week, I blogged about what God may be doing through the sexual scandals in the news, every day. We can complain about the Hollywood and Washington sex scandals at the coffee shop and on the job, but how can Christian men or women actually begin making a difference right in our own families? It begins with courtesy and respect.
Paul reminds us of God’s standard. “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1, 2
Environmentalists have a slogan. “Think globally. Act locally.” How does that apply to respect? Susan and I have 13 grandsons ages 6-19. Here are a few simple ideas we’ve used to help these young men respect women more.
Paul reminds us of God’s standard. “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1, 2
Environmentalists have a slogan. “Think globally. Act locally.” How does that apply to respect? Susan and I have 13 grandsons ages 6-19. Here are a few simple ideas we’ve used to help these young men respect women more.
November 27, 2017
Did God Use Harvey Weinstein to Shake Us?
Sex scandals are almost as old as the Fall. And the sexual abuse of women, by men in power has been the dirty little secret of politics, business and entertainment. Men did it because they could. Women put up with it because they had to. It was toxic to their careers to resist. And besides, who would believe them?
Harvey Weinstein changed all that. Almost every day since his story broke, women have been emboldened to expose other abusers. I have no way of knowing if each and every story is true, but when multiple women come forth and they’re not asking for money, where there’s smoke – “there’s likely fire.”
So back to the question, “Did God use Harvey Weinstein to shake us up?
Harvey Weinstein changed all that. Almost every day since his story broke, women have been emboldened to expose other abusers. I have no way of knowing if each and every story is true, but when multiple women come forth and they’re not asking for money, where there’s smoke – “there’s likely fire.”
So back to the question, “Did God use Harvey Weinstein to shake us up?
November 20, 2017
Keeping God’s Reputation Intact
My wife Susan and I love to eat out at quiet, mostly adults only, restaurants. But for breakfasts, there are usually families with young children at almost every table.
Occasionally, there are families with children who are annoying, loud, disrespectful or fighting with each other. When the bedlam becomes too distracting to ignore, my wife and I will often turn to each other and ask, “What kind of parents would let their children act that way?”
How our children behave tells us something about their parents!
I’ve often joked that if I wanted to make a jillion dollars, but probably go to hell for it, I’d produce a reality T.V. show entitled, Christians Behaving Badly.
All of us know fellow Christians, or at least people who believe themselves to be Christians, who either have, or are, behaving badly. Every pastor could name dozens of men and women, right in their church, who ought to know better who are publicly embarrassing the name of Jesus.
But, forget everyone else for a moment. Does your public life add to God’s reputation or hurt it?
Occasionally, there are families with children who are annoying, loud, disrespectful or fighting with each other. When the bedlam becomes too distracting to ignore, my wife and I will often turn to each other and ask, “What kind of parents would let their children act that way?”
How our children behave tells us something about their parents!
I’ve often joked that if I wanted to make a jillion dollars, but probably go to hell for it, I’d produce a reality T.V. show entitled, Christians Behaving Badly.
All of us know fellow Christians, or at least people who believe themselves to be Christians, who either have, or are, behaving badly. Every pastor could name dozens of men and women, right in their church, who ought to know better who are publicly embarrassing the name of Jesus.
But, forget everyone else for a moment. Does your public life add to God’s reputation or hurt it?
November 13, 2017
Reformation Day – The Forgotten Christian Holiday
When I was a kid, I loved Halloween. But my parents, my school and my church all made sure we knew October 31, was first and foremost, Reformation Day. That’s the day back in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses’, or theological objections, to a church door in Wittenbury, Germany. That courageous, Holy Spirit led act, changed history. It was the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
So why, two weeks after October 31, do I blog on this topic? Well, I was with some young men last week, raised in wonderful Christian homes, who’d never heard of Reformation Day and I don’t want to wait another year to talk about it.
So, if you have teenagers, grandchildren, or young men or women you mentor, they need to know how God, through Martin Luther, changed the world! So, please read this blog and the following article from the Wall Street Journal to them, so they never forget again, Reformation Day.
So why, two weeks after October 31, do I blog on this topic? Well, I was with some young men last week, raised in wonderful Christian homes, who’d never heard of Reformation Day and I don’t want to wait another year to talk about it.
So, if you have teenagers, grandchildren, or young men or women you mentor, they need to know how God, through Martin Luther, changed the world! So, please read this blog and the following article from the Wall Street Journal to them, so they never forget again, Reformation Day.
