Christian SPEM Viewpoints
CALL TO PRAYER: Is any problem too big for God?
by David Jeremiah, posted Friday, May 15, 2015
Tags: Call to Prayer Apollo 13 - David Jeremiah
EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- "Houston, we have a problem."
When NASA flight directors heard those words from Apollo 13, it was like an invitation: "You are hereby invited to solve a life-or-death problem" -- and they did. Flight director Gene Kranz sprang into action: "Okay … stay cool. Work the problem, people.... Failure is not an option!" (Excerpt from the movie, "Apollo 13.")
Work the problem! With no heat, no light and little communication with the ground, the astronauts drifted back toward earth in darkness -- helpless.
Work the problem! Ground engineers had to conserve enough power to fire the engines and direct them safely into the earth's atmosphere. And they did!
Lost in space
Ever felt lost in space, drifting along, helpless, wondering if even God is stumped by your situation? We know God can solve problems, but in your darkest moments you wonder if He is even working on it.
Friend, God is working your problem!
Look at the Apollo 13 situation in a split-screen format: three astronauts on the left screen huddled in their freezing spacecraft, speaking little to conserve energy, fighting to stay awake, with only a flashlight -- dark, cold, silent. On the right side of the screen, just the opposite, a beehive of brightly-lit problem-solving is taking place.
Given instructions that a plan was in the works, the astronauts had to be patient. They couldn't work the problem, so they had to believe someone else could.
That's exactly what we as Christians have to do when we have a problem with no solution in sight. We can't work it but we have to believe that God can -- and He is working on our behalf.
Problem solving in the image of God
Sometimes, using the gifts and abilities God gives us, we can solve serious problems, as in the Apollo 13 mission. But other times, we have to call upon God. When we are stretched beyond our human limits, we find ourselves in His limitless domain. He welcomes our cries and loves to provide solutions to our problems.
When asking God to help us solve problems, we have to remember that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God provided "surprise solutions" to people facing problems in the Bible:
-- Big problem, small solution. The Israelite army had a giant problem named Goliath. God's solution was a teenager about 3 feet shorter. No armor or sword, but David had giant faith: "The Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:47). Sometimes God's solutions are smaller than our problems in order to create faith in us.
-- Physical problem, spiritual solution. Hindered in ministry by a physical problem, the apostle Paul called out to God three times for healing. Instead of bringing a physical one, God brought a spiritual one: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). God may allow a problem to be its own solution when it forces us to rely more on God for grace to endure.
-- Personal problem, corporate solution. When Paul was journeying toward Jerusalem to deliver relief monies to the church, he was well aware of the danger from opponents of the Gospel. He shared his personal problem with the church at Rome, asking them to pray for his safety: "I beg you, brethren … that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe" (Romans 15:30-31). God may want to use others to be a partial or total solution to your problem -- but you have to ask!
The Bible, church history and hopefully your life are filled with examples of how God has solved problems His way, in His time, according to His purposes. There is no problem too big for God. Be encouraged as you trust Him to get involved in whatever problem you are facing today.
* David Jeremiah is the founder and host of Turning Point for God and pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif. For more information on Turning Point, visit www.DavidJeremiah.org
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
2015
Billy Graham / My Answer
Learn from mistakes of people in the Bible
Dear Dr. Graham: I've been watching a video series on the Old Testament recently, and it seems like hardly anyone back then lived a moral life. If the Bible is true, why did so many people in the Bible live sinful lives? Why are they in the Bible?
Dear Mrs. Q. M: You're right; the Bible doesn't gloss over the faults of those whose lives it records. If it did, we might wonder if the Bible was really accurate and could be trusted. But it can be trusted becuase of its honesty.
Why does the Bible tell us about the sins of men and women who were supposed to be following God? One reason is so we'll learn from their example and not make the same mistakes they did. They failed because they turned their backs on God's Word and chose to go their own way.
But the bible also records their sinfulness so we'll realize how much we need a Savior. We aren't any different from them; we too sin, and we too need God's forgiveness. And God made this possible by sending Jesus Christ.
As a footnote, don't let anything rob you of your confidence in the trustworthiness of God's Word, the Bible. Through it we come to know Christ, and through it we discover God's Will for our lives.
Make it part of your life every day.
Power of Prayer? 'Miracle' Priest Rises from Wheelchair and Walks
by, Cynthia McFadden and Jake Whitman
Does the Power of Prayer Have a Place in Medicine?
A Catholic priest who was paralyzed from the chest down in a fall four years ago says he
has proof that prayer can heal.
Doctors had told Father John Murray of Brooklyn, New York that he would never walk again after
bone chips from his neck sliced into his spinal cord.
"'You should expect no voluntary movement,'" said Murray. "That's a quote. 'No voluntary movement
for the rest of your life.'"
But within a year and a half after he tripped on a Jersey Shore boardwalk,
the priest was able to rise from his wheelchair and walk.
"I think it's a result of prayer," said Murray. "Other people's prayers and my prayers, without a doubt."
Father Murray has a lot of company. Half of all Americans believe that prayer can heal.
But medical studies increasingly show the same thing, says the medical professor who runs
Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.
"People who are more religious just live longer; that's kind of the bottom line," said Dr. Harold Koenig.
Koenig said more than 4,000 studies have examined the connection between spirituality and health,
with the number of studies tripling, by his estimate, in the past decade.
According to Koenig, most studies show religious people have better mental health, are less likely
to experience depression, and cope better when they do. His own research shows that people
who pray daily are 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure.
"They have greater well-being, in general," he said. "Religious people who are part of a faith community
and have a relationship with God, so to speak, just have higher levels of well-being. They're happier.
And that's been shown -- hundreds of studies have now shown that."
Said Koenig, "We think that the research shows and will show that people whose faith
is supported by their medical team, they're just going to do better."
Father John Murray, a Catholic priest, credits prayer for his ability to walk again after doctors told him
his spinal injury would leave him paralyzed from the chest down. NBC News
But, as Koenig notes, religious people also drink and smoke less and are more likely to exercise.
Other doctors call stories about the power of prayer anecdotal.
"You can find anecdotes about healing in any area," said Dr. Richard Sloan, author of "Blind Faith,"
who believes attempts to link faith and health can be misleading. "And some people will report that
they get better. But you don't hear the stories about people who prayed for healing and don't get better.
You only hear the stories about those who do get better."
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
2015
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
Make sure of your commitment to Christ
Dear Mr. Graham: I’ve often wondered why you chose religion for a career, instead of going into something like business or politics. You surely could have made lots of money. – Z.M.
Dear Z.M.: The only answer I can give is that God called me to be an evangelist, and I could do nothing else but respond to His call. Every Gospel preacher would echo the same sentiment.
This doesn’t mean God doesn’t call people to be in business, or politics, or any other vocation – for He does.
God knows all about us, and He also knows what is best for us. Furthermore, He has given us our abilities, and He wants to lead us into the place He has for us. Over the years I’ve received many letters from young people who are wondering what they ought to do with their lives.
My answer is always the same: Seek God’s will for your life.
The question I would ask you, however, is this: What is your priority in life? Is it money, or prestige? Or is it Christ?
Make sure of your commitment to Jesus. Only He can give you the satisfaction and fulfillment we all seek. Then ask God to help you live for Christ in all you do. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
The Patriot News Harrisburg, PA
February 7, 2016
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
Turn to Christ, reject the temptation to sin
Dear Dr. Graham: I’m being tempted to do something that I know is probably wrong, but what difference does it really make? After all, God has promised to forgive all our sins, hasn’t He? - R.MCC.
Dear R.MCC.: Yes, God can forgive every sin (except the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness). But God has only promised to forgive us when we truly repent and admit we’ve done wrong.
When we willfully rebel against God and deliberately commit sin, however, we have no promise of forgiveness – not unless we’re truly sorry for what we’ve done. But how do you know that day will ever come for you? Sin has a way of making us colder and colder toward God.
But I also urge you to resist this temptation because sin will always hurt you – always. It may not be evident at first – but sin destroys us, and eventually that will happen to you. Why risk your soul for a few days or years of so-called pleasure? Instead, turn to Jesus Christ and commit your life into His hands. God loves you; He loves you so much that He doesn’t want you to destroy your life. Ask Christ to come into your heart and life today. then ask Him to give you the courage to do what is right and avoid wrong.
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
May 8, 2016
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
We can find God's love in times of sorrow
Dear. Dr. Graham: Are Christians supposed to be happy all the time? I've heard people say this, but I just don't think it's possible. - MRS.S.U.
Dear MRS.S.U.: God gave our emtions to us, and when things aren't going well our emotions certainly can overwhelm us -
and God understands this. Nowehere does God promoise we'll always be free of sorrow or conflict.
Think, for example, of what some of God's servants in the Bible felt. In the midst of great suffering Job pleaded with God to take his life. Paul was deeply burdened when believers wandered from the truth. The Psalmist frequently found himself in despair because of his enemies. Even Jesus wept as He faced the agony of the cross. The Bible says, "There is a time for everything. . . a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).
But the Bible also points us to a startling truth: Even in the midst of unhappiness we can have joy.
The Bible says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
May 29, 2016
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
God loves you in spite of your rebellion
Dear. Dr. Graham: I deliberately turned my back on God as a teenager. Has God truned His back on me, since I turned my back on Him? - C.G.
Dear C.G.: From what you say, I suspect you're actually asking two questions: Was it wrong for me to turn away from God? And if so, will He ever forgive me -- or is it too late?
Were you wrong to turn your back on God? You thought living without God and only for yourself would bring you happiness and peace -- but you've discovered it's a lie. The Bible warns, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 16:25)
But has God turned His back on you the same way you've turned your back on Him? Absolutely not! God loved you then, and in spite of your rebellion and sin, He loves you still. The Psalmist said, "I will declare that your love stands firm forever" (Psalm 89:2).
How do we know God loves us and is willing to forgive us? We know it because of Jesus Christ. God loves you that much! Don't wander any longer, but ask Jesus to come into your life today. God's promise is true: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9).
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
June 5, 2016
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
Seek God's help to mend relationships
Dear. Dr. Graham: How do you avoid being bitter or angry when someone hurts you or treats you unfairly? Some bad things happened between my brother and me a few months ago, and I'm having a hard time not being bitter. -- K.D.
Dear K.D.: Anger and bitterness are like poisons to our minds and souls. Your anger and bitterness won't change your brother. But they will change you -- and it won't be for the better Instead, they may turn you into someone who finds it hard to get along with others. The Bible says, "See to it . . . that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15).
How should you deal with this? First, give your bitterness and anger to Jesus. Be honest about your inability to conquer them, and ask Him to help you put them into His hands. Don't excuse them, but see them as they really are -- as sins that need God's foregiveness.
Then ask Him to give you new love for your brother. Does this sound impossible? Yes, I'm sure it does. But the key to begin seeing your brother the way God sees him -- as someone He loves, in spite of what he's done. Then pray for him, asking God to change him and help him face his need to be reconciled to Jesus Christ -- and also to you.
The Patriot-News Harrisburg, PA
June 19, 2016
Billy Graham / My ANSWER
Find strength for forgiveness through Christ
Dear. Dr. Graham: Our father bailed out of our lives when I was 10, and neither my sister nor I have seen him in over thirty years. Why should we bother with him? - L.S.
Dear L.S.: Tomorrow is Father's Day in our country, and I can't think of a better time for you to begin healing.
This doesn't mean you overlook what your father did or pretend it didn't happen. God has said that He hates divorce . This is because He knows about the turmoil it brings
But listen: You have carried this burden long enough. Your anger and hurt have been like an acid eating away at your minds and hearts. And they will continue to do so, as long as you keep them bottled up and don't seek to forgive your father for what he did.
It won't be easy, but begin by turning to Christ for the forgiveness you need for your own sins. Then ask God to help you forgive your father in the same way, even if he doesn't deserve it. It won't happen all at once - but even a Father's Day card or a phone call expressing love could be a start. Yes, he caused you great hurt - but you wouldn't be here without him. The Bible says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).