Where I Am By Billy Graham

Weeks before his 95th birthday, he said, “I am ready to start my next book!” We had recently completed work on his book The Reason for My Hope—Salvation. It was the fall of 2013. Thinking he would want a break from going through drafts of another manuscript, I was stunned at his drive and asked: “Would you like to take a little break and start work on a new book after Christmas?” “No,” he said, “I might not be here next year!”
Oh, but he was—and still is. Nearly two years later, at almost 97 years old, his 33rd book will be released. He had remarked about the contemporary books that had been written on Heaven and Hell. There was still a book he wanted to write on this subject because, he said, “Many people today do not understand the fundamental truths about mankind’s eternal destinations and that each person has a choice to make concerning the most critical matter of life—where they will spend eternity after death.”
“Mr. Graham,” I replied, “you have written and preached on Heaven and Hell for nearly 80 years.”





“Well,” he quipped, “I don’t feel quite that old.” In spite of his weak eyesight he said with a twinkle, “I just may live until my 100th birthday! … The more I listen to the news of what is going on in the world, and in the church, there is great confusion about the end times. Some people wonder how to get to Heaven and others don’t seem to care if they wind up in Hell. God has a lot to say about this, and He has not kept His promises hidden, but few pastors preach on it today. I would like to shed some light on what the Bible has to say about the subject of eternity for today’s generations.”
He asked me to assemble an outline from which we could work and ended the meeting with this thought: “Do it quickly because I’m an old man,” he said with a sense of Graham revival in his voice.
Before I left that day, I posed this question: “When people ask if Heaven is a literal place and where it is, what will you tell them?” Looking through the window that framed the beautiful Carolina mountains surrounding his home he proclaimed, “Of course Heaven is real because Jesus is real—He is the way, the truth, and the life—and Heaven is where Jesus is—and I am going to Him soon.”



In our several visits we talked about the wonderful aspects of a heavenly home and the devastating darkness of those who will never know such joy. He wished he could take all those who do not believe in the Savior to the foot of His cross where they could settle their eternal destination once and for all and have the hope of eternity in Heaven.

Pouring through his literary works that span nearly eight decades, a fascinating outline emerged and, in time, the book Where I Am was completed—with foundational teaching from the Word of Almighty God. It is not surprising that all 66 books of the Bible point to everlasting life. It is a repetitive theme of Scripture. While Mr. Graham’s preaching was the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, his evangelistic aim was to focus the light of salvation on eternity—where the human race will transcend the confines of a fallen world.
This man who wants to be remembered as a preacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has said, “Man is precisely what the Bible says he is. Human nature is behaving exactly as the Bible said it would. The course of human events is flowing just as Christ predicted. And God’s Word is real—from eternity past to eternity everlasting.” This is the essence of his new book Where I Am.



God’s Word is eternal, and eternity’s destinations will last forever. He has declared that mankind can choose the eternal flame of His judgment or live forever in His everlasting peace. The Good News is that God sends out a booming invitation that says: “Return to Me; come and share My eternal home and be with Me where I am.” That is Heaven! That is Home eternal!
Who would not want to be where Jesus is? He is preparing a place for those who love and serve Him—now! Jesus has filled this place with the riches of His eternal truth and everlasting righteousness where the fruits of His works will be forever glorified. There will be continual rejoicing over His eternal wisdom. The Bible proclaims that we will praise Him continually and serve Him unending before His eternal throne when He reigns—eternally!



In this book, Billy Graham points to God’s eternal deliverance, God’s eternal sacrifice and God’s eternal love and joy. These are the anchors at the heart of Mr. Graham’s sermons that have drawn millions of people to their hour of decision. The everlasting Gospel that is washed in His eternal love will be proclaimed until the end. When that day arrives—eternity will come clearly into view. Mankind throughout the ages will witness the eternal kingdom and the everlasting King on His throne forever. This is why Jesus calls the lost and weary to His everlasting salvation with this promise of eternal forgiveness, mercy, grace and love: “That where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).

START YOUR NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST

 You can have real, lasting peace today through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Start your four-step journey now!

Step 1 – God loves you and has a plan for you!

The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”—a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10).
But here’s the problem:

Step 2 – Man is sinful and separated from God.

We have all done, thought or said bad things, which the Bible calls “sin.” The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The result of sin is death, spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23).

The good news?

Step 3 – God sent His Son to die for your sins!

Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever.
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives!
“Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).

Step 4 – Would you like to receive God’s forgiveness?

We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest praying the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior:

“Dear Lord Jesus,
I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
In your name, Amen.”

Thou Shalt Save Sex For Marriage (Laws Of Dating contd...)

THOU SHALT SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE (contd...).






THE SEVEN BLUNDERS OF THE SEXUAL WORLD. contd.....



5)      You Must Sample The Goods.


Some daters believe in a “test drive” before you buy the car. This is because of the misconception that great sex= great relationship=happy marriage.
It is written in the book of proverbs chapter 9:17 that, "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
The wickedness in man’s heart makes sex without commitment more pleasurable. 
But read the next verse in Proverbs 9:18; It says, "But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell."
This verse of the scripture is letting you know that those whose lives have been destroyed and also those that are in hell took this same path; so if you want to end up the way they ended up, you should be my guest. This is not God's plan for you. Such lifestyle affects these kind of daters even in their marriage (whenever they decide to settle down in matrimony). They see sex in marriage as being boring because there is no illicit thrill/adventure (risk of being caught or the fun of sex without commitment in it). Such people go out of their marriages to continue with their escapade. 

6)      It’s Just A Physical Thing.

Have you watched the movie Indecent Proposal? A married woman agrees to have sex with a millionaire that offered her and her husband a million dollars. She said to the husband, “I am just going to give him my body, not my heart.” What a lie! She finally had problems in her relationship with the husband. Sex is a physical thing and predominantly a soul thing. Sex connects your soul to the soul of another person like superglue. When the two lovers part ways there is a ripping and tearing of souls. Stick your tongue into the metal part of a refrigerator for 5 mins and  pull it off quickly, I can almost guarantee that parts of your tongue will remain in the freezer. Likewise you cant enter a sexual union without scattering a part of your soul and leaving it in the other person. 

7)      Everybody Is Doing It.



Grow up! Not everybody is doing it. Even if everybody were doing it, does it justify it?
Should you follow senselessly? 
I believe that a man’s religion affects his attitude towards sex. The Darwinian theory, I believe gave rise to bestiality. It is believed that men evolved from apes. We see such crazy things going on in this world today because of crazy philosophies from crazy religious organization. Religion does not have solution to the world's crisis.This is the reason why I love following Jesus Christ. Following Him is not a religion; it is a positive lifestyle with an uplift.



WHY SHOULD I SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE?



a) You should save sex for marriage because God, the one that created sex, commands that we engage in it within the confines of marriage.
" Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations? Certainly—but only within a certain context. It’s good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband." (1 Corinthians 7:1-3; Message translation).

b) It increases your sense of self worth and value. It eliminates guilt and shame. Guilt can be destructive.

c) Getting involved in pre-marital sex builds distrust for your partner and also for the opposite sex. This will make it difficult for you to commit in the relationship.

d) Most victims of pre-marital sex that used sex to "keep their man" ended up shattered emotionally; because they saw these men they slept with walk to the altar with other ladies.

e) You should save sex for marriage to avoid unwanted pregnancy and its various consequences;
this might eventually lead to abortion and all its risks and heartaches.

f) You should save sex for marriage to protect your body from being ravaged by sexually transmitted diseases.

HOW DO YOU SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE?

1)      Repentance.


If you have been involved in illicit sexual relationship, you must see it as sin and confess this sin to God and ask for His mercy. Then you make a decision not to go there again. Repentance involves changing ways. Stop the sin and live for God.

2)      Receive Forgiveness.


 Jesus is willing to forgive you.
* "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9).
One of the most powerful ways of receiving real forgiveness is to observe how Jesus Christ handled people who were caught in the web of sexual promiscuity. He didn’t condemn them and He didn’t condone their actions either. To the Samaritan woman, He shared with her how to find “Rivers of Living waters.” To the woman caught in the very act of adultery, He told her to go and sin no more.

3)      Celebrate Wholeness.


There is power in purity. Celebrate the power you have to say "No" to instant sexual gratification and "Yes" to delayed gratification.

4)      Set Clear Boundaries.



 Discuss this with your fiancé/fiancée and let it be stated clearly,"No sex until we are wedded."
To set healthy boundaries means to know and make it known what we do want in our relationship and what we don't want in our relationship.
Wise couples always want their relationships to go God's way. So they start from the beginning to ask the question, "How does God want me to handle this relationship?" And they seek counsels from the Word of God to get the answers to the question. When they get the answers, they use them to build healthy boundaries.

5)      Stay Accountable.



 To your mentor, pastor, group of friends that believe in this commandment and be transparent with them.

Thou Shalt Save Sex For Marriage (Laws Of Dating).

THOU SHALT SAVE SEX FOR MARRIAGE.

Sexual intercourse is a practice God designed to be indulged in exclusively between the husband and the wife. Sexual relationship is designed only for married couples and never for singles.

Many years ago the word sex was not used commonly as it is today and it was not practiced amongst the unmarried then as it is today. The genesis of rampant indulgence in sexual relationships amongst the unmarried began in the early ‘70s with the Disco Era. This was a distraction for youths from the revival of the seventies. The Devil wanted to keep the youths distracted from the revival and busy gratifying themselves with the pleasures of the world so he swept the youths of the ‘70s with the Disco Era (Soul train). It was a “feel good” era, and the old fetters of social constraint were flung off in favour of the simple feeling of pleasure.



Things got complicated in the ‘80s. Sexually transmitted diseases, even those that became a mystery to science like AIDS, started plaguing our youths and all the victims of illicit sex. It seemed as if such diseases put a scare on those that were victims and it caused some to abstain and others to be more cautious.



Until the Latex messiah- condom came riding into town on a white horse promising to protect people from its side effect diseases and unwanted pregnancy. The world embraced it and – wham! Sex escalated. Science could only see the physical side effects of illicit sex and thought of a solution. Condom still does not guaranty 100% what it promises. For example, the size of the AIDS virus is even smaller than the size of the pores of the condom.


Science did not consider the emotional and spiritual side effects of sexual promiscuity and as a result has not been able to come up with the solution and would never be able to come up with it.
What then is the solution to being free from the spiritual, emotional trauma and physical pain sex out of wedlock causes? The solution is to obey God’s plan for your sexual life. God’s plan for your sexual life is simple: “Wait until you get married.”



THE SEVEN BLUNDERS OF THE SEXUAL WORLD.

Many singles are still trapped in illicit sexual relationships despite the increasing risk today because Satan has succeeded in deceiving them by manipulating their thoughts. He has established lies about sex that most singles feel disadvantaged for not indulging in it.

Have you heard of statements like this- “People are running into what others already in are trying to come out of.” That’s the illicit sex saga.

What are these seven blunders that make the unmarried to still be involved in sex come what may?

1)      All You Need Is A Condom.

If you want safe sex, the Sex gospel of the ‘90s says “strap on the Latex Messiah and worry no more.

Here are some facts about condoms.

• Condoms fail at least 10% of the time to prevent pregnancy.
• Condoms fail more than 10% of the time to prevent STDs.
• The HIV virus is smaller (0.1 micron; 50 times smaller) than the standard holes (0.5 micron) in latex rubber condom. Therefore, it cannot prevent HIV. 
• Condoms do not fit over your mind, heart and soul. Sex bonds souls together and condom can’t stop it.

2)      You’ve Got To Have Sex.


Who says that you've got to have sex? Have human beings reduced themselves to animals that cannot control their sexual desire. Many have even said that they will die if they don’t have it. I have both heard and read a lot of crazy counsels on the issue of illicit sexual relationships; especially on the internet. I believe the best place to get wise counsels from on the topic of sex is from the book of the One that created sexual union - The Bible. The Bible totally abhors sexual acts done out of wedlock. Such activity is known as fornication (voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons) or adultery (voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse). The Bible is clear about God's instructions concerning fornication.

* "Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord.." (1 Corinthians 6:13b).
* "Flee Fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18).
* "Bur fornication, and all uncleaness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints." (Ephesians 5:3).
* "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14).

The divine nature (the life of God) which God gave to every believer in Jesus Christ is the only power that can enable a man overcome the temptation of committing this sin and living a life-style of it. Consecrate your body to God by totally submitting to His word and resolving in your heart not to
defile your body by this sinful act.
God gave to every man the ability to control his/her sexual desires.
* "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away." (1 Corinthians 9:27).

3)      Sex Equals Intimacy.

Intimacy is a close, personal relationship marked by affection, love, knowledge of each other’s inner character, essential nature or innermost self. If sex equals intimacy, then you could have sex with a hooker and be intimate with her. Real intimacy requires hard work, honesty, mutual self-disclosure, time and commitment.
Sex, when done in the right context (i.e in marriage), bonds the couple; but it brings guilt and most of the time a feeling of being used (especially to the lady) when it is not done between married couples. These feelings are enough to scatter any relationship and leaves the lady hurting.
There is a story in the Bible about two persons whose experience beautifully illustrates that sex is not equal to intimacy. Amnon, the son of King David, lusted after the beauty of Tamar his step sister. He tricked his dad into believing that he was sick and made a request to his dad to send Tamar to his room to prepare him a meal. David, out of compassion, obliged. When Tamar came to his room, Amnon raped her. After the event, it was written that Amnon then hated her to the extent that his hatred for her became greater than the lust he had for her (2 Samuel 13:1-19).
When the person you are in relationship with demands that you prove your love for him or  her by having sex with him/her, tell that person that sex is not a proof of love.


4)      If You Are In Love, Then It’s Ok To Have Sex.


Girls believe that as long as we are in love and he has proposed then sex is ok. Guys dangle the carrot of marriage in front of women as a means of luring them into bed. If someone really loves you, he will respect you enough to wait. True love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. It is sanctified at the altar before God and witnesses to sacred vows. It’s a marvelous, incredible gift to be celebrated in marriage.

To be continued....................

LAWS OF DATING (contd).

THOU SHALT NOT IGNORE WARNING SIGNS (Continued).

This post is a continuation of the post I published earlier.

Don’t be caught up in the excitement of your relationship that you fail to heed warning signs.  Many marriages are on the rocks today because the people involved ignored obvious warning signs while they were dating. I am going to share 6 major warning signs with you that I don’t mean you should work on improving but should make you break up the relationship the moment it is detected.

2)  Addictions:

When you are in relationship with an addict, you are relating with someone that is controlled by a substance. Addicts are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, liars and irresponsible. The addict is not available to have a healthy relationship. If your partner is addicted to alcohol, drugs, television, food etc you will become frustrated in the relationship. Drop him or her like a hot potato.

3)  Infidelity:

 Trust is one of the foundations of a healthy relationship. But when there is unfaithfulness or infidelity, especially in the early stages of a relationship, then trust is shattered before it is even fully established. I know a lot of married persons that ended up marrying unfaithful partners. Such relationships end up in chaos. Married couples have died of AIDS because an unfaithful partner got infected with HIV and infected his/her spouse. One of the major reasons of abuse in a marital relationship is infidelity. When your partner gets sexually involved with others, you become second place in his/her life. You will be treated like trash.

4)  Irresponsibility and Immaturity:

When you find yourself with someone who hasn’t quite grown up, you should consider this a serious warning sign. An immature person, by his/her behaviour is indirectly saying to you, "I don’t want to grow up. Will you please take care of me?"

How do I know an immature/irresponsible person?

• Lacks goals, direction and purpose for life.
• Is indecisive about many things- even important issues.
• Procrastinates often.
• Has difficulty keeping a job for a reasonable period of time. Has careless spending habits.
• A constant borrower.
• Such a person will frustrate you. They are a liability. Ticks that feed on the blood of an animal. Run away from such.

5)  No physical/sexual attraction:

If there is no chemistry/physical attraction in the relationship even after a while of relating with this person, why are you still there? Certainly this is not the most important aspect of a relationship and it alone will not sustain a healthy relationship, but it is very important nonetheless. Don't fall into the temptation of being attracted to someone else because you are not attracted to the one you married. You deserve to fall in love with the one you want to get married to. Don't be pressured into marriage. You should not even get married to someone to please parents. Fall in love with the one you want to marry.

6)  Emotional Baggage.

People have issues but there are people who can't let go of the past and it affects their present relationship. They blame you for what their previous lover did to them. Always suspicious of your every move. This is a red flag honey. Jump before the lava of emotions swallow you.

Why people Ignore red flags (warning signs) in relationships.

It’s familiar to them.

There are those who see tendencies of abuse in his/her partner but still go ahead to marry him/her. This is all he/she knows. His/Her Dad abused the mother and might also have abused him/her.

They feel they don’t deserve anything better.

They are victims of inferiority complex. They believe they deserve to be abused. These ones are emotionally devastated and shattered. They don't see anything good in themselves and as a result they feel they don't deserve someone loving. They actually get suspicious of genuine people that show them love. 

It is better than nothing.

Some people ignore these warning signs because of their fear of being alone. They believe that it is better staying with this abusive person than being alone.  They have this slogan enshrined in their system that "Some attention-even if it’s negative-is better than none at all." They should believe God for their own soul-mate. God brought Eve to Adam and He has not resigned from the match making business. God is a match maker. Trust Him for your own spouse and He will definitely connect you with him/her.

Fear of the break up.

Another reason why some ignore these warning signs is their fear of not finding another partner when this abusive partner leaves. Some others are afraid that their desperate lover would do exactly what he/she threatened to do if they break up the relationship. A deep seated fear that he/she might do something crazy like committing either suicide or murder or something irrational. You are safer without such a person than with that person. Break off the relationship politely. You are not responsible for his/her actions.

 You can enjoy your relationship. I'm enjoying mine. Obey these laws and enter into the haven of family bliss. It's possible. God's grace.

I pray for everyone of you going through challenges in your relationship for the wisdom of God to rest upon both of you so that every contention would be addressed and dealt with in the name of Jesus! Talk soon.