Billy Graham 1918 - 2018

“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead.  Don’t you believe a word of it.  I shall be more alive than I am now.  I will just have changed my address.  I will have gone into the presence of God.”

At 99 years of age, Billy Graham had a birth date and an entering Heaven date, but it’s what he chose to do and to live for between those two dates that God used to make an impact on our world.

Billy Graham was born in 1918 and raised on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He became a Christian, a believer and follower of Jesus, at the age of 15, after hearing a message given by a traveling evangelist.  In 1939, at the age of 21, Dr. Graham was ordained.  Billy Graham has reached more than 215 million people with the message of Jesus through crusades, television, radio, videos, movies, and 34 books.  He preached across the United States and in more than 185 countries and territories. 

Through the years, Dr. Graham became known as “America’s Pastor” and the “Pastor of the Presidents.”  Over a 60 year career, he prayed with and counseled United States Presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.

Billy Graham began being noticed while he was preaching a crusade in Los Angeles, California, in 1948.  The revival services were scheduled for 3 weeks, but extended for 8 weeks.  Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst made sure his paper promoted the giant tent meeting.

In 1957, a crusade was held in Madison Square Garden, in the New York City borough of Manhattan.  Services were held nightly for four months.  Even when away from home for long stretches of time, Dr. Graham remained a man of integrity.  He avoided sexual and financial scandals.  Because he was willing, available, and obedient, God once again used an ordinary man to accomplish extraordinary things for His Kingdom.

Billy Graham, as did his wife Ruth, chose to be buried in a casket made by the inmates of Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola Prison, Louisiana.  The casket was designed with a cross on the top and built by men who had found faith in Jesus while in prison.  His casket was brought to the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina and placed behind a pulpit.  After a service on Friday, the casket will be moved to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.  People will be able to visit and pay their respects until Wednesday when the casket will be transferred to the United States Capitol Rotunda.  It is rare for private citizens to lie in repose at the U. S. Capitol.  Usually this honor is reserved for former presidents, Supreme Court judges, and members of Congress.  What a wonderful way to honor a faithful, obedient, follower of Jesus.

In Billy Graham’s own words:

“My home is in Heaven.  I’m just traveling through this world.”

“I have one message:  that Jesus Christ came, he died on a cross, he rose again, and he asked us to repent of our sins and receive him by faith as Lord and Savior, and if we do, we have forgiveness of all of our sins.”

“I know that soon my life will be over.  I thank God for it, and for all He has given me in this life.  But I look forward to Heaven.”

“My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe comes through knowing Christ.”

“It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love.”

“God loves you!”

“Salvation is an act of God.  It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God.”

“The ground at the foot of the cross is level.”

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

“The very practice of reading [the Bible] will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart.  Let nothing take the place of this daily exercise.”

“We need to trust in God and we need to put our faith in Him as a nation.”

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible.  It’s all going to turn out all right.”

It has been touching to read and hear stories about the ways God worked in and through Dr. Graham to share His message with family, friends, presidents, and others.  Because of his faith, trust, belief, love, passion, and obedience, a difference was made for God’s Kingdom.  Billy Graham has finished the race and left behind his legacy.  The baton has been passed.  It’s now our turn, opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to do the same. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

John 5:24

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

Precious in the sight of the LORD

     is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116:15

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

     and what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Purposeful Fasting

In preparation for Easter, some choose to participate in the discipline of fasting during this season of Lent.  Lent is defined as the period of 40 weekdays before Easter observed in some Christian churches as a period of prayer, penance, fasting, and self-denial.  This period, starting on Ash Wednesday in Western churches, commemorates the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness.  How appropriate that Lent began on Valentine’s Day, a wonderful reminder of God’s perfect gift of love in his Son Jesus.

During Lent, people tend to give up a favorite food or beverage, social media, or a certain activity or pleasure for a season.  Hopefully one uses the time of fasting to pause and remember the reason and purpose for fasting and willingly replace that time with prayers of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, kind deeds, or other productive and beneficial activities.  

Recently, Pope Francis offered a thought provoking list of suggestions to consider fasting from for Lent.  These choices of fasting would make an impact on the participant as well as others.

With God’s help, what a difference it would make in our world if, rather than just for a season, these suggestions were taken to heart and purposefully fasted from for a lifetime.

Sunday night, Keith Riley reminded us that “In fasting we do not deprive ourselves.”  Instead, “We are reminded of what truly sustains us.”

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:5, 8, 12

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and thee evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:21

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Making Life Count

 About a year ago, Mary, 17 years old, found out that her neighbor, Glen, had been diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.  He was struggling with both his health and maintaining his home.  A group was called in to make some home modifications to make it easier for Glen during his illness.  When the team arrived they discovered that Mary, even though she is of small build, had been carrying fresh water in gallon jugs to Glen for almost a year.  She also brings food and has Bible studies with him in his home.  In addition, Mary takes the time to text Glen every day.  If he does not respond, she assures him she will go and check on him.  Glen told the workers, “She’s the reason I am alive.” 

In the fall of 2016, Matthew Garcia found out that he didn’t qualify for the state cross-country track meet during his senior year in high school.  That evening, even with the disappointing news, he still went to his younger brother’s football game with his mother.  At half-time, the cheerleaders were doing a special cheer with their fathers.  Addie Rodriguez, 9 years old, was standing by herself.  As the other girls were lifted to their fathers’ shoulders, Addie covered her face and burst into tears.  Without hesitation, Matthew jumped over the fence and asked Addie if he could hoist her to his shoulders like the other cheerleaders.  Addie readily accepted his offer and while the crowd cheered the two finished the cheer with the rest of the group.  Matthew and his mother later learned that the reason Addie’s dad was not present was because he is serving our country as a senior airman and medevac tech in the Air Force.  At the time of the game, Addie’s father was on a training mission.  Matthew Garcia was honored at the “2017 Musial Awards” which recognizes recipients for great moments in sportsmanship in North America.  He didn’t think he deserved all of the attention for his act of kindness.  When interviewed he stated:  “After I’ve seen the impact that something that little causes, you never know what could happen.  A small gesture can make somebody’s day, and that means a lot to me.”  Even when facing disappointment from the news about the state track meet, Matthew chose to do something that made a big difference in someone else’s day.

Jason Schneidman is the hair dresser for several “A List” celebrities and clients in Los Angeles.  He also uses his skills and talent to help give dignity to the 60,000 homeless by giving free haircuts.  Schneidman has now organized a campaign called “Street Cuts” because he understands the power of a fresh haircut.  “Their appearance changes and their attitude changes… People around them see these people differently.”  Jason realizes the importance of hope because 13 years ago he had a helping hand getting back on his feet after recovering from a drug and alcohol addiction.  Jason said, “If we all do a little, we can help out a lot.”

We don’t have to wait for a program to be announcement, a committee to be formed, or someone else to come up with a plan before we offer to help.  We can each do our part making a difference, making life count, one act of kindness at a time. 

“You are now called by God to showcase the power of His Spirit by the way you live.  Your mission is to do this until He calls you home or returns to end human history, and you will be rewarded – by the God who created you, the Son who died for you, and the Spirit who empowered you – for giving the world an accurate picture of His love.”  Francis  Chan

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. (NIV)

And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don’t fool yourselves. Do what it says. (The Message)

James 1:22

A good man produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil man produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.

Luke 6:45

He answered, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2:6

Expressions of Love

The reds and greens of Christmas have been exchanged with pinks and reds in preparation for Valentine’s Day.  There are notices in the stores, on television, in newspapers and magazines, along with cards and gifts on display, to remind us of the upcoming special day.  Valentine’s Day offers numerous opportunities to express love.  Flowers will be delivered, gifts and cards given, words communicated in writing and/or verbally, and time spent with loved ones. 

Bible Gateway documents that love is mentioned in 686 scriptures in the NIV Bible.  Apparently that is a message that God wants us to make a priority, take to heart, and share with others. 

I Corinthians 13:4-7 states that:

* Love is patient

* Love is kind

* Love does not envy

* Love does not boast

* Love is not proud

* Love does not dishonor others

* Love is not self-seeking

* Love is not easily angered

* Love keeps no records of wrongs

* Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth

* Love always protects

* Love always trusts

* Love always hopes

* Love always perseveres

A poster I saw this week was a reminder that expressions of love sometimes take additional effort, energy, observation, and diligence.

The first Bible verse I remember memorizing as a child was, “God is love.”  (I John 4:8b)  It is also one of the first verses we taught our boys.  When we know and experience God’s love, it’s our mandate, responsibility, and privilege to share it with others, no matter what day of the year it is.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:9-10

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 3:23

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:21

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1:6