5 Lessons To Learn From Billy Graham

12-19pm

He turned 96 on Friday 7th November 2014 and has 70 years of ministry behind him. While you seldom hear too much about him, these days, when his birthday comes around, generally someone finds out how he is and a report is released. USA Today covered his birthday, explaining he spent it quietly at  his North Carolina home. Family and close friends visited. While he is not nearly as mobile as he used to be, mostly wheelchair bound, with poor vision and hard of hearing, it’s said he has a good appetite and sharp mind. There are many lessons to learn from the life of Billy Graham. I’ve chosen the 5 that jump to the top of my mind when I think of him and the life he has led.

1. Seek God’s Will For Your Life and Live by His Word

At about age 19, Billy Graham was lying in the moonlight next to the 18th green of a golf club, when he felt the call of God on his life. He felt God was calling him to preach the gospel. He started preparing by reading books and studying.  It was only a few years later though, at about the age of 24,that Billy Graham accepted that the Bible was the infallible Word of God. So important was that moment in time, that there is a memorial in Southern California that marks the decision. He has lived his life in line with Biblical principles.

2. Regardless Of Who You Are, God May Take You To Great Heights

While Billy Graham came to know the Lord at the age of 16 and attended Christian colleges, he never received a formal Bible education. He was nearly expelled from Bob Jones university. He graduated from Wheaton College as an Anthropologist. Billy Graham shot to fame after working as a Youth for Christ as an evangelist. At the age of 30, in 1949, he decided to erect circus tents in a parking lot for a three week evangelistic campaign. It gained much media attention and went on for 8 weeks instead of 3. Billy Graham shot to fame. He was offered a $5million contract by NBC, which he turned down in favour of fulfilling contracts and continuing his tours.

350 000 people visited his crusades in two months…

3. Avoid The Appearance Of Evil. 

Billy Graham has had a reputation of great personal integrity. He avoided the appearance of evil. He had a rule that he would never travel, meet or eat alone with a woman, other than his wife. His finances and that of the ministry were handled with transparency, so no one could accuse him of using the crusades as a profiteering racket. He was also known to plough most of the profits from his books into charities.

4. Let The Main Thing Be The Main Thing.

Throughout his 7 decades of ministry, Billy Graham has not waivered from the central message of Jesus Christ and the work He did on the cross. It’s easy to get carried away with doctrinal issues that separate denominations. Billy Graham central message is God’s love for us and the salvation we have through faith in Jesus Christ.

5. Remain Humble

Billy Graham has reached millions and millions of people across a lifetime of private and public ministry. In his twilight years, when asked what he would do differently, he said he would study more, pray more and travel less – he would spend more time with his family. He understands that everything he has done has been through the grace of God. After all his life has been lived; the messages are read;  the final sermon preached; the books, pamphlets & articles written and the last interviews given; he is surprised at all the people he has reached.  An interview 4 years ago…

He has his eye on the finish line. There his Lord awaits him, as does his wife. What a great reunion it will be. In the meantime, God is giving him the grace to live into very old age.  To God be the glory for a life well lived.

Lamentations 3:22

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

Sources:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Graham
• http://www.travisagnew.org/2008/11/06/personal-integrity-of-billy-graham/

Keep the smile going.

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic…wonderful church service this morning…