God has raised up people throughout history and from all over the world to bring about His will and purpose in the hearts of people. I imagine He calls them by name. They are ordinary people, like you and me. But when they heard the call in their hearts they said “Yes, Lord”. Three of these “called out ones” during my lifetime immediately come to mind: Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Billy Graham. All three were servants of God, ministers to the poor and needy. All lived very public lives, and in that sacrifice, they impacted millions around the globe for Christ. None would ever claim it was about them…none were in it for personal gain. Rather, they lived and served others, proclaiming the redemptive love of Christ for all.
Billy Graham went home to the Lord this week, February 21st, 2018, at the age of 99. Our world is a better place because of this modern-day evangelist for Christ. He was a man of integrity and grace, committed to sharing the gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth…an inspiration for us all.
Called “America’s Preacher” and “Pastor to Presidents”, Billy Graham shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to packed stadiums and in private, one-on-one. His message was the same wherever he preached. 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
Rev. Graham was a great evangelist, and he presented the same message of hope hundreds of times in 185 different countries or territories. In fact, I found that an estimated 2.2 billion people heard Billy Graham preach. 215 million people attended a live event. 2.2 million people responded to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord. Wow! Those numbers are staggering, praise God!
I was inspired and blessed to learn more about the man and his ministry and how God used him to draw millions to the heart of God.
In his words…
“I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God’s love for them in Christ.”
“During all my years as an evangelist, my message has always been the Gospel of Christ. It is not a Western religion, nor is it a message of one culture or political system. … It is a message of life and hope for all the world.”
“If we are going to touch the people of our communities, we too must know their sorrows, feel for them in their temptations, stand with them in their heartbreaks.”
“When my decision for Christ was made…the direction of my life was changed. I’m not going to Heaven because I’ve read the Bible, nor because I’ve preached to a lot of people, I’m going to Heaven because of what Christ did.”
“All that I have been able to do, I owe to Jesus Christ. When you honor me, you are really honoring Him. Any honor I have received, I accept with a sense of inadequacy and humility, and I will reserve the right to hand all of these someday to Christ, when I see Him face-to-face.” –Upon receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1983
To learn more about the life and ministry of Billy Graham: https://memorial.billygraham.org/
At the end of each crusade, Billy Graham would give the invitation to anyone who wanted, to come to the altar, turn their hearts to Christ and accept Him as Lord. The song, “Just as I Am” would play as people came forward, just as it did on the day Billy Graham said “yes” and responded to the call:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Thanks for your tribute to Rev. Graham! When I was a child, his ministry had a huge impact on my spiritual life. Have a GLORIOUS week, Cheryl.🙏💕
Thank you Cheryl for sharing. That was beautiful. Sending much love.