Posted on 11/08/2014 6:51:24 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Billy Graham is ringing in his 96th year with friends and family on Friday, and fellow faith leaders are sending an outpouring of well wishes to the famed evangelical preacher today.
In a far cry from last year's birthday celebration involving over 800 guests, Graham is marking his birthday this year with a quiet celebration at his Montreat, NC home, according to a press release issued on Nov. 7. Will Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham, was unavailable for comment to The Christian Post, but his father Franklin assured fans that the 96-year-old is doing well.
"Although his physical condition keeps him homebound, he remains interested in current events and the ongoing work of the ministry that he began more than 60 years ago," said Billy Graham's eldest son.
The president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association also announced the debut of "Heaven," the latest "My Hope with Billy Graham" film, which features a never-before-seen message from Billy.
"Opportunities like 'My Hope' and the 'Heaven' film are ways that we can help my father to continue the work that God called us to do," Franklin added. "Please pray for my father, and for those who will watch this film, that they too may know the peace found in Jesus Christ."
Recorded last year, the message conveys a still-passionate Billy Graham who discussed his imminent death.
"I know I'm going to heaven. I'm looking forward to it with great anticipation," Graham says in the film before explaining how people can share that same faith.
Despite his struggle with deteriorating eyesight and hearing, Graham still enjoys daily devotions, Bible reading and prayer with his staff, as well as visits with family and close friends. On his 96th birthday, many of Graham's friends, including Saddleback Church's Rick Warren, posted special messages on social media.
"Happy #96th to my oldest mentor #BillyGraham. Thanks for guiding, defending and loving me for 35 yrs," the pastor wrote on Twitter.
What a great evangelist and patriotic American!
Happy 96th Brother Billy!
Lost all respect for him when he said that Hillary would make a good president. The fact that he endorsed this vile woman who is a proven liar, a perjurer, an anti-Semite, a pro-abortionist, probably a murder, and a thief, makes me wonder if this man too has gone to the devil just to get some publicity.
Shame on him! She is a vile woman and this guy thinks she would be a good president. What the hell is the matter with him!
Outstanding!
Pure arrogance for anyone to say he’s going to heaven.
“Jesus therefore said to them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Unless ye shall have eaten the flesh of the Son of man, and drunk his blood, ye have no life in yourselves.”
God means what He says. If you believe in Christ, based on this, you have eternal life. You go to Heaven.
Rev. Graham is going to Heaven. I want to go with him. But if my time here is not yet complete, I shall joyfully await God’s call. I pray that my final moments will allow me to say,
“Take my hand, Lord Jesus, I’m coming home.”
I do believe there was a thread on here at the time where he said he never intended to endorse Hillary. His words were used to make it appear so - he has said in his autobiography that he has never been one in the past to endorse candidates preferring to talk to many Presidents about their faith and where they stand with Jesus.
“believes in Him”
Precisely:
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.”
If it was based on his own accomplishments even bringing millions to consider their beliefs and relationship in Christ over 60 plus years of travelling the world, calling people to repentance, trying to live a life worthy of his calling - yes even then it would be pure arrogance. But then again none of us can rely on that.
Only on the grace and mercy found in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can one boast and if we are going to boast and be purely arrogant we can be assured that we can indeed boast in that which we have not earned!
Not even Mother Theresa made such an extravagant claim.
Matthew 19:16-22: “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “’You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
May God keep him healthy and happy for MORE years. I've always admired him. He has indeed been an inspiration for many people.
Really that is my whole point is that none of us, of ourselves, can have any hope of getting to heaven - but what is impossible for man is possible for God. If he was boasting of his own then it would be the arrogance of all arrogance - if we cannot rely on the promises and the sacrifice of Jesus then who can be saved? But if we are to boast we do so resting on God’s works, Romans 5:11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Billy Graham
Source of his words is on a Ricky Skaggs album Soldier of The Cross. Opening of the song "Are you afraid to die" I transcribed it word for word.
It sounded like a statement of faith to me not bragging or any arrogance. Billy Graham has in fact gave up many, many, earthly things he could have had including time with his wife and kids. He himself and his wife while she was alive had lead a modest lifestyle home. Billy was gone most of the time on the road preaching. He also insisted in accountability in his ministry.
His son Franklin's mentor Bob Pierce the founder of Samaritans Purse was another man who basically gave up all for his ministry and often risked his very life in mission work in China.
Jesus asked the man you posted the scriptures of to give up his riches because Jesus could see in his heart which he loved more. Jesus also said "Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect". No man or woman born on earth has been without sin and perfect but Jesus Christ.
Faith, Grace, by the Blood of The Lamb shed for our sins and acceptable to GOD sprinkled in our hearts saves us the second we receive Him as Lord and savior. By doing so we take His Bread the Word of GOD and His blood.
Assuring oneself one is going to heaven is the ultimate act of pride, and pride is the first of the deadly sins.
Except it's not pride nor is one "assuring oneself" of going to heaven based on that person's merit, good works, deserving it, earning it or being "good enough", but it is trusting in Jesus Christ who has called us to faith in Him whereby He gives to us eternal life as a GIFT of God by His grace.
If, however, one believes that he must be a good person, merit by his works, "cooperate" with God's grace by his actions, add his own works to faith in order to make it to heaven, then that IS the ultimate act of pride and it IS deadly - for eternity. NOT by works of righteousness which we have done but according to HIS mercy He saved us. It is ALL Christ and His perfect sacrifice for our sins that ANY of us could have hope of heaven. Only His precious blood makes atonement for sin - not any filthy rags of our own righteousness. Thinking we add to His finished work on the cross is an insult to God and is truly a deadly act of pride.
Billy Graham understands that and is why he can KNOW he has everlasting life.
We may never know the eternal effect of our sharing the gospel until we get to heaven. I have no doubt Billy Graham's soul-winners crown will be a sight to behold!
Read Paul’s second letter to Timothy chapter 4. v 18. Paul is certain of his fate. A man or woman saying that “Their” deeds, church, dogma, etc gets them into heaven is sin. A person saying belief in Jesus Christ by His sacrifice they are saved is not sin because it gives Him the glory not mans works. Billy Graham will tell you he isn’t going to heave because he preached 60 years. He will say he’s going to heaven because of Jesus Christ dieing for his sins and in doing so overcoming death, hell, and the grave for him taking his and those who believe sins upon himself. Did you know doubt is wrong?
Not Billy Graham, not Mother Theresa, no one knows before they die. They trust God’s word. That’s it.
Only one person was destined to Heaven, that is the Virgin Mary, she alone was full of grace and even she did not “boast” that she was going to heaven.
“And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Douay-Rheims Bible
I type a lot slower LOL.
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