Friday, November 13, 2015

"The Wheels Of God's Judgement Can Be Heard...." Billy Graham

Methuselah lived a world record of 969 years. His father, Enoch, a preacher of righteousness, gave him a prophetic name ... Methuselah, meaning "When he is dead it shall be sent" or "When he is dead, the end shall come". Immediately upon Methuselah's death, Noah's Flood began. Though this is not stated in Scripture, a study of birth dates and death dates, in Genesis, bears out the fact. When Methuselah died, the flood came the same year. Maybe the same day.

It now seems possible that, similarly, the long life and ministry of Billy Graham (he was 97 Nov.7) is coming to an end on a parallel track with the end of days. That is not to say, as with Methuselah, "when he is dead, the end shall come". But this old wicked world, which appears to be as evil as in the last days of Methuselah, seems in the same depths of "wickedness" as described in Gen.6:5.
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Then the rains came with the Flood Judgement upon the world.

I could not reprint the following article, with pictures of Billy Graham, as it appeared in American Minute. My thanks to Jim Hoch for sending it. RB

American Minute with Bill Federer
Subscribe free at  <mailto:mail@americanminute.com>

"The wheels of God's judgment can be heard by discerning souls across the length and breadth of nations" -Billy Graham

"America has gone a long way down the wrong road. We must turn around and go back and change roads. If ever we needed God's help, it is now..." -stated Billy Graham, as he received the Congressional Gold Medal, May 2, 1996.

Billy Graham continued:

"If ever we needed spiritual renewal, it in now. And it can begin today in each one of our lives, as we repent before God and yield ourselves to Him and His Word."

Billy Graham has had an unprecedented friendship with every U.S. President since Truman.

Born NOVEMBER 7, 1918, Billy Graham wanted to be a baseball player, but after attending a revival at age 16, his life changed.

Billy Graham became an evangelist and addressed crowds around the world.

At a news conference, March 21, 1956, President Eisenhower stated:
"This is what I see in Billy Graham - A man who clearly understands that any advance in the world has got to be accompanied by a clear realization that man is, after all, a spiritual being."

John F. Kennedy told the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, March 1, 1962:
"We bear great responsibilities and great burdens not only to ourselves in this country but to so many around the world... I commend...Reverend Billy Graham, who has served this cause about which I speak so well here and around the world. He has, I think, transmitted this most important quality of our common commitments to faith in a way which makes all of us particularly proud."

Ronald Reagan introduced Billy Graham at a California rally: "Why is a representative of government here? To welcome with humble pride a man whose mission in life has been to remind us that in all our seeking...the answer to each problem is to be found in the simple words of Jesus of Nazareth, who urged us to love one another."

Billy Graham stated:
"Bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote."

Upon receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, May 2, 1996, Billy Graham continued his message, "The Hope for America": "After World War II...we had the opportunity to rule the world... Something has happened since those days and there is much about America that is no longer good...the list is almost endless...
We have confused liberty with license - and we are paying the awful price. We are a society poised on the brink of self-destruction..."

Billy Graham continued: "What is the problem? The real problem is within ourselves... I believe the fundamental crisis of our time is a crisis of the spirit.
We have lost sight of the moral and spiritual principles on which this nation was established - principles drawn largely from the Judeo-Christian tradition as found in the Bible... What must be done? Let me briefly suggest three things.
First, we must repent. In the depths of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called for special days of public repentance and prayer. Our need for repentance is no less today..." "What does repentance mean? Repentance means to change our thinking and our way of living. It means to turn from our sins and to commit ourselves to God and His will. Over 2700 years ago the Old Testament prophet Isaiah declared 'Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon' (Isaiah 55: 6-7, NIV)..."

Billy Graham added:
"Second, we must commit our lives to God, and to the moral and spiritual truths that have made this nation great. Think how different our nation would be if we sought to follow the simple and yet profound injunctions of the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. But we must respond to God, Who is offering us forgiveness, mercy, supernatural help, and the power to change."

Billy Graham concluded:
"Third, our commitment must be translated into action - in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our society. Jesus taught there are only two roads in life. One in the broad road that is easy and well-traveled, but which leads to destruction. The other, He said, is the narrow road of truth and faith that at times is hard and lonely, but which leads to life and salvation... What are YOU going to do?... As I look out across this distinguished group gathered here, I see more than a few men and women who have what it takes, under God, to lead our country forward 'through the night'"

Rev. Billy Graham gave a sober warning on October 27, 2015: "In the event of a national catastrophe, much confusion, terror and consternation would reign... Suppose persecution were to come to the church in America, as it has come in other countries. The immunity to persecution that Christians in our country have experienced in the past two or three centuries is unusual. Christ strongly warned Christians that to follow Him would not be popular, and that in most circumstances it would mean cross-bearing and persecution. The Bible says that all who 'desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution' (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that as the time of His return draws nigh, 'They will seize you and persecute you' (Luke 21:12). We have no scriptural foundation for believing that we can forever escape being persecuted for Christ's sake. The normal condition for Christians is that we should suffer persecution. Are you willing to face persecution and death for Christ's sake?"

Billy Graham continued: "Since we have experienced little religious persecution in this country, it is likely that under pressure many would deny Christ. Those who shout the loudest about their faith may surrender soonest. Many who boast of being courageous would be cowardly. Many who say, 'Though all others deny Christ, yet I will never deny Him,' would be the first to warm their hands at the campfires of the enemy. Jesus, in speaking of the last times, warned, 'Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake' (Matthew 24:9). The Scripture says, 'because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold' (Matthew 24:12). The apostle Paul, referring to the coming evil day, said, 'Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand' (Ephesians 6:13)."

Rev. Billy Graham explained further: "Even though most Americans see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, by and large we are making few preparations to meet God. This is a time for repentance and faith. It is a time for soul-searching, to see if our anchor holds. Have you been to the cross where Christ shed His blood for your sins? Have you had the past forgiven? Have you come by faith, confessing that you are a sinner and receiving Christ as your Savior? I tell you that this cross is the only place of refuge in the midst of the storm of judgment that is fast approaching. Make sure of your relationship with God."

Billy Graham concluded: "We must fortify ourselves by meditating upon the person of Christ... Christ must be vitally real to us if we are to prove loyal to Him in the hours of crisis. Today our nation ranks as the greatest power on the face of the earth. But if we put our trust in armed might instead of Almighty God, the coming conflict could conceivably go against us. History and the Bible indicate that mechanical and material might are insufficient in times of great crisis. We need the inner strength that comes from a personal, vital relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ. The wheels of God's judgment can be heard by discerning souls across the length and breadth of nations. Things are happening fast! The need for a return to God has never been more urgent. The words of Isaiah are appropriate for us today: 'Seek the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.'"

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Being Forgiven And Resting In That Forgiveness Are Two Different Things


Common Sense Commentary: Forgiveness of an offender is of greater benefit to the offended, who forgives, than to the offender they are forgiving.

It is easier for God to forgive you than for others, you have offended, to forgive you.... And, it is easier for them to forgive you than for you to forgive yourself.
Sociopaths have no concept of forgiveness because they have no conscience and feel no guilt. They may ask for forgiveness because they have learned it is disarming to those they have offended and therefore to their advantage. But it is not done out of sincere guilt or regret. A normal person, whether a Christian or not, has a deep need of forgiveness, for they know they are sinful, and have done wrong to others. Forgiving one's self is by far the most difficult barrier to peace of mind. God stands ready, at any moment to forgive the penitent soul ... and most people will forgive you for their own peace of mind... if not yours. But for me to forgive myself requires something in addition to repentance ... It requires faith that, not only has God forgiven me, but that He has given the person I offended the grace to forgive me and thereby healed the offence I caused. But that depends, not on me, but on the attitude of the person I offended. One of the most damaging sins a person can inflict upon themselves, to body, mind and spirit, is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness slowly degrades into bitterness and bitterness into hate. An unforgiven offence is an open wound and vulnerable to long term, spiritual infection until it is forgiven. So if you have unforgiveness in your heart, ask God for his forgiveness of your unforgiveness and then forgive your offender and yourself as well. It is the only way to find healing and rest in the peace it brings.

Here is what Jesus said about it....

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive youBut if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. " Matt.6:14-15.




Saturday, November 7, 2015

Do You Truly Love Him ? If So, He Promises You This ....

"But as it is written (in Isa.64:4), Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor.2:9.

"Eye hath not seen...."
So, no matter how beautiful, how radiant any sunrise, sunset, Aurora Borealis, South Pacific isle, Grand Canyon majesty  or star spangled sky ... it does not compare....

".... nor ear heard...."
However glorious, stirring and comforting the orchestration, how lovely the sounds of harmony, precious the voice of a child or loved one ... it still does not compare ....

".... neither have entered into the heart of man...."
Whatever blessed promise or restful thought, however wonderful, comforting or thrilling your imagination or mental portrayal of eternal life in heaven with family, friends, Jesus Himself and God our Father.... it still falls short and does not compare with ".... the things which God hath prepared ....
.... for them that love Him."

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Mark 12:30.





Friday, November 6, 2015

"Latter Times Seducing Spirits And Doctrines Of Devils" Are On The Move


"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim.4:1.

This verse plainly says that the Holy Spirit of God does not just elude, infer, imply or insinuate the truths he wants to impart to our hearts, but "speaks expressly", clearly and directly. In this case, he "speaks expressly" about something which is going to happen in the "latter times". That particular thing is, professing believers, unsaved church members, turning away from the "faith" which they have professed but not possessed. Counterfeit Christians will come to see there is no longer any benefit in carrying on the subterfuge of falsely professing to be believers in Christ.... probably because of increasing persecution against Christians. Jesus called these counterfeits "tares" in Matt.13:24-30. They are unsaved church members who are there for social, business, traditional or other reasons besides loving, worshiping and serving God. This "departure from the faith" will be easily accomplished by their yielding to some "other" Jesus (1Cor.11:4), some false religion, or no religion and "doctrines of devils" in general.

In social science, "seduction", in the above verse, is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage in Illicit acts. The word "seduction" stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". Using the word "doctrines" in conjunction with "devils" intimates a spiritual deviancy or unscriptural perversion of God's word. In other words, "doctrines of devils" reflects another of many of God's "holy" things Satan has counterfeited to confuse and mislead us into serious spiritual error. He does it with God's word, the Holy Spirit, the church, baptism, the Messiah, love, sex and every other holy thing of God. Perverted doctrine is "doctrines of devils".

There is, however, a benefit, to Christ's church, in this departure of religious unbelievers from Christian Fellowships. Persecution will, in effect, purge the church of the chaff, sucker branches, dead wood and weeds from their negative effects within the church body ... and make it more vibrant and healthy to endure latter day difficulties before the Rapture.