John 3:16 – “Me and Billy Graham”?

Absorbing God’s Word

“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

Applying God’s Word

Billy Graham died at age 99, last Wednesday. His favorite bible passage (John 3:16) was taught to him by his mother when he was a child.

My dad took me to hear Billy Graham at the San Francisco Cow Palace in 1958. I was twelve years old and scared of my own shadow. Billy Graham was forty years old, had a commanding voice and personality. He invited everyone down to the stage so they could give their life to Jesus.

There was no fear in me that night. As they played “Just As I Am”, I walked forward to surrender my life to Jesus. It was powerful. I felt God’s anointing for the first time that evening and Billy Graham became one of my spiritual heroes.

Billy Graham said, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”

Billy Graham said, “accept the fact that you will die.” Second, “make arrangements.” Third, “make provision for those you are leaving behind.” And finally, “make an appointment with God.”

Accounting of God’s Word

If I am making an appointment with God daily, I too will accept my own death, make arrangements for my departure and make provisions for those I leave behind.