“This does not mean that God never heals in miraculous ways; I am certain that at times He does. But there are also many times when He does not. We cannot understand why some people appear to glide effortlessly through life, while others always seem to be in the throes of pain and sorrow. We cannot explain why some withered bodies are healed, while others suffer and die. We cannot know why some prayers are answered the way we hoped they would be, while others seemingly go unanswered. We cannot pretend that life in Christ will always guarantee us victory and material success as defined by human standards. On the other hand, when we tell only the stories of victory, we tell just a part of the truth. When we imply that the Christian faith involves no yoke and no burden, we tell less than the whole truth. Half-truths and easy answers are the weapons of deceit. Sometimes God brings healing, either through modern medicine or through miraculous means. But sometimes He doesn’t—and His way is always best, because He loves us and knows what is best for us. Never forget: for the Christian, this life is not all, nor should our physical well-being be our life’s highest goal. Christ is our life, and someday we will go to be with Him for all eternity.”
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Billy Graham
“JANUARY 11 FAITH GROWS BY EXPRESSION You are the light of the world. MATTHEW 5:14 Tom Allan, Scotland’s famous preacher, was brought to Christ while a soldier was singing, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” He said it was neither the song nor the voice, but the spirit in which that soldier sang—something about his manner, something about his sincerity of expression—that convicted Allan of his wicked life and turned him to the Savior. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before [others], that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14, 16). Our faith becomes stronger as we express it; a growing faith is a sharing faith. Pray now for those you know who need Christ, and ask God to help you be a witness to them—by the life you live and the words you speak. JANUARY 12 ALL FOR JESUS We are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. 1 JOHN 5:20 In His Steps, by Charles M. Sheldon, tells of a challenge given by a pastor to his people to pledge for one year not to do anything without first asking the question: “What would Jesus do?” This challenge was kindled when a shabby man, mourning his wife who”
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Billy Graham
“The church has lost its ability to discipline members who live openly in sin. Consequently, we have lost our witness in the community.”
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Billy Graham
“Thousands of Christians compromise their faith in Jesus Christ by denying Him. Even some clergymen neglect or deliberately refuse to close a public prayer in the name of Jesus for fear of offending an unbeliever. They cannot endure the persecution that may follow an acknowledgment of Jesus Christ.”
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Billy Graham
“God’s church is a Bible-centered church, and it grows strong under persecution.”
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Billy Graham
“Grief comes with many losses. Whatever its cause, grief will come to all of us.”
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Billy Graham
“Pray because Christ died to give us access to the Father. Pray because God is worthy of our praise. Pray because we need His forgiveness, cleansing, guidance, and protection. Pray because others need our prayers.”
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Billy Graham
“Just as the Bible is God’s written Word, so Jesus is God’s living Word.”
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Billy Graham
“The cross has become a symbol in much of the Western world, misused by many rock stars and others who do not comprehend its significance.”
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Billy Graham
“I'm in a win-win playoff. " Response of a Christian dying of cancer at thirty on the prospect of miraculous healing.”
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Billy Graham
“Just because a person claims to be a Christian does not necessarily mean that he is one.”
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Billy Graham
“When troubles come may prayer be your automatic response.”
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Billy Graham
“Great crowds followed our Lord . . . as He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed the hungry. However, the moment He started talking about the cross . . . “many . . . no longer followed him” (John 6:66 NIV).”
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Billy Graham
“I urge new converts to take plenty of time in Bible study and prayer before getting on a public platform to testify.”
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Billy Graham
“There is hope for the alcoholic: God is able to deliver from this as well as any other addiction.”
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Billy Graham
