When Billy Graham passed away in February, I was truly captivated by the outpouring of gratitude and honor for this man who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel. It was a treasure to watch Billy Graham’s Memorial Service and hear the way that his family and longtime friends spoke of the way that he had invested in their lives for the sake of eternity. Dr. Graham certainly would not have wanted any of the spectacle to be focused on him, but instead for people to be pointed to Jesus. The good news is…that goal was certainly realized!
I have seen Billy Graham’s book, The Reason for My Hope, before and just had not picked it up yet. After watching his memorial and reading several articles and testimonies, I knew I wanted to hear Dr. Graham’s story from his perspective. What a blessing! I consider it a HUGE privilege to have heard some of his stories of his own salvation as well as conversations he has had with many other people about their salvation. This was a great read, I highly recommend it! I highlighted several things while reading and have posted those notes below…
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Perhaps the greatest psychological, physical, and spiritual need all people have is the need for hope that builds our faith and points us beyond our problems. Location: 109
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Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. —1 PETER 3:15 KJV Location: 123
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What we seldom stop to realize is that when we are rescued from something, we are also saved for something. Location: 318
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Redemption is a word filled with hope and promise and involves a giver and a receiver. Location: 361
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God puts within each soul a longing to know Him. But sin is a barrier that keeps us from enjoying a relationship with God. Sin is like a prison cell we cannot break out of. We are bound by it unless we are freed from it. Location: 456
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There are two ingredients to deceit: a good bit of truth and a few little lies. Location: 535
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After you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation . . . having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. (EPHESIANS 1:13–14) Location: 632
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We trespass against God when we depend on self-sufficiency instead of practicing faith in God, self-will instead of submission to God, and self-seeking instead of serving God. Location: 739
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Humanity’s chief trouble is sin. God’s chief truth is the wonderful gift of His salvation. And Jesus Christ is the only remedy for sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Location: 765
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Repentance is more than just being sorry for our sin; it is a complete turning away from our total depravity. Location: 888
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Vincent Van Gogh, the great Dutch painter and mysterious personality, commented “Christ . . . is more of an artist than the artists; he works in the living spirit and the living flesh, he makes men instead of statues.” Location: 1,540
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Dr. Charles Malik, past president of the United Nations General Assembly and someone I was privileged to know, wrote “These Things I Believe,” which included this memorable line about Jesus: “His words are wonderful; his acts, including his resurrection, were wonderful; but he himself is far more wonderful. . . . he said what he said, and did what he did, only because he was who he said he was!”52 Dr. Malik is also quoted as having asked, “Having fully realized that the whole world is dissolving before our very eyes, it is impossible to ask a more far-reaching question than this: ‘Do you believe in Jesus Christ?’”53 Location: 1,607
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The human race has always been on a quest for truth and acceptance, yet men and women are unwilling to accept the One who is the truth. His name is Almighty God, wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. Jesus is willing to accept all who come to Him in truth, but the world doesn’t want to belong to Him. Location: 1,806
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True Christianity is not religion. True Christianity is faith in Christ alone. Location: 2,010
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Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (GALATIANS 5:24 NIV) Location: 2,270
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Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. (ISAIAH 5:20) Location: 2,493
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We talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, but we seldom talk about the sacrifice He expects from us. While salvation is purely the work of Jesus on the cross, our acceptance of it is dependent upon our sincerity. The Bible says, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. (PSALM 51:17) Location: 2,572
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For we were saved in this hope . . . we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (ROMANS 8:24–25) Location: 2,694
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Who is this Man of hope? His name is Jesus Christ. Hope rests in God’s Son alone, not in the affairs or the change agents of this world. True hope and real change is coming to this world. No government can prevent it, no individual can escape it, and those who refuse to embrace its reality will never change its certainty. The end of the world as we know it will take place when Christ returns to earth. It is a doomsday prediction for scoffers who refuse to believe, but it is a glorious prospect for those who know He is coming again. Jesus Christ will one day come back in great glory—as King. Are you looking for Him? Location: 2,806
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The human heart does not change without Christ transforming it. For those who believe they can be good without repentance from total depravity, without humbling themselves before Jesus Christ, who redeems fallen humanity, they are engaged in folly, just as in the days of Noah: Location: 2,944
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There is coming a day of greater conflict than the world has ever known. Those who belong to Jesus Christ will endure persecution with hope, knowing that God’s righteousness will be victorious over the embattlement of sin. Where do you stand on the battlefield of good versus evil? Location: 3,082
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Do you think He is coming back? I don’t think it; I know He’s coming back—and soon. THIS IS MY HOPE. Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us. (TITUS 2:13–14) Location: 3,105