B ILLY GRAHAM IN QUOTES Limited Edition Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd i
2011 Franklin Graham All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked niv are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked nkjv are from the New King James Version. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked nasb are from the New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. Scripture quotations markedd esv are from the English Standard Version. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7180-9936-7 (custom) ISBN 978-0-7180-3054-4 (LE) ISBN 978-1-4002-7681-3 (CU) ISBN 978-0-8499-4833-6 (hardcover) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Graham, Billy, 1918 [Selections. 2011] Billy Graham in quotes / [edited by] Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. 389 432). ISBN 978-0-8499-4649-3 (pbk.) 1. Graham, Billy, 1918 Quotations. I. Graham, Franklin, 1952 II. Toney, Donna Lee. III. Title. IV. Title: In quotes. BV3785.G69A25 2011 230.6 dc22 2011003592 Printed in China 17 18 19 20 21 RRD 5 4 3 2 1 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd ii
Billy Graham on Angels Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word. Psalm 103:20 NKJV 1 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 1
Billy Graham in Quotes I believe in angels because the Bible says there are angels; and I believe the Bible to be the true Word of God. 1 We face dangers every day of which we are not even aware. Often God intervenes on our behalf through the use of His angels. 2 Some people seem to put the devil on a par with God. Actually, Satan is a fallen angel. 3 2 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 2
Billy Graham on Angels [Angels] guide, comfort, and provide for the people of God in the midst of suffering and persecution. 4 The empire of angels is as vast as God s creation. If you believe the Bible, you will believe in their ministry. 5 Whether or not we sense and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit or one of the holy angels, by faith we are certain God will never leave us or forsake us. 6 3 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 3
Billy Graham in Quotes [Angels] crisscross the Old and New Testaments, being mentioned directly or indirectly nearly 300 times. 7 Just as millions of angels participated in the dazzling show when the morning stars sang together at creation, so will the innumerable hosts of heaven help bring to pass God s prophetic declarations throughout time and into eternity. 8 4 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 4
Billy Graham on Comfort I can take comfort in this... I have not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6:10 5 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 5
Billy Graham in Quotes It is a comfort to hear the words of God in times of stress. 1 God doesn t comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters. 2 Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has done. 3 6 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 6
Billy Graham on Comfort We should go to no place that we would not go in His Presence. But He is not with us just to judge or condemn us; He is near to comfort, protect, guide, encourage, strengthen, cleanse, and help. 4 7 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 7
Billy Graham in Quotes There are countless opportunities to comfort others, not only in the loss of a loved one, but also in the daily distress that so often creeps into our lives. 5 Because tragedy happened to you, it gives you a greater sense of oneness with others who experience tragedy. Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. 6 8 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 8
Billy Graham on Comfort When we are a comfort and encouragement to others, we are sometimes surprised at how it comes back to us many times over. 7 Humanity wants comfort in its sorrow, light in its darkness, peace in its turmoil, rest in its weariness, and healing in its sickness and diseases: The Gospel gives all of this to us. 8 9 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 9
Billy Graham on Encouragement Encourage me by your word. Psalm 119:28 10 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 10
Billy Graham on Encouragement The Bible teaches us to be more concerned about the needs and feelings of others than our own. We are to encourage and build self-confidence in our loved ones, friends, and associates. 1 11 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 11
Billy Graham in Quotes All around you are people whose lives are filled with trouble and sorrow, and they need your compassion and encouragement. 2 With an old head and a young heart, you can be a source of real strength [to others] who need your cheer and encouragement. 3 12 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 12
Billy Graham on Encouragement [The Holy Spirit] will remain with every believer right to the end. This thought has encouraged me a thousand times in these dark days when satanic forces are at work. 4 13 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 13
Billy Graham in Quotes Sometimes we encourage someone without even being aware of it. Even the example we set by attending church may encourage someone who is searching for God. 5 Renewal is brought by the Holy Spirit. Believers will learn what it means to minister to one another and build each other up. No longer will our lives seem ordinary and indistinguishable from the rest of the world. 6 14 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 14
Billy Graham on Faith So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV 15 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 15
Billy Graham in Quotes Faith literally means to give up, surrender, or commit. Faith is complete confidence. 1 Faith in Christ is voluntary. A person cannot be coerced, bribed, or tricked into trusting Jesus. God will not force His way into your life. The Holy Spirit will do everything possible to disturb you, draw you, love you but finally it is your personal decision. 2 16 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 16
Billy Graham on Faith Discouragement is the opposite of faith. It is Satan s device to thwart the work of God in your life. 3 Do you want your faith to grow? Then let the Bible begin to saturate your mind and soul. 4 17 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 17
Billy Graham in Quotes [The] inability to comprehend fully the mysteries of God does not in any way curtail the Christian faith. On the contrary, it enhances our belief. We do not understand the intricate pattern of the stars in their courses, but we know that He who created them does, and that just as surely as He guides them, He is charting a safe course for us. 5 18 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 18
Billy Graham on Faith The Bible teaches that faith will manifest itself in three ways. It will manifest itself in doctrine in what you believe. It will manifest itself in worship your communion with God... It will manifest itself in morality in the way you live and behave. 6 Christians who are strong in the faith grow as they accept whatever God allows to enter their lives. 7 19 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 19
Billy Graham in Quotes I have never been to the North Pole, and yet I believe there is a North Pole. How do I know? I know because somebody told me. I read about it in a history book, I saw a map in a geography book, and I believe the men who wrote those books. I accept it by faith. The Bible says, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God [Romans 10:17 KJV]. 8 20 Billy Graham in Q_294C.indd 20