If the only thing I have on this earth is Jesus, He is enough.  If I have everything but Jesus, I have nothing.

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?”  Matthew 16:26 (NLT)

 

There will be wolves in our lives, dark days, ups and downs, constant trouble, things that will make it seem that life has no point, but Jesus has the power to lift you up when your down, the power to bring light when it seems your surrounded by darkness, the power to make your burdens light, He truly is our only Hope.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Keep your head up, don’t fret, give up the things in your life that get in the way of you taking up your cross daily.  Examine your heart and the daily decisions you make and how they can be better used to enriched your relationship with Jesus, and using them to enrich Jesus into the lives of others: your friends, family, kids, neighbors, both loved ones and enemies. Think of what is honoring to God.  Think of a future in Heaven.  Think of being the influence/blessing that God can use you to be in the life of another person.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Despite life’s downsides, give God the praise due Him for the many blessings.  That alone is able to change your perspective on life.  He is always near.

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8 (NLT)

Dear Rev. Billy Graham,

It has been twenty years since I last wrote to you at the age of fourteen.  It’s when I started sensing the Holy Spirit move in me like I have never experienced before.  One evening I turned on my 13″ tv and adjusted the bunny ear antennas attached with aluminum foil at the ends mimicking flags, in hopes of getting clear enough reception to join in on your crusade broadcast.  I remember your message was simple, not confusing and capable of hitting directly to anyones heart if they dare to listen.  I realized to not only listen to your words, but also noticed your own life demonstrated what you preached.  You made it clear that your message was circled around the cross and why Jesus willing gave up His life for our sins, a simple powerful message.

Strangely I was compelled to write to you that day thanking you for your ministry and to pray for God’s path and direction on my life.  I had no expectations that I’d hear back from you due to the obvious schedule you have, but to my surprise you asked your assistant to reply back in a letter along with a copy of your autographed photo.  The letter was encouraging. A little hope can go a long way.  That’s true because I still remember that time till this day.

Today I wish that you’d receive this letter with the hopes that you’d respond once again.  I would certainly like to hear what your experiencing in Heaven at this very moment.  What was it like to wake up in such a glorious presence? What did you first see? Who have you met?  Tell me about the streets of gold and the many colors.  Tell me, what did you say when you first met Jesus?  Did you feel the marks on his hands?  I imagine it would be a constant reminder of the price Jesus paid and the sacrifice you yourself made in hopes of bringing others to Heaven and experience what you’re experiencing now.  I can only imagine.

It’s mentioned that in 1995 you made this statement

“My favorite verse of Scripture was taught to me by my mother when I was just a little boy.

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

This is the one Scripture that I always preach on in a crusade, usually on the opening night. I suppose it is the most familiar passage in the Bible. It has only twenty-five words in the English translation of it, but it is the Gospel in a nutshell. Someone has called it a miniature Bible. The word “whosoever” in this verse means the whole world. Whatever the color of a person’s skin, whatever language he speaks, God loves him and God is willing to save him. To me that is marvelous. It also says that life doesn’t begin when you die, it begins here and now.”

Like you, I also had a mother who took my sister, brother and I to church every Sunday.  It’s because of that hope and the scriptures spoken into me at such a young age that my journey in Christ began to grow by the same verse.  It’s the verse where all of our journeys with Christ begin, and continue on in Heaven.

      “Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a King then?”  Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”  John 18:37

Jesus came to testify, the disciples and Paul testified.  There is power in a testimony.  You testified, evangelized and prayed for many.  It didn’t go unnoticed that God’s power worked wonders in your life. Scripture says that there is such power of a righteous person.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

I  thank you Rev. Billy Graham for testifying to the truth about Jesus, Faith, Hope and Love.  Indeed you are of truth, indeed you heard His voice.

In Christ Alone,

Gary Woods, Jr

P.S.  You indeed have been refined as pure gold.