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17th November 2024
SundayReflection
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'Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.'
'Q and A'
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Question
I have a neighbour who has physical challenges.
She can do little for herself and yet she is one of the happiest people I've ever known.
I am a Christian also, but I do not have the kind of faith she demonstrates.
While she is bound to a wheelchair, she never fails to say that she looks to the Lord for her strength every day and says that she mounts up with wings like an eagle.
I know that is a Bible verse, but what does it mean?
Answer
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
The eagle is the only bird that can lock its wings and wait for the right wind.
He waits for the updraft, then soars.
So, as we wait on God, He will help us use the adversities and strong winds to benefit us!
The Bible says,
But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
..... Isaiah 40:31
The daughter of a former governor of a province in China once wrote,
"Throughout my many years of illness, I have never dared to ask God why He allowed me to suffer so long.
I only ask what He wants me to do."
So many people strive for one thing more than any other - peace.
The reason they seek it is because there's no lasting comfort or freedom in their lives.
It's like they are always unsettled.
The Bible defines peace primarily in three ways.
1. Psychological peace, the comfort within.
2. Relational peace, harmony among humanity.
3. Spiritual peace, which is between
God and man.
The Bible outlines how sin damages or wipes out all three types of peace.
When God created man, he was at peace with God, himself, and everyone else.
However, that peace was lost when he turned against God.
Peace can be restored, but we can't do it alone.
God provided a way.
Jesus, God's only Son, was sent to our world to take away our sins.
He did so by allowing Himself to be crucified, and it was that sacrifice that made it possible for us to have peace again - peace within ourselves, peace with each other and peace with God.
After Jesus died on the cross, He came back to life.
That demonstrated Jesus is God, but also made it clear He desires for everyone to have perfect peace.
"For He Himself is our peace, ... and He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near"
..... Ephesians 2:14-17
Jesus empowers each of us to overcome every type of sin.
No matter how difficult your situation feels, Jesus can break through it.
But you must first acknowledge your sin and commit to Him, then you can have perfect peace and know its meaning.
Jesus said,
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me"
..... John 16:33
To have peace, you must know the One who can give it.
For the Christian, we must learn to turn our impatience into trust, and our fear of the future into quiet acceptance of God's will, because our lives are in His hands.
Christians can rejoice in the midst of difficulties and even persecution because they have eternity's values in view.
When the pressures are on, they look beyond their present predicament to the glories of Heaven.
The thought of the future life with its prerogatives and joys helps to make the trials of the present seem light and transient.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
Turn your fear and impatience over to Christ.
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'Billy Graham Evangelistic Association'
Founded by Billy Graham, BGEA is a Christian non-profit organization that exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means
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