The other day a dear friend of mine posted something on Facebook from Billy Graham's latest book entitled "Nearly Home." © Billy Graham 2011. Here are Dr. Graham's words:
"While growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life, the greatest triumph is yet to come; experiencing victory over death that will usher me into the eternal presence of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. While society may not believe that growing old is a respectable phase of life, my prayer is that believers in Jesus Christ will walk the last mile of the way triumphantly, as Moses did when he died at age 120. What testimony are you passing on to others following you? Remembering what God has done for you will invigorate you in your old age. Others are watching your actions and attitudes. Don't diminish the impact God can make through you; pass on the foundational truths of God's Word so that the younger generations will be as Joshua after Moses died: "Filled with the spirit of wisdom."
I haven't read the book yet, but these profound words really hit home to me as we start another New Year. I may not be "old" but I believe these words can apply to anyone who is taking a hard look at their life as they move forward and re-evaluate their walk with the Lord.
So, I'm asking myself - What is the purpose of my life at the age of 57? What kind of legacy am I leaving for my children, my future grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends? When they look at me, what do they really see?
I'm absolutely sure of what I want them to see. I want them to see a Godly woman. I want them to see someone who lives her life by the Word of God and someone who is a person of principle who stands by her beliefs. To me there is nothing worse than a wishy washy person and I never want to be one.
When my loved ones have a crisis in their lives, and they surely will, I want them to know they can come to me and I do my best to comfort them. I will try to reach out in anyway I can. I want them to know that Jesus comes first in my life and after that truth, everything else falls into place. Matthew 6:33 says it so well: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I want my loved ones and friends to know I strive everyday to keep God first place in my life, by the way I act, think, speak and live. Not always easy because the Devil is alive and well and just loves to disrupt the lives of believers and ruin their witness to the world.
I have lived a blessed life because in my short 57 years on this earth, I thankfully have learned what's truly important in life. I know what it's like to face a life altering event because it happened to me 15 years ago. I know what's it's like to make a simple trip to the doctor and be told you didn't have long to live. That snaps your priorities into place real quick! Everything else just fades away. All the minutia of life that you thought was so important you realize very quickly doesn't mean a thing.
Reading Billy Graham's insightful words about "God invigorating you" helped me to remember that in the darkest time of my life, my Lord Jesus Christ WAS there for me in a profound way. I have never, ever felt closer to my Jesus than during that crisis.
In the midst of the numerous doctor visits and every test known to man, I had extreme peace. That kind of peace can only come from God. Philippians 4:7 tells us "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That is absolutely true! I had never felt that kind of peace, ever. It surely came from the Lord as He enveloped me with His love. I knew it then and I have never, ever forgotten it, and never will. It was an overpowering feeling of love.
Forever and Ever © Greg Olsen
This is how I felt when I was sick 15 years ago, like a little girl enveloped in the arms of God
As we move forward with 2013, I want refocus my life on Jesus, thanking Him for the many blessings He bestowed upon me in the past, and continues to give me each day! I want to spend the rest of my life glorifying Him in every way possible. I want to bring Him Glory in my thoughts, my words and in my actions. Psalm 19:14 says it all: "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
I pray,
Amen and Amen
"While growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life, the greatest triumph is yet to come; experiencing victory over death that will usher me into the eternal presence of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. While society may not believe that growing old is a respectable phase of life, my prayer is that believers in Jesus Christ will walk the last mile of the way triumphantly, as Moses did when he died at age 120. What testimony are you passing on to others following you? Remembering what God has done for you will invigorate you in your old age. Others are watching your actions and attitudes. Don't diminish the impact God can make through you; pass on the foundational truths of God's Word so that the younger generations will be as Joshua after Moses died: "Filled with the spirit of wisdom."
I haven't read the book yet, but these profound words really hit home to me as we start another New Year. I may not be "old" but I believe these words can apply to anyone who is taking a hard look at their life as they move forward and re-evaluate their walk with the Lord.
So, I'm asking myself - What is the purpose of my life at the age of 57? What kind of legacy am I leaving for my children, my future grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends? When they look at me, what do they really see?
I'm absolutely sure of what I want them to see. I want them to see a Godly woman. I want them to see someone who lives her life by the Word of God and someone who is a person of principle who stands by her beliefs. To me there is nothing worse than a wishy washy person and I never want to be one.
When my loved ones have a crisis in their lives, and they surely will, I want them to know they can come to me and I do my best to comfort them. I will try to reach out in anyway I can. I want them to know that Jesus comes first in my life and after that truth, everything else falls into place. Matthew 6:33 says it so well: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I want my loved ones and friends to know I strive everyday to keep God first place in my life, by the way I act, think, speak and live. Not always easy because the Devil is alive and well and just loves to disrupt the lives of believers and ruin their witness to the world.
I have lived a blessed life because in my short 57 years on this earth, I thankfully have learned what's truly important in life. I know what it's like to face a life altering event because it happened to me 15 years ago. I know what's it's like to make a simple trip to the doctor and be told you didn't have long to live. That snaps your priorities into place real quick! Everything else just fades away. All the minutia of life that you thought was so important you realize very quickly doesn't mean a thing.
Reading Billy Graham's insightful words about "God invigorating you" helped me to remember that in the darkest time of my life, my Lord Jesus Christ WAS there for me in a profound way. I have never, ever felt closer to my Jesus than during that crisis.
In the midst of the numerous doctor visits and every test known to man, I had extreme peace. That kind of peace can only come from God. Philippians 4:7 tells us "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That is absolutely true! I had never felt that kind of peace, ever. It surely came from the Lord as He enveloped me with His love. I knew it then and I have never, ever forgotten it, and never will. It was an overpowering feeling of love.
This is how I felt when I was sick 15 years ago, like a little girl enveloped in the arms of God
As we move forward with 2013, I want refocus my life on Jesus, thanking Him for the many blessings He bestowed upon me in the past, and continues to give me each day! I want to spend the rest of my life glorifying Him in every way possible. I want to bring Him Glory in my thoughts, my words and in my actions. Psalm 19:14 says it all: "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
So, I ask you~~~~~What are you doing with the rest of YOUR life?
My verses for today are above in red.
My prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father:
Thank you for your love. Thank you for Dr. Billy Graham and his inspiring words that touched me so much. Help me to re-focus my life on you to live for you each and every day of this New Year. Help me to be a light onto the world, shining with your Love for all to see.
My verses for today are above in red.
My prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father:
Thank you for your love. Thank you for Dr. Billy Graham and his inspiring words that touched me so much. Help me to re-focus my life on you to live for you each and every day of this New Year. Help me to be a light onto the world, shining with your Love for all to see.
I pray,
Amen and Amen
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about yourself and the words of Billy Graham. I will deliberately look for his book so I can read his thoughts. God Bless you as you continue the journey God has already planned for you. Jer. 29:11
ReplyDeleteI agree. As I grow older, my focus is to be on Him and His will, not mine. The old habits try to die hard but they gotta go, they are in the way. Growing older is really a nice phase of life. I find I don't worry that much what others think. I don't mean this in a rude way, but I am much less concerned about measuring up. I am more willing to try and do things that before would have intimidated me. What if I failed? Now,so what, at least I gave it a shot. Thanks for your posts, they are always encouraging.
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