Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.
Acts 16:31, NKJV
Today is my dad’s birthday. It would have been his seventy-eighth, but the Lord took him home last March after a long, hard battle with cancer.
Since my dad went to be with the Lord, not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. But today especially my dad’s love and legacy are lingering in my thoughts.
If my dad were here today, I believe that he would want me to tell you that Jesus loves you and that no situation or circumstance you may encounter in this life is beyond His limitless reach.
After enduring many difficult circumstances, my dad surrendered his life to Christ. Although his struggles did not cease, he knew deep within his soul that God loved him and that no matter how difficult life became, there would always be hope.
Today, on my dad’s birthday, is also the day that Dr. Billy Graham, one of the world’s most influential evangelists, passed away. Billy Graham and my dad had one thing in common: they both hope found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Many years ago my dad’s parents learned about this hope through one of Billy Graham’s crusades. I couldn’t be more thankful today for this hope that was then passed down to me through my grandparents’ faith, prayers, and love for the Lord.
Today I feel compelled to share this hope with you. It is a hope that I discovered at the age of nine, when I learned how much God loved me and had an eternal plan for my life. This hope is found in John 3:16–17, which says,
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (NKJV)
It is God’s desire that none perish, but that all have eternal life—that all have hope!
This hope should impact our lives not only after death but also right now.
Knowing that God loves us is knowing that we are not alone. Knowing that God loves us is knowing that our lives are in His hands. Knowing that God loves us is knowing that no matter what we go through in this life, there is always hope, because the God of hope is with us, and He is able!
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you can come to know Him today. His arms are open wide, ready to receive you, and give you lasting hope.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Today Billy Graham and my dad are in heaven, and I pray that one day you will be there too!
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for captivating me with Your love. When I was lost, You found me. When I was wounded, You healed me. When I was thirsty, You filled me. In the darkness, You rescued me. You gave me hope and help through times of desperation. You gave me peace and patience through times of pain. You gave me joy, unceasing, even through the trials. In You I am no longer the same. Reach into people’s hearts and make Yourself real to all those who don’t know You as their Savior and Lord. Allow them to experience Your love, joy, and peace today and every day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.