Wisdom for Each Day – July 8

Deep in your heart are you totally surrendered and committed to Christ?  Outwardly the Israelites in Joshua’s day were followers of God – but in their hearts they were idolators.  Joshua told them that this hypocrisy could not continue.  They were to decide whether they wanted to serve the true and living God, or serve their idols.  It was Israel’s day of decision.  They were to go on record – either for God or against Him.  Likewise, we must decide whom we will serve.  After all, a Christian should forsake everything false and turn wholeheartedly to Jesus.

These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Isaiah 29:13

Billy Graham – Wisdom for Each Day

Wisdom for Each Day – July 7

As far as the unbelieving world’s understanding is concerned, Christianity is a gospel of crisis: It boldly proclaims that this world’s days are numbered. Every cemetery testifies that our days on this planet are indeed numbered.  The Bible teaches that life is only a vapor that appears for a moment and then vanishes (James 4:14).

There is another sense, however, in which the world-system will end: there will be an end of history and the end of a world that has been dominated by evil.  Jesus will come again and set up His kingdom of righteousness and social justice, and hatred, greed, jealousy, war, and death will no longer exist.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!  For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.  Joel 3:14

Billy Graham – Wisdom for Each Day

Wisdom for Each Day – July 6

Love is not the whole of our spiritual life because it is only one of the virtues God wants us to have.  If we ignore the other virtues – such as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – our life will be unbalanced and incomplete.

Why are these virtues so important?  One reason is because these virtues were part of Christ’s character – and God’s will is that we would be come more like Christ.  In addition, as the apostle Peter said, “If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive” (2 Peter 1:8).

Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  2 Peter 1:5-7

Billy Graham – Wisdom for Each Day

Wisdom for Each Day – July 5

I will never forget one picture [from a church in Moldavia].  It is of a stairway to Heaven, and pilgrims are going up the ladder.  Below them are devils trying to pull them down into the flames of hell.  At the top of the picture, Jesus is standing, waiting in Heaven for the faithful, and above the pilgrims are angels helping them along.  That scene shows the great battle between good and evil, between God and Satan, that rages in the heavens and on this earth.

Today – and every day – put on the full armor of God to fight Satan’s attacks.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:12

Billy Graham – Wisdom for Each Day

Wisdom for Each Day – July 4

Because they couldn’t resolve their conflicts, [the delegates of the Constitutional Convention] picked up their hats and coats and started to leave.  Suddenly Benjamin Franklin spoke up.

“Wait a minute, gentlemen,” he is reported to have said.  “This county was conceived in faith in God.  Many of us here believe in prayer.  Let us get upon our knees and pray to Almighty God and see whether God shall give us the answer to our dilemma.”

Upon their knees those men went, and out of that prayer meeting came the immortal Constitution of the United States of America.

What dilemma in your nation – or in your life – is compelling you to get down on your knees and seek God’s answer?

If my people…pray and seek my face…I will hear from heaven.  2 Chronicles 7:14

Billy Graham – Wisdom for Each Day