Message of Rev Billy Graham on his 95th birthday

Rev Billy Graham’s message on his 95^th birthday: the call for Americans to return to Christ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoHPB5OeZ0M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xINxdXRVImc

 

Good books to share

Brother Andrew: God’s Smuggler

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Smuggler-Brother-Andrew/dp/0800793013

Colton Wickramaratni: My Adventure in Faith

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5066358.Colton_Wickramaratne

Bible verse: Psalm 37:4

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Bible verses: 1 Corinthians 15, our faith is based on Christ's resurrection power

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Sermon: Rev. Colton Wickramaratni

Rev Colton Wickramaratni (Sri Lanka)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoUMntg3YVQ

Bible verses: trials and temptations

About trials and temptations (James 1: 2-4; 13-18)

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Why some Christians fall? (Matthew 13: 18-23)

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

How does God look at trials & temptations?

1 Corinthians 10: 13

¹³ No temptation^[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

How to overcome trials & temptations?

James 1: 5-8

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

 

The rewards of a victor

James 1: 12

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.