(This was almost funny):Did Marriage Come from the Devil?~Billy Graham

Did Marriage Come from the Devil?

By Billy Graham

Christian Post Guest Columnist

Q: I know preachers like to say that God gave marriage to us, but I think my marriages must have come from the devil. I'm only two years into my third marriage, and now it's fallen apart. How can I be sure my next marriage won't end up the same way? - Mrs. M.V.

A: God didn't intend for marriage to be a source of conflict or unhappiness for us - not at all. God brought Adam and Eve together, and His plan was for them to live together in perfect peace and harmony. And at first they did.

But something happened to them - and that "something" was sin. They turned away from God and His will, and instead of caring for each other and loving each other, they began putting themselves first - and that led to conflict. And that's always the case when we put ourselves first and leave God out of our lives. When that happens, the Bible says, we easily become ruled by "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy" (Galatians 5:20-21). Has this happened in your life or marriage?

This is why the most important step you can take is to turn your life over to Christ and ask Him to change you from within. God loves you and wants to fill you with His love. Begin a new life today by opening your life to Christ. By a simple prayer of faith confess your sins and commit yourself to Him.

Then ask Him to guide you in the future. If it's His will for you to remarry, ask Him to guide you to the person of His choice - someone who loves God, and will love you selflessly and fully. Don't be satisfied with anything less than God's will.

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Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories - through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.

Harvest Crusades Reaches 4 Million on Historic Night

By Lillian Kwon

Christian Post Reporter

Mon, Aug. 17 2009 12:38 PM EDT

The Harvest Crusades made history Sunday night, breaking the 4 million mark of persons reached.

Some 50,000 people filled Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., to capacity to hear evangelist Greg Laurie talk about heaven and to celebrate the ministry's 20th year of crusade evangelism in Southern California. Another 5,000 were turned away at the gate.

"You know, people have asked me what has been the highlight of the Harvest Crusades for me over the last 20 years," Laurie said as he addressed an enthusiastic crowd. "I've recounted some experiences ... but I have to amend that. I would say tonight is the highlight for me ... because tonight we just broke our record.

"We have reached in person ... 4 million people."

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  (Photo: Havest)
  Harvest Crusade attendees raise their hands in worship during the Aug. 14-16, 2009, evangelistic event at Angel Stadium in Southern California.
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  (Photo: Havest)
  An attendee worships at the Southern California Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009.
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  Thousands make professions for Christ at the Southern California Harvest Crusade on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009.

Related
• Greg Laurie Celebrates 20 Years of S. Calif. Evangelism
• Calif. Harvest Crusade Kicks Off with 'Everything Is Meaningless' Talk

Along with the large attendance at the stadium, thousands more joined the crusade on the Internet and on their iPhones. This was the first time live streaming was available for iPhone and iPod Touch users.

It was the final night of the three-day Harvest Crusade which, for the first time, packed the stadium two nights in a row. And for Laurie, it was like "a slice of heaven."

"This is just a preview of things to come," the well-known evangelist, dressed in his signature black button-up shirt, said.

Joining Laurie on stage on the special night were his family and Pastors Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.

"I don't know why you think you came here tonight, but you're not here by accident," Warren, bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life, said in a familiar statement. "A thousand years before you were born, God knew you would be here tonight."

More than 4,500 people made decisions for Christ on Sunday, bringing the total number of professions over the three nights to 11,969 and over the last two decades to 329,572.

"What can I say? To God be the glory," Laurie said. "This is the power of the Gospel. This should encourage us all to never be ashamed of the Gospel or embarrassed about our faith. These are people that are ready to believe, people that want to know the answer."

After 20 consecutive years of preaching the Gospel in a large venue in Southern California, Laurie explained that continues to hold the crusades because he is a man under order.

"I have a Commander-in-Chief called Jesus," he recently wrote in a devotional. "He has commanded me to go into all the world and preach the Gospel."

"We have the solution to humanity's problems," he added. "We have the way for people to know God. If we only apply that in our own lives and keep it to ourselves and never tell others, then certainly that is falling short of what God would want."

On Sunday, the long-time evangelist told people how to get to heaven and what heaven will be like.

Heaven, he assured, is a real place for real people. It's a prepared place for prepared people, he added.

"Why would we reject a gift like eternal life? It's the only gift that keeps on giving."

Making sure he told the complete story, Laurie also reminded listeners that there is also a hell.

"God doesn't send people to hell. If you end up in hell you'll have no one to blame but yourself. The last thing God wants is for you to spend eternity separated from Him."

Encouraging the thousands to make their life count, Laurie invited them to choose spending eternity with Jesus.

The anniversary event concluded with a fireworks show and worship led by Chris Tomlin. In total, 126,000 people attended the historic crusade.

Face the Book and Last Call back on schedule

Last Call...the Blog of Daily Devotions has gotten a "face lift" and is "Face the Book" Last Call.

As of Today it is back on schedule.

Starting Thursday, This site Michael James Stone, will be back on schedule.

After a visit to So Calif for Harvest Crusade which saw attendance records of 50,000 the last night and Chris Tomlin, Rick Warren, Greg Laurie and Chuck Smith....it would have been a good time to drop dead and go to heaven but unfortunately instead I sang, shouted, laughed, cried and watched thousands come to Jesus.

Time is short,
all I can really say about the Crusade is this,

If you have a loved one unsaved, stop what you are doing, Go tell them at least once about you and Jesus.

Even if they don't listen, you can pray later, but for now, at least once tell them about Jesus.

All sites will be back on schedule starting Friday

Michael James Stone