In Kathie Lee Gifford’s interview yesterday on Megyn Kelly TODAY, the actress, singer, and talk-show host shared memories of her beloved friend. Amid personal anecdotes and expressing gratitude for his ministry and how it impacted her family’s faith, Gifford also shared from the heart about her faith in Jesus. Looking directly at the audience at times, she said that we have hope, as Christians, when we die. She also said that our world really needs peace right now, no doubt a nod to recent tragedies. Not holding back, she continued: “If you had the cure for cancer, would you keep it quiet? I know the cure for malignancy of the soul, and He has a name, it’s Jesus.”
In the wake of Billy Graham’s death, Gifford has been given a platform to share the Gospel message to countless viewers. Not only did she share on this show, but on her own show, TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Since this significant interview, The TODAY Show has continued to report on Rev. Graham’s passing, featuring other interview segments, including one this morning with Rev. Graham’s son, Franklin Graham.
Commenting on Rev. Graham’s roles as both father and preacher, Franklin Graham said they were one in the same: “He spent his life telling people about Heaven, how to get to Heaven. He wrote books on Heaven. Now he’s in Heaven.” He continued, “And he would want me to tell everybody watching that if you put your faith and trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that you can be in Heaven, too. And so, my father’s there, and he would wish everybody watching would confess their sins and repent and believe on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. That would be what he would want everyone to know this morning.”
Along with Franklin Graham and Kathie Lee Gifford, other prominent cultural figures have shared what Billy Graham meant to them and how the Gospel changed their lives. One, in particular, who perhaps has the greatest reach, is Vice President Mike Pence. In his address at CPAC, Pence took a moment to acknowledge the loss of Rev. Graham. He referenced Rev. Graham’s speech after September 11th and reiterated the profound words that are still relevant to America today: “…he admonished Americans, to, in his words, ‘come together… to confess our need for God.’ He said, ‘we’ve always needed God from the beginning of this nation, but today, we need Him especially,’ and he reminded us that the Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, therefore, we will not fear.” (Psalm 46:1-2a)
These are but a few instances in which Billy Graham’s passing has given believers opportunities to share the Gospel on a wide scale. As people continue to be interviewed and more news stories emerge, Billy Graham’s testimony and message about Christ reach a greater number of people, worldwide.
Let us be in prayer for those who are given an opportunity to speak during this time, that they may have boldness and that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say. And let us also pray for opportunities in our own lives to share the Gospel.
Watch a Live Stream of Billy Graham’s preaching from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.
Visit the BGEA’s memorial page for Billy Graham to leave a condolence message.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Publication date: February 22, 2018
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