Billy Graham, world-renowned preacher, evangelist, and author, delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and ministered on every continent of the world in more than 185 countries.
Millions have read his inspirational classics, including Angels, Peace with God, The Holy Spirit, Hope for the Troubled Heart, How to Be Born Again, The Journey, Nearing Home, and The Reason for My Hope.
As Christians, we have the greatest gifts that are available to all who choose to receive Jesus Christ, but received only by those who have accepted him. One of these gifts is the eight beatitudes of Christ, found in Matthew 5:3-10, which have helped me (and I’m sure many others) look ahead to God’s plan of redemption in their lives: spiritual, physical, and in many other areas. And the Lord has spoken through Dr. Billy Graham in The Secret of Happiness: where Dr. Graham examines all eight beatitudes individually, and dissects them, one-by-one. Just what are the results?
Well, one of the most notable ones is Dr. Graham’s observation of the famous question, “why do bad things happen to good people,” the same title of the bestselling book by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner that made people believe God to be finite (see my review). Dr. Graham takes us through the Bible’s passages on suffering, offering interpretation, and helps us apply them to the present day world. If you are not being persecuted, it might not necessarily mean you haven’t been faithful, Dr. Graham teaches; you live in a Christian nation! For me, this was a breath of fresh air, as I live in a town where most people are Christians, and may be tempted to wonder if they haven’t been faithful when they haven’t been persecuted. Dr. Graham does a jam-up job explaining the last of the eight beatitudes, and his perspective here may change the direction of your life and faith for all eternity. (The same intention Dr. Graham had with his last sermon, The Cross, when it aired on his ninety-fifth birthday this past November, 2013, according to Franklin Graham in his introduction to his father’s sermon.)
It doesn’t stop there, however. Dr. Graham helps us to look ahead to our heavenly futures as we mourn (the second beatitude, which says God will comfort those who mourn), helps us to take steps to happiness, and, among others, teaches us the secret of contentment, no matter what our circumstances may be. If you are rich, that may seem like a piece of cake. If you are poor, however, and have an uncertain future, this book may be one of God’s greatest gifts to you: not before the cross and the Bible, but right at the very top with them.
And even if you are rich, you are not exempt from trials: as a Christian or a non-Christian. Dig deep into the soil of truth planted by Jesus Christ on this earth more than a thousand years ago, and you will find the greatest sustainment of all time: the sustainment of Jesus Christ, who died for everyone, not just the sinners and not just the saints either. Money is a treasure that will fade away when we die—maybe even before then. Christ’s love is a treasure that we will have with us for all eternity, in what he referred to as Paradise to the thief on the cross (see Luke 23:43), if we choose to accept and follow him as Lord.
Highly recommended for ALL believers and ALL seeking to become believers as well.
– Bstrassell0001
February 21, 2014
The Secret of Happiness–The Sermon on the Mount Revisited
– Stephen W. Hiemstra
October 14, 2000
This book explains the beatitudes and the conclusion of it.
– Matthew
May 26, 2001
Please Leave All Comments in the Comment Box Below ↓
Hi There,
Thanks for reminding me about Billy Graham I remember he did a speech at Villa Park in Birmingham and there were thousands of people there. I’m a Christian but not devoted although I have a story I would like to tell you one day to when Jesus reached out for me through God. I would love to read the secrets of happiness so thanks for introducing this book to me on your website. It’s quite obvious to know that at a time like today with the virus we should reach out for God as much as we can and ask for forgiveness for what we have done to this world it could be our last chance to reach out for each other around the world.
Steve
Hello Steve,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on this article. You are most certainly welcome for the reminder about Billy Graham.
I agree and feel that you are absolutely correct about a time like today with the constant spreading of the coronavirus we should reach out for God as much as we can and ask for forgiveness for what we have done in this world, because it just might be our last chance to reach out to each other around the world.
Thank you again for reading and commenting on this article.
Hi Jerry. I have been hearing Billy Graham preaching for a long time. But up to this point I haven’t read any of his books. I know he’s had a very prolific ministry but I didn’t know he had preached in so many different countries. Wao, 185 countries. Through this post you’ve encouraged me to purchase this book. I’ll need quite a few books these days.
Thanks for the review.
Hello Ann,
Thank you for reading and commenting on this post. Yes, Billy Graham is the epitome of what followers of Christ are required to do, spread the news of the Gospel.
Billy Graham has written a lot of books, I will continue doing reviews and adding his books as I continue building this website.
Thank you again for reading and commenting.
The fact that I have come to learn something tangible from this post is satisfying. The makeup of your website is very nice and the simplicity of the color selection makes it beautiful. There are so many areas that different people draw happiness from but God is the true source of happiness, we should not forget that.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this post. I would also like to thank you for commenting about the makeup my website being very nice and the simplicity of the color selection makes it beautiful.
I most certainly agree that GOD is the true source of happiness.
Thank you again for reading and commenting on this post.