Billy Graham - Hope for Each Day Morning and Evening Devotions

HOPE
for Each Day

MORNING & EVENING DEVOTIONS

BILLY
GRAHAM

2002, 2012 by Billy Graham

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the New King James Version 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Other Scripture quotations are taken from the following sources:

Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV) 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The New Testament: a New Translation, copyright 1964 by James Moffatt, published by Harper & Row, Inc. (MOFFATT). New American Standard Bible (NASB) the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission. Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV). 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV). 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. The King James Version of the Bible (KJV). Todays English Version (TEV). American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992. Used by permission. The Living Bible (TLB). 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. The Amplified Bible (AMP): Old Testament. 1962, 1964 by Zondervan (used by permission); and from The Amplified Bible: NewTestament. 1958 by the Lockman Foundation (used by permission). Holy Bible: Todays New International Version (TNIV) 2001, 2005 by Biblica. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

These meditations include edited excerpts from Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham and edited sermons from Billy Graham that were previously published in Decision magazine. These are used with the authors permission. Other meditations from the author have been prepared specifically for this volume.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4041-8970-6

12 13 14 15 TIMS 4 3 2 1

www.thomasnelson.com

Therefore I live for today
Certain of finding at sunrise
Guidance and strength for the way.
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each moment of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain!

Anonymous

Contents

F or many years I have sought to walk with God every day. What a joy it is to wake up in the morning and know He is with me, no matter what the day has in store. What a joy it is to look back in the evening and be able to thank Him for His faithfulness and to experience His peace. What a joy it is to know that someday soon the burdens of this life will be over and I will awaken in His presence!

When I think about Gods love, I tend to dwell upon all the good things He has done for me. But then I must stop and realize that even when circumstances have been hard or the way unclear, God has still surrounded me with His love. Gods love is just as real and just as powerful in the darkness as it is in the light. And that is why we can have hope!

Every day I turn to the Bible to give me strength and wisdom for the day and hope for the future. Its words have seen me through good times and badthrough times of happiness and grief, health and sickness, victory and disappointment. Gods Word can do the same for you.

May God use these daily selections to encourage you and give you hope. May they also challenge you both to live more fully for Christ each day and to trust His great loveno matter what comes your way.

BILLY GRAHAM

January 1 Morning
New Year, New Ways

Consider your ways.

HAGGAI 1:5

M aking New Years resolutions and not keeping them is a universal experience. We may be sincere when we make them, but then we find them too hard to keep, or perhaps we forget all about them.

Let me give you two reasons why it can be good to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year. First, it forces us to look at ourselvesto be honest about our failures and our need to change. Many New Years resolutions are unrealistic or only wishful thinking, but the exercise of examining ourselveswith Gods helpand seeing where we fall short is important.

Second, making a list of resolutions can turn us to God. If we are honest, we know we fall far short of being what we ought to beand because of that, we need Gods forgiveness. Well also realize that we cant live the way we should in our own strength. We need Gods help.

Begin this year by making resolutionsespecially the resolution to open your heart and life to Jesus Christ more than you ever have before.

January 1 Evening
In Tune with the Master

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

PSALM 32:7

O ut West an old sheepherder had a violin, but it was out of tune. He had no way of tuning it, so in desperation he wrote to one of the radio stations and asked them at a certain hour on a certain day to strike the tone A. The officials of the station decided they would accommodate the old fellow, and on that particular day the true tone of A was broadcast. His fiddle was thus tuned, and once more his cabin echoed with joyful music.

When we live apart from God, our lives get out of tuneout of harmony with others and with God. But if we live in tune with the Master, we, too, will find ourselves surrounded by His beautiful music.

As this new year begins, ask God to help you tune your life every day to His Word, so you can bring harmony and joy to those around you.

January 2 Morning
Hope for the Future

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

A s we start a new year, the Bible tells us there can be hope for the future.

First, there is hope of a changed person. No matter how hard we try, we are incapable of ridding ourselves of the selfishness and greed that cause conflict and strife and war. Our only hope is a changed heartand Jesus is in the business of changing hearts.