No matter your place in life, this inspiring collection of 365 devotional readings is designed to bring you daily to a special place of renewal— to help you pause and gaze "unto the hills" for help and inspiration. Each of the 365 daily readings in this inspiring collection was distilled from a lifetime of study and ministry. This devotional supplies daily food for thought about living fruitfully and joyfully in an often-fretful world. Every day of the year, you can join our nation’s most beloved spiritual leader for a moment of quiet and reflection through: A carefully chosen passage of scripture - A brief, thoughtful message from Billy Graham - A heartfelt prayer composed especially for this devotional Simple, direct, encouraging yet challenging, this book will be a heartening companion for your daily walk in the valley. This collection is a gentle but constant reminder that we can find help for all our needs as long as we remember to look up . . . unto the hills, but especially unto the Lord, the One who can always help. Billy Graham, world-renowned preacher, evangelist, and author, delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and ministried on every continent of the world in almost 200 countries and territories. His ministry extended far beyond stadiums and arenas, utilizing radio, television, film, print media, wireless communications, and thirty-four books, all that still carry the good news of God’s redemptive love for humanity. Unto the Hills A Daily Devotional By Billy Graham Thomas Nelson Copyright © 2010 Billy Graham All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8499-4621-9 CHAPTER 1 January 1 A Clean Slate Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Did you ever have the experience in a school of erasing an entire blackboard? When the slate has been wiped clean, it is as if nothing at all had ever been written on it. This is what God does for us when we come to Him confessing our sin. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." How many times in your life have you wished you could start all over again with a clean slate, with a new life? Resolve right now to allow God to wipe your slate clean by confessing your sins and letting Him give you a brand-new start. The apostle Paul did this when he said, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13–14 RSV). * * * Our Father and our God, I come to You conscious of my sins and failures but confident in Your love and mercy toward me. Thank You for giving Your wonderful grace and forgiveness to me and for wiping the slate of my life totally clean. Let me start all over with You and live in Your purpose for my life, now and forever, through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen. January 2 Lost and Found I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. John 14:6 RSV Recently, while returning to my hotel in a major city, the driver turned left when he should have turned right, and it took him awhile to figure out how to get to our destination. He had to stop and check his road map. Often in life just one wrong turn, just one wrong decision can take us where we do not want to go or, more importantly, can keep us from going where we do want to go. There is an ancient saying that "all roads lead to Rome." When one is lost on a road to Rome or anywhere else, all that is needed to find the way is a good road map or directions from someone who knows the way. Not all roads lead to God, as some suggest. There is a roadblock which keeps man from reaching God, no matter what road he takes. That roadblock is sin. But God has provided a map—the Bible—and He has provided One who knows the way and can give directions—Jesus Christ. Christ said, "No man comes to the Father but by me." Not only does Christ give directions to the Father through Himself, but He also gives us daily directions as to His Father's will for our lives. Like directions from a map or a person in our travels, we can follow them and get to our desired destination, or we can ignore them and become lost. Remember, Jesus did not say, "I am one of the ways, or one of the roads you can take to get to the Father." What He said was, "I am the way." Determine to follow Christ and never be lost! * * * Our Father and our God, wrong choices and dead ends have often blocked my ability to live my life fully for You. Take away my sin and lead me toward full acceptance of the leadership and guidance that You provide through the Holy Spirit. I will follow Jesus as the way, truth, and life. In His name I pray. Amen. January 3 The Ultimate Protection For he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid." Hebr