Author: America's Keswick

The purpose of America's Keswick is to model and teach Biblical victorious living in Christ Jesus, to provide an environment in which Biblical life transformation takes place and to foster active personal involvement in the local church.

Guard Your Heart (Part 2)

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Guard Your Heart (Part 2)

Yesterday I challenged you to join me in reading a chapter in Proverbs daily. It’s really easy to remember — read the chapter that corresponds to the day’s date. In case you forget, I always include it at the bottom of each day’s Freedom Fighter.

I want to share Chapter 7 with you from THE MESSAGE (Nav Press). As my “now-with-the-Lord-friend,” Dr B used to say: “This is a text that preaches!”

Dear friend, do what I tell you;
treasure my careful instructions.
Do what I say and you will live well.
My teaching is a precious as your eyesight — guard it!
Write it on the back of your hands;
etch it on the chambers of your heart.
Talk to Wisdom as a sister.
Treat Insight as your companion.
They’ll be with you to fend off the Temptress–
That smooth-talking, honey Seductress.

As I stood at the window of my house
looking out through the shutters,
Watching the mindless crowd stroll by,
I spotted a young man without any sense
Arriving at the corner of the street where she lived,
then turning up the path to her house.
It was dusk, the evening coming on,
the darkness thickening into the night.
Just then, a woman met him —
she’d been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce hm.
Brazen and brash she was,
restless and roaming, never at home.
Walking the street, loitering in the mall,
hanging out at every corner in town.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
boldly took his arms and said,
“I’ve got all the makings for a feast —
today I made my offerings. my vows are paid,
So now I’ve come to find you,
hoping to catch sight of your face — and here you are!
I’ve spread fresh clean sheets on my bed,
colorful imported linens.
My bed is aromatic with spices
and exotic fragrances.
Come, let’s make love all night,
spend the night in ecstatic lovemaking!
My husband’s not home; he’s away on business,
and he won’t be back for a month.

Soon she has him eating out of her hand,
bewitched by her honeyed speech.
Before you know it, he’s trotting behind her,
life a calf led to the butcher shop,
Like a stag lured into ambush,
and then shot with an arrow,
Like a bird flying into a net
not knowing that its flying life is over.

So, friends, listen to me,
take these words of mine most seriously.
Don’t fool around with a woman like that;
don’t even stroll through her neighborhood,
Countless victims come under her spell;
She’s the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell,
fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.

I will make some comments tomorrow, but my guess is that this chapter doesn’t need much commentary for us … does it? The truth is pretty simple! As men, we need to guard our hearts. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 9; Daniel 11-12; Jude

Great Quote: We have a God who delights in impossibilities. Andrew Murray

Guard Your Heart

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Guard Your Heart

Each day at the bottom of Freedom Fighter I list passages of Scripture for you to read. If you read those passages each day, you will read through God’s Word in a year. I am going to lay out a challenge to you later this month, but I received a very interesting report from our friends at Back to the Bible about the power of God’s Word.

One of the findings is that when people read the Bible at least four or five days a week, they are less likely to engage in activities that are contrary to the Scripture. God’s WORD addresses every are of life for us, guys.

Reading through the book of Proverbs is a very important part of my daily Bible reading. I try to read a chapter a day, and if I do that, I will be reading that chapter 12 times a year. One would think that it would be hard to find something new in that chapter reading it 12 times.

Well I am on my 14th year of reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. And guess what — I am still learning from this book. Each year I try and read it from a different translation which brings to light new insights. This year I have been reading it from THE MESSAGE.

I never cease to be amazed at how timely and insightful, the messages from Proverbs are for daily living. If you have never taken the Proverbs challenge, then I want to encourage you to join me by reading a chapter a day! Doing so will help you to guard your heart and your mind.

Tomorrow I want to share a chapter from Proverbs with you and make some comments. Will you take the challenge? It could change your life! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 8; Daniel 8-10; 3 John

Great Quote: Many say they have no peace nor rest, but so many crosses and trials, afflictions and sorrows, that they know not how they shall ever get through them. Now he who in truth will perceive and take note, perceiveth clearly that true peace and rest lie not in outward things. There liveth no man on earth who may always have rest and peace without troubles and crosses. Wherefore yield thyself willingly to them, and seek only that true peace of the heart, which none can take away from thee, that thou mayest overcome all assaults. Theologia Germanica

Christ Mean Adequacy and Peace

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Christ Means Adequacy and Peace

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27

Are you experiencing HIS peace today in your life? Are you at rest or are you living the turmoil filled life?

Well if you are not living in the peace Christ has provided for you, my brother, then these words from Dr. Glyn Evans are for you:

Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit and is always a result of a previously devised set of conditions. Peace is the possession and realization of adequate resources. The work of JESUS CHRIST is to provide those adequate resources, and the work of the Holy Spirit is to make me realize them.

Since Christ has a done a perfect work of redemption, the problem in obtaining peace is not His, it is mine. The Holy Spirit’s frustration with me (being “grieved” or “quenched”) is because I can resist His attempts to get me to act upon what Christ has provided me.

There are only two ways in which I can be without peace: by not knowing what Christ has provided for me, and/or by not availing myself of what He has provided. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NSRB) Wonderfully true, but only if I avail myself of His strength!

I arrive a peace by KNOWING what CHRIST has done for me, and that means saturation with the WORD. To live constantly in the Word is to be constantly reminded of everything Jesus Christ has put at my disposal. That constant reminder is a stimulus to my faith, for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). As I read the marvelous provisions that Jesus Christ has bought for me, faith is put into action to use those provisions. Soon I am cashing in on my merchandise, and the result is a feeling of adequacy, which leads to peace.

I will always feel distressed, and depressed, whenever I feel that the resources within are inadequate to meet the problems without. Jesus Christ came to make me adequate! I must honor Him by believing it, and I must let peace be the manifestation of it. — from Daily with the King

Good word for today, my brothers, as we begin this new week in December. How is your peace level today? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 7; Daniel 5-7; 2 John

Great Quote: “Hell is giving to men what they wanted all their lives — freedom from God!” — Dr. Horace Fenton, former director of of the Latin American Mission. Dr. Fenton surrendered his heart and life to Christ during a youth retreat at America’s KESWICK many years ago!

It’s not too late to make reservations for our Christmas Dinner Concert with violinist, Jamie Jorge, for this Thursday night. Call the front desk for reservations. Come enjoy a delicious meal and a blessing of worshipping the Lord. 732-350-1187.

Another Great Hymn

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Another Great Hymn

“The Lord Almighty — HE is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:10

As many of us celebrate the Lord’s Table today on this first Sunday in December, I thought I would share the lyrics to this hymn that has been floating around in my head for the past several days. They have taken it out of most hymnals. It tells the WHOLE redemption story:

Who Is He In Yonder Stall?

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness>

Refrain

‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘This the LORD! The King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall, Crown Him, crown Him Lord of All!

Who is He the people bless for His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He who stands and weeps at the grave where Lazurus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng greet with loud, triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He, prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree dies in grief and agony?

Who is He who, from the grave, comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that, from His throne, rules through all the world alone?

‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord! The King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall, Crown HIM, crown HIM Lord of all!

You may not know the tune, so visit The Cyber Hymnal: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/w/h/whoishe.htm

I trust that you will have a blest Lord’s Day! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 6; Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5

Great Quote: The whole slop closet full of mildewed performances (which is all you have to offer) is simply your death; it is Jesus who is your life. If He refused to condemn you because your works were rotten, He certainly isn’t going to flunk you because your faith isn’t so hot. You can fail utterly, therefore, and still live the life of grace. You can fold up spiritually, morally, or intellectually and still be safe. Because at the very worst, all you can be is dead – and for Him who is the Resurrection and the Life, that just makes you His cup of tea. Robert Capon

A Great Hymn to Prepare Your Heart

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A Great Hymn to Prepare Your Heart

“Blot out all my iniquities …” Psalm 51:9

Many of us will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper tomorrow at our churches. Here is a wonderful hymn written by Charles Wesley that I believe will help prepare our hearts for remembering again what Christ did for us on the cross:

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands, …
My name is written on HIS hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race …
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry …
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw night ….
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

Rejoice today, my brothers! Rest in the finished work of Christ for you and me! Rejoice! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 5; Daniel 1-2; 1 John 4

Great Quote: Every life that desires to be strong must have its “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33) into which only God can enter. (Streams in the Desert)

One Year Gone … or is it?

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One Year Gone..or is it?

“Listen to your father who gave you life,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Proverbs 23: 22-25 (ESV)

It has been a year since my father passed away. I remember the drive to the hospital that night as well. It was the first time I had ever seen the Atlantic City Expressway empty of any cars. I didn’t even see a police patrol car. The car seemed to be driving itself and it was one of few times that there was no chatter going on in my head. No thoughts, no emotions just me, the steering wheel and road. It was a very surreal moment in my life.

But before this had happened there was a death to myself that was going on. In 2003 I had to stop the drinking and drugging I was doing. And to be honest with you all, I still fight against with what I once was. The old man creeps up every once in awhile, hangs out long enough to make himself known, and then has to be rebuked back into his place in yesterday. Just so you are all aware of this, he was the same guy that hung out with my father where my father liked to hang out. It was the only place that any real talking went on….the local tavern.

When I take a deep look back now, in a Biblical view, I had to endure the beginning process of dying to myself. If I had stayed the same old Chris that sat in the bar with his father trying to grapple with just the everyday, when my father passed I would have sank faster and harder than I already was. I praise God, through the blood of Christ, that had He not broken me I would not be able to be a man let alone any kind of father to my son. Today I don’t mourn the death of my father but praise God in it. Did my father know Jesus……sad to say, not to my knowledge. And if he did, I never saw it. I chose not to dwell in it either.

I recently celebrated, quietly, six years since I stood in front of the Colony men, in the Colony chapel, after receiving my graduation Bible and said, “I don’t know where God is taking me, but at least my wife is letting go home.” Kinda funny now when I look back at this as well. Never thought I’d be writing Freedom Fighters either. But this is my way of journaling and at times I get real humble by it, because you are reading what is happening in my growth and walk with Jesus. And I don’t know most of you but I have a feeling that there is a little of what has happened to me in some of you. So you can relate.

On July 31st, 2003 I signed this blue card. That was after I had just come back into the Colony from a funeral held for an Uncle. That funeral was my moment of clarity and this is what was written on that card, “Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept your will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to you to be yours forever. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Use me as you will; send me where you will; work out your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.” When I was done signing my part of this covenant, I nailed what belonged to Jesus on a wooden cross. “Nough said Brother’s. — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 4; Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3

Great quote: “Christmas, the Story of God becoming the Man, Jesus, is the only hope we have of returning back to God. We must lean into the truth of God’s love displayed in Jesus’ coming. Our fall into depravity and alienation was because our confidence in the kindness and love of God was shaken. We doubted and doubt the love of God. Our recovery must begin with the belief of His love; ‘this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (I Jn. 4:10). Dr. Tom Wood, How the Gospel Story Makes Sense

The Aftermath of Victory

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The Aftermath of Victory

“He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne. as I also overcome and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21

If we are honest, we love a victory whether it be in sports, playing a competitive game with our family — that’s the way we men are wired. We love to win!

While we are looking for our spiritual life to be one of victories won, we must be careful in our perspective about spiritual victories. Dr. Glyn Evans in his powerful devotional book, DAILY WITH THE KING, helps us understand the perspective we need to have:

I must be careful never to let a victory over Satan become my weakness, for his prime targets are not victims, but VICTORS! Paul reminds me of this when he says, “And having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13) In other words, after a notable victory, BE ALL THE MORE ON YOUR GUARD! Satan is the great “spoiler” and he loves to suck the honey out of our sweet victory after we have won over him.

Think of Sanballat and Nehemiah. After his threats, bombast’s and harassment failed, Sanballat said to Nehemiah, “Come, let us meet together … in the plain of Ono.” Nehemiah 6:2 He mean, “Why fight each other any longer? I tried to prevent the wall from going up, but I failed. Now let’s be good sports, forgetting the past, and plan something harmonious for the future.” SATAN NEVER QUITS WHEN HE LOSES. If Nehemiah had listened to Sanballat, all his previous efforts would have been washed away.

I love the word Nehemiah gave in reply: “I am doing a greater work and I cannot come down.” Nehemiah 6:3 WHEN SATAN COMES TO NEUTRALIZE MY VICTORY, I AM TO IGNORE, SLIGHT AND REFUSE HIM! NEVER MUST I TURN FROM GOD’S DIRECTIVE (TO BUILD WALLS FOR HIS WORK) AND TO THINK ABOUT SATAN’S SUGGESTIONS!

More than that, I must never gloat over my victory with Satan, for gloating represents an abnormal preoccupation with the victory itself, rather than the work God has given me to do. The victory is only an incident, a battle in the eternal war, and I must quickly arm myself against the next visit from the evil one. Having done that, I must STAND, not nakedly, but “in the strength of HIS might (Ephesians 6:10), for my all-Conqueror has blunted Satan’s darts and crushed his armory forever!

Good reminder, brothers! I trust this will be helpful to you today! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 3; Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2 (Just a reminder that if you read these passages of Scripture with me every day, you will read through the Bible in one year!)

Great Quote: Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character.

Don’t miss a great evening of music with violinist, Jamie Jorge at our Christmas Dinner Concert, Thursday evening, December 10th. Tickets are still available. This is a great treat for your wives, guys! Call today and make your reservation: 732-350-1187

Take Your Burdens to the Lord

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Take Your Burdens to the Lord …

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9

Yesterday we talked about being weary. Some of us have become weary because of the unnecessary burdens that we are carrying, and yes, some of us are dragging them around rather than giving them to our great Burden-Bearer!

I read this timely devotional today from Streams in the Desert …

A prominent believer once told of his mother who was a very anxious and troubled Christian. He would often talk with her for hours, trying to convince her of the sinfulness of worrying, but to no avail. She was like the elderly woman who once said that she had suffered a great deal, especially from the troubles that never came.

Then one morning his mother came to breakfast with a smile adorning her face. He asked her what happened, and she began describing a dream she had in the night. In her dream, she was walking along a highway with a large crowd of people, all of whom seemed very tired and burdened. The people were all carrying little black bundles, and she noticed that more bundles were being dropped along the way by numerous repulsive-looking creatures that seemed quite demonic in nature. As the bundles were dropped, the people stooped down to pick them up and carry them.

Like everyone else in her dream, she also carried her needless load, being weighted down with the Devil’s bundles. After a while, she looked up and saw a Man whose face was loving and bright as He moved through the crowd, comforting the people.

Finally He came to her, and she realized it was her Savior. She looked at Him, telling Him how tired she was, and smiled sadly and sad, “My dear child, these bundles you carry are not from me, and you have no need of them, They are the Devil’s burdens, and they are wearing out your life. You need to drop them and simply refuse to touch them with even one of your fingers. Then you will find your path easy, and you will feel as if ‘I carried you on eagle’s wings’ (Exodus 19:4)

The Savior touched her hand, and peace and joy quickly filled her soul. As she saw herself in her dream casting her burdens to the ground and ready to throw herself at His feet in joyful thanksgiving, she suddenly awoke, finding that all her worries were gone.

From that day forward to the end of her life, she was the most cheerful and happy member of the family.

Brothers, can you relate to this story? Are you carrying around unnecessary burdens that don’t belong to you? Drop them at the feet of Jesus today and experience HIS rest. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 2; Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1

Great Quote: I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way. Jim Cymbala

Weariness

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Weariness

“Come to ME, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Did you ever find yourself exhausted? Worn out? Like you just can’t do another thing? Then today’s Freedom Fighter is for YOU! It comes from the writings of Dr. Henry Blackaby’s book, EXPERIENCING GOD — The Devotional …

If you find that Christianity exhausts you, draining you of your energy, then you are practicing religion rather than enjoying a relationship. Jesus said that a relationship with HIM would bring rest to your soul. Your walk with the Lord will not make you weary; it will invigorate you, restore your strength, and energize your life.

Hard work or lack of sleep can make you tired. This fatigue can usually be remedied by a good rest. But there is a deeper fatigue that goes beyond physical tiredness. There is an emotional exhaustion that comes from experiencing heavy burdens and draining crises.

There is a tiredness deep within your soul that comes from carrying a weight of the needs of others. You can go on a vacation, but your soul will not be restored. This condition can only be rectified by finding rest in Christ.

Some zealous Christians want to do all they can to serve Christ, and they exhaust themselves in the process. It was to these that Jesus extended His invitation to go to HIM and learn from HIM. Jesus spent most of His earthly ministry surrounded by needy multitudes. He faced relentless opposition, He often prayed throughout the night, and He rarely had any privacy, yet He always received the rest and strength that came from His Father.

It was not that Jesus did not work hard but that He knew the path to spiritual rest. Are YOU weary? Go to Jesus and let HIM give you HIS rest. His rest will restore your soul as nothing else can!

I know I needed this today! How about you? — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 1; Ezekiel 40-41; 2 Peter 3

Great Quote: We ought not to keep score of the number of times others have hurt us. God keeps records, and vengeance belongs to him.Lehman Strauss

The Easy Way Out

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THE EASY WAY OUT

“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [permit] you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, temptation has been a constant struggle as part of human life. Men have tried to avoid and resist temptation with many man-made efforts to succeed only to flounder.

Christ took the place of a humble servant, acting only from and in obedience to the Father that He might redeem the fallen race and a creation under the divine curse. satan’s object was to induce Christ to act for Himself, independent of His Father. The temptations of Christ in Matthew 4:1-12 is directed at Christ’s deity and how He would establish His Kingdom without sin. This is passage of Scripture, is one of the most mysterious spiritual battles between the Prince of Peace and the Prince of the power of the air recorded for our edification and how we may overcome temptation.

As you read Matthew 4:1-11 you will find some clear strategies used satan uses against God and His people. At the same time you will observe Jesus’ way of victory over the tempter.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism and His Father’s verbal approval of the same and His confirmation of Christ’s deity, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil to take “The Easy Way Out.” The first temptation in verse three was satan’s purpose to frustrate the plan of God and usurp His authority. The easy way out to meet his physical need of hunger was to turn stones into bread. To overcome the temptation Jesus quoted Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3 saying, “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (verse 4).

In the second temptation, found in verse six, satan continues his scheme by showing the easy way out would be for Him to use His divine power to serve His interest [cast Himself down]. By doing the spectacular He would gain a following because people always want to see a sign, a miracle or something sensational. Again Jesus uses Scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16 to overcome the temptation “…Thou shall not tempt the Lord your God” (verse 7).

Lastly, in verses eight and nine, satan asks Jesus to bow down and worship him and he would give all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them to Him. The easy way out would have been to compromise and not go through the agonizing events before and during the cross. For the third time Jesus quotes Scripture from Deuteronomy 10:20, “…Thou shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (verse10).

Indeed, Jesus used Scripture to overcome temptation and remained perfect even unto this day, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). There is “No Easy Way Out.” Christ gave us an example to follow Him in how to be delivered from temptation. Let us go and do likewise. Remember to look at Christ, not the temptation. — Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God’s WORD for US: Proverbs 30; Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2

GREAT QUOTE: “God never makes promises to remove temptation from us, for even God was subject to it (Matthew 4:1-11). There is a sense of achievement and assurance that results from victory over temptation that cannot come to us otherwise. Temptation shows what people really are. It does not make us Christian or Unchristian. Overcoming does make the Christian stronger and causes him to discover resources of power… In times of temptation Christ can become more real to you than ever.” -Billy Graham