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CHAPTER 1
Communion
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
— EPHESIANS 2:18
I can remember the exact moment when I realized that there was something different about my grandfather. I was in elementary school, and one of the teachers put her hands on my shoulders and told another teacher, "This is Billy Graham's grandson." I wondered how on earth she knew my grandfather.
You see, we — my brothers, sister, and I — were raised in the mountains of North Carolina, a world away from the large audiences that would gather to hear my grandfather's messages. We were good kids. We would get into mischief but were mostly harmless.
One Sunday morning when I was nearly six years old, I sat next to my parents in the pew at church. I noticed that they were passing out a snack and everybody was getting a bite. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like it might be a bit of bread and a cup of grape juice.
I was excited! I was hungry and wanted a snack!
As the tray of bread came by, I reached out to take a piece. Suddenly my dad reached up and smacked the back of my hand, not hard enough to hurt but enough that I understood the message and let the plate pass. I couldn't figure it out. I had been good all service (which isn't necessarily easy for a young boy who is used to running around the mountainside). I could only assume that my parents were afraid I would spill it on the church carpet.
That afternoon my dad took me up to my room and began to explain to me what communion is. He shared that it's a time of remembrance for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior. He told me about what Jesus did for me on the cross. He explained how Jesus died for my sins and that I can spend eternity with Him in heaven.
That was the day my dad used communion to explain the gospel, and I surrendered my life to Jesus.
I didn't have all the answers. I didn't understand the whole Bible. But I did know a few things. I knew that I had sinned; I knew that Jesus took my sins to the cross; I knew that He conquered the grave; and I knew that I wanted a relationship with Him as my Savior.
You see, the fact that I was a good kid and that my last name was Graham didn't mean anything in the scope of eternity. Being Billy Graham's grandson and sitting still in church on Sunday morning was not enough to gain entrance into heaven.
Similarly, you may be the pastor's son or daughter. You may be a deacon or Sunday school superintendent, but your family lineage and good works cannot save you either.
Rather, the decision I made that day with childlike faith was what secured my eternity with Christ.
It's that moment of surrender that has allowed me a lifetime of joy, peace, and purpose in this world and the hope of salvation when my days here are done. Jesus can and will save you as you seek His forgiveness and begin a relationship with Him.
CHAPTER 2
Daddy Bill
He brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
— ACTS 16:30
When you're a ten-year-old boy, getting to see your grandfather is one of the greatest things in the world.
On this particular day, I worked my way through the crowded room, my dad right behind me. I had that singular focus and tunnel vision that comes with being a child. I finally saw him — my grandfather surrounded by a mass of people.
I was so excited that I couldn't help myself. I took off running to reach him, wanting nothing more than to give him a hug. Suddenly an arm swung downward and stopped me in my tracks. A big security guard looked at me and said, "Excuse me, but the line is over there."
It wasn't until that moment that I realized that everybody in the room was there to see my grandfather, and I was — in the wording of an elementary-age boy — cutting in line.
I was unsure of what to say or do. Though my dad had been with me before I took off running, I now felt very much alone.
My grandfather turned toward the commotion, and I'll never forget what happened next.
A broad, gracious smile spread across his face. He spread his arms wide open and called me to him, and I lunged into his embrace.
While most know the Billy Graham who preached to massive crowds, met with presidents, or was interviewed on national television, that day many people saw the "private" man that I always called "Daddy Bill." His big, encompassing hug made it feel as if I were the only person in the room.
When I consider the love of God for us, His children, I occasionally think back to that day.
Some philosophies believe in a creator who divinely made the world in which we live and then stepped away so we could fend for ourselves.
I don't believe that. I believe that the Creator of the universe knows my name. He knows my tears and pain. He knows my triumphs and my struggles. He knows the number of hairs on my head.
And guess what? Through it all, He loves me with an eternal, unconditional love. He loves me so much that He gave His Son to die for me.
A broken world that seems to thrive on pain and decay tries to tell me that I shouldn't run to Him, but I know where my Father is and where I need to be. He's standing with His arms open wide, ready to embrace me as I lunge into His awaiting arms.
Today He's ready to embrace you as well!
CHAPTER 3
Pearl Goode
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
— 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16–18
In the pages of world history, you won't find many mentions of a lady named Pearl Goode. She never ran for political office, commanded troops, or served as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Rather, Pearl was a widowed nurse in her mid-sixties, living in Pasadena, California, in 1949 when my grandfather came to Los Angeles to hold a crusade.
The very first night, she watched the fiery preacher — at that point a largely unknown young evangelist — share the gospel. As Pearl later recounted in an interview, "That night God laid those boys on my heart as a burden."
After that early crusade, Pearl became a prayer warrior for my grandfather. She would buy a Greyhound bus ticket to wherever he was holding an event, quietly check into a nearby motel, and immediately begin praying. Pearl estimated that she covered forty-eight thousand miles by bus, simply to pray for the crusades.
Even later in life when Pearl could no longer travel, or when my grandfather was preaching overseas, she would make it a point to know exactly when he would be preaching, and she would spend those exact moments in prayer.
In an address he gave in 1994, my grandfather said, "She prayed all night many nights, and I could sense the presence and power of that prayer. When she died, I felt it."
We must never underestimate the power of prayers lifted up by wonderful saints like Pearl. Prayer is vital in developing our relationship with our Savior and in building up and supporting others through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible places great importance on prayer: Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28). Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12). Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
These aren't merely pleasant suggestions. I view these as commands to follow in our daily Christian walk. Our Lord knows that only by daily conversation with Him can we live in peace and freedom. Just like Pearl and her prayers for my grandfather's crusades, our prayers can allow others to experience the power of God.
With all of the distractions of life, we often struggle to make prayer a daily priority. Could today be the day when we recognize the need and give our time to God? I guarantee that if you do, you'll see the fruit of this special time almost immediately as He begins to work in and through you!
CHAPTER 4
Elementary Assignment
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
— JOHN 15:16
his is going to be a fun, I thought, as the teacher instructed my third-grade class to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up.
We all tangled over the markers and crayons, and then hunched around the desks diligently plotting the course of our young lives.
I glanced around the room and could quickly see that most of the other boys wanted to be National Football League quarterbacks. Pictures of Joe Montana and Dan Marino, two of the great players of the day, were being drawn with earnestness. Elsewhere there were hand-scribbled pigskins and the big blue star of the Dallas Cowboys.
Looking back on it, our class must have really loved football!
I'm a huge fan of the sport as well, but when it came to my life, I knew I'd never play in the NFL. Rather, as I started drawing, I found myself tracing out a David Clark aviation headset and an open Bible.
Simply put, I wanted to do what my dad did. I wanted to fly around the world and tell people about Jesus.
Why do I share this story? I'm certainly not trying to pretend I was some sort of a super-spiritual wonder kid. My brothers and I caused enough mischief in our day to put that idea to rest!
Rather, it's to say that from a very early point in my life I was already sensing God's calling and direction, pointing me toward a life in ministry.
I had no idea what that meant at the time. In third grade, I couldn't have begun to tell you if I would be a missionary, a bi-vocational pastor, a Christian relief worker, an evangelist, or in some other form of ministry. I just knew that I was being called.
And, my friends, just as God called me into ministry, if you are a believer and a follower of Christ, He has called you as well. Perhaps your mission field is the public school where you teach, the hospital where you serve, or the office where you work. Maybe your ministry is to your clients or your employees.
Romans 12 tells us that we are collectively different parts of the same body, and we've each been equipped for different work. We may be teachers, encouragers, givers, or leaders. The key component, however, is that God is the One who gives us the calling, and He has prepared us uniquely for it.
If you are reading this and can't think of your calling, seek God for guidance. Prayerfully ask Him to reveal it to you. I truly believe that He will quickly show you the special gifts He has already given you, and how they can be used in service to Him.
If you've learned your calling already, I challenge you to chase after it as a service unto God. Be where you are supposed to be, do what you're supposed to do, and allow God to work through you for the sake of the kingdom.
CHAPTER 5
Can I Tell You About Jesus?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
— 1 PETER 3:15
Denise stepped off the bus in the dark of night in the small outback mining town of Broken Hill, Australia. After catching a few hours of sleep in the bus station, she planned to begin a treacherous journey, hitchhiking 320 miles across the unforgiving landscape to Adelaide.
We had just wrapped up an evangelistic outreach in town, and that morning we were having a celebration of sorts in a local coffee house, thanking God for the way that He had moved in the community. Unbeknownst to me, Denise walked through the door, drawn by the commotion.
Denise began a conversation with Margaret, the wife of the man who served as chairperson of our event in Broken Hill. Filled with the confidence that came from watching many respond to the gospel that weekend, Margaret boldly asked Denise, "Can I tell you about Jesus?"
At the mention of the name Jesus, tears formed in Denise's eyes. Gently, Margaret began sharing about the love of Christ, and soon had the opportunity to pray with Denise as she accepted Jesus as her Savior.
Before it was all done, another blessing awaited Denise. One of the believers in the coffee house, learning of Denise's plan, anonymously purchased a plane ticket to Adelaide, saving her the potentially deadly hike across the outback.
Denise left that day with both physical and eternal security, her path to Adelaide paid for by a generous benefactor, and the wages of her sins paid for by the free gift of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.
There are a couple of lessons to be learned from Margaret's interaction with Denise.
First, there is value in being prepared when God opens a door to share the gospel with others. Many people will say that they feel ill-equipped to share their faith, but it doesn't have to be that way.
No, you may not have all the answers, but it's eternally important to be Spirit-filled by spending time in the Word and in prayer. God has promised that He'll give you the words to say (Luke 12:12). Second, it doesn't matter how much time you spend studying and building relationships with people if you aren't willing to ask the question that Margaret asked: "Can I tell you about Jesus?"
Can you imagine if God had opened the door for Margaret to share the hope of Jesus, but rather than being prepared (as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15) she had wilted? It's almost assured that the two women would never cross paths again, and that opportunity would have been lost. Eternity would have been altered.
Watch for the open doors that God provides, and be ready to walk through them. Don't let your personal Denise walk away without asking, "Can I tell you about Jesus?"
CHAPTER 6
Ruth Graham
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
— ROMANS 8:18
My grandmother, Ruth Graham, was many things. She was an accomplished poet and author. She was a practical joker who loved to laugh, her bright eyes dancing as she sought mischief. She was fiercely generous and gracious, sheltering the needy and making everyone feel welcomed and loved. In fact, she could make a princess and a panhandler feel at home in the same room.
In my grandparents' house was a room that was my grandmother's sanctuary. It was where she would write, pray, and study. She had multiple translations of the Bible laid out on a desk, each with extra-large margins so she could jot notes as she pored through God's Word.
On the walls above the desk hung family photos and a simple wreath of Jerusalem thorns, much like the one that was forced onto Jesus' head during His crucifixion.
This room was also where my grandmother would bravely face her final days on earth, struggling against the debilitating pain that was a constant and unwelcome companion. She never grumbled about her struggles, though you would occasionally see her wince as the suffering overwhelmed her. Rather, she would look up at the crown of thorns on the wall and say, "If my Savior could endure so much for me, I have nothing to complain about."
I have to admit, I wish that pain and suffering weren't a part of life. Life would be so much easier, wouldn't it? Some days it is very hard to accept the harsh realities of the world — the hurt, uncertainty, sin, and suffering.
However, it's important to note two things:
First, Christ — as well as the early disciples and believers throughout history — faced suffering. This suffering was not just the kind associated with old age and the broken vessels that are our human bodies. No, they faced great suffering for taking a stand for the faith. Many have endured deep pain that only ended when their time on earth was done and they were finally able to partake in glory.
Second, regardless of the struggles we face as we call upon the Lord and put our eternal hope in Him, the trials and pain of this world are but a fleeting shadow in the scope of eternity with our Savior.
As Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (8:18).
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Redeemed"
by .
Copyright © 2018 William F. Graham, Jr..
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
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