Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 19 & 20

Page Turners! Facing the Giants

Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.
Numbers 14:9

Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 1:19-31 [ http://iz3.me/inqb1zwXd1A1 ]

When first graders start grammar school, and ninth graders start high school, they can feel like grasshoppers in a land of giants. Everything seems bigger and scarier. While things normally turn out okay, for one group of "new students," they didn't.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/jnqb1zwXd1A1 ]

When Moses sent the 12 spies from Kadesh into Canaan to spy out the land, 10 of the 12 returned shaking in their sandals because of the giants in the land. They told Moses they would never be able to conquer such people and their walled cities. Their fear spread throughout the assembled nation and they were forced to spend their lives wandering in the wilderness. But when Jesus commissioned His apostles to go throughout the world to preach the Gospel to people who might be opposed, they obeyed wholeheartedly in spite of "giants" in the land.

By the Holy Spirit, God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Don't worry about the assignments God gives you. We've read this page-turner and know that we win in the end!

When a man makes alliance with the Almighty, giants look like grasshoppers.
Vance Havner

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 4-8 [ http://iz3.me/knqb1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 21

Staying Cheerful in an Evil World

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Recommended Reading
John 16:25-33 [ http://iz3.me/eLtb1zwXd1A1 ]

Recently Britain's Prince Charles added his voice to those alarmed about the dramatic increase of violence against Christians. He warned that Islamic militants are deliberately targeting Christians in parts of the Middle East and seeking to wipe out the followers of Christ in Arab lands. It's true, but that's not the half of it. The crisis is global. Christians are the most persecuted group in the world today -- with millions facing pressure, danger, and death because of their faith. One expert called Christian persecution a worldwide human rights disaster of epic proportions.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/fLtb1zwXd1A1 ]

When we see the violence against believers escalating, and the Western world becoming increasingly secularized and given over to sin, we can grow discouraged.

According to Jesus, discouragement isn't the correct response. We should maintain our cheerfulness, knowing He is in control. "In the world you will have tribulation," He said, "but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

From Genesis to Revelation, here's the central message: God Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God, the Triune God is in control of all things, period.
Charles Stanley, in God Is in Control

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 9-10 [ http://iz3.me/gLtb1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 22

Were They Wise...

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:45

Recommended Reading
Matthew 5:38-48 [ http://iz3.me/Ed3c1zwXd1A1 ]

Jesus told us to treat people as kindly as we can, for that emulates our heavenly Father. He shares His sun with everyone whether they are good or evil; and He waters the fields of both the righteous farmer and the ungodly landowner.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Fd3c1zwXd1A1 ]

Were they wise, people everywhere would look to the sky, see the beauty of the sunrise, feel the refreshing drops of replenishing rains, watch the migration of the birds, and praise God for the genius of His creation.

Were they wise, secularists and atheists and skeptics would notice the brilliance of the stellar heavens and their self-evident intelligent design, and they would praise the God of the stars. Were they wise, all the hedonistic, self-absorbed people on earth would pause to thank God for their pulsing hearts and breathing lungs and incredible brains.

The evidence of God's goodness is everywhere to be seen. Some people are blind to it, but they're the ones most needing our kindness. Let's praise God for His power, and let's share His compassion today even with those who don't believe in it.

Does your love to Him ring true? And your life and service, too? Can the world see Jesus in you?
Leila N. Morris, hymnist

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 11-13 [ http://iz3.me/Gd3c1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 23

One Would Think...

Consider the lilies...
Matthew 6:28

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:25-34 [ http://iz3.me/73Ec1zwXd1A1 ]

In her book, God of All Comfort, devotional writer Hannah Whitall Smith said, "The Lord assures us that we need not be anxious about anything, but may commit all our cares to Him; for He careth for us. We are all familiar with the passages where He tells us to 'behold the fowls of the air,' and to 'consider the lilies of the field' and assures us that we are of much more value than they, and that, if He cares for them He will much more care for us. One would think there was comfort enough here for every care or sorrow all the wide world over. To have God assume our cares and our burdens and carry them for us; the Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, who can control everything, and foresee everything, and consequently can manage everything in the best possible way, to have Him declare that He will undertake for us; what could possibly be of greater comfort?"

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/83Ec1zwXd1A1 ]

But, said Smith, we often don't enjoy God's comfort because we doubt the power of His promises.

Take God at His Word today. Today, know He cares for you.

If we want to be comforted, we must make up our minds to believe every single solitary word of comfort God has ever spoken.
Hannah Whitall Smith, in God of All Comfort

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 14-16 [ http://iz3.me/93Ec1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 24

The Preeminent One

By Him all things were created ... that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:16-18

Recommended Reading
Colossians 1:15-18 [ http://iz3.me/TgNc1zwXd1A1 ]

Recently the website Wikipedia released a report based on its research and analysis listing the ten most influential people in human history. Who tops the list? It's Jesus Christ, of course; followed by Napoleon Bonaparte, William Shakespeare, Muhammad, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, and Thomas Jefferson.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/UgNc1zwXd1A1 ]

It's undoubtedly true that Jesus of Nazareth is the most influential person who ever lived. But here's what's wrong with the list. The Lord Jesus Christ is in a class all by Himself; there are no competitors, no rivals; He is unique. He is Lord of all. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, the image of the invisible God. He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Preeminent One.

That's wonderful to contemplate. We'd be in sad shape if we had to worship Napoleon or some other name on that list. We don't pray to Shakespeare. We may admire Washington and Lincoln, but they can't give abundant life. There is only one Jesus, and He alone guides our steps, receives our worship, and gives us everlasting hope. He alone is preeminent.

He is preeminent in creation because He is the Creator. He is preeminent in redemption for He is the Redeemer. He is preeminent in the church because He is the One who gave Himself for the church.
J. Vernon McGee, in Thru the Bible: Colossians

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 17-18 [ http://iz3.me/VgNc1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 26 & 27

Page Turners! Saved From Doomsday

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11

Recommended Reading
Revelation 16:16-21 [ http://iz3.me/R7ic1zwXd1A1 ]

The late Tom Clancy defined the military-thriller-doomsday genre. Almost all of his twenty novels were bestsellers, and many were made into movies. In all of his novels, the future of the world hangs by a thread as a nuclear, terrorist, military, or other scenario unfolds -- narrowly averted by one of his heroic main characters.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/S7ic1zwXd1A1 ]

A bigger conflagration than Tom Clancy ever wrote about is coming -- and it is anything but fiction. The Bible says that at the end of the age, the nations of the world, led by the Antichrist, will be united in their goal to destroy Israel. Just as they are about to unleash their destruction, the heavens will part and Jesus Christ will return to save Israel, destroy the Antichrist's armies, and judge the nations. It will not be the first time Israel has been saved from a doomsday scenario, but it will be the last: "And so all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26).

Life is filled with close encounters. But God's promises govern them all. Never forget that God's plan to conform you to the image of Christ is inviolable (Romans 8:28-29).

Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.
John R. W. Stott

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 22–25 [ http://iz3.me/T7ic1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 28

His Way

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:18

Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 8:18-20 [ http://iz3.me/alkc1zwXd1A1 ]

One day while vacationing in the south of France, singer Paul Anka heard a song titled "Comme d'habitude." He flew to Paris to negotiate the rights to translate and record it in English. Back in New York, Anka sat down late at night and began writing his version on an old electric typewriter. He had only one soloist in mind -- Frank Sinatra. Anka composed the lyrics as he thought Sinatra would have written them if he were dying: "The end is near ... I've lived a life that's full ... I've done it my way." It became one of Sinatra's greatest hits: "My Way!"

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/blkc1zwXd1A1 ]

As our culture has advanced in entertainment, technology, science, and education, a humanist philosophy has overtaken our hearts. People want to do things their way, take all the credit, and live as though God has little to do with everyday life. Like the people of Babel, we want to make a name for ourselves with no thought of God.

But it's God who gives us the ability to do things, even to gain wealth; and we must remember that what we do is only successful when we do it -- His Way.

God's way is still the best way.
Zig Ziglar, in his book by that title

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 1-2 [ http://iz3.me/clkc1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 29

The Heavens Declare

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
Psalm 14:1

Recommended Reading
Psalm 14 [ http://iz3.me/D8tc1zwXd1A1 ]

Physicist Tony Rothman wrote an article for  Discovery Magazine  discussing the problem secular scientists face with the complexity of the universe and the remarkable scientific laws and fine-tuning of the cosmos. "When confronted with the order and beauty of the universe and the strange coincidences of nature," he wrote, "it's very tempting to take the leap of faith from science into religion. I am sure many physicists want to. I only wish they would admit it."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/E8tc1zwXd1A1 ]

Acknowledging the creative power of God isn't really a leap of faith; it's obvious for those who are honest and objective. Psalm 19 says (in The Message): "God's glory is on a tour in the skies.... Madame Day holds classes each morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren't heard ... but their... unspoken truth is spoken everywhere."

The universe is filled with the evidence of God's greatness. In awesome wonder we can consider the worlds He has made. When we see His stars and hear His rolling thunder, we can praise Him. We can say with the writer of Psalm 104: "O Lord my God, You are very great."

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee: How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Stuart K. Hine

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 3-4 [ http://iz3.me/F8tc1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 30

Hide & Seek

"Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?" says the Lord; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:24

Recommended Reading
Psalm 139:7-12 [ http://iz3.me/Ks4d1zwXd1A1 ]

When we try to hide from God, we are like small children hiding in plain view. We may think we are hidden, but God sees us. The thought of God's omnipresence can either be comforting or frightening.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Ls4d1zwXd1A1 ]

It's easy to forget that God is everywhere. Adam and Eve sought to hide from God. Jonah hoped to sail away from God and His plan. Each of them learned firsthand that it is impossible to evade God. God is unlimited and infinite with respect to time; He is eternal. God is unlimited and unaffected by space; He is present everywhere at the same time.

While God's presence is frightening when we are trying to continue in sin, His constant presence can be a deep comfort for those who follow Him. His forgiveness, grace, and mercy are as constant as His presence. We no longer need to fear challenges, difficulty, or even death because He is with us and has promised to remain with us. Even if we fight against or ignore God's glory and presence, we cannot diminish them.

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, "darkness" on the wall of his cell.
C. S. Lewis

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 5-6  [ http://iz3.me/Ms4d1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 1

Eternal Love

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.
1 John 4:16a

Recommended Reading
1 John 4:7-19 [ http://iz3.me/FgEd1zwXd1A1 ]

The evidence of God's love has existed since the beginning of the world. When God created man, He gave him a beautiful garden, a companion, and a purpose. Instead of withdrawing from the world after its creation, God remained involved. Even after Adam and Eve sinned and were banished from the Garden of Eden, God did not abandon them.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/HgEd1zwXd1A1 ]

We are sometimes tempted to believe the lie that God does not love us. Thankfully the Bible is filled with evidence that this is not true. We see God's love illustrated through the prophets. Their inspired message proclaimed God's desire for fellowship and intimacy with His people, despite the people's unfaithfulness. When Jesus came to earth, He loved the unlovable, healed the sick, and gave generously of Himself and His resources. Perhaps the most poignant picture of God's love is the cross. Jesus suffered so that we could have forgiveness, life, and restored fellowship with God.

We have been given the gift of life. The intricacy and wonder of creation reveal a God who cares about details and leaves nothing to chance. He created you. He loves you. When you feel distant from God, remember that He wants to be involved in the details of your life. He is with you.

Love, not anger, brought Jesus to the cross. Golgotha came as a result of God's great desire to forgive, not His reluctance.
Richard J. Foster

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 7-9  [ http://iz3.me/IgEd1zwXd1A1 ]