Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, May 14

Swift to Hear

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
James 1:19

Recommended Reading
James 1:19-27 [ http://iz3.me/6uoe1zwXd1A1 ]

The Huffington Post carried an article on the five skills of good listeners: "They give special attention to the one speaking, they listen without being judgmental or reacting too soon, they discern where the speaker is coming from, they interrupt sparingly, and they respond with understanding."1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/7uoe1zwXd1A1 ]

Apply those principles to listening to God's Word. Picking up our Bibles, we should give God our full attention, withhold our opinion until we understand what He is saying, listen without interrupting, and respond with understanding and obedience.

When James said, "Be quick to hear," he wasn't just talking about listening to each other. The verses that follow speak of being quick to listen to the Lord: "Let every man be swift to hear ... and receive with meekness the implanted word ... Be doers of the word, and not hearers only ... He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it ... will be blessed in what he does." Let's be quick to listen, swift to believe, and eager to obey!

Read the Bible with reverence. Think, every line you read, God is speaking to you.
Thomas Watson, Puritan, in A Body of Practical Divinity

1 Roya R. Rad, "5 Skills of Good Listeners," The Huffington Post, December 23, 2013.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 25-28 [ http://iz3.me/8uoe1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 15

Cold Love

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12

Recommended Reading
John 13:31-35 [ http://iz3.me/aoxe1zwXd1A1 ]

Last winter when arctic blasts sent much of America into a deep freeze, a pizza store near Pittsburgh sent its delivery trucks to deliver prescriptions to ill and elderly residents. People across the eastern side of Pittsburgh called the shop's number to arrange for their medications. And, no, they didn't have to order a pizza. There were no strings attached. The owner told local media outlets, "You just have to be there for your residents."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/boxe1zwXd1A1 ]

Six times in the Upper Room on the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus used the phrase "one another." He told the disciples to wash one another's feet and to love one another. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another." He said. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:14, 34-35; 15:12, 17).

That means we have to be there for others, no strings attached. If an arctic chill has blown into one of your relationships, rededicate yourself to loving that person today as you should, and so prove to be our Lord's disciple. On cold days we can warm others by our love.

Not everyone is your brother or sister in the faith, but everyone is your neighbor, and you must love your neighbor.
Timothy Keller

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 29-31 [ http://iz3.me/doxe1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 16

Into the Sewer

Behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him.
Matthew 9:10

Recommended Reading
Matthew 9:9-13 [ http://iz3.me/98Af1zwXd1A1 ]

Viewers of the local news in Phoenix earlier this year saw a shirtless fellow being interviewed and hailed a hero. He had helped rescue a toddler who had fallen through the covering of a septic tank. The little girl, while walking with her mother, had stepped on the lid of the tank, causing it to buckle and sending her into the foul pool below. The twenty-eight year old man jumped in after her, thinking nothing of the muck that swallowed him up. After the girl was rescued and revived, reporters discovered the hero was an ex-convict, two weeks out of prison. "I would have done it for anyone," said the man. "I have a son too."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/B8Af1zwXd1A1 ]

Everyone we meet is a hero waiting to happen. When Jesus saw people, He envisioned their potential. No respecter of persons, He associated with people from all walks of life.

Beware the sin of looking down on those for whom Christ died. After all, He plunged into the sewage of a sinful world to save the likes of you and me. We, in turn, can share His grace with those who need it most.

He stated His message boldly and forcefully, without compromise, whether He was speaking to the lowest outcast of society or a member of the Pharisee elite. Jesus was no respecter of persons.
Michael Youssef

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 32-34 [ http://iz3.me/D8Af1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 17 & 18

The Five Ships of Opportunity: Fellowship

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
1 John 1:7

Recommended Reading
1 John 1:5-10 [ http://iz3.me/4KIf1zwXd1A1 ]

Hank Williams dropped out of school to pursue his dream of being a country music star, but he ran into problems with alcoholism. He married Audrey Sheppard at a gas station in Alabama. But when the marriage hit the rocks, Audrey threw Hank out of the house. Fueled by heartache, Williams wrote the song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Shortly afterward he died at age 29 in the back of his Cadillac en route to a performance. His songs of loneliness and heartache made him an American icon, for somehow his plaintive melodies touched the hearts of those who are so lonely they could cry.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/5KIf1zwXd1A1 ]

The Bible has a one-word answer for loneliness: Fellowship. That's our opportunity to be best friends with the Lord and part of His worldwide family. It's the divine answer.

If you feel so lonely you could cry, take the focus off yourself. Think of how much God loves you, and find another person whom you can serve today. When we see the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.

People need fellowship, and it is God's will that they should have it.
James Montgomery Boice

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 35-36, Ezra 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/6KIf1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 19

Saying Versus Showing

But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:18

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 2:8-10 [ http://iz3.me/CbLf1zwXd1A1 ]

History is filled with people claiming to have seen "Bigfoot," "Sasquatch," or the "Abominable Snowman." A recent claim to make the news was from a man in Michigan who claims to have seen Bigfoot many times over the years. He puts out boxes of pizza at night and finds the torn, empty boxes in the morning. (No explanation is given as to why he hasn't set up a video camera to record the visitations.)

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/DbLf1zwXd1A1 ]


There is a central conflict in all the claims of sightings: verbal claims as opposed to visual evidence. We are asked to take the word of someone without verifiable evidence to back up the claim. That conflict exists in Christian spirituality as well: the profession of faith versus the demonstration of faith. And when it comes to Christian faith, both are important. The apostle James wrote a lengthy section of his letter on this subject (James 2:14-26). In short, he said, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (verse 17).

No one is saved  by  good works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but every Christian has been saved  for  good works (verse 10).

We must come to good works by faith, and not to faith by good works.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezra 5-7 [ http://iz3.me/EbLf1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 20

Blessed to Be a Blessing

And [ if ] one of you says to [ a believer in need ], "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
James 2:16

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 8:1-7 [ http://iz3.me/swVf1zwXd1A1 ]

A grieving Canadian widower was dining alone in a restaurant for the first time since burying his wife of 43 years. Seated nearby was a young couple who reminded him of the love he and his wife had shared. He quietly gave the restaurant money to cover the couple's meal and wrote them a note on a napkin. He thanked them for the memories they evoked, related a bit of his own situation, and wished them well in their lives.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/twVf1zwXd1A1 ]

He could have enjoyed the memories alone. He could have stopped by their table and greeted them. But he went a step further -- he took money from his pocket to bless a couple of strangers with a meal and encourage them in their lives. Opportunities to be a blessing to others are fleeting and should be grasped. Wishing someone well is one thing; taking steps to ensure they are blessed is another -- especially when they have a need that we can meet. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others (1 Peter 3:9).

Commit yourself now to be a blessing to others today. When that fleeting opportunity appears, you will be ready.

Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.
Frederick W. Faber

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezra 8-10 [ http://iz3.me/uwVf1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, May 21

Powerful Words

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

Recommended Reading
James 3:1-12 [ http://iz3.me/uSif1zwXd1A1 ]

In the beginning God spoke and it was. His words created something out of nothing. While our words are not as powerful as God's, Proverbs declares that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (18:21a). Once we accept the power of our words, we must decide on their purpose.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/vSif1zwXd1A1 ]

Words can be as useful as a strong horse ploughing a field or a spark used to start a warm fire on a winter night. They can also rage uncontrollably, destroying what lies in their path. Caring words of support create a safe and intimate friendship. Truthful words spoken in love can offer a friend the opportunity to grow, but spiteful words destroy friendships, and vindictive truth discourages the hearer instead of inspiring them to grow.

Within seconds thoughts become words that slip off our tongue and into the world. Pausing before we speak may seem cumbersome, but it allows us to decide: Is this helpful? Does this need to be said now? What is the best way to say this?

Our words reveal what we care about and they influence others. Is there someone you can encourage today?

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Nehemiah 1-3  [ http://iz3.me/wSif1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 22

The Antidote

Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:13-14

Recommended Reading
1 John 3:16-23 [ http://iz3.me/aWsf1zwXd1A1 ]

We avoid sickness. When an item at the grocery store is recalled or we hear of a friend getting food poisoning from a local restaurant, we avoid the culprits of the disease. If only we were this cautious when it came to our words. Words may seem fragile and weightless, but the truth is that they can harm both the speaker and the listener. Two of the greatest culprits are flattery and gossip.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/fWsf1zwXd1A1 ]

Flattery is lying: we create empty words that contain only a kernel of truth; we delude the person being flattered, blinding them to reality. We also delude ourselves, hiding our real thoughts and beliefs behind a mask. Gossip may seem harmless because it is done in secret, but the ideas spread about another person can damage their reputation, opportunities, and relationships.

The person we influence most with our negative words is ourselves. If we are not careful, these thoughts and words create a well-worn path in our hearts that leads us to have a bitter and judgmental spirit. The only antidote is God and His love. It is only as we remember and embrace His generous grace toward us that we can extend it to others. Will you accept and extend His grace today?

It's not necessary to blow out your neighbor's light to let your own shine.
M. R. De Haan

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Nehemiah 4-7  [ http://iz3.me/gWsf1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 23

The Devil's Sway

You are of your father the devil .... He was a murderer from the beginning ... He is a liar and the father of it.
John 8:44

Recommended Reading
1 John 5:14-21 [ http://iz3.me/pc4g1zwXd1A1 ]

In his first epistle, the apostle John makes a remarkable statement: "The whole world lies  under the sway  of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). That would seem to include the whole unsaved geopolitical, economic, entertainment, and educational world -- all the world lies under Satan's sway. He is a murderer and liar from the beginning. In lying to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he led them into sin and, in effect, murdered the whole human race in a single moment. He brought death upon all humanity.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/qc4g1zwXd1A1 ]

The failure of earthly wisdom began in the Garden of Eden. But the power of heavenly wisdom triumphed at the cross and tomb of Christ. In another passage, John said, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:.

The wisest choice we can ever make is to  lean on  and  learn from  our Lord Jesus Christ. As we receive Him as Savior and commune with Him daily in His Word, we'll be growing in wisdom. The blood of Jesus will overturn the devil's schemes, and God's Word will counteract Satan's lies.

Satan must be defeated in the arena he dominates, this world. So Christ was sent into this world to destroy Satan's works.
Charles C. Ryrie

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Nehemiah 8-10  [ http://iz3.me/rc4g1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 24 & 25

The Five Ships of Opportunity: Leadership

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me.
Psalm 27:11

Recommended Reading
Psalm 27:11-14 [ http://iz3.me/XfBg1zwXd1A1 ]

In a new children's book, writer Brad Meltzer tells how the famous aviator Amelia Earhart was told as a child not to pursue "unladylike adventures," but she didn't listen. At age seven, she built her own roller coaster in the backyard using a wooden packing box, planks, roller skate wheels, and lard, which served as grease. From the beginning, she was an innovator and a leader.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/afBg1zwXd1A1 ]

Whatever your age or stage in life, perhaps you'll have the opportunity today to be an innovator and a leader. Perhaps you'll have the opportunity to lead a church, to lead a team, to lead a Bible study, to lead a mission trip, to lead in prayer, to lead your family in devotions, or to lead a soul to Christ. Even if you don't think of yourself as a leader, you are one -- or can be.

Leadership is an opportunity for Spirit-filled people to serve others on this roller coaster called life. Offer this prayer today: "Lord, lead me to be a leader; teach me to be a teacher; help me to be a helper; and bless me to be a blessing."

The fullness of the Spirit is an essential and indispensable experience for spiritual leadership. And each of us is as full of the Spirit as we really want to be.
J. Oswald Sanders

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Nehemiah 11-13, Esther 1-5 [ http://iz3.me/bfBg1zwXd1A1 ]