Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Monday, June 9

The Sharpened Sword

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalm 119:36

Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:33-40 [ http://iz3.me/tPth1zwXd1A1 ]

"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book," observed Henry David Thoreau. Sometimes when we're at a crossroads, we discover some timely book and drink it in like a desert wanderer at an oasis. It changes our lives.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/vPth1zwXd1A1 ]

In the course of a lifetime, most of us can point to a handful of books that had a soul-shaping effect on us. But here is the wonder of Scripture: God's Word has that effect on every Christian every day as we faithfully read and study it. The more we study the Bible, the more our hearts are inclined to good and not bad. As we abide in Scripture, God predisposes our hearts to His testimonies and not to covetousness. He inclines us to holiness and not to sinfulness. As we hide His Word in our hearts, it keeps us from sinning against Him.

The Sword of the Spirit is our greatest offensive weapon. Understanding the Word of God helps us fight Satan's attacks. Keep your sword sharpened, and you'll stay sharp for whatever battle you're facing today.

The authority of the Scriptures is not a matter to be defended as much as to be asserted.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 22–27 [ http://iz3.me/wPth1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 10

Know Your Advocate

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Recommended Reading
Psalm 46 [ http://iz3.me/EU3i1zwXd1A1 ]

"Know your enemy" is a famous phrase from Sun Tzu's sixth-century book, The Art of War. The exact quotation is: "If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/FU3i1zwXd1A1 ]

In spiritual warfare, it's important to know our enemies, which is why the Bible gives us so much information about the world, the flesh, and the devil. We mustn't be ignorant of Satan's schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). But greater than knowing our enemy or ourselves is knowing the Lord. He is our refuge and strength, our fortress, and our advocate. He is our shield and strength. He is our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend. Knowing that God is more powerful than the enemy is crucial when facing spiritual warfare. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Know yourself; know your enemy; but most of all, know your Lord.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
Martin Luther

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 28-33 [ http://iz3.me/GU3i1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, June 11

Christ Our Armor

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

Recommended Reading
Romans 13:11-12 [ http://iz3.me/hFDi1zwXd1A1 ]

The most extreme examples of personal armor date from sixteenth century Europe when knights and soldiers were covered from head to toe in polished metal suits. From helmets with eye-slits to metal gloves to metal shoe covers -- and everything in between -- warriors were encased in more than 50 pounds of metal protection. Larger cavalry horses were bred to carry the added weight of their own armor plus their rider's.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/iFDi1zwXd1A1 ]

Total envelopment is how the New Testament pictures the Christian's spiritual armor. Even though Paul mentions six specific types of armor -- belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword (Ephesians 6:14-17) -- there is a way to think of our armor in a holistic sense. Jesus Christ Himself is our armor: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27). When we "make no provision for the flesh" (Romans 13:14), we put on Christ and arm ourselves with His truth, righteousness, peace, faithfulness, salvation, and His Word. Everything that each piece of God's armor is to  us, Christ is for us.

Putting aside sin and the flesh, the Christian walks in the full protection of Christ Himself.

Our enemies are on every side, so must our armor be.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 34-37 [ http://iz3.me/jFDi1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, June 12

The Belt of Truth

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth ....
Ephesians 6:14a

Recommended Reading
John 14:16-17 [ http://iz3.me/6iLi1zwXd1A1 ]

The use of "girded" (NKJV, NASB) and "girt" (KJV) in Ephesians 6:14 gave rise to the popular term "girdle of truth." But a word of clarification: Paul is not making reference in that verse to the "girdle" as it was defined in the early to mid-twentieth century -- a female undergarment. Paul refers more correctly to a "belt" worn around the waist of most men in his day, and all soldiers: "the belt of truth" (NIV, NLT, ESV).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/8iLi1zwXd1A1 ]

But why would Paul connect truth to a first-century belt? Probably because of the usefulness of the leather or linen belt in his day. It was used to tuck up a robe to ensure more efficient movement (1 Peter 1:13); it was used by soldiers for hanging a sword or quiver of arrows; it was used by soldiers to display medals of valor. Just so, the truth of God keeps the Christian unencumbered by false teaching and sin (Hebrews 12:1), serves as a place to hang our beliefs (John 17:17), and rewards us with salvation when we believe and obey it (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Most of all, truth allows us to love in deeds and not in words alone (1 John 3:18).

The belt of God's truth is not something that makes us look good. Rather, it is something that shapes our life into the image of Christ.

Truth wears well.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 38-42 [ http://iz3.me/AiLi1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, June 13

The Armor of Righteousness

.... having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Ephesians 6:14b

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 59:17 [ http://iz3.me/hTVi1zwXd1A1 ]

Sadly, bullet-proof vests are a common article of clothing for many besides soldiers. They are the modern equivalent of the ancient breastplate, mentioned by Paul as an item of the Christian's armor. Isaiah notes that even God wore a figurative breastplate as the defender of Israel (Isaiah 59:17). But ancient and modern breastplates differ from biblical breastplates in what they are meant to protect.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/iTVi1zwXd1A1 ]

Ancient breastplates and modern vests worn by soldiers protect the body and heart, while the biblical breastplate protects one from the ravages of sin and unrighteousness. For that reason, Paul calls this piece of the Christian's armor the "breastplate of righteousness." Isaiah's reference is helpful: God "put on righteousness as a breastplate" -- and we do the same. It is not our righteousness that protects us from the fiery attacks of Satan; it is Christ's righteousness that is our armor (2 Corinthians 6:7).

We gain righteousness through faith in Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26). Trusting in His righteousness is the only way to negate Satan's accusations of guilt from sin.

In justification we are not only told that Christ has paid the debt of our sins, we receive Christ's righteousness!
Sinclair Ferguson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 43-49  [ http://iz3.me/jTVi1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, June 14 & 15

June Bugs: The Fly

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 11:22 [ http://iz3.me/nmfi1zwXd1A1 ]

In a training manual used at the United States Naval Academy, a short creed is included, originally written by John Wayland in 1899 and titled "The True Gentleman." The first line says, "The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from ... an acute sense of propriety." A trip to the dictionary reveals that "propriety" is the quality of being socially appropriate -- doing and saying the right thing at the right time.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/omfi1zwXd1A1 ]

The Bible speaks of a similar idea when it talks about speech seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Always graphic, Solomon said an angry woman is like a gold ring in a pig's nose (Proverbs 11:22). And later in life, the king put it a different way: All it takes to ruin the beautiful odor of a vial of perfume is one dead fly floating therein (Ecclesiastes 10:1). All these verses say the same thing: It only takes one small, inappropriate word or deed to tarnish an otherwise respectable person or moment. James would agree: Be slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).

Ask God to give you a Spirit-led sense of propriety, today and every day.

Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse.
Matthew Henry

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 50–61 [ http://iz3.me/pmfi1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, June 16

Doubly Righteous

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16

Recommended Reading
James 5:13-20 [ http://iz3.me/scii1zwXd1A1 ]

According to James 5:16, the most effective prayers are the ones offered fervently by righteous people. But righteous in what way? First, we are righteous in Christ. When we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we're washed of our sins and clothed in His righteousness. When God sees us, He sees the righteousness of Christ. We can never be declared righteous on our own, for all our righteousness is like filthy rags. But when we are garbed in Christ, we're heirs of His righteousness, which is imputed to us by grace through faith.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/tcii1zwXd1A1 ]

But there is a second aspect to righteousness. Having been declared righteous in Christ, we should then live an upright life. Our  positional  righteousness should lead to  practical  righteousness. In a sense, then, we can be doubly righteous. Living a righteous life in Christ helps us lead a victorious life.

Has a sinful attitude or habit infiltrated your everyday righteousness? Confess it, turn from it, and learn to walk in a way that pleases the Lord. Your prayers will be stronger and your life sweeter.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
Edward Mote

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 62-68  [ http://iz3.me/ucii1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 17

Get in the Zone

To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

Recommended Reading
Romans 8:1-8 [ http://iz3.me/e2si1zwXd1A1 ]

During last winter's Olympic Games, the Huffington Post ran an article about the brain-training secrets of the athletes. Gold medal champions know how to train their minds like they train their bodies. Using mental exercises, they've learned to tune out distractions, reduce stress, and focus on staying on top of their game. Using mental imagery, they visualize their performance in exacting detail, for studies have found that mental practice is almost as effective as physical training. Olympians meditate to calm themselves down. When they get into a "flow mindset," they say they're "in the zone."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/f2si1zwXd1A1 ]

Christians should be experts at cultivating the mind and soul. The Bible tells us to train our minds as we train our bodies -- to reject anxiety, to focus on trusting the Lord, and to visualize the green pastures, still waters, and abundant life God has promised. The Bible tells us to meditate on His Word and get "into the zone" of the spiritual mind. Peace comes from trusting in our Savior -- to be spiritually minded is life and peace -- and that's why He keeps those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

If we lived under the constant benediction of the deepest truth of the universe -- "God is love" -- our peace would be full.
Alexander Maclaren

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 69-72 [ http://iz3.me/h2si1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, June 23

Upward Thinking

And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

Recommended Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/xJbj1zwXd1A1 ]

Dr. B. H. Carroll, who died in 1914, was an expositional preacher and Christian leader who published thirty-three books and is best known today for a multi-volume commentary on the Bible. His zeal for evangelism and Christian education was legendary. If you want to know his motivational secret, read what he wrote in his commentary on the four Gospels: "In my own experience," he said, "the brightest hour was when I got my first glorious conception of heaven, and it has been the power of my Christianity ever since."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/2Kbj1zwXd1A1 ]

On the cross, our Lord's thoughts were of where He would be by sundown. He proffered the same comfort to the thief who believed on Him. In our own times of trouble and weariness, it's our hope of our Lord's return and of our eternal home in heaven that uplifts and sustains us. Whatever happens around us, we can always glance at the sunrise or sunset or see the twinkling stars and remind ourselves of our eternal destiny.

Knowing that Christ will return one day helps us persevere in times of trouble.

When we see by faith the invisible things of heaven, it has an uplifting power, it has an attracting power, higher above the earth, nearer to God all the time.
B. H. Carroll

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 104-106 [ http://iz3.me/3Kbj1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 24

Spirit-Given Words

Do not worry about how or what you should answer.... For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Luke 12:11-12

Recommended Reading
Luke 12:8-12 [ http://iz3.me/O0jj1zwXd1A1 ]

In Soviet days, East German Communist authorities summoned fifteen-year-old Wilfried Gotter to a closed room and pressured him to join the army as a Communist. Wilfried was a committed Christian who wanted no part of Communism, but how could he withstand the authorities? "I was given a word from God," he later said. "It was Colossians 2:8: 'See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.'"

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/P0jj1zwXd1A1 ]

The teenager quoted this verse to his interrogators and they seemed totally disarmed. They had no answer to that verse and they let him go. "In that moment," Wilfried said, "I really experienced what it says in the Bible -- that when you are led before the authorities, you shouldn't be concerned about what you are to say."

We seldom know the best thing to say -- especially in the face of anger or opposition. But the Holy Spirit can give us the right thoughts. Trust God for His wisdom and His words on every occasion.

To have such words in such a situation wasn't due to my quick-wittedness or anything -- I was only fifteen. These are the practical experiences of faith.
Wilfried Gotter

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 107-111 [ http://iz3.me/Q0jj1zwXd1A1 ]