Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 13 & 14

Back to School: Homework

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts 18:24

Recommended Reading
Acts 18:24-28 [ http://iz3.me/MAds1zwXd1A1 ]

There's a never-ending debate among educators about homework. While schools are assigning more and more homework in earlier and earlier grades, a rash of recent reports have questioned its value. We'll leave that discussion to parents and educators; but when it comes to studying the Good Book, there's no question. Like Apollos, we need to be mighty in the Scriptures, and that requires homework -- daily times of Bible study.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/NAds1zwXd1A1 ]

Dr. William Henry Griffith Thomas, an Anglican preacher of an earlier era, wrote: "The Bible is the Word of God, the revelation of His Will to man. It follows that we ought to know this revelation and heed its message. Knowledge demands study, earnest, faithful, patient, constant ... Knowledge, however, presupposes very much more than reading; it calls for  study.  And not study only, but a genuine application of mind, heart, and conscience to the substance and teaching of Holy Writ .... Bible study involves hard work, because it demands thought."1

Have you set aside a daily time for your "homework"? If so, enjoy it today. If not, begin today!

There can be no doubt that the most powerful and fruitful ministry will ever be the ministry of those who are, like Apollos, "mighty in the Scriptures."
William Henry Griffith Thomas

1W. H. G. Thomas, Methods of Bible Study (New York: Association Press, 1911), 1-2.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 9-12, Hosea 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/OAds1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, September 15

When Surprises Come

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1

Recommended Reading
Psalm 57:1-3 [ http://iz3.me/PHfs1zwXd1A1 ]

In June 1995, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, was deposed in a coup by his own son, the Crown Prince of Qatar. The Sheikh was in Switzerland when the coup occurred, but he vowed to return and regain the throne. (He didn't; his son remained the new leader of the nation.)

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/QHfs1zwXd1A1 ]

The Emir of Qatar was no doubt embarrassed by his grown son's behavior; parents tend to think that post-adolescent children will be friends for life. But trouble can come at unexpected times. The same thing happened to King David of Israel near the end of his life when his son Absalom rebelled against him (2 Samuel 15). David was brokenhearted over his son's actions and poured out his heart to God in the Judean Desert (Psalm 63). Even in the midst of heartache David vowed to seek God, to rejoice in Him, and to seek refuge "in the shadow of [ His ] wings" (verse 7). Whether we are young, middle-aged, or older, we should be prepared for trouble. We are born for it, Job said, "as the sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).

Whether you are in the desert or green pastures today, put your hope in God. What surprises us is no surprise for Him.

Hope is never ill when faith is well.
John Bunyan

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Hosea 5-9  [ http://iz3.me/RHfs1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 16

Sleep Well

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
Psalm 63:6

Recommended Reading
Psalm 77:4-6 [ http://iz3.me/PBps1zwXd1A1 ]

Scientists and researchers aren't sure why we sleep. When we don't sleep, we are tired, less alert, irritable, and have poorer memory. So we sleep to prevent those things from happening. We do know this: The mind is active while we sleep. Many believe it is helpful to give the mind positive and peaceful thoughts while drifting off to sleep.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/QBps1zwXd1A1 ]

And what could be more positive and peace-inducing than thoughts of God's love and care? Meditating on Scripture before going to sleep is encouraged by verses like Hebrews 4:12: "Scripture is alive and active, able to separate soul from spirit, able to reveal the thoughts and intents of the heart" (paraphrase). Why not give our mind "food for thought" that is alive and active, truth the Holy Spirit can use even as we sleep to create ideas, desires, insights, and motivations for our life? And if we awake from sleep in the night with a troubled heart, a whispered prayer to God for rest and peace is better than tossing and turning (Philippians 4:6-7).

Give your mind and body the rest it needs by sleeping peacefully in the knowledge that God is at work in you for His own good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

We sleep in peace in the arms of God, when we yield ourselves up to His providence.
François de la Mothe Fénelon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Hosea 10-14  [ http://iz3.me/RBps1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, September 17

In Every Condition

Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.
Deuteronomy 33:25

Recommended Reading
Psalm 77:4-6 [ http://iz3.me/9M1t1zwXd1A1 ]

Reverend John Rippon served as pastor of Carter's Lane Baptist Church in London for 63 years. Perhaps his greatest legacy was in the hymnals he compiled with the help of his worship minister, Robert Keene. In one of those hymnbooks, a new song appeared. The author simply identified himself as "K," but most scholars believe the "K" stands for Keene. The title was "How Firm a Foundation," and the stanzas were all adapted from Bible verses. Stanza two, inspired by Deuteronomy 33:25, says: "In every condition, in sickness, in health; in poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth; at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea, as thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/AM1t1zwXd1A1 ]

When we're sick, we should ask God for healing. The apostle Paul did so when afflicted by a thorn in his flesh. But whether we're healed physically or not, the Lord wants us to trust Him for our daily strength. In His grace, God sometimes grants rapid or immediate physical healing. In His love, God always desires our best and asks us to trust Him.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love.
Attributed to Robert Keene

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joel 1-3 [ http://iz3.me/BM1t1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, September 18

This Turn of Events

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
Psalm 23:6

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 11:1-4 [ http://iz3.me/7eAt1zwXd1A1 ]

William Wilberforce, the English politician whose commitment to Christ fueled his career, is remembered for his campaign to abolish slavery in the British Empire. What isn't well known is the financial disaster that befell him after he retired from politics. His son invested the family fortune in a failed dairy farm, and the Wilberforce family lost everything -- even their beautiful home, Highwood Hill. "What I shall most miss will be my books and my garden," Wilberforce wrote. But his biographer said, "As he prayed and reflected during walks along garden paths that were not his own, he arrived at the belief that this turn of events was in some way part of God's plan for his life." Wilberforce learned to count his blessings and concluded that his heavy loss had actually led to "the solid and great increase of [ their ] enjoyments."1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/8eAt1zwXd1A1 ]

When we go from prosperity to poverty, it doesn't change who God is. His resources are undiminished, and His promises to care for us are unaffected. Good comes from adversity, and goodness still follows every day until we go to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

What better could we desire? A kind Providence has enabled me with truth to adopt the declaration of David, that goodness and mercy have followed me all my days.
William Wilberforce

1Kevin Belmonte, William Wilberforce (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), 318-322.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Amos 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/9eAt1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 19

Facing the Hagrites

He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.
1 Chronicles 5:20

Recommended Reading
1 Chronicles 5:11-21 [ http://iz3.me/EUJt1zwXd1A1 ]

Some Bible readers find the first part of 1 Chronicles tedious because of its long genealogies or lists of names. But careful readers notice the lists are occasionally interrupted by individualized comments. Here is a remark about one particular army from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh: "They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him" (1 Chronicles 5:19-20).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/FUJt1zwXd1A1 ]


Imagine, chapter after chapter of genealogies, when suddenly the list is interrupted to tell us of one particular group of men who cried out to God, trusted in Him, and claimed the needed victory. You and I aren't just names on a list. We have access to the power of prayer. When we're discouraged, we need to verbalize our concerns to God, not assuming that He knows how we feel. He does, of course; but it helps us (and pleases Him) when we express the deepest yearnings of our heart to Him who has the solutions.

As long as we have unsolved problems, unfilled desires, and a mustard seed of faith, we have all we need for a vibrant prayer life.
John Ortberg

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Amos 5-9  [ http://iz3.me/GUJt1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 20 & 21

Back to School: Classwork

I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18

Recommended Reading
Matthew 16:13-20 [ http://iz3.me/MaTt1zwXd1A1 ]

Mission organizations are winning the world to Christ. Ministries like Turning Point are pulling out all the stops to evangelize our generation. Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries are producing dedicated workers for the kingdom. Christian humanitarian and benevolent agencies are feeding the hungry, educating the illiterate, clothing the naked, caring for prisoners, taking in the orphans, and seeking to bring Christ to the forgotten.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/NaTt1zwXd1A1 ]

Yet we should always remember that Christ never established mission boards, colleges, or humanitarian organizations. He established the church. The local church is ground zero for ministry, and all these other wonderful works are the overflow of the church's mission. If local churches are healthy, the work of Christ will prosper on the earth.

As our children head back to school, let's stay active in our local churches. Be faithful to attend each Sunday; be part of a small group; give faithfully of your tithes and offerings; volunteer; and pray for God to bless your pastor and church leaders. That's your classwork for this weekend.

I love the church of Jesus Christ with all my heart. Despite all its faults . . . it is still the most magnificent concept ever created. It has been God's chosen instrument of blessing for two thousand years.
Rick Warren

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Obadiah 1, Jonah 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/OaTt1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, September 22

Grace Is Greater

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
Psalm 43:1

Recommended Reading
Psalm 42:5-11 [ http://iz3.me/9tVt1zwXd1A1 ]

Taking the Hill  is an hour-long documentary focusing on the recovery of Vietnam veterans. Halfway through the movie, Raul Ries confessed, "I didn't think God could forgive me." Soldiers returning from war often have secrets and shame that haunt them forever -- until they discover that God will still hear their prayers.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/AtVt1zwXd1A1 ]

Even King David of Israel learned that lesson. Early in his life he wasn't guilty of sin, but he was definitely discouraged from being persecuted by his attackers. And he cried out to God for deliverance and vindication. But later in life, he was guilty of sin. Even then, he found the ears of God still open to his cries for cleansing and restoration (Psalm 32, 51). Discouragement isn't always a result of sin. It can just be the result of the stress of life. And if we have called on God for strength before, we think He can't possibly be willing to meet our need again.

But the Bible is clear: God's grace is greater than all our sin, shame, discouragement, or fear (Romans 5:20b).

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater -- yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty Cross.
Julia H. Johnston

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Micah 1-4  [ http://iz3.me/BtVt1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 23

Prayer Is for Times of Trouble

So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord . . .
Acts 4:24a

Recommended Reading
Acts 12:8-12 [ http://iz3.me/h8gt1zwXd1A1 ]

While the saying appears in various forms in war correspondence through the years, it was general-turned-president Dwight Eisenhower who put it in words that were made a part of the public record: "There are no atheists in foxholes." His remarks in a broadcast from the White House became a public recognition of what most people know instinctively: The more serious the trouble, the more likely we are to call out to God.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/i8gt1zwXd1A1 ]

Yes, it's an instinctive response and one well understood based on the biblical record. We are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) and have eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). When we are threatened, like small children we intuitively call out for the One we know cares for us. Christians have learned that God welcomes our prayers. Jesus taught us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7-8); Paul said to bring all our requests to God without ceasing (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18); and Hebrews 4:16 tells us to call on God boldly for mercy and grace -- two things every discouraged person needs.

If you are in a "foxhole" today, call upon God. Even if you have never called on God before, today is a good day to begin.

Days of trouble must be days of prayer.
Matthew Henry

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Micah 5-7  [ http://iz3.me/j8gt1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, September 24

The Covering Presence

And the cloud of the LORD was above them by day when they went out from the camp.
Numbers 10:34

Recommended Reading
Numbers 10:33-36 [ http://iz3.me/g3qt1zwXd1A1 ]

In the old missionary biography A Thousand Miles of Miracle in China,  Archibald Glover tells of his family's deliverance during the Boxer Rebellion in China at the turn of the twentieth century. At one point while traveling to safety, the family was captured at a wayside inn with no way to escape. "[ We prayed ] He would not permit the officials . . . or our captors in the room, to touch a hair of our head, and that no power might be given them against us . . . . There was dead silence as the prayer went up." Later, about midnight, the orders came: "Kill them at once." One of the captors lit a lamp and the fumes of some narcotic began filling the room. The Glovers passed out, and the guards were too insensible to obey their orders. One of the guards later said, "These people have been praying to [ their God ]; and we could do nothing against their prayers."1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/h3qt1zwXd1A1 ]

Our pathways often twist through stormy landscapes; but when we look back, we'll see a thousand miles of miracles and answered prayers. We'll grow stronger along the way, and we'll praise Him more heartily. Over the storm clouds is the Covering Presence.

Over all was the covering Presence; and the memory of that can never be anything else than joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Archibald E. Glover

1Archibald E. Glover, A Thousand Miles of Miracle in China, 3d ed. (London: Hodder and Stroughton, 1907), 258-263.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Nahum 1-3  [ http://iz3.me/i3qt1zwXd1A1 ]