Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 11 & 12

Seasonal Changes: Plans

A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Recommended Reading
James 4:13-17 [ http://iz3.me/rOww1zwXd1A1 ]

Think for a moment about all the plans you have in place right now: You plan to finish reading this devotional; you plan to take care of chores and tasks this weekend; you plan to do certain things next week; you plan to accomplish some family objectives this fall; you plan to take a vacation, get involved in a committee at church, retire, enjoy your senior years, and spend eternity with Christ. We live with plans -- from the small to the sacred and everywhere in between.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/sOww1zwXd1A1 ]

Scripture commends plan-making -- especially Proverbs (3:5-6; 16:1-4, 9; 19:21; 20:24). Proverbs even commends the ants for "planning" for the winter by storing up food in the summer (Proverbs 6:6-8). Yet for human planners, there is one caveat when it comes to making plans: God's plans always take precedence over ours. Every plan we make should carry the conscious addendum, "As the Lord directs." In a parable the apostle James taught, planners are told to say, "If the Lord wills . . ." (James 4:15).

So, make your plans for this weekend, this fall, and the coming year. Just allow God to direct your steps. And trust that if He changes your plans, it is a chance to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

God's plan will continue on God's schedule.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 25-28 [ http://iz3.me/tOww1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 20

Taking the Long View

Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4

Recommended Reading
Revelation 13:16-18 [ http://iz3.me/hw0x1zwXd1A1 ]

Many nations have used rationing -- controlling the availability of certain goods and services -- during times of war. Citizens usually comply with rationing because they understand the long-term benefits of achieving national prosperity through victory.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/iw0x1zwXd1A1 ]

In the Tribulation, however, the Antichrist will institute a form of rationing unlike any the world has seen. It will be for the purposes of gaining control and securing the allegiance of the world's population. Without the "mark . . . of the beast," no one will be able to buy or sell goods or services (Revelation 13:16-18). Those who refuse the Antichrist's "mark" will suffer. But those who refuse the mark, and are killed for Christ's sake, will be resurrected to reign with Christ in the Millennium for a thousand years.

Much of the spiritual life is about discerning the difference between short-term gratification and long-term blessing -- as in  eternal  blessing.

In true Christianity, there are no short-term commitments and no escape clauses.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 15-16  [ http://iz3.me/jw0x1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 21

A Picture of Sin

Take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
Numbers 32:23

Recommended Reading
Psalm 51:7-13 [ http://iz3.me/1u9x1zwXd1A1 ]

A man in Palm Beach County, Florida, was arrested for theft earlier this year. He might have gotten away with it except he posted "selfies" of himself with the loot on his Instagram page. Officials searched his house and found a quarter-million dollars' worth of stolen plunder. As they filled out the arrest warrant, they asked the man his occupation. He replied, "Thief."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/2u9x1zwXd1A1 ]

It's strange when we're proud of the things we should be ashamed of -- and ashamed of the things we should boast about. The Bible tells us to boast in the Lord, but to avoid the appearance of evil. Even as fully forgiven, born-again Christians, we can become proud of some evil habit in our lives. And, sad to say, we can be ashamed of serving Jesus. That's a terrible condition.

Although we enjoy God's grace here on earth, we need to remember He is just in all His dealings with us and we should never take His grace for granted. Listen instead to 2 Corinthians 7:1: "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Robert Robinson in the hymn, "Come, Thou Fount"

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 1-2 [ http://iz3.me/3u9x1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 22

A Dark World

.. . . shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life.
Philippians 2:15-16

Recommended Reading
Philippians 2:14-18 [ http://iz3.me/frKx1zwXd1A1 ]

Turning Points readers live all over the world, some in lands of oppression and some in countries with ungodly leaders. We live in a dark world, and our rulers are often ego-driven and misguided. Some governments are corrupt, and few leaders are truly Christ-loving people. Yet few of us have a ruler as bad as Nero, the emperor with whom Paul contended. Nero was brutal, weak, sensual, perverted, sadistic, and deranged. He freely tortured and killed Christians, lighting his chariot course with their burning bodies.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/grKx1zwXd1A1 ]

The apostle Paul told us to pray for our leaders and to respect the authority God has put into place (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1). In spite of Nero, Paul managed to turn the world upside down and advance the Gospel to every corner (Acts 17:6).

When Jesus comes again, every knee will bow before Him. Revelation 19 says He will rule "with a rod of iron." No earthly leader will be able to withstand His return, not even the Antichrist. But until then, let's shine with the message of the Cross. We can still turn the world upside down. We can be living torches for Christ today.

When we are in touch with God's joy and peace in us, then we become whole and holy persons. Like living torches we radiate the light and heat of God's compassionate love.
Mark Yaconelli

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 3-4 [ http://iz3.me/hrKx1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 23

Seated With Christ

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1 Corinthians 6:2-3

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 6:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/VqVx1zwXd1A1 ]

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul chided the Corinthians for failing to resolve difficulties without suing one another. We should be able to settle matters with each other, he said, because one day we'll judge the world. It's hard to foresee how that will happen, but similar verses reinforce the point. The Bible teaches we will reign with Christ and have part in His kingship. When He judges the world, we'll be there to agree with His judgment.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/WqVx1zwXd1A1 ]


Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 19:28, "You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Revelation 3:21 adds, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne." The Bible says, "If we endure, we shall also reign with  Him " (2 Timothy 2:12). In Revelation 20, John envisioned God's faithful children reigning with Christ a thousand years.

If we'll one day judge the world, shouldn't we be able to work out our disagreements now? Think of a troubled relationship in your life and ask God for wisdom to improve it.

God has raised you up to be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. It's a place not only of privilege but of serious responsibility, for as you pray, you do so alongside your Lord and from an exalted position.
Joni Eareckson Tada

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 5-6 [ http://iz3.me/XqVx1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 24

Universal Praise

Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne.
Revelation 5:13

Recommended Reading
Psalm 148 [ http://iz3.me/H0ix1zwXd1A1 ]

When we praise the Lord, we're joining the saints of Scripture and the hymnists of history in lifting up our worship to Him who sits on the Throne. We're joining the hosts in heaven now gathered by the crystal river. We're sharing in the natural praise that arises from Creation as the birds sing, the winds howl, and the thunders rumble across the sky. The whole universe is designed to praise the Lord.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/I0ix1zwXd1A1 ]

George Dawson, a nineteenth-century English divine, prayed: "We join, O God, in the blessed strain Thy holy children sang of old, when, filled full of gladness and Divine glory, they all met to sing Thy praise, to praise Thee as a God of glory, and to magnify Thy mighty name. We too would call upon all things to praise Thee, and join the song poured forth unto Thee by the sweet birds and the flowers, and by all Thy works in nature."

From first to last, Revelation brims and overflows with worship. It isn't a book of perplexity but of praise. If worship will be universal during the Millennium and eternal state, let's get a head start on it today!

Thou hast uplifted us, and given us to drink of the cup of God, drawn from the river of the water of life which is by Thy Throne for evermore.
George Dawson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 7-8 [ http://iz3.me/J0ix1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 25 & 26

Seasonal Changes: Places

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem . . . .
Matthew 16:21

Recommended Reading
Jonah 1:1-3 [ http://iz3.me/bwpx1zwXd1A1 ]

According to the 2011 U.S. Census, a typical American moves his place of residence 11.7 times in his lifetime -- about once every seven years. But when it comes to changing our "place," there is more than geography to consider.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/cwpx1zwXd1A1 ]

Our life consists of many different "places": work, recreation, relationships, education -- even mental, spiritual, or emotional places ("I'm in a really great place right now!"). "Place" is one of those parts of life that needs to be always before the Lord for His confirmation or correction. God may want us to serve or help someone which will require us to change our place. Or He may want us to leave a place that is having a negative impact on our life. He may even want us to remain there and be an agent of godly change in a place that doesn't acknowledge Him. Christ made His disciples into apostles by sending them from where they were into the world (Matthew 28:19-20). We should be ready for Him to change our place in life as well.

Where are you this fall -- physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally? Ask God to confirm where you are or give you grace to change if needed.

The middle of the road is a poor place to walk. It is a poor place to drive. It is a poor place to live.
Vance Havner

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 9-12 [ http://iz3.me/dwpx1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 27

Being Narrow-Minded

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:1

Recommended Reading
2 Timothy 4:6-8 [ http://iz3.me/kMsx1zwXd1A1 ]

Some say biblical Christianity is too narrow. If it is true (and it is) then it is indeed narrow compared with modern sensibilities. It helps to remind ourselves of what the Bible teaches about Jesus Christ, to make sure we remain committed to a biblical faith.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/lMsx1zwXd1A1 ]

For instance, the Bible says that Jesus Christ will sit as judge of all humanity one day in the future (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1). Do you believe this? Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth, and the life -- that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Do you believe this? The Bible says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10). Do you believe this? Jesus said that everyone who does not believe in Him stands condemned already (John 3:18). Do you believe this? But the Bible also says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Do you believe this?

The law of gravity is narrow, but it is also true. The best response to truth is to believe and rejoice in its blessing.

All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass -- Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Archibald Alexander

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 13-15 [ http://iz3.me/mMsx1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 28

The Judge of All the Earth

True and righteous are His judgments.
Revelation 19:2

Recommended Reading
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 [ http://iz3.me/18302zwXd1A1 ]

In Genesis 18:25, Abraham asked a question that puts things in perspective: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" As humans, we recoil from the concept of judgment. We question why God would condemn the world. We wonder about those who have never heard the message of the Gospel. We can't fully understand the presence of evil in the universe or the suffering that fills our world. Sometimes we're uncomfortable with the biblical concepts of God's wrath, vengeance, and judgment.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/28302zwXd1A1 ]

In the end, we will come to Abraham's conclusion in Genesis: The Judge of all the earth will do right. We'll agree with the angels in Revelation: "True and righteous  are  His judgments." God's wisdom knows how to handle sin; and His purity demands its condemnation. His grace is extended to us fully and freely, and His Cross frees us from condemnation.

Without the judgment of God, sin and suffering would be unhindered, unfettered, and unending. God's judgment is certain, but it's wise in its application and crucial for our happiness. We can praise Him for His judgments, for the Judge of all the world will do right. He is -- and always will be -- true and righteous.

The fact that there will be a final judgment assures us that ultimately God's universe is fair, for God is in control.
Wayne Grudem

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 16-18 [ http://iz3.me/58302zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 29

The Great White Throne

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.
Revelation 20:12

Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:11-15 [ http://iz3.me/rNC02zwXd1A1 ]

Anyone who has sat in a courtroom awaiting a verdict knows the stress of the moment. Innocent or guilty? Life or death? Tension fills the courtroom like electrical voltage as the jury renders its decision and the judge pronounces the sentence.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/sNC02zwXd1A1 ]

What, then, will it be like at the Great White Throne? God will have a complete record of every moment of everyone's life, everything done publicly and privately. This will be the ultimate test for those who believe their good works will get them into heaven. No one has lived a perfect or sinless life; no one's works will be sufficient. Whether we view our lives as good or bad, without Christ there is only condemnation.

That's why Christ came to save us. His blood shields us, for "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Becoming a Christian means we no longer gain salvation by our works but by grace. The only way to pass from death to life -- to bypass the Great White Throne Judgment -- is through faith in Christ.

How much better to know Him as Savior than to meet Him as Judge!

A great white throne: Great, because of the causes that will be decided there ... white, because of its immaculate purity ... a throne, because a King will sit there.
F. B. Meyer, in  Great Verses Through the Bible

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 19-20 [ http://iz3.me/tNC02zwXd1A1 ]