Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, July 23 & 24

Joy Busters: Selfishness (An Egocentric Lifestyle)

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13

Recommended Reading
Romans 2:5-11


Having children was not easy for Sean and Carolyn Savage, so in February of 2009, they attempted to have another child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). They soon discovered they were pregnant, but mistakenly with another couple's embryo. The Savages made a selfless decision--to give this baby a life--life with his biological parents.1

Often we're surprised when we read stories like this. We live in a world filled with self-centered people...a world that teaches a person has a right to do whatever they please to further their own desires. In fact, "self-centered" is not the preferred word any longer, most prefer "egocentric" to describe this self-proclaimed way of living. Sadly, egocentric thinking is accepted and even promoted by many today.

So how were the Savages able to act so selflessly? As Carolyn said, "We tried to focus on the gift, not the loss." Serving others in selflessness costs us something, but there is always a reward. .When we make the choice to live by the Spirit, rather than our flesh, our lives speak the simple words, "GLU" (God loves you).

Self-serving needs are not meant to be satisfied; they are meant to be put to death.
Edward T. Welch

1cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/seancarolynsavage030311.aspx

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 33:1-36:22
Isaiah 37:1-40:31

[Judy Harder]

Monday, July 25

The Write Encouragement

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.
Philippians 1:3-4

Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:3-11


How many words do you speak throughout a given day compared to the words that you write? One estimation of our spoken words reports that a woman speaks approximately 8000 words a day, and a man speaks about 6000 words. These estimates outnumber our written words by far--even though Internet messaging goes on 24/7. Is it any surprise that sometimes we can't remember what we said or what someone else said? The power of the written word cannot be underestimated.

God valued the written word and gave us the Bible as His letter of encouragement--a permanent record of His love and concern for us. Many of the books in the New Testament are letters, known as epistles, written to churches and individuals. It's interesting to note that when the apostle Paul wrote a letter, he consistently began with a word of encouragement (Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Written encouragement conveys a thoughtful investment of your time. Why not take a minute and think of someone you know who needs a word of encouragement today. They won't forget it!

Written encouragement is one of the most effective tools God has given to His children.
David Jeremiah

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 41:1-43:28

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, July 26

Reviving an Old Practice

These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself....
1 Timothy 3:14-15

Recommended Reading
1 Timothy 3:14-16


Newsweek recently carried a story on the passing of the era of the personal letter, saying, "The decline in letter writing constitutes a cultural shift so vast that in the future, historians may divide time not between B.C. and A.D. but between the eras when people wrote letters and when they did not."1

That may be overstated, but maybe not. Historians depend on personal letters to fill in the gaps of the human story. In bygone eras, letter writing was the only way people could communicate over distance, and correspondents were often self-revealing in what they penned. They left a historical record of their life, a legacy. With the invention of Morse's telegraph that began to change; and in our age of email and text messages few people sit down long enough to write a personal note of more than a few hurried words.

Considering this vacuum, what an impact a hand-written letter of encouragement can be. Find some appropriate stationery, a good pen, and give it a try. You never know who you might encourage as you revive an age-old practice that works!

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.
Phyllis Theroux, essayist

1"The Good Word," Newsweek newsweek.com/2009/01/17/the-good-word.html.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 44:1-47:15

[Judy Harder]

There's nothing like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day!  I imagine you know the feeling well — instant refreshment.

I'm sure you've discovered something else, too: Your personal relationship with Jesus Christ can be a lot like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day!

The love of Jesus quenches your soul like no other. 

The Bible tells us, "Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:.  "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).  "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:.  I could go on and on!

Today, I want to refresh your spiritual walk this summer by sharing a dynamic and inspirational study with you.  My prayer is that it will rekindle true love in your heart ... and help you rediscover passion for God and others!

Drawing from the wonderful truths found in 1Corinthians 13, you can understand the power and priority of love over all other virtues.

True love is where Christian growth begins!

Click here to discover how to power-up your personal Christian walk with this most wonderful gift from God! 



God bless you,

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, July 27

Job's Pals

I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!
Job 16:2

Recommended Reading
Job 16:1-5


Humorist Arnold H. Glasgow quipped, "A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad."

Job's pals seemed to start that way, for we read in Job 2:11: "When Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place...For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him." Job's friends began well. They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights and grieved with him. Few words were spoken. The friends were sensitive to Job's despair as he unburdened his heart.

But then they opened their mouths and spouted opinions--most of which were laden with misinformation--and their well-meaning visit took a wrong turn. That led an exasperated Job to call them "miserable comforters."

How many times have we resembled Job's friends? With our friends, let's sit where they sit, weep when they weep, and laugh as they laugh. But when we open our mouths, let's ask God for wisdom to reflect His truth into their lives in a way that builds them up, lest we, too, be miserable comforters.

Friends are relatives you make for yourself.
Eustache Deschamps, Medieval French poet

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 48:1-51:23

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, July 28

Hidden Messages

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 12:1-3


Recently a famous cereal company started wrapping their rice treats in writable wrapping paper. As parents pack lunches for their youngsters (or wives for their husbands), they can now use a permanent marker to jot a little note: I love you! Have a good day! Hugs and kisses!

The new wrappers prompted a Canadian group to survey how many parents actually add little personal notes to their children's lunch bags. Researchers found that while children desperately need encouragement at school, over half of Canadian parents never send notes along with their children's sandwiches.

While it was a great idea to utilize the writable packaging, we can't wait for cereal companies to remind us to be affirmers. There are countless little ways every day to boost your child, your spouse, your friend, and even a total stranger. It's up to us to begin cheering one another now. Why not think of a way you can snap, crackle, and pop with encouragement for someone today.

We need to encourage one another to fix our eyes on the risen Jesus and thus to stir each other up toward love and good deeds.
Iain M. Duguid

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 52:1-57:21
                                                     

[Judy Harder]

Friday, July 29

The Harm of Being Headstrong

. . .endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:1-6


Pastor Larry Osborne, in a book about church unity, wrote, "I don't think it's an accident that Jesus predicted church growth but prayed for unity. If left unattended, or taken for granted, unity can disappear. All it takes is a few wrong people on the board, or even a series of minor annoyances left to fester... That's why I've taken to heart Paul's advice in Ephesians 4:3."1

While we need to remain true to our core beliefs, we shouldn't be difficult and opinionated. Some people have a personality that adds to the chemistry of the group; others are so headstrong in their ideas they unwittingly harm church unity.

A church that is composed of encouragers is a unified church. On the other hand, it's hard to stay united in a church where a handful of members are easily offended, get their feelings hurt, air their grievances, want their own way, and criticize the leadership.

Are you endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?

In essentials, unity; in differences, liberty; in all things charity.
Philipp Melanchthon

1Larry W. Osborne, The Unity Factor (Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today, 1989), II, 16.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 58:1-62:12

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, July 30 & 31

Joy Busters: Jealousy (An Unhappy Existence)

Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Proverbs 27:4

Recommended Reading
James 3:13-18


Wanda Holloway, the "Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom," attempted to hire a hit-man to kill the mother of her daughter's cheerleading rival, hoping to give her daughter the upper hand. The girls were only thirteen at the time. This is unconceivable to us that a mother would be driven to such an action, but her desire to further her daughter's cheerleading prospects was greater than her rational thinking. She was driven by jealousy.

Jealousy is destructive--the Bible is full of evidence supporting its critical nature. Cain killed Abel. Saul attempted to take David's life. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. Jealousy sneaks into our lives and strangles those closest to us.

How can we overcome the jealousy that seeks to destroy? Rather than wish evil against someone, we can remember them in prayer. When we pray for someone, it's very difficult to desire evil in their lives. Very few acts are more encouraging, even if the person never knows we're praying for them. And while we're praying for them, we can also thank God for the many blessings in our lives. When we focus on what we do have, rather than what we wish we had, our jealous tendencies begin to wane.

The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.
Jerry Bridges

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 63:1-66:24
Jeremiah 1:1-3:25

[Judy Harder]

Monday, August 1

A Royal Calling

O foolish Galatians!. . . Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Galatians 3:1-2

Recommended Reading
Galatians 3:1-14


It reads like a fairytale: An African prince, Abdul Rahman, is tragically sold into slavery for forty years in the American South. Through incredible circumstances, he regains his freedom and is reestablished to his royal position. Now think about this absurd question: Would this prince want to return to slavery? The foolishness of this proposition is what the apostle Paul addresses in the Book of Galatians. The believers were about to turn from their freedom in Christ to the bondage of the law.

"O foolish Galatians!" Paul laments. He is upset and rightly so. The Judaizers were pressuring the Gentile believers to maintain their Christian life with Jewish laws, including circumcision. The pure Gospel of grace was being convoluted by legalism. Before salvation we were slaves to sin, and legalists are slaves to the law. But Christ-followers have a relationship with the Son of the Most High King who died in our place, was buried, and rose again. Why would a royal child of God return to a life of bondage?

You have been bought with a great price. Let go of your chains, and tell someone today that you are a child of the King!

The cross is "I" crossed out.
Anonymous

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 4:1-6:30

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, August 2

The Do-Gooders

For by grace you have been saved through faith . . . it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Recommended Reading
Galatians 1:1-9


How hard do you work at trying to be "good"? Technology can help you! Families can now view movies in their homes through the use of a television filter, muting unacceptable language, behavior, and violence. There's also Internet filter software to block pornography and foul content. And if you're trying to make good nutritional choices, you can buy a handheld electronic calorie counter. So technology can help you be good. But is it good enough?

God asks us to live in obedience to His Word, and our behavior should imitate Christ. But what a liberating thought that we don't need to be "good enough" for God's love! In the Book of Galatians, the apostle Paul's anger toward the Judaizers was justified. They were trying to change the Gospel of grace by adding required works (Galatians 1:9). Paul's message was clear: It's either the Gospel of grace or it's not the Gospel at all.

Do you worry about being good enough for God? Filling your hands with good works is not the answer. Show Him empty hands, and ask Him to fill them with His grace.

I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.
Charles Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 7:1-9:26
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