Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, August 26

The Offense of the Cross

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14

Recommended Reading
Luke 7:19-27


Recently a 64-year-old electrician in England faced dismissal because he displayed a small cross on the dashboard of his work vehicle. The man said, "I have worked in the coal mines and served in the Army in Northern Ireland and I have never suffered such stress." Company officials justified their demand by claiming the small cross might cause offense. But the electrician isn't backing down. "I have never been so full of resolve," he told a newspaper. "I am determined to stand up for my rights. If they sack me, so be it. But I am standing up for my faith."1

Just as Isaac was promised to Abraham, we are children of promise. As children of God, we enjoy intimacy and security in Him; but we must also endure pressure and sometimes persecution. Yet we should never be discouraged. We have liberty in Christ, the promise of eternal life in Him, and we are a blessed people.

Let's be full of resolve and full of rejoicing.

We do not want to be personally or institutionally offensive, but we cannot buffer the offense of the Cross.
John MacArthur

1"Electrician Faces Sack for Displaying Christian Cross in His Van," The Telegraph, April 18, 2011.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 35:1-37:28

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, August 27 & 28

In a Pickle: Ruth (Love)

The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.
Ruth 1:17

Recommended Reading
Ruth 1-4


Many people speak their love, but is there anyone you know who would show their love and dedication like the simple Moabite woman, Ruth?

Ruth grew deeply attached to her mother-in-law, Naomi, during her years of marriage. So after losing all the men in the family, Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi as she prepared to return to her homeland of Bethlehem. With an unusual love and devotion, Ruth left her people, traveled to a foreign land to live in poverty, leaving behind hope for a husband--all to care for and show her love for Naomi.

Ruth worked diligently to provide for the two of them, gleaning the edges of the barley fields of Naomi's relative, Boaz. And it was not long before Naomi was not the only one admiring Ruth for her love and kindness. God rewarded Ruth's love and dedication by granting her a husband--Boaz. Through their union came not only a great king for Israel, but also the Messiah--all because of the love and devotion of this Gentile woman. May we emulate Ruth's self-sacrificing love and devotion in our lives.

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
C. S. Lewis

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 38:1-40:49
Ezekiel 41:1-44:31

[Judy Harder]

Monday, August 29

The Open Road

So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
2 Samuel 12:13

Recommended Reading
Romans 7:4-25


We can all relate to the sinking feeling we get when we are handed a traffic ticket. No matter how careful we are to abide by the traffic laws, we are bound to make a mistake here and there. The time we allow our foot to get a little heavy on the gas pedal always seems to coincide with a police officer sitting in our path.

Living out our Christian life attempting to follow rules created by man--is almost like having the highway patrol constantly monitoring our every move. No matter how much we attempt to obey the laws, we are bound to make a mistake, only to be immediately caught and punished for our negligence, whether intentional or not.

But living our life by the grace of God is like being on an open road, a road where we are free to drive without constant patrols. Of course, we must still drive using good sense, enjoying our journey under the direction of God's grace; but we can be free from the fear of failure--on the open road to a wonderful destination!

The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.
Dwight L. Moody

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 45:1-48:35

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, August 30

Standing Fast

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

Recommended Reading
Philippians 4:1-9


"Stand fast." The expression conjures up an ironic picture of opposing actions. To readers of Paul's epistles, the words reminded them of the hardened and disciplined Roman soldiers who would stand fast, locking shields together and digging their feet in the ground to provide a solid front against the enemy. Paul used this powerful image to show believers how serious he was about defending their freedom in Christ against false doctrine.

Over and over again, Paul uses this phrase, "stand fast," calling believers to persevere against the winds of persecution: Stand fast in your faith (1 Corinthians 16:13), your spirit (Philippians 1:27), in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:, and in the traditions you have been given (2 Thessalonians 2:15). It's a crucial command for believers today.

Look around and eagle eye an encroaching enemy to the faith. It may be in the media, a curriculum, or an acquaintance. God will give you the strength to stand fast. With no apologies, we need to put our shields together, dig our feet in, and say, "Not here, not now, not this time."

We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to be so.
Phillips Brooks

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 1:1-3:30

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, August 31

Reflecting Grace

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25

Recommended Reading
Galatians 5:13-16


Brilliantly reflecting light from 74 facets, the pear-shaped Regent Diamond is considered to be the most beautiful diamond ever seen. This gemstone adorned the crowns of kings and was worn in a hat by Marie Antoinette. Napoleon Bonaparte showcased the diamond in his sword. It now resides at the Louvre Palace. Imagine the colorful stories of adventure and mystery this jewel could tell.

Have you ever thought of the many facets of God's jewel of grace? It's no ordinary grace that planned a way for sinful man to be redeemed through the death and resurrection of God's only son. No common grace that sent the Holy Spirit to reside in all believers, giving us resilience and joy for life. Nor does a passive grace reflect God's brilliant love wherever it rests--in a royal palace, at a kitchen table, in a lonely room, or at the end of a devastating phone call. God's grace is brilliant. It heals, illuminates, and understands.

Grace is not a one-way experience. Feed your spirit with God's Word and by ministering to others. When you do, the brilliant facets of His grace will touch the people you connect with every day.

Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit.
John MacArthur

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 4:1-6:28

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, September 1

Follow the Leader

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14

Recommended Reading
Galatians 5:16-26


Directionally challenged people everywhere were thrilled when navigation systems became available. No longer would the embarrassing, "I'm lost" phone call have to be made. Now we travel worry free, allowing the system to do the work for us--until it leads us astray. For every appreciative GPS story, there are just as many frustrated users who circle a block three times before realizing there's not a restaurant in sight, or far worse, find themselves teetering on the edge of a cliff that their navigator insists is the safe route.

As Christians, we have an internal guide--the Holy Spirit--and He is like our life navigation system. But unlike our GPS, we can trust Him even when He's taking us down an uncertain road, because ultimately His way is best.

So the question is simple...will you follow? If we trust our GPS to guide us on a cross-country automobile adventure, shouldn't it be easier to follow the Holy Spirit through the journey of life? We may not always know where we are, but we will always be exactly where the Lord intends us to be.

When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.
Lewis Sperry Chafer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 7:1-9:27

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 2

To the Rescue!

Rescue me, and I will return, For you are the LORD my God.
Jeremiah 31:18

Recommended Reading
1 Thess. 5:14-23


A thief is usually not happy to see law enforcement arrive at the scene of his crime. But last April, a burglar became trapped while trying to climb through the small window of a fifth story apartment. It took firefighters 30 minutes to get the bungling burglar to safety--where he was promptly arrested.1

The botched robbery is a great example of sin's trap and the need for rescuers. No one plans on getting trapped. The sin itself snags us, and rescuers are needed. Those walking in the Spirit are responsible to humbly restore. How do we do that? I love the Greek language of the New Testament because the words are so graphic. Restore is katartizo, describing the setting of a broken bone.

So instead of having the attitude of a legalist, who seeks to exploit a fallen brother and make him a topic of discussion, gently rescue him from his sin trap. You may share a house, an office, or a pew with someone who needs you to mend their brokenness with the spirit of love. Isn't that how you would hope to be rescued?

(Contrary to) people-pleasers, only people-lovers are able to confront.
Edward T. Welch

1huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/chinese-burglar-trapped-window-_n_852086.html (accessed 5/13/2011)

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 10:1-12:13

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 3 & 4

Revive Us Again: The Great Awakening

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
Psalm 85:6

Recommended Reading
Psalm 85


Christianity was at a low ebb in Britain and America in the years before the Revolutionary War of 1776. One historian said, "The Puritan fire was almost extinct, and a cold Deism... reigned.... A gross darkness covered the people. The court was foul. Vice walked naked and unashamed."1 But in that moment of darkness, God sent a revival that shaped the moral and spiritual future of English-speaking nations on both sides of the Atlantic.

In England, the Wesley brothers and the thunderous sermons of George Whitefield triggered a spiritual revolution in thousands of lives. In America, the preaching of Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards sparked national repentance. The results of the Great Awakening influenced the destinies of nations, launched modern missions, and catapulted Christianity into a new era of vitality.

Many of us are discouraged at the moral deterioration of our times, but God often sends revival when things are darkest. Let's pray with the psalmist: "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"

God has always sent revival in the darkest days. Oh, for a mighty, sweeping revival today!
Adrian Rogers

1John Shearer, Old Time Revivals (Hagerstown: Christian Heritage Publishing, 2008), 15.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Hosea 1:1-6:11
Hosea 7:1-12:14

[Judy Harder]

Monday, September 5

Share the Load

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Recommended Reading
Galatians 6:1-5


Do you ever carry a backpack? Adult backpackers are recommended to carry no more than one-third of their body weight or muscle soreness and strained ligaments may result.1 And according to physicians, children should carry no more than 10-20 percent of their body weight.2 Whether you're a backpacker or not, it seems we always have stuff to carry around with us.

But when that "stuff" is internal, in the form of heavy burdens brought on by life's circumstances and people's failings, the weight can seem unbearable. God promises to help carry your burdens (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). One way He does that is by encouraging another believer to come alongside you and put their shoulder down so you can put part of your burden on them, and you can walk together.

God may be asking you to put your shoulder under somebody's burden and share their load. Rush to that person like the father to the prodigal son--with open arms. Embrace him, tell him of God's love, and try to help him get his life back in order. Bearing one another's burdens honors and glorifies God.

You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger. Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body.
Max Lucado

1pediatrics.about.com/cs/safetyfirstaid/l/aa090202a.htm (accessed 5/13/11).
2walkingandhiking.co.uk/how-much-should-you-carry-your-backpack.html (accessed 5/13/11).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Hosea 13:1-Joel 3:21

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 6

Holy Harvest

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7

Recommended Reading
Galatians 6:7-9


Have you ever heard of a farmer who planted corn, yet harvested wheat? Or have you seen tomato seeds grow into watermelons? Few things in life are as certain as the agricultural principle that whatever seed you plant, that's what you'll reap. The same is true in technology: garbage in, garbage out. Finance: If you don't invest, you won't get a return.

The same, of course, is true in the spiritual life. Through the books we read, the company we keep, the movies we watch, the music we listen to, we are sowing either to the Spirit or to the flesh. When we sow to the Spirit, we set our affections on things above--seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness. By praying, studying God's Word, sharing our faith, and bearing one another's burdens, we sow to the Spirit. But if we sow our lives and money to the flesh, according to the apostle Paul, we reap corruption.

Holiness is a harvest gained by careful sowing. Will you reap the reward of holy sowing? Or will you be surprised by what your harvest yields?

There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.
John Wooden

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Amos 1:1-5:27