Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, March 30

A Friendly Reward

  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
  Genesis 15:1

    Recommended Reading
Colossians 3:23-24 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:23-24&version=NKJV )

What comes to mind when you think of the word "reward"? Usually it's a payment of money for finding and returning a lost object--perhaps a pet. Or perhaps for information leading to the arrest of a fugitive from the law. You do something honorable or honest and you are given money as a reward. Fair enough, right?

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

Imagine this: You return a lost object to its owner and the person says, "Instead of the money, I've decided to give you myself as the reward. You and I are going to be friends forever." One can imagine all sorts of responses to a reward like that. But there's one situation in which that would be the most desirable reward possible--serving Christ in this life and being His friend forever. God even called Himself a reward on one occasion, speaking to Abraham (Genesis 15:1). And while the New Testament speaks of crowns and rewards for believers, Revelation 4:10 suggests that those rewards are given up in the pleasure of worshipping Christ for eternity.

Can you think of any greater eternal reward than being the friend of Jesus Christ?

  Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.
  Augustine

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 4:1-7:29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%204:1-7:29&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, March 31

   March Madness: Marching to Zion (Hope)

  For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, "Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God."
  Jeremiah 31:6

    Recommended Reading
Micah 4:2 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah%204:2&version=NKJV )

In the New Testament, believers tend to focus their hope on heaven rather than on earth. But in the Old Testament, believers' hope was more terrestrial--their hope was focused on the Son of David coming to the City of David (Mount Zion) and ruling with righteousness and peace: "'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! . . . Behold, your King is coming to you" (Zechariah 9:9).

       Watch This Week's TV Broadcast ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx?tid=email_watchedevo )

New Testament Christians need to learn a lesson from our Old Testament forefathers. Earth is not a hopeless place. Even before heaven, Christ will return to earth and establish His kingdom for a thousand years on Mount Zion (Jerusalem) (Zechariah 14:4). There will be peace and security and hope for all who dwell on earth in those days because the Prince of Peace will become the King of Kings. The nations of the earth will see that Jesus is their hope and stream to Jerusalem to experience hope again (Zechariah 8:23). Marching to Zion may seem like madness to the world today; but when He is there, it will be normal.

You don't have to wait on the Second Coming or travel to Jerusalem to have hope. Our hope is in Him--now and forever.

  True faith is ever connected with hope.
  John Calvin

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 8:1-14:33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%208:1-14:33&version=NKJV )

           

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 1

   First Words: Repentance

  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted.
  2 Corinthians 7:10a

    Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 7:5-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%207:5-10&version=NKJV )

Recently actor Alec Baldwin issued a statement regarding his rude behavior on an airplane: "I would like to apologize to the other passengers onboard the... flight that I was thrown off of." He then went on to blame the crew. One newspaper questioned his "non-apology." Could it be, the paper asked, that people think apologizing will damage their self-esteem? Is this generation incapable of admitting when it's done something ugly?1

       Watch This Week's TV Broadcast ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx?tid=email_watchedevo )

As we share the Gospel, some words should come up early in the conversation. Like repentance. That's when we confess our sins and are willing to let God change our lives. It's the determination to reverse course, to go in the direction of obedience.

According to Scripture, repentance is necessary for healthy hearts. As Peter said in Acts 3:19: "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." The Gospel proclaims "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). Those "first words" make good first steps.

  True repentance will entirely change you.
  George Whitefield

  1Julian Baggini, "Saying Sorry Has Never Meant Less" in  The Guardian , December 16, 2011.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 12:1-14:33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2012:1-14:33&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Monday, April 2

Doing What He Did

  Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
  1 Corinthians 4:2

    Recommended Reading
Luke 12:42-48 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:42-48&version=NKJV )

Sometimes parents discipline a child for exercising poor judgment ("You should have known better"). But most of the time it is for not carrying out a parent's wishes ("You disobeyed")--that is, for being a poor steward. The child has been made a steward of certain things by the parent: time, freedom to choose, material resources, and others. If the child uses those resources in a manner out of keeping with a parent's values--that is, the child doesn't make the moral or values-based choice the parent would make--the child has been a poor steward.

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

All human beings were created to be stewards of the gifts of God: life, breath, talents, resources, relationships, the creation in which we live, and others (Genesis 1:28). Christians have been made stewards of even more: the grace of God, spiritual gifts, the Gospel, and others. As Christians we are to use our resources to accomplish what Jesus Christ would do in our place. And He said, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

The question is: Are we being good stewards? We should be doing the same thing Christ would do in our place--seeking and saving the lost.

  Stewardship is what a man does after he says, "I believe."
  W. H. Greaves

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 15:1–17:29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2015:1 )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 3

The Bigger, the Better

  "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption."
  Acts 13:36

    Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:19-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:19-20&version=NKJV )

The phrase "carbon footprint" has entered the cultural conversation as a sign of the times. Instead of being the path left by the boots of coal miners, a carbon footprint is a measure of the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Measuring the carbon footprint of cars, factories, events, cities--any entity at all--has become a relevant variable in the analysis of changing climate conditions.

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

In addition to their carbon footprint, Christians can also take the measurement of their spiritual footprint. Our spiritual footprint is the measure of all we are doing to change the spiritual climate in our world. Whereas with carbon footprints, smaller is better, with spiritual footprints it is the opposite: the larger, the better. We can leave a spiritual footprint both while we are here and after we are gone through our actions, prayers, and investments of time, talent, and treasure.

Every Christian can serve God faithfully in his or her generation. By wise planning and stewardship, we can expand our spiritual footprint even after entering glory.

  The use of our possessions shows us up for what we actually are.
  Charles C. Ryrie

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 18:1–19:43 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2018:1 )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 4

Faith and Funds

  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours.
  1 Chronicles 29:11a

    Recommended Reading
Psalm 50:10-12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2050:10-12&version=NKJV )

Since the current economic recession began, the government has twice injected massive amounts of money (credit) into the economy in hopes of jump-starting a recovery. The average citizen wonders, "If the government is in debt, where does it get all this new stimulus money?" Since ordinary citizens cannot create "new money," the government stimulus packages have been confusing to many. Where does "new money" come from?

  Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

While the technical answer to that question involves the Federal Reserve extending new lines of credit to member banks, there is a spiritual application to be gleaned: However money is created, measured, or accounted for, God owns it all. The Christian's hope should never ultimately be in the government's ability to change the money supply. Our hope is in the God who accomplishes His purposes in the earth through establishing and removing kings (and their policies). We cannot serve both God and money, Jesus said (Matthew 6:24).

When we serve God, we put our trust for everything--including the money needed to live--in Him alone.

  In the battle of faith, money is usually the last stronghold to fall.
  Ronald Dunn

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 20:1–22:51 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2020:1 )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 5

Nothing New

  That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
  Ecclesiastes 1:9

Recommended Reading
Ecclesiastes 1:10; 2:12; 3:15; 6:10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%201:10;%202:12;%203:15;%206:10&version=NKJV )

You no doubt have heard it said, regarding the economic recession that began in 2008, that it is the "worst since the Great Depression"--emphasis on "worst." It certainly isn't the  only  recession since the Great Depression--there have actually been 12 recessions since the Great Depression (not counting the current one). And there have been 47 recessions since 1797 (counting the current one). Great Depression--there have actually been 12 recessions since the Great Depression (not counting the current one). And there have been 47 recessions since 1797 (counting the current one).1

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

What does that tell you about man's ability to manage the economy? At the very least it proves that what Solomon said is true--that there's nothing new under the sun. And it also proves that man is not smart enough to keep things in this world stable. Those who depend on their finances for hope and stability in life will, at least a few times in their lifetime, be sorely disappointed when the economy turns sour.

Rather than putting our trust in our understanding, or that of human leaders, we should trust in the Lord with our whole heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is the only one who can provide stability in an unstable world.

  Walking by faith means being prepared to trust where we are not permitted to see.
  John Blanchard

  1en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recessions_in_the_United_States accessed 12-15-11.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 23:1–1 Kings 1:27 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2023:1 )

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, April 6


That's an Order
  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
  Psalm 37:23

    Recommended Reading
Psalm 37:23-29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2037:23-29&version=NKJV )

Have you ever thought about our word  order ? What a variety of applications! A fast food worker takes our  order  for French fries. Soldiers line up in alphabetical  order  to receive their  orders . Our business meeting is called to  order  at a certain time, but the moderator rules our motion "out of  order ." We work hard in  order  to make money; we spend it by filling out  order  forms for purchases; then we sit on the sofa and watch an old episode of Law and  Order .

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

The root idea is conforming to an authoritative standard, a command, an arrangement, a proper direction, or regulation.

When the psalmist says that God orders our steps, the idea is that He decrees our path and He arranges our lives. We live a God-ordered life--under His orders, ordered and arranged by His omniscience, and all in order to please Him.

The word "order" implies control. Our source of guidance must remain the One who understands us from the first to the last. Are you under His orders today?

  Order my footsteps by Thy Word and make my heart sincere; let sin have no dominion, Lord, but keep my conscience clear.
  Isaac Watts

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 1:28-3:28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%201:28-3:28&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 7 & 8

First Words: Love

  The Son of God...loved me and gave Himself for me.
  Galatians 2:20

    Recommended Reading
1 John 4:7-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:7-11&version=NKJV )

One day legendary movie mogul, Louis B. Mayer, called actor Van Johnson into his office and asked him how he had managed to work so well with Judy Garland. The filming of their picture wrapped up early. Judy was notoriously hard to work with, and Mayer wanted to learn the secret. "Well," replied Johnson, "I kept her happy. I kept her laughing.... She just needed love."1

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx?tid=email_watchedevo )

We all "just need love," but the kind of love we most need comes from above. The Bible says, "The love of God was manifested toward us... God has sent His only begotten Son into the world" (1 John 4:9). Some of the first words we should say in sharing the Gospel are: God loves you! He loves you because it is in His nature to love. He is love, and He demonstrated His love for us in this--Christ died for us (Romans 5:. That kind of love isn't found over the rainbow, but in the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus.

  It has been my one and only business to set forth the love of God to men in Jesus Christ.
  Charles Haddon Spurgeon

  1Quoted by John Fricke in  Judy  (Philadelphia: Running Press, 2010), 275.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 4:1-8:21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%204:1-8:21&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 9

A Matter of Perspective

  [Moses esteemed] the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
  Hebrews 11:26

    Recommended Reading
Philippians 3:7-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:7-11&version=NKJV )

Most of the anxiety we experience in life has to do with the future--the unknown. Even if we are going through something difficult  right now , we still think of the future: How long is this going to last? How is this going to change my life? How can I keep this from happening again?

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

And when it comes to the future, there are only two ways to approach it: with faith or with fear. When Moses grew up in the lap of luxury in Egypt, every day he watched his Hebrew brethren suffer as slaves. He had to make decisions about his future. " By faith  he forsook Egypt,  not fearing  the wrath of the king" (Hebrews 11:27a, italics added). Why? Because "he looked to the reward" (Hebrews 11:26). He faced his future with faith, not with fear, because his perspective was heavenly, not earthly. He gave up the riches of Egypt to gain the rewards of eternity, knowing there was no comparison.

If you are tempted to fear something in your future, let a heavenly perspective give you faith instead. A heavenly perspective means seeing life the way God sees it--including the future.

  The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
  George Müller

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 8:22–10:13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%208:22 )