Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, June 8

The Benefit of Stress

  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
  Luke 22:44

    Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204:7-12&version=NKJV )

Hematohidrosis is the medical term for a rare event in which blood is mingled with sweat and oozes out of the pores of the skin. It almost always occurs under conditions of great stress, with fear being the predominant emotion: fear of death, bodily harm, or catastrophe. During the time of stress, blood vessels around the sweat glands constrict. As the stress passes, the vessels dilate and rupture, releasing blood into the sweat glands which release the blood onto the skin, mixed with sweat. It's possible Jesus experienced hematohidrosis in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest.

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

We don't think of Jesus as being "stressed out" or fearful, but given what He knew was coming in a matter of hours, it would be understandable if He was. The most important thing to notice about His experience of sweating blood is what He was doing when it happened: He was praying. He took His stress or fear or whatever He was feeling and committed it to God in prayer, trusting Him for the outcome.

Stress is like a mirror--it reveals better than anything else what is inside. The way we handle stress defines who we are.

  The time of fear is the time to trust.
  John MacBeath

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 36:1–39:13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2036:1%E2%80%9339:13&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, June 9 & 10

   The Father Knows Best: Discipline

  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons.
  Hebrews 12:7

    Recommended Reading
Hebrews 12:3-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:3-11&version=NKJV )

One evening when Paul Moody, son of evangelist D. L. Moody, was ten years old, he disobeyed his dad. He later recalled, "My father... finding I had not obeyed him, spoke with that directness of which he was capable, called brusqueness by some, and ordered me to bed at once... I retreated, frightened and in tears, for such a tone of voice was a new experience in my life. I hurried to bed, but before I had time to fall asleep, he was at my bedside, kneeling and asking my forgiveness for the harsh way in which he had spoken to me, the tears falling down over his rugged, bearded face. That was nearly half a century ago," added Paul, "but all unknowing he was laying for me the consciousness of the Fatherhood of God and the love of God."1

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Our heavenly Father may discipline, but always in love and for our good. If you're facing chastening of some sort, trust Him and let it yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness in your life.

  The purpose of God's discipline is not to punish us but to transform us.
  Jerry Bridges in Trusting God

  1 What I Owe to My Father  by Sydney Strong (Hallendale, FL: New World, 1931), 113.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 40:1-45:17, Psalms 46:1-50:23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2040:1-45:17 )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, June 11

Courageous Christianity

  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.
  Acts 4:31

    Recommended Reading
Acts 4:23-31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:23-31&version=NKJV )

In his book,  Courageous Christianity , Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote about living for Christ in a hostile society. "Why do I preach the Gospel when people do not want to hear and I face many hardships and discomforts in doing so?" he asked. "I will tell you why. Take this world of ours. We have already had two world wars, and look at the present international situation. What is the matter with this world? What is the matter with men and women? Is there nothing that can put things right? I say that only one thing can even touch the problems of the human race--it is this Gospel."1

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

From the beginning of the biblical story, God's people have courageously relayed His message to the world. Jonah to Nineveh. Daniel to Babylon. Isaiah to Judah. Peter to the Jews. Paul to the Gentiles. The Gospel is the only hope. Some will oppose it, but many will hear, believe, and be saved if we are courageously Christian.

  Boldness enables Christians to forsake all rather than Christ, and to prefer to offend all rather than to offend Him.
  Jonathan Edwards

  1Martyn Lloyd-Jones,  Courageous Christianity  (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001) 7.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 51:1-57:11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2051:1-57:11&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 12

Children With Courage

  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
  Colossians 3:21

    Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:6-9&version=NKJV )

Samantha Garvey is a precocious 18-year-old high school student who was a semifinalist in a national talent search competition for her research in marine biology. She was invited to attend the president's 2012 State of the Union address, and the next morning she appeared on NBC's  Today  show. While Samantha's accomplishments would be noteworthy under any circumstances, her family's situation is unique: they are homeless. In December 2011, Samantha and her brother, sister, and parents lost their home. They are living in a homeless shelter while waiting for rent-subsidized housing to become available. In spite of their situation, Samantha's father said he and his wife have always encouraged their children to study hard and pursue their goals. Their encouragement obviously paid off.

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

Encouragement may be the most important emotional ingredient in raising children who have the courage to overcome obstacles in life. Paul warned about the dangers of provoking children to anger and frustration (Ephesians 6:4). The opposite strategy is the one that works: Encourage them to become all God created them to be.

  More people fail for lack of encouragement than for any other reason.
  Unknown

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 58:1–64:10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2058:1%E2%80%9364:10&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, June 13

The Power of Choice

  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."
  John 14:1

    Recommended Reading
Philippians 4:6-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204:6-7&version=NKJV )

When Krickitt Carpenter woke up from a car accident with complete amnesia, she had no idea who her husband, Kim, was. She told her doctors, "I'm not married." Their true love story--how Krickitt fell in love with Kim all over again--is being seen by millions in the movie,  The Vow . In spite of all his efforts to prod his wife's memory, nothing worked. Finally, a therapist told Kim he needed to make Krickitt fall in love with him all over again. And it worked. "I chose to love him," Krickitt said.

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

The power of choice is an underutilized tool in the spiritual toolbox. Usually, where the will goes the emotions will follow. For instance, Jesus told His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled" when they learned He would be leaving them. Where did Jesus place the responsibility to remain encouraged? Squarely on the disciples. It was their choice not to let their hearts be troubled. Too often we allow ourselves to become victims of circumstances as if we have no choice, no say in the matter. But according to Jesus, we can choose to be encouraged.

Make this an encouraging day in the Lord--by choice.

  Joy is not an accident of temperament or an unpredictable providence; joy is a matter of choice.
  J. I. Packer

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 65:1–68:35 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2065:1%E2%80%9368:35&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 19

Terribly Purposeful

  ...The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
  Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

    Recommended Reading
Job 3:1-26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%203:1-26&version=NKJV )

Bad days are no fun. Judith Viorst's award-winning children's book,  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day , resonates with all of us. Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair. His best friend deserts him. And he's served lima beans for dinner--the list goes on. We're sympathetic, because everyone has bad days. But when the bad days seem to overwhelm us, we might wonder: Is it a sin to be depressed?

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

The emotional blackness painted by men in Scripture like Job, Elijah, and Moses gives brilliant light to those who are emotionally suffering. The tears and cries of hopelessness from these saints dispel any question as to whether depression is a sin. We see God's favor on these men as His extraordinary and boundless love reached out to them. Dark, desperate depression was replaced by love and a confident security in the arms of their God.

Do you feel like the purpose of your life is unraveling? Is a cloud of hopeless circumstances distorting your view of God's plan? Ask God to renew a steadfast spirit in you.

  The presence of faith gives no guarantee of the absence of spiritual depression; however, the dark night of the soul always gives way to the brightness of the noonday light of the presence of God.
  R.C. Sproul

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 90:1-95:11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2090:1-95:11&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Wednesday, June 20

Ribbons or Rip Off?

  ...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
  1 Peter 5:8

    Recommended Reading
1 Peter 5:8-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:8-9&version=NKJV )

Ever walked through a county fair and heard the vendors yelling after you about their newest contests or the certainty you have of winning their games? Satan, too, calls out to believers enticing them to play worldly games that have no prize--only heartache and emptiness.

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

The apostle Paul didn't mince words when he addressed the Ephesians about their arch enemy. Paul used the word "against" five times as he described the conflict between Satan and believers; and he specified the necessary armor believers would need to protect themselves from being victimized. He declared the Word of God as the all-powerful weapon that could combat "spiritual hosts of wickedness" (Ephesians 6:12).

The one who is given names like adversary, deceiver, liar, and murderer must be fought with God's Word. Put on your spiritual armor, and gird yourself with God's Word so you don't fall prey to Satan's colorful enticements.

  In opposition... to all the suggestions of the devil, the sole, simple, and sufficient answer is the word of God. This puts to flight all the powers of darkness...
  Charles Hodge

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 96:1-102:28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%2096:1-102:28&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, June 21

Who Done It?

  Put on the whole armor of God that you might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
  Ephesians 6:11

    Recommended Reading
Ephesians 6:10-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:10-20&version=NKJV )

Who done it? The inimitable Sherlock Holmes continues to spellbind movie audiences and mystery readers. His logical reasoning and intriguing disguises foil the most cunning criminals. We furrow our brow as the plot unfolds and the great detective zeros in on his criminal. In real life, criminals can be a little harder to nail down. The same goes for the mastermind who designs his ruse for your spiritual life.

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

Sometimes disguising himself in religion, intellectualism, the arts, or in money, fame, and influence, Satan "threatens to undo us" as Martin Luther's great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," testifies. Satan even taunts us with discouragement--one of his best-used ploys to devour our influence for God.

Has Satan fooled you through a disguise? Maybe what you think is simply a distraction is seriously affecting your relationship with God. Ask God to reveal any inroads Satan might be making in your life that aren't godly. Once you've identified his methods, the power of God's Word is your singular weapon. Immerse yourself daily in reading the Bible and praying. Spiritually train as if your life counted on it--it does!

  The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.
  Corrie ten Boom

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 103:1-105:45 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20103:1-105:45&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, June 22

Certified Hope

  To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
  Ephesians 3:19

    Recommended Reading
Romans 5:1-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:1-5&version=NKJV )

When it's Super Bowl Sunday, you're probably hoping for a particular team to win. But whoever your favorite team is, no matter the sport, winning is never certain--no matter how loud you yell. There's one game, though, that we're assured of winning--if we have trusted Christ for our salvation.

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

Once we're born again into God's family, there's a hope given to us that will never disappoint as we engage in the game of life. Objectively we know that once we're justified in Christ, we're secure in Him and His plan for our lives. But knowing that we're human and prone to insecurity, God goes one step further to cement our hope in Him by lavishly pouring out His love in us through His Holy Spirit. This testimony of God's love allows Him to implant evidence in our inner beings that we belong to Him and that we love Him because He first loved us.

Do you daily live with confidence in God's testimony of love for you? Can you prove it to those around you by your attitude of hopeful living? We've read the back of the Book and we know who wins! Live with confidence!

  Hope, from a biblical perspective, is a future certainty grounded in a present reality.
  Victor Shepherd

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 106:1-107:43 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20106:1-107:43&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, June 23 & 24

   The Father Knows Best: Integrity

  The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
  Proverbs 20:7

    Recommended Reading
Proverbs 20:1-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2020:1-7&version=NKJV )

One night around a campfire Dr. Robert Brandt told his sons about a workman injured by a sliding boulder. He was dirt poor, and he feared losing his job. Because he couldn't afford a horse, he walked everywhere; so his injured foot was a constant trial. When payday came, he limped to the general store for groceries. Back home, he discovered he'd been given too much change. Despite searing pain, he limped back to the store to return the change.

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"What do you think, guys?" asked Dr. Brandt. "Did he do the right thing?"

The boys discussed it, then Brandt finished the story. "Before he died, (the young father) had passed his values in honesty to his children and his grandchildren. Even his great-grandchildren still hear about his honesty... He was my grandfather and your great-grandfather!"1

As parents and as people, we model our integrity after that of our heavenly Father. The righteous walk in their integrity, and their children will be blessed after them.

  Faith that is not evidenced by a life of integrity is not biblical faith at all.
  David Jeremiah in Turning Toward Integrity

  1Robert I. Brandt, "A Heritage of Honesty" in  Decision Magazine , July-August, 1991, 8-9.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 108:1-114:8, Psalms 115:1-119:32 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20108:1-114:8 )