Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 19

In His Grip

Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God...
Isaiah 41:10

Recommended Reading
Psalm 73:22-26 [ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2073:22-26&version=NKJV ]

Absolutes are often frowned on in our culture. Whether it's absolute truth about God, His Word, or morality, progressive thinking deviates from absolutes. The unchanging truth that God has always loved us and always will is hard for some people to fathom. But it is a truth that defies the critics, a love that will not let us go.

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

Fortunately, God's love doesn't depend on how well we love Him back. We don't earn it, deserve it, or maintain it. Unlike human love, it has no conditions and no limits. Yet think of the mental energy people needlessly expend in anxiety over messing up and somehow losing His love.

God loves you at the top of the mountain, and He loves you equally in the depths of the valley. Maybe in your pain you have torn yourself from His arms. Even then, God's love remains intact in spite of your anger. When you cease striving and simply begin to trust the rope--the infinite love of God--you will discover marvelous power, astounding power, supernatural power. You need never let go of your hope because God will never let go of His love for you. Rest in His grip!

He loved us not because we are lovable, but because He is love.
C. S. Lewis

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 8:31-10:21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208:31-10:21&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 20 & 21

Always: Always Give

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
1 Peter 3:15

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 3:13-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:13-17&version=NKJV )

Always... be ready... to give... a defense... to everyone. Read that again and emphasize every word. When we think of giving, we usually think of giving our money or perhaps our time. But giving is a continual part of the Christian's DNA, and it comes naturally to give from all our resources including our hope and faith.

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

Think of what Peter was implying. First, our lives should be so radiant that others notice the hope within us. Second, when others come to a point of trouble in their lives, during those moments our hope will appear in sharp contrast to their distress or despair. Third, at such times they're likely to ask us what we have that they don't. Fourth, that's our cue to explain our faith, doing so with an attitude of sweetness and meekness.

Why not turn this verse into a prayer: Lord, as I sanctify You in my heart, may I always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks me a reason for the hope I have. And Lord, bring them on to me!

When was the last time someone asked you about "the reason for the hope that is in you"?
John Piper

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 10:22-12:19, John 12:20-14:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:22-12:19,%20John%2012:20-14:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 22

In the Grip of Grace

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life... nor height nor depth... shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Recommended Reading
Romans 8:37-39 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:37-39&version=NKJV )

Kay Arthur says that when the devil tries to make us doubt God's love, we have some good answers for him: "Tell Satan that God loves you when you are nothing, accepts you just the way you are, and loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love that is in the process of transforming you into His image. Tell the devil that you are secure in God's love "because the love of God has been poured out within your heart through the Holy Spirit who was given to us," and "nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."1

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

That's a pretty good answer, but perhaps  we're  the ones needing to hear it. Maybe you need to remind  yourself  of these truths. When the psalmist said, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? ...Hope in God" (Psalm 42:11), he was talking to himself. Preach this message to yourself: We cannot slip out of the grip of God's grace. We can rest assured that no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).

God does not love us because we are valuable, but we are valuable because God loves us.
Attributed to Martin Luther

1Kay Arthur,  Lord, Heal My Hurts  (Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2000), 251.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 15:1-17:26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:1-17:26&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 23

Eternal Attitude Check

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1 Corinthians 2:9

Recommended Reading
John 14:1-3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:1-3&version=NKJV )

Why do so few believers long for heaven? Are children unmoved by the anticipation of Christmas morning? Are young couples apathetic about their wedding day? Certainly not. We need to expectantly look forward to our eternal destination.

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

Heaven is an actual location, and it is a future for everyone who knows and loves the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a place of reunion with those we've lost, and it is a place where we will see our Savior face-to-face. At that moment we will experience a deeper, fuller, and more exhilarating gladness than we can even begin to comprehend.

On the day we finally see His face, we'll know beyond all doubt just how much God loves us -- how much He always has, and how much He always will. As we kneel in His presence, tears of joy staining our faces, we'll finally understand how much He has longed to be with us. We'll then hear those two words that every soul longs to hear above any words imaginable: Welcome home.

Are you pining about your pilgrimage on earth? Or are you joyfully anticipating heaven? Give yourself an eternal attitude check today.

If there were no hell, the loss of heaven would be hell.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 18:1-19:42 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2018:1-19:42&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 24

Testify!

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.
Psalm 66:16

Recommended Reading
Romans 1:15-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:15-17&version=NKJV )

Do you believe in miracles? Consider the stories of saints and martyrs, famously remembered for their irrepressible testimonies. While their lives were violently snuffed out, these believers courageously testified. In your own life, you may have a story -- a testimony you can share of the miraculous work God has done through His redeeming grace in your life.

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

Heaven is an actual location, and it is a future for everyone who knows and loves the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a place of reunion with those we've lost, and it is a place where we will see our Savior face-to-face. At that moment we will experience a deeper, fuller, and more exhilarating gladness than we can even begin to comprehend.

Take note of the amazing testimony of a virulent persecutor of Christians turned evangelist: "For I am persuaded that... [nothing can] separate us from the love of God..." (Romans 8:38-39). That's a miracle! This murderer turned apostle gives one of the strongest testimonies you'll read in the Bible to the staying power of God's love.

In spite of our inability to grasp the full scope of God's love, it miraculously exists in the lives of ordinary and extraordinary people around the world. But unless that person is willing to share their story, people will miss the miracle. Testify! And share your miracle -- your story -- with someone today.

God has no more precious gift to a church or an age than a man who lives as an embodiment of His will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do.
Andrew Murray

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 20:1-Acts 1:26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020:1-Acts%201:26&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 25

Life that Never Ends

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
John 17:3

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

"Eternity" is or has been the name of (at least) three different movies, two different television series, eight different music albums, eight different songs, a perfume, a mobile phone, a puzzle game, a superhero (Kid Eternity), a Christian magazine, a newspaper, a science fiction magazine... and more. It is ironic that a word that means "forever" is applied to short-lived products.

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

Fortunately, when the Bible uses the word "eternity" or "eternal" it means forever! In fact, for those who know God through faith in Jesus Christ, eternity has already begun. The clearest definition of eternal life is found in Jesus' prayer to the Father: eternal life is knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [God has] sent" (John 17:3). Eternal life is not the same as heaven. Heaven is a place, while eternal life is entering into a personal relationship with God through Christ. That life begins when we meet Christ and never ends--not even when we die (John 11:25-26).

Eternal life is a never-ending expression of God's love--the love that promises we will "not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Eternal life does not begin with death: it begins with faith.
Samuel Shoemaker

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 2:1-4:22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:1-4:22&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 26

Proof of Sonship

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Hebrews 12:7

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 3:11-12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:11-12&version=NKJV )

In his book,  Rebel With a Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham  (Thomas Nelson, 1995), Franklin Graham describes growing up as the son of Ruth and Billy Graham. While his father was often away on ministry trips, Franklin tested his mother's patience and love. But she was ready for every challenge. Her "tough love" proved capable of responding to Franklin's strong-willed ways.

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

Hebrews 12:11 says, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." In fact, no parent likes to discipline his or her child, and certainly no child enjoys it. But it has a purpose: training for righteousness. And God has the same goal in mind when He disciplines His children. He may be correcting our behavior or preparing us for a task in the future. But in God's economy, pain has a purpose.

If you are experiencing a painful period of training, ask God to show you what He wants you to know.

Discipline is a privilege because it is an evidence of our sonship.
Alistair Begg

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 4:23-6:15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:23-6:15&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 27 & 28

Always: Always Pray

Night and day praying exceedingly...
1 Thessalonians 3:10

Recommended Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:14-22&version=NKJV )

Last summer a highway truck wrecked on Interstate 75 in Kentucky, completely spilling its cargo of Hungry Jack pancake syrup. Every lane of the road was covered in syrup in both directions. The accident happened when the driver, swerving to miss a car with a flat tire, crashed into the median at Buttermilk Pike. It was a sticky mess, but at least no cars were pancaked in the accident.

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

There are a lot of sticky messes in life. We never know when the sweetest moments will turn sour, or the happiest moments will crash into an unexpected circumstance. But there's never a moment when we can't pray. Our connection to heaven is never severed, not for a second. Jesus said that we should always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). The early church gave themselves continually to prayer (Acts 6:4). And the apostle Paul said, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

We can pray when life is scrambled. Whatever your situation, make it a matter of prayer. Whatever your messes, take them to the Lord in prayer.

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Joseph Scriven

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 7:1-8:40, Acts 9:1-10:48 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:1-8:40,%20Acts%209:1-10:48&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 29

Bookends of Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Matthew 6:9

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:9-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:9-13&version=NKJV )

It often helps to follow a pattern when we tackle a project. In approaching the Throne of Grace, our pattern is the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. If you'd like to use the Lord's prayer to develop a sequence for your own prayer time, just follow the course of these six words.

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

- Praise:   Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

- Priorities:   Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

- Provision:   Give us this day our daily bread.

- Personal relationships:   Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

- Protection:   Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

- Praise:   For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Notice that the first and last words are the same, as prayer comes full circle from praise to praise. The glory of God provides the bookends of this prayer that you can offer today.

Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters of the knowledge of Christ.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 11:1-13:52 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2011:1-13:52&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 30

Prayer (Not) by the Numbers

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:7

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:5-15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:5-15&version=NKJV )

At the dedication of the Civil War cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, one speech was made by Edward Everett, a former Congressman, Senator, and president of Harvard. He spoke for more than two hours. The second speech was by President Abraham Lincoln, consisting of 10 sentences and 272 words. After the dedication, Everett wrote a letter to President Lincoln: "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes." History well records which of the two speeches is best remembered.

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

Jesus had some thoughts about short versus long when it comes to prayer. He encouraged talking to God as one talks to a father in simple and heartfelt words. The prayer He taught His disciples to pray contains around 70 Greek words (Matthew 6:9-13), yet it covers all the basics: praise, petition, provision, and protection. Long prayers are fine, too -- Jesus' prayer on the night of His betrayal comprises all of John 17.

When you pray, let the number of your words be determined by their content.

What we take in by the Word we digest by meditation and let out by prayer.
Thomas Manton

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 14:1-16:15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014:1-16:15&version=NKJV )