Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, December 19

The Parts and the Whole

....even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:23

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:4-9&version=NKJV )

The presence or absence of the top of the box that a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle comes in makes all the difference. Usually, the completed image appears on the box top making it easier to see which pieces go where. Without the completed image, each piece is random; with the image, each piece is part of a whole.

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

Most of the Old Testament prophets had the pieces to the prophetic puzzle but they lacked the box top -- they didn't always see the completed picture like we do. For example, when Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-19), He quoted all the passage except the part about "the day of vengeance of our God" since that would be fulfilled at His Second Coming, not His first. Isaiah saw both parts of the Messiah's ministry -- good news and judgment -- but didn't see the separation between the two. Fortunately, we have the advantage of hindsight -- the full "box top" of the Bible that gives us the completed picture.

Have you embraced the good news of Jesus' first coming? Are you looking forward to His ultimate return?

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 11:1-13:18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2011:1-13:18&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, December 20

Who Would Do That?

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Recommended Reading
Romans 5:15-16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205:15-16&version=NKJV )

Sometimes on Christmas we unwrap the dreaded "indescribable gift." It is our politeness that keeps us from asking, What is it? What am I supposed to do with it? Or, Are you sure this is for me? On the other hand, each of us has probably received another kind of "indescribable gift" -- one that leaves us speechless with appreciation. Such a gift is one we never expected, one we think we don't deserve, and one that leaves us awestruck.

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

It's that second kind of indescribable gift that Paul tells the Corinthians about in 2 Corinthians 9:15 -- that gift being the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Some have described grace as " God's  Riches  At  Christ's  Expense." That's a good place to start in describing grace, but it's much harder to describe the free gift that God has given us. Who gives a gift of complete forgiveness to guilty sinners? Why would someone sacrifice Himself for the sake of those who might not even appreciate it? How is it possible that such love and forgiveness never ceases, even when our gratitude does? That's why it's called indescribable.

Do your best this Christmas to thank God for His indescribable gift -- and to extend that same gift to others.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 14:1-16:21

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 21

Full Circle

I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.
John 16:28

Recommended Reading
John 16:28-33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016:28-33&version=NKJV )

The life of Jesus is a perfect circle of symmetry. His conception and birth brought Him into the world. His resurrection and ascension took Him out of the world. At the beginning of life, He was conceived in a womb from which never a child had been born. At the end of life, He was placed in a tomb in which never a man had been laid. In this virgin womb, He was hidden for nine months; in the virgin tomb, for three days.

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

He left Mary's womb with a baby's cry and Joseph's tomb with a victor's shout. He was born to give us a life that's forgiven, and raised to give us a life that's forever. His body was sown perishable, but was raised imperishable. It was sown in dishonor but was raised in glory. It was sown in weakness but raised in power.

Because of His sacrifice, we can claim the words of the hymnist as our own: "Living, He loved me; dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away; rising He justified freely forever; one day He's coming -- O glorious day" (Wilber Chapman, 1908).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 17:1-18:24

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, December 22 & 23

Not So Familiar Christmas Scripture: Numbers 24:17

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel...
Numbers 24:17

Recommended Reading
Numbers 24:15-19 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2024:15-19&version=NKJV )

Jesus is called a "Star" three times in Scripture. In Numbers 24, Balaam predicted a Messiah in the far future, rising like a star from the descendants of Jacob. Second Peter 1:19 talks about the Morning Star rising in our hearts. And in Revelation 22:16, Jesus called Himself "the Bright and Morning Star."

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

In astronomy, the bright and morning star is not literally a star, but the planet Venus that appears in the eastern sky just before dawn and is one of the brightest objects in the sky. The sight of this "star" is a sign that night is nearly over.

It's symbolic of Christ. The dark epoch of earth's history is nearly past. Soon the Lord will rise from His throne like the Star of Morning, ushering in an eternal day for His children. Just as He came the first time, so He will come again. And we "do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart" (2 Peter 1:19).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 19:1-20:15, Revelation 21:1-22:21

[Judy Harder]

Monday, December 24

Missing Christ at Christmas

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:10

Recommended Reading
John 1:1-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:1-13&version=NKJV )

When Jesus came the first time, few people recognized or accepted Him. There was Joseph and Mary, of course. There were the ragged shepherds and the mysterious wise men. But most of the world missed it. There was no room for Him in the inn. The residents of Bethlehem seemed oblivious that the most famous personage in time or space had dropped into their village.

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

Some of the people who glimpsed the truth violently opposed Him. Even in infancy, He was forced to flee His own country. His life was endangered when He was a baby, and He was slain as an adult. He came unto His own, but His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.

Even on Christmas Eve, it's possible to miss Him. We must intentionally, consciously, deliberately turn our lives over to Him, confessing our sins and acknowledging Him as Lord of all. The best way to keep Christ in Christmas is to enthrone Him in your heart right now as Savior and Lord.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 2:1-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:1-20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, December 25

A Christmas Response

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."
Luke 1:46

Recommended Reading
Acts 22:6-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2022:6-10&version=NKJV )

A high school senior has studied hard and made good grades in preparation for applying to college -- the first in his family to do so. He applies to college and is accepted, even receiving a partial scholarship. But even with the scholarship and what he can earn from a campus job, he still cannot afford the balance of the expenses. An anonymous benefactor hears of the situation and promises to supply the needed funds for the next four years. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the student works hard and graduates near the top of his class four years later.

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

In one sense, gifts require nothing -- they are given unconditionally. Yet there is something in human gratitude that wants to respond. There is an impulse that says, "I want to demonstrate that I understand the wonderful thing you have done for me." The teenager Mary, mother of Jesus, responded that way when the angel Gabriel told her she would be the mother of Jesus. She couldn't imagine, at that moment, how to respond other than to say, "I am ready to do your will, Lord." That is the response of a grateful heart.

How might you respond this Christmas Day to the amazing gift of Jesus?

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 1:18-2:23

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, December 26

Joy in the Kingdom

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Matthew 5:7

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:3-5&version=NKJV )

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development issued its 2012 "happiness index" -- a ranking of the developed nations on the basis of life satisfaction.1 The survey measures things like employment rate, health, the number of hours employees work, disposable income, educational attainment, and life expectancy. In searching for the happiest nation, "sympathy for those in need" is not something that is measured.

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

That's the difference in happiness -- or better, joy -- in the world and in the kingdom of God. In the world, happiness is found in pursuit of happiness for self, while in the kingdom, happiness -- again, deep-seated joy -- is found in the pursuit of love and service to others. The most striking example of such joy is Jesus Christ who "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). Endured the cross as a path to joy? What could be more counterintuitive, humanly speaking, than that? Yet that is the way of the cross -- laying down one's life for another: "Blessed [happy, joyful] are the merciful" (Matthew 5:7).

As you celebrated the joy of Christmas, now multiply it in your life by extending it to others.

Only in obedience can we discover the great joy of the will of God.
Sinclair Ferguson

1247wallst.com/2012/05/22/the-happiest-countries-in-the-world-2/2/ (accessed August 23, 2012)

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Colossians 3-4

 

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, December 27

Happy Sorrow

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:6

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%207:9-10&version=NKJV )

Often we hear someone whose words or actions have been called into question say, "I'd like to apologize if I offended anyone by what I said (did)." That kind of apology suggests that the person isn't sorry for what he did as much as for offending others. Said another way, they may be more sorry for getting caught than for doing something wrong.

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

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). "Salvation" can refer both to eternal salvation (when we express godly sorrow over our sin that separates us from God) or the earthly joy of salvation -- the blessed (happy) state Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). There is no happier feeling than knowing we have confessed and repented of our sin and are forgiven by God.

As you look toward the beginning of a new year, make sure you are leaving all your sins behind, covered by God's forgiveness.

Those who are most conscious of forgiveness are invariably those who have been most acutely convicted of their sin.
Sinclair Ferguson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 8; 12

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 28

A Working Vision

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.
Colossians 3:23

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

Maybe your name will never be in a book like Warren Wiersbe's 50 People Every Christian Should Know. But you need to look at the servants between the pages of God's Word to understand that a godly vision doesn't require you to be well-known. You can live in obscurity and still have a great vision for living a Spirit-led life that is filled with purpose.

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

Countless people who were instrumental in God's plan for redemption served without fanfare. Remember Simon who helped carry Jesus' cross to Calvary? Or the women who served Jesus and his disciples as they ministered? How about the mother who made the lunch for her son that would unbelievably be multiplied to feed thousands?

Are you finding yourself in a routine -- one that doesn't include a vision for your role in the body of Christ? Each of us has abilities to accomplish much for God's glory and for the lost in our world. You are not insignificant in God's eyes. Tell Him that you want to share His vision for your life -- it will be life-changing.

The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest -- our best for His glory.
Oswald Chambers

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Philippians 3 and 4

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, December 29 & 30

Not So Familiar Christmas Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities.
Isaiah 53:4-5

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 53:1-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053:1-6&version=NKJV )

As the year winds down, perhaps you're glad to consign it to history. All the sorrows of the past twelve months are behind you. Perhaps you've faced tragedy this year, or grief, or sorrow. Even if you haven't, you've probably had your share of frustrations. How wonderful to know we can relegate the past to the grace of the Lord Jesus!

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And the future? Our Lord not only bears our griefs and sorrows, He bears  us  up like a man carrying his son according to Deuteronomy 1:31. Psalm 28:9 says He bears us up forever. Isaiah 40:11 says He carries us like a shepherd carrying a lamb close to his heart. And listen to Isaiah 46:4: "Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!"

Being the Man of Sorrows, He can bear both you and your burdens, even across the threshold of a new year. Cast all your care on Him. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Great God, we sing Your mighty hand by which supported still we stand; The opening year Your mercy shows, that mercy crowns it 'til its close.
Philip Doddridge

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 1, 23, 37, Ephesians 4-5