Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Monday, December 31

8,760 Hours

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Recommended Reading
Psalm 90:10-12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2090:10-12&version=NKJV )

Last fall an Australian man placed a call to Qantas airline and was put on hold. A recording said the next available agent would speak to him. The man waited and waited. He waited 15 hours, 40 minutes, and 1 second before hanging up. The airline later apologized and said it would investigate the incident.

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

Tomorrow we'll receive a gift of 8,760 new hours -- a New Year. The Bible tells us to number our days, to value each moment, and to use each for God's glory. He never wastes our time, and He doesn't want us wasting it either. If we begin the year with a commitment to His Lordship, we're more likely to be productive in His labor.

The commentator Matthew Henry said on his deathbed: "You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men -- this is mine: that a life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most pleasant life that anyone can live in this world."

Let's learn to number our days and gain a heart of wisdom.

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
Samuel Smiles, Scottish author and reformer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalm 119

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, January 1

Because It's His

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's. It is holy to the LORD.
Leviticus 27:30

Recommended Reading
2 Chronicles 31:5-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2031:5-6&version=NKJV )

It's Saturday, your lawnmower is broken, the grass is high, and you have company coming for supper. You borrow your neighbor's lawnmower, cut the grass, and stick the mower in your garage while you clean up for your guest's arrival. The next Saturday a knock on your door reveals your neighbor -- looking for his lawnmower. Embarrassed at having not returned it, you hastily apologize and return the mower. Why? Because the lawnmower is  his!

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

When something belongs to someone else, our obligation is to return it to him promptly. And that is true of a tenth of all we possess. Why? Because it is  His!  God gives us everything we have, entrusting it to us to use temporarily (1 Chronicles 29:14). But a tenth -- a tithe -- of what God has given to us belongs to Him: "And all the tithe of the land ... is the Lord's." When we give a tithe of our possessions to the Lord, we demonstrate that we know Who really owns what we temporarily possess. It is a way to honor Him and what He has done.

The tithe is one more way to put God first in our lives by acknowledging that what we have is His.

God demands the tithe, deserves the offerings, defends the savings and directs the expenses.
Stephen Olford

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 1-4

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, January 2

Heaven's Currency

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
Exodus 19:5

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 3:9-10  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:9-10%20&version=NKJV )

A quarter of Wall Street executives see wrongdoing as a key to success according to a survey by whistleblower law firm Labaton Sucharow. In a survey of 500 senior executives in the United States and the UK, 24 percent said they believed financial services professionals may need to engage in unethical or illegal conduct to be successful.1

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

In God's kingdom, disobedience doesn't lead to success. Prophet after prophet warned Israel not to disobey God's Law and reminded them to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Finally, God gave His beloved nation one last admonition before sending their promised Messiah. The prophet Malachi delivered a strong message of fiscal responsibility toward the Lord's temple -- a tithe that promised God's future blessing.

The currency of heaven is obedience. From financial integrity in the workplace to financial stewardship in the home and church, God will bless the faithful, generous steward. Where does your money stand with you and God? Has it come between you? Or do you use it to glorify Him?

In light of God's promises, believers who refuse to give obediently don't have a money problem -- they have a trust problem.
Rod Rogers

1uk.reuters.com/article/2012/07/10/business-us-wallstreet-survey-idUKBRE86906G20120710 (accessed 8/31/12).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 5-8

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, January 3

Are You a Gift Giver or Taker?

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11b

Recommended Reading
2 Chronicles 31:7-12  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%202%20Chronicles%2031:7-12&version=NKJV )

When observing children, it's heartwarming to watch the excitement they have when giving gifts to their parents for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions. Anticipating the moment of surprise, they bestow handmade treasures they know will please their mommies and daddies. But some children need many prompts and helpful guidance to learn the importance of giving. Lamentably, even into adulthood some of us need constant reminders about birthday and anniversary celebrations.

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

If only we could capture the cheerful, childlike innocence of giving to our Father in heaven. The gift of a tithe delights our Lord as we seek to further His kingdom on earth. Some of us joyfully give our tithes, but some of us may need some prompting to answer God's call to obedient stewardship.

Each month as you pay your bills and survey your finances, are you generously planning your gifts to present to God? Does He have first place in your life among your many financial responsibilities? Faithful giving is a tangible expression of our gratitude for God's blessings in our lives. Give thanks with a grateful heart!

When we come to the end of life, the question will be, "How much have you given?" not "How much have you gotten?"
George Sweeting

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 9-12

:angel:30

[Judy Harder]

Friday, January 4

What Is a Need?

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 9:8-11  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%209:8-11&version=NKJV )

The apostle who wrote that "God shall supply all your need" knew from personal experience what the provision of your daily needs meant. The churches that the apostle Paul had ministered to, in turn shared in providing the necessities he required to live. This was God's plan for the church then, and it is still true today. Paul also stated, "not that I seek the gift, but the fruit that abounds to your account" (Philippians 4:17). It isn't that God could not directly provide for Paul's needs, but in His grand design, God provided that blessings will accrue to those who are faithful to support His work.

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Paul wrote, "Not that I speak in regard to  need , for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11, italics added). Paul had learned to trust God's determination for his needs, and to be content with what God provided -- and we need to learn to do the same.

Where are you in the process of learning what a need is, giving to help provide the need in other's lives, and trusting God's way of meeting your needs?

He who has the Holy Spirit in his heart and the Scripture in his hands has all he needs.
Alexander MacLaren

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 13-17

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, January 5 & 6

Lessons of the 13s for 2013: Make the Right Choices in 2013 (Genesis 13)

Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And [he and Abraham] separated from each other.
Genesis 13:11

Recommended Reading
Acts 20:35 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:35&version=NKJV )

There are a few words of Jesus Christ that appear in Acts instead of the four Gospels. They are mostly words spoken by Jesus to the apostle Paul (for example, see Acts 9:1-16; 22:1-21; 23:11; 26:14-18). Paul also quotes a statement of Jesus that is applicable to every Christian: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

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Since all of life is a process of giving or receiving, these words have daily impact. Daily we choose: Should I give or should I receive? Sometimes, the choice is not so clear. Abraham gave his nephew, Lot, the opportunity to choose where to make his home. Lot chose the best land he knew about, leaving Abraham to take what was left. His choice seems to have been self-centered. While we don't know what would have happened if he had chosen differently, we know that his choice ended up costing him, and Abraham, dearly (Genesis 13-14).

This is a good time to renew your focus on choices. Since Jesus said choosing to be generous is better, make every choice this year as generous and as wise as you can.

Men are free to decide their own moral choices, but they are also under the necessity to account to God for those choices.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 18-23

[Judy Harder]

Monday, January 7

Heartfelt Giving

All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16b

Recommended Reading
1 Chronicles 29:10-17  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2029:10-17%20&version=NKJV )

If you pay a mortgage each month, it may be a foreign concept to think of everything as belonging to God. Maybe you don't want to believe the fact that God owns everything, oversees everything, and originated everything. You prefer the security of feeling in control of your life.

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

When King David, the most powerful king in Israel's history, reviewed the major lessons of his life, he emphatically stated first that everything belonged to God -- the singular foundation for the doctrine of stewardship. As David observed the people lavishly giving to the temple, he noted how it revealed hearts devoted to the Lord: "and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You" (1 Chronicles 29:17).

Have you given God control of your income, your savings account, your pension? You may not feel like it is necessary when things are going well for you. But when you suddenly encounter a difficult financial time, there's nothing more comforting than knowing your problem is God's opportunity. Review your personal giving and honestly appraise how well you're managing what He has given you. Is your heart devoted to glorifying Him with your resources?

God can have our money and not have our hearts, but He cannot have our hearts without having our money.
Kent Hughes

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 24-25

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, January 8

Breathing a Miracle

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4

Recommended Reading
Psalm 33:6-9  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2033:6-9&version=NKJV )

If you're reading this devotional -- you're breathing. As long as we're healthy, breathing is subconscious and effortless. But the elaborate breathing cycle is incredibly intricate. Controlled by the nervous system, breathing is regulated by the respiratory center of the brain and more than twenty respiratory muscles.

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

In all his achievements through the centuries, man cannot boast that he created breathing. Every breath we breathe is a gift from God. He is the originator of the process that begins and sustains life. The Book of Genesis beautifully describes the creation process: "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7). God's "breath of life" gives man his lifeblood, and "the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding" (Job 32:.

Make this the day you inspect your own breath of life. If there's any false pride that's arisen, remember that man doesn't own anything -- including his first breath. What we have is from God's gracious hand, and only what we give back to Him will live and breathe forever.

The world asks, "What does a man own?" Christ asks, "How does he use it?"
Andrew Murray

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 26-28

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, January 9

Inexhaustible Wealth

Oh, how inexhaustible are God's resources ...
Romans 11:33 (Weymouth)

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 1:18-23  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Ephesians%201:18-23&version=NKJV )

Pretend you're one of the 1200-plus billionaires in the world. How long would it take to spend your money? If you dished out $1000 a day and received no interest or income from your portfolio, you could keep spending for 2,740 years. If you spent $10,000 a day, you could keep spending for 274 years if you received no interest on the balance. With even a modest rate of return, you could spend $10,000 a day and never run out of money.

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

You would, however, run out of years. There's only one source for inexhaustible wealth coupled with everlasting life, and it's in Christ. He has an unfailing plan for our economic security and for our eternal security. Jesus spoke of our "inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys" (Luke 12:33, HCSB). Paul talked about "the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8, The Message).

Even if your finances seem tight today, remember how rich you are. Oh, how inexhaustible are God's resources!

My life is Christ, the Beloved of all. He is my inexhaustible wealth, my inexhaustible food, my inexhaustible drink.
Andrew Murray

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 29-31

[Judy Harder]

 
Thursday, January 10

A Matter of Balance

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17

Recommended Reading
1 Timothy 6:3-10  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%206:3-10&version=NKJV )

Last fall a man in Miami broke into a car, stole a credit card, and went to a nearby bar where he ordered a beer. Things went wrong when he tried to pay. Turns out the thief had burgled the bartender's car. When the bartender saw his own credit card he called the police.

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

Credit cards can get us all in trouble even when we're honest. There's nothing wrong with the wise use of a credit card, but it's easy to overspend. Learn to curtail your wants, desiring what God wants for you, living within your means and in obedience to His will. Discipline is at the heart of any economic plan. Guard against greed. Keep track of your finances. Know your balances and stay balanced. Be a wise steward of the resources God has entrusted to you.

Remember: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out"(1 Timothy 6:6-7).

A batch of credit cards fattens the wallet before it thins it.
Quoted in  20,000 Quips & Quotes, compiled by Evan Esar

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 32-35