Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 03

Train Today for Tomorrow

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:4-9&version=NKJV )

When the Israelites were poised on the banks of the Jordan River to cross over and inhabit the Promised Land, Moses gave them a pattern to follow for passing on genuine faith in God from generation to generation. The pattern was to incorporate the commands and promises of God into everyday life so they became second nature instead of something to consider at every turn (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21).

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

Daniel must have been raised in a family that followed Moses' strategy for raising godly children. Daniel's faith was not restricted to favorable circumstances. Instead, it was a faith that shaped his priorities and fueled his decisions wherever he was. Throughout his life in Babylon as a Hebrew captive, Daniel's faith was challenged over and over. But he never yielded; he never did what was most comfortable or safe for himself. He had apparently learned as a child that God always honors obedience.

It's never too late to begin following Moses' plan in your personal life or in the life of your children. Building faith for tomorrow begins today.

If you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.
J. C. Ryle

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 8–11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%208-11&version=NKJV)

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 04

Making Possible the Impossible

But Jesus looked at them and said to them,"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26

Recommended Reading
Genesis 18:10-14 [ http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2018:10-14&version=NKJV ]

Jesus once told His disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples were astonished and asked how anyone could ever be saved given that standard. Jesus didn't answer them directly, but indirectly. He gave them a principle that applies to all areas of life: "With God all things are possible."

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

When the king of Babylon had a dream, he demanded that the wise men of his court tell him both his dream and what it meant. This being impossible, they feared for their lives -- including Daniel and his three friends who were among the king's court. But Daniel knew what was impossible for man was possible for God -- that all things are possible with God. They prayed and asked God not only for the dream but for what it meant. God answered, and Daniel and his friends were rewarded by the king.

If you are facing a situation that looks impossible in human terms, ask God. While God's will may vary in each situation of life, God's ability is never lacking. Our job is to ask and believe.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.
Corrie ten Boom

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 12-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2012-13&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, April 05

First Expressions

As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17

Recommended Reading
Daniel 2:19-23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%202:19-23&version=NKJV )

"You only get one chance to make a first impression." That saying is well known by those in sales. But it also applies to the spiritual life. When we survive a difficult situation or a photo-finish event in life -- maybe in health or finances -- too often our first expression is, "Whew!" -- not exactly a deep expression of faith or gratitude to God. With each new close call in life, we only get one chance to make the right first expression.

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

When the lives of Daniel and his three friends (along with the lives of the Babylonian wise men) were threatened by the king of Babylon, they prayed to God for help. When God answered their prayers, the first thing Daniel did was to praise God: "Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven" (Daniel 2:19-23). Instead of turning to his friends and exclaiming, "Whew! That was close," or even running to the king with the answer to his demands, Daniel's first expression was thanks and praise to God.

Thanksgiving to God should become a matter of first expressions. Make today a day of praise and thanksgiving.

Hem your blessings with praise lest they unravel.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 14-16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2014-16&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 09

Extremist?

He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
Daniel 2:22

Recommended Reading
Romans 1:18-32 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:18-32&version=NKJV )

According to reports in the news, President François Hollande plans to create a secularism agency in the government of France. Its purpose is (1) develop religious-free curriculum featuring secular morality for French schools; and (2) monitor religious extremism, including, the reports say, Christian creationists and radical Islamists.

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

It makes us wonder who the real extremists are! In the Western World there's a new breed of secular fundamentalists and atheistic fanatics trying to lump in Christians with every fringe element. Don't be surprised to find your faith under attack in these Last Days. Just read the prophecies found in the Book of Daniel, in Matthew 24, in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and in the Book of Revelation. According to Daniel 2 and 9, for example, the governments of this world will become increasingly cruel, hostile, and top heavy, culminating in a revival of the Roman Empire and the emergence of a brutal dictator. But no empire or emperor can withstand the simple name of Jesus. That's why we can be extreme -- extremely glad He's coming again soon!

I am waiting for the coming of the Lord who died for me; Oh, His words have thrilled my spirit, "I will come again for thee."
S. Trevor Francis, British hymnist

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 1-2 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%201-2&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 10

Swift News

Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.
Psalm 72:11

Recommended Reading
Psalm 72:1-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2072:1-11&version=NKJV )

Music superstar Taylor Swift recently admitted that she's nervous about stalkers. Her security team regularly sends her pictures of crazed fans so she can watch out for them. "I try not to talk too much about it because it scares me," she says.

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

Celebrities live with unusual burdens, but all of us have to work hard to avoid a life of fear. Our world has never been more dangerous. Yet soon history will be history, tomorrow will be today, and Christ will be in charge.

Zechariah 14 says, "Behold, the day of the LORD is coming.... The LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.... And the LORD shall be King over all the earth" (verses 1, 3, 4, 9). The Book of Revelation speaks of a day when the kingdoms of this world will "become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).

In a crazed world, it helps to have a coming King.

I can hear the chariot's rumble, I can see the marching throng ... Praise God, He's coming for me.
Bill Gaither

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 3-5 

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 11

The World's Largest Rock

You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
Daniel 2:34

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 2:4-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:4-10&version=NKJV )

What's the biggest rock in the world? Australians claim the honor for two sites. Ayers Rock is the largest monolith in the world, a dramatic sandstone formation rising over 1,000 feet above the earth. But Australia's Mount Augustus is even larger -- the largest freestanding rock in the world.

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Neither can hold a candle to the one Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about in Daniel 2. A huge stone made without human hands crashed into a giant statue, shattering it to pieces. The statue represented the successive empires of history, and the Rock cut without hands represented Christ.

No human hand fashioned the substance of our Lord. Born of a virgin, He was a stone cut without hands. He was resurrected from the grave by divine power, not with human hands. He is the supernatural King, coming one day to set up a supernatural kingdom. He will demolish the pride and principalities of earth, and His kingdom will be like nothing the world has ever seen. He alone can be a solid cornerstone for our lives.

Oh, Christ is our lamb, our daily manna, and our rock with the flowing stream -- He is so good!
Witness Lee, Chinese Christian

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 6-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%206-7&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, April 12

Fresco Fiasco


He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:6

Recommended Reading
1 John 2:1-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:1-6&version=NKJV )

About a hundred years ago, the Spanish artist Elias Garcia Martinez painted a fresco of Christ on the wall of a chapel in the small town of Borja, Spain. The work deteriorated over time, and recently the church paid an eighty-one-year-old local artist to restore it. Cecilia Giménez went to work with good intentions, but she botched the job and ruined the painting. Instead of a tender portrait of Christ wearing the crown of thorns, the painting now resembles a monkey in an ill-fitting tunic. The fiasco has created an Internet sensation.

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

The Bible tells us to be walking portraits of Jesus. We represent Christ to the world without distortion. We're to be conformed to His image. That requires integrity. The Old Testament heroes like Daniel and his three friends maintained their integrity in a hostile environment. In the New Testament, the apostles and disciples did the same. Our society badly needs to see Christ in us -- His joy, His honesty, His love, His humility. We're to reflect Christ today. Let's be careful we don't botch the job.

God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you there. He wants you to be just like Jesus.
Max Lucado

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 8-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%208-9&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 13 & 14

Field Work: Isaac

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening.
Genesis 24:63

Recommended Reading
Psalm 131 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20131&version=NKJV )

Isaac was an outdoorsman who worked the fields during the day; but he returned there in the evenings for another kind of work -- the mental work of meditation. Imagine his world. No electricity or electric lights, no radios or headsets, no cell phones or engine noises. With the vault of heaven above him, Isaac took time for nocturnal walks before bedtime to pray and think and meditate. If you're envious of that kind of quietness, remember that it's available. And it's necessary.

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The psalmist says, "I have calmed and quieted my soul" (Psalm 131:2). Isaiah said, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). The apostle Paul encouraged us to "aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind our own business" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). And Peter spoke of women having "the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4).

Find time this weekend to turn off your phone, calm your nerves, cast your cares on the Lord, and meditate in the field of His faithfulness.

I can be calm and free from care on any shore, since God is there.
Madame Guyon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 10-15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2010-15&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 15

Nones

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
Psalm 53:1

Recommended Reading
Psalm 53 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Psalm%2053&version=NKJV )

People with no religious affiliation -- atheists and agnostics -- now make up the third-largest "religious" group in the world. According to the Pew Forum, 2.2 billion people call themselves Christian; 1.6 billion identify themselves as Muslims; and roughly a billion consider themselves "Nones," unaffiliated with any religion.

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

But everyone has a god, a controlling power in life. Everyone has a religion, a belief about matters of time and eternity. How we think about our "god" determines who we are. We inevitably become like the god we serve. If we reject the God of heaven, we unavoidably create lesser gods for ourselves, whether idols of wood or stone, or idols of the heart like egotism and greed. Atheism is as inferior to Christianity as falsehood is to the truth, both in its intellectual integrity and in its psychological implications.

If you're going to be a "None," be the kind that says: "No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You. Nor is there any rock like our God" (1 Samuel 2:2).

If there were no God, there would be no atheists.
G. K. Chesterton

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 16-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2016-18&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 16

Cause for Amazement

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men."
Acts 5:29

Recommended Reading
Daniel 3:16-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%203:16-18&version=NKJV )

In his book The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells about Peter Miller, a Pennsylvania pastor during the American Revolution. A man named Michael Wittman, a fierce critic of the pastor, was arrested and sentenced to die for treason against the American cause. Pastor Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to plead for Wittman's life from General George Washington. The general refused Pastor Miller's request until he learned that Wittman was Miller's enemy. Washington was so amazed that the pastor was pleading for the life of someone who hated him that he granted the request. And Pastor Miller took Wittman, now his friend, home.1

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

When we are obedient to God -- like loving an enemy -- many will marvel. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were sentenced to die by the king of Babylon, they accepted the sentence with faith and entered the fiery furnace. When God spared them from death and they were released, the king praised God.

We don't know what the results of our obedience will be. We do know that God always blesses obedience in some way.

Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God.
Charles H. Spurgeon

1Stephen F. Olford, The Grace of Giving (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications), 52.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 19-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2019-20&version=NKJV )