Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, September 26

Past and Future Faithfulness

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings.
Hebrews 10:32

Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:29-30 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:29-30&version=NKJV )

Often new Army recruits anticipate "boot camp" with deserved apprehension. They get through it by believing the advice of those who have gone before: "You can do anything for ten weeks." When it's over, they proudly tell others, "It wasn't so bad."

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

In the moment, many things seem "bad." But in hindsight, the fact that one endures the discomfort pays an immediate benefit: It equips us for the future. From that perspective, the pain of the past becomes a blessing because we have personally seen God's faithfulness and His strength working in us. If we had strength to endure  then , we know we will have strength  when  .... The writer to the Hebrews exhorted his readers to "recall the former days in which ... you endured a great struggle with sufferings" (Hebrews 10:32). The key word in that exhortation is "endured." Yes, they no doubt suffered and experienced pain for Christ's sake. But they were blessed by God's faithfulness and were thus prepared for the future.

As you look to the future, remember God's faithful blessings in your past.

Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.
Augustine

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Zephaniah 1-3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah%201-3&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 27

Confidence in Whom?

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Hebrews 10:35

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

If you confide in a friend, you put your trust in him or her. English confide, confidant, and confidence all come from Latin confidere: the intensive prefix con and fidere, meaning trust.  Con, as a prefix in Western languages, can also mean "with." So confidence means "with trust or faith." The English words  confidence and confidently occur 36 times in the Bible (NKJV).

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The writer to the Hebrews talks about remaining confident in Christ "to the end" (Hebrews 3:6, 14) and exhorts his readers not to lose their confidence, "which has great reward" (Hebrews 10:35). The Greek word for confidence also occurs in Hebrews 4:16 where it is translated "boldly" -- an exhortation to come boldly, with confidence and without doubting, into God's presence to "obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The apostle Paul says our confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ (Ephesians 3:12).

If confidence means "with faith," the next question is, Faith in whom or what? The rewards of confidence are only as good as its object. Make sure your confidence is in Christ alone.

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times.
Martin Luther

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

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 28 & 29

Fall Favorites: Festivities

You shall have a song as in the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the Mighty One of Israel.
Isaiah 30:29

Recommended Reading
Psalm 100 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20100&version=NKJV )

Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote about growing up in upstate New York, where one summer's day his mother sent him out to pick a quart of raspberries. "I dragged my feet in rebellion," he said, "and the can was filling very slowly. Then a new idea came: it would be fun to pick two quarts of raspberries and surprise her. I had so interesting a time picking two quarts to the utter amazement of the household, and they never forgot it. But alas, I have often forgotten the philosophy of it: we can change any situation by changing our attitude toward it."1

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It's natural to celebrate with a grateful heart during the harvest seasons of the year. As fresh produce shows up in the markets and we relish our fresh apples and fall vegetables, everything tastes better when salted with thanksgiving. A few family festivities and traditions make enriching memories.

This fall, celebrate the goodness of God, and may the Lord give you gladness of heart.

Happiness comes from holiness. You can't truly be happy unless you're hungry for Jesus Christ.
David Jeremiah

1Alan Loy McGinnis,  The Power of Optimism  (San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1990), 151.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Zechariah 1-10  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%201-10%20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, September 30

The Great Calm

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39

Recommended Reading
John 14:25-31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:25-31%20&version=NKJV )

Everyone has their own pocketful of fears. One person fears heights, spiders, and death, while another fears failure, germs, and the disapproval of others. Every fear reveals itself through our actions. If I am afraid of germs, my house will be clean from top to bottom and I may be afraid to shake the hands of others.

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God knew the fears of His followers. Be not afraid. This phrase is repeated by God and His angels throughout Scripture. He knew that whenever He called His people to trust or fulfill His purposes, their fear could hold them back. These men did not hold back: Abraham left his home behind. Moses demanded that Pharaoh release God's people from captivity. Joseph patiently and faithfully served as a slave. Joshua marched around Jericho's walls. Be not afraid.

God knows your fears. Be not afraid. He points us to a reality greater and more powerful than our fear. He points us to Himself. Just as Jesus reminded His disciples of His protection, calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. He wants to remind you of His protection and fill you with His peace.

This is a wise, sane Christian faith: that a man commit himself, his life, and his hopes to God; that God undertakes the special protection of that man; that therefore that man ought not to be afraid of anything.

George MacDonald

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Zechariah 11-14  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%2011-14&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 1

The First Step

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

Recommended Reading
Psalm 57 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2057&version=NKJV )

Fear is the first step toward obedience. In Scripture, when God calls a person to a specific task or role, their first response is usually an objection, question, or doubt. Fearfully, they ask, "Why have You chosen me? I'm not qualified. I've never done this before."

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God chose Israel, although it was a small, insignificant nation (Deuteronomy 7:7). God chose Moses, although he had run away from Egypt in fear. God chose Joseph, although he was ridiculed and sold by his brothers. Jesus chose an unlikely group of men to be His disciples. God delights in choosing those for whom it is impossible to fulfill His commands in their own strength. He assures us "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).

When God calls us, He equips us. If we get stuck in fear, we are forgetting who God is. Although fear is a natural first step, we must move from fear to faith to obey God. As we focus on Him, remembering His power and strength, our faith increases. He will be glorified through our obedience and bring to completion all He has promised.

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.
Joni Eareckson Tada

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Malachi 1-4  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi%201-4%20%20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 02

Afraid of Failing

The Lord ... never fails.
Zephaniah 3:5

Recommended Reading
Zephaniah 3:1-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah%203:1-5&version=NKJV )

Look up the word "fail" in a thesaurus and you'll find terms like: blunder, break down, fall, fizzle, flop, flounder, fold, lose out, and disappoint. These are strongly negative words, and sometimes we're so afraid of them we don't move forward in the endeavors God has for us. What would you do today that you aren't doing if you knew you could not fail? When fear of failure keeps us from moving forward in faith, fear has won.

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While we can't guarantee that all our projects and ambitions will end successfully (as we define "success"), we can be certain that God's plan for our lives will be fulfilled as we trust Him. Zephaniah 3:5 says, "The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails."

Don't worry about success or failure. Concentrate on trusting God and obeying Him. Move forward, knowing He never blunders, breaks down, falls, fizzles, flops, flounders, folds, loses out, or disappoints.

He never fails.

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Thomas O. Chisholm, in the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 1-4 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201-4&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 3

A Hospital for Loneliness

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
Psalm 102:6-7

Recommended Reading
Zephaniah 3:1-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah%203:1-5&version=NKJV )

In 1950, less than ten percent of American households were made up of just one person; now the number is twenty-seven percent. We depend on cell phones and computers to stay connected, and that's why we panic when our Internet goes out or we lose our phone. Our society tends toward isolation, and one of the wonders of sociology is why neighbors who live miles apart in rural areas feel closer than apartment dwellers in major cities.

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Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but loneliness can be an impetus to making changes in our lives. If we feel disconnected from others, we can find ways to help others who feel that way too. Often the best way is to become more involved at church. When you attend a Bible study or small group, volunteer in your congregation, pray for those in the nearby pews, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with other saints, it involves you in the family of God. It's hard to feel disconnected while making those efforts.

Don't sit around feeling lonely. Find someone to bless today.

A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Abigail Van Buren

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 5-6  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205-6&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 4

Reach Out by Prayer

For God is my witness ... that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
Romans 1:9-10

Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:3-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:3-6&version=NKJV )

Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills  contains the voluminous correspondence carried on between the famous prime minister and his wife. Though political and wartime duties resulted in lengthy separations, the couple also carried on written correspondence when in the same house. Working in their separate offices, the Churchills sent written love notes via the servants to one another throughout the day.

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The apostle Paul also used written correspondence to support the young churches in the Mediterranean world, but he also used a different means of support: He prayed faithfully. Many Christians don't realize that Paul had never visited Rome when he wrote his most famous letter to the church there. But oh, how he prayed for them! He made mention of them "always in [his] prayers."

If you are separated from those you love, technology gives you many ways to stay in touch. But the most important way to reach out and touch others is through prayer. Why not pray for someone right now who is dear to you?

The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer.
R. A. Torrey

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 7-9  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207-9&version=NKJV)

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 5 & 6

Do Not Be Afraid!: Fear and Trust

And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God -- my God -- will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD."
1 Chronicles 28:20

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 13:5-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013:5-6&version=NKJV )

Anyone who has ever started a new job -- or been promoted to increased responsibility -- knows the feeling: "I'm not sure I'm ready for this; I don't know if I can do what's expected!" And then it always happens: A month, or six months, down the road, you're doing the job like a seasoned veteran. It's just the thought of doing something new and challenging that can be scary.

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Solomon knew the feeling. He had never built a temple before, much less a temple as large and grandiose as the one his father, David, had planned. Not to mention -- it was a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel. It must have been evident to David that Solomon was fearful and dismayed. Why? Because David told him, "Do not fear nor be dismayed"! And David gave Solomon just one reason to be confident of succeeding: "God will be with you until you have finished the work."

If you are facing a challenge as a child of God, do not fear or be dismayed. God is a Father who never leaves His children until their work is finished.

It is a blessed fear which drives us to trust.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 10-13  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010-13&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 7

Seeking Approval

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified.
1 Peter 4:11

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 4:1-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:1-11&version=NKJV )

We all seek approval, wanting to be liked, respected, admired, and appreciated. But when put into practice, our Christian principles sometimes incur the disapproval of others. The apostle Peter warned his readers to turn away from "lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries," even though our friends will "think it strange that [we] do not run with  them  in the same flood of dissipation" and will speak evil of us (1 Peter 4:3-4).

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In obeying Christ, we may lose the approval of peers, but we'll gain the approbation of the Lord. For the Christian, there's blessed peace in knowing God no longer sees us in our sin, but He sees us through Christ. He's not disapproving of His children. Our sins are forgiven, and all our efforts to live for Him are blessed.

Whether you speak or minister, do it with a sense of God's blessing and approval, no matter what others may think. As you labor with the ability God supplies, He will be "glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11b).

What higher approval could a person enjoy than to know that what he or she has done is pleasing to God?
R. C. Sproul, in Pleasing God

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 14-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014-17&version=NKJV )