Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, March 13

Unseen Protectors

Are [ angels ] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14

Recommended Reading
Acts 5:17-20 [ http://iz3.me/cwCV1zwXd1A1 ]

More than a few parents have been "guilty" of following their young children as they walk the short way to school. Their parental priority was protection -- but doing so invisibly, from a distance, so as to allow their child a sense of independence. As parents protect their children, so angels are sent to protect God's children.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/dwCV1zwXd1A1 ]

In the angelic realm, protection as a responsibility is apparently well known. When Satan tempted Jesus, challenging Him to jump from the highest point of the temple, he quoted Psalm 91:11: "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (Matthew 4:6). In spite of that promise, Jesus didn't yield to the devil's challenge. And neither should we act foolishly, expecting to be protected by angels. But we can be assured that angels -- our unseen guardians -- are aware of our steps and are there to protect and minister to us.

Every moment of the day -- especially when traveling or heading into challenging situations -- is a good time to thank God for the angels who are there to care for you.

Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth.
Book of Common Prayer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 1-3 [ http://iz3.me/ewCV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, March 14

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 18:10

Recommended Reading
Matthew 18:10-14 [ http://iz3.me/kLMV1zwXd1A1 ]

One of the most famous paintings in Christian history is  Heiliger Schutzengel , which means "Guardian Angel." It's the scene of two children -- a girl and her small brother -- crossing a rickety bridge over a roaring stream. A beautiful angel hovers above them, arms outstretched, wings expanding, silently watching the youngsters complete the perilous crossing. The origin of the painting is unknown. A company called Lindberg in Switzerland produced the first copies many years ago. We can only assume the artist was thinking of Matthew 18:10.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/lLMV1zwXd1A1 ]

The Bible gives few verses on the subject of whether or not everyone has a specific guardian angel, but there's no question we have angels watching over us all the time. Whether we have one specific angel guarding us is uncertain, but what is clearly indicated in the Bible is that God has His angels watching over us constantly. Don't worry about whether you have one angel or many. In either case, the angelic host serves as the security detail for believers. They are our heavenly helpers whenever we're on a bridge over troubled waters.

All the angels in the whole universe care about you; and if God wants to dispatch them all, He can do it.
David Jeremiah

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 4-5 [ http://iz3.me/mLMV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, March 15 & 16

The Approval Process: Pen Pal

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
Galatians 6:11

Recommended Reading
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 [ http://iz3.me/6DVV1zwXd1A1 ]

God spoke through the sermons of the prophets, the poetry of the psalmist, the history of the kings, and the biography of the Savior. But when He wanted to encourage Christians to live godly lives, He chose the simple medium of personal correspondence. Hence we have the New Testament letters.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/7DVV1zwXd1A1 ]

Maybe we can take a page from God's Book. Parade Magazine carried the story of a Vermont nursing student cramming for a rigorous exam. Returning to her table in the coffee shop, she found a note tucked inside her textbook. "I'm assuming if you're thumbing through [ this textbook ] you're probably nearing the end of nursing school," said the note. "You should be so proud of yourself. You've worked so hard to get here, and ... it's so worth it. I've been a nurse for twelve years and can't imagine doing anything else." The note, which is now widely circulated online, contained a pep talk -- and a ten-dollar gift card for coffee.

People crave encouragement, and sometimes the greatest encouragement is the writing of words that endure. Perhaps you can pen a note of affirmation and approval to someone today.

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
William James

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 6-10 [ http://iz3.me/8DVV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 17

How the Mighty Have Fallen

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.
Ezekiel 28:13

Recommended Reading
1 Timothy 3:5-7 [ http://iz3.me/T2aV1zwXd1A1 ]

One of the most timeless warnings in all the Bible is illustrated by an ancient event: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). In the uncharted time before creation, Satan was Lucifer, the most beautiful and honored of God's created angelic beings. But his pride -- his belief in his beauty -- brought him down.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/U2aV1zwXd1A1 ]

Two passages in the Old Testament -- Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 -- are considered by many scholars to be personifications of events in Satan's story. Both passages refer to earthly kings, but in language that can only typify heavenly events. And because all godless kings draw their prideful inspiration from Satan, they serve as a type of Lucifer himself. Ezekiel 28:17 says, "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty." And the apostle Paul echoes that verse when talking about the pride that led to Satan's fall (1 Timothy 3:6).

Beware of pride and self-exaltation (James 4:6).

Pride of gifts robs us of God's blessing in the use of them.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 11-13 [ http://iz3.me/V2aV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 18

Choosing a Seat

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.
Isaiah 14:14

Recommended Reading
Luke 14:7-11 [ http://iz3.me/5OiV1zwXd1A1 ]

We've all seen it -- and perhaps been guilty of it: The doors open at a concert venue and everyone makes a dash for the front row seats. Or the doors open for a department store sale and the shoppers shove and push each other in order to get first dibs on the merchandise. Our fleshly nature tempts us to put ourselves above others or seek a position or place for ourselves instead of allowing others to have it.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/6OiV1zwXd1A1 ]

Satan, as God's angelic, highly-anointed minister, made the mistake of seeking a place reserved for God alone. In five different ways -- "I will ..." -- he expressed his desire to "be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14). He wanted to exalt himself from his rightful place to a place equal with God Himself. Interestingly, Jesus related a parable with the antidote to pride of place. When attending a banquet, He said, take the lowest seat. It's better to be invited to move up than to be told to move down for being in someone else's place (Luke 14:7-11). That was a lesson Satan failed to learn, but one we can take to heart.

Humility seeks to advance others rather than advancing self. But the promise is, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

Other sins are against God's law, but pride is against God's sovereignty.
Thomas Manton

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 14-16 [ http://iz3.me/7OiV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, March 19

The Arch Deceiver

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3

Recommended Reading
John 4:1-6 [ http://iz3.me/lesV1zwXd1A1 ]

By the end of the first century, the apostle John had to write to the young Church, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). It's not that deception started with the birth of the Church at Pentecost. It had been around since the Garden of Eden.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/mesV1zwXd1A1 ]

We have to be honest and recognize that Adam and Eve had never been confronted with a lie or with deception when Satan came to them in the Garden. They were innocent and naïve. Granted, they should have simply believed and obeyed God, but Satan was good at his craft. After all, he had apparently already deceived one third of the angels in heaven and led them in rebellion against God (Revelation 12:4). Given his power to deceive, John was right in warning the Church to test every spirit to see if it is from God or not. And that message remains relevant today.

Refresh your commitment today to test everything by the Word of God. The surest defense against spiritual deception is knowledge of spiritual truth.

Nothing can deceive unless it bears a plausible resemblance to reality.
C. S. Lewis

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 17-19 [ http://iz3.me/nesV1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, March 20

Nothing to Fear

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Jude 1:6

Recommended Reading
2 Peter 2:4-11 [ http://iz3.me/TD4W1zwXd1A1 ]

It has been said, "Everything in the Bible is true, but not all truth is in the Bible." The Bible is not an encyclopedia containing all known truth. It is the record of the revelation of God -- the story of redemption. It provides all we need to know about some subjects, like how to be reconciled to God. But it doesn't tell all we'd like to know -- and someday will know -- about other subjects. Jude 1:6 is an example of the tip of a theological iceberg that begs for a fuller revelation.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/UD4W1zwXd1A1 ]

We would like to know more about Satan's rebellion in which many angels participated. We would like to know more about how and where those angels are being kept in "chains under darkness" until the final judgment. And we would like to know the differences between these incarcerated angels and the demons that apparently are free to roam the earth.

When we find hints in Scripture about subjects not fully revealed, we are reminded that God keeps Satan and fallen angels on a short leash, that evil will one day be punished, and those who are secure in Christ have nothing to fear (Romans 8:35-39).

I more fear what is within me than what comes from without.
Martin Luther

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 20-21 [ http://iz3.me/VD4W1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, March 21

Angelic Escort

Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
Exodus 23:20

Recommended Reading
Exodus 20-23 [ http://iz3.me/QhDW1zwXd1A1 ]

Throughout the Bible, angels seem to have an active role in ushering God's children to heaven. In his book, Somewhere Angels, Larry Libby writes: "No one likes to go on trips all alone. Now, some fine day you will and I will see heaven for the very first time .... and that home will be so very much better than Disneyland, and sunsets, and mountain lakes, and snowy canyons that I can't even tell you how much. And I don't think God means for us to be alone when we travel to that new home .... The angel gets to be there when you see the shining beauty of your forever home for the very first time; when your eyes fly open and your mouth drops open, and the tears of happiness rush to your eyes, and you say, 'Oh, my goodness! It's more beautiful than I could ever have dreamed!' And the angel gets to be there and share in it all!"1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/RhDW1zwXd1A1 ]

We can't fully visualize the wonder of that moment, but what a comfort to know we'll not be alone as we travel from earth to heaven! No Christian is abandoned at the moment of death. The angels are the ushers, and our passage to heaven is under their escort.

When it comes to leaving earth for heaven, there's nothing to worry about. God wants you home so much that He'll send His own angel to meet you. And don't be surprised if the angel is wearing a big smile.
Larry Libby

1 Larry Libby,  Somewhere Angels  (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 1994), n.p.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ruth 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/ShDW1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 24

Destination: Heaven

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
Luke 16:22

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 [ http://iz3.me/LwOW1zwXd1A1 ]

In Luke 16, Jesus told the story of the rich man and the beggar and their ultimate destinations. In life, the poor beggar sat outside the rich man's gate, begging for crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. When he breathed his last, the beggar (Lazarus) "was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom" -- to the presence of God. Think of the instant transition and transformation for Lazarus. When the rich man died, he also was buried, but he had no heavenly escort to a beautiful destination -- instead he cried for mercy in Hades, while Lazarus discovered the joys of his new home.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/MwOW1zwXd1A1 ]

Throughout Scripture God's love is shown to us, even to providing His assurance to the believer about dying. We are told that death for the follower of Christ is "precious" (Psalm 116:15), "blessed" (Revelation 14:13), and that it holds "no sting" (1 Corinthians 15:55). And that isn't all that God tells us in His Word about our transition from this earthly life to our new heavenly home -- we will have angels to escort us!

Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 8-12 [ http://iz3.me/NwOW1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 25

Appearing, Dwelling, Abiding

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to [ Moses ] in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush..
Exodus 3:2a

Recommended Reading
Judges 13:6, 10, 21 [ http://iz3.me/UMaW1zwXd1A1 ]

In 1977, much of the Western world saw a depiction of a developing technology. In the Star Wars movie, the robot R2-D2 displayed a hologram -- a light-based "physical" image -- of Princess Leia. That was 1977 in a science fiction movie. But thousands of years before that movie, something similar occurred on earth: God appearing as an angel-man.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/VMaW1zwXd1A1 ]

The future mother of Samson described it best -- "a Man of God" who "looked like an angel of God, very awesome" appeared to her (Judges 13:6 NIV). She saw what appeared to be a human, yet also appeared to be a "very awesome" angel. And the being appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again (verses 10, 21). The Angel of the Lord (Genesis 16:7, 9-11; 22:11, 15) is generally considered to be deity -- a preincarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ. An angel of the Lord (Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19) is not. After Christ was incarnated in flesh (John 1:14), the Angel of the Lord does not appear again.

God appeared to His people in the Old Testament and  dwelt  with His people in the New -- and now abides in us by His Spirit.

The glory of the Incarnation is that it presents to our adoring gaze, not a humanized God or a deified man, but a true God-man.
Benjamin B. Warfield

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 13–14 [ http://iz3.me/WMaW1zwXd1A1 ]