Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 2

A Serious Offer

He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 7:27

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 7:20-28 [ http://iz3.me/3TPd1zwXd1A1 ]

Everyone on earth is looking for a serious offer. World-class athletes wait for a "serious offer" before committing to a team. Homeowners want a "serious offer" before selling their house. The White House and Congress spar over whether the other is making a "serious offer" in budget negotiations. Financiers avoid wasting their time with those who aren't ready to make a "serious offer."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/4TPd1zwXd1A1 ]

The most serious offer in history is the one made by Jesus Christ, who offered up Himself as an offering for sin. He offers us eternal life, and it's an offer for the taking. He offers us forgiveness. He offers friendship with God. He offers a meaningful life of purpose and peace. He offers an eternal home in heaven. John Wesley once preached: "The case is this: God offers you one of the greatest mercies on this side of heaven and commands you to accept it. Why do you not accept this mercy in obedience to His command.... God offers you a pardon for all your sins."

That's a serious offer. That's an offer you can't refuse.

A full relationship is what God offers to those who come to God by Jesus. Imagine this! An open invitation to become a member of the royal family and a joint-heir with the Son of God.
R. T. Kendall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 10-12  [ http://iz3.me/5TPd1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 3 & 4

The Five Ships of Opportunity: Worship

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.
Revelation 4:11

Recommended Reading
Revelation 4:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/nmXd1zwXd1A1 ]

Worship is God's way of giving us an opportunity to shift our focus from our own concerns, problems, and circumstances to the way things are in heaven. Constant worship is happening right now around the throne in New Jerusalem. Angels are praising. Choirs are singing. Lightning is flashing. Thunder is rolling. Saints are rejoicing. Citizens of heaven -- both saints and angels -- are coming and going in a constant procession up and down the golden streets, to and from the throne of God.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/omXd1zwXd1A1 ]

As we read Revelation 4 and 5, we're peering through an open scriptural door into the heart of the Celestial City, glimpsing a worship service now in progress in heaven. The scene is described in Revelation 4:6: "Before the throne  there was  a sea of glass, like crystal." All around the throne the song is rising: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:

One day we'll be part of that heavenly choir, but for now we still have the opportunity of joining in -- whenever we board the ship of worship.

Join in a song with sweet accord, and thus surround the throne.
Isaac Watts

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 13-19 [ http://iz3.me/pmXd1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 5

What's in a Name?

Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His."
Daniel 2:20

Recommended Reading
Exodus 3:13-14 [ http://iz3.me/Rrcd1zwXd1A1 ]

Many English surnames reflect an object or occupation: Smith, Wright, Butcher, Baker, Cooper, Barker, Butler, Mason, Marshall, Miller, Bell, Cook, and more. Throughout history, names have been associated with something about the person -- for example, Jesus' name Immanuel (Matthew 1:23): God with us (im = with, anu = us, el = God in Hebrew).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Srcd1zwXd1A1 ]



God Himself is known by many names in Scripture, each revealing something about Him. "I AM" (Exodus 3:14), is the name God told Moses to use when revealing Him to the Israelites. It is based on the Hebrew verb "to be" -- and God had just told Moses, "I will certainly be with you" (verse 12). Not only was "I AM" a definitive statement of God's existence, it was a promise of His being with Moses and Israel. God was also known as El Elohe (strong, dominant; Genesis 33:20), El Elyon (God Most High; Genesis 14:19), El Shaddai (God Almighty; Exodus 6:3), Holy One of Israel (Psalm 78:41), and many others like Healer, Provider, and Deliverer.

Names can be a doorway into knowing who a person is, and that is certainly true of God. A study of His names is a study of who He is and will be for you.

To know God's name is to know something of His nature.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 20-23  [ http://iz3.me/Trcd1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 6

God the Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1

Recommended Reading
Jeremiah 23:1-4 [ http://iz3.me/Vsld1zwXd1A1 ]

Ancient images of the Egyptian god Osiris, the god of the afterlife, show him holding a shepherd's crook in his right hand. But in his left hand is a whip. One hand for shepherding and one hand for punishing. Fast forward to modern Christian traditions: In liturgical churches, bishops still carry the crosier, or shepherd's staff, but it is carried in the left hand. The right hand remains empty, free to reach out and bestow blessings. One hand for guiding and protecting, the other hand for blessing.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Wsld1zwXd1A1 ]

The pastoral staff with the hook on the end has been the shepherd's symbol in all cultures for thousands of years. It has become an iconic image in Christian tradition primarily because of Psalm 23 where David declares that God is his shepherd. He even portrays God as protector and "blesser" -- the shepherd's staff in one hand comforts him (verse 4), while the other hand anoints his head with oil for blessing and healing (verse 5). Jesus completed the image of God as shepherd when He called Himself "the good shepherd" who knows His sheep (John 10:14).

Protection in one hand, blessing in the other. No sheep in God's flock could ask for more.

For some of us, our greatest ability seems to be the ability for getting away from the Shepherd.
Geoffrey King

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 24-26  [ http://iz3.me/Xsld1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, May 7

Asking for Help

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Recommended Reading
Matthew 7:7-8 [ http://iz3.me/0Jwd1zwXd1A1 ]

One of life's hardest moments is when we have to ask for help. Maybe it's at work and we dread having to knock on the boss's door. Maybe we're a child and we've done something of which we know our parents disapprove. Or maybe we've gotten ourselves into a mess of our own making -- we're embarrassed and ashamed. Any of those situations could create apprehension if we are approaching another human being for help. Not so with God. We can know ahead of time how He will respond.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/3Jwd1zwXd1A1 ]

James 1:2-8 is a classic text in Scripture on how to respond to trials in our life. Part of the instruction has to do with our response -- patiently let the trial (test) produce its result of maturity. But the other part of the instruction is to ask God for help (wisdom). We are told three things: First, God will respond liberally, or generously; He will not withhold help in order to "pay us back." Second, He will respond "without reproach"; we will not be made to feel bad or guilty for asking. And third, He will give the wisdom we need.

If you are at a hard place in life, hesitant to ask for help, God invites you to ask Him so He can meet your need.

We dare not limit God in our asking, nor in His answering.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 27-29  [ http://iz3.me/4Jwd1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 8

Trials and Obedience

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.
Psalm 119:67

Recommended Reading
Romans 5:3-5 [ http://iz3.me/IC9e1zwXd1A1 ]

A little boy, in trouble with his mother, decided to run away from home. He took off down the sidewalk on his tricycle and a neighbor soon observed him coming past every 10 or 15 minutes. So the neighbor stopped the little guy: "Billy, why are you going around and around the block on your trike?" "I'm running away from home," Billy said, "but I'm not allowed to cross the street by myself."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/JC9e1zwXd1A1 ]

That's a curious blend of trouble and obedience -- two realities we don't often link together. Sometimes we find ourselves suffering because we were disobedient. But never is obedience needed more than when we are in the midst of a trial. Happily, trials can have the positive effect of refocusing our attention on God and His Word. As the psalmist wrote, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word." Part of obedience is simply trusting Him in the midst of trouble so the intended result -- spiritual maturity -- can be realized (James 1:4). Trials move us farther in an obedient direction toward maturity.

If you are hurting for any reason, focus on obedience in order to realize God's purpose and blessing.

None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/KC9e1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, May 9

God's Antidote for Sinning

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11

Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/AQIe1zwXd1A1 ]

"When I find myself assailed by temptation," Martin Luther wrote in his Table Talk, "I forthwith lay hold of some text of the Bible, which Jesus extends to me."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/BQIe1zwXd1A1 ]

Luther knew, as we do, that the Bible is our greatest weapon in fighting temptation, for every temptation comes to us via our thoughts. When we lay hold of the texts of the Bible, we're arming our minds for battle. The best way to fight the temptation of lust is memorizing verses about purity. The finest way to combat greed is by learning verses about stewardship. The strongest antidote to a hot temper is memorizing verses about anger and about patience. The best way to combat depression is learning some of the joy texts of Scripture.

Dwight L. Moody said, "The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible." Don't let sin keep you from the Word of God. If you're under siege today, spend some time with an open Bible, list a handful of verses to help you, and begin committing them to memory. Hide God's Word in your heart.

All the great temptations appear first in the region of the mind and can be fought and conquered there.
Amy Carmichael

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 5-7  [ http://iz3.me/CQIe1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 10 & 11

The Five Ships of Opportunity: Stewardship

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 4:7-11 [ http://iz3.me/NIRe1zwXd1A1 ]

If you've taken a cruise, you know the value of a good steward, someone who tends to your comfort. The steward keeps your cabin clean, makes your bed, provides fresh linen, replaces needed supplies, and arranges your towels into animal designs. The title "steward" comes from an Old English word for someone who oversees the house or hall of another.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/OIRe1zwXd1A1 ]

In Christian terminology, it's common for believers to think of themselves as stewards. We're sailing through the solar system on the good ship Earth, and we feel so at home here we can almost think it belongs to us. But it's not our ship; it belongs to the Owner. We're placed on board to care for what belongs to Him, and that often means serving others.

As stewards, we acknowledge that nothing really belongs to us. Whether our houses or homes, our gifts or talents, our opportunities or time -- we're simply servants. Stewardship provides an opportunity to keep things in perspective as we serve the Captain of the ship and our fellow passengers until we reach the heavenly harbor.

The first requisite of stewardship is to give ourselves to God. Thus, a logical recognition of God's absolute ownership should follow.
Stephen F. Olford

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 8-16 [ http://iz3.me/PIRe1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 12

The Source of Sin

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
James 1:14

Recommended Reading
Philippians 4:8-9 [ http://iz3.me/5wTe1zwXd1A1 ]

In October 2009, in the African nation of Niger, a man and his two adult sons were arrested for a horrific crime against a fellow countryman. When interviewed by police, one of the sons said, "God tempted me, and I succumbed to the temptation."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/7wTe1zwXd1A1 ]

According to James, the accused man's account of events is false: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone" (James 1:13). If temptation does not come from God, what is its source? James continues: "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed" (verse 14). So temptation is a response to desires that originate in our fallen human nature -- desires contrary to God's. If we yield to those desires, sin is the result: "Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin" (verse 15a). Desires may arise unbidden in the human heart, but they do not have to be entertained.

To avoid sin, avoid temptation. To avoid temptation, meditate on that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, and of good report (Philippians 4:8-9).

We cannot prevent a bird from flying into our hair, but we can prevent it from building a nest there.
Martin Luther

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 17-20 [ http://iz3.me/8wTe1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 13

A Heart to Hear

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, ""Here am I! Send me."
Isaiah 6:8

Recommended Reading
Philippians 4:8-9 [ http://iz3.me/Koee1zwXd1A1 ]

The British teacher Oswald Chambers points out something unique about Isaiah's call from God: "God did not direct His call to Isaiah -- Isaiah overheard God saying, 'who will go for Us?'"

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Loee1zwXd1A1 ]

Somehow, Isaiah overheard the counsel of God concerning a need for someone to prophesy to Israel. God didn't say, "Isaiah, go for Me." Instead, Isaiah heard the need and recognized it as something God had prepared him to do. Thus his response, "Here am I! Send me."1 A willing heart is the first step in finding God's will in our lives. We cannot expect God to force us or to plead with us about the calling in our lives. In Mark 1:17 Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Their response? "They immediately left their nets and followed Him" (Mark 1:18). Willingness, openness, receptivity, a listening heart -- these are the prerequisites for determining the call of God.

If you want to serve God, immerse yourself in prayer and Bible study with a heart that is ready to hear what you know you must do.

I can say from experience that 95 percent of knowing the will of God consists in being prepared to do it before you know what it is.
Donald Grey Barnhouse

1 Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 14 reading.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 17-20 [ http://iz3.me/Moee1zwXd1A1 ]