Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 26

True Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13

Recommended Reading
James 4:6-7 [ http://iz3.me/l9Eg1zwXd1A1 ]

A group sets out on a journey, accompanied by a servant, Leo, who is a powerful presence. Leo performs all the menial tasks and also encourages and motivates by his spirit. One day Leo disappears, the group falls apart, and the journey is abandoned. Years later, one of the members encounters Leo and discovers he is the powerful leader of the organization that originally sponsored the journey. That story inspired Robert Greenleaf to found the modern "servant leadership" movement.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/m9Eg1zwXd1A1 ]

Is it possible to be a servant and also a leader? Is it possible to be both humble and wise? The answer is yes -- Jesus was both a servant and a leader, both humble and wise (Matthew 23:11; Mark 10:45). The apostle James wrote that true good works are done in the "meekness [ humility ] of wisdom." Wisdom is always wise for two reasons: First, wisdom comes from fearing the Lord, something arrogance cannot do (Proverbs 9:10). Second, the Hebrew meaning of wisdom is "skill" -- and experience shows that the most skillful leaders are the most humble.

When you lead today (and everyone is a leader somewhere), purpose to lead with the humility of wisdom.

The surest mark of true conversion is humility.
J. C. Ryle

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Esther 6-10 [ http://iz3.me/n9Eg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 27

Avoiding Confusion

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:33

Recommended Reading
James 3:14-16 [ http://iz3.me/NDGg1zwXd1A1 ]

United States President Barack Obama quoted from 1 Corinthians 13 in his first inauguration address. At the funeral of Britain's Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, Prime Minister Tony Blair read 1 Corinthians 13. This so-called "love chapter" of the Bible is an iconic piece of literature.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/ODGg1zwXd1A1 ]

The apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 to the church at Corinth because they were the opposite of a loving church! They were divisive, boastful, immoral, suing each other, arguing over food, degrading the Lord's Table, and competing over spiritual gifts. The church at Corinth fit the description given by James of people who follow after worldly wisdom: "Confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16). So Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 to say that love is the most important part of the Christian life -- and that God is the author of peace.

If there is confusion in any of your relationships, examine the kind of wisdom being applied -- whether it is heavenly or worldly. Heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good works, impartial, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).

The one who has wisdom in his head and heart does not need to shout at others.
Spiros Zodhiates

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/QDGg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, May 28

Getting Off the Enemies List

Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
James 4:4

Recommended Reading
1 John 2:15-17 [ http://iz3.me/FIQg1zwXd1A1 ]

President Richard Nixon's infamous "Enemies List" contained the names of his political enemies. Originally consisting of twenty names, the list was gradually expanded to hundreds. The purpose of the list was to punish Nixon's opponents through the use of tactics like IRS tax audits, litigation, withholding of federal funds, and other means. The existence of the list was made public during the Watergate hearings beginning in 1973.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/GIQg1zwXd1A1 ]

In a purely metaphorical sense, God has an "enemies list" of His own. Not in a personal sense -- but the apostles Paul and James use the notion of enemies to describe people who live in opposition to God. Paul includes himself among those who were enemies of God before being reconciled to Him (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21), and James says those who love the world instead of loving God are enemies of God (James 4:4). It is not a happy thought to be the enemy of anyone -- and certainly not the enemy of God.

Fortunately, becoming the friend of God (John 15:15) is an opportunity open to all: "We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

By obeying the serpent, Adam and Eve made themselves the friends of Satan and the enemies of God.
Edmund P. Clowney

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 5-8 [ http://iz3.me/HIQg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 29

How to Plan

The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:1

Recommended Reading
James 4:13-16 [ http://iz3.me/37bg1zwXd1A1 ]

Dating back to the Roman Empire, one of the hallmarks of jurisprudence in America and other nations is the presumption of innocence. That is, a defendant is presumed to be innocent until he is proven guilty. As the Romans put it, "The burden of proof is on he who declares, not on he who denies." Presumption in this case protects individual rights, but in the spiritual realm presumption is not advised.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/57bg1zwXd1A1 ]

The apostle James suggested as much when he said that presuming to know God's will without inquiring is unwise. He used the example of a group of men planning to start a new business in a distant city; they were totally confident their plan would be successful and therefore profitable (James 4:13-16). But James said such thinking is arrogant and boastful; God might have a different plan in mind. "Instead [ we ]  ought  to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:15). Man can plan, but God has the final say (Proverbs 16:1).

Do you have plans for today? Whether they are simple or complex, submit them to God for His approval. Invite Him to guide your steps along the way according to His will.

Whether you shall live to reach home today or not depends absolutely upon God's will.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 9-12 [ http://iz3.me/77bg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 30

Rich in Things That Matter

Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Luke 12:15

Recommended Reading
1 Timothy 6:11-19 [ http://iz3.me/N1mg1zwXd1A1 ]

Gerontologist Karl Pillemer recently interviewed more than 1,000 elderly Americans -- most in their 80s and 90s -- asking them the secrets of the "good life." Among his conclusions is that while young people obsess about making a lot of money, older people wonder what they're thinking. When asked for their prescription for happiness at work, not a single one of those interviewed said that to be happy you should work as hard as you can to make money to buy the things you want. Not one person said it's important to be as wealthy as the people around you.1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/P1mg1zwXd1A1 ]

Wealth without righteousness leads to unhappiness because riches cannot fulfill us. While we should work hard and save wisely and give generously, our happiness isn't based on our wealth. A person's life does not consist in the abundance of the things possessed. The Bible tells us to be rich in good works and to trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

Let's be rich in things that matter.

The durable riches are only found in God.
Alexander Maclaren

1Morgan Housel, "10 Money Lessons From Elderly Americans Who Have Seen It All," DailyFinance.com (accessed February 6, 2014).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 13-16 [ http://iz3.me/R1mg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 31

The Five Ships of Opportunity: Citizenship

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20

Recommended Reading
Romans 13:1-7 [ http://iz3.me/unvg1zwXd1A1 ]

The government of Malta created a quarrel in the European Union when it announced plans to sell citizenship papers to foreigners for $888,000 per person. The small island nation -- where the apostle Paul once made an unscheduled stop (Acts 28) -- hopes to attract rich people to help boost its economy.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/vnvg1zwXd1A1 ]

Paul reminded us that that our citizenship is in heaven, and it cannot be purchased. Jesus signed the necessary papers with His blood. But Paul also boasted about his Roman citizenship. In Acts 22, when he was about to be flogged, he claimed his rights as a Roman citizen. The commander said, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." Paul responded, "But I was born a citizen" (verse 28).

As Christians we have dual citizenship -- citizens of both heaven and our various nations on earth. That gives us the opportunity of sharing Christ with the world. Let's pray for our leaders, pay our taxes, stand up for our rights, and be the best citizens we can be while traveling through this world to the heavenly kingdom to which we belong.

Christians have a dual citizenship -- on earth and in heaven -- and our citizenship in heaven ought to make us better people here on earth.
Warren W. Wiersbe

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 17-20 [ http://iz3.me/wnvg1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, June 2

The First Speeding Ticket

My times are in Your hand.
Psalm 31:15

Recommended Reading
James 5:7-12 [ http://iz3.me/JB1h1zwXd1A1 ]

The first American ever arrested for speeding was Jacob German, 26, a taxi driver for the Electric Vehicle Company of New York City. On May 20, 1899, he was hauled off to jail for bolting down Lexington Street in Manhattan, at 12 miles an hour in an 8 mph zone.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/KB1h1zwXd1A1 ]

What would Jacob German think now? Compared with 1899, the pace of life has advanced to science fiction levels. We bolt through every hour until the days become a blur and the years fly by like a movie stuck on fast-forward.

Sometimes in our rush, we grow impatient with the Lord because He doesn't hurry as we do. Our times are in His hands; and His clocks operate at a different speed, for a day to Him is like a thousand years, and vice versa (2 Peter 3:. Perhaps you want the Lord to answer your prayer now, to resolve your problem now, to provide deliverance this instant. But when we put God on our timetables it often brings disappointment. Learn to wait on the Lord and let Him work at His speed. He has a perfect sense of timing.

His method is sublime, His heart profoundly kind; God never is before His time, and never is behind.
From an old anonymous hymn

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 25–30 [ http://iz3.me/LB1h1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, June 3

In Paradise by Sundown

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 [ http://iz3.me/LWAh1zwXd1A1 ]

Joni Eareckson Tada was talking to her elderly friend Alice McIntire, whose exact age was a guarded secret. "Any woman who tells her age, will tell anything," Alice quipped. Joni said, "You must be really looking forward to heaven," to which Alice replied, "Oh, honey, yes, but I hope I stay around for Jesus' return. I never like to miss a good party."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/MWAh1zwXd1A1 ]

In recounting the exchange, Joni later observed, "Alice keeps looking up. This is why she stays so young ... Every Christian who keeps looking up stretches his heart's capacity for heaven."1

The Bible tells us to seek things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-4). When Jesus met with His disciples just before His arrest, He was thinking of mansions in heaven (John 14:2); and on the cross He anticipated being in Paradise by sundown (Luke 23:43). If you're beset by pain or problems today, look up and live by faith. Distresses below can direct our attention to things above.

Christ longs for you to walk beside Him on earth, then to join Him in heaven. He desires us to be where He is. Behold, what love the Father has lavished on us!
David Jeremiah

1Joni Eareckson Tada, Heaven (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 286.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 31–34 [ http://iz3.me/NWAh1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, June 4

The Lord Who Heals

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:14

Recommended Reading
Mark 6:13 [ http://iz3.me/e4Mh1zwXd1A1 ]

God is the God of the natural and the supernatural. When the Israelites needed water in the Sinai desert, they came to a pool of bitter water. God told Moses to throw a piece of wood into the pool, and the water turned sweet. God used that as a lesson. If the Israelites would obey all His statutes, He would keep them well: "For I  am  the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:22-26).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/f4Mh1zwXd1A1 ]

A natural piece of wood and a supernatural "healing" of the water, the keeping of natural laws and the supernatural health of a nation -- this natural and supernatural blend appears in the classic New Testament text on healing as well (James 5:13-18). James exhorts any who are ill to call for elders of the church, who will anoint the sick person "in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up" (verses 14-15). Natural oil and supernatural healing -- it is not oil and prayer that heal; it is the supernatural "Lord who heals."

Use the natural as you trust in the supernatural power of  Jehovah Rophe  -- "the Lord who heals you."

Sometimes Christ sees that we need the sickness for the good of our souls more than the healing for the ease of our bodies.
Matthew Henry

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Job 35-38 [ http://iz3.me/g4Mh1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, June 7 & 8

June Bugs: The Ant

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.
Proverbs 6:6

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 30:24-25 [ http://iz3.me/Woqh1zwXd1A1 ]

The world's greatest living authority on ants is Dr. E. O. Wilson, former professor of biology at Harvard and winner of numerous literary and scientific awards. A lifetime of studying the tiny creatures has led him to conclude, "Ants have the most complicated social organization on earth next to humans."

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/Xoqh1zwXd1A1 ]

What a conversation we might anticipate between a scholar like Wilson and the wisest man among the ancients, King Solomon, who also was a deep student of the natural world (1 Kings 4:33-34). But Solomon did more than describe the natural world. He exhorted human beings to learn from it -- specifically, to learn from the lowly ant and imitate its ways (Proverbs 6:6-11). The lazy among us, Solomon wrote, should be like the ant -- gather in times of abundance in order to have plenty during times of want. Otherwise, "poverty [ will ] come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man" (verse 11). God's promise in Scripture to meet our needs (Philippians 4:19) is never a reason to ignore the God-given opportunities to provide for ourselves and others.

Meditate on Proverbs 6:6-11, asking God for wisdom to apply the lessons from the ant to your own life.

No verse of Scripture yields its meaning to lazy people.
A. W. Pink

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 9-21 [ http://iz3.me/aoqh1zwXd1A1 ]