Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 7

The Devil Is Real

....that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.
Revelation 12:9

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 2:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/twOv1zwXd1A1 ]

In his recent newspaper column, "My Answer," evangelist Billy Graham responded to a critic who belittled the biblical teaching of Satan by calling the devil "some imaginary supernatural being." Graham pointed out that the Bible clearly teaches the devil is real and far more powerful than most of us realize. "Remember," he said, "Satan is for death, not life; chaos, not order; despair, not hope."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/uwOv1zwXd1A1 ]

Jesus certainly believed the devil was real; He battled him on the Mount of Temptation. Peter believed in the reality of Satan, for he called him "a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:. 2:11). Paul warned about the devil, telling us not to be ignorant of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Satan is real; he is dangerous and hungry for power. We need to be aware of his plans and reject his attempts to confuse us. The best way to resist the devil is by drawing near to Christ. Jesus is Victor. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is our Triumph today and forever.

Yes, Satan is real, but so is Christ, and someday Satan will be defeated and Christ will rule forever. Don't be deceived, but open your heart and mind to Jesus Christ, and put your life into His hands.
Billy Graham

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 14-17 [ http://iz3.me/vwOv1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 8

Wherever He Goes

These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
Revelation 14:4

Recommended Reading
Matthew 16:24-28 [ http://iz3.me/R0cv1zwXd1A1 ]

Years ago, Reverend R. S. Jones, a missionary to Brazil, had to leave his field of service due to failing health. While at a convention in Alabama, he ran into his friend B. B. McKinney, and the two shared a meal. McKinney asked the missionary what he was going to do next. "I don't know," replied Jones, "but wherever He leads I'll go." McKinney, a hymnist, was struck by those words. Returning to his hotel room, he composed the great hymn of consecration, "Wherever He Leads I'll Go."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/S0cv1zwXd1A1 ]

During the Great Tribulation, the 144,000 evangelists will follow the Lamb wherever He goes, devoting themselves entirely to God, to holiness, and to evangelism. It's crucial for us to do the same now. Christ is going to all the world. He's going to the unreached. He's going into a fallen culture with a message of hope. He's going where there are no easy roads, and He challenges us to take up our cross and follow Him.

Follow the Lamb every step of the way, and let your prayer be: "Wherever You lead, I'll go."

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so; wherever He leads I'll go.
B. B. McKinney

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 18-20 [ http://iz3.me/T0cv1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 9

Now or Later

But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Revelation 14:4

Recommended Reading
Daniel 3:16-18 [ http://iz3.me/Qblv1zwXd1A1 ]

A well-known maker of automobile oil filters became famous for their slogan introduced in 1971: "You can pay me now, or pay me later. ®" The point was, it's better to spend a little money on regular maintenance  now  than a lot of money on repairs  later . The "now or later" principle applies to many areas of life -- even the spiritual life.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Rblv1zwXd1A1 ]

During the coming Tribulation, God will send two witnesses into the world to testify for Him (Revelation 11:1-13). They will faithfully prophesy for God until they are eventually killed. But the world will be astounded when they are raised from the dead and taken into heaven. God always honors and rewards faithfulness in the face of persecution. It is better to pay whatever price is needed today to remain loyal to Christ than to risk the eternal cost of separation from Him.

The time to make decisions about loyalty to Christ is today, not tomorrow when we are faced with the temptation to deny Him. Consider today what kind of witness you will be for Christ until He returns -- one who is faithful to Him.

Popularity has killed more prophets than persecution.
Vance Havner

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 21-22 [ http://iz3.me/Sblv1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 10

Ready to Speak

And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."
Acts 26:29

Recommended Reading
Acts 5:27-29 [ http://iz3.me/Skwv1zwXd1A1 ]

The American pop artist Andy Warhol wrote in 1968, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." From that statement came the now famous reference to "15 minutes of fame" -- a moment when someone finds himself in the spotlight. What would we do or say if we suddenly found ourselves with a captive audience?

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/Tkwv1zwXd1A1 ]

That is, if you had one thing you could tell the world, what would it be? The spotlight can cause some people to lose their nerve and freeze -- but not the apostle Paul. On the several occasions he found himself standing before authorities with a captive audience, he never failed to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage those listening to believe in Him (Acts 21:27-22:21; 23:1-11; 24:10-21; 26:1-29; 28:17-31). And the same thing will happen in the coming Tribulation when, because of modern technology, the whole world will hear the testimony of God's two faithful witnesses (Revelation 11:1-13).

Regardless of the size and place of the opportunities God gives you, be prepared to speak of the hope that lies in you (1 Peter 3:15).

Every believer is a witness whether he wants to be or not.
Donald G. Barnhouse

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 23-24 [ http://iz3.me/Ukwv1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 11 & 12

Seasonal Changes: Plans

A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Recommended Reading
James 4:13-17 [ http://iz3.me/jF7w1zwXd1A1 ]

Think for a moment about all the plans you have in place right now: You plan to finish reading this devotional; you plan to take care of chores and tasks this weekend; you plan to do certain things next week; you plan to accomplish some family objectives this fall; you plan to take a vacation, get involved in a committee at church, retire, enjoy your senior years, and spend eternity with Christ. We live with plans -- from the small to the sacred and everywhere in between.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/kF7w1zwXd1A1 ]

Scripture commends plan-making -- especially Proverbs (3:5-6; 16:1-4, 9; 19:21; 20:24). Proverbs even commends the ants for "planning" for the winter by storing up food in the summer (Proverbs 6:6-8). Yet for human planners, there is one caveat when it comes to making plans: God's plans always take precedence over ours. Every plan we make should carry the conscious addendum, "As the Lord directs." In a parable the apostle James taught, planners are told to say, "If the Lord wills . . ." (James 4:15).

So, make your plans for this weekend, this fall, and the coming year. Just allow God to direct your steps. And trust that if He changes your plans, it is a chance to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

God's plan will continue on God's schedule.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 25-28 [ http://iz3.me/lF7w1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 13

Defeating Temptation

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Recommended Reading
Matthew 4:1-11 [ http://iz3.me/2g9w1zwXd1A1 ]

Comedian Flip Wilson made this line famous: "The devil made me do it!" The characters in Wilson's comedy routines often blamed the devil for leading them into trouble. While comedians are not usually a go-to source for biblical theology, Flip Wilson was partly right. The devil can't  make  anyone do anything, but he can definitely tempt us and influence our choices. But we have defensive measures.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/3g9w1zwXd1A1 ]

Jesus' encounter with Satan in the Judean wilderness is a proof-text for the fact that Satan can tempt the child of God. This happened at the very beginning of Jesus' public ministry when a failure on His part would have been catastrophic. Satan tempted Jesus three different times with three different enticements. But each time, Jesus rebuffed the offers and remained true to God's Word and God's will (Matthew 4:1-11). Though unsuccessful then, Satan "departed from [ Jesus ] until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13).

James writes that if we do what Jesus did -- submit to God in obedient faith and resist the devil -- Satan will flee from us (James 4:7). When we live clothed with the armor of God in obedient faith (Ephesians 6:10-18), Satan will be defeated.

Those that would avoid sin must not parley with temptation.
Matthew Henry

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 1-3 [ http://iz3.me/4g9w1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 14

Elephant Tracks

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Romans 16:20

Recommended Reading
Romans 16:17-27 [ http://iz3.me/hQGw1zwXd1A1 ]

Tor Bowling, 27, an engineer, quit his job to see the world; but earlier this year in Thailand he got more than he bargained for. While hiking in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, he encountered an elephant charging at him like a freight train. Bowling instinctively stepped forward and held up his hand in a halting motion. The elephant stopped, turned, and fled in the opposite direction.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/iQGw1zwXd1A1 ]

At times, Satan charges us like a stampeding elephant or a roaring lion. He can be intimidating. He may even appear to be winning. He reduced Job to the ash heap, sifted Peter like wheat, caused Christ to die for our sins, and hindered Paul from visiting the Thessalonians. According to the book of Revelation, he will dominate the entire world during the Tribulation.

But when we hold up the cross, Satan's power is broken. His defeat is certain, and the God of peace will crush him under our feet shortly. Until then, we have all we need for victory—the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Overcomer! Satan is already defeated! ... We should stand on the ground of the cross, asking for victory as well as for the destruction of the works of the devil.
Watchman Nee

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 4-5 [ http://iz3.me/jQGw1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 15

A Devilish Crime

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

Recommended Reading
Revelation 12:10-12 [ http://iz3.me/6USw1zwXd1A1 ]

When you think of counterfeiting, don't just think of money. Fraudsters are creating knockoff websites that imitate those of real companies. Customers are tricked into purchasing inferior products on these fraudulent Internet pages, thinking they're shopping on the genuine website.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/7USw1zwXd1A1 ]

Counterfeiting in all its forms is a devilish crime. Satan is the original counterfeiter, and his goal is to duplicate everything God has made and to trick us into buying the bogus article. The Bible says of false teachers: "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). During the Great Tribulation, the devil, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet will even try to trick the world into following a counterfeit trinity.

Satan can imitate God, but he cannot duplicate Him -- God is the only One who can deliver us from our pain and suffering. Let's look to Jesus, put on His armor, and resist the wiles of the devil.

No matter how hard Satan tries, he cannot dim the glory of Jesus. People may close their eyes or turn their backs, but neither of those actions reduces Jesus' divine stature.
Woodrow Kroll

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 6-7  [ http://iz3.me/8USw1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 16

Avoid This Spirit

And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 4:3

Recommended Reading
1 John 2:15-19 [ http://iz3.me/G4fw1zwXd1A1 ]

We hear "Spirit of . . ." often: Spirit of Christmas, Spirit of 1776, Spirit of America, the Olympic Spirit, and others. While it's hard to define, "spirit of" means attitudes and behaviors consistent with the season or event being described.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/H4fw1zwXd1A1 ]

The apostle John wrote that a diabolical spirit -- "the spirit of the Antichrist" (1 John 4:3) -- was already at work, empowering those who denied that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh as a human man -- the Son of God and the Son of Man. The Greek word anti can mean "against" or "in place of." So the spirit of the Antichrist would be any attitude, behavior, or teaching that is blatantly against or subtly counterfeiting the true Christ. There is no reason to suspect that the spirit of the Antichrist was limited to the first century. Look around today at the number of ways Christ is opposed or misrepresented in our culture.

It is the Christian's responsibility to know Christ and His teaching well enough to immediately recognize "the spirit of the Antichrist."

What will finally destroy us is not communism or fascism, but man acting like God.
Malcolm Muggeridge

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 8-9  [ http://iz3.me/I4fw1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 17

The Unholy Trinity

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:13

Recommended Reading
Revelation 13:1-2, 11-12 [ http://iz3.me/UXow1zwXd1A1 ]

Counterfeit money is as old as money itself -- coins were first used in Greece around 600 B.C. Counterfeits were made of less valuable metals but looked the same. It is estimated today that for every one million true United States dollars in circulation there are one hundred counterfeit dollars.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/VXow1zwXd1A1 ]

At every opportunity Satan will seek to counterfeit God's work (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Everything he says is a lie, as worthless as counterfeit currency (John 8:44). In the coming Tribulation, Satan will deploy his most dramatic counterfeit strategy of all: an unholy trinity. Just as the Holy Trinity consists of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Satan's unholy trinity will consist of himself (counterfeiting God the Father), the Antichrist (paralleling the Son), and the False Prophet (imitating the Spirit) (Revelation 16:13). They will seek to deceive the whole world into worshiping the Antichrist instead of Jesus Christ.

The spirit of the Antichrist is at work today (1 John 4:3). Do not be deceived by what you see or hear (1 Peter 5:.

There are powers that can counterfeit almost everything in the Christian life.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 10-11  [ http://iz3.me/WXow1zwXd1A1 ]