Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 30

Negating the Word of God

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
2 Thessalonians 2:15

Recommended Reading
Mark 7:1-13 [ http://iz3.me/MOL02zwXd1A1 ]

Many adults today are assuming a greater share of responsibility for their aging parents. In Jesus' day, He criticized some who sidestepped that responsibility based on a Jewish tradition that had evolved. They made "the word of God of no effect through [ their ] tradition" (Mark 7:13). This tradition said money could be dedicated to God and thus not be used to help one's parents. That is an example of keeping the letter but violating the spirit of the law. It was a tradition that essentially negated God's Word.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/NOL02zwXd1A1 ]

Traditions are not wrong in and of themselves -- they are simply practices or teachings passed from one generation to another. If the practices or teachings conform to God's Word, they are good and should be preserved -- like the traditions Paul exhorted the Corinthians and Thessalonians to keep (1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). The challenge is discerning which traditions are pleasing to God and which are not.

Think about the religious traditions in your own life today. How many are conscious choices, consistent with Scripture, and how many are not?

Corrupt practices are the genuine fruit and product of corrupt principles.
Matthew Henry

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 21-22 [ http://iz3.me/OOL02zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, October 31

Saved to Serve

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13

Recommended Reading
Mark 10:41-45 [ http://iz3.me/MhV02zwXd1A1 ]

Children think that the absence of rules means the absence of restraint -- and not just physical children; spiritual children often think that too. Paul dedicated part of his letter to the Galatians, teaching that "liberty" -- freedom from the law -- is not a license for the unbridled appetites of the flesh. Rather, the energy formerly spent obeying the law is now to be redirected to serving others.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/NhV02zwXd1A1 ]

Jesus told His disciples that He did not come into the world to be served but to serve and to give His life for others (Mark 10:45). Indeed, He said that greatness is determined by the humility of service. Two of Isaiah''s most powerful images are that of the nation of Israel as a servant to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:3), then of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant for both Jews and Gentiles alike (Isaiah 53:11). If Christ came to honor God by serving the will of God, we who go by His name must do the same.

Look for an opportunity today to serve someone in your life. Serve them as Christ would serve -- sacrificially and unconditionally.

Use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.
Eugene Peterson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 23-24 [ http://iz3.me/OhV02zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, November 1 & 2

Gratuity Not Included: God

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.
James 1:17

Recommended Reading
James 1:12-18 [ http://iz3.me/JCg02zwXd1A1 ]

One of the greatest speeches in sports history was given seventy-five years ago. It was short -- 277 words, spoken by a shy man whose head was bowed in modesty. He held his baseball cap in one hand and wiped tears with the other. Those in the stands knew Lou Gehrig was ill, but didn't know the nature of his disease. He didn't tell them. He simply began: "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." For the next few minutes, he told the crowd how thankful he was for his life, his wife, his parents, his teammates, even his mother-in-law. The simplicity of his words earned him the title, "The Luckiest Man."

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/KCg02zwXd1A1 ]

As Christians, we don't think of ourselves as lucky but as blessed. Occasionally we have bad breaks, but we have a good God who bestows good things. He doesn't demand gratitude, just as most restaurants don't demand tips. We give it willingly. It's how we remember we're the most blessed people on the face of the earth.

So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.
Lou Gehrig

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 1-4 [ http://iz3.me/LCg02zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, November 3

When Hearts Come Together

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2

Recommended Reading
Psalm 61 [ http://iz3.me/81j02zwXd1A1 ]

In November 2004, two North Carolina buddies, Dale Beatty and John Gallina, were wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq. John received severe head and back injuries. Dale lost both legs below the knee. Neither man let their injuries stop them. Returning home, they formed an organization to provide accessible housing solutions for disabled veterans. Their story has widely appeared in the media, and they've been called part of "the new greatest generation." Their slogan: "When hearts come together, great things happen." 1

Listen to Today's Radio Message[ http://iz3.me/91j02zwXd1A1 ]

We can't always control what happens to us, but we are responsible for our response. It takes time to work through painful and injurious episodes in life; but nothing is wasted in the providence of God. He knows how to take every burden and bring from it a blessing. Obstacles are stepping stones, not roadblocks.

In times of loss, it's necessary to grieve, process the pain, ask questions, and allow ourselves to cycle through natural human emotions. But all the while, we can cry to the Lord. When overwhelmed, we can pray, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

We may not be able to rejoice in our circumstances, but we can rejoice in the Lord and brighten up in God our Savior.
Robert J. Morgan

1 Purple Heart Homes, purplehearthomesusa.org (accessed July 29, 2014).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 5-6 [ http://iz3.me/A1j02zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, November 5

Character Counts

And [ God ] said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Genesis 32:28

Recommended Reading
Genesis 25:19-34 [ http://iz3.me/6f412zwXd1A1 ]

Given names (first names) came first in history, with surnames (last names) being added later. It's easy to see how some name combinations were formed: John the miller became John Miller; Thomas the blacksmith (or ironsmith) became Thomas Smith; Joseph the farmer became Joseph Farmer. Surnames were also derived from geography, nature, and character traits.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/8f412zwXd1A1 ]

That last category -- character traits and responsibilities -- describes how many biblical names were assigned or changed. For example, Jacob ("tripper" or "supplanter") received his name because he grasped his firstborn twin brother Esau's foot when they were born. And later, Jacob "tripped" Esau up by stealing his birthright and blessing from their father Isaac. But then God humbled Jacob in an encounter and changed his name to Israel -- "he who struggles with God." Characteristically, Israel the nation took Israel the patriarch's name, and rightfully so: Israel as a nation has struggled all its life with God, and remains in that struggle today.

If God ascribed a name to you, based on character, what would it be?

Character, like embroidery, is made stitch by stitch.
Anonymous

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 9–10 [ http://iz3.me/Af412zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, November 6

Educational Encounter

Also God said to [ Jacob ]: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body."
Genesis 35:11

Recommended Reading
Acts 9:1-19 [ http://iz3.me/fHF12zwXd1A1 ]

The list of those whom God saved out of carnality and rebellion into a life of spiritual maturity is long. But that's the whole point isn't it? God's goal is to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) -- and He'll use all means necessary (Romans 8:28).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/gHF12zwXd1A1 ]

Who would have thought that, in his younger days, a scheming man like Jacob would become the father of twelve sons from whom would arise the multitudes in the nation of Israel? And yet that is what God did through a painful encounter with Jacob (Genesis 32:22-30). In fact, Jacob lived with a limp after that encounter, and his descendants refused to eat the meat in an animal's hip socket in memory of Jacob's encounter and transformation (Genesis 32:31-32). In short, God will do whatever it takes to conform us to the image of His Son -- even allow us to experience pain and live with reminders of our "educational encounter" with Him.

Let God have His way in your life today. The sooner we say "Yes, Lord" to Him, the sooner we become like Him.

The Christian life is not applied like make-up to the outside of our personalities, but is an outgrowth from an inner transformation.
J. A. Motyer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 11–12 [ http://iz3.me/hHF12zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, November 7

His Supreme Ways

Even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed.
1 Peter 3:14

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 3:13-17 [ http://iz3.me/1pP12zwXd1A1 ]

An honors student in Massachusetts learned that a friend was drunk at a party and needed a safe ride home. When she came to collect her friend, the police arrived too and she was arrested with the group. This Good Samaritan had not been drinking, was not in possession of alcohol, and the police later vouched for her sobriety and behavior. Nevertheless her school, citing its zero-tolerance policy, suspended her from her sports team. The case has since been argued in the court of public opinion, where one person posted this ironic comment: "Thank goodness she didn't have a Bible on her or she would have been in  real  trouble."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/2pP12zwXd1A1 ]

Sometimes we get in real trouble trying to do the right thing. In Genesis 37, Joseph obeyed his father's request, but it led to an opportunity for his brothers to betray him. One good deed cost him thirteen years of freedom. But in the end, God supremely vindicated him and used it for good. If you should suffer for righteousness' sake, don't grow weary. You are blessed, and God will uphold you in His supreme ways.

You're one happy man when you do what's right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice.
Eugene Peterson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 13–15 [ http://iz3.me/3pP12zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, November 8 & 9

Gratuity Not Included: Spouse

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3

Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:3-8 [ http://iz3.me/cJa12zwXd1A1 ]

When Aaron Collins worked in a pizzeria, he noticed how little the servers made. So he made out his will and added a stipulation leaving a $500 tip to a restaurant server. When he suddenly died at age thirty, his estate couldn't afford to pay the "tip," so his friends pitched in. The campaign spread, aided by social media; and thousands of dollars in tips have now been distributed to servers across America in Collins' honor.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/dJa12zwXd1A1 ]

Maybe there's a server in your own house, under your own roof. Perhaps there is someone who serves others day and night. It might be your spouse. Perhaps you know someone who labors selflessly. Perhaps you're married to this dear one.

It's wonderful to be a blessing after our deaths, but why wait? How much better to express appreciation now! We often neglect to thank those closest to us. We take them for granted. Take time right now to call, text, email, or write to tell someone how much you thank God for them. A gesture of gratitude might be unexpected, but it will never be unappreciated.

How much would our churches be transformed if each of us made it a practice to thank God for others and then to tell these others what it is about them that we thank God for?
D. A. Carson, in  A Call to Spiritual Reformation

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 16–19 [ http://iz3.me/eJa12zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, November 10

The Last Word

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Exodus 20:16

Recommended Reading
Genesis 37:31-33 [ http://iz3.me/O9d12zwXd1A1 ]

There are at least two ways to be untruthful about another person. One, it is possible to tell a lie -- to say that someone did or said something that he didn't. The other way is not to tell the truth when you know someone is under a false impression. Staying quiet in the presence of a lie can be as wrong as telling the lie.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/P9d12zwXd1A1 ]

Ten of Jacob's sons, who were also brothers of Joseph, the eleventh son, were guilty on both counts. First, they misrepresented what happened to Joseph; they pretended they didn't know how Joseph's torn, bloody coat got that way. They even pretended not to know if the coat was Joseph's. Then, when Jacob reached a wrong conclusion about Joseph's fate -- that he had been killed by a wild animal -- the brothers remained silent, knowing that they had sold Joseph, alive and well, to Midianite traders. Not to worry -- God always gets the last word when it comes to truth as He did in Joseph's case (Genesis 39:19-23; Matthew 12:36).

First, purpose never to traffic in falsehoods yourself. Second, purpose never to remain silent in the presence of a lie (Ephesians 4:15). The false reports of man are always subject to the final reports of God.

I am quite sure that the best way to promote union is to promote truth.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 20-21 [ http://iz3.me/Q9d12zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, November 11

Behind the Scenes

Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."
Exodus 13:17

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 [ http://iz3.me/bll12zwXd1A1 ]

On the way out of Egypt, God protected Israel from military danger by sending them deep into the Sinai Peninsula (Exodus 13:17-18). And God sent them into Egypt to protect them from a moral danger in the land of Canaan (Genesis 38).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/cll12zwXd1A1 ]


Without going into the unsavory details, some in Jacob's family -- specifically, Jacob's son Judah -- became involved in serious immorality because of his family's close proximity to Canaanites. It became apparent that if Jacob's sons and their families were to remain faithful to the Lord, they needed to leave Canaan until they were morally and spiritually stronger. So God sent a famine on Canaan, arranged for his son Joseph to provide a place of refuge for Jacob's family in Egypt, and kept them there for 400 years, separated from the Egyptians in a corner of the land (Genesis 46:31-34).

Don't be too quick to judge inconvenient circumstances in your life. God may be at work behind the scenes to protect you from something more serious.

A Sovereign Protector I have, unseen, yet forever at hand.
Augustus M. Toplady

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 1–3 [ http://iz3.me/dll12zwXd1A1 ]