Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Truth-Full


Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.

Ephesians 4:25


     

Recommended Reading

Ephesians 4:1-3, 25-32





Back in 1940, only 20 percent of college students admitted to cheating. Today, that number has increased to 75%-98%. Worse yet, two-thirds of parents think cheating is no big deal and that all students do it, according to statistics from National Public Radio. 1  What has happened to integrity?


In public and private, integrity should guide our lives. There's no better way to silence critics of the Gospel than to live above reproach, according to God's standard of holiness. Nehemiah and the apostle Paul were committed to integrity. As governor of Judah, Nehemiah could have received a food allowance from the Jews. Instead, he fed 150 workers from his own pocket as they rebuilt the Jerusalem wall (Nehemiah 5:14-19). The apostle Paul continued his trade of tent making as he ministered, so that none could misconstrue that he was in ministry for the money (Acts 20:33-35).


If Christians are to influence society toward integrity, we must radiate lives that point people to the Savior through honest living. Perhaps someone is pressuring you to lower your standards -- take a stand today and choose a life of integrity.

Truth has no degrees or shades. A half-truth is a whole lie, and a white lie is really black.

John MacArthur



Read-thru-the-Bible                   
Psalms 1, 23, and 37

[Judy Harder]

Taste of Perfection


Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good.

Psalm 34:8a

Recommended Reading

John 6:28-35

If you knew you'd be wandering in a wilderness for forty years, would you panic, wondering how you would eat? That's what the Israelites did even though God had just miraculously released them from slavery in Egypt. Why do we forget that God is bigger than our fears and wiser than man-made solutions?


Hungry, the Israelites woke up one morning wondering where breakfast would come from. As the dew lifted from the ground, there lay God's provision -- manna -- that sustained the Israelites for 40 years till they entered the Promised Land (Exodus 16). No man-made solution could have daily provided an omer (6 pints) of manna for two million people. God did it! He's always the answer for our needs.


Do you ever spend sleepless nights projecting your future and wondering how you will solve seemingly insurmountable problems? You may feel that life is pointless. You're in a wilderness experience, and the help you need is not from yourself or any other person. Jesus is your manna, all-sufficient for the ups and downs of your life. Have you tried Him? Have you tasted? Have you trusted? "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"

He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.

C. S. Lewis



Read-thru-the-Bible
Ephesians 4 and 5

[Judy Harder]

Why His Return?


And if I go... I will come again...

John 14:3

Recommended Reading

Revelation 22:6-7

The first appearance of Jesus was a mission of humility and sacrifice. The second will be a mission of triumph and transformation. He often described it as a groom returning for His bride. The Church, He said, is "the bride of Christ." And what eager brides we are! -- eagerly awaiting our Lord to come take us home! According to 1 Thessalonians 4, He will break through the clouds with a great shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.


But He must also come to judge the world. Jesus spoke several times of the final judgment, when He would come to judge the living and the dead and to separate His faithful children from those who refuse to follow Him.


He'll also return to establish a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. How eagerly we're awaiting His new universe with its shimmering capital city described in Revelation 21 and 22 as the New Jerusalem.

Another year is dawning, dear Father let it be, on earth or else in Heaven another year for Thee!

Frances Havergal



Read-thru-the-Bible
Psalm 119
Genesis 1:1-2:24

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, January 1

New Year's Resolutions: Resolve to Guard

  Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
  Proverbs 4:23

  Recommended Reading
Mark 7:14-16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%207:14-16&version=NKJV )

In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102, making it illegal for private U.S. citizens to possess gold coins, bullion, or certificates. Between 1933 and 1937, so much gold was purchased from citizens that a secure storage place was needed. The United States Bullion Depository--traditionally called "Fort Knox"--was built and began receiving gold shipments in 1937. It is one of the most secure buildings in the world.

We guard that which we value most. In spiritual terms, then, the "heart" of man should be guarded. The heart--the mind, emotions, and will--is the seat of man's volitional commitment to God. It is no wonder the father in Proverbs exhorted his son to "keep your heart with all diligence." Why? "For out of it spring the issues of life." The heart is pictured like a spring, out of which flows that which gives life. If we are to live a righteous, godly life, the spring of the heart must be guarded with all diligence.

For 2012 resolve to make your heart even more secure than Fort Knox. Since your spiritual treasure is more valuable than gold, your heart should be all the more secure.

  When anger was in Cain's heart, murder was not far off.
  Philip Henry

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 1:1-3:24

[Judy Harder]

Monday, January 2

A Greater Vision

  ...Lord, what do You want me to do?...
  Acts 9:6

  Recommended Reading
Acts 9:1-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209:1-22&version=NKJV )

Welcome to the first Monday of 2012. Did you make some New Year's resolutions? Today I want to challenge you with a question: What has God put in your heart to do? Because when you get in the sweet spot of God's vision for your life, you'll be in the center of His will for 2012.

Listen to Today'sBRRadio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

Every person who has made a difference with their life has articulated a vision about their future. Check out the visions of David (2 Samuel 7), Solomon (1 Kings 3:9), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:5), and the apostle Paul (Acts 9:6). Paul's vision for his life dramatically changed on the road to Damascus with one question: "Lord, what do  You  want me to do?" It's a question we all should ask.

God's vision for you can be your road map for 2012. Is there a purpose you've been sensing for your life, yet you're avoiding it because it's out of your comfort zone? God will grow you in the areas that need strengthening. He will never call you to do something that He won't help you do. Remember Moses' lack of confidence and God's assurance? (Exodus 3:11-12) Ask this question, and catch God's vision for 2012!

  You will invest your life in something, or you will throw it away on nothing.
  Haddon Robinson

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 4:1-6:22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%204:1-6:22&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Are You Perspiring Yet?


. . . I press on . . .and reaching forward . . . I press toward the goal.

Philippians 3:12-14

Recommended Reading

2 Samuel 7

Using athletic terms, the apostle Paul describes his pursuit of living a life totally sold out to God's purpose for him. The action words help us picture the perspiring athlete's drive as he stretches his legs out, pressing toward his mark, determined to finish strong.


A godly vision that is worthy of following demands sacrifice and yields a great result. God placed a vision in David's heart after steering him away from his first dream. David's desire was to build God a temple more beautiful than his own palace. Yet God's vision was for David to head up the temple's fundraising campaign and for David's son Solomon to build the temple.


When Paul and David received their visions from God, it gave them a dynamic purpose for living. He wants to do the same for you. You can live each day in 2012 with anticipation, watching God's vision unfold and seeing results in the lives of other people God impacts through you. His vision will cost you. You'll need to stretch yourself and persevere and pray to finish strong. Seek God's vision, and go for it in 2012!

Those who give much without sacrifice are reckoned as having given little.

Erwin Lutzer



Read-thru-the-Bible
Genesis 7:1 -- 10:32

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, January 4

First Things First

  ...seek first the kingdom of God...
  Matthew 6:33

  Recommended Reading
1 Kings 17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2017&version=NKJV )

The United States experienced an unprecedented year of natural catastrophes in 2011. Ten national disasters in the first six months, costing billions of dollars, tested our emergency preparations and reserves. From hurricanes to earthquakes to blackouts, we had to rely on personal and community provisions to get us through the crises. God's sacrificial-style of giving--not out of our abundance, but out of our storehouses--is being tested.

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

Famines ravaged cities during biblical times. So you can imagine Elijah's surprise when he needed provisions and God told him to go to a famine-ridden city and ask a poor widow for food. But Elijah obeyed God and assured the widow, "Do not fear... make me a small cake from it  first  [italics added]" (1 Kings 17:13). Elijah knew something the widow hadn't experienced: Trust God by putting Him first, and watch God work.

Giving with open hands--especially in the midst of a crisis--puts God first. When we give to Him with open hands, He not only blesses us but He takes what He wants and gives back what we need. Humanly speaking, it may not make sense. But put God first in your life, and watch what He will do.

  Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing.
  John Henry Jowett

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 11:1-14:24 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2011:1-14:24&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

New Year. Fresh start. That's the promise this season brings ...

So why are those same doubts and insecurities still lurking in the shadows of your life?

What's keeping you from victorious Christian living?

Loneliness. Discouragement. Worry. Anger. Procrastination. Doubt. Fear. Guilt. Temptation. Resentment. Failure. Jealousy.

These "giants" plague today's Church, causing far too many of God's children to stumble in their walks. How about you ... which of these Goliaths have infiltrated your life?

To help you stand valiantly against the giants that seek to terrorize your Christian walk in this New Year, I've launched a special, interactive Bible study website to correlate with my upcoming radio and TV broadcast series, Slaying the Giants in Your Life.

Please click here to visit The Land of the Giants website right now! ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/lotg/Default.aspx?tid=email_2012jan04v1 )

You can watch, or listen to, each of the radio and television broadcasts from this series, including four messages not aired on Turning Point Television. You'll also find Scripture, quizzes, and other resources to help you slay the giants in your life.

- Learn battle strategies for overcoming worry and anger;
- Be encouraged by Nehemiah's struggle against discouragement;
- Discover how the Apostle Paul confronted the giants of loneliness and failure;
- And much more.

Visit The Land of the Giants online ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/lotg/Default.aspx?tid=email_2012jan04v1 ).

We began the television series January 1! Tune in to Turning Point Television for the next 8 weeks, and to Turning Point Radio, beginning February 1, as we pull back the curtain on the giants in your life ... and claim a rousing victory in 2012!

God bless you,

David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, January 5

Caught Like a Monkey!

  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  Matthew 6:21

  Recommended Reading
Luke 12:13-21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:13-21&version=NKJV )

There's an ancient parable, "The Monkey's Fist," that teaches a profound lesson. Native tribes would catch monkeys by hollowing out coconuts, filling them with bait, then tethering them to trees to lure the monkeys. When the monkey reached into the small opening in the coconut, his hand fit. But once his fist was full of the bait, he couldn't retrieve it--the monkey was trapped. The lesson for all of us is that the coconut was not the monkey's undoing, but rather his greedy unwillingness to let go of the bait.

Listen to Today's Radio Message ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

I know a lot of people like that. They clutch their material possessions so tightly in the attitude of their hearts that worry handicaps them, negatively impacting their faith, their family and friends, and their future. If only they would put God first, giving Him what belongs to Him--their time, talents, and treasures--then they could quit worrying about their future.

If you are grasping something tightly right now, you're in a trap and need to release your grip. There's not a better time to let go. Open your hands now. God has incredible gifts and resources for you--more than you could ever hold in your fists.

  God doesn't look at just what we give. He also looks at what we keep.
  Randy Alcorn

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Genesis 15:1-18:33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2015:1-18:33&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Giving All


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

Recommended Reading

Ephesians 4:1


America's most recent Medal of Honor winner, Sergeant Dakota Meyer, was responsible for rescuing nearly three dozen comrades during a 2009 battle in Afghanistan. Over a six-hour period, he made five different trips into harm's way to rescue wounded and fallen fellow soldiers. After the conflict, reflecting on what he had done, then-Corporal Meyer stated, "I didn't think I was going to die. I knew I was."


That attitude -- setting out expecting to die -- is a heroic one when it comes to military conflict. But it has a parallel in the spiritual realm that is expected of every Christian: death to self when we choose to follow Christ as His disciple. Paul expresses the idea best in Romans 12:1 when he talks about presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. We live, yet we live as those who have died to self, sin, and the system of this world.


The very first act of stewardship we must carry out is dedicating all we have and all we are to God for His glory. It's what good stewards do -- giving up everything to live for the Master.

Consecration is resolution that is not afraid of sacrifice.

Anonymous



Read-thru-the-Bible
Genesis 19:1 -- 21:34