Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, August 22

When Grace Isn't Fair

  Then [the thief] said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
  Luke 23:42

    Recommended Reading
Judges 16:28-30 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2016:28-30&version=NKJV )

To demonstrate how different the kingdom of God is from the kingdom of this world, Jesus told a parable that stands the notion of fairness on its head. The owner of a vineyard hired workers throughout the day, up until the last hour of the day. When it came time to pay them for their labors, every worker got the same pay as the ones hired first--the ones who had worked all day laboring in the sun. Those hired first thought this was highly irregular and unfair. They worked more and thought they deserved more than the others.

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

The principle that "the last will be first" (Matthew 20:16) is a kingdom principle illustrated in other places. A thief, hanging next to Jesus on the cross, had his request for forgiveness and salvation granted in the last hour of his life. Blind Samson, after his unfaithfulness led him to be captured and tortured by the Philistines, cried out to God for strength to pull down the Philistine temple upon himself--and God granted the request.

We don't earn God's ear by our good works. God hears and answers prayer by grace. Don't be afraid to call out to Him when you think you least deserve His help.

  Christian doctrine is grace, and Christian conduct is gratitude.
  J. I. Packer

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 24:1–27:36 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2024:1%E2%80%9327:36&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, August 23

The Next Right Thing

  Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
  Ruth 1:14

    Recommended Reading
Ruth 1:16-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%201:16-18&version=NKJV )

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) uses the phrase in its teachings. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used a similar phrase. And many others who have found themselves in the midst of difficult situations, when directions are missing for the next step, have relied on this maxim: Do the next right thing.

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

Even those who rely on God's guidance don't always know the next step. Take Ruth, for example. A Moabitess who married into a Jewish family, her father-in-law and husband died and she was left with her mother-in-law, Naomi. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem to her people, she urged Ruth to stay in Moab with her own people. What should Ruth do? She did the next right thing: remain loyal to her mother-in-law, return with her to Bethlehem, and help provide for her. So she did--Naomi and Ruth journeyed to Bethlehem where, in time, God blessed Ruth with a prosperous husband and security for her and Naomi.

When confused about what steps to take next, doing the next right thing in God's sight is always a good choice. God blesses faith steps--and one step leads to another.

  Guidance is not normally ecstatic or mystical. It is always ethical and intensely practical.
  Sinclair Ferguson

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 28:1–31:18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2028:1%E2%80%9331:18&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, August 24

Trail of Clues

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

    Recommended Reading
Ruth 4:17-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%204:17-22&version=NKJV )

A favorite birthday surprise planned by parents for young children (and creative folks of all ages and situations) is the "Trail of Clues." As each clue is discovered and read, the celebrant gets closer and closer to uncovering the present or surprise toward which all the clues have been directing him or her. The clues seem random and unrelated, and in a birthday setting they are. They are tied together only by their collective goal of reaching the blessing at the end.

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

In a limited sense, the Christian life is like that "Trail of Clues." Just as a child trusts that the clues are not meaningless but lead to a conclusion, so we trust that the "clues" in our life--the events and circumstances--are taking us in the direction God wants us to go. They are moving us toward a destination, or a lifetime of destinations, called "knowing God." After all, knowing Him and being conformed to the image of His Son is the ultimate prize in life. And all things--all "clues"--work together to cause us to find the blessing (Romans 8:28-29).

Ask God today for sensitivity to the clues He reveals. Treasure each one and ask Him to move you faithfully toward Christlikeness.

  God's grace is sufficient for us anywhere His providence places us.
  Unknown

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 32:1–34:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2032:1%E2%80%9334:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, August 25 & 26

   Your Spiritual Wardrobe: Love

  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
  Colossians 3:14

    Recommended Reading
Colossians 3:12-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203:12-14&version=NKJV )

In his book on auditioning for Broadway, director Michael Shurtleff tells actors to consider every scene in a play a "love scene." It's not that every scene is romantic. But every scene has emotion, and our core emotion is love. "The desire for love, to give it or receive it... is the chief propellant in human beings," wrote Shurtleff. "An actor had best learn that."1

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We'd best all learn that. Every experience in life is a love scene, and Christians are to love as Jesus loves. The Bible speaks of putting on love like a garment. Colossians 3:14 (NLT) says, "Above all, clothe yourselves with love." It's a cloak we never remove. Since the Bible uses this symbol, why not take a moment and visualize it. Look at the clothes you're wearing today. Think of them as radiating love. Think of yourself as wearing the invisible threads of love, doing good, meeting needs, shedding offenses, showing compassion, projecting friendliness. That's the uniform of the Christian.

  If I take offense easily; if I am content to continue in cold unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
  Amy Carmichael

  1Michael Shurtleff,  Audition  (NY: Bantum, 1980), 25, 29.

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 35:1- 37:28, Ezekiel 38:1-40:49 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2035:1-%2037:28,%20Ezekiel%2038:1-40:49&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, August 27

Cave Dwellers

  A contemplation of David. A prayer when he was in the cave. I cry out to the Lord with my voice...
  Psalm 142, superscription & verse 1

    Recommended Reading
Psalm 142 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20142&version=NKJV )

A recent story in the  Los Angeles Times  reported that 30 million people in the Shaanxi province of China live in caves. Some of these cave homes have multiple rooms with brick masonry. Some have electricity and running water. They're cool in summer, protected in winter, and energy efficient. According to the story, a cave with three bedrooms and a bath is going for about $46,000.

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

When he wrote Psalm 142, David wasn't so enthusiastic about his cave. He was hiding there lonely and troubled (verse 2), overwhelmed (verse 3), thinking no one cared whether he lived or died (verse 4), persecuted and imprisoned by circumstances (verses 6-7).

That's exactly what he told the Lord as he wrote Psalm 142. He freely expressed his pain and perplexities in prayer. His example reminds us that we don't have to couch our prayers in lofty language. We can tell the Lord just how we feel. He listens patiently. He understands. And in His own way and time, He'll answer.

  Before God we may speak out our minds fully, and name the persons that afflict, affront, and trouble us... I find not that such a prayer in Scripture ever returned empty.
  Samuel Lee, in Treasury of David

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 41:1-44:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2041:1-44:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, August 28

The Question

  So it was, when Elijah heard [the still small voice], that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
  1 Kings 19:13

    Recommended Reading
Psalm 139:1-12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139:1-12&version=NKJV )

Jonah fled from God only to find God was in the middle of the sea. Peter was afraid to identify with Jesus only to find that Jesus wasn't afraid to identify with him. Moses fled from Pharaoh only to find God in a burning bush in Midian. Paul was locked in jail in Rome and found the joy of the Lord. David discovered there was nowhere he could go without encountering God.

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

Throughout Scripture, people learned it is impossible to go anywhere without encountering God. So when Elijah fled for his life and hid in a cave from the evil King Ahab, he discovered God was already there and had a question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" When we are at the low points in our life, God is always there with the same question--through His Word, through a person, or through a thought. He wants us to wrestle with why we are where we are so we can move to a better place.

Are you somewhere today, trying to hide from God? Here's the question: What are you doing there? God is waiting to encourage you to move on with Him.

  A man may hide God from himself, and yet he cannot hide himself from God.
  William Secker

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezekiel 45:1–48:35 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2045:1%E2%80%9348:35&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, August 29

Being Cared-For

  And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.
  Esther 2:7

    Recommended Reading
Titus 2:11-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%202:11-14&version=NKJV )

Raising little girls to one day become women of God is a challenging proposition today because the culture places great emphasis on the number of friends they "like" on social media, their position or status, and their physical appearance. This sad commentary on the values our society is propagating is shocking, but it provides a reminder of how important it is for all young women to have a godly role model who emphasizes their true worth and importance in the sight of God.

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

The story of Esther shows a beautiful orphaned young woman who did have someone who watched and cared for her, providing the protection of a home until she was chosen to be in King Ahasuerus' household; and even then offering wise spiritual counsel and comfort to her. Mordecai, her cousin, adopted Esther, "as his own daughter" when she became orphaned. This imagery is not lost on us today that our heavenly Father watches over us even when we feel we are all alone and facing difficult challenges in our lives. He goes before us, offering direction and protection.

  I trust in God, I know He cares for me, upon the land, or on the rolling sea, tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul, my heav'nly Father watches over me.
  William C. Martin

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 1:1–3:30 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201:1%E2%80%933:30&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, August 30

Prayerful Courage

  Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart...
  Psalm 27:14

    Recommended Reading
Esther 4:13-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%204:13-17&version=NKJV )

The word "courage" has somewhat of an identity crisis today. Some think of courage as the absence of fear. Actually, courage is persevering  in spite of  fear. Some of the most courageous men and women have prevailed in spite of weakness, sickness, and persecution.

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After two millennia, the beautiful Jewish woman Esther is still remembered for courageously stepping forward to preserve the Jewish nation. When alerted to Haman's evil plan to annihilate the Jews, Esther asked her cousin Mordecai to mobilize the prayer team as she endangered her life to approach the king without his summons. In Esther's moment of crisis, she wisely spent three days in prayer and fasting--before making her request to the king.

If you're experiencing a situation where you need courage to make a decision, don't rush ahead. The more crucial the decision or project, the more critical the groundwork. Make preparation through prayer, asking others to support you. It is then that God will reinforce your courage and give you strength to proceed.

  Cowardice asks the question: "Is it safe?" Consensus asks the question: "Is it popular?" Courage asks the question: "Is it right?"
  Rod Rogers

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 4:1-6:28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:1-6:28&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, August 31

When Trouble Brings Triumph

  ...Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
  Job 2:10

    Recommended Reading
Job 1:1-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201:1-22&version=NKJV )

Our tendency to remember the bad and forget the good is evidenced in the life of Job. His name has become synonymous with trials. But perhaps we need to focus on the triumph Job experienced through his trials.

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

Job valued four things in his life: faith, family, fortune, and friends. Satan tried to extinguish them all, hoping Job would curse God. Instead, we find a grieving Job responding to the greatness of God, reflecting on the goodness of God, and refusing to assign guilt to God. Instead of Job, Satan might have been the one cursing! Job kept his integrity intact. God was enough for him--with or without the other things he valued.

Do you bless God when you don't understand what He's doing in your life? Job models for us the kind of believer who trusts God in the midst of severe and unexplainable circumstances. Job expressed his grief to God, and God wants to hear the cries of our hearts too. But let's remember Job for the triumph he experienced through his testing--he remained guiltless before God. Open your eyes today to the absolute, all-sufficiency of Almighty God. He is enough!

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

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 7:1-9:27 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%207:1-9:27&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 1 & 2

   Back to School: Having the Right Textbook

  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
  2 Timothy 3:16

    Recommended Reading
Psalm 19:7-11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019:7-11&version=NKJV )

Because graduate school textbooks are printed in limited numbers and are revised frequently to keep up with changes in knowledge, each copy is very expensive--sometimes in the hundreds of dollars. But students are no longer limited to paying top dollar at the campus bookstore. Expensive textbooks, new and used, are now available all over the Internet.

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Fortunately, the textbook for the Master's Degree hasn't changed since the first edition. There are millions of copies available all over the planet. And, no matter which course of study you are pursuing--doctrine, prayer, marriage and the family, sanctification, prophecy, or another--the textbook is the same! The content is never revised or updated, and the Author stands by the accuracy of every word. The textbook is, of course, the Bible--God's inspired and inerrant Word.

Don't try to go back to school with Jesus without a well-worn copy of the Bible. You'll need to know it well to pass every test and answer every question. It's the right textbook for every class you'll take.

The truly wise man is he who always believes the Bible against the opinion of any man.
  R. A. Torrey

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Daniel 10:1–Hosea 1-6:11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%2010:1%E2%80%93Hosea%201-6:11&version=NKJV )