Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 14

Lost and Found

  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
  Luke 19:9-10

    Recommended Reading
Luke 19:1-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:1-10&version=NKJV )

Have you ever been lost? Perhaps you took a wrong turn in an unfamiliar city, and couldn't determine which highway would redirect you to your original destination. I've experienced traveling in the wrong direction or on the wrong road--and it is an unsettling feeling not knowing which way to turn.

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

The people around us today who do not have their hope in Christ are lost. But an encounter with Jesus Christ can change that condition. One such person that was safely brought home is Zacchaeus. The Bible tells us he was a rich tax collector, and a sinner, but he had a desire to know Christ. Being small in stature, he climbed up in a tree to see who Jesus was and his search was over. Jesus called out to him and traveled to his home. He was no longer lost.

Nothing can compare to being "found" by the Savior of the universe. No more wandering, wondering which way to turn--He is there to lead us home. Do you know someone who is lost? Introduce them to the Savior.

  What I believe about God is the most important thing about me.
  A. W. Tozer

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 2:1–5:26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:1%E2%80%935:26&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 15 & 16

   Back to School: Get to the Classroom

  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
  Acts 2:42

    Recommended Reading
Hebrews 10:24-25 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:24-25&version=NKJV )

The Internet has created "distance learning." It's possible for college and graduate students to take many, if not most, of their classes "in their pajamas"--through the convenience of their computer. But as this trend has grown, many students have discovered they don't like the isolation; they prefer the "old fashioned" community of education via the traditional classroom.
       Watch This Week's TV Broadcast ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx?tid=email_watchedevo )

God never intended for Christian education to occur in isolation either. Every Christian is part of a spiritual body, the body of Christ that only works as designed when Christians meet together. Each believer brings to the community what God has been doing in his or her life to share with others. Each brings his or her spiritual gift(s) to serve and build up the Body. The weekly meeting of the Church on the Lord's Day--a practice established immediately upon the birth of the Church at Pentecost--is "required attendance" for Master's Degree students.

Make sure you are part of the regular meetings of the Body of Christ in your community. Those weekly meetings, and other gatherings, are God's classroom for growth.

  Sunday should strike the keynote for the week.
  J. Wilbur Chapman

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 5:27–9:38 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:27%E2%80%939:38&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Monday, September 17

Hot Potatoes

  ...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
  2 Corinthians 2:11

    Recommended Reading
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%202:17-20&version=NKJV )

Workers in a potato processing plant in Athens, Greece, were startled to see two odd looking potatoes mixed into a shipment from Germany. The two objects were World War II-era hand grenades. Bomb-disposal experts neutralized the weapons, and Greek police are investigating the incident.

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

None of us knows when the devil is going to toss a couple of grenades into our daily routines. The apostle Paul warned that Satan will try to tempt us because of our lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:5). He will try to take advantage of us if we're not alert to his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). He will try to hinder us in our work (1 Thessalonians 2:18). He will buffet us with thorns to our flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7).

But his plans backfire when we turn to the Lord and take our stand on Scripture. Times of difficulty are the means by which God stretches our faith and teaches us anew to trust Him and obey. Turn your pressures into prayers and put on the whole armor of God. That's how to withstand the devil's grenades.

  Times of adversity can drive us closer to the Lord than times of ease, comfort and pleasure.
  Victor Coleman

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 10:1-12:14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:1-12:14&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 18

Complexion of Comfort

  God... has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  2 Corinthians 4:6

    Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 1:2-3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201:2-3&version=NKJV )

When the sixteenth-century British poet and soldier, Sir Philip Sidney, died, his friend Matthew Roydon wrote a poem in his honor. He said that Sidney possessed: "A sweet attractive kind of grace; a full assurance given by looks; continual comfort in a face; the (complexion) of Gospel books." In other words, the Gospel shone through Sidney's face. Divine comfort was etched into his complexion. To look at him was to be reassured.

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

If the face of a mere mortal can express God's grace, think of looking into the face of Christ Himself. Imagine being the blind man whose first sight was the smiling face of the Healer. Imagine Mary and Martha seeing our Lord's concerned face in their grief. Imagine the disciples looking into the radiant face of our Lord as He ascended into heaven. Now imagine His face seeing you and your burdens today.

One day we'll see Him face-to-face. Until then, we can still look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

  Continual comfort in a face! Is this not truer of the face of Jesus, who was marred more than any other man? His benign countenance, loving eyes, gracious presence, and heartfelt messages all exuded comfort.
  Herbert Lockyer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 12:15-14:12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:15-14:12&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, September 19

The Great Transformer

  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
  Romans 12:2

    Recommended Reading
Philippians 3:17-21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:17-21&version=NKJV )

The Transformers are a line of comic book characters that can transform themselves from vehicles and machines into humanoid-type robots. The Transformer movies are big hits, bringing the word "transform" into the popular culture.

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

But "transform" is a Bible word. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, we are transformed from "glory to glory" by the Holy Spirit as we behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord. Philippians 3:21 tells us that one day our Savior will come from heaven and transform our mortal bodies to be like His glorious body.

Jesus is the great Transformer. He transformed water into wine and a stormy sea into a placid pond. He transformed a tomb into a triumph. He transformed the woman of Samaria into a trophy of His grace, and the "chief of sinners" into a great apostle. When we're in Christ, no area of life is unaffected. Our transformation is more wonderful than anything in the movies. Don't be conformed to the world around you; be transformed by the Spirit within you.

  Take my heart and mold it; take my mind, transform it; take my will, conform it--to Yours, to Yours, to Yours.
  Micah Stampley in "Take My Life (Holiness)"

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 14:13-16:28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:13-16:28&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, September 20

Unshackled


  He had often been bound with shackles and chains.
  Mark 5:4
    Recommended Reading
Mark 5:1-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%205:1-20&version=NKJV )

As superintendent of Chicago's Pacific Garden Mission, Harry Saulnier had a 1940s radio program in which he told stories of people who had been transformed by Christ. Since this was the golden age of radio drama, Saulnier wanted to launch another broadcast that would take these stories and present them dramatically. In 1950, a set of scripts was readied for a recording session. But what to call the new program? During a brainstorming session, a former Navy man recalled, "In beginning a radio call at sea, we'd say 'shackled' and end with 'unshackled.' Why not 'Unshackled' for a title?"

"That's it," replied Saulnier.


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

Today "Unshackled" is the longest-running radio drama in history. There's no lack of material. Every person who comes to Christ is unshackled. In Him, we move from slavery to freedom and from immorality to immortality--just like the woman at the well or like the demoniac of the Gadarenes. Jesus can break the chains of sin, shame, addiction, and despair. "Therefore," said Jesus, "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).


  He breaks the power of cancelled sin; He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
  Charles Wesley

  Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 17:1-19:30 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017:1-19:30&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, September 21

Constantly Giving

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:27

Recommended Reading
Acts 4:36-37 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:36-37&version=NKJV )

The original word for "encouragement" in the New Testament -- as when Barnabas is referred to as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) -- is from the same root as the word  paraklete  -- the Word used to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). Both words come from a root that means to be called alongside -- as an encourager like Barnabas or as a divine Comforter like the Holy Spirit.

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

An encourager is a person who dispenses courage to those who are weak or fearful. And in Barnabas' case, his generosity with courage should come as no surprise since he was also generous in other ways. For instance, he sold a piece of personal property and donated the money to help care for the needy in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). And he generously introduced the new apostle, Paul, to the other apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27).

People who are generous are constantly giving things away: courage, money, introductions -- whatever is needed. Look around today and see what you have in abundance that others might be lacking.

Seeking empties a life while giving fills it.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 20:1–22:14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2020:1-22:14&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, September 22 & 23

Back to School: Find a Study Group



And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 3:12-15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:12-15&version=NKJV )

Church growth experts tell us that when a church exceeds 200 in attendance, people start seeing "strangers" in their midst. That's fine -- the Body of Christ should continue to grow. But when churches exceed "family size" on Sunday morning, there is a need for small group Bible studies so members can maintain their close ties with other Christians.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx?tid=email_watchedevo )

Every Christian needs a close-knit group of believers who can suffer and rejoice, weep and laugh, together. It's entirely possible for a believer to walk into church on Sunday morning, sit alone, and leave without ever speaking to anyone he knows or who knows him. Spiritual growth happens in many ways, in the pew, in a Sunday school classroom, in a women's or men's Bible study, and often in small group Bible studies held in homes. Growth occurs as believers are challenged to apply the Word to life and as they pray and challenge one another to obey what they have studied together.

Are you in a group of believers who are studying the Word? If not, find a church, Sunday school class, or small group to join and take your growth in Christ to a deeper level.

There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 22:15–26:29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2022:15-26:29&version=NKJV )

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

[Judy Harder]

Monday, September 24

Power-Full Words



Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 41:6-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2041:6-10&version=NKJV )

I took a speech class in college because a girl named Donna Thompson was taking the class (her last name is now the same as mine). While she was an excellent student, I mostly goofed-off in that class. One day, the professor took me aside after class and said, "You know, I don't know what others have told you about your abilities, but I believe you have real potential. I believe in you. You ought not to mess around in class. If you apply yourself, you might become a preacher one day."

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

I shrugged off his advice then -- but I didn't forget it. In fact, I remember that moment as if it were yesterday. Rarely do we forget the moments when someone speaks an encouraging word to us that powerfully impacts our lives. And every time we feel encouraged by someone, we ought to make a mental note to do the same for another person.

Encouragement is as simple as giving away what we receive. Just as that professor had a lasting and encouraging impact on my life, maybe there's someone who needs an encouraging word from you today. Go and seek that person out.

Your words can permanently influence a life.
Jerry Falwell

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 26:30-27:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:30-27:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 25

God's Appointment Book



I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
Psalm 119:60

Recommended Reading
Acts 8:26-40 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:26-40&version=NKJV )

Sometimes you can't judge a book by its cover. The same goes for people -- and coincidences. Corrie ten Boom once quipped, "All I know is that when I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't pray, they don't happen." As a Holocaust survivor, Corrie's life was filled with God-ordained moments. That's how I like to think of living by faith -- as responding to divine guidance and appointments.

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

Philip the evangelist experienced a God-ordained opportunity when he was preaching at a revival meeting in Samaria with multitudes coming to Christ. But then an angel suddenly appeared and directed him to a solitary Ethiopian who was traveling through the desert and needing some help as he studied the Book of Isaiah. Philip obeyed God's divine appointment. The same Holy Spirit who prompted Philip to deliver the message of evangelism was already at work in the heart of this Ethiopian.

When we get ready to be His ambassador, God has already prepared people for His Good News and He brings us together -- that's a divine appointment. There aren't any accidents with God. If God has put it in your heart to share the Gospel, don't wait until a convenient time.

A coincidence is an event in which a sovereign God chooses to remain anonymous.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 27:32-Mark 1:45 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MAtthew%2027:32-Mark%201:45&version=NKJV )